Association between a body shape index and bone mineral density in US adults based on NHANES data

Abstract The relationship between a body shape index (ABSI) and bone mineral density (BMD) remains uncertain, prompting further investigation. This study aims to elucidate the association between ABSI and BMD using data from the 2011–2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), involving participants aged 20–60. ABSI was calculated using the formula: ABSI = 1000 × waist circumference (m)×weight (kg)−2/3×height (m)5/6. The analysis employed weighted multiple linear regression, smooth curve fitting, stratified analysis, and interaction tests to explore the relationship between ABSI and total BMD. The study included 10,291 participants, with a mean age of 39.11 ± 10.77 years, and 49.20% were women. The average ABSI was 80.21 ± 1.50. Total BMD, thoracic spine BMD, lumbar spine BMD, and pelvis BMD were measured, with mean values of 0.82 ± 0.11 g/cm², 1.03 ± 0.15 g/cm², and 1.24 ± 0.16 g/cm2, respectively. A negative correlation between ABSI and total BMD was observed. In the fully adjusted model, individuals in the highest ABSI quartile had total BMD levels 0.045 g/cm² lower than those in the lowest quartile. Interaction tests showed a consistent association between ABSI and total BMD across subgroups, with variations in sex and BMI. This analysis of NHANES data confirms a persistent negative association between ABSI and BMD, suggesting that ABSI could be useful in osteoporosis prevention and diagnosis

Unlocking practical wisdom through the inner voice of robots

Abstract As Artificial Intelligence and Robotics evolve, the ethical implications of autonomous systems are becoming increasingly paramount. This article explores the role of a robot’s inner speech in enhancing human phronesis - the capacity for making ethical and contextually appropriate decisions. Phronesis is a complex human trait based on experience, personality, and values, and is crucial for decisions affecting others’ well-being. While artificial systems (i.e., robots) may not fully replicate human practical wisdom, they can support humans by stimulating reflection and helping in situations requiring careful consideration. This support can be more impactful if the robot has the ability for inner speech. The article examines whether a robot engaging in internal dialogue can help develop phronesis in people interacting with it, especially in contexts where caring of people with special needs is crucial. A group of participants was involved in a virtual game, where they had to care for a suffering person alongside a robot. Their decisions, in terms of task resolution and ethical considerations, allowed to assess if the robot’s inner speech increased participants’ awareness of the suffering person’s needs. Preliminary results are promising, highlighting the potential of thinking robots to assist in making ethical decisions

Novel inhibitors of the (VIBVN) NAT protein identified through pharmacophore modeling

Abstract Arylamine N-acetyltransferases (NATs, E.C. 2.3.1.5) constitute a family of phase II drug metabolizing enzymes. These enzymes catalyze the transfer of acetyl groups from acetyl-CoA to a variety of substrates including arylamines, arylhydrazines, and N-hydroxyarylamines. By facilitating these reactions, NATs play a pivotal role in the detoxification and metabolic processing of a wide range of drugs and carcinogens. NAT in marine V. vulnificus plays a role in the metabolism of drugs, leading to the development of drug resistance in marine V. vulnificus. However, inhibitors targeted marine V. vulnificus NAT [(VIBVN)NAT] remain unclear. Therefore, our research aimed to identify potential hit compounds that target (VIBVN)NAT. We integrated multiple computational approaches to screen for effective inhibitors. From this process, we identified two hit compounds, AK-968-11563024 and AG-205-36710025, with IC50 values of 18.86 µM and 33.27 µM, respectively. Molecular dynamics simulations further elucidated the binding mechanism between (VIBVN)NAT and AK-968-11563024. Our study revealed that AK-968-11563024 forms stable interactions with PHE124, HIS167, and TRP230, which may contribute to its biological activity. Our findings provide a valuable foundation for the future development of drugs targeted therapeutics against (VIBVN)NAT

