Re-scoping ultradian rhythms in the context of metabolism.

Rapid, ultradian biological rhythms are only partly comparable to circadian (24-h) rhythms. Often, the ensuing expectations from this comparison are that 1) ultradian rhythms should be driven by discrete oscillators, 2) they are biochemically buffered, and 3) they must be functionally linked to extrinsic events and cycles. These three expectations are not always met, but perhaps there is an adaptive benefit to ultradian rhythms not meeting these expectations, which sets them functionally apart from circadian rhythms.

The ADHD Assessment Quality Assurance Standard for Children and Teenagers (CAAQAS).

Around 5% of the children and teenagers worldwide are affected by Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder [ADHD], making it a major public health concern. Recently, demand for assessments has substantially increased, putting strain on healthcare and waiting lists. There is concern that pressure to clear service bottlenecks is leading to variable quality and reliability of ADHD assessments in this population.

In Depth Mapping of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Malignant Glioma Cells Using Scattering-Type Scanning Near-Field Optical Microscopy.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNPs) are promising nanomedicine vehicles due to their biocompatibility and ability to carry large cargoes. It is critical in nanomedicine development to be able to map their uptake in cells, including distinguishing surface associated MSNPs from those that are embedded or internalized into cells. Conventional nanoscale imaging techniques, such as electron and fluorescence microscopies, however, generally require the use of stains and labels to image both the biological material and the nanomedicines, which can interfere with the biological processes at play.

The efficacy of longer-term lebrikizumab treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis who did not meet protocol-defined response criteria at week 16 in two randomized controlled clinical trials.

Background: Lebrikizumab demonstrated statistically significant improvements in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis at week 16 with a durable response up to week 52.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of lebrikizumab-treated patients at 52 weeks who did not achieve the ADvocate1 and ADvocate2 protocol-defined response criteria (≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index [EASI 75] or Investigator Global Assessment [IGA] 0/1 with ≥2-point improvement without rescue medication) after 16 weeks.

Methods: This analysis includes observed data for patients who received lebrikizumab every 2 weeks during the induction period, did not achieve the protocol-defined response, and subsequently received open-label lebrikizumab treatment.

Evaluation of population immunity against SARS-CoV-2 variants, EG.5.1, FY.4, BA.2.86, JN.1, JN.1.4, and KP.3.1.1 using samples from two health demographic surveillance systems in Kenya.

Increased immune evasion by emerging and highly mutated SARS-CoV-2 variants is a key challenge to the control of COVID-19. The majority of these mutations mainly target the spike protein, allowing the new variants to escape the immunity previously raised by vaccination and/or infection by earlier variants of SARS-CoV-2. In this study, we investigated the neutralizing capacity of antibodies against emerging variants of interest circulating between May 2023 and October 2024 using sera from representative samples of the Kenyan population.

Helicopter emergency medical services demonstrate reduced time to emergency anaesthesia in an undifferentiated trauma population: a retrospective observational analysis across three major trauma networks.

Background: Early rapid sequence induction of anaesthesia (RSI) and tracheal intubation for patients with airway or ventilatory compromise following major trauma is recommended, with guidance suggesting a 45-min timeframe. Whilst on-scene RSI is recommended, the potential time benefit offered by Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) has not been studied. We compared the time from 999/112 emergency call to delivery of RSI between patients intubated either in the Emergency Department or pre-hospital by HEMS.

A Qualitative Investigation into the Experiences of Students with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia) in Higher Education.

Developmental coordination disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia) is a commonly misunderstood and under-recognized specific learning difficulty (SpLD) in educational settings. This lifelong condition affects fine and gross motor coordination and significantly interferes with many activities of daily living, academic achievement, and employment opportunities. However, most Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are unaware of its prevalence within their context, even though 5% of the general population have DCD and the enrolment of students in UK Higher Education with a known disability has increased by 42.

Self-reported injury in ultra-endurance participants with a focus on knee injuries: An exploratory cross-sectional comparative study of running, cycling, and triathlon.

