Search

nitially, the Internet provided personal anonymity because users’ actions online had no actual connection to their real life. As technologies developed, new opportunities required users to provide their personal data, which led to digital information being directly related to real people. However, some users failed to adapt to the new functional Internet content: they keep treating it as anonymous environment. Even being aware of the potential threat, they make no attempts to protect their private life data, the phenomenon defined as the privacy paradox. It is a popular research subject in social studies and economics; however, the privacy paradox remains understudied by law scientists. The author studied the status of anonymity on the Internet as either a mandatory content of the right to privacy, or a phenomenon requiring restriction in order to protect the rights and legitimate interests of citizens and the state security. The article contains some proposals for establishing the normative balance between anonymity and the right to privacy on the Internet.

Objectives. In the confined space of heat exchangers, heat transfer rate plays a key role. The cross-sectional shape of the tubes can affect the heat transfer characteristics. Although circular tubes are easier and less expensive to manufacture, heat transfer in heat exchangers with tubes of other cross-sections can take place at higher rates, thus providing economic advantages. This makes the mathematical modeling of hydrodynamics and heat exchange in a tube apparatus relevant and interesting both from the theoretical and applied point of view. The aim of this study is to determine the influence of the shape of the tube cross-section on the heat transfer intensity.Methods. Numerical investigations were carried out using smoothed particle hydrodynamics. The possibilities of the smoothed particle method for resolving industrial heat transfer problems were demonstrated.Results. Heat transfer intensity was analyzed for tubes of circular and rectangular cross-sections. In cases where the cross sections of tubes in the heat exchanger are elongated in a given direction, the influence of the tube position in relation to the oncoming flow was studied. This was performed either with the long side along the flow or across it. The influence of tube surface protrusions on heat exchange was investigated. The flow around tubes with different cross-sectional shapes was also analyzed. The features of the flow around the tubes were established, and the velocity and temperature fields in the heat exchanger volume were defined. The values of the dimensionless heat flux (Nusselt number) for each case were also found.Conclusions. The influence of finned tubes in the laminar flow regime of heated fluid through the bundle of heat transfer tubes is insignificant. The highest value of the heat flux was observed for tubes of rectangular cross section with the long side transverse to the flow, and the difference with the data obtained for standard round tubes was found to be more than 15%.

Abstract Background The One Health approach aims to balance and optimize the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems, recognizing that shared health outcomes are interdependent. A One Health approach to disease surveillance, control, and prevention requires infrastructure for coordinating, collecting, integrating, and analyzing data across sectors, incorporating human, animal, and environmental surveillance data, as well as pathogen genomic data. However, unlike data interoperability problems faced within a single organization or sector, data coordination and integration across One Health sectors requires engagement among partners to develop shared goals and capacity at the response level. Successful examples are rare; as such, we sought to develop a framework for local One Health practitioners to utilize in support of such efforts. Methods We conducted a systematic scientific and gray literature review to inform development of a One Health data integration framework. We discussed a draft framework with 17 One Health and informatics experts during semi-structured interviews. Approaches to genomic data integration were identified. Results In total, 57 records were included in the final study, representing 13 pre-defined frameworks for health systems, One Health, or data integration. These frameworks, included articles, and expert feedback were incorporated into a novel framework for One Health data integration. Two scenarios for genomic data integration were identified in the literature and outlined. Conclusions Frameworks currently exist for One Health data integration and separately for general informatics processes; however, their integration and application to real-time disease surveillance raises unique considerations. The framework developed herein considers common challenges of limited resource settings, including lack of informatics support during planning, and the need to move beyond scoping and planning to system development, production, and joint analyses. Several important considerations separate this One Health framework from more generalized informatics frameworks; these include complex partner identification, requirements for engagement and co-development of system scope, complex data governance, and a requirement for joint data analysis, reporting, and interpretation across sectors for success. This framework will support operationalization of data integration at the response level, providing early warning for impending One Health events, promoting identification of novel hypotheses and insights, and allowing for integrated One Health solutions.

