Explore the vast range of titles available.

The dodecameric protein kinase CaMKII is expressed throughout the body. The alpha isoform is responsible for synaptic plasticity and participates in memory through its phosphorylation of synaptic proteins. Its elaborate subunit organization and propensity for autophosphorylation allow it to preserve neuronal plasticity across space and time. The prevailing hypothesis for the spread of CaMKII activity, involving shuffling of subunits between activated and naive holoenzymes, is broadly termed subunit exchange. In contrast to the expectations of previous work, we found little evidence for subunit exchange upon activation, and no effect of restraining subunits to their parent holoenzymes. Rather, mass photometry, crosslinking mass spectrometry, single molecule TIRF microscopy and biochemical assays identify inter-holoenzyme phosphorylation (IHP) as the mechanism for spreading phosphorylation. The transient, activity-dependent formation of groups of holoenzymes is well suited to the speed of neuronal activity. Our results place fundamental limits on the activation mechanism of this kinase.

The current world population of 7.6 billion is expected to reach 8.6 billion in 2030, 9.8 billion in 2050 and 11.2 billion in 210, with roughly 83 million people being added every year. The upward trend in population size along with an improved quality of life are expected to continue, and with them the demand for water. Available water for human consumption and development remains virtually the same. Additional to the different pressures of the demand side on the available resources (offer side), climate variability and change apply further pressures to the management of the resource. Additional to the increase in evaporation due to temperature rise, climate change is responsible for more frequent and intense water related extreme events, such as floods and droughts. Anthropogenic activities often result in the contamination of the few pristine water resources and exacerbate the effects of climate change. Furthermore, they are responsible for altering the state of the environment and minimizing the ecosystem services provided. Thus, the water security of countries is compromised posing harder challenges to poor countries to address it. This compromise is taking place in a complex context of scarce and shared resources. Across the world, 153 countries share rivers, lakes and aquifers, home to 40% of the world’s current population. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is the scientific arm of the United Nations and its International Hydrological Programme (IHP) is the main vehicle for work in water sciences at an intergovernmental level. IHP VIII, IHP’s medium term strategy, aims to assist UNESCO’s Member States (MS) in achieving water security by mobilizing international cooperation to improve knowledge and innovation, strengthening the science-policy interface, and facilitating education and capacity development in order to enhance water resource management and governance. Furthermore, the organization has established an Urban Water Management Programme (UWMP) aiming at promoting sustainable water resource management in urban areas.

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of baseline, interim and end-of treatment positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing the prognosis of follicular lymphoma (FL).PURPOSEIn the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of baseline, interim and end-of treatment positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) in assessing the prognosis of follicular lymphoma (FL).A total of 84 FL patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Baseline (n=59), interim (n=24, after 2-4 cycles) and end-of treatment (n=43) PET/CT images were re-evaluated, and baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total metabolic tumor volume (tMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were recorded. Interim (I-PET) and end-of treatment (E-PET) PET/CT responses were interpreted by Deauville five-point scale (D-5PS) and International Harmonization Project criteria (IHP). Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between groups were compared by log-rank test.METHODSA total of 84 FL patients were retrospectively analyzed in this study. Baseline (n=59), interim (n=24, after 2-4 cycles) and end-of treatment (n=43) PET/CT images were re-evaluated, and baseline maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax), total metabolic tumor volume (tMTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) were recorded. Interim (I-PET) and end-of treatment (E-PET) PET/CT responses were interpreted by Deauville five-point scale (D-5PS) and International Harmonization Project criteria (IHP). Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan-Meier curves, and differences between groups were compared by log-rank test.The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 57.14% and 95.56%, respectively (p=0.0001). The 2-year overall survival (OS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 62.50% and 100%, respectively (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that TLG was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p=0.001, HR=6.577, 95% CI=2.167-19.960) and OS (p=0.030, HR=19.291, 95% CI =2.689-137.947). Besides, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) was the independent prognostic factor for OS (HR=8.924, 95% CI=1.273-62.559, p=0.028). Interim PET results based on D-5PS or IHP criteria were not significantly correlated with PFS (all p>0.05). However, E-PET results using D-5PS and IHP criteria were statistically significant (p=0.0001 and p=0.006). The D-5PS showed stronger prognostic value compared with IHP criteria. The optimal cutoff value of ΔSUVmax% was 66.95% according to I-PET and 68.97% according to E-PET. However, only the ΔSUVmax% from the baseline to the end-of therapy yielded statistically significant results in the prediction of PFS (p=0.0002).RESULTSThe 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 57.14% and 95.56%, respectively (p=0.0001). The 2-year overall survival (OS) of the high- and low-TLG groups was 62.50% and 100%, respectively (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that TLG was an independent prognostic factor for PFS (p=0.001, HR=6.577, 95% CI=2.167-19.960) and OS (p=0.030, HR=19.291, 95% CI =2.689-137.947). Besides, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) was the independent prognostic factor for OS (HR=8.924, 95% CI=1.273-62.559, p=0.028). Interim PET results based on D-5PS or IHP criteria were not significantly correlated with PFS (all p>0.05). However, E-PET results using D-5PS and IHP criteria were statistically significant (p=0.0001 and p=0.006). The D-5PS showed stronger prognostic value compared with IHP criteria. The optimal cutoff value of ΔSUVmax% was 66.95% according to I-PET and 68.97% according to E-PET. However, only the ΔSUVmax% from the baseline to the end-of therapy yielded statistically significant results in the prediction of PFS (p=0.0002).Our findings indicated that the baseline TLG and E-PET results were significantly associated with prognosis in patients with FL.CONCLUSIONOur findings indicated that the baseline TLG and E-PET results were significantly associated with prognosis in patients with FL.

