Real-world safety of aliskiren in primary hypertension: A cross-database study

by Meirong Shan, Qian Guo, Ruofei Li, Ni Li, Yanhua Fu, Huanyu Qi, Ge Zhang, Qian Wang, Xingli Xu, Jinchuan Lai

Hypertension is one of the main causes of cardiovascular diseases worldwide, affecting over one billion people. Although aliskiren offers a valuable option for inhibiting the renin-angiotensin system, its safety profile in the real world remains insufficiently explored, especially for rare or under-recognized adverse events (AEs), which have not been fully clarified. Therefore, leveraging large-scale post-marketing surveillance data is crucial for identifying rare AEs and guiding safer clinical practice. This study aims to elucidate pharmacovigilance signals associated with aliskiren (an antihypertensive drug) by systematically analyzing the characteristics of adverse events (AEs) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database and WHO-VigiAccess database, which provides a reliable scientific basis for clinical practice and regulatory decision-making. We conducted a retrospective quantitative analysis of aliskiren-related AE reports from the aforementioned two databases, employing the Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), and Multi-item Gamma Poisson Shrinker (MGPS) algorithms for signal detection. The results indicate that there were 5,596 and 5,549 aliskiren-related reports in the FAERS and WHO-VigiAccess databases, respectively. The median duration of these AEs during the observation period was 62 days, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 7–282 days. In both databases, signals for aliskiren were distributed across 28 System Organ Classes (SOCs), among which investigations, cardiac disorders, renal and urinary disorders, vascular disorders, and metabolism and nutrition disorders exhibited significant signals based on specific criteria applied across the four algorithms. A total of 607 preferred terms (PTs) with significant disproportionality signals were detected using the four algorithms, including potential AEs not previously well-documented, such as palpitations, myalgia, proteinuria, muscular weakness, pulmonary edema, and pollakiuria. This study not only confirms the known adverse reactions of aliskiren but also uncovers new potential risks, highlighting the importance of strengthening drug safety monitoring to enhance therapeutic efficacy and reduce the risk of adverse reactions. It provides valuable safety insights for physicians considering the use of aliskiren in the management of primary hypertension.

Pan-cancer landscape of protein kinase D3: An integrative TCGA multi-omics analysis of clinical, molecular, and immunological roles

by Jocshan Loaiza-Moss, Michael Leitges

Cancer remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide and a significant barrier to improving quality of life across all populations. The protein kinase D family, including PRKD3, has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in cancer development through its involvement in regulating key cellular processes. Although growing evidence highlights the role of PRKD3 in the tumorigenesis of certain cancers, a comprehensive pan-cancer analysis of PRKD3 remains unavailable. To address this, we performed an integrative pan-cancer analysis of PRKD3 using multi-omics datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, the Genotype-Tissue Expression project, and cBioPortal. We examined PRKD3 expression, copy number variation, mutation, and DNA methylation, and evaluated their associations with clinicopathological features, patient survival, and diagnostic potential across 33 cancer types. Immune relevance was further assessed through correlations with immune infiltration, checkpoint gene expression, and immunotherapy response-related genomic biomarkers. Our results revealed that PRKD3 expression was highly heterogeneous, showing significant upregulation in liver cancer, gastric cancer, and adrenocortical carcinoma, and downregulation in others. Elevated expression was consistently associated with poor prognosis and increased stromal, neutrophil, and cancer-associated fibroblast infiltration in adrenocortical carcinoma, liver cancer, and stomach cancer, whereas paradoxical associations with favorable outcomes were observed in kidney clear cell carcinoma. PRKD3 expression also correlated with immune checkpoint molecules including PD-1, PD-L1, and CTLA-4, supporting an immunosuppressive role, while context-dependent associations with TMB and MSI highlighted its potential influence on tumor immunogenicity and responsiveness to immune checkpoint blockade. Collectively, these findings identify PRKD3 as a potential context-dependent modulator of tumor biology, prognosis, and immune interactions, underscoring its potential as a biomarker of diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic relevance in precision oncology.

Simulation of phased alerting of community first responders for cardiac arrest

by Pieter L. van den Berg, Shane G. Henderson, Hemeng Li, Bridget Dicker, Caroline J. Jagtenberg

Background

Community First Responders (CFRs) are commonly used for out-of-hospital cardiac arrests, and advanced systems send so-called phased alerts: notifications with built-in time delays. The policy that defines these delays affects both response times and volunteer fatigue.

