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In this study, the activity concentration of NORMs were measured using gamma spectrometer, based on NaI(Tl) detector with Maestro-32 installed computer soft- ware. Accordingly, the average activity concentrations of 232Th, 238U, and 40K in soil samples were found 17.85±0.50, 40.16±0.54, and 271.46±0.07, respectively, which are lower than the average world recommended values given by UNSCEAR 2000 for Th and K, but higher for U decay series. In the same way, activity concentration of NORMs in food items cultivated from the irrigation site were measured and the highest activity concentrations were observed in bean samples. The transfer factors of 232Th, 238U and 40K from soil to food items were computed based on the measured activity values, and in most food items it is observed above the world average values. The consecutive chronic daily intake via ingestion for some food items from samples are also above the permissible limit. The transfer factor from Gerado agricultural soil to plant exceed the world average values in the cases of 232Th and 238U according to our study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to analyze the effect of carbohydrate (CHO) intake during exercise and some variables that could moderate this effect on endurance performance. We included 136 studies examining the effect of CHO ingestion during endurance exercise in the meta-analysis. The overall effect on performance showed a significant increase after CHO intake compared to the placebo/control groups. A larger effect of CHO consumption is observed in time to exhaustion than in time trials performance test. Moreover, the effectiveness of CHO supplementation was greater the longer the duration of the events. Also, there seems to be a higher effect of CHO intake in lower trained than in higher trained participants. In contrast, the magnitude of performance change of CHO intake is not affected by the dosage, ergometer used, the type of intake of the CHO ingestion and the type of CHO. In addition, a lower rate of perceived exertion and higher power and heart rate are significantly associated with the ingestion of CHO during endurance exercise. These results reinforce that acute CHO feeding is an effective strategy for improving endurance performance, especially, in less trained subjects participating in time to exhaustion tests of longer durations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gen 9:1–7 has traditionally been regarded as the Priestly epilogue to the Priestly flood story. In this article, I aim to refute this view and demonstrate that this unit, which incorporates various motifs from Priestly literature as well as from Deuteronomistic (D) and Holiness Code (H) texts, was edited by the Holiness School (HS) during the time of the return to Zion after the exile. Its stated purpose was an all-out struggle against the animals that threatened the sparsely populated state of Yehud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraluminal foreign bodies are rare. Fish bone is the most common foreign body ingested by adults, while coin is the most common foreign body ingested among children. Sharp pricking pain is a sign of sharp foreign body (FB) ingestion. If the symptom persists, one should keep in mind the possibility of a migratory foreign body, even if the esophagoscopy results are negative. In order to ensure that foreign bodies are not missed radiologically, there is the role of consultation from a second radiologist to correlate with the patient's symptoms. Here we present an atypical case of recurrent neck abscess due to a migrating fishbone that penetrated the left thyroid lobe and settled in the left lower third neck subcutaneous tissue within two months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pollution effects of microplastics (MPs) on the feeding of the heterotrophic dinoflagellate species, Noctiluca scintillans, was investigated. The algal prey species, Dunaliella tertiolecta, was fed to N. scintillans and fluorescent microspheres were used as surrogates for microplastic wastes. Holling's type II functional response model revealed that N. scintillans could reach a maximum prey ingestion rate of 2,242 cells grazer−1 d−1 (~ 214 ngC grazer−1 d−1) under normal conditions. In exposure to a mixture of prey and MPs, N. scintillans showed mean prey ingestion rates of 1,078 and 820 cells grazer−1 d−1 at Prey:MP ratios of 500:1 (i.e., ~ 88 MP particles mL−1) and 5000:1 (i.e., ~ 8 MP particles mL−1), respectively. The number of N. scintillans cells with ingested MP particles increased with decreasing Prey:MP ratios (200:1, 50:1, 10:1, and 1:1), indicating the non-selective feeding between the algal prey and MP particles. This study is the first one to investigate the effects of microplastic pollution on this common red-tide-causing dinoflagellate species. We urge that more research is needed to reveal the ecological implications of microplastic pollution in the marine ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of acute nicotinamide riboside (NR) supplementation on cerebral nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels in the human brain in vivo by means of downfield proton MRS (DF 1H MRS). Methods: DF 1H MRS was performed on 10 healthy volunteers in a 7.0 T MRI scanner with spectrally selective excitation and spatially selective localization to determine cerebral NAD+ levels on two back‐to‐back days: once after an overnight fast (baseline) and once 4 h after oral ingestion of nicotinamide riboside (900 mg). Additionally, two more baseline scans were performed following the same paradigm to assess test–retest reliability of the NAD+ levels in the absence of NR. Results: NR supplementation increased mean NAD+ concentration compared to the baseline (0.458 ± 0.053 vs. 0.392 ± 0.058 mM; p < 0.001). The additional two baseline scans demonstrated no differences in mean NAD+ concentrations (0.425 ± 0.118 vs. 0.405 ± 0.082 mM; p = 0.45), and no difference from the first baseline scan (F(2, 16) = 0.907; p = 0.424). Conclusion: These preliminary results confirm that acute NR supplementation increases cerebral NAD+ levels in healthy human volunteers and shows the promise of DF 1H MRS utility for robust detection of NAD+ in humans in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Circadian desynchrony induced by shiftwork or jet lag is detrimental to metabolic health, but how synchronous or desynchronous signals are transmitted among tissues is unknown. We report that liver molecular clock dysfunction is signaled to the brain through the hepatic vagal afferent nerve (HVAN), leading to altered food intake patterns that are corrected by ablation of the HVAN. Hepatic branch vagotomy also prevents food intake disruptions induced by high-fat diet feeding and reduces body weight gain. Our findings reveal a homeostatic feedback signal that relies on communication between the liver and the brain to control circadian food intake patterns. This identifies the hepatic vagus nerve as a potential therapeutic target for obesity in the setting of chronodisruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Developing anti-obesity interventions targeting appetite or food intake, the primary driver of obesity, remains challenging. Here, we demonstrated that dietary γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with GABA-degradation inhibitory drugs could be an anti-obesity intervention possessing strong food intake-suppressive and weight-loss effects. Methods: High-fat (HF)-diet-induced obese mice were divided into six groups receiving either the HF diet or the 2% GABA-HF diet with daily administration of PBS or the GABA-degradation inhibitory drugs, vigabatrin and ethanolamine-O-sulfate (EOS). In 24-h fast-induced refeeding, lean mice with a basal diet were used, and food intake was measured from 0.5 to 24 h after refeeding. Results: Coadministration of the 2% GABA-HF diet with vigabatrin or EOS significantly decreased food intake (−53%, −35%) and body weight (−22%, −16%) within 11 days in obese mice, along with a marked increase in plasma GABA levels. Mice receiving dietary GABA alone or the drugs alone exhibited no such effects. Hypothalamic GABA levels increased in drug-treated mice, regardless of diet. At 0.5 h after refeeding, food intake