PLOS ONE: [sortOrder=DATE_NEWEST_FIRST, sort=Date, newest first, q=subject:"Anatomy"]PLOShttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/webmaster@plos.orgaccelerating the publication of peer-reviewed sciencehttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/search/feed/atom?sortOrder=DATE_NEWEST_FIRST&unformattedQuery=subject:%22Anatomy%22&sort=Date,+newest+firstAll PLOS articles are Open Access.https://journals.plos.org/plosone/resource/img/favicon.icohttps://journals.plos.org/plosone/resource/img/favicon.ico2024-03-28T08:52:46ZUsing texture analysis of ultrasound images to assess the effect of cupping therapy on muscle quality of the tricepsIsabella Yu-Ju HungYih-Kuen Jan10.1371/journal.pone.03012212024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Isabella Yu-Ju Hung, Yih-Kuen Jan</p>
The objectives were to investigate whether cupping therapy improves muscle quality and the interaction between duration and negative pressure of cupping therapy affects muscle quality. A 2×2 factorial design with repeated measures was used to examine the efficacy of cupping therapy on improving muscle quality. The independent factors were cupping pressures at −225 and −300 mmHg and cupping durations at 5 and 10 min, and the dependent factor was texture of B-mode ultrasound image of the triceps. Four cupping protocols were applied to 12 participants at 4 different days. Texture analysis including contrast, correlation, energy, and homogeneity was applied to assess muscle quality from 480 ultrasound images. The two-way repeated measures ANOVA showed that there was an interaction between the pressure and duration factors on the superficial layer of the triceps in contrast (F = 5.434, <i>P</i> = 0.004) and correlation (F = 6.274, <i>P</i> = 0.029). In contrast texture, the superficial layer of the triceps showed a significant increase in three protocols: −225 mmHg for 5 min (1.0434 ± 0.130), −300 mmHg for 5 min (1.0339 ±0.1407), and −300 mmHg for 10 min (1.0563 ±0.1432) except −225 mmHg for 10 min (0.9704 ±0.0985). In correlation texture, the superficial layer of the triceps showed a significant decrease in all protocols: −225 mmHg for 5 min (0.9556 ± 0.07), −225 mmHg for 10 min (0.9831 ± 0.0708), −300 mmHg for 5 min (0.9976 ± 0.055), and −300 mmHg for 10 min (0.9406 ± 0.0809). The results indicate that the interaction between the pressure and duration factors of cupping therapy significantly increases contrast texture and significantly decreases correlation texture of the superficial layer of the triceps after cupping therapy. Cupping therapy decreases homogeneity among soft tissues of the treated muscle.Effects of cleft lip on visual scanning and neural processing of infant facesAmanda C. HahnJuergen A. RiedelsheimerZoë RoyerJeffrey FrederickRachael KeeRhiannon CrimminsBernd HuberDavid H. HarrisKelly J. Jantzen10.1371/journal.pone.03006732024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Amanda C. Hahn, Juergen A. Riedelsheimer, Zoë Royer, Jeffrey Frederick, Rachael Kee, Rhiannon Crimmins, Bernd Huber, David H. Harris, Kelly J. Jantzen</p>
Infant faces readily capture adult attention and elicit enhanced neural processing, likely due to their importance evolutionarily in facilitating bonds with caregivers. Facial malformations have been shown to impact early infant-caregiver interactions negatively. However, it remains unclear how such facial malformations may impact early visual processing. The current study used a combination of eye tracking and electroencephalography (EEG) to investigate adults’ early visual processing of infant faces with cleft lip/palate as compared to normal infant faces, as well as the impact cleft palate has on perceived cuteness. The results demonstrated a significant decrease in early visual attention to the eye region for infants with cleft palate, while increased visual attention is registered on the mouth region. Increased neural processing of the cleft palate was evident at the N170 and LPP, suggesting differences in configural processing and affective responses to the faces. Infants with cleft palate were also rated significantly less cute than their healthy counterparts (mean difference = .73, p < .001). These results suggest that infants’ faces with cleft lip/palate are processed differently at early visual perception. These processing differences may contribute to several important aspects of development (e.g., joint attention) and may play a vital role in the previously observed difficulties in mother-infant interactions.Association of spironolactone use with risk of urinary tract cancer in the general population: A matched population-based cohort studyLiang-Cheng ChenHsuan-Ju YangBen-Hui YuMoon-Sing LeeHon-Yi LinWen-Yen ChiouDai-Wei LiuFeng-Chun HsuChia-Hui ChewShih-Kai Hung10.1371/journal.pone.03003912024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Liang-Cheng Chen, Hsuan-Ju Yang, Ben-Hui Yu, Moon-Sing Lee, Hon-Yi Lin, Wen-Yen Chiou, Dai-Wei Liu, Feng-Chun Hsu, Chia-Hui Chew, Shih-Kai Hung</p>
