Introduction: The launch of health insurance in the Republic of the Congo took place against a backdrop of extremely high costs for dialysis, which was not one of the services financed within this framework. The aim o...Introduction: The launch of health insurance in the Republic of the Congo took place against a backdrop of extremely high costs for dialysis, which was not one of the services financed within this framework. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of including dialysis in the health insurance package in Congo. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with an evaluative aim, analyzing the impact of dialysis on the financing capacity of health insurance and health facilities to provide this type of care. Results: The results show that including dialysis in the universal health insurance package will require an additional financial effort of 6.20% of the current total financing capacity of the care basket. Most dialysis sessions are provided by the private health sector (87.5%), whose health facilities are unevenly distributed across the country, and concentrated in the country’s two major cities. This problem is the dual consequence of the very high cost of a dialysis session (average cost 140,234,375 FCFA or 229 US Dollars) and the number of patients under care, which will increase in the absence of effective and ongoing prevention efforts against chronic diseases in general and end-stage renal failure in particular. Conclusion: Dialysis is a high-impact public health intervention. The impact of its inclusion in the universal health insurance care package is difficult to bear financially. For dialysis to be covered by universal health insurance, additional funding and improved technical facilities are needed.展开更多
As global greenhouse gases continue rising,the urgency of more ambitious action is clearer than ever before.China is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and one of the countries affected most by climate c...As global greenhouse gases continue rising,the urgency of more ambitious action is clearer than ever before.China is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and one of the countries affected most by climate change.The evidence about the impacts of climate change on the environment and human health may encourage China to take more decisive action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.展开更多
Background: Obesity is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health. Obesity occurs as a result of an imbalance in diet (energy intake) and physical activity (energy expended), mu...Background: Obesity is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health. Obesity occurs as a result of an imbalance in diet (energy intake) and physical activity (energy expended), multifactorial diseases due to obesogenic environment (availability of convenience food, media influence, etc.), psycho-social factors (social support systems, cultural/environmental influence, etc.) and genetic variants. Other causes are a subgroup of etiological factors (medications, diseases, immobilization, iatrogenic procedures, monogenic disease/genetic syndrome). Obesity is measured clinically by several common tools apart from body mass index (BMI), such as waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio, and neck circumference. WC and WHR are common tools for measuring central obesity while BMI measures generalized obesity. Aims: The goal of this study is to assess the prevalence of obesity amongst health workers of David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu, Ebonyi state, Southeast Nigeria and to note the prevailing factors. A reliable estimate of the prevalence of obesity among health workers will contribute to the statistics needed to sway policymakers in the country to take urgent and substantial action on the increasing prevalence of obesity, especially in the healthcare industry. Methodology: The study was carried out between May 2024 and June 2024 at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital situated in Uburu, Ohaozara Local government area of Ebonyi state, Southeast Nigeria. The questionnaire was designed using the Finnish diabetic risk score (FINDRISC). It contained basic comprehending questions on age, gender, exposure to high blood pressure medication, and anthropometric measurement amongst others. Weight was taken with a portable weighing scale and height, with a stadiometer. Both were taken with shoes and headgear removed. The BMI was calculated using the weight (kg) divided by the square of the height (m2). Result: Generally, the prevalence of obesity (>30 kg/m2) in this study was low 17.6% (38), Overweight (BMI 25 - 30), 38.9%, (84) healthy Weight, (BMI 18.5 - 24.9), 43.5% (94). The study revealed that a family history of diabetes was significantly related to higher BMI, with participants more likely to be overweight or obese (p = 0.00030). Similarly, participants with a personal history of diabetes were predominantly in the obese category (p = 0.00038). Waist circumference also showed a strong association with BMI, as larger waist measurements were more common among obese individuals (p = 9.2 × 10−8). In contrast, the analysis found no significant relationships between BMI and age, gender, high blood pressure, or exercise habits. Conclusion: The socio-demographic determinants of obesity in this study were gender, age < 45 years and exposure to exercise. These determinants should form the areas of focus for interventions such as health education and the design of work environments as environments designed to promote physical activities while working will reduce the prevalence of obesity in tertiary institutions.展开更多
As the population of older Asian Americans continues to grow rapidly,understanding their mental health needs has become increasingly critical.This literature review summarizes current issues,developments,and future di...As the population of older Asian Americans continues to grow rapidly,understanding their mental health needs has become increasingly critical.This literature review summarizes current issues,developments,and future directions in addressing the mental health challenges faced by older Asian Americans in the last five years.We briefly touch on the comparative prevalence of mental health disorders experienced by ethnic subgroups.Additionally,we review recent studies highlighting the role of the coronavirus disease 2019,racism,social support,cultural stigma,and self-rated health as significant factors influencing mental well-being of this population.We discuss the utilization of health services among older Asian Americans.We conclude with thoughts for future research,emphasizing the importance of longitudinal studies,consideration of diverse Asian American ethnic subgroups,and culturally sensitive diagnostic and treatment approaches.展开更多
Background Growing evidence attests to the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions(MBIs),but their effectiveness for healthcare workers remains uncertain.Aims To evaluate the evidence for MBIs in improving healthc...Background Growing evidence attests to the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions(MBIs),but their effectiveness for healthcare workers remains uncertain.Aims To evaluate the evidence for MBIs in improving healthcare workers’psychological well-being.Methods A systematic literature search was conducted on Medline,Embase,Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature,PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 31 August 2022 using the keywords‘healthcare worker’,‘doctor’,‘nurse’,‘allied health’,‘mindfulness’,‘wellness’,‘workshop’and‘program’.Randomised controlled trials with a defined MBI focusing on healthcare workers and quantitative outcome measures related to subjective or psychological well-being were eligible for inclusion.R V.4.0.3 was used for data analysis,with the standardised mean difference as the primary outcome,employing DerSimonian and Laird’s random effects model.Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development and Evaluation framework was used to evaluate the quality of evidence.Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies.Results A total of 27 studies with 2506 participants were included,mostly from the USA,involving various healthcare professions.MBIs such as stress reduction programmes,apps,meditation and training showed small to large effects on anxiety,burnout,stress,depression,psychological distress and job strain outcomes of the participants.Positive effects were also seen in self-compassion,empathy,mindfulness and well-being.However,long-term outcomes(1 month or longer postintervention)varied,and the effects were not consistently sustained.Conclusions MBIs offer short-term benefits in reducing stress-related symptoms in healthcare workers.The review also highlights limitations such as intervention heterogeneity,reduced power in specific subgroup analyses and variable study quality.展开更多