Despite improved access to malaria healthcare, adherence to the National Malaria Guidelines for maintaining quality of care remains a concern in the DRC. We aimed to assess whether the management of malaria cases for children under 5 years of age using Integrated Community Case Management (ICCM) is conducted according to the National Malaria Guidelines in the DRC. We used a sample of 2,326 children from 30 ICCM sites. To determine adherence, we compared treatments received with items recommended by the National Malaria Guidelines. The chi-square tests were used to assess adherence to guidelines. Multiple logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to assess the association between the provinces and adherence to guidelines. About 63.8% of children had malaria, and 94.8% ( = 1,407) of children who were clinically diagnosed with malaria received rapid diagnostic test (RDT) vs. 2.8% ( = 42) children who did not receive RDT, -value = 0.0001. Additionally, those who had malaria were more likely to receive malaria treatment (93.4% vs. 6.6%, -value = 0.0001). However, 18.5% of children who did not have malaria still received malaria treatment ( -value = 0.0001). Compared to Lualaba, ICCM sites in Kasai Oriental were more likely to adhere to RDT testing (AOR = 1.89, CI: 1.51-2.37) and Tanganyika was less likely to adhere to RDT testing (AOR = 0.40, CI: 0.81-0.92). Our study provides insight into ICCM's compliance with the malaria guidelines in the DRC, which can inform programs and contribute to improving adherence to guidelines and the quality of care.

In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Integrated Health Program supports the Ministry of Health to strengthen family planning (FP) services through a Community-Based Distribution (CBD) program. As a part of this project, we investigated whether the CBD program responded to the increased need for contraceptives in nine provinces of the DRC during COVID-19 pandemic. Analysis compared distribution rates of contraception methods, uptake by new users, and renewal rates among women before and during the pandemic. Data sourced from women of childbearing age using modern contraceptives through CBD across 179 health zones were analyzed using chi-square tests in MedCalc software to examine proportion differences pre-COVID-19 versus during COVID-19. The CBD program distributed about 348,958 contraceptives during the pandemic, with 18.3% being new users, significantly higher than pre-pandemic levels (14.5%; P < 0.0001). Renewal rates were higher pre-pandemic overall (26.3% vs. 24.6%; P < 0.0001), but urban areas saw increased renewals during COVID-19 compared to before (34.8% vs. 24.1%; P < 0.0001). Despite pandemic-induced healthcare challenges, the CBD program effectively met escalated contraceptive demands. These findings underscore CBD's efficacy in crisis response, offering insights for governments on optimizing CBD services during health emergencies. En République Démocratique du Congo (RDC), le programme de santé intégré de l'Agence des États-Unis pour le développement international (USAID) soutient le Ministère de la Santé dans le renforcement des services de planification familiale (PF) par le biais d'un programme de distribution à base communautaire (DBC). Dans le cadre de ce projet, nous avons étudié si le programme DBC répondait au besoin accru de contraceptifs dans neuf provinces de la RDC pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. L'analyse a comparé les taux de distribution des méthodes de contraceptives, leur adoption par les nouvelles utilisatrices, ainsi que les taux de renouvellement parmi les femmes avant et pendant la pandémie. Les données provenant de femmes en âge de procréer utilisant des contraceptifs modernes via le DBC dans 179 zones de santé ont été analysées à l'aide de tests du chi carré dans le logiciel MedCalc pour examiner les différences de proportions avant et pendant la COVID-19. Le DBC a distribué environ 348 958 contraceptifs pendant la pandémie, dont 18,3 % ont été adoptés par de nouveaux utilisateurs, un chiffre nettement supérieur aux niveaux d'avant la pandémie (14,5 % ; P < 0,0001). Les taux de renouvellement étaient globalement plus élevés avant la pandémie (26,3 % contre 24,6 % ; P < 0,0001). Cependant, les zones urbaines ont enregistré une augmentation des renouvellements pendant la COVID-19 par rapport à avant (34,8 % contre 24,1 % ; P < 0,0001). Malgré les défis sanitaires induits par la pandémie, le DBC a su répondre efficacement à la demande croissante en matière de contraception. Ces résultats soulignent l'efficacité du DBC en période de crise, offrant aux gouvernements des informations précieuses sur l'optimisation des services DBC lors des urgences sanitaires.