Purpose <p>The correlation between spironolactone usage and cancer risk has sparked interest. The objective of this study is to examine the association between spironolactone use and the incidence of urinary tract cancer in the general population.</p> Methods <p>We conducted a matched population-based cohort study. The study population was obtained from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (TNHIRD) during the period from 2000 to 2016. The multivariate Cox proportional hazard model was performed to examine the impact of spironolactone use on the risk of urinary tract cancer. A total of 8,608 individuals exposed to spironolactone were exact matched by 1:1 ratio with unexposed controls on factors including age, gender, comorbidities, CCI scores and socioeconomic status. The incidences of urinary tract cancer, including prostate, renal and bladder cancer, were estimated in both spironolactone exposed and non-exposed cohorts.</p> Results <p>After adjusting for confounding variables, the multivariate Cox regression analysis showed no significant association between spironolactone exposure and urinary tract cancer incidence, including bladder (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.19, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.72–1.96, p = 0.50), renal (aHR = 1.75, 95% CI = 0.99–3.07, p = 0.053), and prostate cancer (aHR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.43–1.04, p = 0.07). When the population was stratified into low (cumulative dose < = 29,300 mg) and high (cumulative dose >29,300 mg) dose of spironolactone, only high dose of spironolactone use was significantly associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer (aHR = 0.45, 95% CI = 0.23–0.89, p = 0.02), while being associated with an elevated risk of renal cancer (aHR = 2.09, 95% CI = 1.07–4.08, p = 0.03). However, no clear cumulative dose-response relationship was observed in theses associations.</p> Conclusions <p>High cumulative dose of spironolactone may be potentially associated with a decreased incidence of prostate cancer and an increased incidence of renal cancer, while no significant association was observed with bladder cancer incidence. However, given the lack of support from the dose-response pattern, the available evidence is inconclusive to establish a definitive association between spironolactone use and urinary tract cancer.</p>Muscle strength during pregnancy and postpartum in adolescents and adultsMaria Luiza da Silva SantosSabrina Gabrielle Gomes Fernandes MacêdoJuliana FernandesCatherine M. PirkleSaionara M. A. Câmara10.1371/journal.pone.03000622024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Maria Luiza da Silva Santos, Sabrina Gabrielle Gomes Fernandes Macêdo, Juliana Fernandes, Catherine M. Pirkle, Saionara M. A. Câmara</p>
Adolescent childbirth is associated with worse physical function over the long-term. Differential loss of muscle strength during pregnancy and postpartum for adolescents compared to adults may be one explanation for this, but research examining these differences is lacking. The objective of this study as to assess hand grip strength and hip adduction muscle strength in adolescents and adults during pregnancy and postpartum. A prospective cohort study was carried out with adolescent (13 to 18 years) and adult (23 to 28 years) primigravid women. Assessments were performed at three timepoints: before the 16<sup>th</sup> gestational week, during the third trimester, and between the fourth and sixth week postpartum. Hand grip strength (continuous and muscle weakness if ≤ 20.67 kgf) and hip adductor measures (continuous and muscle weakness if ≤ 13.8 kgf) were assessed using dynamometry. Generalized estimating equations modelled longitudinal relationships between muscle weakness and age