was similar in all groups. However, at 0.5 h, plasma GABA levels were markedly increased only in mice receiving coadministration of dietary GABA and the drugs, and their food intake was completely inhibited for over 6 h, while mice in other groups gradually increased their food intake. Conclusion: Combining dietary GABA with GABA-degradation inhibitory drugs effectively suppresses food intake and promotes weight loss in obese mice, primarily through increased plasma GABA availability. These findings may advance the development of food intake-controlling strategies for obesity management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As cocaine (COC) is not only incorporated into hair via blood following ingestion but also by external contamination, hair samples are commonly tested for COC metabolites to prove ingestion. However, COC metabolites can also be present as degradation products in typical street COC samples. The present study investigates minor hydroxycocaine (OH-COC) metabolites p - and m -OH-COC together with p - and m -hydroxybenzoylecgonine (OH-BE) in seized COC (n  = 200) and hair samples from routine case work (n  = 2389). Analytical results of hair samples were interpreted using an established decision model for the differentiation between actual use and external contamination using metabolic ratios (metabolite to COC). They were further examined concerning background of request, hair color, body site of sample collection, sex, and metabolic ratios of the main metabolites [benzoylecgonine (BE), norcocaine (NC), and cocaethylene (CE)]. All seized COC samples were positive for p - and m -OH-COC with a maximum percentage of 0.025% and 0.052%, respectively; p - and m -OH-BE were detected in 55% and 56% of samples with a maximum percentage of 0.044% and 0.024%, respectively. Analytical results of 424 hair samples (17.7%) were interpreted as being predominantly from contamination; the majority of these samples were from traffic medicine cases (83.7%). Metabolic ratios of minor OH-COC metabolites were significantly higher in hair samples interpreted as originating from use than in samples interpreted as caused by contamination. Metabolic ratios for OH-COCs were significantly higher in forensic cases compared to abstinence controls and also in black hair compared to blond/gray hair. However, this was not the case for OH-BE metabolic ratios. No statistical difference was observed with regard to the donor's sex. OH-COC metabolic ratios increased significantly with increasing ratios of NC and CE to COC, respectively. The study demonstrates that OH-COC metabolites (including thresholds for their metabolic ratios) must be used for a reliable interpretation of positive COC results in hair samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research has demonstrated the influence of commensal dining between humans on food choices, whereas we conducted two studies to examine how the presence of a robot might influence people's choices between meat‐heavy and vegetable‐forward meals in imaginary scenarios. In Study 1, participants were instructed to choose three desirable dishes from a set of two meat and two vegetable dishes while they imagined eating alone, with a human, or with a robot. Although the meat dishes were rated as more palatable and pleasant, the female participants chose fewer meat‐heavy meals when eating alone or with a robot than when eating with a human, whereas no such effect was observed for the male participants. We also replicated these patterns in Study 2, as the female participants chose fewer meat‐heavy meals when eating with a robot and a human than when eating with two humans. Collectively, these findings provide empirical evidence regarding how the presence of a certain robot can influence female consumers' food choices in imaginary scenarios, which has direct implications for the practice of promoting sustainable food choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Blood establishments strive to ensure the safety and comfort of blood donors while minimizing adverse events. This review aims to assess the efficacy and effectiveness of eating and/or drinking interventions before, during and/or after blood donation in reducing vasovagal reactions (VVRs). Materials and Methods: We analysed randomized and non‐randomized controlled trials comparing eating and/or drinking interventions to no intervention, placebo or usual practice on (pre‐)syncopal VVRs and related symptoms. The GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach was used to assess the risk of bias and overall certainty of the evidence. Results: Pre‐donation water ingestion likely results in reduced on‐site VVRs, compared to no water (2 fewer per 100 donors, moderate‐certainty evidence). A pre‐donation isotonic drink likely results in reduced VVRs, compared to usual practice (2 fewer per 100 donors, moderate‐certainty evidence). Pre‐donation salt‐loaded sweetened lemon water may result in fewer off‐site VVRs, compared to sweetened lemon water only (1 fewer per 100 donors, low‐certainty evidence). Pre‐donation water and a gel cap containing sucrose with 250 mg caffeine may result in fewer blood donor reaction ratings, compared to pre‐donation water only (low‐certainty evidence). Conclusions: Pre‐donation plain water ingestion or isotonic drink probably results in a large reduction in on‐site and off‐site VVRs. Pre‐donation water ingestion with caffeine consumption or salt supplementation may result in a VVR reduction, compared to water ingestion only. Future large trials are required to increase the certainty of the effect of these and other interventions in the prevention of VVRs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic is an environmental hazard to which both animals and humans are exposed. Current reports show that it can cause inflammation, including in the gastrointestinal tract. To examine the impact on the ileum, 15 eight-week-old gilts (five individuals/group) were exposed to PET microplastics (7.6 µm–416.9 µm) at a dose of 0.1 g/day or 1 g/day for 28 days. The collected ileum fragments were investigated for the cytokine concentrations (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α; ELISA test), neuron populations (cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript, galanin, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, substance P, vesicular acetylcholine transporter, and vasoactive intestinal peptide; immunofluorescence staining), and morphometric parameters (histological analysis). Under the influence of MP-PET, there was a reduction in the populations of CART- and GAL-positive neurons in the submucosal plexuses and of nNOS-, VAChT-, and VIP-positive neurons in all the plexuses. In contrast, there was an increase in GAL-positive neurons in the myenteric plexus and SP-positive neurons in all the plexuses. The concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and TNF-α did not undergo statistically significant changes under the influence of the low or high dose of MP-PET. The changes in the histological structure exclusively concerned the thinning of the mucosa and the muscularis externa. The results support the thesis that MP-PET is not neutral to the ileal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine how sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) ingestion during a 1-h recovery period after a 200-m front-crawl swim affects blood–gas levels, acid–base balance, and performance during a successive trial. Methods: Fourteen national-level male swimmers (age: 21 ± 3 years, body mass (BM):77 ± 10 kg, stature: 181 ± 7 cm) performed four maximal 200-m front-crawl tests. On one of the two days, the swimmers swam two 200-m tests with a 1-h recovery break, during which they drank water (WATER); on the other day, they performed the same protocol but consumed 0.3 g min−1 NaHCO3 solution during the recovery break (NaHCO3). Results: The ingestion of NaHCO3 before the second test had no effect on swim time despite a greater [ HCO 3 - ] (19.2 ± 2.3 mmol L−1) than that measured during the first test (NaHCO3) (14.5 ± 1.1 mmol L−1) and the other two tests (WATER) (12.7 ± 2.4 and 14.8 ± 1.5 mmol L−1; F = 18.554; p = 0.000) and a higher blood pH (7.46 ± 0.03) than that measured during the first test (NaHCO3) (7.39 ± 0.02) and the other two tests (WATER) (7.16 ± 0.04 and 7.20 ± 0.05); (F = 5.255; p = 0.004). An increase in blood pCO2 (0.2 ± 0.3 kPa) between both tests (NaHCO3) compared to unchanged pCO2 values (− 0.1 ± 0.3 kPa) between the other two tests (WATER) (t = − 2.984; p = 0.011; power = 0.741) was confirmed. Conclusions: NaHCO3 ingestion during the recovery period between two 200-m front-crawl time trials had a strong buffering effect that did not positively affect performance. An increase in pCO2 may have counterbalanced this impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nugraheni MA, Indarto D, Pamungkasari EP, Susilawati TN, Jusup SA, Purwaningtyas N, Rahardjo SS, Wulandari S, Devina KE. 2024. The effects of Jebisa on nutrient intake and hematology profile in adolescent girls with anemia. Nusantara Bioscience 16: 210-218. Anemia is a public health problem that often occurs in adolescent girls in developing countries, including Indonesia, mainly due to iron deficiency. Iron supplementation has been implemented for anemia treatment, but there are some side effects for long-term use. The Indonesian Government also fortified wheat flour with iron and folic acid, but the efficacy of fortification remains unclear. Snake fruit seeds contain high iron (Fe) and vitamin C levels but they are usually thrown away. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the effects of jelly-containing snake fruit seed flour (SSF) and sugar, now called Jebisa, on macro and micronutrient intake and hematological profile in adolescent girls with anemia. Thirty tree adolescent girls from five public high schools in Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, Indonesia, were randomly grouped into three categories: Control group (C) was given plain jelly with Fe tablets, and Treatment groups (T1-T2) were given jelly-containing 18.52 g and 37.04 g SSF, respectively, for 60 days. Data were analyzed using the one-way and repeated measures ANOVA tests followed by the Post Hoc Tukey and the Kruskal-Wallis test for non-parametric data. A significant value was set to p<0.05. The results suggested that the average daily energy intake, carbohydrates, and fibers significantly increased in the T1 and T2 groups compared to the C group (p<0.05). The average Fe intake in the T2 (19.59±1.70 mg/day) was significantly higher than that of T1 (10.74±2.40 mg/day) and C group (4.74±3.43 mg/day) with p<0.001. The T1 group had higher hemoglobin (Hb) levels (11.44±2.01 g/dL) than the C (11.04±1.92 g/dL) and T2 groups (10.89±0.67 g/dL) but were not significantly different. In conclusion, regular consumption of jelly-containing SSF increased the daily intake of energy, carbohydrates, fibers, Fe, and Hb levels in adolescent girls with anemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Commentators on Wangechi Mutu's enigmatic animated video The End of Eating Everything (2015) claim that it depicts a gluttonous monster-woman with an insatiable appetite, devouring hapless birds. It is seen as a commentary on threat posed by ruthless global forces represented by the beast with a beautiful Black woman's face. This article argues, instead, that the woman represents violated and polluted Earth, a victim of carnivorous birds, who, in turn, represent the devastating agents of industrial pollution and rampant consumption. This work testifies to the artist's interest in and identification with African ecofeminism and its damning and dark prognostication of what is bound to happen to dirtied, uncleaned, abused Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastic particles (MPs) represent potential hazards for humans and wildlife, including as vectors for chemical exposure (e.g. plastic additives and pollutants sorbed from the surrounding environment). The leaching of chemicals from MPs has been identified as a potential exposure pathway but the relative magnitude of this pathway under environmentally relevant conditions remains unclear. Here, we describe a modification of the ACC-HUMANSTEADY bioaccumulation model to include dietary exposure to MPs containing either accumulated chemicals from the surrounding environment or embedded plastic additive chemicals (PACs). Chemical transfer to humans and wildlife is described using two-film resistance concepts assuming spheroidal particles of different sizes. The relative contribution of MPs and environmental media to the estimated daily chemical intake in humans was assessed in various exposure scenarios, for a range of hypothetical chemicals with varying octanol-water and air-water partition coefficients (KOW and KAW, respectively; i.e. 0 < log KOW <8 and − 5 < log KAW < 3). Results imply that MPs could act as sources of exposure to chemical additives when the ingestion rate of 1 μm MPs is ≥ 10 mg d− 1, and the concentration of hydrophobic plastic additive is ≥ 5% wt wt− 1. The contribution made by MPs as vectors of exposure decreased with increasing particle size and decreasing ingestion rates of MPs. Human health risks were evaluated for four specific PACs to illustrate the application of the model for risk assessment. Risks were negligible when the ingestion rate of MPs was < 100 μg d− 1. Uncertainties are high regarding the characterization and quantification of ingestion of MPs by humans and wildlife, including particle sizes and polymer composition, as well as on the presence of PACs in MPs. These data gaps need to be addressed if the issue of MPs as vectors of chemical exposure is to be fully understood. The work illustrates that mechanistic models, which account for all major exposure pathways, can be used to identify the importance of different exposure pathways, help prioritize research needs and support decision making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigates gross alpha (GA) radioactivity levels in hazelnut kernels purchased from markets in Türkiye. 10 different hazelnut samples were crushed and made ready for counting. The alpha counts were obtained via ELSEC 7286 low level alpha counter with ZnS scintillator and EMI 6097B photomultiplier tube. The samples were placed in front of the detector to acquire the counts. All samples were counted isochronously. In addition to the GA activity measurement, total annual effective dose (AED) value for different age groups owing to ingestion was calculated for each sample. It was observed that the GA radioactivity levels in the samples were quite low, and total AED values were considerably lower than the WHO worldwide average AED value (290 μSv/year). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the acute effects of ingesting a beverage containing guarana (Paullinia cupana) seed powder on performance during field tests related to physical capacities that are determinants of soccer performance, such as lower limb power, sprint, agility, and the capacity to carry out intermittent exercise. Methods: The study was conducted using a randomized, crossover, and counterbalanced design, with a beverage containing guarana or placebo administered in a double-blind manner. Twenty-seven under-17 soccer players of a professional soccer club performed a battery of tests 60 min after the ingestion of guarana (3 g of the fruit seed powder) or placebo. Trials were performed with a 7-day washout period. The battery of tests included a countermovement jump test, sprints of 10 and 20 m, an Illinois agility test, and a Yo–Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1 (YYIR1). Results: Guarana ingestion did not improve countermovement jump, sprints, or agility (p > 0.05). However, guarana ingestion increased the distance covered in the YYIR1, compared with placebo ingestion (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Acute ingestion of guarana improves the capacity to perform intermittent exercise in soccer players but seems to be ineffective to improve lower limb power, sprint, and agility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study experimentally tested whether coach access to participants' digital self‐monitoring data improved behavioral weight‐loss outcomes. Methods: Participants (N = 322) received 12 weeks of group‐based behavioral weight‐loss sessions via videoconference and were instructed to engage in daily self‐monitoring of weight, physical activity (PA), and dietary intake. For participants who were randomly assigned to Coach Share ON (n = 