Methods

We compare alert policies by Monte Carlo Simulation, estimating patient survival, coverage, number of alerts and redundant CFR arrivals. In the simulation, acceptance probabilities and response delays are bootstrapped from 29,307 rows of historical data covering all GoodSAM alerts in New Zealand between 1-12-2017 and 30-11-2020. We simulate distances between the patient and CFRs by assuming that CFRs are located uniformly at random in a 1-km circle around the patient, for different CFR densities. Our simulated CFRs travel with a distance-dependent speed that was estimated by linear regression on observed speeds among those responders in the above-mentioned data set that eventually reached the patient.

Results

The alerting policy has a large impact on the four metrics above, and the best choice depends on volunteer density. For each volunteer density, we are able to identify a policy that improves GoodSAM New Zealand’s current policy on all four metrics. For example, when there are 30 volunteers within 1 km from the patient, sending out alerts to 7 volunteers and replacing each volunteer that rejects by a new one, is expected to save 10 additional lives per year compared to the current policy, without increasing volunteer fatigue. Our results also shed light on polices that would improve one metric while worsening another, for example, when there are 10 volunteers within 1 km from the patient, dispatching them all immediately increases our survival estimate by 11% compared to the current policy, with the downside of also increasing the redundant arrivals by 137%.

Conclusions

Monte Carlo simulation can help CFR system managers identify a good policy before implementing it in practice. We recommend balancing survival and volunteer fatigue, aiming to ultimately further improve a CFR system’s effectiveness.

Prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancy among female sex workers (FSW) in Jashore, Bangladesh

by Md. Masud Reza, Hasibul Hasan Shanto, Samira Dishti Irfan, A. K. M. Masud Rana, Mohammad Niaz Morshed Khan, Golam Sarwar, Mohammad Sha Al Imran, Mahbubur Rahman, Md. Safiullah Sarker, Muntasir Alam, Md. Abu Hena Chowdhury, Mustafizur Rahman, Sharful Islam Khan

Background

Unintended pregnancy among female sex workers (FSW) is a pressing reproductive health concern attributable to risky sexual behaviors, healthcare inequities and poor negotiation powers with male sex partners. However, evidence is scarce on the prevalence and determinants of unintended pregnancies among FSW, which is crucial for enhancing reproductive healthcare. This analysis aims to measure the prevalence of lifetime unintended pregnancies and their associated factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 327 FSW in Jashore (a border belt district of Bangladesh) from September 2022 to March 2023. Participants were recruited through take-all sampling. Data were collected on the lifetime history of unintended pregnancies and other relevant variables through face-to-face interviews. Chi-square statistic was used to compare the characteristics of FSW reporting unintended pregnancies. To assess the net association of factors associated with unintended pregnancy, multiple logistic regression was applied.

Result

The lifetime prevalence of unintended pregnancies was reported at 75.8% (95%CI: 71.0–80.1). Among those who reported unintended pregnancies, 37.1% (95%CI: 30.8–43.8) had no education, 39.9% (95%CI: 32.8–47.5) were 25–34 years old, 49.6% (95%CI: 39.3–59.9) were currently married and 62.9% (95%CI: 49.7–74.4) earned ≤10,000 BDT per month compared to those who did not report lifetime unintended pregnancies. The likelihood of unintended pregnancies was significantly higher among those who reported having sex with non-transactional male sex partners (AOR: 2.4, 95%CI: 1.1–5.3, p = 0.036) than those who never had sex with any non-transactional male sex partner. The likelihood was also higher among those who reported rape in their lifetime (AOR: 2.0, 95%CI: 1.0–3.8, p = 0.037) and who self-reported mental health problems (AOR: 2.1, 95%CI: 1.0–4.2, p = 0.045) within the past year, compared to their counterparts.

Conclusion

This study highlights the considerable prevalence and associated determinants of unintended pregnancies among FSW in Jashore. These determinants need to be considered to strengthen reproductive healthcare interventions and policies for FSW. Reproductive health of FSW cannot be improved unless these factors are addressed in the ongoing interventions.