group. More adolescents had hip adductor weakness than adults in the third trimester of pregnancy (62.5% vs. 31.8%, p < 0.005), which was corroborated by the longitudinal analyses. For all women, there were higher odds of hip adductor weakness in the third trimester (OR = 4.35; p< 0.001) and postpartum (OR = 9.45; p < 0.001) compared to the 16<sup>th</sup> gestational week. No significant difference in HGS was observed between age groups or across the different timepoints. The higher proportion of hip adductor weakness among adolescents may indicate a need for resistance training during and after pregnancy and physical therapy if weakness or injury is noted.Halofuginone prevents outer retinal degeneration in a mouse model of light-induced retinopathyYukihiro MiwaDeokho LeeChiho ShodaHeonuk JeongKazuno NegishiToshihide Kurihara10.1371/journal.pone.03000452024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Yukihiro Miwa, Deokho Lee, Chiho Shoda, Heonuk Jeong, Kazuno Negishi, Toshihide Kurihara</p>
Photoreceptor cell death can cause progressive and irreversible visual impairments. Still, effective therapies on retinal neuroprotection are not available. Hypoxia-inducible factors (HIFs) are transcriptional factors which strongly regulate angiogenesis, erythropoiesis, intracellular metabolism, and programed cell death under a hypoxic or an abnormal metabolic oxidative stress condition. Therefore, we aimed to unravel that inhibition of HIFs could prevent disease progression in photoreceptor cell death, as recent studies showed that HIFs might be pathologic factors in retinal diseases. Adult male balb/cAJcl (8 weeks old; BALB/c) were used to investigate preventive effects of a novel HIF inhibitor halofuginone (HF) on a murine model of light-induced retinopathy. After intraperitoneal injections of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or HF (0.4 mg/kg in PBS) for 5 days, male BALB/c mice were subjected to a dark-adaption to being exposed to a white LED light source at an intensity of 3,000 lux for 1 hour in order to induce light-induced retinal damage. After extensive light exposure, retinal damage was evaluated using electroretinography (ERG), optical coherence tomography (OCT), and TUNEL assay. Light-induced retinal dysfunction was suppressed by HF administration. The amplitudes of scotopic a-wave and b-wave as well as that of photopic b-wave were preserved in the HF-administered retina. Outer retinal thinning after extensive light exposure was suppressed by HF administration. Based on the TUNEL assay, cell death in the outer retina was seen after light exposure. However, its cell death was not detected in the HF-administered retina. Halofuginone was found to exert preventive effects on light-induced outer retinal cell death.The use of Kudoh method for culture of <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> and <i>Mycobacterium africanum</i> in The GambiaTijan JobartehJacob OtuEnsa GittehFrancis S. MendyTutty Isatou Faal-JawaraBoatema Ofori-AnyinamBinta SarrAbi Janet RileyAbigail AyorindeBouke C. de JongBeate KampmannOusman SeckaFlorian Gehre10.1371/journal.pone.03000422024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Tijan Jobarteh, Jacob Otu, Ensa Gitteh, Francis S. Mendy, Tutty Isatou Faal-Jawara, Boatema Ofori-Anyinam, Binta Sarr, Abi Janet Riley, Abigail Ayorinde, Bouke C. de Jong, Beate Kampmann, Ousman Secka, Florian Gehre</p>
Background <p><i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> culturing remains the gold standard for laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis. Tuberculosis remains a great public health problem in developing countries like The Gambia, as most of the methods currently used for bacterial isolation are either time-consuming or costly.</p> Objective <p>To evaluate the Kudoh swab method in a West African setting in Gambia, with a particular focus on the method’s performance when culturing <i>Mycobacterium africanum</i> West Africa 2 (MAF2) isolates.</p> Method <p>75 sputum samples were collected in the Greater Banjul Area and decontaminated in parallel with both the standard N-acetyl-L-Cysteine-NaOH (NALC-NaOH) and the Kudoh swab method in the TB diagnostics laboratory in the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia between 30<sup>th</sup> December 2017 and 25<sup>th</sup> February 2018. These samples were subsequently cultured on standard Löwenstein-Jensen and Modified Ogawa media respectively and incubated at 37°C for mycobacterial growth. Spoligotyping was done to determine if the decontamination and culture methods compared could equally detect <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>, <i>Mycobacterium africanum</i> West Africa 1 and <i>Mycobacterium africanum</i> West Africa 2.