Abstract Background The deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare has the potential to transform patient care through improved diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and more efficient resource management. However, the effectiveness and fairness of AI are critically dependent on the data it learns from. Biased datasets can lead to AI outputs that perpetuate disparities, particularly affecting social minorities and marginalized groups. Objective This paper introduces the “Data Artifacts Glossary”, a dynamic, open-source framework designed to systematically document and update potential biases in healthcare datasets. The aim is to provide a comprehensive tool that enhances the transparency and accuracy of AI applications in healthcare and contributes to understanding and addressing health inequities. Methods Utilizing a methodology inspired by the Delphi method, a diverse team of experts conducted iterative rounds of discussions and literature reviews. The team synthesized insights to develop a comprehensive list of bias categories and designed the glossary’s structure. The Data Artifacts Glossary was piloted using the MIMIC-IV dataset to validate its utility and structure. Results The Data Artifacts Glossary adopts a collaborative approach modeled on successful open-source projects like Linux and Python. Hosted on GitHub, it utilizes robust version control and collaborative features, allowing stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to contribute. Through a rigorous peer review process managed by community members, the glossary ensures the continual refinement and accuracy of its contents. The implementation of the Data Artifacts Glossary with the MIMIC-IV dataset illustrates its utility. It categorizes biases, and facilitates their identification and understanding. Conclusion The Data Artifacts Glossary serves as a vital resource for enhancing the integrity of AI applications in healthcare by providing a mechanism to recognize and mitigate dataset biases before they impact AI outputs. It not only aids in avoiding bias in model development but also contributes to understanding and addressing the root causes of health disparities.

Abstract Object play has been proposed to provide individuals with information about their environment, facilitating foraging skills and tool use. In species where object play co-occurs with locomotor or social play, it may have additional functional implications, such as facilitating the evaluation of peers or forming social bonds. For instance, ravens judge others’ competitiveness via play caching and engage in social play by exchanging objects. However, most raven studies were conducted on a restricted number of individuals and under controlled captive settings. To validate these findings and to gauge the functional scope of object play under field conditions, we investigated the patterns and characteristics of object play in individually marked free-flying ravens in the Austrian Alps. Using two large data sets, we show a decrease in object play with age and a preference for playing longer with novel objects, supporting findings from captivity. We also find adults occasionally playing with objects and no difference in the duration of social or non-social object play bouts across age classes. Taken together, our findings are in line with the assumption that raven object play likely has more than one function and serves to gain information about the individual’s physical and social environment.

Abstract Background Epidemiological studies associate an increase in breast cancer risk, particularly triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), with lack of breastfeeding. This is more prevalent in African American women, with significantly lower rate of breastfeeding compared to Caucasian women. Prolonged breastfeeding leads to gradual involution (GI), whereas short-term or lack of breastfeeding leads to abrupt involution (AI) of the breast. Our previous study utilizing a murine model demonstrated precancerous changes, specifically hyperplasia, a non-obligate precursor of breast cancer in the mammary glands of AI mice. Here we investigated mechanisms during early events of AI that prompts precancerous changes in mouse mammary glands. Methods Uniparous FVB/N mice were randomized to AI and GI on postpartum day 7 when all pups were removed from AI dams. GI dams were allowed to nurse the pups till day 31. Cell death kinetics and gene expression were assessed by TUNEL assay and qPCR respectively. Immune cell changes were investigated by flow cytometry, cytokine array and multiplex immunofluorescence. 3D-organoid cultures were used for in vitro assay of luminal progenitor cells. Results AI results in rapid cell death, DNA repair response, and immunosuppressive myeloid cells infiltration, leading to a chronically inflamed microenvironment. GI elicits a more controlled immune response and extended cell death. At the peak of cell death, AI glands harbored more immunosuppressive myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) and CD206 + M2-like macrophages, known to promote oncogenic events, compared to GI glands. AI glands exhibit an enrichment of CCL9-producing MDSCs and CD206 + M2-like macrophages that promote expansion of ELF5 + /ERα- luminal cells, both in vitro and in vivo. Multiplex imaging of AI glands demonstrated an increase in ELF5 + /WNT5a + luminal cells alongside a reduction in the ELF5 + /ERα + population when involution appeared histologically complete. A significantly higher number of CD206 + cells in post involution AI gland attests to a chronically inflamed state induced by AI. Conclusions Our findings reveal significant disparities between AI and GI gland dynamics at the early phase of involution. CCL9, secreted by immune cells at the peak of cell death promotes expansion of Elf5 + /ERα- luminal progenitor cells, the putative precursors of TNBC connecting early events of AI with increased breast cancer risk.

