c-Abl kinase at the crossroads of healthy synaptic remodeling and synaptic dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases

Our ability to learn and remember depends on the active formation,remodeling,and elimination of synapses.Thus,the development and growth of synapses as well as their weakening and elimination are essential for neuronal rewiring.The structural reorganization of synaptic complexes,changes in actin cytos keleton and organelle dynamics,as well as modulation of gene expression,determine synaptic plasticity.It has been proposed that dys regulation of these key synaptic homeostatic processes underlies the synaptic dysfunction observed in many neurodegenerative diseases.Much is known about downstream signaling of activated N-methyl-D-aspartate andα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoazolepro pionate receptors;howeve r,other signaling pathways can also contribute to synaptic plasticity and long-lasting changes in learning and memory.The non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Abl(ABL1)is a key signal transducer of intra and extracellular signals,and it shuttles between the cyto plasm and the nucleus.This review focuses on c-Abl and its synaptic and neuronal functions.Here,we discuss the evidence showing that the activation of c-Abl can be detrimental to neurons,promoting the development of neurodegenerative diseases.Nevertheless,c-Abl activity seems to be in a pivotal balance between healthy synaptic plasticity,regulating dendritic spines remodeling and gene expression after cognitive training,and synaptic dysfunction and loss in neurodegenerative diseases.Thus,c-Abl genetic ablation not only improves learning and memory and modulates the brain genetic program of trained mice,but its absence provides dendritic spines resiliency against damage.Therefo re,the present review has been designed to elu cidate the common links between c-Abl regulation of structural changes that involve the actin cytos keleton and organelles dynamics,and the transc riptional program activated during synaptic plasticity.By summarizing the recent discove ries on c-Abl functions,we aim to provide an overview of how its inhibition co uld be a potentially fruitful treatment to improve degenerative outcomes and delay memory loss.

Metabologenomics and network pharmacology to understand the molecular mechanism of cancer research

In this editorial I comment on the article“Network pharmacological and molecular docking study of the effect of Liu-Wei-Bu-Qi capsule on lung cancer”published in the recent issue of the World Journal of Clinical Cases 2023 November 6;11(31):7593-7609.Almost all living forms are able to manufacture particular chemicals-metabolites that enable them to differentiate themselves from one another and to overcome the unique obstacles they encounter in their natural habitats.Numerous methods for chemical warfare,communication,nutrition acquisition,and stress prevention are made possible by these specialized metabolites.Metabolomics is a popular technique for collecting direct mea-surements of metabolic activity from many biological systems.However,con-fusing metabolite identification is a typical issue,and biochemical interpretation is frequently constrained by imprecise and erroneous genome-based estimates of enzyme activity.Metabolite annotation and gene integration uses a biochemical reaction network to obtain a metabolite-gene association so called metabologe-nomics.This network uses an approach that emphasizes metabolite-gene consensus via biochemical processes.Combining metabolomics and genomics data is beneficial.Furthermore,computer networking proposes that using meta-bolomics data may improve annotations in sequenced species and provide testable hypotheses for specific biochemical processes.CONCLUSION The genome and metabolites of biological organisms are not fully characterized with current technologies.However,increasing high-throughput metabolomics and genomics data provide promising generation of paired data sets to understand the molecular mechanism of biochemical processes as well as determining targets for pharmaceutical drug design.Contemporary network infrastructures to integrate omics analysis can provide molecular mechanism of biochemical pathways.Furthermore,clinical data may be integrated to gene expression–metabolite expression by system genetics approach.Calculating pair-wise correlations and weighted correlation network analysis provide the basis of this integration[11-13].The occurrence of strong correlations between classified metabolites and co-expression transcripts implies either various roles of metabolites or linkages between metabolic pathways and the immune system.