A Percepção dos Pacientes Onco-Hematológicos sobre Cuidado Paliativo Exclusivo

Introdução: Apesar dos avanços científicos e da disseminação de informações sobre o câncer, muitos pacientes são diagnosticados em estágios avançados, com poucas chances de cura. Portanto, compreender o ponto de vista do paciente é essencial para aprimorar a abordagem da equipe ao comunicar a proposta paliativa. Objetivo: Compreender a percepção que os pacientes possuem quanto aos cuidados paliativos exclusivos. Método: Estudo qualitativo, descritivo, pautado na análise fenomenológica. A pesquisa foi realizada com pacientes internados em um setor onco-hematológico, maiores de 18 anos, em cuidados paliativos exclusivos, a partir da pergunta norteadora “Qual é a sua percepção sobre cuidados paliativos exclusivos?” Resultados: O estudo contou com a participação de dez pacientes com idade entre 33 e 81 anos, havendo predominância do sexo feminino (70%). Revelaram-se cinco tópicos principais de interesse, incluindo aceitação e transferência para unidades de cuidados paliativos. A discussão enfatiza a percepção da doença como algo que afeta não apenas o corpo, mas também a forma como os pacientes se relacionam com o mundo. Conclusão: Os enfermeiros possuem um papel crucial na assistência aos pacientes em cuidados paliativos exclusivos, e a comunicação interdisciplinar é importante para enfrentar desafios, como a falta de conhecimento sobre os cuidados paliativos e a estigmatização dessas unidades. A pesquisa destaca a necessidade de abordagens completas, equitativas e humanizadas para melhorar o tratamento dos pacientes em cuidados paliativos, enfatizando a importância da capacitação profissional para lidar com comunicações difíceis nesse contexto

Health and Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic Among Children and Young People: Analysis of Free-Text Responses From the Children and Young People With Long COVID Study

BackgroundThe literature is equivocal as to whether the predicted negative mental health impact of the COVID-19 pandemic came to fruition. Some quantitative studies report increased emotional problems and depression; others report improved mental health and well-being. Qualitative explorations reveal heterogeneity, with themes ranging from feelings of loss to growth and development. ObjectiveThis study aims to analyze free-text responses from children and young people participating in the Children and Young People With Long COVID study to get a clearer understanding of how young people were feeling during the pandemic. MethodsA total of 8224 free-text responses from children and young people were analyzed using InfraNodus, an artificial intelligence–powered text network analysis tool, to determine the most prevalent topics. A random subsample of 411 (5%) of the 8224 responses underwent a manual sentiment analysis; this was reweighted to represent the general population of children and young people in England. ResultsExperiences fell into 6 main overlapping topical clusters: school, examination stress, mental health, emotional impact of the pandemic, social and family support, and physical health (including COVID-19 symptoms). Sentiment analysis showed that statements were largely negative (314/411, 76.4%), with a small proportion being positive (57/411, 13.9%). Those reporting negative sentiment were mostly female (227/314, 72.3%), while those reporting positive sentiment were mostly older (170/314, 54.1%). There were significant observed associations between sentiment and COVID-19 status as well as sex (P=.001 and P<.001, respectively) such that the majority of the responses, regardless of COVID-19 status or sex, were negative; for example, 84.1% (227/270) of the responses from female individuals and 61.7% (87/141) of those from male individuals were negative. There were no observed associations between sentiment and all other examined demographics. The results were broadly similar when reweighted to the general population of children and young people in England: 78.52% (negative), 13.23% (positive), and 8.24% (neutral). ConclusionsWe used InfraNodus to analyze free-text responses from a large sample of children and young people. The majority of responses (314/411, 76.4%) were negative, and many of the children and young people reported experiencing distress across a range of domains related to school, social situations, and mental health. Our findings add to the literature, highlighting the importance of specific considerations for children and young people when responding to national emergencies

Problemática de la violencia en el ámbito educativo: un análisis cualitativo-etnográfico

Se analizó la problemática de la violencia socioeducativa en América Latina, Venezuela y el estado Zulia, desde una perspectiva cualitativa-etnográfica utilizando la revisión documental y las historias de vida como técnicas de investigación. Para el abordaje etnográfico se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas a estudiantes, docentes, padres y madres de familia para recopilar sus experiencias y percepciones sobre la violencia socioeducativa en el estado Zulia. A través del análisis de contenido se contextualizó la violencia socioeducativa en América Latina y Venezuela. Entre los autores que sustentan la investigación están UNESCO (2023); Chan y Márquez (2020); Pacheco-Salazar (2018). Los datos se analizaron mediante un proceso de codificación y categorización deductiva e inductiva, partiendo de la teoría consultada y de los resultados de las entrevistas. Los hallazgos revelan que la violencia socioeducativa es una problemática presente en todos los sectores sociales y niveles educativos. El bullying, la discriminación, las agresiones físicas y la violencia verbal son las formas más comunes de violencia presente en los contextos educativos de América Latina, incluida Venezuela y particularmente en la población objeto de estudio. La violencia socioeducativa tiene graves implicaciones en el aprendizaje, bienestar emocional y salud mental de los estudiantes. Se requiere un enfoque integral para prevenir y eliminar la violencia socioeducativa, y debe abarcar la escuela, la familia, la comunidad y las políticas públicas. La educación para la paz, la formación docente, la comunicación abierta en la familia y la participación activa de la comunidad son estrategias asertivas para abordar esta problemática

Mgl2+ cDC2s coordinate fungal allergic airway type 2, but not type 17, inflammation in mice