Wetlands, crucial for global biodiversity and ecosystem services, face escalating degradation due to human activities. Despite the growing urgency to track and improve wetland condition, challenges persist in developing adaptable and comprehensive assessment methods. This study employed advanced topic modelling techniques to analyze the wetland condition assessment literature, revealing trends, methods, and research gaps. Topic modelling was applied to 1,969 articles from Web of Science, using Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify topics that represent the key ideas based on the co-occurrence pattern of words from abstracts, titles, and keywords. Our analysis identified diverse topics such as ‘habitat for biodiversity’ ‘climate change’, and ‘scenario modelling’. We assessed the similarity and popularity of these topics over time, revealing dynamic trends in wetland condition assessment research. A research gap analysis was also undertaken to identify pairs of topics separated in both thematic content and co-occurrence within articles. The findings highlight the evolution of research interests, with some topics gaining prominence while others decline over time. For instance, ‘remote sensing’, ‘contaminant accumulation’, ‘wetland degradation’, ‘ecosystem services’ and ‘climate change’ emerged as hot topics, reflecting the increasing emphasis on the development of new technologies and the concern about wetland change due to anthropogenic impacts. In contrast, topics like ‘biological and ecological integrity’, ‘forested wetlands’, and ‘wetland boundary delineation’ showed declining prominence over time, indicating a potential shift in research focus. We identified a gap between the ‘remote sensing’ topic and most other topics, showing the importance of combining, for example, water quality and biodiversity data with remote sensing analyses for wetland condition assessment. The topic of ‘contaminant accumulation’ was also distant from other topics, bringing attention to the need to interconnect this topic with other approaches to wetland condition assessment. Our results highlight the need for policies that prioritize the integration of advanced technologies, such as remote sensing, with traditional ecological indicators to enable more holistic wetland assessments. These findings also emphasize the importance of region-specific conservation strategies to address challenges such as pollution and land-use changes, while fostering global efforts to harmonize monitoring frameworks and enhance the resilience of wetlands to climate change. This innovative approach demonstrates the potential of automated text analysis in rapidly synthesizing and comprehending vast collections of scientific literature, offering a holistic overview of wetland condition assessment research worldwide.

Background Short-term improvements in quality of life (QOL) have been reported in adult congenital heart disease patients with systemic right ventricle (sRV) failure after treatment with sacubitril/valsartan. This study aimed to evaluate the medium-term QOL changes in sRV failure patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan.Methods In this single-centre, prospective cohort study, patients with symptomatic sRV failure completed the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research/Academic Hospital Leiden Questionnaire for Adult’s Health-Related Quality of Life (TAAQOL) at baseline and after starting treatment with sacubitril/valsartan. The TAAQOL was taken at structured outpatient follow-up moments after 6, 12, 24 and 36 months of treatment. Linear mixed effects models were used to evaluate the medium-term changes in 12 QOL domains.Results Of 40 sRV failure patients initiated on sacubitril/valsartan, 35 completed the titration phase, and 31 filled in a total of 98 TAAQOL questionnaires (response rate 77.5%). Significant improvements in gross motoric functioning (p=0.008), cognitive function (p=0.002), sleep (p=0.041), social functioning (p

Despite the wide use of zebra finches as an animal model to study vocal learning and production, little is known about impacts on their welfare caused by routine experimental manipulations such as changing their social context. Here we conduct a post-hoc analysis of singing rate, an indicator of positive welfare, to gain insights into stress caused by social isolation, a common experimental manipulation. We find that isolation in an unfamiliar environment reduces singing rate for several days, indicating the presence of an acute stressor. However, we find no such decrease when social isolation is caused by either removal of a social companion or by transfer to a familiar environment. Furthermore, during repeated brief periods of isolation, singing rate remains high when isolation is induced by removal of social companions, but it fails to recover from a suppressed state when isolation is induced by recurrent transfer to an unknown environment. These findings suggest that stress from social isolation is negligible compared to stress caused by environmental changes and that frequent short visits of an unfamiliar environment are detrimental rather than beneficial. Together, these insights can serve to refine experimental studies and design paradigms maximizing the birds' wellbeing and vocal output.

