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IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented detrimental impact on mental health in people around the world. It is therefore important to examine factors that may buffer or heighten the risk of mental health problems in this context.ObjectivesThis study explores the buffering effects of different flows of compassion (for self, for others, from others) and the magnifying effects of fears of compassion on the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress, and social safeness.Methods4057 adult participants collected from the general community population across 21 countries from Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, Asia and Oceania, completed self-report measures of perceived threat of COVID-19, compassion, fears of compassion, depression, anxiety, stress, and social safeness.ResultsSelf-compassion moderated the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress, whereas compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of COVID-19 on social safeness. Fears of compassion moderated the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on psychological distress. Only fears of compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of COVID-19 on social safeness. These effects were consistent across countries.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the universal protective role of compassion, in particular self-compassion and compassion from others, in promoting resilience by buffering against the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and social safeness. Furthermore, our results reveal that fears of compassion have a magnifying effect on the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and social safeness.DisclosureI wasn’t able to add the full list of authors above. Please add the full list as described below.

IntroductionCross-sectional data has shown that compassion for self and from others may be a protective factor for greater psychosocial wellbeing in the COVID-19 pandemic whilst fears of compassion act as a risk factor for experiencing mental health difficulties.ObjectivesThe current study sought out to explore the natural fluctuation of compassion (for self, for others and from others) and of fears of compassion (for self, for others and from others) across time during the COVID-19 pandemic in a multinational community sample.MethodsData from 4057 participants from 21 countries was collected at 3 time points during the pandemic (baseline, 3 months and 6 months). Other than demographic variables, participants completed the Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales and the Fears of Compassion Scales. Multilevel latent growth modelling was used to investigate the main aims.ResultsThere was a significant increase in compassion for self and from others, whilst compassion for others remained unchanged throughout the 3 time points [Chi square 349.30(df=50) p< .001; RMSEA .035; CFI .93; TLI .91; SRMR (within) .043; SRMR (between) .70]. Fears of self-compassion and compassion for others significantly reduced throughout the pandemic whilst fears of compassion from others remained stable [Chi square 406.57(df=50) p< .001; RMSEA .038; CFI .96; TLI .94; SRMR (within) .042; SRMR (between) .35].ConclusionsThe findings from this study seem to suggest that in a period of shared suffering people from multiple countries and nationalities tend to become more compassionate and less afraid of and resistant to compassion for and from others.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica is common in the Middle East and treatment failure and drug resistance are known to occur. Several genetic mechanisms: aneuploidy, recombination and loss of heterozygosity, single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) changes, copy number variation (CNV), and mutation of the H locus associated with drug resistance have been described. We studied SNP and CNV patterns in 22 isolates of L. tropica from Afghanistan, Iran and Syria in a geographic, phylogenetic and antimony exposure context. A high SNP frequency was observed in isolates from Syria on chromosome 23, including the H locus, linked to different ancestry at that chromosome segment. Among the isolates from Afghanistan and Iran, an elevated frequency of nonsynonymous SNPs was observed on several chromosomes. Changes in CNV patterns were seen in isolates exposed to drug pressure, especially for the ferric iron reductase gene. Expanded genes were categorised into five functional categories: translational elongation, mitochondrial transmembrane transport, positive regulation of cellular component organisation, response to stimulus and response to hypoxia. No CNV was identified at the H locus, the MAPK1 gene, the APQ1 gene, nor chromosomes 23, 31 or 36 regardless of previous antimonial exposure. In our study, Leishmania tropica had a jump in the nonsynonymous SNP rates at chromosome 23, including the H locus. CNV was observed among isolates exposed to antimonials, especially involving the gene encoding a ferric iron reductase. Several essential genetic coping mechanisms in the cell were enhanced when exposed to antimony, possibly for the survival of the parasite. Our work supports the perspective that Leishmania uses several mechanisms to adapt to environmental changes and drug exposure.

Liposomes have been known of for about 60 years, since they were discovered by A [...]