161), coaches regularly accessed a web‐based portal that displayed data from the participants' scale, PA sensor, and food record. Results: Weight loss at 12 weeks was significantly greater in Coach Share ON versus OFF (6.2% vs. 5.3%; p = 0.04). Self‐monitoring of PA (98.70% vs. 97.40% of days; p = 0.006) and eating (98.05% vs. 93.51% of days; p = 0.007) was more frequent in Coach Share ON versus OFF. There were no significant differences by condition in PA (p = 0.57), attendance (p = 0.42), working alliance (p = 0.62), or self‐monitoring of weight (p = 0.12). Perceived supportive accountability was significantly greater in Coach Share ON versus OFF (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The short‐term efficacy of behavioral weight loss was greater when coaches had direct access to self‐monitoring device data. Notably, there also was no evidence of iatrogenic effects of data sharing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding is regulated by energy homeostatic and pleasure-induced rewarding signals. Palatable food intake modifies serotonergic (5-HT) and dopaminergic (DA) pathways in nucleus accumbens, inducing neuronal maladaptations that favor hyperphagia for high-energy dense food and consequent obesity. Chronic stress is an environmental condition that increases the preference for palatable food by modulating brain DA and 5-HT metabolism. Objective: To evaluate the association between changes in accumbal 5-HT and DA metabolism and the effects of chronic stress, palatable food intake and their interaction with satiety/hunger condition. Methods: Wistar rats were housed in pairs (non-stressed) or individually (stressed), fed with chow or chocolate milk plus chow (Ch) for 2 weeks (4 groups); then 6 animals/group were 48 h fasted or maintained ad libitum; the rest were fasted and re-fed for 2 h either with chow or Ch. Results: Rats with prolonged high-energy density food intake and re-fed with chow showed reduced 5-HT metabolism, although there was no association with animals’ feeding behavior. In contrast, after re-fed with palatable food, stressed chow-fed rats had increased 5-HT turnover, which decreased in Ch re-fed rats, supporting that palatable food might induce positive mood changes related to high extracellular 5-HT in limbic regions. Discussion: Rats with prolonged palatable food intake exhibited high accumbal DA turnover independently of stress exposure, supporting its relation with the development of high-energy dense food hyperphagia. As accumbal 5-HT and DA metabolism changed due to fasting or re-feeding, alterations could represent the interaction of energy homeostatic and hedonic feeding signaling in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to give an in-depth understanding and analysis of the survival mechanisms of a family who eats pagpag. It also focuses on how the family in the slums survives everyday life with pagpag as their daily meal. In this study, the researchers have their three main objectives. The first objective is to learn about the life experiences of a family that eats pagpag. The second one strives to know the selected family's perspective regarding pagpag as their daily meal and the reasons that drove them to eat pagpag. The last one, the researchers, want to discover is the perceived impact of eating pagpag on the selected family. A case study was used in this research to further understand how page serves as the survival mechanism of the selected family. Also, the sampling method that was applied is purposive sampling, for this research needs sure participants. The participants consist of a family who lives in the slums of Tondo, Manila. This study deliberates how the selected family survives with the help of pagpag as their daily meal. Through their perspective and opinions, the researchers developed more reliable data that can answer their objectives. The garbage considered today serves as a mechanism for the selected family. Furthermore, the researchers discovered how essential Pagpag is to the selected families. It cannot be denied how Pagpag helps them to survive. However, consuming Pagpag has its consequences. The researchers also found out why the selected families were driven into a situation where they could only rely on Pagpag as their meal, first, due to poverty that was consuming them. Second, there is a lack of government action to solve the problem. The researchers also asked the participants if they would still choose Pagpag as their meal. They answered yes; they would still consume Pagpag because they had already had it since they started living at Aroma. Their answer seems to signify the actual state of poverty here in our country, where people in slums have already forgotten the meaning of hope and are mistaken to think that poverty cannot be cured anymore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assimilation of radar reflectivity requires an accurate and efficient forward operator that links the model state variables to radar observations. In this study, newly developed parameterized forward operators (PFO) for radar reflectivity with a new continuous melting model are implemented to assimilate observed radar data. To assess the impact of the novel parameterized reflectivity forward operators on convective storm analysis and forecasting, two distinct sets of cycled assimilation and forecast experiments are conducted. One set of experiments (ExpRFO) uses a conventional Rayleigh‐scattering‐approximation‐based forward operator (RFO) with hydrometeor classification, while the other uses the PFO (ExpPFO_New) for radar reflectivity with a new continuous melting model. Eight high‐impact severe convective weather events from the Hazardous Weather Testbed (HWT) 2019 Spring Experiments are selected for this study. The analysis and forecast results are first examined in detail for a classic tornadic supercell case on 24 May 2019, with the potential benefits provided by the PFO then evaluated for all eight cases. It is demonstrated that ExpPFO_New provides more robust results in terms of improving the short‐term severe weather forecasts. Compared to ExpRFO, ExpPFO_New better reproduces all observed supercells in the analysis field, yields a more continuous and reasonable reflectivity distribution near the melting layer, and improves the strength of the cold pool compared to observations. Overall, ExpPFO_New, initialized from the more accurate analysis fields, produces better forecasts of reflectivity and hourly precipitation with smaller biases, especially at heavy precipitation thresholds. Plain Language Summary: The efficient and effective ingestion of radar reflectivity observations into convection‐resolving models is critical because reflectivity provides explicit information about hydrometeors within thunderstorms, revealing their development and evolution. Therefore, accurate formulas that link what models predict and what radars observe are required. In this study, a new set of more‐accurate formulas has been implemented and tested for several high‐impact thunderstorm events and compared to the conventional formulas. We find that analyses derived using these new formulas more accurately depict the precipitation melting process and improve the prediction of thunderstorms in terms of intensity, location, and precipitation amount. Key Points: The impacts of assimilating radar reflectivity using newly developed parameterized forward operator (PFO) are evaluated for real casesThe PFO improved the analysis results compared to conventional Rayleigh‐scattering‐approximation‐based forward operator (RFO)The PFO produced better forecasts of reflectivity and hourly precipitation with smaller biases than RFO [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractAsbestos is a group of naturally occurring fibrous minerals that were commonly used in the construction of cement pipes for drinking water distribution systems. These pipes deteriorate and can release asbestos fibers into drinking water, raising concerns about potential risk to human health. The objective of this work was to synthesize human, animal, and in vitro evidence on potential health risks due to ingested asbestos in drinking water and evaluate the weight of evidence (WoE) of human health risk. A systematic review of epidemiological evidence was conducted, along with