Background: Existing studies on breast cancer survivors (BCS) have primarily focused on individual aspects of either diet or exercise preferences and barriers. Our study aims to examine BCS’ perceptions toward diet and exercise combined. Given the transformative impact of COVID-19, there is a crucial need for insights in the post-pandemic era to address the distinct challenges faced by BCS in maintaining their health and well-being. Objectives: This exploratory study aims to understand BCS’ preferences for and barriers to diet and exercise to inform future intervention development. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was administered to adults diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ or stage I–IV breast cancer (BC) from 2019 to 2021 regarding interest, preferences, and barriers to participating in diet and exercise interventions. Descriptive analysis compared pre-COVID-19 (pre-C) and during-COVID-19 pandemic (during-C) subsets. Results: There were 224 participants. Over half expressed interest in a BC research study related to diet and exercise. Most preferred receiving consultations in-person with relevant specialists, education or counseling in one-on-one sections, and information from written materials, in-person, or via technology. Barriers were fatigue, family, and work. One hundred and thirty participants completed the survey pre-C, and 94 during-C. Compared with pre-C, during-C participants preferred visual communication tools for information on nutrition and exercise over in-person methods (P < 0.05). In most categories, the percentage of barriers noted during-C was greater than pre-C. Conclusions: Participants indicated preference for dual-modal diet and exercise interventions. The pandemic impacted participation preferences and barriers, with shifts toward favoring visual communication tools over in-person services and increasing psychosocial and COVID-related barriers. Hybrid care, combining in-person with technology-based delivery, shows promise in enhancing flexibility and accessibility in nutrition and exercise interventions amid the pandemic.

Background/Objectives: HIV-associated neurocognitive impairment (NCI) remains a prevalent issue among people with HIV (PWH) despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy (ART). The pathogenesis of HIV-associated NCI is linked to chronic neuroinflammation caused by HIV, even in those with successful viral suppression. Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15), a protein involved in inflammatory and metabolic stress responses, has emerged as a key player and potential biomarker for various neurological conditions. This study investigates the relationship between GDF15 expression and HIV-associated NCI. Methods: PWH from the California NeuroAIDS Tissue Network (CNTN) underwent comprehensive neuropsychological exams within 12 months before death and were categorized based on cognitive performance. We examined GDF15 levels in their CSF (Cerebrospinal Fluid) and brain tissues using immunoblotting, immunohistochemistry, double immunolabeling, and ELISA. Results: The cohort was of a similar age across HIV-associated NCI statuses (mean = 40.5), with a predominance of males (77%). The mean plasma viral load was 3.56 log10 copies/mL for Neurocognitively Unimpaired (NUI) PWH and 5.38 log10 copies/mL for people with HIV-associated NCI. GDF15 protein levels were significantly elevated in the frontal cortices of PWH with NCI compared to NUI PWH. Conclusions: The findings indicate that GDF15 may play a role in the pathogenesis of HIV-associated NCI, possibly through neuroinflammatory mechanisms. The strong association between GDF15 levels and cognitive impairment severity suggests its potential as a biomarker for the early detection and monitoring of NCI in PWH.

