The Series Barbini(subfamily Cyprininae sensu lato)is the most species-rich group within the family Cyprinidae,primarily confined to warm regions of southern Eurasia and Africa.The distribution patterns and evolutiona...The Series Barbini(subfamily Cyprininae sensu lato)is the most species-rich group within the family Cyprinidae,primarily confined to warm regions of southern Eurasia and Africa.The distribution patterns and evolutionary history of Chinese cyprinins have been effectively shaped by the Cenozoic uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the evolution of the Asian monsoon.Here,we describe two new fossil fishes from the early and middle Miocene of the Lunpola Basin in central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China,preserving the ethmoid and the rear of the occipital regions of the neurocranium,infraorbitals,hyopalatine arch,abdominal vertebrae,and some dorsal-fin pterygiophores and unbranched fin rays.Through detailed morphological comparisons,these fossils show definite affinities to Cyprinidae according to the morphology of the neurocranium,vertebral column,and dorsal fin rays;and one of which is classified into the Series Barbini,while the other can only be assigned to the Cyprinidae family level.These findings reveal that the hinterland of the plateau of the early Neogene should have hosted cyprinin fishes of greater diversity than today.This also indicates a warm-temperate paleoclimate suitable for their survival during that period,consistent with the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatical conditions reconstructed from the contemporaneous mammalian fossil and palynological evidences.展开更多
Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of disability and death,with mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes emerging as a promising therapeutic avenue.However,the optimal timing and underlying therapeutic mechanisms o...Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of disability and death,with mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes emerging as a promising therapeutic avenue.However,the optimal timing and underlying therapeutic mechanisms of exosome treatment require further elucidation.In this study,we used a murine model of middle cerebral artery occlusion to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes administered intravenously at an early(6 hours)or delayed(3 days)time point post-ischemia.Compared with delayed treatment,early administration of exosomes resulted in significantly superior efficacy,as evidenced by improved neurological function scores and reduced infarct volumes.Transcriptomic analysis of brain tissues from mice receiving early exosome treatment revealed marked downregulation of inflammation-related genes,including Ccl2,Ccl5,Cxcl10,Il-1β,Il-6,Itgam,Itgax,and Tnf-α.Metabolomic profiling of these brain tissues further identified modulation of key metabolites,including trimethylamine N-oxide,glutathione,1-stearoyl-rac-glycerol,and phosphatidylcholine,suggesting that alteration of metabolic pathways contributes to the therapeutic effect.Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis pinpointed significant modulation of pathways involving metabolism of eicosapentaenoic acid,lysine,propanoate,and tyrosine.These findings suggest that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes,particularly when administered early post-ischemia,exert their neuroprotective effects by broadly suppressing inflammatory pathways and modulating key metabolic processes in the ischemic brain,highlighting their potential as a therapeutic intervention for ischemic stroke.展开更多
Tinnitus is a concerning condition that affects most adults worldwide,with a prevalence of 6.7%.Theories of tinnitus have explained that an increase in spontaneous neural activity at the level of the thalamus could in...Tinnitus is a concerning condition that affects most adults worldwide,with a prevalence of 6.7%.Theories of tinnitus have explained that an increase in spontaneous neural activity at the level of the thalamus could induce tinnitus.There are no standardized objective tests for tinnitus assessment because of its multifaceted nature.Hence,the current study aimed to explore the effect of Tinnitus on Latency and Amplitude of the Auditory Middle Latency Response in Audiological Attendees.The study recruited 50 individuals(25 normals and 25 individuals with tinnitus)who underwent audiological evaluations like Pure tone audiometry,immittance,pitch and loudness matching,THI and middle latency response.The IHS program was used to record MLR,which was obtained using tone burst stimuli of 500 Hz,1 KHz,2 KHz,and 4 KHz at a rate of 7.1/s with a constant duration of 5 ms,for a total of 1500 sweeps.As a covariate,pure tone thresholds were one of the variabilities that were addressed by ANCOVA.The amplitude of the Pa component varied significantly between the tinnitus and control groups,according to the MLR data and no other components of MLR reached that significance.Furthermore,there was no discernible variation in the latency or amplitude of MLR among any of the other components.The latency of the waveforms increased as the stimulus frequency increased.Karl Pearson correlation coefficient showed no significant correlation between THI scores and any of the outcome measures except for Pa amplitude.As the Pa component of MLR showed maximum changes between controls and individuals with tinnitus,the Pa component could be considered a potential tool for identifying neurophysiological changes related to tinnitus.展开更多
Ossiculoplasty remains a challenging surgical procedure,with outcomes heavily influenced by diverse anatomical and pathological factors.Over the decades,numerous scoring systems have been developed to predict the prog...Ossiculoplasty remains a challenging surgical procedure,with outcomes heavily influenced by diverse anatomical and pathological factors.Over the decades,numerous scoring systems have been developed to predict the prognosis of ossiculoplasty,each emphasizing different variables such as ossicular status,middle ear environment,and surgical history.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of prognostic scoring systems,including Austin's original ossicular classification,Bellucci's otorrhea staging,the Middle Ear Risk Index(MERI),the Ossiculoplasty Outcome Parameter Staging(OOPS),and the recently introduced Ear Environment Risk(EER)scale.While these systems have significantly contributed to preoperative assessment,each presents notable limitations in encompassing all variables affecting surgical success.Therefore,the aim of this paper is to provide a review of the ossiculoplasty prognostic scores and show the benefits,innovations and gaps associated with each.To address these gaps,a novel,modified scoring system is proposed,incorporating previously overlooked but clinically significant factors such as tympanic membrane status,type of tympanoplasty,ossicular replacement material,CT scan findings,and the presence of complicated ear conditions.By synthesizing elements from historical scores with updated clinical insights,the proposed system aims to provide a more holistic and predictive framework for preoperative evaluation.Future multicenter studies are encouraged to validate the efficacy and prognostic power of this new scoring system,with the goal of improving surgical planning and patient counseling in ossiculoplasty.展开更多