Background Recent ancient DNA studies uncovering large-scale demographic events in Iberia have presented very limited data for Portugal, a country located at the westernmost edge of continental Eurasia. Here, we present the most comprehensive collection of Portuguese ancient genome-wide data, from 67 individuals spanning 5000 years of human history, from the Neolithic to the nineteenth century. Results We identify early admixture between local hunter-gatherers and Anatolian-related farmers in Neolithic Portugal, with a northeastern–southwestern gradient of increasing Magdalenian-associated ancestry persistence in Iberia. This profile continues into the Chalcolithic, though Bell Beaker-associated sites reveal Portugal’s first evidence of Steppe-related ancestry. Such ancestry has a broader demographic impact during the Bronze Age, despite continuity of local Chalcolithic genetic ancestry and limited Mediterranean connections. The village of Idanha-a-Velha emerges in the Roman period as a site of significant migration and interaction, presenting a notably diverse genetic profile that includes North African and Eastern Mediterranean ancestries. The Early Medieval period is marked by the arrival of Central European genetic diversity, likely linked to migrations of Germanic tribes, adding to coeval local, African, and Mediterranean influences. The Islamic and Christian Conquest periods show strong genetic continuity in northern Portugal and significant additional African admixture in the south. The latter remains stable during the post-Islamic period, suggesting enduring African influences. Conclusions We reveal dynamic patterns of migration in line with cultural exchange across millennia, but also the persistence of local ancestries. Our findings integrate genetic information with historical and archeological data, enhancing our understanding of Iberia’s biological and cultural heritage.

Pimozide is a first-generation antipsychotic used in the treatment of schizophrenia, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, and other chronic psychoses. Its in vivo efficacy is limited by poor solubility and consequent poor bioavailability. Therefore, adipic acid was used as a coformer for the preparation of a binary product with improved pharmaceutical properties. The thermal behavior of the liquid-assisted grinding products of compositions included in the range 0.1 < XPMZ < 0.9 has been interpreted using a thermo-dynamic model according to which the two components originate a new crystalline entity in molar ratio pimozide:adipic acid 0.66:0.33, which forms an eutectic system with adipic acid. The model was confirmed using the quantitative analysis of the melting peaks and using the X-ray diffraction measurements from powders and single crystals. In particular, the latter have demonstrated that the new entity resulting from the pimozide:adipic acid 0.66:0.33 composition is actually salt [PMZH]2[adipate]. The crystalline product was characterized, from a pharmaceutical perspective, in terms of solubility and wettability (contact angle). Then, a tablet formulation was developed, and its dissolution behavior was compared to a commercial product considered as a reference. The new entity showed improved pharmaceutical properties in terms of solubility and wettability compared to the pure drug in both deionized water and bio-relevant fluids simulating oral administration in fed and fasted conditions. The tablets containing the new crystalline form can make this virtually insoluble drug available for absorption within minutes regardless of the variability in gastric conditions.

The influence of pulp carryover on the efficiency of the xylanase (X) treatment of industrial unbleached and oxygen-delignified eucalypt kraft pulps (A1 and A2 pulps, with kappa number (KN) values of 16 and 10, respectively), collected at the same pulp mill, was studied regarding the consumption of bleaching chemicals and pulp bleachability. Another non-oxygen-delignified eucalyptus kraft pulp of KN 13 was received after the extended cooking from a different pulp mill (pulp B). The assays were performed with both lab-washed (carryover-free) and unwashed (carryover-rich) pulps. Both lab-washed and unwashed pulps with carryover were subjected to X treatment, the former being demonstrating considerably higher ClO 2 savings than the pulps containing carryover. The savings of bleaching reagents were higher when the X stage was applied to the A1 pulp than to the A2 pulp. This advantage of A1 pulp, however, was not confirmed when using unwashed pulps. In contrast, the gains obtained from the X treatment of unwashed pulp A2 were practically as high as those observed for the lab-washed A2 pulp. Furthermore, a similar effect in X stage was recorded for unwashed pulps having close KN: oxygen-delignified A2 pulp and non-oxygen-delignified B pulp. The results suggest that pulp carryover and initial pH were the key factors relating to the effectiveness of X treatment. The application of X treatment to the A2 unwashed pulp (after the oxygen stage) not only saved 20% of the ClO 2 and 10% of the sodium hydroxide, but also improved the brightness stability of the bleached pulp without affecting its papermaking properties. Key points • Xylanase treatment boosts kraft pulp bleaching • Pulp carryover hinders the xylanase treatment • Nearly 20% of ClO2 and 10% NaOH savings can be reached using xylanase