</p> Result <p>Among the 50 smear positives, 35 (70%) were culture-positive with Kudoh and 32 (64%) were culture positive with NALC-NaOH, whilst 7(28%) of the 25 smear negative samples were culture positive with both methods (Table 2). There was no significant difference in recovery between both methods (McNemar’s test, p-value = 0.7003), suggesting that the overall positivity rate between the two methods is comparable. There were no differences in time-to-positivity or contamination rate between the methods. However, Kudoh yielded positive cultures that were negative on LJ and vice versa. All findings were irrespective of mycobacterial lineages.</p> Conclusion <p>The Kudoh method has comparable sensitivity to the NALC-NaOH method for detecting <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> complex isolates. It is easy to perform and could be an add on option for mycobacterial culture in the field in The Gambia, since it requires less biosafety equipment.</p>Examining the longitudinal associations between activity limitations, instrumental supports and social participation in osteoarthritis: A CLSA population-based studyAnthony V. PerruccioCalvin YipJ. Denise PowerMayilee CanizaresElizabeth M. Badley10.1371/journal.pone.02998942024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Anthony V. Perruccio, Calvin Yip, J. Denise Power, Mayilee Canizares, Elizabeth M. Badley</p>
Objective <p>In osteoarthritis (OA) research, disability is largely studied within the context of activities of daily living. Broader consequences for social participation are often overlooked. In prior work, instrumental supports received and their perceived availability were shown to play a role in the maintenance of social participation. Two indicators of social participation were identified, diversity and intensity. The current study extends the findings from this prior cross-sectional work by examining these relationships longitudinally.</p> Methods <p>Data are from the baseline and 3-year follow-up questionnaires of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging, a population-based study of people ages 45–85 years at baseline. The sample was restricted to those who at baseline reported a doctor diagnosis of OA (n = 4104). Using structural equation modeling, latent variables were derived at each time point for activity limitations, instrumental supports perceived and received, and social participation diversity and intensity. Longitudinal factorial invariance was assessed. Model covariates included age, sex, education, income, marital status, smoking status, obesity, and number of chronic conditions.</p> Results <p>For all latent variables, strong factorial longitudinal invariance was found. Activity limitations increased over time. Greater baseline social participation intensity was associated with increases in later intensity and diversity. Increasing activity limitations were associated with decreases in social participation and with increasing receipt of instrumental supports; they were not associated with changes in perceived availability of supports. However, increasing perceived availability was positively associated with social participation intensity.</p> Conclusions <p>With a goal of increasing social participation, findings suggest a focus on interventions to reduce activity limitations in OA is necessary. Findings additionally highlight an important role for perceived availability of instrumental supports in maintaining or improving social participation in OA, in addition to current social participation, particularly intensity, for future social participation status.</p>Outcome of complicated osteoarticular brucellosis in a tertiary care center in Saudi ArabiaEbrahim MahmoudAreej AlamanRaghad AlsayariAnadel HakeemMohammad BosaeedAzaheer IbrahimSaleh AlgazlanAbdullah AlmaneaAhmed A. Abulaban10.1371/journal.pone.02998782024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Ebrahim Mahmoud, Areej Alaman, Raghad Alsayari, Anadel Hakeem, Mohammad Bosaeed, Azaheer Ibrahim, Saleh Algazlan, Abdullah Almanea, Ahmed A. Abulaban</p>