White matter injury is a key factor impacting stroke recovery.Physical exercise can promote white matter repair.Immune cells,especially regulatory T(Treg)cells,contribute to strengthening white matter integrity,yet li...White matter injury is a key factor impacting stroke recovery.Physical exercise can promote white matter repair.Immune cells,especially regulatory T(Treg)cells,contribute to strengthening white matter integrity,yet little is known about the underlying mechanism.To examine this,we established a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion male mouse model.We found that physical exercise elevated brain Treg cells,thereby enhancing neurological recovery,reducing neuroinflammation,promoting myelin debris clearance,and accelerating white matter repair.Depletion of Treg cells caused a decrease in these positive effects of physical exercise.Mechanistically,the rise in osteopontin triggered by physical exercise is dampened when Treg cells are depleted.In addition,Treg-conditioned medium reduced oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation-induced microglial inflammation and enhanced phagocytosis,which could be blocked by osteopontin antibodies.Importantly,although Treg infusion could mimic the protective effects of physical exercise,osteopontin blockade partially countered the effects of physical exercise and Treg cells.Finally,our sequencing data revealed a marked upregulation of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12(CXCL12)mRNA expression subsequent to physical exercise,which was confirmed at the protein level.Stimulation of Treg cells with stroke brain lysates increased C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)expression,indicating a potential role for the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in recruiting Treg cells.These findings suggest that physical exercise promotes white matter repair after ischemic stroke by Treg cells.展开更多
Recent studies have shown that fibrotic scar formation following cerebral ischemic injury has varying effects depending on the microenvironment.However,little is known about how fibrosis is induced and regulated after...Recent studies have shown that fibrotic scar formation following cerebral ischemic injury has varying effects depending on the microenvironment.However,little is known about how fibrosis is induced and regulated after cerebral ischemic injury.Sonic hedgehog signaling participates in fibrosis in the heart,liver,lung,and kidney.Whether Shh signaling modulates fibrotic scar formation after cerebral ischemic stroke and the underlying mechanisms are unclear.In this study,we found that Sonic Hedgehog expression was upregulated in patients with acute ischemic stroke and in a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury rat model.Both Sonic hedgehog and Mitofusin 2 showed increased expression in the middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model and in vitro fibrosis cell model induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1.Activation of the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway enhanced the expression of phosphorylated Smad 3 and Mitofusin 2 proteins,promoted the formation of fibrotic scars,protected synapses or promoted synaptogenesis,alleviated neurological deficits following middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury,reduced cell apoptosis,facilitated the transformation of meninges fibroblasts into myofibroblasts,and enhanced the proliferation and migration of meninges fibroblasts.The Smad3 phosphorylation inhibitor SIS3 reversed the effects induced by Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway activation.Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant correlations between Sonic hedgehog and Smad3,between Sonic hedgehog and Mitofusin 2,and between Smad3 and Mitofusin 2.These findings suggest that Sonic hedgehog signaling may influence Mitofusin 2 expression by regulating Smad3 phosphorylation,thereby modulating the formation of early fibrotic scars following cerebral ischemic stroke and affecting prognosis.The Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway may serve as a new therapeutic target for stroke treatment.展开更多
AAV-PHP.eB is an artificial adeno-associated virus(AAV)that crosses the blood-brain barrier and targets neurons more efficiently than other AAVs when administered systematically.While AAV-PHP.eB has been used in vario...AAV-PHP.eB is an artificial adeno-associated virus(AAV)that crosses the blood-brain barrier and targets neurons more efficiently than other AAVs when administered systematically.While AAV-PHP.eB has been used in various disease models,its cellular tropism in cerebrovascular diseases remains unclear.In the present study,we aimed to elucidate the tropism of AAV-PHP.eB for different cell types in the brain in a mouse model of ischemic stroke and evaluate its effectiveness in mediating basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)gene therapy.Mice were injected intravenously with AAV-PHP.eB either 14 days prior to(pre-stroke)or 1 day following(post-stroke)transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.Notably,we observed a shift in tropism from neurons to endothelial cells with post-stroke administration of AAV-PHP.eB-mNeonGreen(mNG).This endothelial cell tropism correlated strongly with expression of the endothelial membrane receptor lymphocyte antigen 6 family member A(Ly6A).Furthermore,AAV-PHP.eB-mediated overexpression of bFGF markedly improved neurobehavioral outcomes and promoted long-term neurogenesis and angiogenesis post-ischemic stroke.Our findings underscore the significance of considering potential tropism shifts when utilizing AAV-PHP.eB-mediated gene therapy in neurological diseases and suggest a promising new strategy for bFGF gene therapy in stroke treatment.展开更多
Human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles exhibit analogous functions to their parental cells,and can thus be used as substitutes for stem cells in stem cell therapy,thereby mitigating the risks of stem ce...Human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles exhibit analogous functions to their parental cells,and can thus be used as substitutes for stem cells in stem cell therapy,thereby mitigating the risks of stem cell therapy and advancing the frontiers of stem cell-derived treatments.This lays a foundation for the development of potentially potent new treatment modalities for ischemic stroke.However,the precise mechanisms underlying the efficacy and safety of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles remain unclear,presenting challenges for clinical translation.To promote the translation of therapy based on human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles from the bench to the bedside,we conducted a comprehensive preclinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in the treatment of ischemic stroke.We found that administration of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to an ischemic stroke rat model reduced the volume of cerebral infarction and promoted functional recovery by alleviating neuronal apoptosis.The human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles reduced neuronal apoptosis by enhancing phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase,mammalian target of rapamycin,and protein kinase B,and these effects were reversed by treatment with a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor.These findings suggest that human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles play a neuroprotective role in ischemic stroke through activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway.Finally,we showed that human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have a good in vivo safety profile.Therefore,human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles are a promising potential agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke.展开更多
