Effects of community action on animal vaccination uptake, antimicrobial usage, and farmers' wellbeing in Ghana: study protocol for a cluster-randomized controlled trial.

Infectious animal diseases represent a major constraint to livestock productivity, food security and wellbeing in many developing countries. To mitigate these impacts, farmers frequently use antimicrobials without professional advice, potentially yielding drug residues in livestock products and the food chain, as well as resistant antimicrobial genes. Recent studies identified Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia (CBPP) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) as the diseases most negatively affecting ruminant livestock productivity and farmers' wellbeing in Ghana.

Synergistic/antagonistic antimicrobial effects of cosmetic ingredients in combination with 1,2-hexanediol.

With the rise of the clean beauty trend in the cosmetics and personal care industry, consumers' interest in cosmetic ingredients, especially preservatives, continues to grow. Paraben, previously the most used preservative in cosmetics, has been excluded from many products owing to its potential risks. Therefore, a movement to lower the content of various preservatives is ongoing.

Implementation of Ambulatory Kidney Supportive Care in a Safety Net Hospital.

Context: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) disproportionately impacts lower socioeconomic groups and is associated with many symptoms and complex decisions. Integration of Kidney Supportive Care (KSC) with CKD care can address these needs. To our knowledge, this approach has not been described in an underserved population.

Assessment of potential ecological risk for microplastics in freshwater ecosystems.

Microplastics (MPs) are one of the most widespread environmental pollutants, but their risk assessment to freshwater ecosystems has not been clearly investigated. Risk assessment has been constrained by the absence of MP concentration in some environment, the diverse types and shapes of MPs, and limitations of polystyrene (PS)-biased toxicity studies. This study examined exposure to MPs in rivers and lakes worldwide, including China (the Three Gorges Dam & Yangtze River (TGD & YR) and the lakes of Wuhan city (WL)), Vietnam (seven lakes of Da Nang city (7UL)), Europe (the Rhine River (RR)), Finland (Kallavesi Lake (KL)), Argentina (nine lakes in the Patagonia region (9LP)), Brazil (Guaiba Lake (GL)), and South Korea (Nakdong River (NR), Han River (HR), and Anyang Stream (AS)), and assessed the risks to aquatic ecosystems based on the toxicity information and morphology of MPs.

Levofloxacin for the Prevention of Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Vietnam.

Background: Prevention of drug-resistant tuberculosis is a global health priority. However, trials evaluating the effectiveness of treating infection among contacts of persons with drug-resistant tuberculosis are lacking.

Methods: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial comparing 6 months of daily levofloxacin (weight-based doses) with placebo to treat infection.

Energy and vulnerability: Exploring the energy poverty-risky sexual behavior nexus among young women in Ghana.

While recent policy agendas have extensively addressed both energy poverty and risky sexual behavior separately, little research has explored their intersection. This pioneering study investigates the relationship between energy deprivation and risky sexual behavior in female youth. Utilizing data from the Demographic and Health Survey in Ghana and employing robust methodologies, including the Lewbel two-stage regression and alternative energy deprivation thresholds, our findings reveal an 8.

Nationwide, Couple-Based Genetic Carrier Screening.

Background: Genomic sequencing technology allows for identification of reproductive couples with an increased chance, as compared with that in the general population, of having a child with an autosomal recessive or X-linked genetic condition.

Methods: We investigated the feasibility, acceptability, and outcomes of a nationwide, couple-based genetic carrier screening program in Australia as part of the Mackenzie's Mission project. Health care providers offered screening to persons before pregnancy or early in pregnancy.

Biomimetics through bioconjugation of 16-methylheptadecanoic acid to damaged hair for hair barrier recovery.

The primary component of the lipid barrier on human hair, which is essential for defense against aging and environmental stresses, is 18-methyleicosanoic acid (18-MEA), which provides hydrophobic properties and protective benefits. Since 18-MEA cannot be regenerated once damaged, developing technology that can permanently bind alternative materials to hair is critical. Once 18-MEA was removed from hair via X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), pentaerythritol tetraisoosterate (PTIS) was hydrolyzed and observed via gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to confirm that it mimicked 18-MEA, and 16-methylheptadecanoic acid (16-MHA) was obtained at pH 4 or lower.

Novel Approach to Skin Anti-Aging: Boosting Pharmacological Effects of Exogenous Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) by Synergistic Inhibition of CD38 Expression.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is indispensable for the regulation of biological metabolism. Previous studies have revealed its role in aging and degenerative diseases, while crucially showing that supplementation with NAD or its precursors could ameliorate or reverse the progression of aging. Despite extensive evidence for the role and action of NAD in aging, its pharmacological activity on the skin, or even its mechanism, has not been elucidated.

Prospective, multi-site evaluation of the Cepheid Xpert Xpress CoV-2 test on nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs.

Unlabelled: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues its largely aseasonal spread with millions of cases per year. Highly sensitive, point-of-care testing is critical for rapid detection of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and initiation of antiviral therapy to avert adverse health outcomes and reduce onward transmission of the virus. While hundreds of COVID-19 diagnostics received emergency use authorization from the FDA during the pandemic, significantly fewer have navigated the course to FDA clearance or approval.

Evaluation of a Cosmetic Formulation Containing Arginine Glutamate in Patients with Burn Scars: A Pilot Study.

