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الملخص: أهداف البحث: لم يتم بعد التحقيق في شدة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة وآثاره طويلة الأمد بين السكان الايزيديين. قيمت هذه الدراسة تأثير شدة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة وإزمانه على المعايير الفسيولوجية والجسمية لدى النساء الناجيات من الأحداث المتعلقة بالإبادة الجماعية بعد هجوم ما يسمى بتنظيم الدولة الإسلامية في العراق وسوريا (داعش) في عام 2014. طريقة البحث: تم تشخيص اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة تم تقييمها باستخدام قائمة مراجعة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة لـ (بي سي إل – 5) ''دي إم سي -5. تم تقسيم المشاركين إلى: السيطرة الخارجية (الأفراد الأصحاء الذين يعيشون خارج المخيمات)، والرقابة الداخلية (الأفراد الأصحاء الذين يعيشون في المخيمات)، ومجموعة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة (الأفراد الذين تم تشخيص إصابتهم باضطراب ما بعد الصدمة). تم تقسيم مجموعة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة وفقا لزمن الإصابة 5 سنوات، وتم تقسيمها وفقا لشدة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة إلى ''معتدل'' و''شديد'' و''أقصى شدة''. تم تقييم ضغط الدم الانقباضي، وضغط الدم الانبساطي، وتشبع الأكسجين في الدم ومعدل ضربات القلب. وتم قياس الوزن والطول ومحيط الخصر. تم حساب مؤشر كتلة الجسم ونسبة الخصر إلى الطول. النتائج: أظهرت مجموعة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة زيادة في قيم ضغط الدم الانقباضي (9.51، 7.63%)، ضغط الدم الانقباضي (5.57، 4.01%)، معدل ضربات القلب (12.04، 5.57%)، مؤشر كتلة الجسم (6.91، 6.19%)، وزن الجسم (7.14، 6.27%)، الوزن (11.27، 10.62٪)، ونسبة الخصر إلى الطول (11.90، 6.82٪)، مقارنة بالضوابط الخارجية والداخلية، على التوالي. انخفضت قيم تشبع الأكسجين في الدم في مجموعة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة مقارنة بكلا التحكمين. مع تطور المرض من ''أقل من سنتين'' إلى ''> 5 سنوات'' ضغط الدم الانقباضي (2.49%)، ضغط الدم الانقباضي (7.83%)، معدل ضربات القلب (14.93%)، مؤشر كتلة الجسم (33.14%)، وزن الجسم (19.17%)، زادت نسبة الخصر إلى الطول (13.95٪)، والوزن (26.39٪) في مجموعة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة. وبالمثل، مع تقدم شدة المرض من ''معتدل'' إلى ''أقصى شدة''، معدل ضربات القلب (22.53%)، ضغط الدم الانقباضي (9.31%)، ضغط الدم الانقباضي (11.79%)، مؤشر كتلة الجسم (17.3%)، وزن الجسم (12.77%)، نسبة الخصر إلى الطول (13.95%) والوزن (21.06%) زادت في مجموعة اضطراب ما بعد الصدمة. الاستنتاجات: هناك تأثير طويل المدى على العوامل الفسيولوجية والقياسات البشرية لدى النساء المصابات باضطراب ما بعد الصدمة والذي قد يتفاقم بسبب شدة المرض وإزمانه. Abstract: The severity of post-traumatic stress disorder and its long-lasting effects among the Yazidi population has not yet been investigated. Objectives: This study evaluated the impact of PTSD severity and chronicity on physiological and anthropometric parameters in women survivors of the genocide-related events after the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) attack in 2014. Methods: The diagnosis PTSD was assessed using PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5). Participants were divided into: External control (healthy individuals living outside the camps), Internal control (healthy individuals living in the camps), and PTSD group (individuals diagnosed with PTSD). The PTSD group was subdivided according to chronicity 5 years and subdivided according to PTSD severity into “Moderate”, “Severe” and “Extreme”. Systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), blood oxygen saturation (SPO2) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated. Weight, height and waist circumference were measured. Body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were calculated. Results: The PTSD group showed significant increases in SBP, DBP, heart rate, BMI, WC, weight, and WHtR compared to the control groups. SPO2 values decreased in the PTSD group. As the disease progressed, there were further increases in SBP, DBP, heart rate, BMI, WC, WHtR, and weight. Similar increases were observed with the severity of the disease. Conclusion: Our data indicates that a long-term impact on physiological and anthropometric parameters is present in women diagnosed with PTSD which might be aggravated by the severity and chronicity of the disease.