BACKGROUND Middle meningeal artery embolization(MMAE)is emerging as a promising treatment for chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH),serving both as an adjunct to surgery and as a primary therapeutic option depending on pati...BACKGROUND Middle meningeal artery embolization(MMAE)is emerging as a promising treatment for chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH),serving both as an adjunct to surgery and as a primary therapeutic option depending on patient presentation.Due to its low recurrence rate and minimal complications,MMAE has gained increasing acceptance among clinicians in recent years.This report presents a case of diplopia following MMAE due to the presence of a potential anastomotic artery,aiming to enhance awareness of this complication.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male patient presented with a headache following head trauma,and cranial computed tomography revealed a left-sided CSDH.The patient underwent left MMAE;however,polyvinyl alcohol particles inadvertently flowed into the lacrimal artery through an anastomotic artery,resulting in diplopia due to impaired abduction of the left eye.The diplopia resolved by postoperative day 40.The patient’s headache resolved by postoperative day 7,and the hematoma completely resolved by postoperative day 108.CONCLUSION Potential anastomotic arteries in the middle meningeal artery(MMA)can lead to serious complications.Superselective angiography of the MMA or its branches prior to embolization is essential.Performing embolization distal to potential anastomotic sites can reduce risks,and the presence of an anastomosis may warrant coil embolization or termination of the procedure.展开更多
This paper discusses the characteristics and formation mechanism of thin dolomite reservoirs in the lower submember of the second member of the Permian Maokou Formation(lower Mao 2 Member)in the Wusheng-Tongnan area o...This paper discusses the characteristics and formation mechanism of thin dolomite reservoirs in the lower submember of the second member of the Permian Maokou Formation(lower Mao 2 Member)in the Wusheng-Tongnan area of the Sichuan Basin,SW China,through comprehensive analysis of geological,geophysical and geochemical data.The reservoir rocks of the lower Mao 2 Member are dominated by porphyritic vuggy dolomite and calcareous dolomite or dolomitic limestone,which have typical karst characteristics of early diagenetic stage.The dolomites at the edge of the karst system and in the fillings have dissolved estuaries,and the dolomite breccia has micrite envelope and rim cement at the edge,indicating that dolomitization is earlier than the early diagenetic karstification.The shoal facies laminated dolomite is primarily formed by the seepage reflux dolomitization of moderate-salinity seawater.The key factors of reservoir formation are the bioclastic shoal deposition superimposed with seepgae reflux dolomitization and the karstification of early diagenetic stage,which are locally reformed by fractures and hydrothermal processes.The development of dolomite vuggy reservoir is closely related to the upward-shallowing sequence,and mainly occurs in the late highstand of the fourth-order cycle.Moreover,the size of dolomite is closely related to formation thickness,and it is concentrated in the formation thickness conversion area,followed by the thinner area.According to the understanding of insufficient accommodation space in the geomorphic highland and the migration of granular shoal to geomorphic lowland in the late highstand of the third-order cycle,it is proposed that the large-scale shoal-controlled dolomite reservoirs are distributed along structural highs and slopes,and the reservoir-forming model with shoal,dolomitization and karstification jointly controlled by the microgeomorphy and sea-level fluctuation in the sedimentary period is established.On this basis,the paleogeomorphology in the lower Mao 2 Member is restored using well-seismic data,and the reservoir distribution is predicted.The prediction results have been verified by the latest results of exploration wells and tests,which provide an important reference for the prediction of thin dolomite reservoirs under similar geological setting.展开更多
Wetlands play a critical role in the global environment.The Middle Yangtze River Basin(MYRB),known for its abundant wetland resources,has experienced notable changes resulting from the complex interplay of environment...Wetlands play a critical role in the global environment.The Middle Yangtze River Basin(MYRB),known for its abundant wetland resources,has experienced notable changes resulting from the complex interplay of environmental factors.Therefore,we investigated the spatiotemporal characteristics of wetland ecological quality in the MYRB from 2001 to 2020.Utilizing the random forest(RF)regression algorithm and patch-generated land-use simulation(PLUS)model,we forecasted variations in wetland habitat quality and their determinants under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway-Representative Concentration Pathway(SSPRCP)framework from 2035 to 2095.The main findings are as follows:(1)The RF algorithm was optimal for land-use and land-cover(LULC)classification in the MYRB from 2001 to 2020,when notable changes were observed in water bodies and buildings.However,the forested area exhibited an increase and decrease of 3.9%and 1.2%under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios,respectively,whereas farmland exhibited a diminishing trend.(2)Wetlands were primarily concentrated in the central and eastern MYRB,with counties in the southwest exhibiting superior ecological-environmental quality from 2001 to 2020.Notably,wetland coverage revealed significantly high level,significant changes,frequent but relatively minor changes under the SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP 5-8.5 scenarios,respectively.(3)Regions with lower habitat quality were primarily concentrated in urbanized areas characterized by frequent human activities,indicating a clear degradation in habitat quality across different scenarios.In conclusion,we established a foundational framework for future investigations into the eco-hydrological processes and ecosystem quality of watersheds.展开更多
Cerebral ischemia is a major health risk that requires preventive approaches in addition to drug therapy.Physical exercise enhances neurogenesis and synaptogenesis,and has been widely used for functional rehabilitatio...Cerebral ischemia is a major health risk that requires preventive approaches in addition to drug therapy.Physical exercise enhances neurogenesis and synaptogenesis,and has been widely used for functional rehabilitation after stroke.In this study,we determined whether exercise training before disease onset can alleviate the severity of cerebral ischemia.We also examined the role of exercise-induced circulating factors in these effects.Adult mice were subjected to 14 days of treadmill exercise training before surgery for middle cerebral artery occlusion.We found that this exercise pre-conditioning strategy effectively attenuated brain infarct area,inhibited gliogenesis,protected synaptic proteins,and improved novel object and spatial memory function.Further analysis showed that circulating adiponectin plays a critical role in these preventive effects of exercise.Agonist activation of adiponectin receptors by Adipo Ron mimicked the effects of exercise,while inhibiting receptor activation abolished the exercise effects.In summary,our results suggest a crucial role of circulating adiponectin in the effects of exercise pre-conditioning in protecting against cerebral ischemia and supporting the health benefits of exercise.展开更多
The chronic occlusion of intracranial arteries generally has no or mild clinical symptoms,and the clinical symptoms of acute cerebral artery occlusion are mostly manifested as severe cerebral infarction symptoms,which...The chronic occlusion of intracranial arteries generally has no or mild clinical symptoms,and the clinical symptoms of acute cerebral artery occlusion are mostly manifested as severe cerebral infarction symptoms,which often make early diagnosis difficult,thus losing the best treatment opportunity.Once cerebral infarction occurs,the consequences are difficult to recover.This is also an important reason for the high misdiagnosis rate and mortality of this disease.In this paper,the characteristics of the disease were analyzed to provide clinical reference.展开更多