A review of mechanism of action of outdoor exposure in preventing myopia incidence and progression

Various studies have suggested several environmental,pharmacological,medical,and optical interventions and some are in use but their efficacy in myopia control may be transient,and the cellular,molecular,and biochemical mechanisms involved unclear.Daylight exposure is currently regarded as an effective and enduring strategy in the control of myopia development and progression.However,the mechanism behind the effect of outdoor exposure and its association with genetic predisposition and other relatively more significant environmental factors on myopia is still a conundrum.This review focuses on survey-based and intervention-based studies carried out to propose a mechanism that accounts for myopia development and important for its control.

Resection and reconstruction in high-grade pancreatic head injuries

This study by Chui et al adds further important evidence in the treatment of highgrade pancreatic injuries and endorses the concept of the model of pancreatic trauma care designed to optimize treatment,minimize morbidity and enhance survival in patients with complex pancreatic injuries.Although the authors have demonstrated favorable outcomes based on their limited experience of 5 patients who underwent a pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD),including 2 patients who were“unstable”and did not have damage control surgery(DCS),we would caution against the general recommendations promoting index PD without DCS in“unstable”grade 5 pancreatic head injuries.

Investigation of the Acceptability of Cultured Meat in University Students

Background: Over the past 20 years, cultured meat has drawn a lot of public attention as a potential solution to issues with animal husbandry, including inadequate use of natural sources, improper animal welfare practices, and possible risks to public health and safety. The novel method of producing meat through culture reduces the need for animals to produce muscle fiber, thereby obviating the necessity for animal slaughter. Apart from its ethical advantages, cultured meat presents a possible way to fulfill the expanding need for food among growing populations. The purpose of this research was to find out whether Turkish students would be willing to pay for and accept cultured meat. Technique: Method: 371 university students who willingly consented to fill out a questionnaire and provide demographic data make up the research sample. Questions from previous studies on the acceptability of cultured meat were compiled to create the survey. The research’s data collection took place in March and April of 2022. The research was completed in June 2022 after the data had been processed and analyzed. Results: The results showed that the majority of participants were female and had omnivorous eating habits. Based on the results of the Bonferroni correction test, students with a higher intention to purchase and consume cultured meat were those who received economics and business education. Students with two years of university education had a higher overall survey score than those with four years of education (p < 0.05). Furthermore, it is discovered that there is a negative correlation between the participants’ ages and their Factor 2 (using cultured meat as an alternative to industrial meat) and Factor 3 (consuming and purchasing it) section points (r = -109, p = 0.036) (r = -0.121, p = 0.019). In conclusion, university students generally have a negative outlook on health-related issues, such as eating cultured meat as an alternative.

Occupational physical activity, all-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality in 349,248 adults: Prospective and longitudinal analyses of the MJ Cohort

Background:Evidence on the health benefits of occupational physical activity(OPA)is inconclusive.We examined the associations of baseline OPA and OPA changes with all-cause,cardiovascular disease(CVD),and cancer mortality and survival times.Methods:This study included prospective and longitudinal data from the MJ Cohort,comprising adults over 18 years recruited in 1998-2016,349,248 adults(177,314 women)with baseline OPA,of whom 105,715(52,503 women)had 2 OPA measures at 6.3±4.2 years(mean±SD)apart.Exposures were baseline OPA,OPA changes,and baseline leisure-time physical activity.Results:Over a mean mortality follow-up of 16.2±5.5 years for men and 16.4±5.4 years for women,11,696 deaths(2033 of CVD and 4631 of cancer causes)in men and 8980 deaths(1475 of CVD and 3689 of cancer causes)in women occurred.Combined moderately heavy/heavy baseline OPA was beneficially associated with all-cause mortality in men(multivariable-adjusted hazard ratio(HR)=0.93,95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.89-0.98 compared to light OPA)and women(HR=0.86,95%CI:0.79-0.93).Over a mean mortality follow-up of 12.5±4.6 years for men and 12.6±4.6 years for women,OPA decreases in men were detrimentally associated(HR=1.16,95%CI:1.01-1.33)with all-cause mortality,while OPA increases in women were beneficially(HR=0.83,95%CI:0.70-0.97)associated with the same outcome.Baseline or changes in OPA showed no associations with CVD or cancer mortality.Conclusion:Higher baseline OPA was beneficially associated with all-cause mortality risk in both men and women.Our longitudinal OPA analyses partly confirmed the prospective findings,with some discordance between sex groups.

