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Diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma‐induced intussusception: A case report and literature review
Key Clinical Message Adult intussusception necessitates early surgical intervention. We emphasis the significance of considering diffuse large B‐Cell lymphoma in differential diagnoses for adult intussusception, particularly in the colon, to ensure precise diagnosis and optimal management
Glomus tumor of the foot dorsum: A case report of a neglect podiatric entity
Key Clinical Message Podiatrists and orthopedists should be vigilant for chronically evolving, hyperalgic soft lumps in the foot with vascular radiological features, prompting early detection of glomus tumor, timely mass removal, providing pain relief and improving patient's quality of life. Abstract Glomus tumors refers to a rare group of benign perivascular neoplasms that originate from a neuromyoarterial structure called a glomus body. These tumors are characterized by their painful nature and predominant distribution in the extremities mainly the fingers, the hands and the feet. Nonetheless, the diagnosis is usually made after several years of symptoms experience as the lesions are mostly small, not palpable, and have variable presentations. Radiological workup especially with magnetic resonance imaging is very useful for diagnosing the tumoral process, however, confirmation can only be obtained by histological analysis. The treatment is purely surgical, and it is successful in most cases. Herein, we describe a case of glomus tumor of the foot dorsal side among a middle age male patient
Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia primarily presenting as life‐threatening pericardial effusion, Eldoret, Kenya: A case report
Key Clinical Message Chronic myelomonocytic leukemia, a rare case of hematological malignancy mainly affects the elderly and may present with life threatening pericardial effusion as an initial manifestation. High index of suspicion is hence key for early management. Abstract We present a case of an 81‐year‐old African male who presented with progressive cough, respiratory distress and bilateral lower limb swelling, and was diagnosed with life‐threatening pericardial effusion resulting from chronic myelomonocytic leukemia following complete blood count, peripheral blood film, bone marrow aspirate with trephine biopsy, and flow cytometry studies
A methodological approach for enhancing visualization of country data representation in the presence of significant spatial disparity
In this article, we present a methodological approach to address spatial disparity in global data representation, introducing an algorithm called Flexible Mapping to Understand Spatial Analysis (FLEMUSA). We utilize world maps to depict various data points across countries, revealing substantial variation among them. However, conventional choropleth maps often fail to effectively represent regions with sparse data, obscuring valuable insights. To mitigate this issue, we propose interactive graphical methods in both two and three dimensions, implemented through open-source Python code accessible via Google Colab. Our approach includes several contributions such as excluding countries without data from the representation, scaling magnitudes within country borders, focusing on regional analysis, and using logarithmic scales for bubble maps proportional to country sizes. Additionally, we offer interactive 2D and 3D representations, rotatable 3D representations, and zoomable options, facilitating enhanced visualization of regional similarities amidst data heterogeneity. Through this algorithm, we aim to improve the clarity and interpretability of spatial data analysis, integrating solutions for extreme data overdispersion, all programmed with open-source code. - Utilization of world maps for visual representation of data across countries mitigating the overdispersion step by step. - Implementation of graphical methods, including interactive 2D and 3D maps, to address spatial disparity. - Provision of open-source code for customizable graphical representations, facilitating implementation in online journals as interactive code snippets
A nurse-led coaching intervention with home telemonitoring for patients with heart failure: Protocol for a feasibility randomized clinical trial
Poor treatment adherence and lack of self-care behaviors are significant contributors to hospital readmissions of people with heart failure (HF). A transitional program with non-invasive telemonitoring may help sustain patients and their caregivers to timely recognize signs and symptoms of exacerbation.We will conduct a Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a 6-month supportive intervention for patients discharged home after cardiac decompensation. Forty-five people aged 65 years and over will be randomized to either receive a supportive intervention in addition to standard care, which combines nurse-led telephone coaching and a home-based self-monitoring vital signs program, or standard care alone. Four aspects of the feasibility will be assessed using a mixed-methods approach: process outcomes (e.g., recruitment rate), resources required (e.g., adherence to the intervention), management data (e.g., completeness of data collection), and scientific value (e.g. 90- and 180-day all-cause and HF-related readmissions, self-care capacity, quality of life, psychological well-being, mortality, etc.). Participants will be interviewed to explore preferences and satisfaction with the intervention. The study is expected to provide valuable insight into the design of a definitive RCT
Digital epidemiology: harnessing big data for early detection and monitoring of viral outbreaks
Summary: Digital epidemiology is the process of investigating the dynamics of disease-related patterns, both social and clinical, as well as the causes of these trends in epidemiology. Digital epidemiology, utilising big data from a variety of digital sources, has emerged as a viable method for early detection and monitoring of viral outbreaks. The present review gives an overview of digital epidemiology, emphasising its importance in the timely detection of infectious disease outbreaks. Researchers may discover and track outbreaks in real time using digital data sources such as search engine queries, social media trends, and digital health records. However, data quality, concerns about privacy, and data interoperability must be addressed to maximise the effectiveness of digital epidemiology. As the global landscape of infectious diseases evolves, integrating digital epidemiology becomes critical to improving pandemic preparedness and response efforts. Integrating digital epidemiology into routine monitoring systems has the potential to improve global health outcomes and save lives in the event of viral outbreaks