Stegolophodon is an age-informative genus of mammals that had a widespread distribution during the Neogene.This paper reports the discovery of Stegolophodon fossils from the Middle Miocene lower Fotan Formation at the...Stegolophodon is an age-informative genus of mammals that had a widespread distribution during the Neogene.This paper reports the discovery of Stegolophodon fossils from the Middle Miocene lower Fotan Formation at the Zhangpu locality,Fujian Province,China.This discovery represents the first evidence of Neogene proboscidean fossils in southeastern China.The newly found molar materials have low tooth crowns,very straight lophs/lophids,and an indistinct median sulcus.The mesoconelets and posterior cingulum are well-developed,while the second posterior pretrite central conule is significantly reduced.These specimens closely resemble Stegolophodon pseudolatidens in cheek tooth morphology,and can thus be attributed to the same species.This discovery fills a gap in the fossil record of large mammals in this region during the Neogene and provides valuable insights into the evolution of proboscideans and paleoenvironments.展开更多
In 2015,the discovery of mammalian fossils,paleolithic artifacts,and burned bones in the Maoershan Cave of the Guilin Basin,northeastern Guangxi,indicated that it is a late Middle Pleistocene Paleolithic site.In 2021,...In 2015,the discovery of mammalian fossils,paleolithic artifacts,and burned bones in the Maoershan Cave of the Guilin Basin,northeastern Guangxi,indicated that it is a late Middle Pleistocene Paleolithic site.In 2021,stratigraphic sectioning and the systematic screening of small mammal sand samples were conducted.This paper presents a comprehensive account of the new material of the fruit bat Rousettus leschenaultii,accompanied by a concise overview of the non-volant micromammals that coexisted with it in the Quaternary sediments of the Maoershan Cave.This finding marks the second occurrence of fruit bat fossils in China,contributing to our understanding of the dental morphology and past geographical distribution of Rousettus.The micromammalian assemblage of the Maoershan Cave is composed of 3 orders,9 families,26 genera,and 30 species,and exhibits notable similarities with those of the late Middle Pleistocene Yumi Cave,Xinglong Cave,Yanhui Cave,Mawokou Cave,Zhongliangshan,and Chuan Cave faunas.The biochronology of the micromammalian assemblage from the Maoershan Cave has been determined to be consistent with the late Middle Pleistocene,providing a new assemblage in the Pleistocene mammalian faunal sequence in southern China.The presence of abundant oriental forested elements indicates that the Guilin Basin used to be a humid and warm subtropical forest paleoenvironment similar to the contemporary environment during the late Middle Pleistocene.展开更多
BACKGROUND Picky eating is a commonly observed behavior among children globally,negatively impacting their physical and mental growth.Although common characteristics distinguish peaky eaters,including food selectivity...BACKGROUND Picky eating is a commonly observed behavior among children globally,negatively impacting their physical and mental growth.Although common characteristics distinguish peaky eaters,including food selectivity,food neophobia,and food avoidance,there is no clear definition to assess this behavior.Due to the unavailability of data regarding picky eating,it wasn’t easy to estimate its prevalence.AIM To develop a regional protocol to help healthcare professionals identify and manage mild and moderate picky eating cases.METHODS A virtual roundtable discussion was held in April 2021 to gather the opinions of seven pediatricians and two pediatric dietitians from eight Middle Eastern countries who had great experience in the management of picky eating.The discussion covered different topics,including clearly defining mild and moderate picky eating,identifying the role of diet fortification in these cases,and the possibility of developing a systematic approach to diet fortification.RESULTS The panel identified picky eating as consuming an inadequate amount and variety of foods by rejecting familiar and unfamiliar food.Most of the time,moderate picky eating cases had micronutrient deficiencies with over-or undernutrition;the mild cases only showed inadequate food consumption and/or poor diet quality.Paying attention to the organic red flags like growth faltering and development delay and behavioral red flags,including food fixation and anticipatory gagging,will help healthcare professionals evaluate the picky eaters and the caregivers to care for their children.Although dietary supplementation and commercial food fortification play an important role in picky eating,they were no benefit in the Middle East.CONCLUSION The panel agreed that food fortification through a food-first approach and oral nutritional supplements would be the best for Middle Eastern children.These recommendations would facilitate identifying and managing picky-eating children in the Middle East.展开更多
Current analysis of the contemporary global security situation is incomplete if the issues of the Global South's security interests particularly the Africa's security needs and concerns are left out of the dis...Current analysis of the contemporary global security situation is incomplete if the issues of the Global South's security interests particularly the Africa's security needs and concerns are left out of the discussions. Today, the focuses are on the Middle East crises whose major players are Israel and the United States of America against Gaza and the larger Palestine including Lebanon, the Russia-Ukraine war and the perpetual geopolitical tensions between the North Korea and South Korea.展开更多
China’s growing number of co#ee consumers helps to boost Uganda’s coffee production In recent years,China has witnessed a significant surge in co!ee consumption,driven by a growing middle class and increasing demand...China’s growing number of co#ee consumers helps to boost Uganda’s coffee production In recent years,China has witnessed a significant surge in co!ee consumption,driven by a growing middle class and increasing demand for specialty brews.This trend has had a profound impact on co!ee-producing countries around the world,including Uganda.展开更多
Although eye problems can occur at any age, they are often common from the age of 40. Eye diseases with a prevalence associated with age and aging will continue to increase in the coming years. Most studies conducted ...Although eye problems can occur at any age, they are often common from the age of 40. Eye diseases with a prevalence associated with age and aging will continue to increase in the coming years. Most studies conducted on problems in middle-aged people have focused on visual disorders without taking into account all the ocular morbidities that may affect this segment of the population, hence the present study, the aim of which is to determine the proportions of different eye diseases in people aged 40 and over. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the ophthalmology department covering the period from January 1 to December 31, 2020. Results: In total, we collected 828 patients aged 40 and over out of 1811 patients who received ophthalmological consultation during the study period, representing 45.72%. The most represented age group was 40 - 50 years, with an average age of 58.84 years and a maximum of 93 years. There were slightly more women (62.3%) than men (37.7%). The main reasons for consultation were decreased visual acuity (26.4%) and pruritus (19.9%). The main eye diseases diagnosed were cataracts (23%), allergic conjunctivitis (21.1%), and bacterial conjunctivitis (14.2%). Discussions: The predominance of cataracts in the diagnosed diseases confirms the literature data, according to which the main eye morbidities in middle-aged and elderly people are cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Conclusion: It is crucial to have a mastery of these epidemiological data of eye diseases in order to adapt the technical platforms of eye care structures to the needs of different segments of the population.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.42272013)the National Key Research and Development Project of China(2024YFF0807603,2023YFF0804501)+1 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.42302017,41872006)the NSFC BSCTPES project(No.41988101).