critical review of animal and in vitro evidence, followed by WoE evaluation that integrated human, animal, and in vitro evidence. The systematic review included 17 human studies with health outcomes mostly related to various cancer sites, with the majority focusing on the gastrointestinal system. The WoE evaluation resulted in very low levels of confidence or insufficient evidence of a health effect for cancers in 15 organ systems and for three non-cancer endpoints. While eight studies reported possible associations with stomach cancer in males, few high-quality studies were available to verify a causal relationship. Based on high-quality animal studies, an increased risk for cancer or non-cancer endpoints was not supported, aligning with findings from human studies. Overall, the currently available body of evidence is insufficient to establish a clear link between asbestos contamination in drinking water and adverse health effects. Due to the lack of both high-quality epidemiological studies and a validated kinetic model for ingested asbestos, additional research on this association is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rodent jaws evolved structurally to support dual functionality, for either biting or chewing food. Rodent hands also function dually during food handling, for actively manipulating or statically holding food. How are these oral and manual functions coordinated? We combined electrophysiological recording of muscle activity and kilohertz kinematic tracking to analyze masseter and hand actions as mice of both sexes handled food. Masseter activity was organized into two modes synchronized to hand movement modes. In holding/chewing mode, mastication occurred as rhythmic (~5 Hz) masseter activity while the hands held food below the mouth. In oromanual/ingestion mode, bites occurred as lower-amplitude aperiodic masseter events that were precisely timed to follow regrips (by ~200 ms). Thus, jaw and hand movements are flexibly coordinated during food handling: uncoupled in holding/chewing mode and tightly coordinated in oromanual/ingestion mode as regrip-bite sequences. Key features of this coordination were captured in a simple model of hierarchically orchestrated mode-switching and intramode action sequencing. We serendipitously detected an additional masseter-related action, tooth sharpening, identified as bouts of higher-frequency (~13 Hz) rhythmic masseter activity, which was accompanied by eye displacement, including rhythmic proptosis, attributable to masseter contractions. Collectively, the findings demonstrate how a natural, complex, and goal-oriented activity is organized as an assemblage of distinct modes and complex actions, adapted for the divisions of function arising from anatomical structure. These results reveal intricate, high-speed coordination of disparate effectors and show how natural forms of dexterity can serve as a model for understanding the behavioral neurobiology of multi-body-part coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Developing anti-obesity interventions targeting appetite or food intake, the primary driver of obesity, remains challenging. Here, we demonstrated that dietary γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) with GABA-degradation inhibitory drugs could be an anti-obesity intervention possessing strong food intake-suppressive and weight-loss effects. Methods: High-fat (HF)-diet-induced obese mice were divided into six groups receiving either the HF diet or the 2% GABA-HF diet with daily administration of PBS or the GABA-degradation inhibitory drugs, vigabatrin and ethanolamine-Osulfate (EOS). In 24-h fast-induced refeeding, lean mice with a basal diet were used, and food intake was measured from 0.5 to 24 h after refeeding. Results: Coadministration of the 2% GABA-HF diet with vigabatrin or EOS significantly decreased food intake (-53%, -35%) and body weight (-22%, -16%) within 11 days in obese mice, along with a marked increase in plasma GABA levels. Mice receiving dietary GABA alone or the drugs alone exhibited no such effects. Hypothalamic GABA levels increased in drugtreated mice, regardless of diet. At 0.5 h after refeeding, food intake was similar in all groups. However, at 0.5 h, plasma GABA levels were markedly increased only in mice receiving coadministration of dietary GABA and the drugs, and their food intake was completely inhibited for over 6 h, while mice in other groups gradually increased their food intake. Conclusion: Combining dietary GABA with GABA-degradation inhibitory drugs effectively suppresses food intake and promotes weight loss in obese mice, primarily through increased plasma GABA availability. These findings may advance the development of food intake-controlling strategies for obesity management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hijab pin ingestion is common in the Kashmiri population, especially among young females. This is attributed to the tradition of wearing hijab in adolescent girls and young women. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to identify the incidence of hijab pin ingestion in the Muslim females of Kashmir Valley. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, Srinagar, from February 2022 to December 2023. It was a prospective study comprising 60 female patients above the age of 12 years having a history of accidental ingestion of hijab pins. History and clinical examination were followed by chest and abdominal radiographs. Data were collected and inferences were drawn. Results: The study included 60 patients presenting to the emergency with a history of accidental ingestion of pin. The majority of patients, that is, 30 (50%) were 25-35 years of age. Most patients 40 (67%) were asymptomatic at presentation with 20 (33.33%) patients presenting to the hospital within 2-3 h of ingestion. Foreign body (FB) had reached the small intestine in 22 (36.67%) patients at the time of presentation. Moreover, 1 (1.67%) patient had extraluminal migration of the FB. In our study, 46 patients had a normal passage of FB through the gastrointestinal tract. Most of the patients, that is, 46 (76.67%) were managed conservatively. Only 2 (6.67%) patients needed surgical intervention. Conclusion: FB ingestion is common among the young females of Kashmir Valley. Adequate follow-up is necessary to prevent long-term complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caffeine (CFF) is efficiently absorbed after ingestion, and approximately 80% of ingested CFF is metabolized to paraxanthine (PXT). Although PXT has approximately twice the adenosine receptor antagonist activity of CFF, there are few reports measuring the metabolite concentrations during CFF intoxication. Furthermore, no studies have examined the efficacy of hemodialysis (HD) on PXT or the indicators that contribute to treatment strategies for patients with acute CFF intoxication. This study analyzed the association between CFF and PXT blood levels, the blood biochemical data, and the vital signs of 27 cases with information on CFF intake and elapsed time data. It was found that HD was not as effective as CFF against PXT in CFF intoxication; however, HD was effective in cases with relatively high PXT concentrations (>10 μg/mL). Simultaneous analysis of CFF and PXT would make it possible to estimate the time elapsed from CFF intake and the risk of hyperCKemia, which may develop in cases left untreated for a prolonged period after ingestion. Therefore, the measurement of PXT, in addition to CFF, is expected to provide useful information for understanding the pathogenesis of CFF intoxication and the development of treatment strategies of acute CFF intoxication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joaquín les gusta is the Spanish phrase that animates this article. It forms our entrance into human-animal relations in a small village in Galicia, in the north of Spain. Here, we explore a particular kind of love for animals that is condensed in the Spanish word gustar. The gut-level love implied stretches all the way from the attentive care for a beloved animal, to its slaughtering, its dedicated cooking, and the savouring of its meat during a festive meal. We did not borrow the term gustar from scholarly literature to take to our fieldsite, but worked the other way around and distilled it from