Food insecurity and the use of coping strategies on multimorbidity, anxiety and depression in South African adults: A nationally representative study

by Olatundun Gafari, Ashleigh Craig, Khuthala Mabetha, Duncan Hornby, Craig Hutton, Mary Barker, Shane A. Norris

Objective

To assess the associations between food insecurity, coping strategies, socio-economic status and anxiety, depression and multimorbidity in South Africa.

Methods

Data from a nationally representative cross-sectional survey conducted in April 2024 (n = 3171; weighted to 20,955,234 adults aged > 18 years) were used. Food insecurity was measured using the Community Childhood Hunger Identification Project (CCHIP) tool, a validated household-level measure commonly used in South Africa. Coping strategy, anxiety and depression were measured using the coping strategies index, Generalised Anxiety Disorder–7 scale and Patient Health Questionnaire–9, respectively. Multimorbidity was self-reported as ≥2 of 14 known chronic conditions. Multivariable logistic regression was used to test associations, and a generalised structural equation model examined the roles of socio-economic status and coping strategies.

Results

Being from a food-insecure household more than doubled the odds of experiencing multimorbidity (OR=2.17, 95% CI 2.17, 2.19), depression (OR=2.96, 95% CI 2.95, 2.97) and anxiety (OR=2.82, 95% CI 2.81, 2.83). Food insecurity accounted for approximately 60% of the total association between socio-economic status and depression, and about 88% of the association between socio-economic status and multimorbidity.

Conclusions

Food insecurity is significantly associated with adverse physical and mental health outcomes. Interventions to improve food security, especially in low socio-economic populations, should be prioritised given their associations with multimorbidity, anxiety and depression. Potential intervention effects will require longitudinal or experimental evaluation.

“Kuchoka”: Investigation of research fatigue in Mosoriot, Kenya

by Felishana Cherop, Violet Naanyu, Juddy Wachira, Lukoye Atwoli

Background

Health research is key to the promotion of population and community health, however, conducting many research studies in a community can cause research fatigue.

Purpose

We determined the prevalence of research fatigue and associated factors in Mosoriot, Kenya.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in the Mosoriot community from Wednesday 28, May 2014, to Thursday 30, April 2015, involving (n = 327) community members who were randomly sampled to respond to self-administered and/or guided questionnaires. We analyzed descriptive statistics to summarise the data and used the Pearson Chi-Square test to assess the bivariate associations between the variables and conducted multivariate analyses using logistic regression models to test the hypotheses. The odds ratios and the corresponding 95% confidence limits were reported.

Results

Research fatigue prevalence was 56.3% and the factors associated included being >35 years (OR: 2.28, 95% CL: 1.27, 4.15), being male (OR: 2.80, 95% CL:1.59, 5.00), self-employment (OR: 2.05, 95% CL: 1.06, 4.01), participating in hospital-based studies (OR: 3.59, 95% CL:1.88, 7.09), involvement in multiple researches (OR: 3.86, 95% CL:1.87, 8.27), desire to drop out of a study (OR: 11.49, 95% CL: 3.69, 43.83) and being asked personal questions (OR: 6.23, 95% CL: 3.28, 12.23).

Conclusion

There is a high prevalence of research fatigue (56.3%) among community members in Mosoriot who have participated in repeated research, which is associated with age, gender, income source, research setting, frequency of research engagement, desire to drop out of studies, and discomfort with questions. Addressing research fatigue would enhance ethical research conduct and promote sustained community participation in research.

A Late Pleistocene archaic human tooth from Gua Dagang (Trader’s Cave), Niah national park, Sarawak (Malaysia)

