Search Results (15,910)

Sprite halos are transient luminous phenomena in the lower ionosphere triggered by tropospheric lightning. The effect of removed charge distributions on sprite halos has not been sufficiently discussed. A three-dimensional (3D) quasi-electrostatic (QES) field model was developed in this paper, including the ionospheric nonlinear effect and optical emissions. Simulation results show that, for a total charge of 150 C removed within 1 ms with different spatial distributions, higher altitudes of charge removal lead to stronger electric fields and increase sprite halos’ emission intensities. The non-axisymmetric horizontal distribution of charge affects mesospheric electric fields, and the corresponding scales and intensities of emissions vary with observation orientations. Considering the tilted dipole charge structure due to wind shear, the generated electric field and the corresponding position of sprite halos shift accordingly with the tropospheric removed charge, providing an explanation for the horizontal displacement between sprite halos and the parent lightning. Full article

In Rwanda, following the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, many people were found guilty of genocide crimes and imprisoned. Their children ended up in a situation of ambiguous loss during and after a parent’s imprisonment. The article presents the multidimensional impact of this loss on the everyday lives of these children and their families according to key themes as they emerged from an ethnographic study in which 21 children and their family members participated. Themes include changed family dynamics and family stress, economic deprivation, incomprehension of a parent’s criminal past, the social stigma of being a child of a génocidaire, and strategies used to make the loss bearable. The uniqueness of the ambiguous loss as experienced by children of perpetrators of genocide in Rwanda compared to those of perpetrators of the Holocaust or other mass crimes relates to an amalgam of factors specific for the context of post-genocide Rwanda; major ones being the severity of genocidal crimes and gacaca courts Rwanda chose as its main form of transitional justice. The case study illustrates how using the prism of intergenerational relations helps to understand some of the transformative and enduring effects of a crisis that deeply affects a society. Full article

Background: According to the literature, hypomineralization of molars and incisors is a multifactorial condition that depends on both genetic and environmental factors. This study aims to diagnose Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) cases with a new index that better defines the defect and to contribute to the literature by identifying possible etiological factors. Methods: This research was conducted with children aged 8–11 years old and their parents from Konya province and surrounding provinces. While children who were diagnosed with MIH as a result of the examination constituted the study group, children with no findings of MIH during intraoral examination were included in the control group. Between February and October 2020, 104 patients for the study group and 104 patients for the control group were reached, and a survey was administered to a total of 208 parents. Results: Asthma, pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infections, diarrhea, a fever, and febrile convulsions between the ages of 0–4 have been found to be related to MIH (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The association between medical diseases in children and enamel defect formation draws attention to the importance of pediatricians in the early diagnosis of MIH cases. Pediatricians can be very helpful in informing parents of children with health problems about possible dental defects and referring them to a pediatric dentist. Full article

This article concerns the analysis and strengthening of children’s emotional self-regulation as a key process in the sustainable and comprehensive educational development of students from 6 to 8 years of age. The objective of the present study was to design a didactic proposal for technological mediation (WhatsApp) that contributes to emotional self-regulation and underpins the sustainable education of children in the context of the prevalence of COVID-19. The research design involved documentation, field, and propositional work. Regarding the documentation design, the content analysis technique of the Institutional Educational Project and the Coexistence Project of an official educational institution located in Bogotá, Colombia, were used. Regarding the field design, the survey technique was applied through a structured questionnaire for populations made up of second grade primary school students, parents, and teachers of the institution. Among the main results, it stands out that the prevalence of COVID-19 and its post-pandemic implications have generated greater use of available technologies, such as the WhatsApp application, evidencing a positive relationship between the level of emotional self-regulation of children and its use as a didactic mediation agent. These findings serve as input for the design of the interactive TICSR-WA proposal. Full article

Background/Objectives: The relationship between executive functions, special educational needs (SEN), and learning difficulties in school-aged children is critical for developing effective educational interventions. This study explores the connection between executive functions and SEN in primary school students, examining differences in executive function profiles between those with and without SEN and their impact on learning difficulties. Methods: In total, 123 primary school students aged 6 to 12 and their teachers and parents participated in this study. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-2) and the Prediscal test were used to assess difficulties in reading and mathematics, and sociodemographic and clinical data were collected through ad hoc records. Results: The results indicated that students with SEN exhibited significantly more affected executive function profiles compared to their peers without SEN in both family and school contexts, highlighting areas such as cognitive flexibility, initiative, working memory, planning and organisation, task supervision, and material organisation. Additionally, significant negative correlations were found between executive functions and performance in reading and mathematics, suggesting that deficits in executive functions are strongly associated with SEN. Conclusions: These findings underscore the critical role of executive functions in understanding and addressing SEN and learning difficulties, emphasising the need for comprehensive assessment programmes and early intervention targeting executive function deficits to support the academic and overall development of students with SEN. Full article

Cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also called host defence peptides, have established antimicrobial and anticancer activities. Conjugation of an AMP to a bioactive molecule with complementary activity can address some of the clinical limitations of the peptide candidate. This approach has been particularly applied in antimicrobial applications of AMPs, but it remains relatively less explored in the generation of anticancer candidates. In this study, two usnic acid derivatives, based on hydrazinothiazole and benzylidenefuranone pharmacophore moieties, respectively, were conjugated to L-K6, a lysine/leucine-rich AMP, through a new pyrazole ligation intrinsically driven by the cargo molecule. Both components, the usnic acid derivative and the peptide, are selectively active against cancer cells, by targeting the human DNA repair enzyme tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterase 1 (TDP1) and through DNA damage, respectively. The two conjugates, based on a hydrazone linkage, exhibited pleiotropic effects, ranging from reduction in the activity of the parent drugs to their conservation or even enhancement. Notably, the conjugates retained some anti-TDP1 activity and displayed intermediate, or even higher, cytotoxicities against glioblastoma cells, compared to their individual components. Full article

Depression in adolescents has been linked to poor life outcomes, including suicidal ideation, peer victimization, and fewer friendships. Less is known about how depressed adolescents perceive their peer interactions. Based on the depression-distortion model, we expected that adolescents with depressive symptoms misperceive their social ties by being less likely to like some peers, and more likely to dislike other peers. An Italian dataset about adolescent relationships was used, including 275 first-year secondary school students (M age = 11.80, 46% female) in 12 classrooms across nine schools. Adolescents were asked to nominate classmates they liked and disliked. Longitudinal social network analyses (stochastic actor-oriented models) were conducted, including structural network effects (reciprocity, transitivity, indegree-popularity) and covariates such as gender, immigrant origin, and highest parents’ education level. The results indicated that adolescents with depressive symptoms were less likely to send liking nominations, and conversely, they were more likely to send disliking nominations than non-depressed classmates. Interestingly, adolescents with depressive symptoms were not more disliked or less liked by their peers. These findings seem to support the depression-distortion model by suggesting that, compared to non-depressed peers, adolescents with depressive symptoms misperceive their relationships by overstating negative relationships and underestimating positive ones. Full article

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma acquired resistance to chemotherapy poses a major limitation to patient survival. Despite understanding some biological mechanisms of chemoresistance, much about those mechanisms remains to be uncovered. Mechanobiology, which studies the physical properties of cells, holds promise as a potential target for addressing the challenges of chemoresistance in PDAC. Therefore, we, here in an initial step, assessed the altered mechanobiology of PDAC cells with acquired chemoresistance to gemcitabine and paclitaxel. Methods: Five PDAC cell lines and six stably resistant subclones were assessed for force generation on elastic micropillar arrays. Those measurements of mechanical phenotype were complemented by single-cell motility and invasion in 3D collagen-based matrix assays. Further, the nuclear translocation of Yes-associated protein (YAP), as a measure of active mechanical status, was compared, and biomarkers of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) were evaluated using RT-qPCR. Results: The PDAC cells with acquired chemoresistance exert higher traction forces than their parental/wild-type (WT) cells. In 2D, single-cell motility was altered for all the chemoresistant cells, with a cell-type specific pattern. In 3D, the spheroids of the chemoresistant PDAC cells were able to invade the matrix and remodel collagen more than their WT clones. However, YAP nuclear translocation and EMT were not significantly altered in relation to changes in other physical parameters. Conclusions: This is the first study to investigate and report on the altered mechanobiological features of PDAC cells that have acquired chemoresistance. A better understanding of mechanical features could help in identifying future targets to overcome chemoresistance in PDAC. Full article