AimTo retrospectively investigate the prognostic role of the ratio between target lesion and liver SUVmax (rPET) in patients with follicular lymphoma (FL) submitted to FDG-PET/CT at the end of immuno-chemotherapy (PI-PET), and to compare rPET with International Harmonization Project criteria (IHP), Deauville Score (5p-DS) and FL International Prognostic Index at diagnosis (FLIPI).MethodsEighty-nine patients with FL undergoing PI-PET were evaluated. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) approach was applied to identify the optimal cut-point of rPET with respect to 5-years progression free survival (PFS). The prognostic significance of rPET was compared with IHP, DS and FLIPI. Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated using the presence of adverse events as gold standard.ResultsThe ROC analysis for rPET as predictor of progression showed an optimal rPET cut-point of 0.98. Patients with positive values of IHP, DS and rPET had a PFS of 50, 30 and 31%. PPV were of 56, 80 and 80%, NPV of 83, 86 and 88%, respectively. DS and rPET differed only in two patients. FLIPI was not predictive of progression and relapse.ConclusionsrPET is a prognostic factor in patients with FL submitted to PI-PET. Although it has a similar prognostic power as DS, it can have methodological advantages over visual analysis. PI-PET with different evaluation systems has a stronger prognostic power than FLIPI at diagnosis, so it could be useful to identify patients with FL at risk for early relapse after immuno-chemotherapy.

A 57‐year‐old man who suffered from a headache for 1 year, accompanied by blurred vision for 7 months and numbness in his left face for 1 week was admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University on May 7, 2022. One year ago, the patient had no obvious precipitating factor of paroxysmal stabbing pain in the whole skull with dizziness, which could be relieved by oneself after lasting for 1–2 min each time, with about 20 episodes per day. The cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed changes in bilateral frontal lobe ischemic foci, bilateral frontal, ethmoid, sphenoid and maxillary sinusitis, and retinal macular degeneration. After hormone shock treatment, the condition improved. He suffered from headaches again with blurred vision in the right eye 7 months ago and was initially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He then was discharged after improvement due to hormone shock therapy. Oral hormone therapy was continued outside the hospital, but he stopped it due to drug side effects (details remained unclear). After cutting off, he developed a headache and visited our hospital once more, the relevant tests were performed and the patient was diagnosed with idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis (IHP). The symptoms were slightly abated after hormone therapy. We hope that through this case report, we can deepen the clinicians' understanding of IHP, and improve the diagnosis rate of the disease through relevant examinations in future clinical work, so that patients can receive timely treatment and the mental pressure and economic burden caused by the disease on patients are reduced. We reported a case of idiopathic hypertrophic dura meningitis diagnosed in our hospital. The patient repeatedly suffered from headaches, followed by blurred vision in the right eye. During this period, multiple sclerosis was considered for diagnosis, and it improved after hormone treatment. However, the patient stopped taking the drug because of side effects; Later, he went to the hospital for treatment due to headache and blurred vision in his right eye again. After completing relevant examinations, the doctor considered to diagnose as idiopathic hypertrophic meningitis caused by anti‐myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody. We hope that through this case report, clinicians will attach importance to hypertrophic pachymeningitis and its diagnosis and treatment.