Objectives: To investigate the frequency and location of reported injuries among ultra-endurance participants competing in different sports.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Method: Ultra-endurance runners, cyclists and triathletes were recruited via a social media advertisement to participate in a web-based questionnaire.

The Application of Digital PCR as a Reference Measurement Procedure to Support the Accuracy of Quality Assurance for Infectious Disease Molecular Diagnostic Testing.

Background: Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) assist in the diagnosis of numerous infectious diseases. They are typically sensitive and specific and can be quickly developed and adapted. Far more challenging is the development of standards to ensure NAATs are performing within specification; reference materials take time to develop and suitable reference measurement procedures (RMPs) have not been available.

Genotype-Guided Asthma Treatment Reduces Exacerbations in Children: Meta-Analysis of Two RCTs.

Background: Long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) in combination with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are commonly used to treat asthma, however, some children lack response to the addition of LABA. This might be partially due to the presence of the Arg16Gly polymorphism, encoded by rs1042713 G>A in the ADRB2 gene. Carrying the A allele (Arg16) at this variant has been associated with an increased risk of exacerbations despite LABA treatment.

Macroevolutionary inference of complex modes of chromosomal speciation in a cosmopolitan plant lineage.

The effects of single chromosome number change-dysploidy - mediating diversification remain poorly understood. Dysploidy modifies recombination rates, linkage, or reproductive isolation, especially for one-fifth of all eukaryote lineages with holocentric chromosomes. Dysploidy effects on diversification have not been estimated because modeling chromosome numbers linked to diversification with heterogeneity along phylogenies is quantitatively challenging.

Impact of private practice of public health workers on public health provision: Evidence from a natural experiment.

This paper analyzes the effects of private practice on public health provision in Indonesia among doctor heads of primary public health clinics known as puskesmas. We exploit the exogenous variation in the initiation of private practice after the 1997 Ministry of Health regulation 916 that mandated health professionals to apply for a license for private practice after at least three years of compulsory public service after graduation. Instrumental variable estimates, built around this threshold experience of 3 years after 1997 regulation, suggest that dual practitioners (relative to those only engaged in puskesmas) work significantly fewer hours per week at their public posts at the puskesmas but see significantly more public patients.

Known from trees and the tropics: new insights into the species complex.

The species complex (FLSC) currently comprises 11 phylogenetic species, including accepted names such as , , and , which have mostly been reported in association with citrus and coffee. Many varieties were documented by Wollenweber & Reinking (1935), which is indicative of a wider diversity of species within this group. The lack of type material in some cases, especially for the older names, means that definition by molecular phylogeny is very difficult.

New from opposite ends of the world.

The is a group of ancient fungi with global distribution. In the current study we accessed mucoralean fungi isolated from two countries on opposite sides of the Earth and in different hemispheres: South Korea and Brazil. isolates were obtained from freshwater, soil, invertebrates, and fruit seeds and identified using phenotypic techniques combined with the DNA sequence data.

Atypical Presentation of Subcapsular Liver Hematoma With a Delayed Onset of Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Platelet Count (HELLP) Syndrome.

Subcapsular liver haematoma in pregnancy, a rare and life-threatening condition, is more commonly associated with severe preeclampsia and haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. The common presenting symptom of subcapsular haematoma is acute-onset upper abdominal pain in patients suffering from preeclampsia; shock is the presenting feature in severe cases of rupture. Here we have discussed a case of subcapsular haematoma associated with HELLP syndrome in a patient who responded to conservative management.

Perceived community acceptance on traditional birth attendants assisted childbirth care and associated factors among pregnant women in Ethiopia.

Background: Community acceptance of Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) as professional birth attendant was reported as one of the bottlenecks that has been hindering facility childbirth care service use. Hence, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that all childbirths needed to be attended by professional skilled attendants who at least possessed midwifery skill through the safe motherhood initiative. However, many births in developing countries have been being attended by Traditional birth attendants (TBAs) mainly due to pregnant women and community acceptance for TBAs as sole birth attendants.

The pseudoknot region and poly-(C) tract comprise an essential RNA packaging signal for assembly of foot-and-mouth disease virus.