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) mediates reward learning and motivation. Despite an abundance of neuropeptides, peptidergic neurotransmission from the NAc has not been integrated into current models of reward learning. The existence of a sparse population of neurons containing corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) has been previously documented. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of their identity and functional role in shaping reward learning. Our multidisciplinary approach included fluorescent in situ hybridization (n = ≥3 mice), tract tracing (n = 5 mice), ex vivo electrophysiology (n = ≥30 cells), in vivo calcium imaging with fiber photometry (n = ≥4 mice), and use of viral strategies in transgenic lines to selectively delete CRF peptide from NAc neurons (n = ≥4 mice). Behaviors used were instrumental learning, sucrose preference, and spontaneous exploration in an open field. We showed that the vast majority of NAc CRF-containing neurons are spiny projection neurons (SPNs) comprising dopamine D 1 -, D 2 -, or D 1 /D 2 -containing SPNs that primarily project and connect to the ventral pallidum and to a lesser extent the ventral midbrain. As a population, they display mature and immature SPN firing properties. We demonstrated that NAc CRF-containing neurons track reward outcomes during operant reward learning and that CRF release from these neurons acts to constrain initial acquisition of action-outcome learning and at the same time facilitates flexibility in the face of changing contingencies. CRF release from this sparse population of SPNs is critical for reward learning under normal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The increasing prevalence of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries, particularly in young athletes, necessitates optimization of treatment options. The introduction of UCL repair with internal bracing offers an exciting alternative to traditional UCL reconstruction. Purpose: To compare midterm outcomes between UCL repair with internal bracing and UCL reconstruction in competitive athletes. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: The authors identified competitive athletes who underwent primary UCL repair with internal bracing or UCL reconstruction between 2013 and 2021 and were at least 2 years postsurgery. To have qualified for repair, patients must have shown complete or partial UCL avulsion from the sublime tubercle or medial epicondyle. Relevant patient, injury, operative, and revision surgery data were collected via chart review. Preoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Elbow assessment form (ASES-E), Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow (KJOC), and Andrews-Carson scores were obtained from an ongoing data repository. ASES-E, KJOC, and Andrews-Carson scores, and return-to-sport (RTS) data were collected at follow-up. Linear regression modeling controlling for relevant covariates was utilized to compare patient-reported outcome (PRO) scores between groups. Proportions of athletes who successfully returned to sport and proportions of subsequent revision procedures between groups were compared using chi-square tests. Lastly, for those with baseline questionnaire data, the authors compared magnitude of change between preoperative and postoperative scores between groups using linear regression modeling with baseline scores and follow-up time as the covariates, and follow-up scores as the dependent variable. Results: A total of 461 athletes were eligible for inclusion with complete clinical and outcome data available (mean age at surgery, 19.1 years; 92% male). The UCL repair group had a significantly shorter follow-up time than the UCL reconstruction group (4.4 vs 6.3 years; P <.01). When controlling for follow-up time, the groups did not differ in ASES-E, KJOC, or Andrews-Carson scores at follow-up. There was no significant difference in proportion of revisions between UCL repair (9%) and UCL reconstruction (8%) (P =.77). Of the 268 athletes with complete follow-up in the repair group, 247 attempted to return to their preinjury sport, and 241 (98%) were able to RTS. Six athletes reported that they were unable to RTS due to limitations from their surgery. Of the 155 athletes with follow-up in the reconstruction group, 147 attempted to return to their preinjury sport; 145 (99%) were able to successfully RTS, and 2 were unable to return due to limitations from their surgery. The 2 groups, repair with internal brace versus reconstruction, did not statistically differ in the proportions that returned to preinjury sport (P =.20) but did differ regarding time in months to return to practice (6.7 ± 3.5 vs 10.2 ± 11.7) (P <.01) and time in months to return to competition (9.2 ± 4.6 vs 13.4 ± 13.3) (P <.01). Conclusion: Athletes who underwent UCL repair with internal brace reported excellent midterm PROs statistically similar to those after UCL reconstruction, including proportion successfully returning to preinjury sport. There was no significant difference in revision rates between procedures. However, athletes who underwent UCL repair had a statistically