Abstract It has been long-understood that final state rescattering effects provide O $$ \mathcal{O} $$ (1) corrections to hadronic meson decays rates, such as η → πππ and η′ → ηππ. Hence, one would expect that such effects would be just as important in axio-hadronic η and η′ decays, such as η (′) → ππa, where a is an axion or axion-like particle (ALP). And indeed they are, as we show in this paper by using the treatment of dispersion relations to include the effects of strong final state interactions in several axio-hadronic processes, namely, η (′) → π 0 π 0 a, η (′) → π + π − a, and η′ → ηπ 0 a. We also compute the perturbative, leading order decay rates for multiple ALP emission, such as in η (′) → π 0 aa, η′ → ηaa and η (′) → aaa, and briefly discuss the expected corrections from strong interactions and the processes that must be considered for an accurate rate estimation of these multi-ALP decay channels.

Abstract We propose an adaptation of Entanglement Renormalization for quantum field theories that, through the use of discrete wavelet transforms, strongly parallels the tensor network architecture of the Multiscale Entanglement Renormalization Ansatz (a.k.a. MERA). Our approach, called wMERA, has several advantages of over previous attempts to adapt MERA to continuum systems. In particular, (i) wMERA is formulated directly in position space, hence preserving the quasi-locality and sparsity of entanglers; and (ii) it enables a built-in RG flow in the implementation of real-time evolution and in computations of correlation functions, which is key for efficient numerical implementations. As examples, we describe in detail two concrete implementations of our wMERA algorithm for free scalar and fermionic theories in (1+1) spacetime dimensions. Possible avenues for constructing wMERAs for interacting field theories are also discussed.

The world is not on track to meet Sustainable Development Goal 6.1 to provide universal access to safely managed drinking water by 2030. Removal of priority microbial contaminants by disinfection is one aspect of ensuring water is safely managed. Passive chlorination (also called in-line chlorination) represents one approach to disinfecting drinking water before or at the point of collection (POC), without requiring daily user input or electricity. In contrast to manual household chlorination methods typically implemented at the point of use (POU), passive chlorinators can reduce the user burden for chlorine dosing and enable treatment at scales ranging from communities to small municipalities. In this review, we synthesized evidence from 27 evaluations of passive chlorinators (in 19 articles, 3 NGO reports, and 5 theses) conducted across 16 countries in communities, schools, health care facilities, and refugee camps. Of the 27 passive chlorinators we identified, the majority (22/27) were solid tablet or granular chlorine dosers, and the remaining devices were liquid chlorine dosers. We identified the following research priorities to address existing barriers to scaled deployment of passive chlorinators: (i) strengthening local chlorine supply chains through decentralized liquid chlorine production, (ii) validating context-specific business models and financial sustainability, (iii) leveraging remote monitoring and sensing tools to monitor real-time chlorine levels and potential system failures, and (iv) designing handpump-compatible passive chlorinators to serve the many communities reliant on handpumps as a primary drinking water source. We also propose a set of reporting indicators for future studies to facilitate standardized evaluations of the technical performance and financial sustainability of passive chlorinators. In addition, we discuss the limitations of chlorine-based disinfection and recognize the importance of addressing chemical contamination in drinking water supplies. Passive chlorinators deployed and managed at-scale have the potential to elevate the quality of existing accessible and available water services to meet "safely managed" requirements.