by Darren Curnoe, Mohammed S. Sauffi, Hsiao Mei Goh, Xue-feng Sun, Roshan Peiris

The rarity of Late Pleistocene hominin remains from Insular Southeast Asia (ISEA) has hampered our ability to understand a crucial episode of human evolutionary history, namely, the global dispersal of Homo sapiens from Africa. Moreover, recent discoveries indicate a surprising level of taxic diversity during this time with at least two species—H. floresiensis and H. luzonensis—endemic to the region when H. sapiens first arrived. A third hominin dubbed the ‘Denisovans’ is shown from DNA evidence to have interbred with the ancestors of contemporary Indigenous populations across ISEA, New Guinea and Australia. Yet, the Denisovans have not been identified from the fossil record of the area despite recent breakthroughs in this regard on mainland East Asia. New excavations by our team at the Trader’s Cave in the Niah National Park (‘Niah Caves’), northern Borneo, have yielded an isolated hominin upper central permanent incisor dated with Optically Stimulated Luminescence dating of sediments to about 52 − 55 thousand years ago. Specimen SMD-TC-AA210 has a massive crown absolutely and relative to its root size, the crown is wide (mesiodistally) and relatively short (labiolingually). Morphologically, it exhibits a very strong degree of labial convexity, pronounced shovelling, and the bulging basal eminence exhibits several upward finger-like projections. Labial enamel wrinking on the enamel-dentine junction is expressed as two large ridges exhibiting numerous spine-like projections, and the lingual extensions on the enamel surface of the basal eminence are expressed as six extensions. This combination of crown size and morphological traits is not normally found in H. sapiens and instead characterises archaic members of Homo such as H. erectus, H. neanderthalensis and Middle Pleistocene hominins sharing a clade with H. heidelbergensis. The Trader’s Cave tooth suggests that an archaic hominin population inhabited northern Borneo just prior to or coincident with the arrival of H. sapiens as documented at the nearby West Mouth of the Niah Great Cave.

Differential effects of synthetic estrogen on serum homocysteine levels before and after menopause

by Michael C. Reed, Ayako Suzuki, Allison Cruikshank, Mizuki Suzuki, H. Frederik Nijhout

Homocysteine (Hcy), a sulfur-containing amino acid, is produced in prodigious quantities by the methionine cycle in the liver. Hcy is the major biomarker for cardio-vascular disorders and is associated with many other diseases. In previous work, we have explained why menstruating women have lower serum homocysteine than men due to higher concentrations of estradiol. In this study, we first present epidemiological evidence from NHANES data that synthetic estradiol supplementation lowers serum Hcy in post-menopausal women, but raises Hcy in pre-menopausal women. Secondly, we give an explanation of this puzzling phenomenon using previously developed mathematical models of one-carbon and glutathione metabolism. The simulation analysis demonstrated that the non-monotonic response of glutathione to rising estradiol levels may account for the differing Hcy responses to estradiol supplementation in postmenopausal versus premenopausal women, through activation of cystathionine β-synthase, a key enzyme regulating tissue homocysteine levels. Our findings further highlight the importance of considering menopausal status and synthetic hormone use when evaluating the health effects of homocysteine.

Study protocol for a pilot study for Remote ADHD Monitoring Program (RAMP) for children in rural areas

by Claire A. MacGeorge, Matthew Henry, Hannah A. Ford, Lacy Malloch, Emily Fratesi, Shannon Cabaniss, Jaime Baldner, Melody Greer, Kristin Gaffney, Milan Bimali, Preetha Abraham, Linda Y. Fu, P. Songthip Ounpraseuth, Christine B. Turley

Background

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurobehavioral condition of childhood and can be controlled with stimulant medication. Evidence-based guidelines endorse use of standardized ADHD symptom reports to facilitate medication titration to therapeutic dosage. Children living in under-resourced areas experience barriers to receiving this recommended evidence-based care. The Remote ADHD Monitoring Program (RAMP) uses a text-based platform to relay symptom reports from caregivers and teachers to healthcare providers. This pilot study is a feasibility study examining intervention uptake. It compares the submission of structured symptom reports in those children enrolled in RAMP compared to usual care as well as utilization of the RAMP platform by providers.

Methods

This paper describes the protocol to evaluate the feasibility of deploying RAMP in practices serving rural or underserved children. We will recruit 36 dyads from 4 practices in 2 separate states. Each dyad will include a caregiver and their child aged 5–11 years with a diagnosis of ADHD who is starting or reinitiating stimulants. Dyads will be randomized 1:1 to receive the RAMP intervention or usual care with attention controls. Our primary outcome is number of symptom reports (paper assessments in control arm and RAMP reports in intervention arm) per participant that are completed by caregivers and teachers and returned to providers. Our secondary outcome is proportion of submitted RAMP reports that are reviewed by providers.

Discussion

As telehealth use increases, it is critical that we improve access to high quality care for children with chronic conditions. Leveraging technology may be a meaningful approach to improve efficiency in optimizing medication management. This pilot study tests a text-based platform designed to improve communication between the caregivers and teachers of children with ADHD and health care providers. If successful, a future trial will examine the effectiveness of the RAMP intervention on improvement in symptoms.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06743425.