significantly shorter time to RTS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian vocalizations are produced by precisely coordinated motion of the respiratory, syringeal and upper vocal tract systems. Syringeal muscles are controlled with unprecedented resolution, down to independent control of individual muscle fibres. However, we currently lack an anatomical description of syrinx muscles at single fibre resolution. Here, we combined a micron-resolution synchrotron X-ray CT scan of the zebra finch syrinx with micro-dissections of independent specimens to resolve syrinx muscle morphology at individual muscle fibre level. We define two new, previously unknown muscles and update the fibre trajectories and attachment sites of three previously described muscles. Our new insights into the fine anatomy of syrinx muscles show that not one, but both avian vocal folds can be directly controlled by contracting syrinx muscles. Thus, our data reveal novel anatomical complexity with consequences for the biomechanics and motor control of sound production. This article is part of the theme issue 'The biology of the avian respiratory system'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine photoautotrophs have evolved to exploit the ocean's variable light conditions, with chromatic acclimators being able to adjust their pigment content to better match the ambient light color. The impact of chromatic acclimation on phytoplankton distribution and competition is not well understood despite its global importance. This study explores chromatic acclimation's role in shaping the biogeography of Synechococcus, a widespread cyanobacterium. We integrated three pigment types into a global ecosystem model: a green-light specialist, a blue-light specialist, and a chromatic acclimator. Laboratory studies defined each type's specific absorption properties. Our results indicate that chromatic acclimation offers an evolutionary advantage by enabling Synechococcus to adapt to varying light environments. This ability to mimic blue-and green-light specialists and enhance absorption at intermediate states, particularly in areas with high seasonal light variations, increases Synechococcus distribution and biomass. Thus, chromatic acclimation affects ecosystem functioning and biogeochemical processes in the ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The One Health approach aims to balance and optimize the health of humans, animals, and ecosystems, recognizing that shared health outcomes are interdependent. A One Health approach to disease surveillance, control, and prevention requires infrastructure for coordinating, collecting, integrating, and analyzing data across sectors, incorporating human, animal, and environmental surveillance data, as well as pathogen genomic data. However, unlike data interoperability problems faced within a single organization or sector, data coordination and integration across One Health sectors requires engagement among partners to develop shared goals and capacity at the response level. Successful examples are rare; as such, we sought to develop a framework for local One Health practitioners to utilize in support of such efforts. Methods: We conducted a systematic scientific and gray literature review to inform development of a One Health data integration framework. We discussed a draft framework with 17 One Health and informatics experts during semi-structured interviews. Approaches to genomic data integration were identified. Results: In total, 57 records were included in the final study, representing 13 pre-defined frameworks for health systems, One Health, or data integration. These frameworks, included articles, and expert feedback were incorporated into a novel framework for One Health data integration. Two scenarios for genomic data integration were identified in the literature and outlined. Conclusions: Frameworks currently exist for One Health data integration and separately for general informatics processes; however, their integration and application to real-time disease surveillance raises unique considerations. The framework developed herein considers common challenges of limited resource settings, including lack of informatics support during planning, and the need to move beyond scoping and planning to system development, production, and joint analyses. Several important considerations separate this One Health framework from more generalized informatics frameworks; these include complex partner identification, requirements for engagement and co-development of system scope, complex data governance, and a requirement for joint data analysis, reporting, and interpretation across sectors for success. This framework will support operationalization of data integration at the response level, providing early warning for impending One Health events, promoting identification of novel hypotheses and insights, and allowing for integrated One Health solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to examine the hepatoprotective activity of multicomponent mixtures of natural origin in the BALB/C mouse model, with subacute liver failure (SALF) induced by the administration