文摘The Series Barbini(subfamily Cyprininae sensu lato)is the most species-rich group within the family Cyprinidae,primarily confined to warm regions of southern Eurasia and Africa.The distribution patterns and evolutionary history of Chinese cyprinins have been effectively shaped by the Cenozoic uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the evolution of the Asian monsoon.Here,we describe two new fossil fishes from the early and middle Miocene of the Lunpola Basin in central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China,preserving the ethmoid and the rear of the occipital regions of the neurocranium,infraorbitals,hyopalatine arch,abdominal vertebrae,and some dorsal-fin pterygiophores and unbranched fin rays.Through detailed morphological comparisons,these fossils show definite affinities to Cyprinidae according to the morphology of the neurocranium,vertebral column,and dorsal fin rays;and one of which is classified into the Series Barbini,while the other can only be assigned to the Cyprinidae family level.These findings reveal that the hinterland of the plateau of the early Neogene should have hosted cyprinin fishes of greater diversity than today.This also indicates a warm-temperate paleoclimate suitable for their survival during that period,consistent with the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimatical conditions reconstructed from the contemporaneous mammalian fossil and palynological evidences.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China,Nos.2021YFA1101703/2021YFA1101700(to YD).
文摘Ischemic stroke remains a leading cause of disability and death,with mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes emerging as a promising therapeutic avenue.However,the optimal timing and underlying therapeutic mechanisms of exosome treatment require further elucidation.In this study,we used a murine model of middle cerebral artery occlusion to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes administered intravenously at an early(6 hours)or delayed(3 days)time point post-ischemia.Compared with delayed treatment,early administration of exosomes resulted in significantly superior efficacy,as evidenced by improved neurological function scores and reduced infarct volumes.Transcriptomic analysis of brain tissues from mice receiving early exosome treatment revealed marked downregulation of inflammation-related genes,including Ccl2,Ccl5,Cxcl10,Il-1β,Il-6,Itgam,Itgax,and Tnf-α.Metabolomic profiling of these brain tissues further identified modulation of key metabolites,including trimethylamine N-oxide,glutathione,1-stearoyl-rac-glycerol,and phosphatidylcholine,suggesting that alteration of metabolic pathways contributes to the therapeutic effect.Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis pinpointed significant modulation of pathways involving metabolism of eicosapentaenoic acid,lysine,propanoate,and tyrosine.These findings suggest that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes,particularly when administered early post-ischemia,exert their neuroprotective effects by broadly suppressing inflammatory pathways and modulating key metabolic processes in the ischemic brain,highlighting their potential as a therapeutic intervention for ischemic stroke.
文摘Tinnitus is a concerning condition that affects most adults worldwide,with a prevalence of 6.7%.Theories of tinnitus have explained that an increase in spontaneous neural activity at the level of the thalamus could induce tinnitus.There are no standardized objective tests for tinnitus assessment because of its multifaceted nature.Hence,the current study aimed to explore the effect of Tinnitus on Latency and Amplitude of the Auditory Middle Latency Response in Audiological Attendees.The study recruited 50 individuals(25 normals and 25 individuals with tinnitus)who underwent audiological evaluations like Pure tone audiometry,immittance,pitch and loudness matching,THI and middle latency response.The IHS program was used to record MLR,which was obtained using tone burst stimuli of 500 Hz,1 KHz,2 KHz,and 4 KHz at a rate of 7.1/s with a constant duration of 5 ms,for a total of 1500 sweeps.As a covariate,pure tone thresholds were one of the variabilities that were addressed by ANCOVA.The amplitude of the Pa component varied significantly between the tinnitus and control groups,according to the MLR data and no other components of MLR reached that significance.Furthermore,there was no discernible variation in the latency or amplitude of MLR among any of the other components.The latency of the waveforms increased as the stimulus frequency increased.Karl Pearson correlation coefficient showed no significant correlation between THI scores and any of the outcome measures except for Pa amplitude.As the Pa component of MLR showed maximum changes between controls and individuals with tinnitus,the Pa component could be considered a potential tool for identifying neurophysiological changes related to tinnitus.
文摘Ossiculoplasty remains a challenging surgical procedure,with outcomes heavily influenced by diverse anatomical and pathological factors.Over the decades,numerous scoring systems have been developed to predict the prognosis of ossiculoplasty,each emphasizing different variables such as ossicular status,middle ear environment,and surgical history.This paper provides a comprehensive review of the evolution of prognostic scoring systems,including Austin's original ossicular classification,Bellucci's otorrhea staging,the Middle Ear Risk Index(MERI),the Ossiculoplasty Outcome Parameter Staging(OOPS),and the recently introduced Ear Environment Risk(EER)scale.While these systems have significantly contributed to preoperative assessment,each presents notable limitations in encompassing all variables affecting surgical success.Therefore,the aim of this paper is to provide a review of the ossiculoplasty prognostic scores and show the benefits,innovations and gaps associated with each.To address these gaps,a novel,modified scoring system is proposed,incorporating previously overlooked but clinically significant factors such as tympanic membrane status,type of tympanoplasty,ossicular replacement material,CT scan findings,and the presence of complicated ear conditions.By synthesizing elements from historical scores with updated clinical insights,the proposed system aims to provide a more holistic and predictive framework for preoperative evaluation.Future multicenter studies are encouraged to validate the efficacy and prognostic power of this new scoring system,with the goal of improving surgical planning and patient counseling in ossiculoplasty.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82172546(to XH),82172547(to ZZ)the Natural ScienceFoundation of Guangdong Province,Nos.2023A1515012695(to XH),2024A1515010419(to ZZ)the Science and Technology Plan Project of Guangzhou,Nos.202201020413(to ZZ),2023A04J1099(to ZZ).