Fish-on-Chips:unveiling neural processing of chemicals in small animals through precise fluidic control

Precise chemical cue presentation alongside advanced brainwide imaging techniques is important to the study of chemosensory processing in animals.Nevertheless,the dynamic nature of chemical-carrying media,such as water or air,poses a significant challenge for delivering highly-controlled chemical flow to an animal subject.Moreover,contact-based cue manipulation and delivery easily shift the position of the animal subject,which is often undesirable for high-quality brain imaging.Additionally,more advanced interfacing tools that align with the diverse range of body part sizes of an animal,ranging from micrometer-scale neurons to meter-long limbs,are much needed.This is particularly crucial when dealing with dimensions that are beyond the reach of conventional experimental tools.

Burden, Health and Sense of Coherence among Relatives of Depressed Inpatients

In Europe, there are an increasing number of persons suffering from depression, which also affects many relatives. The burden and health when being the relative of an inpatient suffering from severe depression has been less examined. The aim of the study was to describe burden, health and sense of coherence among relatives of inpatients with severe depression. Furthermore, the aim was to investigate relatives’ burden in relation to their health and sense of coherence. A cross-sectional design was performed, with a questionnaire consisting of background questions and three instruments;Burden Assessment Scale, General Health Questionnaire and Sense of Coherence scale. The participants consisted of 68 relatives recruited from a sample of inpatients diagnosed with depression in the psychiatric specialist health services in one hospital trust in Norway. The Regional Committee for Medical and Health Research Ethics, Norway South East, gave approval to the study. The relatives reported burden to a various degree, with some reporting a significantly greater burden, poorer health and a weaker sense of coherence than others. With regard to subjective burden eight out of ten relatives reported “Worry about future”, and almost six out of ten were “Upset by change in patient”. Regarding objective burden, more than half the relatives reported having “Less time for friends” and “Reduced leisure time”. In conclusion the relatives with a high level of burden reported more mental distress, poorer health and weaker sense of coherence than those with lower level of burden. Further research should focus on identification of factors predicting burden and health of relatives of inpatients with severe depression.

Factors that affect the process of professional identity formation in public health nurses

Objective: The aim of this study was to elucidate the process of professional identity formation and the factors that affect the process in public health nurses (PHNs). Methods: We performed an inductive qualitative analysis based on semi-structured interviews and focus group interviews of 65 PHNs. Results: At years 1 - 5, PHNs did not have a professional self-identity. Therefore, it was important for them to recognize the significance of their own work. At years 6 - 10, PHNs acquired self-assurance as a practitioner through feedback from residents. It was important for them to have a better understanding, broader viewpoints and more affection for their own community. At years 11 - 20, PHNs felt ambivalent toward the challenges and heavy responsibilities based on the objective assessment of their jobs and roles. PHNs felt embarrassed by role changes when they became a manager or an expert. It was important for them to become aware of their new role through managerial education and training. However, some PHNs who were unable to establish a clear PHN identity experienced setbacks at each developmental stage. Conclusions: Our data suggest that a differential approach dependent on the stage and level of confidence in an individual’s PHN identity is required for the formation of PHN identity.

Sexual and reproductive health needs of adolescent girls from conservative and low-income families in Erzurum, Turkey

The objective of this survey was to determine the sexual and reproductive health needs of conservative and/or economically challenged adolescent girls. A total of 310 subjects (16.5 ± 2.2 years old), attending three private institutes teaching Islamic matter and the holy Quran and two private institutes teaching carpet-weaving in Erzurum, Turkey, were interviewed between November 2004 and February 2005. The ques-tionnaire covered knowledge on reproductive health and sexual matters to attain their feelings prior to their first menarche, their practices during menstruation, and their awareness of gynecological and sexually transmitted dis-eases as well as their attitudes toward and re-sponsiveness to domestic violence. Their re-sponses showed that these issues were con-sidered taboo and/or embarrassing to share. Also, a considerable percentage of the girls had no or limited knowledge on reproductive health and sexual matters and mismanaged gyneco-logical problems and domestic violence. More-over, those had knowledge revealed that their sources were non-scientific information from unprofessional individuals. In conclusion, the conservative and/or economically challenged adolescent girls who are not attending regular high schools need professional lectures on re-productive health and sexual matters.