The rising demand for child care is putting a strain on parents of children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD),particularly the mothers.This study investigated Chinese mothers of children with ASD and examined the fac...The rising demand for child care is putting a strain on parents of children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD),particularly the mothers.This study investigated Chinese mothers of children with ASD and examined the factors associated with maternal mental health.An online national survey was completed by the parents of 5077 ASD children and adolescents aged 0–17 years.A total of 28.0%of the mothers reported poor mental health status.Mothers with children aged 10–13 years had a lower chance of having poor mental health status than mothers with children aged 0–2 years(odds ratio(OR)0.63,95%confidence interval(CI)0.43–0.91).Mothers of children with high-functioning autism were less likely to have poor mental health status than those of children with low-functioning autism(OR 0.76,95%CI 0.62–0.94).Having children with comorbidities was related with a higher risk of poor mental status(OR 1.56,95%CI 1.35–1.81),as were having conflicts with other family members(OR 1.44,95%CI 1.22–1.70)and providing full-time care(OR 1.22,CI 1.06–1.41).A higher-than-average family income was associated with lower risk of having poor mental health status(OR 0.70,95%CI 0.58–0.82).Factors related to the children and family,and providing full-time care,have a significant effect on mothers’mental health status.Reducing obstacles to work and social interaction,as well as tackling the financial burden of raising an ASD child,may help improve the well-being of mothers.展开更多
As the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy continues to be on the rise, the Chronic Care Model (CCM) offers a transformative, patient-focused approach for efficient diabetic retinopathy care, emphasizing the need for u...As the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy continues to be on the rise, the Chronic Care Model (CCM) offers a transformative, patient-focused approach for efficient diabetic retinopathy care, emphasizing the need for urgent and innovative strategies in the United States. The model integrates community resources, healthcare organizations, self-management support, delivery system design, decision support, and clinical information systems. Addressing challenges and solutions, the model emphasizes proactive and preventive measures, collaborative multidisciplinary care, technological integration, and overcoming resistance to change. This paper proposes the utilization of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) as a possible public health framework for comprehensive management of diabetic retinopathy in the United States. Implementing the CCM offers a comprehensive approach to diabetic retinopathy care, addressing both individual and systemic factors, essential for improving public health outcomes.展开更多
The hearing status of children should be examined throughout early childhood,even if they have passed the newborn hearing loss because hearing loss can occur at any time and may affect their ability to learn.Preschool...The hearing status of children should be examined throughout early childhood,even if they have passed the newborn hearing loss because hearing loss can occur at any time and may affect their ability to learn.Preschool hearing screening(PHS)is vital to continue screening throughout early childhood.The current practice of PHS in the primary healthcare centers(PHCs)in Saudi Arabia is unknown.The purpose of this study was to investigate PHS in the PHCs.This cross-sectional descriptive study used an in-person-administered questionnaire to collect data.A total of 106 out of 120 participants(male=61;female=45)representing the PHCs in Riyadh were interviewed.Most of the participants were aged 31–40 years and held a bachelor’s degree as the highest academic qualification with limited years of experience.PHS was mostly performed through subjective measures by asking the parents(71.7%)and the child(65.1%).The audiometric evaluation was conducted for preschool children in only half of the PHCs.General practitioners and nurses usually perform PHS.Substantial gaps in the practice of PHS were identified.The lack of training and appropriate instruments and the need for audiological services were the main challenges.Incorporating robust and objective protocols for PHS into the educational system is a valuable strategy for identifying hearing loss early and reducing its impact through the establishment of effective intervention plans.展开更多
Background: Continuity of care is a distinguishing feature of primary care. Better continuity of care program showed a significant effect in controlling diabetes and it is complications. This study explores the effect...Background: Continuity of care is a distinguishing feature of primary care. Better continuity of care program showed a significant effect in controlling diabetes and it is complications. This study explores the effect of continuity of care on control of diabetes mellites in primary health care centres. Objectives: 1) To assess the effect of Continuity of care on controlling haemoglobin (Hb A1C) and fasting blood Sugar (FBS);2) To compare the control of Diabetes by using (Hb A1C and FBS) indices on same patient before and after application of chronic illness clinic;3) To identify the relation between age and gender affecting continuity of care in diabetic patient. Methods: It is a Prospective cohort study design. Included both gender and diabetic patient age above 24 years old. The data extracted from health care specialty center (HCSC) clinics in National guard hospital at Riyadh, through HCSC data base on three phases: 1) Phase 1: the data extracted of diabetic patients from October to November 2022 including MRN, diabetic patient, age, Hb A1C, Fasting blood glucose. 2) Phase 2: the same MRN extracted from phase 1 was extracted again retrospectively for six months from April to September 2022, to compare the indices before implanting the chronic illness clinic including Hb A1C, Fasting blood glucose. 3) Phase 3: prospectively from December 2022 to September 2023. Results: Among diabetic patients aged 60 years old and above showed better control of HbA1C and FBS comparing to these patients below age of 60 years old, with significant improvement of HbA1C after implanting chronic illness clinic. Conclusion: The significant improvement in the control of diabetic patients followed in primary health care centers reinforce the evidence of the importance of continuity of care.展开更多
Introduction: Diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, poses a major global health challenge. In Gabon, 10% of the population is affected by this condition, highlighting the need to activ...Introduction: Diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, poses a major global health challenge. In Gabon, 10% of the population is affected by this condition, highlighting the need to actively understand and manage it. Ocular complications of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts, have a devastating impact on patients quality of life and represent a crucial issue for healthcare systems. Methodology: This study conducted in Libreville from February 9, 2022, to April 15, 2022, was cross-sectional, longitudinal, and descriptive, with prospective data collection. Participants were diabetic patients regularly followed in the endocrinology department of CHUL, who were referred for a comprehensive ophthalmological examination at CHUO. Sampling was exhaustive, with strict inclusion criteria aimed at ensuring the representativeness of the study population. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.5 ± 13.2 years with a male-to-female ratio of 0.8. Personal histories were dominated by hypertension, while family histories were dominated by diabetes. Ocular complications of diabetes included refractive disorders (78.9%), cataracts (31.7%), glaucoma (78.9%), and diabetic retinopathy (13.7%). These ocular complications had a significant impact on participants’ quality of life, leading to impaired vision (78.9%), difficulties in carrying out daily activities (62.2%), the need for caregiver assistance (50.3%), high levels of stress and anxiety (68.9%), regular medication intake (71.4%), adherence to a specific diet (55.9%), and frequent blood glucose monitoring (74.5%). Conclusion: This study highlights the major impact of diabetic ocular complications on patients’ quality of life.展开更多
Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in India, with coronary artery disease (CAD) accounting for a majority of the deaths. There are few large registries on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) ...Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in India, with coronary artery disease (CAD) accounting for a majority of the deaths. There are few large registries on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from India. Our aim is to study the clinical and epidemiological profile of ACS PATIENTS presenting to our institute, including their angiographic features. Methods: This hospital-based observational, single tertiary care center, prospective study was conducted on patients admitted in the Department of Cardiology at a tertiary care center in Haryana. The study included 400 patients aged greater than 18 years who were admitted with the diagnosis of ACS, and it was carried out for 1 year. The epidemiological profile, clinical history, risk factors, electrocardiogram findings, and angiographic pattern were studied and analyzed with appropriate statistical tools. Results: The mean age of the study population was 55.12 ± 11.78 years. Male and female ratio was 2.4:1. The majority of the patients came from rural background (80%);24% of the patients were illiterate. Smoking was the most common risk factor (51.5%) in our study population followed by hypertension (40%) and diabetes (28%). Unstable angina was the most common type of ACS, which was found in 68.25% of patients. Premature CAD was found in 27.8% of patients and obstructive CAD was found in 63% of patients. Coronary angiography revealed that 39% had single vessel disease (SVD), 23.5% had double vessel disease (DVD), and 27.5% had triple vessel disease (TVD). LAD was more commonly involved, followed by RCA and LCX. Within the first 24 hours, 67% of patients sought medical assistance and only 38.5% received definitive treatment, suggesting a delay in seeking definitive treatment in our study population. Conclusion: The study suggests that unstable angina is the most common form of ACS in the study population, which is mostly of rural background with significant delay in seeking medical help. Smoking is the most common risk factor in the study population.展开更多