Deformed wing virus (DWV) is a widespread pathogen of Apis mellifera honey bees, and is considered a major causative factor for the collapse of infected honey bee colonies. DWV can be horizontally transmitted among bees through various oral routes, including via food sharing and by interactions of bees with viral-contaminated solid hive substrates. Cold plasma ionized hydrogen peroxide (iHP) is used extensively by the food production, processing and medical industries to clean surfaces of microbial contaminants. In this study, we investigated the use of iHP to inactivate DWV particles in situ on a solid substrate. iHP-treated DWV sources were ~10 5 -fold less infectious when injected into naïve honey bee pupae compared to DWV receiving no iHP treatment, matching injected controls containing no DWV. iHP treatment also greatly reduced the incidence of overt DWV infections (i.e., pupae having >10 9 copies of DWV). The level of DWV inactivation achieved with iHP treatment was higher than other means of viral inactivation such as gamma irradiation, and iHP treatment is likely simpler and safer. Treatment of DWV contaminated hive substrates with iHP, even with honey bees present, may be an effective way to decrease the impacts of DWV infection on honey bees.

Background. Food allergies (FAs) are a significant public health concern, affecting 6–8% of children worldwide, with a growing prevalence. Schools are high-risk environments for allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening. Alarmingly, up to 16–18% of children with FAs experience allergic reactions at school, often due to accidental exposure. Additionally, up to 25% of anaphylactic reactions in schools occur in children with no prior diagnosis of FA, emphasizing the critical need for school-wide preparedness and robust emergency action plans. School nurses play a pivotal role in managing FAs through individualized health plans, emergency preparedness, staff training, and psychosocial support. This review aims to evaluate the multifaceted role of school nurses in ensuring the safety, health, and psychosocial well-being of children with FAs. It also seeks to identify systemic challenges and gaps in allergy management to inform targeted interventions and future research. Methods. This comprehensive review synthesizes evidence on the role of school nurses in FA management. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane, targeting studies published between 2014 and 2024. The search identified 6313 articles, of which 5490 remained after duplicate removal. After title and abstract screening, 60 articles were selected for full-text evaluation, with 59 included in the final review. Thematic analysis identified six domains: preventive measures, emergency preparedness, communication, health outcomes, psychosocial support, and systemic challenges. Results. The review highlights the critical contributions of school nurses to FA management. They improve safety by implementing Individualized Health Plans (IHPs) and Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), ensuring timely administration of epinephrine and reducing delays during emergencies. Preventive strategies, such as allergen-free zones and comprehensive training for staff, minimize exposure risks. Psychosocial interventions led by nurses alleviate stigma, bullying, and anxiety, enhancing the quality of life for children with FAs. Despite these benefits, barriers persist, including insufficient nurse-to-student ratios, limited access to emergency resources like stock epinephrine, and disparities in allergy management across socioeconomic and geographic contexts. Conclusions. School nurses are integral to managing FAs, ensuring safety, fostering inclusion, and addressing psychosocial needs. Addressing systemic barriers and ensuring equitable resource distribution are essential to optimize their impact. Future research should focus on the long-term outcomes of nurse-led interventions, strategies to reduce disparities, and the potential role of digital tools in improving allergy management.

The fate of phosphorus (P) in the eco-system is strongly affected by the interaction of phosphates with soil components and especially reactive soil mineral surfaces. As a consequence, P immobilization occurs which eventually leads to P inefficiency and thus unavailability to plants with strong implications on the global food system. A molecular level understanding of the mechanisms of the P binding to soil mineral surfaces could be a key for the development of novel strategies for more efficient P application. Much experimental work has been done to understand P binding to several reactive and abundant minerals especially goethite (α-FeOOH). Complementary, atomistic modeling of the P-mineral molecular systems using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations is emerging as a new tool in environmental science, which provides more detailed information regarding the mechanisms, nature, and strength of these binding processes. The present study characterizes the binding of the most abundant organic phosphates in forest soils, inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), and glycerolphosphate (GP), to the 100 diaspore (α-AlOOH) surface plane. Here, different molecular models have been introduced to simulate typical situations for the P-binding at the diaspore/water interface. For all models, quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) based MD simulations have been performed to explore the diaspore–IHP/GP–water interactions. The results provide evidence for the formation of monodentate (M) and bidentate (B) motifs for GP and M and as well as two monodentate (2M) motifs for IHP with the surface. The calculated interaction energies suggest that GP and IHP prefer to form the B and 2M motif, respectively. Moreover, IHP exhibited stronger binding than GP with diaspore and water. Further, the role of water in controlling binding strengths via promoting of specific binding motifs, formation of H-bonds, adsorption and dissociation at the surface, as well as proton transfer processes is demonstrated. Finally, the P-binding at the 100 diaspore surface plane is weaker than that at the 010 plane, studied previously (Ganta et al., 2019), highlighting the influential role of the coordination number of Al atoms at the top surface of diaspore.