Objective <p>To evaluate the outcome of complicated osteoarticular brucellosis.</p> Methods <p>A retrospective chart review was conducted at King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC), in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. All patients aged more than 14 who have been diagnosed with complicated brucellosis with osteoarticular disease between July 2016 and December 2022 were included.</p> Results <p>A total of 82 (10.7%) patients met the criteria, with a male predominance of 66 (80.4%), and their mean age was 56.4 ± 19.3 years. A positive blood culture was found in 33 (40.2%). The most common clinical presentation was fever (57.3%). All patients received a doxycycline-based regimen except one. 62 (75.60%) patients were treated with three or more medication regimens, while 20 (24.40%) patients received two drug regimens. The mean duration of therapy was 94.2 days for two-drug therapy and 116.4 days for three-drug therapy. A total of 78 out of 82 (95.1%) cases were cured at the end of treatment. Unfavorable outcomes were documented in four cases (two relapses and two treatment failures). Neither using three drugs regimen nor longer duration of therapy was associated with better outcome.</p> Conclusions <p>Unfavorable outcomes have been noticed to be minimal in our cohort of patients with osteoarticular brucellosis, treated mainly with a three-drug regimen and a longer duration of therapy.</p>Comparative evaluation of different modalities for measuring <i>in vivo</i> carnosine levelsAlok R. AmraotkarDavid HoetkerMohammad J. NegahdarChin K. NgPawel LorkiewiczUgochukwu S. OwolabiShahid P. BabaAruni BhatnagarTimothy E. O’Toole10.1371/journal.pone.02998722024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Alok R. Amraotkar, David Hoetker, Mohammad J. Negahdar, Chin K. Ng, Pawel Lorkiewicz, Ugochukwu S. Owolabi, Shahid P. Baba, Aruni Bhatnagar, Timothy E. O’Toole</p>
Carnosine is an endogenous di-peptide (β-alanine -L- histidine) involved in maintaining tissue homeostasis. It is most abundant in skeletal muscle where its concentration has been determined in biopsy samples using tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS). Carnosine levels can also be assessed in intact leg muscles by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-MRS) or in blood and urine samples using mass spectrometry. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain how carnosine levels from these distinct compartments are correlated with each other when measured in the same individual. Furthermore, it is unclear which measurement modality might be most suitable for large-scale clinical studies. Hence, in 31 healthy volunteers, we assessed carnosine levels in skeletal muscle, via 1H-MRS, and in erythrocytes and urine by MS-MS. While muscle carnosine levels were higher in males (C2 peak, p = 0.010; C4 peak, p = 0.018), there was no sex-associated difference in urinary (p = 0.433) or erythrocyte (p = 0.858) levels. In a linear regression model adjusted for age, sex, race, and diet, there was a positive association between erythrocyte and urinary carnosine. However, no association was observed between 1H-MRS and erythrocytes or urinary measures. In the relationship between muscle versus urinary and erythrocyte measures, females had a positive association, while males did not show any association. We also found that 1H-MRS measures were highly sensitive to location of measurement. Thus, it is uncertain whether 1H-MRS can accurately and reliably predict endogenous carnosine levels. In contrast, urinary and erythrocyte carnosine measures may be stable and in greater synchrony, and given financial and logistical concerns, may be a feasible alternative for large-scale clinical studies.Dynamics of leaching of POPs and additives from plastic in a Procellariiform gastric model: Diet- and polymer-dependent effects and implications for long-term exposureLiesbeth Van HasselGeorges SchollGauthier EppeClaude PoleuniscChristine Dupont-GillainMyra FinkelsteinCathy Debier10.1371/journal.pone.02998602024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Liesbeth Van Hassel, Georges Scholl, Gauthier Eppe, Claude Poleunisc, Christine Dupont-Gillain, Myra Finkelstein, Cathy Debier</p>