Although the link between gut microbiota and obesity is increasingly reported, the pathophysiological mechanisms and clinical outcomes are still under debate. This overview of human and animal data addresses several pathophysiologic mechanisms, dietary habits, exercise and probiotic and symbiotic supplementation in the fields of gut microbiota and obesity. Overall, obesity impairs gut microbiota composition due to factors that may be linked to the onset of the disease, such as excessive consumption of high-energy foods, sugars and fats, as well as a low fiber intake and physical inactivity. Conversely, low-energy diets, physical exercise, and probiotic and prebiotic supplementations can enhance gut microbiota in patients with obesity, in addition to improving cardiometabolic markers. As for perspectives, further research is warranted to ascertain proper dietary manipulation, physical exercise protocols and dosing regimens of probiotics. Regarding the latter, the effects on indicators of obesity are clinically modest, and hence skepticism must be exercised.

Abstract Pyogenic spondylodiscitis presents significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. In Germany, a comprehensive understanding of its epidemiology and inpatient management outcomes is limited, hindering the optimisation of therapeutic strategies. This study aimed to characterise the evolving epidemiological trends of pyogenic spondylodiscitis in Germany, and concurrently evaluate inpatient management strategies and outcomes. We performed a retrospective population-based study of spondylodiscitis cases in Germany from 2005 to 2021, utilising data from the German Federal Statistical Office database. The parameters assessed were incidence trends, demographic characteristics, inpatient management strategies, and inpatient mortality. The study found a significant rise in the population-adjusted incidence of spondylodiscitis in Germany from 2005 to 2021, increasing by 104% from 5.4 to 11.0 cases per 100,000 individuals (p

Abstract The workshop “Shedding light on X17” brings together scientists looking for the existence of a possible new light particle, often referred to as X17. This hypothetical particle can explain the resonant structure observed at $$\sim $$ ∼ 17 MeV in the invariant mass of electron-positron pairs, produced after excitation of nuclei such as $$^8\hbox {Be}$$ 8 Be and $$^4\hbox {He}$$ 4 He by means of proton beams at the Atomki Laboratory in Debrecen. The purpose of the workshop is to discuss implications of this anomaly, in particular theoretical interpretations as well as present and future experiments aiming at confirming the result and/or at providing experimental evidence for its interpretation.

Abstract Quasi-sterile neutrinos are a natural consequence of dark sectors interacting with the Standard Model (SM) sector via neutrino- and vector-portals. Essentially, quasi-sterile neutrinos are light dark sector fermions with two generic properties: (i) they mix with the active neutrinos of the SM, and (ii) they are charged under a vector mediator that couples feebly to SM matter. Various interesting phenomenological consequences result from this class of particles. In this article, we investigate one such consequence: new, beyond the SM matter effects that can alter in-medium neutrino oscillations. In particular, for special windows of energy and matter densities, active neutrinos can resonantly oscillate into sterile neutrinos. We take advantage of this feature to build a quasi-sterile neutrino model that can explain the MiniBooNE and LSND anomalies, while remaining compatible with observations from long-baseline reactor- and accelerator-based neutrino experiments. This model is also likely compatible with the recent results reported by the MicroBooNE collaboration (albeit we cannot precisely quantify this claim due to a lack of information in MicroBooNE’s public data releases to date). Implications for solar neutrinos and ν e disappearance searches are also briefly discussed.