Experiences of rejection by mental health patients— A qualitative study

Background and aim: People suffering from mental illness and their experiences of attitudes towards them are rarely investigated from the perspective of the individual. The aim was to gain an understanding of how a group of mental health patients experienced social relationships in personal settings as well as in society. Method: Open interviews with twenty-five mental health patients were conducted and analysed with a qualitative content analysis. Result: The essence of the result was that mental health patients’ experiences are still not taken enough into account, neither by mental health professionals nor by their social networks. This was underpinned by four core categories: Patients’ experience of deteriorated and reduced social contacts due to various degrees of acceptance and knowledge of people in general;service users reported on difficulties with social contacts in general, with family relationships, relationships with friends and workmates and with employers;reduced life opportunities were expressed, including violated self-image and poor coping competence and, ambivalent experiences of contact with the mental health services were reported. Conclusion and clinical implication: The present study contributes to the understanding of mental health patients’ experiences of professional services and of their social networks. This knowledge may strengthen the implications of patient-centred care essential for the outcome of the care.

Oral Health Behaviors in a Sample of Portuguese Adolescents: An Educational Issue

Introduction: Oral health education is an important issue that should be given to children and adolescents, allowing the acquisition of correct oral health behaviors. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of oral health behaviors among a sample of portuguese adolescents and verify the association with socio-demographic factors, in order to analyze the main needs related with oral health education to improve oral health status among adolescents. Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed with a sample of 447 adolescents aged 12 to 19 years old, attending a public school in Sát&atilde;o, Portugal. A self-administered questionnaire was applied questioning about socio-demographic factors and oral health behaviors to each adolescent in the classroom. Prevalence was expressed in proportions and crude odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure the strength of association between oral health behaviors and socio-demographic factors. Results: The prevalence of tooth brushing (twice-a-day or more) was 90.6%. Five point eight percent of adolescents reported daily flossing, more frequent among female gender (female, OR = 2.03, 95% CI = (1.35 to 3.05)) and adolescents older than 15 years (>15 years, OR = 1.90, 95% CI = (1.24 to 2.92)). Sixty-seven percent had at least one dental appointment in the previous twelve months. The prevalence of dental appointments was associated with the father’s professional situation (unemployed, OR = 0.33, 95% CI = (0.17 to 0.65)) and crowding index (>1, OR = 0.4, 95% CI = (0.16 to 0.98)). Thirty-two point nine percent of adolescents referred having at least one episode of dental pain during their lives. Conclusion: Considering the results of the present study that show the need of improvement of some aspects related with oral health among adolescents, oral health community programs and primary preventive strategies, such as improvement of oral health education in schools should be considered in order to reduce the risk level of oral diseases and develop better oral health behaviors.

Health and Safety Challenges, and Perceptions of Private Sector Waste Operators in Lagos, Nigeria

This study assessed the knowledge, and perceptions on safety measure practices and challenges of private sector participation (PSP) operators on solid waste management in Lagos State, Nigeria. This was a cross-sectional study and utilized interviewer administered questionnaire. The study employed purposive sampling among 256 PSP operators. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson’s product moment and multiple regression analysis correlation at 5% level of significance. Respondents’ age was 35.7 ± 4.2 years, and included 78.5% male. About 55.9% of the respondents spent up to 5 years in the waste management operations. Some 44.9% had at least completed secondary school education. A good knowledge of waste management was exhibited by 68.4% of the respondents. The respondents who had spent 16 years and above in waste management operations were more knowledgeable (8.0 ± 2.1) compared to those who had spent lesser time