Procellariiform seabirds are known to have high rates of plastic ingestion. We investigated the bioaccessibility of plastic-associated chemicals [plastic additives and sorbed persistent organic pollutants (POPs)] leached from plastic over time using an <i>in vitro</i> Procellariiform gastric model. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), commonly ingested by Procellariiform seabirds, were manufactured with one additive [decabrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE-209) or bisphenol S (BPS)]. HDPE and PVC added with PBDE-209 were additionally incubated in salt water with 2,4,4’-trichloro-1,1’-biphenyl (PCB-28) and 2,2’,3,4,4’,5’-hexachlorobiphenyl (PCB-138) to simulate sorption of POPs on plastic in the marine environment. Our results indicate that the type of plastic (nature of polymer and additive), presence of food (i.e., lipids and proteins) and gastric secretions (i.e., pepsin) influence the leaching of chemicals in a seabird. In addition, 100% of the sorbed POPs were leached from the plastic within 100 hours, while only 2–5% of the additives were leached from the matrix within 100 hours, suggesting that the remaining 95% of the additives could continue to be leached. Overall, our study illustrates how plastic type, diet and plastic retention time can influence a Procellariform’s exposure risk to plastic-associated chemicals.Demography, commonly diagnosed disorders and mortality of guinea pigs under primary veterinary care in the UK in 2019—A VetCompass studyDan G. O’NeillJacques L. TaffinderDave C. BrodbeltVicki Baldrey10.1371/journal.pone.02994642024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Dan G. O’Neill, Jacques L. Taffinder, Dave C. Brodbelt, Vicki Baldrey</p>
Introduction <p>Guinea pigs are popular as domestic pets but there is limited information on the health of the wider pet population. This study aimed to report demography, commonly diagnosed disorders and mortality of guinea pigs under UK primary veterinary care.</p> Methods <p>Diagnosis and mortality information on guinea pigs was extracted from anonymised UK primary-care clinical records in VetCompass.</p> Results <p>From 51,622 guinea pigs under primary veterinary care during 2019, a specific breed was not recorded in 50,098 (97.05%). Of guinea pigs with information recorded, 23,206 (47.33%) were female and 25,828 (52.67%) were male. There were 1,020 (2.08%) neutered and 48,014 (97.92%) entire. Median adult bodyweight overall was 1.05kg (interquartile range [IQR] 0.90–1.19, range 0.40–2.66). From a random sample of 3,785/51,622 (7.33%) guinea pigs, the most prevalent disorders were overgrown nail(s) (n = 1,005, 26.55%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 25.15–27.99), dermatophytosis (228, 6.02%, 95% CI 5.29–6.83) and corneal ulceration (189, 4.99%, 95% CI 4.32–5.74). Among the 30 most common disorders, females showed predisposition for 3 disorders and males showed predisposition for 5 disorders. The disorder with the youngest age of affected animals was dermatophytosis (1.11 years) while weight loss had the oldest age of affected animals (4.64 years). From 757 recorded deaths, the median age at death overall was 4.03 years (IQR 2.56–5.44, range 0.17–10.00). Among deaths with a recorded cause, the most common causes of death were anorexia (n = 82, 13.87%, 95% CI 11.19–16.93), collapsed (58, 9.81%, 95% CI 7.54–12.50) and peri-anaesthetic death (20, 3.38%, 95% CI 2.08–5.18).</p> Conclusions <p>These results can assist veterinarians and owners by providing demographic, disorder and mortality benchmarks that support improved clinical care and welfare outcomes in guinea pigs. Many common disorders in guinea pigs were husbandry related.</p>Electroacupuncture stimulation enhances the permeability of the blood-brain barrier: A systematic review and meta-analysis of preclinical evidence and possible mechanismsNuo XuPeng GongShiting XuYangyun ChenMengyuan DaiZhaoxing JiaXianming Lin10.1371/journal.pone.02985332024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Nuo Xu, Peng Gong, Shiting Xu, Yangyun Chen, Mengyuan Dai, Zhaoxing Jia, Xianming Lin</p>