The BrainWaves study of adolescent wellbeing and mental health: Methods development and pilot data

by Ryan D. Parsons, Sarah Bauermeister, Julian Turner, Natalie Coles, Simon Thompson, Emma Squires, Tracey Riseborough, Joshua Bauermeister, Abbie Simpkin, Naomi French, Shankly Cragg, Hazel Lockhart-Jones, Olly Robertson, Abhaya Adlakha, Ian Thompson, John Gallacher

Adolescent mental health and wellbeing are of growing concern globally with increased incidence of mental health disorders in young people. BrainWaves provides a framework for relevant and diverse research programmes into adolescent mental health and wellbeing that can translate into practice and policy. The research programme is a partnership with schools centred on establishing a large (n > 50,000) cohort and trials platform. Reported here is the BrainWaves cohort pilot study. This was designed as proof-of-concept for our recruitment and data capture pipelines, and for cost-modelling. A network of research schools was recruited and a computer-driven questionnaire administered. The eligible population was 16 + year olds who were attending the research schools. Of 41 research schools, 36 (88%) participated over one three-week and one four-week data collection period. From an eligible population of 33,531 young people, 16,010 (48%) attended the study lesson and created an account. Of the 16,010 (100%) who created an account, 15,444 (96%) consented to participate, 9,321 (60%) consented to linkage of research data with educational records, and 6,069 (39%) consented to linkage of research with school/college attendance data. Participants were aged 16–19 years, 59% female, and 76% White. Higher levels of anxiety and depression were found in females than males. Higher levels of media-based social networking were found in females, whereas higher levels of media-based gaming were found in males. Females were more likely to report insufficient sleep whilst males were more likely to report high levels of exercise. This study confirmed an ability to recruit at pace and scale. Whilst the response-rate does not indicate a representative sample, the demographics describe an inclusive and diverse sample. Data collected confirmed findings from previous studies indicating that the electronic data collection methods did not materially bias the findings. Initial cost-modelling suggests these data were collected for around £20 per participant.

Single catheter strategy for transradial angiography and primary percutaneous coronary intervention enhances procedural efficiency, microvascular outcomes, and cost-effectiveness: Implications for STEMI healthcare in resource-limited settings

by Mohajit Arneja, Swetharajan Gunasekar, Dharaneswari Hari Narayanan, Joshma Joseph, Harilalith Kovvuri, Sharath Shanmugam, Pavitraa Saravana Kumar, Asuwin Anandaram, Vinod Kumar Balakrishnan, Jayanty Venkata Balasubramaniyan, Sadhanandham Shanmugasundaram, Sankaran Ramesh, Nagendra Boopathy Senguttuvan

Background

Faster time to reperfusion can be achieved by minimizing various patient and system-level delays that contribute to total ischemic time. Procedural delays within the catheterization laboratory represent a non-negligible and modifiable component in the chain of reperfusion, but remain unquantified by conventional metrics such as door-to-ballon (D2B) time. Universal catheter approaches have rapidly gained traction as an alternative to the traditional two catheter approach for transradial coronary interventions. However, their utility for both diagnostic angiography and subsequent angioplasty is limited, and the impact of this strategy on reperfusion outcomes has remained unexplored. We utilized a procedural metric termed fluoroscopy-to-device (FluTD) time to quantify the efficiency of a single catheter strategy, and assessed its impact on epicardial and myocardial perfusion.

Methods and results

In this retrospective study, consecutive STEMI patients undergoing transradial primary PCI (pPCI) at a tertiary care center in India between May 2022 to October 2024 were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: 51 underwent PCI using a single universal guiding catheter (UGC), and 51 underwent the conventional two-catheter (CTC) approach. The primary outcome of the study was a comparison of the FluTD time between the two procedural strategies. Secondary outcomes included myocardial blush grade (MBG), Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, total fluoroscopy time, radiation dose, device safety and efficacy, and procedural success.The median FluTD time was significantly shorter in the UGC compared to the CTC group (3 minutes [IQR 3–4] vs. 10 minutes [IQR 8–17], p  Conclusion

A single catheter strategy for both angiography and pPCI in STEMI patients was associated with a significant reduction in FluTD time and improved microvascular perfusion, without compromising device safety or efficacy. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where intra- and extra-procedural delays are often more pronounced, inclusion of the single catheter strategy can optimize catheterization workflows and yield substantial cost-savings.