of toxin carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). The hepatoprotective activity of activated hydrolytic lignin (BP-Cx-1), humic acid peloids (HA), and isoflavones from kudzu Pueraria lobata roots (IFL) was evaluated using mass spectrometry (MS)-based omics technologies. Our MS-based approach revealed new insights into the molecular mechanisms of the hepatoprotective activity of multicomponent mixtures of natural origin. Significant differences were observed in the proteome and metabolome profiles of the urine and liver of BALB/c mice with SALF between a control group with CCl4 administration, intact controls, and groups receiving potential hepatoprotectors of natural origin (BP-Cx-1, HA, IFL). Proteomic and metabolomics analyses demonstrated that among the hepatoprotectors, IFL possessed the highest hepatoprotective potential, which correlated well with the relative effectiveness of the drugs recorded during in vitro studies. These results correlate with the relative effectiveness of the drugs recorded in previous in vitro and in vivo studies. The leading IFL activity may be attributed to a higher content of active polyphenolic components compared to heterogeneous HA and BP-Cx-1. Enrichment with active components by fractionation is a direction that can be explored for developing hepatoprotective agents based on natural complex polyphenols. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: After two decades of mass drug administration (MDA) for schistosomiasis in Burkina Faso, an impact assessment was conducted in 16 health districts (HDs) between February 2023 to March 2024 to determine the epidemiological situation of schistosomiasis in school-aged children and facilitate the decision for sub-district level treatment decision. Methodology/Principal findings: A cross-sectional cluster survey was conducted with randomly selected children aged 5–14 years. Haemastix reagent strips were used to detect microhaematuria in urine, and urine filtration was used to detect and quantify Schistosoma haematobium eggs in children with microhaematuria. The Kato-Katz was used to detect and quantify S. mansoni eggs in fecal samples. The prevalence of infection and the prevalence of heavy-intensity (HI) infections were calculated. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 2.4% (range: 0–11.1%) in 16 HDs, with the overall prevalence of HI infection of 0.9% (range: 0–4.2%). Four HDs (Tenkodogo, Batié, Sig-Nonghin, and Karangasso-Vigué) had a prevalence of HI infection from 1.3% to 4.2%. Forty-seven health areas still had an overall prevalence of 1.4–62.5%, with seven health areas in five HDs >10%, and 29 health areas had a prevalence of HI infection from 1.4% to 22.9%. Boys had a higher prevalence of HI infections than girls. The prevalence of microhaematuria at 5.8% was significantly higher than that of S. haematobium infection by urine filtration at 2.3%, and Haemastix results were significantly associated with the intensity of infection. Conclusions/Significance: The results showed that progress has been made in eliminating schistosomiasis as a public health problem in the 16 HDs in Burkina Faso after two decades of mass treatment. However, hotspots of infections remain, with 29 health areas having a prevalence of HI infection above the 1% threshold. The results provide evidence for planning targeted sub-district-level treatment. Author summary: Burkina Faso is endemic for schistosomiasis in all health districts and has been conducting mass treatment with praziquantel at the district level in the last two decades, targeting school-aged children regularly and at-risk adults where prevalence was high. We conducted an impact assessment in 16 health districts in 2023–2024 to assess the current epidemiological situation and provide evidence to adjust treatment strategies at the sub-district level. Children aged 5–14 years were selected randomly from 320 schools. Urine samples were tested for urogenital schistosomiasis using urine filtration and for microhaematuria using Haemastix urinalysis reagent strips. Stool samples were tested for intestinal schistosomiasis using Kato-Katz. The overall prevalence of schistosomiasis was 2.4% in 16 health districts, with the overall prevalence of infection with heavy intensity at 0.9%. The prevalence of microhaematuria was 5.8%. The results showed good progress in eliminating schistosomiasis as a public health problem in the 16 health districts after two decades of mass treatment. There were, however, some hotspots of infection, as seven health areas in five health districts had an overall prevalence of >10%, and a total of 29 health areas had a prevalence of infection with heavy intensity above the 1% threshold for elimination as a public health problem. The results provide evidence for planning targeted sub-district-level treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The deployment of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in healthcare has the potential to transform patient care through improved diagnostics, personalized treatment plans, and more efficient resource management. However, the effectiveness and fairness of AI are