our fieldwork. Our hope is that this term might help other scholars to ask if, in the sites and situations with which they are confronted, some form of gustar might also flow between animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics (MPs) are released into the environment through human activities and are transported by rivers from land to sea. Biofilms, which are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems such as rivers, may play an essential role in the fate of MPs and their ingestion by biofilm protists. To assess this, biofilms were naturally grown on clay tiles in the River Rhine, Germany, and analysed in a combined field and laboratory study. Compared to the ambient river water, biofilms grown for 6, 12, and 18 months in the River Rhine contained up to 10 times more MPs. Between 70% and 78% of all MPs were smaller than 50 μm. In laboratory experiments, clay tiles covered with 1‐month‐old naturally grown biofilm retained 6–12 times more MPs than clay tiles without biofilm coverage. Furthermore, the ingestion of MPs of 6 and 10 μm by the ciliate Stentor coeruleus was confirmed, and a positive correlation between ingestion rates and ambient MP concentrations was found. The results are relevant for particle transport models in riverine systems, risk assessment of MPs regarding their distribution and fate in the aquatic environment, and the effects of MPs on micro‐ and macroorganisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gut–brain axis plays a pivotal role in the finely tuned orchestration of food intake, where both homeostatic and hedonic processes collaboratively control our dietary decisions. This interplay involves the transmission of mechanical and chemical signals from the gastrointestinal tract to the appetite centers in the brain, conveying information on meal arrival, quantity, and chemical composition. These signals are processed in the brain eventually leading to the sensation of satiety and the termination of a meal. However, the regulation of food intake and appetite extends beyond the realms of pure physiological need. Hedonic mechanisms, including sensory perception (i.e., through sight, smell, and taste), habitual behaviors, and psychological factors, exert profound influences on food intake. Drawing from studies in animal models and human research, this comprehensive review summarizes the physiological mechanisms that underlie the gut–brain axis and its interplay with the reward network in the regulation of appetite and satiety. The recent advancements in neuroimaging techniques, with a focus on human studies that enable investigation of the neural mechanisms underpinning appetite regulation are discussed. Furthermore, this review explores therapeutic/pharmacological strategies that hold the potential for controlling food intake. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beef and dairy cattle commonly ingest soil when consuming forage-based diets in paddock feeding situations. However, the extent of this soil intake is poorly understood in the Australian environment and under Australian grazing systems. Therefore, the aim of the current literature review was to examine soil ingestion in cattle and the factors that affect ingestion. We found 11 studies containing soil-ingestion data, based in England, France, New Zealand and USA but none from Australia. A wide range in soil ingestion rates was reported and intake varied considerably with season, forage-pasture type, pasture-on-offer, stocking rate and grazing conditions. Generally, soil ingestion was lower in beef cattle than in dairy cattle. We considered the differences in reported levels, variables around those differences, and reliability of methodology used, and compared results with existing international guidelines. For Australian applications, we deduced and recommended that 0.5 kg/head.day is used until field-based research is conducted in Australia which might provide a more specific value for Australian conditions. Our review will inform future livestock management, particularly on contaminated agricultural land. In Australia, there is a poor understanding of how much soil cattle ingest while grazing. We conducted a literature review and found 11 papers to inform our views, but there were no published papers from Australia. Ingestion levels varied among countries, and between dairy and beef enterprises. We estimated that cattle ingest about 0.5 kg/head.day; however, this varies according to circumstance. Research is required in Australian environment to better inform managers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discussion of affordance perception focuses almost exclusively on affordances for non-mental actions like climbing, walking and eating. This paper asks whether we might also perceive affordances for a specific class of mental action: acts of imagination. We first explore how the environment can present opportunities for imaginative action. We then combine phenomenological and theoretical considerations to argue that we do indeed perceive affordances for imaginative action. Putting this claim to work, we apply the concept of imaginative affordances to the topics of imaginative skill and imaginative tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lors de l'activité physique, les sportifs atteints d'une lésion de la moelle épinière doivent faire face à des problèmes de thermorégulation. En fonction des conditions climatiques et du niveau de la lésion médullaire, les répercussions sur la température corporelle sont différentes. Cette étude a pour objectif d'obtenir une vue d'ensemble sur les techniques de refroidissement et de réchauffement mise en place par les paraplégiques et les tétraplégiques lors de la pratique d'une activité physique. Utilisation de la méthode PICO (participants, intervention/exposition, comparaison, outcomes) afin de mettre en évidence les termes à utiliser pour la recherche des articles scientifiques. Lors d'une activité physique en ambiance chaude, différentes techniques de refroidissement ont été mises en évidence : vestes de refroidissement, pulvérisation d'eau sur le corps, ingestion de substances froides, refroidissement des mains et des pieds ou combinaison de plusieurs de ces techniques. Toutes ces techniques permettent de freiner l'augmentation de la température centrale comparée à un groupe contrôle. En ambiance froide, les sportifs tentent de se réchauffer à l'aide de vêtements chauds ou par la mise en place de stratégies efficaces pour maintenir leur température centrale entre la période de l'échauffement et la compétition. En ce qui concerne le sport en ambiance chaude, il existe différentes stratégies de refroidissement qui sont utilisées. Cependant, il y a un manque de preuves quant à la plus efficace. Pour le sport en ambiance froide, il n'y a que très peu d'études qui traitent de ce sujet. Des recherches doivent encore être réalisées afin de pouvoir objectiver quelles sont les meilleures techniques pour se réchauffer. During physical activity, athletes with a spinal cord injury have to face thermoregulation problems due to an alteration of their nervous system. The repercussion of the core body temperature depends on the climate. The aim of this revue was to obtain an overview of the cooling and warming techniques used by paraplegics and tetraplegics when practicing a physical activity. We used the PICO (participants, intervention/exposition, comparison, outcomes) method to highlight the terms we need for the search of scientific articles. During a physical activity in a hot environment, different cooling techniques have been demonstrated: cooling jackets, spraying water on the body, ingestion of cold substances, cooling of hands and feet or a combination of several of these techniques. All of these techniques have been shown to slow down the increase in core temperature compared to a control group. In a cold environment, athletes try to warm-up with warm clothes or by implementing effective strategies to maintain their core temperature between the warm-up period and the competition. Regarding sports in hot environments, there are different cooling strategies that are used. However, there is a lack of evidence as to which is most effective. For sport in a cold environment, there are very few studies that deal with this subject. Research