Patients with burn scars require effective treatments able to alleviate dry skin and persistent itching. Ion pairing has been employed in cosmetic formulations to enhance solubility in solvents and improve skin permeability. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the cosmetic formula "RE:pair (arginine-glutamate ion pair)", we analyzed scar size, itching and pain, skin barrier function, scar scale evaluation, and satisfaction in our study participants.

Modulating Expression as a Promising Approach to Enhance Skin Brightness and Reduce Dark Spots.

The oculocutaneous albinism II () gene encodes a melanosomal transmembrane protein involved in melanogenesis. Recent genome-wide association studies have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms within genes that are involved in skin pigmentation. Nevertheless, there have been no attempts to modulate this gene to improve skin discoloration.

Exploring the long-term performance of air purifiers in removing particulate matter and formaldehyde across different residential environments.

Household air purifiers are widely used to enhance indoor air quality. However, limited information exists regarding the factors that influence their long-term performance. This study investigates the impact of various residential environments on the long-term efficacy of air purifiers.

Dihydroavenanthramide D Enhances Skin Barrier Function through Upregulation of Epidermal Tight Junction Expression.

Skin barrier dysfunction and thin epidermis are hallmarks of sensitive skin and contribute to premature aging. Avenanthramides are the primary bioactive components of colloidal oatmeal, a commonly used treatment to enhance skin barrier function. This study investigated the relationship between skin barrier function and epidermal characteristics and explored the potential of dihydroavenanthramide D (dhAvD), a synthetic avenanthramide, to improve the skin barrier.

Novel Cosmetic Ingredient CS-AA Polyion Complex and Skin Moisturizing Effect.

Purpose: The study explored the enhanced skin moisturizing capabilities and moisture retention effects achieved by forming a polyion complex using sulfated glycosaminoglycan (GAG), specifically chondroitin sulfate (CS), and amino acids (AA) such as glutamine (Q) and arginine (R). The overall hydration effect of this CS-AA complex was examined.

Methods: After analyzing the CS-AA polyion complex structure using spectroscopic methods, the ex vivo moisture retention ability was assessed under dry conditions using porcine skin samples.

Household economic burden of type-2 diabetes and hypertension comorbidity care in urban-poor Ghana: a mixed methods study.

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) predispose households to exorbitant healthcare expenditures in health systems where there is no access to effective financial protection for healthcare. This study assessed the economic burden associated with the rising burden of type-2 diabetes (T2D) and hypertension comorbidity management, and its implications for healthcare seeking in urban Accra.

Methods: A convergent parallel mixed-methods study design was used.

Extract Promotes Wound Healing through OR2AT4 Activation and Exhibits Anti-Inflammatory Activity.

Skin healing occurs through an intricate process called wound healing which comprises four phases: coagulation and hemostasis, inflammation, cellular proliferation, and remodeling. Chronic wounds often arise because of prolonged or excessive inflammation, which hinders the healing process and wound closure. Despite the recognized efficacy of (patchouli) in wound healing, the precise mechanism of action of extract (PCE) on inflammation and wound healing remains poorly understood.

Efficacy of Modulation-Mediated Materials in Ameliorating Facial Wrinkles and Pore Sagging.

Skin aging is a complex process with internal and external factors. Recent studies have suggested that enlargement and elongation of skin pores may be early signs of aging in addition to wrinkles and loss of elasticity. This study explores the potential of targeting the gene in keratinocytes to address these emerging concerns.

Efficacy of Vitamin B12 and Adenosine Triphosphate in Enhancing Skin Radiance: Unveiled with a Drug-Target Interaction Deep Learning-Based Model.

Skin radiance is crucial for enhancing facial attractiveness and is negatively affected by factors like hyperpigmentation and aging-related changes. Current treatments often lack comprehensive solutions for improving skin radiance. This study aimed to develop a cosmetic formula that enhances skin radiance by reducing hyperpigmentation and improving skin regeneration by targeting specific receptors-the endothelin receptor type B (EDNRB) for hyperpigmentation and the adiponectin receptor 1 (ADIPOR1) for sagging and wrinkles.

Taurine and Polyphenol Complex Repaired Epidermal Keratinocyte Wounds by Regulating IL8 and TIMP2 Expression.

The healing process after acne lesion extraction provides a miniature model to study skin wound repair mechanisms. In this study, we aimed to identify solutions for acne scars that frequently occur on our faces. We performed acne scar cytokine profiling and found that Interleukin 8 (IL8) and Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP2) were significant factors at the wounded site.

A prospective study of injuries and illnesses among 910 amateur golfers during one season.

Objectives: Our aims were (a) to describe the prevalence and incidence of self-reported injuries and illnesses of amateur golfers over a 5-month period and (b) to investigate potential risk factors for injury.

Methods: We recruited 910 amateur golfers (733 males [81%] and 177 females [19%]) from golf clubs in the USA and Switzerland. The median age was 60 (IQR: 47-67) and the median golfing handicap was 12 (IQR: 6-18).

Assessing residual fragrances on skin after body washing: Optimization of an analytical method using solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Objective: The aim of this study is to develop and optimize a method for evaluating the persistence of residual fragrance after body washing, addressing a significant requirement in the development of personal care products. The main objective is to establish a reliable, sensitive and reproducible analytical technique to assess fragrance longevity on skin post-use of body wash products.

Methods: Headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is used to analyse residual fragrances.