Background: Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in health care settings is a critical prerequisite for achieving national health goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The World Health Organization (WHO) ...Background: Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in health care settings is a critical prerequisite for achieving national health goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target for each United Nations member state to reach by 2030. Each member state is required to reach by 2022, 2025 and 2030 at least 60%, 80% and 100%, respectively of basic level of service of the five elements which are water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management and environmental cleaning. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate and document the current state of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services in all lower-level health care facilities in the Dar es Salaam region of Tanzania as of July 2022. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 99 public dispensaries in the Dar es Salaam region’s five councils: Ubungo, Kigamboni, Kinondoni and Temeke Municipalities, and Ilala City. The interviewee form and observational checklists were both digitalized using the Kobo tool software. The respondents were health care facility in-charges or nurse in-charges. Data were downloaded, validated, and imported to Stata version 15 for analysis. Results: The basic WASH level per JMP is far below the target in 2022. Each member state by 2022 is required to reach at least 60% of the basic level of service of each element. We found a low coverage of basic WASH in the 99 dispensaries included in this study. The basic WASH coverage was met in only 10 (10.1%) of the dispensaries, while the remaining 89 (89.9%) dispensaries fall on limited WASH services. Conclusion: This study revealed lower coverage of basic WASH services in dispensaries. An urgent need is required to improve the status of WASH in all the dispensaries and facilitate the provision of quality health care services, patient safety and reduce health care associated infections.展开更多
Objective: To determine the indications and immediate maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section performed at primary health facilities in 2020. Design: Discriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Lushoto Distri...Objective: To determine the indications and immediate maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section performed at primary health facilities in 2020. Design: Discriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Lushoto District Council is located in the northeastern in Tanga region, Tanzania. Participants: All women who underwent caesarean section at primary health facilities from January to December 2020, 782 included in this study and 72 files were missing. Main outcome Measures: Indications and immediate maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section at primary health facilities. The difference in indications and outcomes of caesarean section between district hospital and upgraded health centres. Results: The commonest indications were obstructed labor 29.0%, previous scar(s) 19.9% and fetal distress 17.0%. Obstructed labour indication was more at the upgraded health centres. Most, 89% of women had no post-operative complications. The common maternal complications were hemorrhage 5.7%, transfusion 5.2%, prolonged stay 1.7%. Most babies were alive 95%, term 90% with Apgar score > 7 at 5 minutes 96% and 94% had birth weight ≥ 2500 g. There were no statistically significant differences in immediate maternal and fetal outcomes between health centres and district hospital. Conclusions: Obstructed labour was the commonest indication for caesarean section. The immediate maternal and fetal outcomes at the upgraded health centers were comparable to the district hospital level. Clinical audits of indications for caesarean section and prospective studies for late maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section performed at primary health facilities to be conducted.展开更多
Introduction: Postpartum mental disorders are psychopathological states that affect women after childbirth. These disorders often negatively impact a child’s mental health and the mother-child bond. The objective of ...Introduction: Postpartum mental disorders are psychopathological states that affect women after childbirth. These disorders often negatively impact a child’s mental health and the mother-child bond. The objective of this work was to determine the frequency of mental disorders during the postpartum period at the University Community Health Center of Konobougou in Mali. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study took place from March 1 to July 31, 2022, for four months. Results: The study involved 201 immediate postpartum women at the Konobougou Community and University Health Center. The 20-35 age group accounted for 70.00% of the population;the average age was 24 years ± 5.95 years, with a range of 15 to 45 years. Married women made up 96.00% of the sample. The overall frequency of mental disorders was 15.92%. The mental disorders recorded were postpartum depression (5.47%), anxiety disorders (3.98%), postpartum blues (5.47%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (0.50%). Puerperal psychosis was found in 0.50% of the participants. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of mental disorders among postpartum women in Konobougou, Mali. During postnatal consultations, health workers should prioritize screening for mental health disorders.展开更多
Leveraging digital technology for effective decision making requires tools that can comprehend detailed complex process of healthcare organizations. Considering all dimensions, simulation is applicable in many ways th...Leveraging digital technology for effective decision making requires tools that can comprehend detailed complex process of healthcare organizations. Considering all dimensions, simulation is applicable in many ways throughout the healthcare system due to its ability to capture and mimic detail complexity in clinical operations decisions. Healthcare simulation not only helps ensure that providing services of the highest quality, but simulation ultimately increases the ability of following best practices, quality improvement, and risk management activities. Moreover, this representation of healthcare system has become a primary tool by which increased patient safety can be integrated and facilitated into clinical practices. This article presents a simulation model for healthcare outpatient clinics. This model aims to aid in setting up management guidelines and propose procedure to improve the operation of the clinics and to optimize the performance of such dynamic healthcare clinic. Model optimization is used to find out the optimal staff as resources, which includes physician, nurses, and clinics minimize patient length of stay and smooth patient flow.展开更多
The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade and offers a range of unique advantages compared with in vivo experiments and cell cultures.However,the lack of systematic and contin...The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade and offers a range of unique advantages compared with in vivo experiments and cell cultures.However,the lack of systematic and continuous comparison between in vivo retinal development and the organotypic retinal explant culture makes this model controversial in postnatal retinal development studies.Thus,we aimed to verify the feasibility of using this model for postnatal retinal development studies by comparing it with the in vivo retina.In this study,we showed that postnatal retinal explants undergo normal development,and exhibit a consistent structure and timeline with retinas in vivo.Initially,we used SOX2 and PAX6 immunostaining to identify retinal progenitor cells.We then examined cell proliferation and migration by immunostaining with Ki-67 and doublecortin,respectively.Ki-67-and doublecortin-positive cells decreased in both in vivo and explants during postnatal retinogenesis,and exhibited a high degree of similarity in abundance and distribution between groups.Additionally,we used Ceh-10 homeodomain-containing homolog,glutamate-ammonia ligase(glutamine synthetase),neuronal nuclei,and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 immunostaining to examine the emergence of bipolar cells,Müller glia,mature neurons,and microglia,respectively.The timing and spatial patterns of the emergence of these cell types were remarkably consistent between in vivo and explant retinas.Our study showed that the organotypic retinal explant culture model had a high degree of consistency with the progression of in vivo early postnatal retina development.The findings confirm the accuracy and credibility of this model and support its use for long-term,systematic,and continuous observation.展开更多