文摘White matter injury is a key factor impacting stroke recovery.Physical exercise can promote white matter repair.Immune cells,especially regulatory T(Treg)cells,contribute to strengthening white matter integrity,yet little is known about the underlying mechanism.To examine this,we established a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion male mouse model.We found that physical exercise elevated brain Treg cells,thereby enhancing neurological recovery,reducing neuroinflammation,promoting myelin debris clearance,and accelerating white matter repair.Depletion of Treg cells caused a decrease in these positive effects of physical exercise.Mechanistically,the rise in osteopontin triggered by physical exercise is dampened when Treg cells are depleted.In addition,Treg-conditioned medium reduced oxygen-glucose deprivation/re-oxygenation-induced microglial inflammation and enhanced phagocytosis,which could be blocked by osteopontin antibodies.Importantly,although Treg infusion could mimic the protective effects of physical exercise,osteopontin blockade partially countered the effects of physical exercise and Treg cells.Finally,our sequencing data revealed a marked upregulation of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12(CXCL12)mRNA expression subsequent to physical exercise,which was confirmed at the protein level.Stimulation of Treg cells with stroke brain lysates increased C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)expression,indicating a potential role for the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in recruiting Treg cells.These findings suggest that physical exercise promotes white matter repair after ischemic stroke by Treg cells.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82171456(to QY)and 81971229(to QY)the Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing,Nos.CSTC2021JCYJ-MSXMX0263(to QY)and CSTB2023NSCQ-MSX1015(to XL)Doctoral Innovation Project of The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,Nos.CYYY-BSYJSCXXM-202318(to JW)and CYYY-BSYJSCXXM-202327(to HT).
文摘Recent studies have shown that fibrotic scar formation following cerebral ischemic injury has varying effects depending on the microenvironment.However,little is known about how fibrosis is induced and regulated after cerebral ischemic injury.Sonic hedgehog signaling participates in fibrosis in the heart,liver,lung,and kidney.Whether Shh signaling modulates fibrotic scar formation after cerebral ischemic stroke and the underlying mechanisms are unclear.In this study,we found that Sonic Hedgehog expression was upregulated in patients with acute ischemic stroke and in a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury rat model.Both Sonic hedgehog and Mitofusin 2 showed increased expression in the middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model and in vitro fibrosis cell model induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1.Activation of the Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway enhanced the expression of phosphorylated Smad 3 and Mitofusin 2 proteins,promoted the formation of fibrotic scars,protected synapses or promoted synaptogenesis,alleviated neurological deficits following middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion injury,reduced cell apoptosis,facilitated the transformation of meninges fibroblasts into myofibroblasts,and enhanced the proliferation and migration of meninges fibroblasts.The Smad3 phosphorylation inhibitor SIS3 reversed the effects induced by Sonic hedgehog signaling pathway activation.Bioinformatics analysis revealed significant correlations between Sonic hedgehog and Smad3,between Sonic hedgehog and Mitofusin 2,and between Smad3 and Mitofusin 2.These findings suggest that Sonic hedgehog signaling may influence Mitofusin 2 expression by regulating Smad3 phosphorylation,thereby modulating the formation of early fibrotic scars following cerebral ischemic stroke and affecting prognosis.The Sonic Hedgehog signaling pathway may serve as a new therapeutic target for stroke treatment.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81870921(to YW),81974179(to ZZ),82271320(to ZZ),82071284(to YT)National Key R&D Program of China,No.2022YFA1603600(to ZZ),2019YFA0112000(to YT)+1 种基金Scientific Research and Innovation Program of Shanghai Education Commission,No.2019-01-07-00-02-E00064(to GYY)Scientific and Technological Innovation Act Program of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission,No.20JC1411900(to GYY).
文摘AAV-PHP.eB is an artificial adeno-associated virus(AAV)that crosses the blood-brain barrier and targets neurons more efficiently than other AAVs when administered systematically.While AAV-PHP.eB has been used in various disease models,its cellular tropism in cerebrovascular diseases remains unclear.In the present study,we aimed to elucidate the tropism of AAV-PHP.eB for different cell types in the brain in a mouse model of ischemic stroke and evaluate its effectiveness in mediating basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)gene therapy.Mice were injected intravenously with AAV-PHP.eB either 14 days prior to(pre-stroke)or 1 day following(post-stroke)transient middle cerebral artery occlusion.Notably,we observed a shift in tropism from neurons to endothelial cells with post-stroke administration of AAV-PHP.eB-mNeonGreen(mNG).This endothelial cell tropism correlated strongly with expression of the endothelial membrane receptor lymphocyte antigen 6 family member A(Ly6A).Furthermore,AAV-PHP.eB-mediated overexpression of bFGF markedly improved neurobehavioral outcomes and promoted long-term neurogenesis and angiogenesis post-ischemic stroke.Our findings underscore the significance of considering potential tropism shifts when utilizing AAV-PHP.eB-mediated gene therapy in neurological diseases and suggest a promising new strategy for bFGF gene therapy in stroke treatment.
基金supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China,No.81471308(to JL)the Innovative Leading Talents of Liaoning Province,No.XLYC1902031(to JL)+2 种基金Science and Technology Projects in Liaoning Province,No.2022-BS-238(to CH)Young Top Talents of Liaoning Province,No.XLYC1907009(to LW)Dalian Science and Technology Innovation Fund,No.2018J11CY025(to JL)。
文摘Human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles exhibit analogous functions to their parental cells,and can thus be used as substitutes for stem cells in stem cell therapy,thereby mitigating the risks of stem cell therapy and advancing the frontiers of stem cell-derived treatments.This lays a foundation for the development of potentially potent new treatment modalities for ischemic stroke.However,the precise mechanisms underlying the efficacy and safety of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles remain unclear,presenting challenges for clinical translation.To promote the translation of therapy based on human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles from the bench to the bedside,we conducted a comprehensive preclinical study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles in the treatment of ischemic stroke.We found that administration of human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles to an ischemic stroke rat model reduced the volume of cerebral infarction and promoted functional recovery by alleviating neuronal apoptosis.The human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles reduced neuronal apoptosis by enhancing phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase,mammalian target of rapamycin,and protein kinase B,and these effects were reversed by treatment with a phosphoinositide 3-kinase inhibitor.These findings suggest that human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles play a neuroprotective role in ischemic stroke through activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway.Finally,we showed that human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles have a good in vivo safety profile.Therefore,human neural stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles are a promising potential agent for the treatment of ischemic stroke.