is still needed to establish which techniques are the best to warm-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to determine the efficacy of lactic acid bacteria probiotics containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactococcus lactis on nutrient consumption and egg weight of Japanese quail. A total of 120 females Japanese quails comprised four treatments and six replications. T0, T1, T2, and T3 treatment groups were administered L. acidophilus and L. lactis with concentrations of 0, 1, 2, and 3 mL/liter of drinking water. Consumption data were collected weekly, and egg weight data were collected daily during treatment. The data obtained were then analyzed statistically using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and continued with the Duncan multiple range test (p < 0.05). The results of this study showed that probiotics in drinking water reported significant differences (p < 0.05) compared between treatments (T1, T2, and T3) to reduce nutrient intake of organic matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber and increase egg weight of quail. It can be concluded that the combination of L. acidophilus and L. lactis can reduce nutrient consumption but can increase the egg weight of Japanese quail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pediatricand adolescent poisoning covers the entire spectrum of cases from accidental ingestion in toddlers to intentional abuse in teenagers. Epidemiological surveillance of oral ingestion of poisonous substances in children and adolescents in a particular area is necessary to determine the extent and characteristics of the problem, according to which related preventive measures can be taken. This was a retrospective, observational study including all pediatric and adolescent poisoning patients (between the age of 0 to 19 years) received at the Trichy SRM Medical college & Research Centre, Irungalur, Trichy during the 2 year period from May 2021 to April 2023. A total of 52 cases were received in the casualty department of our hospital during the study period. Out of this, Male patients were predominant (53.85%). Most of the cases belonged to the age group between 16-19 years. Most of the cases were fromthe Rural areas (82.69%). Accidental Poisoning (61.54%) is more common followed by suicidal poisoning (38.46%). The substances involved in Poisoning are Kerosene(20%), Drugs(18%), Insecticide Poisoning(10%) Rat Killer (10%), Oleander(8%), ant-killer (8%), among many others. Most of the time the poisoning happened inside Home(65%) followed by area surrounding home(17%). Oral route (88%) was the most common way of taking poison. Most cases took less than 4 hours (71%) to reach the hospital. Vomiting was the most common symptom in most of the cases. 23 cases (44%) were requiring intensive care of which only 8 cases (15%) needed more than 3 days of ICU care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hijab pin ingestion is common in the Kashmiri population, especially among young females. This is attributed to the tradition of wearing hijab in adolescent girls and young women. Aims and Objectives: The present study was conducted to identify the incidence of hijab pin ingestion in the Muslim females of Kashmir Valley. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of General Surgery SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, Srinagar, from February 2022 to December 2023. It was a prospective study comprising 60 female patients above the age of 12 years having a history of accidental ingestion of hijab pins. History and clinical examination were followed by chest and abdominal radiographs. Data were collected and inferences were drawn. Results: The study included 60 patients presenting to the emergency with a history of accidental ingestion of pin. The majority of patients, that is, 30 (50%) were 25–35 years of age. Most patients 40 (67%) were asymptomatic at presentation with 20 (33.33%) patients presenting to the hospital within 2–3 h of ingestion. Foreign body (FB) had reached the small intestine in 22 (36.67%) patients at the time of presentation. Moreover, 1 (1.67%) patient had extraluminal migration of the FB. In our study, 46 patients had a normal passage of FB through the gastrointestinal tract. Most of the patients, that is, 46 (76.67%) were managed conservatively. Only 2 (6.67%) patients needed surgical intervention. Conclusion: FB ingestion is common among the young females of Kashmir Valley. Adequate follow-up is necessary to prevent long-term complications.

Eating psychopathology symptoms are common in athletes; however, it is unknown which symptoms are detected and to what extent by sport professionals. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a self-report questionnaire to explore which features of eating psychopathology in athletes are detected by sport professionals, and how observation of these symptoms might vary. Thirty-one questions were developed and 232 sport professionals (56% male) participated in the study. Exploratory Factor Analysis revealed a 20-item, five-factor solution (Negative Affect, Dieting Practices, Fear of Eating in Social Contexts, Bingeing and Purging, and Compulsive Exercise). Participants most frequently reported observing athletes' dieting practices, while symptoms of a fear of eating in social contexts were observed least frequently. This study has developed and preliminarily tested the Athlete Eating Psychopathology Observation Questionnaire (AEPOQ), which now requires further validation. The findings provide important directions for education initiatives with sport professionals regarding identification of eating psychopathology symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Ingestion and aspiration of orthodontic devices are rare occurrences, typically associated with components such as expansion keys, archwire segments, dislodged fixed appliances (including brackets, buccal tubes, and bands), as well as fractured metal or plastic appliances. This article describes the clinical diagnosis and treatment process of a case of accidental ingestion of a fractured piece of orthodontic aligner. Case presentation A 31-year-old female under orthodontic treatment by aligners accidentally ingested a fractured piece of the aligner. The special difficulty of this case is that the transparent orthodontic aligner has a low radiopacity. At the beginning, no foreign body was found in the commonly used soft tissue window, causing difficulty in its location until greyscale was adjusted to lung window. The 2-centimeter fractured piece was taken out under anesthesia and endoscopic surgery. Conclusion Materials with low radiopacity should be read with a lower grayscale range. Fractured orthodontic appliances with low retention force should not continue to be worn until consultation with attending doctor.

There is a rising incidence of disk battery ingestion in children. This is due to their increased use in electronic devices (including toys) commonly found in the home setting. Children below the age of 6 years are mostly affected with peak incidence in the ages of 1 to 3 years. Although most disk batteries when ingested pass through the gastro intestinal tract harmlessly, they may be lodged in the oesophagus causing significant destructive injury within 4-6 hours of impaction due to their corrosive nature. Impaction of foreign bodies may present with specific symptoms, non specific symptoms or may be asymptomatic. We present an 11 month old child in whom an ingested disc battery had been lodged in the oesophagus for 6 days prior to retrieval by rigid endoscopy. The presence of a clinical history and examination findings supporting a diagnosis of acute tonsillitis was misleading, causing regrettable delays in the diagnosis and management of this child, who subsequently developed a tracheoesophageal fistula. A high index of suspicion by clinicians is needed especially in the non verbal child for early identification and to prevent complications. Increased awareness by parents and other care givers of the hidden dangers of these innocuous -looking batteries in homes and legislation directing the need for child safety locks on disk battery compartments of electronic gadgets and toys will help in reducing the incidence of battery ingestion cases in children.