Rhodnius prolixus is one of the most important vectors of Chagas disease in Central and South America for which repellents and attractants are sorely needed. Repellents like DEET, picaridin, and IR3535 are widely used as the first line of defense against mosquitoes and other vectors, but they are ineffective against R. prolixus. Our initial goal was to identify in R. prolixus genome odorant receptors sensitive to putative sex pheromones. We compared gene expression of 21 ORs in the R. prolixus genome, identified 4 ORs enriched in male (compared with female) antennae. Attempts to de-orphanize these ORs using the Xenopus oocyte recording system showed that none of them responded to putative sex pheromone constituents. One of the them, RproOR80, was sensitive to 4 compounds in our panel of 109 odorants, namely, 2-heptanone, γ-octalactone, acetophenone, and 4-methylcychohexanol. Interestingly, these compounds, particularly 4-methylcyclohexanol, showed strong repellency activity as indicated not only by a significant decrease in residence time close to a host, but also by a remarkable reduction in blood intake. 4-Methylcyclohexanol-elicited repellency activity was abolished in RNAi-treated insects. In summary, our search for pheromone receptors led to the discovery of repellents for R. prolixus.

Background: Regulation of antibiotic prescription and consumption remains a major public health burden in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: This study aimed to describe the antibiotic consumption of patients who had a positive antibiotic culture in a reference laboratory. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted among 113 participants with positive antibiograms with a documented history of antibiotics intake at the Yaoundé University Teaching Hospital in Cameroon between January 2016 and June 2021. Data were stored and analyzed using the Census and Survey Processing System version 7.3 and Statistical Package for Social Science version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were used to estimate the indicators. Results: Of the 113 patients enrolled, 105 had a history of drug use; 56 participants (53.3%) had taken at least 2 antibiotics prior to sampling. Cephalosporins were the most consumed antibiotics (41%), followed by nitroimidazols (28.6%) and penicillins (28.6%). According to the World Health Organization classification, 55 (52.4%) took major priority antibiotics. Conclusion: We are on the alert and there is an urgent need to raise awareness among clinicians and patients alike by providing them with good clinical practice guidelines.

Simple Summary: Recent research uncovered the BRAF mutation in papillary craniopharyngiomas, leading to new targeted treatments that may reduce the need for invasive procedures. A systematic review of 20 studies with 37 patients, treated mostly in the U.S., found that 18 patients received these drugs after surgery or radiation (adjuvant treatment), while 19 received them before surgery (neoadjuvant treatment). The common combination of a BRAF inhibitor with a MEK inhibitor significantly shrank tumours, with reductions of 70% to 100% in many cases, and up to 91% for those treated before surgery. Some patients required no further treatment afterward. However, questions remain about the optimal use of these drugs, including timing, combinations, and managing side effects. Despite these challenges, targeted therapies are promising in improving outcomes and quality of life for patients with this brain tumour, with future studies expected to refine their use. Background/Objectives: The recent discovery of BRAF mutation in papillary craniopharyngiomas opened new avenues for targeted therapies to control tumour growth, decreasing the need for invasive treatments and relative complications. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the recent scientific data dealing with the use of targeted therapies in papillary craniopharyngiomas, as adjuvant and neoadjuvant treatments. Methods: The PRISMA guidelines were followed with searches performed in Scopus, MEDLINE, and Embase, following a dedicated PICO approach. Results: We included 21 pertinent studies encompassing 53 patients: 26 patients received BRAF inhibitors (BRAFi) as adjuvant treatment, while 25 received them as neoadjuvant treatment. In the adjuvant setting, BRAFi were used to treat recurrent tumours after surgery or adjuvant radiation therapy. The most common regimen combined dabrafenib (BRAFi) with trametinib (MEK1 and 2 inhibitor) in 81% of cases. The mean treatment length was 8.8 months (range 1.6 to 28 months) and 32% were continuing BRAFi. A reduction of tumour volume variable from 24% to 100% was observed at cerebral MRI during treatment and volumetric reduction ≥80% was described in 64% of cases. Once the treatment was stopped, adjuvant treatments were performed to stabilize patients in remission in 11 cases (65%) or when a progression was detected in three cases (12%). In four cases no further therapies were administered (16%). Mean follow-up after the end of targeted therapy was 17.1 months. As neoadjuvant regimen, 36% of patients were treated with dabrafenib and trametinib with a near complete radiological response in all the cases with a mean treatment of 5.7 months. The neoadjuvant use of verumafenib (BRAFi) and cometinib (MEK1 inhibitor) induced a near complete response in 15 patients (94%), with a median volumetric reduction between 85% and 91%. Ten patients did not receive further treatments. Side effects varied among studies. The optimal timing, sequencing, and duration of treatment of these new therapies should be established. Moreover, questions remain about the choice of specific BRAF/MEK inhibitors, the optimal protocol of treatment, and the strategies for managing adverse events. Conclusions: Treatment is shifting to a wider multidisciplinary management, where a key role is played by targeted therapies, to improve outcomes and quality of life for patients with BRAF-mutated craniopharyngiomas. Future, larger comparative trials will optimize their protocol of use and integration into multimodal strategies of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olfactory proteins mediate a wide range of essential behaviors for insect survival. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are small soluble olfactory proteins involved in the transport of odor molecules (=odorants) through the sensillum lymph to odorant receptors, which are housed on the dendritic membrane of olfactory sensory neurons also known as olfactory receptor neurons. Thus, a better understanding of the role(s) of OBPs from Rhodnius prolixus, one of the main vectors of Chagas disease, may ultimately lead to new strategies for vector management. Here we aimed at functionally characterize OBPs from R. prolixus. Genes of interest were selected using conventional bioinformatics approaches and subsequent quantification by qPCR. We screened and estimated expression in different tissues of 17 OBPs from R. prolixus adults. These analyses showed that 11 OBPs were expressed in all tissues, whereas six OBP genes were specific to antennae. Two OBP genes, RproOBP6 and RproOBP13, were expressed in both male and female antennae thus suggesting that they might be involved in the recognition of semiochemicals mediating behaviors common to both sexes, such host finding (for a blood meal). Transcripts for RproOBP17 and RproOBP21 were enriched in female antennae and possibly involved in the detection of oviposition attractants or other semiochemicals mediating female-specific behaviors. By contrast, RproOBP26 and RproOBP27 might be involved in the reception of sex pheromones given that their transcripts were highly expressed in male antennae. To test this hypothesis, we silenced RproOBP27 using RNAi and examined the sexual behavior of the phenotype. Indeed, adult males treated with dsOBP27 spent significantly less time close to females as compared to controls. Additionally, docking analysis suggested that RproOBP27 binds to putative sex pheromones. We therefore concluded that RproOBP27 might be a pheromone-binding protein.