Virus assembly is a crucial step for the completion of the viral replication cycle. In addition to ensuring efficient incorporation of viral genomes into nascent virions, high specificity is required to prevent incorporation of host nucleic acids. For picornaviruses, including FMDV, the mechanisms required to fulfil these requirements are not well understood.

Direct-detection of glyphosate in drinking water a scalable and low-cost laser-induced graphene sensor.

The use of pesticides has significantly increased and proliferated following the technological advancements established by the green revolution, aimed at boosting agricultural productivity. The extensive use of man-made chemicals as fertilizer and pesticides has consequently led to large-scale application, which has led to a number of environmental and human health problems. This study has helped to develop a laser-induced graphene (LIG) sensor for the detection of the most widely used herbicide in the world, glyphosate.

The effectiveness of waxing or epilation compared to conventional methods of hair removal in reducing the incidence of surgical site infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Surgical site infections (SSIs) pose a significant challenge to healthcare systems by elevating patient morbidity and mortality and driving up financial costs. Preoperative skin preparation is crucial for preventing SSIs; however, certain traditional methods of hair removal have been found to increase the risk of SSI development. Mechanical epilation and waxing constitute two relatively explored methods of hair removal, which may hold potential to accelerate wound healing due to the activation of stem cells within hair follicles.

Medical, subjective and objective forms of exercise dependence and the role of learning, cognitive and emotional biases.

Despite numerous benefits of regular exercise, research has demonstrated some people develop problematic exercise behaviour, with ongoing debates regarding the definition. This study defined three approaches: a traditional medical model including for example withdrawal symptoms; a subjective approach whereby individuals identify their own problematic exercise; and an objective perspective involving persistent exercise despite negative consequences. This cross-sectional study assessed the association between these three approaches in UK-based frequent exercisers ( = 139) alongside correlations with learning, cognitive and emotional biases (reward vs punishment sensitivity, delay discounting and sensation seeking).

Development of the global measurement system and its ongoing importance for accurate and effective air quality measurements.

This article emphasizes the crucial role of metrology, the science of measurement, in modern life. It explores the history and importance of the global measurement system in ensuring reliable and comparable data; how this system has evolved over the years into what we now recognise as the International System of Units; and the recent changes that have future proofed our system of measurement against the challenges of technological developments yet to come. The text highlights the particular significance of accurate measurements for air quality studies as having direct impact on policy decisions and assessment of the health effects of air pollution.

Developing High Energy Density Li-S Batteries via Pore-Structure Regulation of Porous Carbon Based Electrocatalyst.

The mesopores and macropores within porous carbon materials help increase the surface for the depostion of solid-state products, reduce the LiS film thickness, enhance electron and mass transport, and accelerate the reaction kinetics. However, an excessive amount of mesopores and macropores can lead to increased electrolyte consumption, particularly at high sulfur loadings, where excessive electrolyte usage hampers the enhancement of practical energy density in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. A rational pore structure can minimize the amount of electrolyte to fill the pores, thereby reducing electrolyte consumption while achieving rapid reaction kinetics and a high gravimetric energy density.

Demonstrating multi-benefits of green infrastructure to schools through collaborative approach.

Green infrastructure (GI) is known to reduce road air pollution exposure, but their implementation in schools and associated benefits remain under-researched. In this study, two GI solutions, green screen and green gate, were co-designed and installed at a primary school in Guildford using collaborative and participatory methods. By assessing changes in air pollution levels, noise, and public perception before and after GI installation, we aimed to understand their impact on reducing children's exposure and evaluate other co-benefits.

Evaluating the need for standardised disease manifestation categories in patients infected with the tick-borne encephalitis virus: A Delphi panel.

Categorization systems for tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infection lack consistency in classifying disease severity. To evaluate the need for a standard, consensus-based categorisation system for TBEV infection across subtypes, we gathered an expert panel of clinicians and scientists with diverse expertise in TBEV infection. Consensus was sought using the Delphi technique, which consisted of 2 web-based survey questionnaires and a final, virtual, consensus-building exercise.