An important cellular barrier to maintain the stability of the brain’s internal and external environment is the blood-brain barrier (BBB). It also prevents harmful substances from entering brain tissue through blood circulation while providing protection for the central nervous system. It should be noted, however, that the intact BBB can be a barrier to the transport of most drugs into the brain via the conventional route of administration, which can prevent them from reaching effective concentrations for the treatment of disorders affecting the central nervous system. Electroacupuncture stimulation has been shown to be effective at opening the BBB in a series of experimental studies. This study systematically analyzes the possibility and mechanism by which electroacupuncture opens the BBB. In PubMed, Web of Science, VIP Database, Wanfang Database, and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, papers have been published for nearly 22 years aimed at opening the BBB and its associated structures. A comparison of EB content between electroacupuncture and control was selected as the primary outcome. There were also results on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), P-Glycoprotein (P-gp), Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). We utilized Review Manager software analysis to analyze correlations between studies with a view to exploring the mechanisms of similarity. Evans Blue infiltration forest plot: pooled effect size of 2.04, 95% CI: 1.21 to 2.87, P < 0.01. These results indicate that electroacupuncture significantly increases EB penetration across the BBB. Most studies have reported that GFAP, MMP-9, and VEGF were upregulated after treatment. P-gp expression decreased as well. Electroacupuncture can open the BBB, and the sparse-dense wave is currently the most effective electroacupuncture frequency for opening the BBB. VEGF plays an important role in opening the BBB. It is also important to regulate the expression of MMP-9 and GFAP and inhibit the expression of P-gp.The joint profiles of cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength on daily physical activity levels in patients with symptomatic peripheral artery disease: A cross-sectional studyPaulo LonganoEduardo Caldas CostaRenan Massena CostaBreno Quintella FarahNelson WoloskerGabriel Grizzo CucatoMarilia Almeida CorreiaHélcio KanegusukuRaphael Mendes Ritti-Dias10.1371/journal.pone.02982892024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Paulo Longano, Eduardo Caldas Costa, Renan Massena Costa, Breno Quintella Farah, Nelson Wolosker, Gabriel Grizzo Cucato, Marilia Almeida Correia, Hélcio Kanegusuku, Raphael Mendes Ritti-Dias</p>
Introduction <p>In peripheral artery disease (PAD) patients, the joint profile of low strength and cardiorespiratory fitness on movement behaviors, specifically physical activity levels and sedentary time, remains unclear.</p> Purpose <p>To investigate the joint profiles between cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness and daily physical activity among PAD patients.</p> Methods <p>Cross-sectional study in a sample of 155 PAD patients. We measured their physical activity level per week using accelerometers, assessed their muscle strength through a sit-to-stand test and cardiorespiratory fitness through a six-minute walk test. Patients were categorized into three groups: those with high strength and cardiorespiratory fitness (NC, n = 28), those with at least one component classified as low (1C, n = 88), and those with both components classified as low fitness (2C, n = 39).</p> Results <p>The patients in the 1C and 2C groups spent less time engaged in low-light and moderate activities compared to the NC group (low-light: NC: 2291 ± 680 minutes/week vs. 1C: 1826 ± 649 minutes/week vs. 2C: 1885 ± 651 minutes/week, p = .005; moderate: NC: 2617 ± 796 minutes/week vs. 1C: 2071 ± 767 minutes/week vs. 2C: 2092 ± 776 minutes/week, p = .005) and the patients in the 2C group spent less time engaged in vigorous activities compared to the NC and 1C groups (NC: 155 ± 148 minutes/week vs. 1C: 110 ± 110 minutes/week vs. 2C: 64 ± 70 minutes/week, p = .003).</p> Conclusion <p>PAD patients with low strength and/or cardiorespiratory fitness are more likely to spend less time engaging in low-light and moderate physical activities and patients with low fitness in both components are more likely to spend less time engaging in vigorous physical activity.</p>Lower autonomic arousal as a risk factor for criminal offending and unintentional injuries among female conscriptsSofi OskarssonAnneli AnderssonBridget M. BertoldiAntti LatvalaRalf Kuja-HalkolaBrittany EvansAdrian RaineChristopher J. PatrickHenrik LarssonCatherine Tuvblad10.1371/journal.pone.02976392024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Sofi Oskarsson, Anneli Andersson, Bridget M. Bertoldi, Antti Latvala, Ralf Kuja-Halkola, Brittany Evans, Adrian Raine, Christopher J. Patrick, Henrik Larsson, Catherine Tuvblad</p>