Using Organoids to Model Sex Differences in the Human Brain
Sex differences are widespread during neurodevelopment and play a role in neuropsychiatric conditions such as autism, which is more prevalent in males than females. In humans, males have been shown to have larger brain volumes than females with development of the hippocampus and amygdala showing prominent sex differences. Mechanistically, sex steroids and sex chromosomes drive these differences in brain development, which seem to peak during prenatal and pubertal stages. Animal models have played a crucial role in understanding sex differences, but the study of human sex differences requires an experimental model that can recapitulate complex genetic traits. To fill this gap, human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived brain organoids are now being used to study how complex genetic traits influence prenatal brain development. For example, brain organoids from individuals with autism and individuals with X chromosome–linked Rett syndrome and fragile X syndrome have revealed prenatal differences in cell proliferation, a measure of brain volume differences, and excitatory-inhibitory imbalances. Brain organoids have also revealed increased neurogenesis of excitatory neurons due to androgens. However, despite growing interest in using brain organoids, several key challenges remain that affect its validity as a model system. In this review, we discuss how sex steroids and the sex chromosomes each contribute to sex differences in brain development. Then, we examine the role of X chromosome inactivation as a factor that drives sex differences. Finally, we discuss the combined challenges of modeling X chromosome inactivation and limitations of brain organoids that need to be taken into consideration when studying sex differences
Characterization of growth and development of pumpkin cv Mini Jack fruits
The physiological changes that occur during the growth and development of Mini Jack pumpkins fruits can lead to post-harvest losses, and shorten their shelf life. Thus, this work aimed to characterize the growth and development of the pumpkin cv Mini Jack. For this, fruits were harvested at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 days after anthesis (DAA) and evaluated for respiratory rate, height, diameter, weight, skin color, firmness, skin and pulp thickness, concavity fruit, pH, acidity, total soluble solids, carotene in the skin and pulp, reducing sugars, non-reducing sugars, and total sugars. During the growth and development of the fruits, there was an increase in the levels of total sugars, total soluble solids, and changes in carotene levels up to 10 DAA. The levels of total carotenoids increased significantly throughout the development of the fruits reaching the highest values at 20 DAA. It was possible to verify that the respiratory rate of the fruits was high at the beginning of development presenting reduction and stabilization at 10 DAA. The weight, height and concavity of the fruits increased up to 10 DAA. Thus, the ideal point for harvesting the fruits of the Mini Jack pumpkin occurred between 10 and 15 DAA
Enhancing spent RFCC catalysts for biofuel production: Ultrasound-assisted acid treatment for improved crystallinity, pore size, and acid site ratio
This research aims to improve crystal structure and pore size and adjust Brønsted to Lewis (B/L) acid site ratio of spent RFCC catalyst through ultrasound-assisted acid treatment. The catalyst performance was tested to convert palm oil into biofuel through hydrogen-free catalytic cracking. Results showed that crystallinity and pore size of the spent RFCC catalysts were improved. The B/L acid site ratio of the acid treated catalysts could be adjusted, leading to improve the catalysts activity for palm oil cracking process. The main product of the cracking process was liquid fuel product, which was ranged at 85 %–96 % mass fraction. Compared to the liquid fuel product produced by conventional acid treatment, the RFCC catalysts that have been treated using ultrasound-assisted acid treatment produced a higher yield. The GC-MS results showed that hydrocarbons, alcohols, ketones, and aldehydes are main chemical components in gasoline and kerosene
A DNA profiling system for conservation management of Kamchatka brown bear (Ursus arctos piscator); population data and system performance from 16 autosomal STRs
Despite the high density of brown bears (Ursus arctos piscator) on the Kamchatka peninsula their genetic variation has not been studied by STR analysis. Our aim was, therefore, to provide population data from the Kamchatka brown bear population applying a validated DNA profiling system. Twelve dinucleotide STRs commonly used in Western-European (WE) populations and four additional ones (G10C, G10J, G10O, G10X), were included. Template input ≥ 0.2 ng was successfully amplified. Measurements of precision, stutter and heterozygous balance showed that markers could be reliably genotyped applying the thresholds used for genotyping WE brown bears. However, locus G10X revealed an ancient allele-specific polymorphism that led to suboptimal amplification of all 174 bp alleles (Kamchatka and WE). Allele frequency estimates and forensic genetic parameters were obtained from 115 individuals successfully identified by genotyping 434 hair samples. All markers met the Hardy-Weinberg and linkage equilibrium expectations, and the power of discrimination ranged from 0.667 to 0.962. The total average probability of identity from the 15 STRs was 1.4 ×10−14 (FST = 0.05) while the total average probability of sibling identity was 6.0 ×10−6. Relationship tests revealed several parent-cub and full sibling pairs demonstrating that the marker set would be valuable for the study of family structures. The population data is the first of its kind from the Kamchatka brown bear population. Population pairwise FST`s revealed moderate genetic differentiation that mirrored the geographic distances to WE populations. The DNA profiling system, providing individual-specific profiles from non-invasive samples, will be useful for future monitoring and conservation purpose