Abstract Background Ingestion of magnets carries risks for significant morbidity. We propose a new protocol designed to reduce the need for surgery, shorten length of stay, and decrease morbidity. Methods The Early Colonic-preparation and Salvage Laparoscopic Appendectomy (ECSLA) protocol includes initiating colonoscopy preparation upon admission in asymptomatic patients if magnets are not amenable to removal by gastroscopy, and laparoscopic magnets retrieval via appendectomy if surgery is eventually needed. The protocol was initiated in May 2023. A retrospective study of all cases of ingested magnets in children in our institution during July 2020 – January 2024 was conducted to retrieve and analyze demographic, clinical, imaging, management, and outcome data. Results During the 3.5-year study period, 13 cases of ingested multiple magnets were treated, including 7 cases since initiation of ECLSA protocol, with no complications. Since initiation of ECSLA protocol, Early colonic preparation resulted in spontaneous passage of magnets (two cases) and successful colonocsopic removal (three cases), with two cases in which magnets were retrieved via gastroscopy upon admission, and no patients needing surgical intervention. Length of stay (LOS) was short (1–3 days). Conclusions The ECSLA protocol is a promising tool for preventing surgical intervention and complications and for possibly shortening LOS in children who have ingested multiple magnets.

Abstract Background Detergent packets are common household products; however, they pose a risk of injuries and poisonings, especially among children. This study examined the epidemiological characteristics of pediatric injuries and poisonings related to all types of detergent packets in Canada using emergency department (ED) data from the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) database. Methods The CHIRPP database was searched for ED visit records for injuries and poisonings related to all types of detergent packets between April 1, 2011 and October 12, 2023 (N = 2,021,814) using variable codes and narratives. Data for individuals aged 17 years and younger were analyzed descriptively. Temporal trends in the number of detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings per 100,000 CHIRPP cases were assessed using Joinpoint regression and annual percent change (APC). A proportion ratio and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to compare the proportion of detergent packet-related cases in CHIRPP during two 34-months periods, pre-COVID-19 pandemic and after the beginning of the pandemic. Results There were 904 detergent packet-related cases among children and youth aged 17 years and younger identified in CHIRPP between April 1, 2011 and October 12, 2023, representing 59.9 cases per 100,000 CHIRPP cases. The majority (86.5%) of cases were among children aged 4 years and younger. Poisonings (58.8%) and eye injuries (30.6%) were the most frequent primary diagnoses. Unintentional ingestion (56.9%) and squeezing/breaking a detergent packet (32.3%) were the most frequent exposure mechanisms. Sixty-five patients (7.2%) were admitted to hospital. The number of detergent packet-related cases per 100,000 CHIRPP cases increased by 5.0% (95% CI 0.8, 10.2) annually between 2012 and 2022. The number of detergent packet-related poisonings per 100,000 CHIRPP cases decreased by 15.3% (95% CI − 22.3, − 10.6) annually between 2015 and 2022, whereas eye injuries showed an average annual percent increase of 16.6% (95% CI 11.2, 23.0) between 2012 and 2022. The proportion of detergent packet-related cases in CHIRPP after the beginning of the pandemic (79.9/100,000 CHIRPP cases) was 1.43 (95% CI 1.20, 1.71) times greater than pre-pandemic (55.7/100,000 CHIRPP cases). Conclusions Detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings are a persisting issue. Continued surveillance and prevention efforts are needed to reduce detergent packet-related injuries and poisonings in Canada, particularly among children and youth.

Introduction. Foreign body (FB) ingestion represents a frequently encountered scenario in clinical practice. Most ingested FBs typically pass spontaneously, requiring no intervention. Endoscopic removal stands out as the least invasive method, with only a minimal 1% needing surgical intervention. Case Presentation. We present a case of a 30‐year‐old male who ingested multiple FBs located in the stomach and small bowel. While successful removal of the stomach FB was achieved through endoscopy, the second FB in the small bowel proved challenging due to perforation concerns and limited expertise. Given a history of prior surgical intervention resulting in a large incisional hernia, surgical removal was discouraged. Consequently, a collaborative decision involving surgeon and interventional radiologist (IR) led to the adoption of a fluoroscopic‐guided removal approach facilitated by IR techniques. Conclusion. This case highlights the potential for a less invasive alternative in situations where both endoscopic and surgical interventions are deemed not feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pop-off satellite archival tags (PSATs) have been increasingly deployed on marine megafauna to remotely monitor their movements, behavior, and environmental preferences. These tags have also allowed the occasional novel documentation of ecological interactions, such as predation on tagged animals. A PSAT deployed on a pregnant porbeagle Lamna nasus in the Northwest Atlantic suggests the shark was predated upon in mesopelagic waters near Bermuda. Predation was evident approximately 5 months after tagging based on depth and temperature data transmitted by the PSAT. Four days prior to PSAT pop-off, depth data indicated that the tag continued to descend and ascend in the water column while the temperature remained approximately 5°C above ambient levels, even at several hundred meters in depth, indicating ingestion. Given the location of predation and elevated temperature at depth recorded by the pregnant porbeagle's tag, potential predators include endothermic shark species such as the white shark Carcharodon carcharias and shortfin mako Isurus oxyrhinchus. This is the first evidence of predation on a porbeagle globally and provides novel insight into inter-specific interactions for this large, threatened shark species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ingestion and aspiration of orthodontic devices are rare occurrences, typically associated with components such as expansion keys, archwire segments, dislodged fixed appliances (including brackets, buccal tubes, and bands), as well as fractured metal or plastic appliances. This article describes the clinical diagnosis and treatment process of a case of accidental ingestion of a fractured piece of orthodontic aligner. Case presentation: A 31-year-old female under orthodontic treatment by aligners accidentally ingested a fractured piece of the aligner. The special difficulty of this case is that the transparent orthodontic aligner has a low radiopacity. At the beginning, no foreign body was found in the commonly used soft tissue window, causing difficulty in its location until greyscale was adjusted to lung window. The 2-centimeter fractured piece was taken out under anesthesia and endoscopic surgery. Conclusion: Materials with low radiopacity should be read with a lower grayscale range. Fractured orthodontic appliances with low retention force should not continue to be worn until consultation with attending doctor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use our hands for many tasks and sensory orientations, including eating, communicating, and bathing. We hold, and manipulate a variety of objects, artifacts, and people, feeling for warmth, coldness, texture, hardness, and softness. We approach people or objects with greetings, embraces, and caresses, and to shove, hit, or defend ourselves against other people and potentially dangerous things. Yet just because our hands play such a central role in so many aspects our lives, they may also play an inordinate role in our memories and imagination. This paper highlights the place of hands in memory and imagination and how these memories and imaginings, in turn, affect not only how we use our hands and for what purposes, but with whom we use them and under what circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]