Abstract Fungal spores are abundant in the environment and a major cause of asthma. Originally characterised as a type 2 inflammatory disease, allergic airway inflammation that underpins asthma can also involve type 17 inflammation, which can exacerbate disease causing failure of treatments tailored to inhibit type 2 factors. However, the mechanisms that determine the host response to fungi, which can trigger both type 2 and type 17 inflammation in allergic airway disease, remain unclear. Here we find that CD11c+ DCs and CD4+ T cells are essential for development of both type 2 and type 17 airway inflammation in mice repeatedly exposed to inhaled spores. Single cell RNA-sequencing with further multi-parameter cytometry shows that allergic inflammation dramatically alters the proportion of numerous DC clusters in the lung, but that only two of these (Mgl2+ cDC2s and CCR7+ DCs) migrate to the dLNs. Targeted removal of several DC subsets shows that Mgl2+ cDC2 depletion reduces type 2, but not type 17, fungal allergic airway inflammation. These data highlight distinct DC subsets as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of pulmonary fungal disease

Up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket bioreactor for the production of carboxylates: effect of inocula on process performance and microbial communities

Abstract This research investigated the acidogenic fermentation (AF) of sugar cane molasses in an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor for the production of carboxylates. The first step was to assess the optimum process temperature (25, 35 or 55 ºC) using two different granular inocula, one from a brewery company (BGS) and other from a paper plant company (PGS). These experiments determined that the most suitable temperature for carboxylates production was 25 ºC, obtaining higher bioconversions (27.3 ± 0.3% using PGS and 39.2 ± 0.2% using BGS), despite the low pH value recorded (4.0-4.2). Then, both inocula were tested in UASB reactors. As a consequence of the operational conditions (25 ºC, pH = 5.5-6, organic loading rate (OLR) = 3 gCOD·L-1·d-1 and hydraulic retention time (HRT) = 10 d), the microbial communities changed from those typical for biogas production to those specialised in the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs). Indeed, the highest bioconversion efficiency (70.1%) was obtained with BGS, where uncultured Eubacteriaceae family microorganisms (56.0%) prevailed, enhancing the production of butyric acid (59.5 ± 2.4%w/w). Consequently, this inoculum was used to further identify the OLR threshold that should not be exceeded to attain optimal carboxylates production. OLR of 6 gCOD·L-1·d-1 resulted in a decrease in bioconversion efficiency (59.5%). The VFAs pool was dominated by butyric acid (63.0 ± 1.4%w/w at an OLR of 4.5 gCOD·L-1·d-1 and 52.8 ± 2.2%w/w at 6 gCOD·L-1·d-1). The microbial community became even more specialised, increasing the presence of Firmicutes and Actinobacteriota phyla, proving that the imposed conditions favoured the production of VFAs when operating semicontinuously fed UASB reactors

Cultural adaptation of ENABLE (Educate, Nurture, Advise, Before Life Ends) an early palliative care model for Iranian patients with heart failure and their caregivers: a qualitative study protocol

Abstract Background ENABLE (Educate, Nurture, Advise, Before Life Ends) is a model of nurse-led, early palliative care that was originally developed for U.S. patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers and then adapted for patients with heart failure. ENABLE coaching topics include problem-solving, communication, advance care planning, symptom management, and self-care. The purpose of this paper is to detail a qualitative study protocol to assess the cultural acceptability of ENABLE among heart failure patients and their family caregivers in Iran. Methods This qualitative study employs reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) to guide the cultural adaptation of the ENABLE model. The study is conducted in two phases. In Phase 1, the ENABLE content will be translated and validated into Persian using a forward-backward translation process and expert panel review to ensure linguistic and cultural appropriateness. In Phase 2, semi-structured interviews will be conducted with individuals living with HF, their caregivers, and healthcare providers at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The one-on-one semi-structured interviews will explore three main areas: (1) the primary needs and challenges faced by individuals with heart failure and their family caregivers, (2) the extent of patients’ involvement in healthcare decision-making, and (3) participants’ preferences for content and delivery method of ENABLE. Maximum variation sampling will be employed to ensure diverse representation, and data collection will continue until saturation is achieved. Interview audio recordings will be transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis approach. The analysis will involve iterative coding to identify patterns and the development of themes that align with the core components of the ENABLE model while ensuring cultural relevance. Trustworthiness and rigor will be ensured through reflexivity, peer debriefing, and data triangulation, ensuring credible and robust findings to guide the cultural adaptation of the ENABLE model for Iran. Discussion This study will develop a framework for adapting the ENABLE model to Iran, offering insights into cultural and contextual factors influencing palliative care. The adapted model aims to enhance the quality of life for individuals with HF and their caregivers while addressing gaps in palliative care delivery in Iran