The process of neurite outgrowth and branching is a crucial aspect of neuronal development and regeneration.Axons and dendrites,sometimes referred to as neurites,are extensions of a neuron's cellular body that are...The process of neurite outgrowth and branching is a crucial aspect of neuronal development and regeneration.Axons and dendrites,sometimes referred to as neurites,are extensions of a neuron's cellular body that are used to start networks.Here we explored the effects of diethyl(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamino)(quinolin-4-yl)methylphosphonate(DDQ)on neurite developmental features in HT22 neuronal cells.In this work,we examined the protective effects of DDQ on neuronal processes and synaptic outgrowth in differentiated HT22cells expressing mutant Tau(mTau)cDNA.To investigate DDQ chara cteristics,cell viability,biochemical,molecular,western blotting,and immunocytochemistry were used.Neurite outgrowth is evaluated through the segmentation and measurement of neural processes.These neural processes can be seen and measured with a fluorescence microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neurite growth.These neuronal processes can be observed and quantified with a fluorescent microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neuronal HT22.DDQ-treated mTau-HT22 cells(HT22 cells transfected with cDNA mutant Tau)were seen to display increased levels of synaptophysin,MAP-2,andβ-tubulin.Additionally,we confirmed and noted reduced levels of both total and p-Tau,as well as elevated levels of microtubule-associated protein 2,β-tubulin,synaptophysin,vesicular acetylcholine transporter,and the mitochondrial biogenesis protein-pe roxisome prolife rator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α.In mTa u-expressed HT22 neurons,we observed DDQ enhanced the neurite characteristics and improved neurite development through increased synaptic outgrowth.Our findings conclude that mTa u-HT22(Alzheimer's disease)cells treated with DDQ have functional neurite developmental chara cteristics.The key finding is that,in mTa u-HT22 cells,DDQ preserves neuronal structure and may even enhance nerve development function with mTa u inhibition.展开更多
Objective The study of medicine formulas is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),yet traditional learning methods often lack interactivity and contextual understanding,making it challenging for beginn...Objective The study of medicine formulas is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),yet traditional learning methods often lack interactivity and contextual understanding,making it challenging for beginners to grasp the intricate composition rules of formulas.To address this gap,we introduce Formula-S,a situated visualization method for TCM formula learning in augmented reality(AR)and evaluate its performance.This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Formula-S in enhancing TCM formula learning for beginners by comparing it with traditional text-based formula learning and web-based visualization.Methods Formula-S is an interactive AR tool designed for TCM formula learning,featuring three modes(3D,Web,and Table).The dataset included TCM formulas and herb properties extracted from authoritative references,including textbook and the SymMap database.In Formula-S,the hierarchical visualization of the formulas as herbal medicine compositions,is linked to the multidimensional herb attribute visualization and embedded in the real world,where real herb samples are presented.To evaluate its effectiveness,a controlled study(n=30)was conducted.Participants who had no formal TCM knowledge were tasked with herbal medicine identification,formula composition,and recognition.In the study,participants interacted with the AR tool through HoloLens 2.Data were collected on both task performance(accuracy and response time)and user experience,with a focus on task efficiency,accuracy,and user preference across the different learning modes.Results The situated visualization method of Formula-S had comparable accuracy to other methods but shorter response time for herbal formula learning tasks.Regarding user experience,our new approach demonstrated the highest system usability and lowest task load,effectively reducing cognitive load and allowing users to complete tasks with greater ease and efficiency.Participants reported that Formula-S enhanced their learning experience through its intuitive interface and immersive AR environment,suggesting this approach offers usability advantages for TCM education.Conclusions The situated visualization method in Formula-S offers more efficient and accurate searching capabilities compared to traditional and web-based methods.Additionally,it provides superior contextual understanding of TCM formulas,making it a promising new solution for TCM learning.展开更多
Colorectal cancer(CRC)ranks among the top causes of cancer-related fatalities globally.Recent progress in genomics,proteomics,and bioinformatics has greatly improved our comprehension of the molecular underpinnings of...Colorectal cancer(CRC)ranks among the top causes of cancer-related fatalities globally.Recent progress in genomics,proteomics,and bioinformatics has greatly improved our comprehension of the molecular underpinnings of CRC,paving the way for targeted therapies and immunotherapies.Nonetheless,obstacles such as tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance persist,hindering advancements in treatment efficacy.In this context,the integration of artificial intelligence(AI)and organoid technology presents promising new avenues.AI can analyze genetic and clinical data to forecast disease risk,prognosis,and treatment responses,thereby expediting drug development and tailoring treatment plans.Organoids replicate the genetic traits and biological behaviors of tumors,acting as platforms for drug testing and the formulation of personalized treatment approaches.Despite notable strides in CRC research and treatment-from genetic insights to therapeutic innovations-numerous challenges endure,including the intricate tumor microen-vironment,tumor heterogeneity,adverse effects of immunotherapies,issues related to AI data quality and privacy,and the need for standardization in organoid culture.Future initiatives should concentrate on clarifying the pathogenesis of CRC,refining AI algorithms and organoid models,and creating more effective therapeutic strategies to alleviate the global impact of CRC.展开更多
Over the last two decades,the dogma that cell fate is immutable has been increasingly challenged,with important implications for regenerative medicine.The brea kth rough discovery that induced pluripotent stem cells c...Over the last two decades,the dogma that cell fate is immutable has been increasingly challenged,with important implications for regenerative medicine.The brea kth rough discovery that induced pluripotent stem cells could be generated from adult mouse fibroblasts is powerful proof that cell fate can be changed.An exciting extension of the discovery of cell fate impermanence is the direct cellular reprogram ming hypothesis-that terminally differentiated cells can be reprogrammed into other adult cell fates without first passing through a stem cell state.展开更多
文摘Introduction: The launch of health insurance in the Republic of the Congo took place against a backdrop of extremely high costs for dialysis, which was not one of the services financed within this framework. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of including dialysis in the health insurance package in Congo. Methodology: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study with an evaluative aim, analyzing the impact of dialysis on the financing capacity of health insurance and health facilities to provide this type of care. Results: The results show that including dialysis in the universal health insurance package will require an additional financial effort of 6.20% of the current total financing capacity of the care basket. Most dialysis sessions are provided by the private health sector (87.5%), whose health facilities are unevenly distributed across the country, and concentrated in the country’s two major cities. This problem is the dual consequence of the very high cost of a dialysis session (average cost 140,234,375 FCFA or 229 US Dollars) and the number of patients under care, which will increase in the absence of effective and ongoing prevention efforts against chronic diseases in general and end-stage renal failure in particular. Conclusion: Dialysis is a high-impact public health intervention. The impact of its inclusion in the universal health insurance care package is difficult to bear financially. For dialysis to be covered by universal health insurance, additional funding and improved technical facilities are needed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82025030,No.72394404)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(No.2022YFC3702700)the National Research Program for Key Issues in Air Pollution Control of China(No.DQGG0401).