Wearable activity trackers and health awareness: Nursing implications

Purpose:Wearable devices are commonly used to measure physical activity.However,it remains unclear the effect of wearing these devices on health awareness.Our aim was to provide evidence related to wearing physical activity trackers and health awareness.Methods:A quantitative comparison study design was used comparing participants who wore physical activity tracking devices(n=108)and those who did not(n=112).A paper-based Physical Health Knowledge survey designed for the purpose of this research was used for data collection in 2018.Results:A difference between participants who wore physical activity tracking devices and those that did not was identified in relation to activity levels and physical health awareness.Wearable devices are suggested as an opportunity for nurses to engage people in physical activity with the potential to improve their health awareness.Conclusions:Nurses are well placed in the healthcare landscape to work with patients who own an activity tracker device concerning increasing activity self-monitoring.This information the patient has from the device can also form the basis of health discussions between nurses and the people in their care.

Why Multi-Sectoral Approaches Are Rarely Applied in Community Health Interventions in Some Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa?

The objective of this work is to analyze the reasons why community health interventions in Africa do not consider multisectoral approaches. To achieve it, we perform a mini-review of health development policies and plans available online in seven countries from four regions of Sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, two main reasons have been highlighted. First, national strategic plans and policies for health development, in their formulation, neither sufficiently emphasize multisectoral approaches, nor sufficiently make these approaches operational in strategies and activities. Second, the mindset of health professionals due to their initial training orientation based on the biomedical approach, stands that disease is only a result of a physiological imbalance in the body;therefore, to restore health, such an imbalance only needs sophisticated procedures and interventions to be overcome. Such an orientation completely ignores the social, cultural and economic context in which the individual lives, which has an irretrievable influence on the health imbalance. However, health, influenced by the conditions in which people are conceived, born, grow, live, work and aged, cannot be effectively improved in a sustainable way without taking into account all these conditions. Whence the importance of approaches based on every sector of human activity that influences the living conditions.

Exposure to Emissions from Kerosene Cooking Stoves and the Pulmonary Health Status of Women in Olorunda Community, Ibadan, Nigeria

Exposure to high PM10 by women and children for hours on a daily basis in poor ventilated kitchen may lead to respiratory morbidity among this vulnerable group. In Nigeria, data on the levels of air pollutants associated with kerosene stove combustion are very scarce. Like-wise little had been documented on the pulmonary health of women exposed to kerosene stove emission. This study was carried out to measure the levels of kerosene combustion emissions within kitchen environments and also assess the pulmonary function status of the exposed women at baseline. Particulate matter (PM10) and gaseous emissions (GE) were measured in six purposively selected clusters of regular kerosene stove users (KSU) using gravimetric sampler and gas monitors, respectively and their values compared with WHO guideline limits. 167 randomly selected KSU were surveyed to elicit their socio demographic features. A spirometer was used to assess the lung function status (FEV1) of 72 KSU in six neighbourhood kitchen clusters. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s correlation tests. Respondents’ mean age was 38 + 12.9 years. Mean duration of exposure to GE was 18.9 + 9.8 years. Mean PM10 was 248.1 + 14.1 μg/m3 and ten folds higher than WHO guideline limit of 25 μg/m3. Mean GE in ppm were: CO (0.00), CO2 (200.1 + 12.4), SO2 (0.01 + 0.00) and NO2 (0.00). Mean FEV1 among KSU was 2.0 + 0.5 litres which was significantly lower than the mean predicted value of 2.7 ± 0.5 litres. There was a negative correlation between PM10 and FEV1 (r = -0.7539, p > 0.05). Safer cooking methods and practices to obviate health hazards are advocated.