IntroductionThe COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented detrimental impact on mental health in people around the world. It is therefore important to examine factors that may buffer or heighten the risk of mental health problems in this context.ObjectivesThe current study explores the buffering effects of different flows of compassion (for self, for others, from others) and the magnifying effects of fears of compassion on the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on indicators of mental health and psychosocial wellbeing.Methods4057 adult participants collected from the general community population across 21 countries from Europe, Middle East, North America, South America, Asia and Oceania, completed self-report measures of perceived threat of COVID-19, compassion, fears of compassion, social safeness, loneliness, depression, anxiety, stress, posttraumatic stress and growth.ResultsSelf-compassion moderated the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on depression, anxiety and stress, whereas compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of COVID-19 on social safeness. Fears of compassion moderated the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on psychological distress. Only fears of compassion from others moderated the effects of fears of COVID-19 on social safeness. Furthermore, social connection (compassion and social safeness) predicted higher post-traumatic growth and traumatic stress, whereas social disconnection (fears of compassion and loneliness) predicted increased traumatic symptoms only. Social connection heightened the impact of perceived threat of COVID-19 on post-traumatic growth, while social disconnection weakened this impact. Social disconnection magnified the impact of the perceived threat of COVID-19 on traumatic stress. The effects were consistent across countries.ConclusionsOur findings highlight the universal protective role of compassion and social connection in promoting resilience and buffering against the harmful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and psychosocial wellbeing. Furthermore, our results reveal that fears of compassion have a magnifying effect on the damaging impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

Spina bifida (SB), a rare congenital disorder, is often mentioned as an individualizing factor in Forensic Anthropology. A lack of empirical data regarding SB is noticed in the scientific literature. Moreover, within the scope of anthropological research on SB disparities in terminology, classification systems, and methodological approaches result in incomparable results. The wide range (1,2%-50%) of “spina bifida occulta” reported prevalences is a good example. This research aims to analyze and debate the standard diagnostic criteria of SB on human skeletal remains, and attempts to elaborate on an universal system, premised on the distinction between SB as a pathology, and cleft neural arch (CNA) as an anatomical variant, according to Barnes (1994, p. 360 [1). A study-base of 209 individuals (88 males; 121 females; 44–99 years old) from the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection from the University of Coimbra (CEI/XXI) was macroscopically analyzed, focusing on the sacrum and remaining vertebrae. Four individuals presented complete posterior opening of the sacral canal (2,6%[4/156]). The observed bone changes, combined with the analysis of the entire skeleton, indicate that CNA, rather than SB linked to a neural tube defect, is the most reliable explanation for these cases. Overall, CNA was observed on 11 skeletons (7.05% of 156). The viability and applicability of the developed methodology for the identification of SB/CNA in forensic and/or osteological contexts are discussed, as well as the possibility of a lower prevalence of SB occulta, in the general population, than speculated before.Highlights• Spina bifida has been studied so far under different methodologies, classification systems and nomenclature, leading to unstandardized and incomparable data.• Spina bifida as a pathological manifestation of a neural tube defect, as opposed to cleft neural arch as a simple form of skeletal variation.• Both spina bifida and complete sacral cleft fit the criteria of an individualizing trait in Forensic Anthropology.

Background Student life offers many opportunities for personal development; however, this transitional phase often also poses challenges to mental health. Various factors associated with university life, such as academic stress and financial burdens, have been found to exacerbate psychological distress and contribute to increased alcohol and substance use among students. Our aim is to closely examine (i) components of available digital public health interventions (DPHIs), (ii) to evaluate their effectiveness for promoting well-being, health behaviors, and reducing symptoms of mental disorders among university students and (iii) to rate the quality of the evidence identified in this rapid review. Methods We conducted a rapid review to capture the evidence on DPHIs for university students. We adhered to the methodological criteria recommended by the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group and PRISMA. The literature search was performed in Ovid MEDLINE to look for articles related to university students, mental well-being, mental health, and DPHIs published between June 2018 - June 2023. The selection was carried out in two steps: Screening of titles and abstracts and screening of full texts. Results One thousand one hundred thirty-two articles were screened, of which 24 met the inclusion criteria for data extraction. (i) Of the intervention components in the included studies, 18 used web-based platforms, while six used smartphone applications. The interventions were aimed at improving mental health (68%), reducing substance use (28%), promoting physical activity (PA) (36%) and changing eating habits (16%). (ii) 42% of the included studies were able to demonstrate significant effects in the intended direction for mental health, 4% for substance use, 25% for PA and 8% for eating behavior. (iii) The quality assessment revealed that 58% of the studies were classified with ‘some concerns’, indicating moderate bias, while 29% were classified as ‘high risk’, suggesting considerable bias affecting the validity of the results. Conclusion This rapid review comprehensively summarized intervention components of DPHIs. Further, the findings of this review provide significant insights into the effectiveness of DPHIs targeting mental well-being and health behaviors among university students. The studies included in the analysis demonstrate varying degrees of success across different domains, highlighting both the potential and limitations of DPHIs.