文摘As global greenhouse gases continue rising,the urgency of more ambitious action is clearer than ever before.China is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and one of the countries affected most by climate change.The evidence about the impacts of climate change on the environment and human health may encourage China to take more decisive action to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate impacts.
文摘Background: Obesity is a chronic complex disease defined by excessive fat deposits that can impair health. Obesity occurs as a result of an imbalance in diet (energy intake) and physical activity (energy expended), multifactorial diseases due to obesogenic environment (availability of convenience food, media influence, etc.), psycho-social factors (social support systems, cultural/environmental influence, etc.) and genetic variants. Other causes are a subgroup of etiological factors (medications, diseases, immobilization, iatrogenic procedures, monogenic disease/genetic syndrome). Obesity is measured clinically by several common tools apart from body mass index (BMI), such as waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), waist-to-height ratio, and neck circumference. WC and WHR are common tools for measuring central obesity while BMI measures generalized obesity. Aims: The goal of this study is to assess the prevalence of obesity amongst health workers of David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital, Uburu, Ebonyi state, Southeast Nigeria and to note the prevailing factors. A reliable estimate of the prevalence of obesity among health workers will contribute to the statistics needed to sway policymakers in the country to take urgent and substantial action on the increasing prevalence of obesity, especially in the healthcare industry. Methodology: The study was carried out between May 2024 and June 2024 at the David Umahi Federal University Teaching Hospital situated in Uburu, Ohaozara Local government area of Ebonyi state, Southeast Nigeria. The questionnaire was designed using the Finnish diabetic risk score (FINDRISC). It contained basic comprehending questions on age, gender, exposure to high blood pressure medication, and anthropometric measurement amongst others. Weight was taken with a portable weighing scale and height, with a stadiometer. Both were taken with shoes and headgear removed. The BMI was calculated using the weight (kg) divided by the square of the height (m2). Result: Generally, the prevalence of obesity (>30 kg/m2) in this study was low 17.6% (38), Overweight (BMI 25 - 30), 38.9%, (84) healthy Weight, (BMI 18.5 - 24.9), 43.5% (94). The study revealed that a family history of diabetes was significantly related to higher BMI, with participants more likely to be overweight or obese (p = 0.00030). Similarly, participants with a personal history of diabetes were predominantly in the obese category (p = 0.00038). Waist circumference also showed a strong association with BMI, as larger waist measurements were more common among obese individuals (p = 9.2 × 10−8). In contrast, the analysis found no significant relationships between BMI and age, gender, high blood pressure, or exercise habits. Conclusion: The socio-demographic determinants of obesity in this study were gender, age < 45 years and exposure to exercise. These determinants should form the areas of focus for interventions such as health education and the design of work environments as environments designed to promote physical activities while working will reduce the prevalence of obesity in tertiary institutions.
文摘As the population of older Asian Americans continues to grow rapidly,understanding their mental health needs has become increasingly critical.This literature review summarizes current issues,developments,and future directions in addressing the mental health challenges faced by older Asian Americans in the last five years.We briefly touch on the comparative prevalence of mental health disorders experienced by ethnic subgroups.Additionally,we review recent studies highlighting the role of the coronavirus disease 2019,racism,social support,cultural stigma,and self-rated health as significant factors influencing mental well-being of this population.We discuss the utilization of health services among older Asian Americans.We conclude with thoughts for future research,emphasizing the importance of longitudinal studies,consideration of diverse Asian American ethnic subgroups,and culturally sensitive diagnostic and treatment approaches.
文摘Background Growing evidence attests to the efficacy of mindfulness-based interventions(MBIs),but their effectiveness for healthcare workers remains uncertain.Aims To evaluate the evidence for MBIs in improving healthcare workers’psychological well-being.Methods A systematic literature search was conducted on Medline,Embase,Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature,PsycINFO and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to 31 August 2022 using the keywords‘healthcare worker’,‘doctor’,‘nurse’,‘allied health’,‘mindfulness’,‘wellness’,‘workshop’and‘program’.Randomised controlled trials with a defined MBI focusing on healthcare workers and quantitative outcome measures related to subjective or psychological well-being were eligible for inclusion.R V.4.0.3 was used for data analysis,with the standardised mean difference as the primary outcome,employing DerSimonian and Laird’s random effects model.Grading of Recommendations,Assessment,Development and Evaluation framework was used to evaluate the quality of evidence.Cochrane’s Risk of Bias 2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies.Results A total of 27 studies with 2506 participants were included,mostly from the USA,involving various healthcare professions.MBIs such as stress reduction programmes,apps,meditation and training showed small to large effects on anxiety,burnout,stress,depression,psychological distress and job strain outcomes of the participants.Positive effects were also seen in self-compassion,empathy,mindfulness and well-being.However,long-term outcomes(1 month or longer postintervention)varied,and the effects were not consistently sustained.Conclusions MBIs offer short-term benefits in reducing stress-related symptoms in healthcare workers.The review also highlights limitations such as intervention heterogeneity,reduced power in specific subgroup analyses and variable study quality.