Structured approaches like the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework offer great potential for depicting complex toxicological processes in a manner that can facilitate informed integration of mechanistic information in regulatory decisions. While this concept provides a structure for organizing evidence and facilitates consistency in evidence integration; the process, inputs, and manner in which AOPs and AOP networks are developed is still evolving. Following the OECD guiding principles of AOP development, we propose three AOPs for male reproductive tract abnormalities and derive a putative AOP network. The AOPs were developed using a fundamental understanding of the developmental biology of the organs of interest, paying close attention to the gestational timing of key events (KEs) to very specifically inform the domain of life stage applicability for the key event relationships (KERs). Chemical stressor data primarily from studies on low molecular weight phthalates (LMWPs) served to ‘bound’ the pathways of focus in this dynamic period of development and were integrated with the developmental biology data through an iterative process to define KEs and conclude on the extent of evidence in support of the KERs. The AOPs developed describe the linkage between 1) a decrease in Insl3 gene expression and cryptorchidism, 2) the sustained expression of Coup-tfII and hypospadias and 3) the sustained expression of Coup-tfII and altered Wolffian duct development/ epididymal agenesis. A putative AOP network linking AOP2 and AOP3 through decreased steroidogenic biosynthetic protein expression and converging of all AOPS at the population level impaired fertility adverse outcome is proposed. The network depiction specifies and displays the KEs aligned with their occurrence in gestational time. The pathways and network described herein are intended to catalyze collaborative initiatives for expansion into a larger network to enable effective data collection and inform alternative approaches for identifying stressors impacting this sensitive period of male reproductive tract development.