critically dependent on the data it learns from. Biased datasets can lead to AI outputs that perpetuate disparities, particularly affecting social minorities and marginalized groups. Objective: This paper introduces the "Data Artifacts Glossary", a dynamic, open-source framework designed to systematically document and update potential biases in healthcare datasets. The aim is to provide a comprehensive tool that enhances the transparency and accuracy of AI applications in healthcare and contributes to understanding and addressing health inequities. Methods: Utilizing a methodology inspired by the Delphi method, a diverse team of experts conducted iterative rounds of discussions and literature reviews. The team synthesized insights to develop a comprehensive list of bias categories and designed the glossary's structure. The Data Artifacts Glossary was piloted using the MIMIC-IV dataset to validate its utility and structure. Results: The Data Artifacts Glossary adopts a collaborative approach modeled on successful open-source projects like Linux and Python. Hosted on GitHub, it utilizes robust version control and collaborative features, allowing stakeholders from diverse backgrounds to contribute. Through a rigorous peer review process managed by community members, the glossary ensures the continual refinement and accuracy of its contents. The implementation of the Data Artifacts Glossary with the MIMIC-IV dataset illustrates its utility. It categorizes biases, and facilitates their identification and understanding. Conclusion: The Data Artifacts Glossary serves as a vital resource for enhancing the integrity of AI applications in healthcare by providing a mechanism to recognize and mitigate dataset biases before they impact AI outputs. It not only aids in avoiding bias in model development but also contributes to understanding and addressing the root causes of health disparities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This retrospective cohort study examined prosocial skills development in child welfare-involved children, how intimate partner violence (IPV) exposure explained heterogeneity in children's trajectories of prosocial skill development, and the degree to which protective factors across children's ecologies promoted prosocial skill development. Data were from 1,678 children from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being I, collected between 1999 and 2007. Cohort-sequential growth mixture models were estimated to identify patterns of prosocial skill development between the ages of 3 to 10 years. Four diverse pathways were identified, including two groups that started high (high subtle-decreasing; high decreasing-to-increasing) and two groups that started low (low stable; low increasing-to-decreasing). Children with prior history of child welfare involvement, preschool-age IPV exposure, school-age IPV exposure, or family income below the federal poverty level had higher odds of being in the high decreasing-to-increasing group compared with the high subtle-decreasing group. Children with a mother with greater than high school education or higher maternal responsiveness had higher odds of being in the low increasing-to-decreasing group compared with the low stable group. The importance of maternal responsiveness in fostering prosocial skill development underlines the need for further assessment and intervention. Recommendations for clinical assessment and parenting programs are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Subjective life expectancy (SLE) is considered an indicator of future time perspective and has implications for developmental outcomes in different areas of life. Previous studies rarely took a lifespan approach, although it would allow for a better understanding of whether the factors affecting SLE vary with participants' chronological age. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the predictors of changes in SLE across the lifespan, focusing on views of aging and preparation for old age. Methods: SLE was assessed across a 10-year longitudinal interval in a sample of German adults participating in the Ageing-as-Future study (n = 514; age range at T1: 30–80 years). Personalized views of aging (future self-views) and preparations for old age assessed at T1 were used to predict changes in SLE across the longitudinal interval. Results: Positive future self-views predicted greater stability in SLE across the 10-year interval; this effect was only obtained for younger adults. High levels of preparation for old age predicted greater stability in SLE, but only for older participants. Conclusion: Psychological variables capturing beliefs and behaviors regarding old age and aging have been shown to play a pivotal role in development in old age. The current study demonstrates that these variables influence an important aspect of future time perspective, namely, the subjectively expected time left to live. Examining psychological and behavioral predictors of SLE is relevant, as it broadens the understanding of which factors play a role in expanding or shrinking the perceived remaining lifetime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]