文摘BACKGROUND Middle meningeal artery embolization(MMAE)is emerging as a promising treatment for chronic subdural hematoma(CSDH),serving both as an adjunct to surgery and as a primary therapeutic option depending on patient presentation.Due to its low recurrence rate and minimal complications,MMAE has gained increasing acceptance among clinicians in recent years.This report presents a case of diplopia following MMAE due to the presence of a potential anastomotic artery,aiming to enhance awareness of this complication.CASE SUMMARY A 60-year-old male patient presented with a headache following head trauma,and cranial computed tomography revealed a left-sided CSDH.The patient underwent left MMAE;however,polyvinyl alcohol particles inadvertently flowed into the lacrimal artery through an anastomotic artery,resulting in diplopia due to impaired abduction of the left eye.The diplopia resolved by postoperative day 40.The patient’s headache resolved by postoperative day 7,and the hematoma completely resolved by postoperative day 108.CONCLUSION Potential anastomotic arteries in the middle meningeal artery(MMA)can lead to serious complications.Superselective angiography of the MMA or its branches prior to embolization is essential.Performing embolization distal to potential anastomotic sites can reduce risks,and the presence of an anastomosis may warrant coil embolization or termination of the procedure.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42172166)National Natural Science Foundation and CNPC Joint Fund Project(U23B20154)CNPC-Southwest Petroleum University Science and Technology Cooperation Project(2020CX010000).
文摘This paper discusses the characteristics and formation mechanism of thin dolomite reservoirs in the lower submember of the second member of the Permian Maokou Formation(lower Mao 2 Member)in the Wusheng-Tongnan area of the Sichuan Basin,SW China,through comprehensive analysis of geological,geophysical and geochemical data.The reservoir rocks of the lower Mao 2 Member are dominated by porphyritic vuggy dolomite and calcareous dolomite or dolomitic limestone,which have typical karst characteristics of early diagenetic stage.The dolomites at the edge of the karst system and in the fillings have dissolved estuaries,and the dolomite breccia has micrite envelope and rim cement at the edge,indicating that dolomitization is earlier than the early diagenetic karstification.The shoal facies laminated dolomite is primarily formed by the seepage reflux dolomitization of moderate-salinity seawater.The key factors of reservoir formation are the bioclastic shoal deposition superimposed with seepgae reflux dolomitization and the karstification of early diagenetic stage,which are locally reformed by fractures and hydrothermal processes.The development of dolomite vuggy reservoir is closely related to the upward-shallowing sequence,and mainly occurs in the late highstand of the fourth-order cycle.Moreover,the size of dolomite is closely related to formation thickness,and it is concentrated in the formation thickness conversion area,followed by the thinner area.According to the understanding of insufficient accommodation space in the geomorphic highland and the migration of granular shoal to geomorphic lowland in the late highstand of the third-order cycle,it is proposed that the large-scale shoal-controlled dolomite reservoirs are distributed along structural highs and slopes,and the reservoir-forming model with shoal,dolomitization and karstification jointly controlled by the microgeomorphy and sea-level fluctuation in the sedimentary period is established.On this basis,the paleogeomorphology in the lower Mao 2 Member is restored using well-seismic data,and the reservoir distribution is predicted.The prediction results have been verified by the latest results of exploration wells and tests,which provide an important reference for the prediction of thin dolomite reservoirs under similar geological setting.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.42207078CUG Scholar-Scientific Research Funds at China University of Geosciences(Wuhan),No.2022166+1 种基金China Scholarship Council,No.202306410026Opening Fund of State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin,China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research,No.IWHR-SKL-KF202217。
文摘Wetlands play a critical role in the global environment.The Middle Yangtze River Basin(MYRB),known for its abundant wetland resources,has experienced notable changes resulting from the complex interplay of environmental factors.Therefore,we investigated the spatiotemporal characteristics of wetland ecological quality in the MYRB from 2001 to 2020.Utilizing the random forest(RF)regression algorithm and patch-generated land-use simulation(PLUS)model,we forecasted variations in wetland habitat quality and their determinants under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway-Representative Concentration Pathway(SSPRCP)framework from 2035 to 2095.The main findings are as follows:(1)The RF algorithm was optimal for land-use and land-cover(LULC)classification in the MYRB from 2001 to 2020,when notable changes were observed in water bodies and buildings.However,the forested area exhibited an increase and decrease of 3.9%and 1.2%under the SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios,respectively,whereas farmland exhibited a diminishing trend.(2)Wetlands were primarily concentrated in the central and eastern MYRB,with counties in the southwest exhibiting superior ecological-environmental quality from 2001 to 2020.Notably,wetland coverage revealed significantly high level,significant changes,frequent but relatively minor changes under the SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP 5-8.5 scenarios,respectively.(3)Regions with lower habitat quality were primarily concentrated in urbanized areas characterized by frequent human activities,indicating a clear degradation in habitat quality across different scenarios.In conclusion,we established a foundational framework for future investigations into the eco-hydrological processes and ecosystem quality of watersheds.
基金supported by STI2030-Major Projects,No.2022ZD0207600(to LZ)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.32070955(to LZ),U22A20301(to KFS)+3 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province,No.2021A1515012197(to HO)Guangzhou Core Medical Disciplines Project,No.2021-2023(to HO)Key Research and Development Plan of Ningxia Hui Automomous Region,No.2022BEG01004(to KFS)Science and Technology Program of Guangzhou,China,No.202007030012(to KFS and LZ)。
文摘Cerebral ischemia is a major health risk that requires preventive approaches in addition to drug therapy.Physical exercise enhances neurogenesis and synaptogenesis,and has been widely used for functional rehabilitation after stroke.In this study,we determined whether exercise training before disease onset can alleviate the severity of cerebral ischemia.We also examined the role of exercise-induced circulating factors in these effects.Adult mice were subjected to 14 days of treadmill exercise training before surgery for middle cerebral artery occlusion.We found that this exercise pre-conditioning strategy effectively attenuated brain infarct area,inhibited gliogenesis,protected synaptic proteins,and improved novel object and spatial memory function.Further analysis showed that circulating adiponectin plays a critical role in these preventive effects of exercise.Agonist activation of adiponectin receptors by Adipo Ron mimicked the effects of exercise,while inhibiting receptor activation abolished the exercise effects.In summary,our results suggest a crucial role of circulating adiponectin in the effects of exercise pre-conditioning in protecting against cerebral ischemia and supporting the health benefits of exercise.