Background <p>Lower autonomic arousal is a well-known correlate of criminal offending and other risk-taking behaviors in men, but few studies have investigated this association in women.</p> Aim <p>To test associations between autonomic arousal and criminal offending as well as unintentional injuries among female conscripts.</p> Methods <p>All women born 1958–1994 in Sweden who participated in voluntary military conscription (n = 12,499) were identified by linking Swedish population-based registers. Predictors were resting heart rate (RHR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Covariates were height, weight, and physical energy capacity. Main outcomes were criminal convictions (any, violent, and non-violent) from the National Crime Register. Secondary outcome was unintentional injuries requiring medical treatment or causing death. We used survival analyses to test for associations between predictors and outcomes.</p> Results <p>Low RHR, relative to high RHR, was associated with an increased risk of any criminal conviction, non-violent criminal convictions, and unintentional injuries. Low SBP, relative to high SBP, was associated with an increased risk of violent criminal convictions.</p> Conclusions <p>Results support lower autonomic arousal, particularly lower RHR, as a correlate of criminal offending among women that warrants further examination, as the reported findings have potential implications for the prediction of future female crime.</p>Work disability and employment status among advanced chronic kidney disease patientsShing Shen BayLydia KamaruzamanRozita MohdShamsul Azhar Shah10.1371/journal.pone.02973782024-03-27T14:00:00Z2024-03-27T14:00:00Z<p>by Shing Shen Bay, Lydia Kamaruzaman, Rozita Mohd, Shamsul Azhar Shah</p>
Introduction <p>Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major public health issue with significant socioeconomic impacts. In Malaysia, the prevalence of CKD in 2018 was 15%. Complications of CKD such as anaemia, mineral bone disease, and infections led to frequent hospitalizations resulting in work disability and unemployment. To date, there is no data of employment status of CKD patients in Malaysia.</p> Methods <p>A cross-sectional study of patients with advanced CKD (stage 4 and 5 non-dialysis) treated in our centre. We interviewed those aged 18 to 60 years old who were selected based on random sampling of their employment status and associated factors. Work disabilities and quality of life were assessed using work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI-GH) questionnaire and kidney disease and quality of life (KDQOL-36) questionnaire. These questionnaires were assisted by the main investigators to aid participants in facilitating their response process.</p> Result <p>A total of 318 patients recruited, 53.5% were males, with a mean age of 49.0 ± 9.0 years old. The main cause of CKD was diabetes (67.0%) followed by hypertension (11.3%). Majority of them were obese (55.3%) with a mean body mass index of 28.81 ± 6.3 kg/m<sup>2</sup>. The mean household income was RM 4669.50 ± 3034.75 (USD1006.27 ± 653.99). The employment rate was 50% (n = 159). 86% of the unemployed patients were in B40 income category. Multiple Logistic Regression was performed on the significant factors affecting employment status showed one year increase in age increased 6.5% odds to be unemployed. Female and dyslipidaemia had 2.24- and 2.58-times higher odds respectively to be unemployed. Meanwhile, patients with tertiary level of education were 81% less odds to be unemployed. Patients with advanced CKD had a mean percentage of 24.35 ± 15.23 work impairment and 13.36 ± 32.34 mean percentages of face absenteeism due to the disease burden. Furthermore, patients who were unemployed had significant perceived symptoms and problem lists, effects, and burden of kidney disease (p<0.01) and showed poor mental and physical composites (p<0.01) as compared with those who were employed.</p> Conclusion <p>The employment rate of advanced CKD patients was low with half of patients lost their jobs due to the disease burden and had poor mental and physical composites of quality of life. This raises the concern for financial support for long term renal replacement therapy.</p>