基金supported by the Beijing Natural Science Foundation(No.J230013),China。
文摘The rising demand for child care is putting a strain on parents of children with autism spectrum disorder(ASD),particularly the mothers.This study investigated Chinese mothers of children with ASD and examined the factors associated with maternal mental health.An online national survey was completed by the parents of 5077 ASD children and adolescents aged 0–17 years.A total of 28.0%of the mothers reported poor mental health status.Mothers with children aged 10–13 years had a lower chance of having poor mental health status than mothers with children aged 0–2 years(odds ratio(OR)0.63,95%confidence interval(CI)0.43–0.91).Mothers of children with high-functioning autism were less likely to have poor mental health status than those of children with low-functioning autism(OR 0.76,95%CI 0.62–0.94).Having children with comorbidities was related with a higher risk of poor mental status(OR 1.56,95%CI 1.35–1.81),as were having conflicts with other family members(OR 1.44,95%CI 1.22–1.70)and providing full-time care(OR 1.22,CI 1.06–1.41).A higher-than-average family income was associated with lower risk of having poor mental health status(OR 0.70,95%CI 0.58–0.82).Factors related to the children and family,and providing full-time care,have a significant effect on mothers’mental health status.Reducing obstacles to work and social interaction,as well as tackling the financial burden of raising an ASD child,may help improve the well-being of mothers.
文摘As the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy continues to be on the rise, the Chronic Care Model (CCM) offers a transformative, patient-focused approach for efficient diabetic retinopathy care, emphasizing the need for urgent and innovative strategies in the United States. The model integrates community resources, healthcare organizations, self-management support, delivery system design, decision support, and clinical information systems. Addressing challenges and solutions, the model emphasizes proactive and preventive measures, collaborative multidisciplinary care, technological integration, and overcoming resistance to change. This paper proposes the utilization of the Chronic Care Model (CCM) as a possible public health framework for comprehensive management of diabetic retinopathy in the United States. Implementing the CCM offers a comprehensive approach to diabetic retinopathy care, addressing both individual and systemic factors, essential for improving public health outcomes.
文摘The hearing status of children should be examined throughout early childhood,even if they have passed the newborn hearing loss because hearing loss can occur at any time and may affect their ability to learn.Preschool hearing screening(PHS)is vital to continue screening throughout early childhood.The current practice of PHS in the primary healthcare centers(PHCs)in Saudi Arabia is unknown.The purpose of this study was to investigate PHS in the PHCs.This cross-sectional descriptive study used an in-person-administered questionnaire to collect data.A total of 106 out of 120 participants(male=61;female=45)representing the PHCs in Riyadh were interviewed.Most of the participants were aged 31–40 years and held a bachelor’s degree as the highest academic qualification with limited years of experience.PHS was mostly performed through subjective measures by asking the parents(71.7%)and the child(65.1%).The audiometric evaluation was conducted for preschool children in only half of the PHCs.General practitioners and nurses usually perform PHS.Substantial gaps in the practice of PHS were identified.The lack of training and appropriate instruments and the need for audiological services were the main challenges.Incorporating robust and objective protocols for PHS into the educational system is a valuable strategy for identifying hearing loss early and reducing its impact through the establishment of effective intervention plans.
文摘Background: Continuity of care is a distinguishing feature of primary care. Better continuity of care program showed a significant effect in controlling diabetes and it is complications. This study explores the effect of continuity of care on control of diabetes mellites in primary health care centres. Objectives: 1) To assess the effect of Continuity of care on controlling haemoglobin (Hb A1C) and fasting blood Sugar (FBS);2) To compare the control of Diabetes by using (Hb A1C and FBS) indices on same patient before and after application of chronic illness clinic;3) To identify the relation between age and gender affecting continuity of care in diabetic patient. Methods: It is a Prospective cohort study design. Included both gender and diabetic patient age above 24 years old. The data extracted from health care specialty center (HCSC) clinics in National guard hospital at Riyadh, through HCSC data base on three phases: 1) Phase 1: the data extracted of diabetic patients from October to November 2022 including MRN, diabetic patient, age, Hb A1C, Fasting blood glucose. 2) Phase 2: the same MRN extracted from phase 1 was extracted again retrospectively for six months from April to September 2022, to compare the indices before implanting the chronic illness clinic including Hb A1C, Fasting blood glucose. 3) Phase 3: prospectively from December 2022 to September 2023. Results: Among diabetic patients aged 60 years old and above showed better control of HbA1C and FBS comparing to these patients below age of 60 years old, with significant improvement of HbA1C after implanting chronic illness clinic. Conclusion: The significant improvement in the control of diabetic patients followed in primary health care centers reinforce the evidence of the importance of continuity of care.
文摘Introduction: Diabetes, a chronic disease characterized by persistent hyperglycemia, poses a major global health challenge. In Gabon, 10% of the population is affected by this condition, highlighting the need to actively understand and manage it. Ocular complications of diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts, have a devastating impact on patients quality of life and represent a crucial issue for healthcare systems. Methodology: This study conducted in Libreville from February 9, 2022, to April 15, 2022, was cross-sectional, longitudinal, and descriptive, with prospective data collection. Participants were diabetic patients regularly followed in the endocrinology department of CHUL, who were referred for a comprehensive ophthalmological examination at CHUO. Sampling was exhaustive, with strict inclusion criteria aimed at ensuring the representativeness of the study population. Results: The mean age of participants was 57.5 ± 13.2 years with a male-to-female ratio of 0.8. Personal histories were dominated by hypertension, while family histories were dominated by diabetes. Ocular complications of diabetes included refractive disorders (78.9%), cataracts (31.7%), glaucoma (78.9%), and diabetic retinopathy (13.7%). These ocular complications had a significant impact on participants’ quality of life, leading to impaired vision (78.9%), difficulties in carrying out daily activities (62.2%), the need for caregiver assistance (50.3%), high levels of stress and anxiety (68.9%), regular medication intake (71.4%), adherence to a specific diet (55.9%), and frequent blood glucose monitoring (74.5%). Conclusion: This study highlights the major impact of diabetic ocular complications on patients’ quality of life.