Play, physical activity, and social interaction with other children in nature are important for healthy and social development in childhood and adolescence. The extent to which lockdown policies during the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the way children engaged in outdoor activities remains unclear, especially in a country with free access to abundant nature during the pandemic. We performed a national survey of parents (n = 1002) in Norway in January 2021 to uncover changes in outdoor play for children (6–12 years, n = 396) and adolescents (13–19 years, n = 606) compared with the situation before the lockdown on 12 March 2020. Ten months after the start of the COVID-19 lockdown, 38% of the parents reported that their children played and spent time outside ‘less than usual’ in their neighborhood, compared with 15% who reported ‘more than usual’ time spent outside. Parents indicated that the children’s play activities were highly organized and institutionalized, and when the activities ceased, their children had less motivation to spend time outdoors and tended to engage more in screen-based activities indoors. We conclude that while children and adolescents had many opportunities to be outdoors in natural settings during the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, they did so much less than before the lockdown. Full article

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) is inevitable, and growing scientific evidence indicates that even very low doses can negatively impact human health, particularly during pregnancy and the neonatal period. As part of the European project LIFE18 ENV/IT/00460, this study aims to identify the presence of EDCs in 20 infant formulas (both powdered and liquid) and the release from baby bottles and teats. Particularly, sensitization of young people and future parents towards the potential harmful effects of EDCs could significantly help to reduce exposure. Seven different UPLC-MS/MS methodologies and one ICP-AES were set up to quantify already assessed and suspected EDCs among 85 different chemicals (bisphenols, parabens, PAHs, phthalates, pesticides, herbicides and their main metabolites, PFAS, and metals). Results showed that in 2 out of 14 baby bottles, only anthracene and phenanthrene of the group of PAHs were released (10.68–10.81 ng/mL). Phthalates such as mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) were found in 9 of 14 samples (0.054–0.140 ng/mL), while mono(2-ethyl-5-oxohexyl) phthalate (MeOHP) appeared in 2 samples (0.870–0.930 ng/mL). In accordance with current EU regulations, other chemicals were not detected in baby bottles and teats. However, bisphenols, parabens, PAHs, phthalates, PFAS, and metals were detected in infant formula, emphasizing the need for continued monitoring and public health interventions. Full article

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a prevalent mental health issue profoundly impacting both parents and their families. This study examines YouTube comments to identify common public discourse and prevalent themes surrounding PPD. Methods: We analyzed 4915 comments from 33 YouTube videos to provide a comprehensive picture of PPD-related discourse on social media. We analyzed data using engagement metrics and Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis. Results: The engagement metrics indicated that public discourse is primarily focused on the stigma associated with PPD in men and celebrities, with related videos receiving significant attention and high engagement metrics score. Thematic analysis revealed two themes: (1) perspectives of stigmatized, stigmatizer and people in between; and (2) adaptation despite adversity. Conclusion: This study provides key insights into public discourse on PPD. It highlights the importance of family and community support and advocates for a healthcare system capable of addressing the needs of stigmatized populations. A significant finding of this study is the call for action to raise awareness and debunk myths about PPD. Misconceptions worsen stigma and deter help-seeking by affected individuals. Awareness initiatives are crucial to enhance public understanding of PPD symptoms, its impact on individuals and families, and the importance of parental mental health. Full article

Recent findings indicate that human microbiota can excrete trace amines, dopamine, and serotonin. These neurotransmitters (NTs) can either affect classical neurotransmitter signaling or directly trigger trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs), with still unclear consequences for host physiology. Compared to gut microbiota, less information is available on the role of skin microbiota in NT production. To explore this, 1909 skin isolates, mainly from the genera Staphylococcus, Bacillus, and Corynebacterium, were tested for NT production. Only 6.7% of the isolates were capable of producing NTs, all of which belonged to the Staphylococcus genus. Based on substrate specificity, we identified two distinct profiles among the NT producers. One group primarily produced tryptamine (TRY) and phenylethylamine (PEA), while the other mainly produced tyramine (TYM) and dopamine (Dopa). These differing production profiles could be attributed to the activity of two distinct aromatic amino acid decarboxylase enzymes, SadA and TDC, responsible for generating the TRY/PEA and TYM/Dopa product spectra, respectively. SadA and TDC orthologues differ in structure and size; SadA has approximately 475 amino acids, whereas the TDC type consists of about 620 amino acids. The genomic localization of the respective genes also varies: tdc genes are typically found in small, conserved gene clusters, while sadA genes are not. The heterologous expression of sadA and tdc in Escherichia coli yielded the same product spectrum as the parent strains. The possible effects of skin microbiota-derived NTs on neuroreceptor signaling in the human host remain to be investigated. Full article