基金Supported by the Science and Technology Program of Nantong Health Committee,No.MA2019003 and No.MA2021017Kangda College of Nanjing Medical University,No.KD2021JYYJYB025,No.KD2022KYJJZD019,and No.KD2022KYJJZD022+1 种基金Research Project of Nantong Health and Health Commission,No.MS2023041the Science and Technology Program of Nantong City,No.Key003 and No.JCZ2022040.
文摘The chronic occlusion of intracranial arteries generally has no or mild clinical symptoms,and the clinical symptoms of acute cerebral artery occlusion are mostly manifested as severe cerebral infarction symptoms,which often make early diagnosis difficult,thus losing the best treatment opportunity.Once cerebral infarction occurs,the consequences are difficult to recover.This is also an important reason for the high misdiagnosis rate and mortality of this disease.In this paper,the characteristics of the disease were analyzed to provide clinical reference.
文摘Stegolophodon is an age-informative genus of mammals that had a widespread distribution during the Neogene.This paper reports the discovery of Stegolophodon fossils from the Middle Miocene lower Fotan Formation at the Zhangpu locality,Fujian Province,China.This discovery represents the first evidence of Neogene proboscidean fossils in southeastern China.The newly found molar materials have low tooth crowns,very straight lophs/lophids,and an indistinct median sulcus.The mesoconelets and posterior cingulum are well-developed,while the second posterior pretrite central conule is significantly reduced.These specimens closely resemble Stegolophodon pseudolatidens in cheek tooth morphology,and can thus be attributed to the same species.This discovery fills a gap in the fossil record of large mammals in this region during the Neogene and provides valuable insights into the evolution of proboscideans and paleoenvironments.
文摘In 2015,the discovery of mammalian fossils,paleolithic artifacts,and burned bones in the Maoershan Cave of the Guilin Basin,northeastern Guangxi,indicated that it is a late Middle Pleistocene Paleolithic site.In 2021,stratigraphic sectioning and the systematic screening of small mammal sand samples were conducted.This paper presents a comprehensive account of the new material of the fruit bat Rousettus leschenaultii,accompanied by a concise overview of the non-volant micromammals that coexisted with it in the Quaternary sediments of the Maoershan Cave.This finding marks the second occurrence of fruit bat fossils in China,contributing to our understanding of the dental morphology and past geographical distribution of Rousettus.The micromammalian assemblage of the Maoershan Cave is composed of 3 orders,9 families,26 genera,and 30 species,and exhibits notable similarities with those of the late Middle Pleistocene Yumi Cave,Xinglong Cave,Yanhui Cave,Mawokou Cave,Zhongliangshan,and Chuan Cave faunas.The biochronology of the micromammalian assemblage from the Maoershan Cave has been determined to be consistent with the late Middle Pleistocene,providing a new assemblage in the Pleistocene mammalian faunal sequence in southern China.The presence of abundant oriental forested elements indicates that the Guilin Basin used to be a humid and warm subtropical forest paleoenvironment similar to the contemporary environment during the late Middle Pleistocene.
文摘BACKGROUND Picky eating is a commonly observed behavior among children globally,negatively impacting their physical and mental growth.Although common characteristics distinguish peaky eaters,including food selectivity,food neophobia,and food avoidance,there is no clear definition to assess this behavior.Due to the unavailability of data regarding picky eating,it wasn’t easy to estimate its prevalence.AIM To develop a regional protocol to help healthcare professionals identify and manage mild and moderate picky eating cases.METHODS A virtual roundtable discussion was held in April 2021 to gather the opinions of seven pediatricians and two pediatric dietitians from eight Middle Eastern countries who had great experience in the management of picky eating.The discussion covered different topics,including clearly defining mild and moderate picky eating,identifying the role of diet fortification in these cases,and the possibility of developing a systematic approach to diet fortification.RESULTS The panel identified picky eating as consuming an inadequate amount and variety of foods by rejecting familiar and unfamiliar food.Most of the time,moderate picky eating cases had micronutrient deficiencies with over-or undernutrition;the mild cases only showed inadequate food consumption and/or poor diet quality.Paying attention to the organic red flags like growth faltering and development delay and behavioral red flags,including food fixation and anticipatory gagging,will help healthcare professionals evaluate the picky eaters and the caregivers to care for their children.Although dietary supplementation and commercial food fortification play an important role in picky eating,they were no benefit in the Middle East.CONCLUSION The panel agreed that food fortification through a food-first approach and oral nutritional supplements would be the best for Middle Eastern children.These recommendations would facilitate identifying and managing picky-eating children in the Middle East.
文摘Current analysis of the contemporary global security situation is incomplete if the issues of the Global South's security interests particularly the Africa's security needs and concerns are left out of the discussions. Today, the focuses are on the Middle East crises whose major players are Israel and the United States of America against Gaza and the larger Palestine including Lebanon, the Russia-Ukraine war and the perpetual geopolitical tensions between the North Korea and South Korea.
文摘China’s growing number of co#ee consumers helps to boost Uganda’s coffee production In recent years,China has witnessed a significant surge in co!ee consumption,driven by a growing middle class and increasing demand for specialty brews.This trend has had a profound impact on co!ee-producing countries around the world,including Uganda.
文摘Although eye problems can occur at any age, they are often common from the age of 40. Eye diseases with a prevalence associated with age and aging will continue to increase in the coming years. Most studies conducted on problems in middle-aged people have focused on visual disorders without taking into account all the ocular morbidities that may affect this segment of the population, hence the present study, the aim of which is to determine the proportions of different eye diseases in people aged 40 and over. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in the ophthalmology department covering the period from January 1 to December 31, 2020. Results: In total, we collected 828 patients aged 40 and over out of 1811 patients who received ophthalmological consultation during the study period, representing 45.72%. The most represented age group was 40 - 50 years, with an average age of 58.84 years and a maximum of 93 years. There were slightly more women (62.3%) than men (37.7%). The main reasons for consultation were decreased visual acuity (26.4%) and pruritus (19.9%). The main eye diseases diagnosed were cataracts (23%), allergic conjunctivitis (21.1%), and bacterial conjunctivitis (14.2%). Discussions: The predominance of cataracts in the diagnosed diseases confirms the literature data, according to which the main eye morbidities in middle-aged and elderly people are cataracts, glaucoma, and age-related macular degeneration. Conclusion: It is crucial to have a mastery of these epidemiological data of eye diseases in order to adapt the technical platforms of eye care structures to the needs of different segments of the population.