文摘Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in India, with coronary artery disease (CAD) accounting for a majority of the deaths. There are few large registries on acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from India. Our aim is to study the clinical and epidemiological profile of ACS PATIENTS presenting to our institute, including their angiographic features. Methods: This hospital-based observational, single tertiary care center, prospective study was conducted on patients admitted in the Department of Cardiology at a tertiary care center in Haryana. The study included 400 patients aged greater than 18 years who were admitted with the diagnosis of ACS, and it was carried out for 1 year. The epidemiological profile, clinical history, risk factors, electrocardiogram findings, and angiographic pattern were studied and analyzed with appropriate statistical tools. Results: The mean age of the study population was 55.12 ± 11.78 years. Male and female ratio was 2.4:1. The majority of the patients came from rural background (80%);24% of the patients were illiterate. Smoking was the most common risk factor (51.5%) in our study population followed by hypertension (40%) and diabetes (28%). Unstable angina was the most common type of ACS, which was found in 68.25% of patients. Premature CAD was found in 27.8% of patients and obstructive CAD was found in 63% of patients. Coronary angiography revealed that 39% had single vessel disease (SVD), 23.5% had double vessel disease (DVD), and 27.5% had triple vessel disease (TVD). LAD was more commonly involved, followed by RCA and LCX. Within the first 24 hours, 67% of patients sought medical assistance and only 38.5% received definitive treatment, suggesting a delay in seeking definitive treatment in our study population. Conclusion: The study suggests that unstable angina is the most common form of ACS in the study population, which is mostly of rural background with significant delay in seeking medical help. Smoking is the most common risk factor in the study population.
文摘Background: Improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in health care settings is a critical prerequisite for achieving national health goals and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target for each United Nations member state to reach by 2030. Each member state is required to reach by 2022, 2025 and 2030 at least 60%, 80% and 100%, respectively of basic level of service of the five elements which are water, sanitation, hygiene, waste management and environmental cleaning. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate and document the current state of basic water, sanitation, and hygiene services in all lower-level health care facilities in the Dar es Salaam region of Tanzania as of July 2022. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 99 public dispensaries in the Dar es Salaam region’s five councils: Ubungo, Kigamboni, Kinondoni and Temeke Municipalities, and Ilala City. The interviewee form and observational checklists were both digitalized using the Kobo tool software. The respondents were health care facility in-charges or nurse in-charges. Data were downloaded, validated, and imported to Stata version 15 for analysis. Results: The basic WASH level per JMP is far below the target in 2022. Each member state by 2022 is required to reach at least 60% of the basic level of service of each element. We found a low coverage of basic WASH in the 99 dispensaries included in this study. The basic WASH coverage was met in only 10 (10.1%) of the dispensaries, while the remaining 89 (89.9%) dispensaries fall on limited WASH services. Conclusion: This study revealed lower coverage of basic WASH services in dispensaries. An urgent need is required to improve the status of WASH in all the dispensaries and facilitate the provision of quality health care services, patient safety and reduce health care associated infections.
文摘Objective: To determine the indications and immediate maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section performed at primary health facilities in 2020. Design: Discriptive cross-sectional study. Setting: Lushoto District Council is located in the northeastern in Tanga region, Tanzania. Participants: All women who underwent caesarean section at primary health facilities from January to December 2020, 782 included in this study and 72 files were missing. Main outcome Measures: Indications and immediate maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section at primary health facilities. The difference in indications and outcomes of caesarean section between district hospital and upgraded health centres. Results: The commonest indications were obstructed labor 29.0%, previous scar(s) 19.9% and fetal distress 17.0%. Obstructed labour indication was more at the upgraded health centres. Most, 89% of women had no post-operative complications. The common maternal complications were hemorrhage 5.7%, transfusion 5.2%, prolonged stay 1.7%. Most babies were alive 95%, term 90% with Apgar score > 7 at 5 minutes 96% and 94% had birth weight ≥ 2500 g. There were no statistically significant differences in immediate maternal and fetal outcomes between health centres and district hospital. Conclusions: Obstructed labour was the commonest indication for caesarean section. The immediate maternal and fetal outcomes at the upgraded health centers were comparable to the district hospital level. Clinical audits of indications for caesarean section and prospective studies for late maternal and fetal outcomes of caesarean section performed at primary health facilities to be conducted.
文摘Introduction: Postpartum mental disorders are psychopathological states that affect women after childbirth. These disorders often negatively impact a child’s mental health and the mother-child bond. The objective of this work was to determine the frequency of mental disorders during the postpartum period at the University Community Health Center of Konobougou in Mali. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study took place from March 1 to July 31, 2022, for four months. Results: The study involved 201 immediate postpartum women at the Konobougou Community and University Health Center. The 20-35 age group accounted for 70.00% of the population;the average age was 24 years ± 5.95 years, with a range of 15 to 45 years. Married women made up 96.00% of the sample. The overall frequency of mental disorders was 15.92%. The mental disorders recorded were postpartum depression (5.47%), anxiety disorders (3.98%), postpartum blues (5.47%), and posttraumatic stress disorder (0.50%). Puerperal psychosis was found in 0.50% of the participants. Conclusion: This study revealed a high prevalence of mental disorders among postpartum women in Konobougou, Mali. During postnatal consultations, health workers should prioritize screening for mental health disorders.
文摘Leveraging digital technology for effective decision making requires tools that can comprehend detailed complex process of healthcare organizations. Considering all dimensions, simulation is applicable in many ways throughout the healthcare system due to its ability to capture and mimic detail complexity in clinical operations decisions. Healthcare simulation not only helps ensure that providing services of the highest quality, but simulation ultimately increases the ability of following best practices, quality improvement, and risk management activities. Moreover, this representation of healthcare system has become a primary tool by which increased patient safety can be integrated and facilitated into clinical practices. This article presents a simulation model for healthcare outpatient clinics. This model aims to aid in setting up management guidelines and propose procedure to improve the operation of the clinics and to optimize the performance of such dynamic healthcare clinic. Model optimization is used to find out the optimal staff as resources, which includes physician, nurses, and clinics minimize patient length of stay and smooth patient flow.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.81901156(to ZZ),82271200(to ZZ),82171308(to XC)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities,No.xzy012022035(to ZZ)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province,Nos.2021JM-261(to QK),2023-YBSF-303(to ZZ)Traditional Chinese Medicine Project of Shaanxi Province,No.2019-ZZ-JC047(to QK)。
文摘The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade and offers a range of unique advantages compared with in vivo experiments and cell cultures.However,the lack of systematic and continuous comparison between in vivo retinal development and the organotypic retinal explant culture makes this model controversial in postnatal retinal development studies.Thus,we aimed to verify the feasibility of using this model for postnatal retinal development studies by comparing it with the in vivo retina.In this study,we showed that postnatal retinal explants undergo normal development,and exhibit a consistent structure and timeline with retinas in vivo.Initially,we used SOX2 and PAX6 immunostaining to identify retinal progenitor cells.We then examined cell proliferation and migration by immunostaining with Ki-67 and doublecortin,respectively.Ki-67-and doublecortin-positive cells decreased in both in vivo and explants during postnatal retinogenesis,and exhibited a high degree of similarity in abundance and distribution between groups.Additionally,we used Ceh-10 homeodomain-containing homolog,glutamate-ammonia ligase(glutamine synthetase),neuronal nuclei,and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 immunostaining to examine the emergence of bipolar cells,Müller glia,mature neurons,and microglia,respectively.The timing and spatial patterns of the emergence of these cell types were remarkably consistent between in vivo and explant retinas.Our study showed that the organotypic retinal explant culture model had a high degree of consistency with the progression of in vivo early postnatal retina development.The findings confirm the accuracy and credibility of this model and support its use for long-term,systematic,and continuous observation.