Heterosis, or hybrid vigor, refers to the phenomenon where hybrid progenies outperform their parents in traits such as yield and resistance. This phenomenon has been widely applied in plant breeding. Recent advances in high-throughput genomics have significantly advanced our understanding of heterosis. This review systematically summarizes the genetic, molecular, and epigenetic mechanisms underlying heterosis. Furthermore, we discuss recent advances in predictive methods for heterosis and their applications in improving growth rate, resistance to abiotic stresses, and wood yield in tree species. We also explore the role of tree genomics in unraveling the mechanisms underlying heterosis, emphasizing the potential of integrating high-resolution genomics, single-cell sequencing, and spatial transcriptomics to achieve a comprehensive understanding of heterosis from the molecular to spatial levels. Building on this, CRISPR-based gene-editing technologies can be employed to precisely edit heterotic loci, enabling the study of allele function. Additionally, molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) can be utilized to identify heterotic loci in parental lines, facilitating the selection of optimal hybrid combinations and significantly reducing the labor and time costs of hybrid breeding. Finally, we review the utilization of heterosis in tree breeding and provide a forward-looking perspective on future research directions, highlighting the potential of integrating multi-omics approaches and emerging gene-editing tools to revolutionize tree hybrid breeding. Full article

Background: Central Venous Catheter (CVC) is a necessary and important tool in managing acutely ill children and those needing complex care. CVC enables infusing venous medication, fluids, blood products, chemotherapy, total parental nutrition, and painless withdrawal of blood for laboratory testing when needed. Objective: To identify the incidence and risk factors for Central Venous Catheter-Related Thrombosis (CVC-RT) among patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Unit. Method: This was a prospective, observational, single-center study that was conducted over 17 months from September 2019 to January 2021 at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Jeddah. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: King Abdulaziz Medical City, a tertiary care center in the western region of Saudi Arabia. Patients: Pediatric patients aged 1 to 168 months who were admitted to the PICU and required central line insertion (whether inserted centrally or peripherally) for more than 48 hours were included. Screening for thrombosis was performed within day 4–7 post-line insertion and again on the 14th day. Results: A total of 255 patients were enrolled over 17 months. The incidence rate of CVC-RT was 5.4%. The type of CVC was significantly different between the two groups; in the no thrombosis group, 59.2% had a central line while in the CVC-RT groups, 51.9% had a PIC line (p = 0.027). In a multivariate regression analysis including patients’ clinical profile, high D-dimer as baseline and low platelets were both significant risk factors for CVC-RT [adjusted OR = 3.22, CI (1.25–8.28), p = 0.015 and adjusted OR = 7.38, CI (2.18–25.02), p = 0.001], respectively. Conclusions: The current study found that PIC line was associated with an increased risk of CVC-RT, which is congruent with the literature. As children with CVC can have multiple risk factors for developing CVC-RT, it is important to conduct further large prospective studies to identify such factors and decrease the incidence of CVC-RT. Full article

Background: Orofacial clefts are the most common craniofacial congenital malformation in humans. Approximately 30% of clefts arise as part of a syndrome or sequence, characterised by co-existing structural and functional anomalies. Many syndromes are thought to be undiagnosed, although the presence of multiple anomalies may indicate the presence of a syndrome or sequence. Aim: To determine the extent to which the presence of additional structural and functional anomalies can help to identify those children with an undiagnosed syndrome. Methods: Secondary data analysis was performed using data from 1701 children born with an orofacial cleft, collected as part of a longitudinal cohort study, the Cleft Collective. Data were collected between 2013 and 2023 across the United Kingdom. The prevalence of structural and functional anomalies and syndromes were explored using descriptive statistics. Logistic regression was used to determine the extent to which anomalies can predict syndromic status. Results: A syndrome and/or sequence was reported in 20.5% children. Among children who reported five or more anomalies, the prevalence of a diagnosed syndrome was 81.5%. When adjusting for cleft subtype and sex, in 27 out of 32 anomalies tested, strong evidence was found to suggest increased odds of having a syndrome if the specific anomaly was present compared to if the anomaly was absent (p-values ranged between 1.4 × 10⁻³⁰ and 0.002). Conclusions: Children born with a cleft who present with two or more anomalies are much more likely to have a syndrome than those with fewer anomalies and should be prioritised for genetic screening and counselling. Full article