Relationship among Health Related Quality of Life, Quality of Sleep, and Oral Health Condition

Japan’s aging rate (ratio of elderly aged 65 and older to total population) has exceeded 20%. The aim of this study was to clarify the relationships between Health Related Quality of Life, Body Mass Index (BMI), and sleep quality. Subjects were 51 adults over 55 years old with chronic disease who living in the community. Instruments and structured interviews were used giving due consideration to privacy. Interviews were conducted within 10 - 20 minutes at the out-patient department. The evaluation instruments included bodymass index, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), and Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). A significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.321, p < 0.05) between PSQI and QOL (OHIP-14) scores was confirmed with sleep quality being lower with lower QOL scores. A negative correlation (ρ = ?0.339, p < 0.05) between physical health component summary scores (PCS) and mental health component summary scores (MCS) of HRQOL was confirmed, demonstrating that PCS was low, and the level of MCS was high. Sleep quality was found lower among those with lower oral health-related QOL scores. Moreover, in subjects with lower MCS scores, the PCS scores were found to be higher. Accordingly, it was considered appropriate that dental treatment and care, support the maintenance of activities and sleep, and mental health promotion which are likely requisites critical for elderly persons’ maintenance of independent lifestyles in their familiar community.

Understanding Health Care Professional-Patient Interactions in Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis

Aim: To examine the experiences of health care professional (HCP)-patient interactions in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), identifying factors that can influence these interactions. Methods: A three-stage systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative and quantitative research was undertaken. Stage 1: the systematic literature search;Stage 2: methodological appraisal of the qualitative papers;Stage 3: thematic synthesis of all qualitative papers and the integration of quantitative findings into the synthesis. Results: Forty-nine qualitative studies were identified. This included 1014 individuals with MS (244 male, 755 female and 15 unknown) and 106 carers and 86 HCPs. Seventeen quantitative studies were identified which included 7680 (2008 male, 5812 females, and 40 unknown) participants as well as 224 carers. Two themes are discussed: 1) The expectations, experiences and perceptions of interactions with HCPs, and 2) The factors that influenced interactions and relationships. Discussion: There is need for improvement in the content and provision of information to patients with MS from HCPs. Specific strategies are suggested and implications for patients and health care providers are considered.

Macronutrients and Health—Steps to Ameliorating the Nutrition Transition Trap

Countries that have made the health transition from a communicable disease base to a non communicable disease base find themselves gripped in an epidemic of wealth created diseases mediated by altered macronutrient intakes, energy intakes and reduction in physical activity. Avoiding the negative impact of the nutrition transition while accepting the positive aspects of the wealth transition can best be achieved by focussing on publicising the benefits of a low fat diet in the context of an active lifestyle. How this is achieved should reflect ecologically sound food production appropriate to national needs. Countries that achieve this will be in the best position to capitalize on the reduction in communicable disease rates without causing a rise in non communicable disease rates.

Autoimmune complications and clinical outcomes of herpes simplex encephalitis in children: A case series

Objective:To report the neurologic prognosis and autoimmune complications of 16 cases of childhood herpes simplex virus encephalitis.Methods:The study was conducted atŞanlıurfa Training and Research Hospital,Turkey from June 2017 to August 2019.The study included 16 pediatric patients aged between 6 months and 17 years(median age 77.7 months)who were diagnosed with herpes simplex virus type 1 encephalitis by pediatric infectious disease and pediatric neurology clinics.Patients were followed using patient records,and interviews at the pediatric neurology clinic or via the telephone.Clinical and demographic data,received therapies,neurologic prognosis and complications were evaluated.Results:Patients with and without autoimmune encephalitis were compared in terms of age,sex,symptom duration before treatment,initial cerebrospinal fluid protein,glucose,red blood count and white blood count but no significant difference was found.Autoimmune complications were seen in four patients.N-methyl-D-aspartate encephalitis was observed in three patients and choreoathetosis was seen in one patient.The average follow-up period was 48.3 months.Twenty-five percent of the patients were receiving multiple antiepileptic drug(AED)treatment,43.8%were receiving single AED treatment and 31.3%were not receiving AED treatment at the end of the follow-up.Motor disability was observed in 12.5%and drug-resistant epilepsy was observed in 6.3%who had autoimmune complications.Conclusions:Seizures and movement disorders were controlled with immunotherapy and autoantibodies should be studied routinely.Treatment should be started early upon recognition of autoimmune complications through follow-up by measuring autoantibody levels and clinical examination results.Effective prevention and curative treatment modalities are needed to avoid herpes simplex virus encephalitis complications.