基金supported by NIH grants AG079264(to PHR)and AG071560(to APR)。
文摘The process of neurite outgrowth and branching is a crucial aspect of neuronal development and regeneration.Axons and dendrites,sometimes referred to as neurites,are extensions of a neuron's cellular body that are used to start networks.Here we explored the effects of diethyl(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamino)(quinolin-4-yl)methylphosphonate(DDQ)on neurite developmental features in HT22 neuronal cells.In this work,we examined the protective effects of DDQ on neuronal processes and synaptic outgrowth in differentiated HT22cells expressing mutant Tau(mTau)cDNA.To investigate DDQ chara cteristics,cell viability,biochemical,molecular,western blotting,and immunocytochemistry were used.Neurite outgrowth is evaluated through the segmentation and measurement of neural processes.These neural processes can be seen and measured with a fluorescence microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neurite growth.These neuronal processes can be observed and quantified with a fluorescent microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neuronal HT22.DDQ-treated mTau-HT22 cells(HT22 cells transfected with cDNA mutant Tau)were seen to display increased levels of synaptophysin,MAP-2,andβ-tubulin.Additionally,we confirmed and noted reduced levels of both total and p-Tau,as well as elevated levels of microtubule-associated protein 2,β-tubulin,synaptophysin,vesicular acetylcholine transporter,and the mitochondrial biogenesis protein-pe roxisome prolife rator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α.In mTa u-expressed HT22 neurons,we observed DDQ enhanced the neurite characteristics and improved neurite development through increased synaptic outgrowth.Our findings conclude that mTa u-HT22(Alzheimer's disease)cells treated with DDQ have functional neurite developmental chara cteristics.The key finding is that,in mTa u-HT22 cells,DDQ preserves neuronal structure and may even enhance nerve development function with mTa u inhibition.
文摘Objective The study of medicine formulas is a core component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),yet traditional learning methods often lack interactivity and contextual understanding,making it challenging for beginners to grasp the intricate composition rules of formulas.To address this gap,we introduce Formula-S,a situated visualization method for TCM formula learning in augmented reality(AR)and evaluate its performance.This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of Formula-S in enhancing TCM formula learning for beginners by comparing it with traditional text-based formula learning and web-based visualization.Methods Formula-S is an interactive AR tool designed for TCM formula learning,featuring three modes(3D,Web,and Table).The dataset included TCM formulas and herb properties extracted from authoritative references,including textbook and the SymMap database.In Formula-S,the hierarchical visualization of the formulas as herbal medicine compositions,is linked to the multidimensional herb attribute visualization and embedded in the real world,where real herb samples are presented.To evaluate its effectiveness,a controlled study(n=30)was conducted.Participants who had no formal TCM knowledge were tasked with herbal medicine identification,formula composition,and recognition.In the study,participants interacted with the AR tool through HoloLens 2.Data were collected on both task performance(accuracy and response time)and user experience,with a focus on task efficiency,accuracy,and user preference across the different learning modes.Results The situated visualization method of Formula-S had comparable accuracy to other methods but shorter response time for herbal formula learning tasks.Regarding user experience,our new approach demonstrated the highest system usability and lowest task load,effectively reducing cognitive load and allowing users to complete tasks with greater ease and efficiency.Participants reported that Formula-S enhanced their learning experience through its intuitive interface and immersive AR environment,suggesting this approach offers usability advantages for TCM education.Conclusions The situated visualization method in Formula-S offers more efficient and accurate searching capabilities compared to traditional and web-based methods.Additionally,it provides superior contextual understanding of TCM formulas,making it a promising new solution for TCM learning.
基金Supported by the National Human Genetic Resources Sharing Service Platform,No.PT-2024-0303Qingdao Medical and Health Research Guidance Project,No.2023-WJZD202.
文摘Colorectal cancer(CRC)ranks among the top causes of cancer-related fatalities globally.Recent progress in genomics,proteomics,and bioinformatics has greatly improved our comprehension of the molecular underpinnings of CRC,paving the way for targeted therapies and immunotherapies.Nonetheless,obstacles such as tumor heterogeneity and drug resistance persist,hindering advancements in treatment efficacy.In this context,the integration of artificial intelligence(AI)and organoid technology presents promising new avenues.AI can analyze genetic and clinical data to forecast disease risk,prognosis,and treatment responses,thereby expediting drug development and tailoring treatment plans.Organoids replicate the genetic traits and biological behaviors of tumors,acting as platforms for drug testing and the formulation of personalized treatment approaches.Despite notable strides in CRC research and treatment-from genetic insights to therapeutic innovations-numerous challenges endure,including the intricate tumor microen-vironment,tumor heterogeneity,adverse effects of immunotherapies,issues related to AI data quality and privacy,and the need for standardization in organoid culture.Future initiatives should concentrate on clarifying the pathogenesis of CRC,refining AI algorithms and organoid models,and creating more effective therapeutic strategies to alleviate the global impact of CRC.
基金supported by Canada First Research Excellence Fund,Medicine by Design(to CMM)。
文摘Over the last two decades,the dogma that cell fate is immutable has been increasingly challenged,with important implications for regenerative medicine.The brea kth rough discovery that induced pluripotent stem cells could be generated from adult mouse fibroblasts is powerful proof that cell fate can be changed.An exciting extension of the discovery of cell fate impermanence is the direct cellular reprogram ming hypothesis-that terminally differentiated cells can be reprogrammed into other adult cell fates without first passing through a stem cell state.