Effects of ascorbic acid on intestinal flora and metabolites of C57 mice exposed to formaldehyde in digestive tract

by Xin Ling, Ziyan Hao, Yixuan Shi, Yuting Li, Kehan Wang, Yunshan Zhang, Yue Wang

The diversity of microbiota and metabolites plays a key role in regulating metabolism, host immune response, neurobehavioral effects and detoxification mechanism in the digestive tract gut. Formaldehyde (FA) affects the gastrointestinal tract and its microbiota, whereas ascorbic acid (VC) improves gut health and selectively promotes microbial growth. In this study, we employed 16S rRNA sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics approaches to investigate these interactions. Our results demonstrated that Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group, Lactobacillus, Ligilactobacillus, Clostridiales_unclassified, and other microflora significantly decreased following FA exposure, whereas the intestinal flora changed in the exact opposite way following VC administration. And compared with FA group, the number of 492 ions were regulated, in which 382 feature was up-regulated and 304 feature was down-regulated in FA + 150 mg VC group. In addition, a correlation between gut microbiota and metabolites was observed. These results reveal the effects of FA or VC on the gastrointestinal tract and its microbiota, and our understanding in the treatment of FA-induced damage to the digestive tract.

Engagement in meaningful activities post suicide loss: A scoping review

by Monique Gill, Miranda Wu, Shania Pierre, Larine Joachim, Meera Premnazeer, Orianna Scali, Sakina J. Rizvi, Rebecca Renwick, Helene Polatajko, Jill I. Cameron

Background

Globally, more than 720,000 people die by suicide each year, leaving grieving individuals in their wake. Research indicates that individuals who lose a loved one to suicide face heightened risks for negative health outcomes. Recent studies show that taking part in meaningful activities can help protect health emphasizing the importance of exploring engagement in meaningful activities of everyday living among those bereaved. Currently, there has not been a review of the bereavement literature exploring the nature of, and extent to which, meaningful activities of everyday living are discussed.

Objective

To explore the nature of, and extent to which the peer-reviewed, suicide bereavement literature addresses engagement in meaningful activities of everyday living.

Methods

A scoping review following the Joanna Briggs Institute’s framework was completed to summarize and map the literature. Four electronic databases were searched for two concepts: suicide and bereavement. Studies were screened using specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers completed title and abstract, and full text screening for each article. All conflicts were resolved through discussion or by a third reviewer. Data were charted, summarized and results were reported using the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews.

Results

12372 studies were identified; 112 studies met inclusion criteria. Studies used qualitative (n = 90), quantitative (n = 10) and mixed (n = 12) methods. Findings indicate that the suicide bereavement literature discusses engagement in meaningful activities of everyday living using three main components: activities of everyday living, the engagement status of activities, and the meaning associated with activities.

Discussion

While references to meaningful activities of everyday living appear in the bereavement literature, they typically are discussed within the background rather than central research aims. There is a need to bring this discussion to the forefront and view engagement in meaningful activities of everyday living as an important aspect of suicide bereavement.

Evaluation of a commercial pressure cooker for the preparation of agar media for a diagnostic microbiology laboratory

by Joseph E. Rubin, Florence Huby, Roshan P. Madalagama, Shyamali de Alwis, Melinda Wyshynski, Rasika Jinadasa

The ability to prepare sterilized media is a critical capability of any microbiology lab. Diagnostic labs in low-resource settings, which lack autoclave facilities, are therefore severely limited in their ability to perform basic assays such as bacterial culture or biochemical tests. This investigation aimed to validate the use of a commercially available pressure cooker as an autoclave substitute to produce agar plates. First, a Geobacillus stearothermophilus biological indicator was used to confirm adequate sterilization. Next, the colony morphology of several important bacterial species were compared on MacConkey and 5% sheep’s blood agar plates prepared using the pressure cooker with those made in an autoclave. Finally, disc diffusion susceptibility testing was performed to determine whether the sterilization method impacts the inhibitory zone diameters. Overall, the morphology of colonies was similar on media prepared in both ways; key phenotypic characteristics (lactose fermentation, colour, shape, hemolysis and smell) were the same. Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test results were nearly identical. These findings indicate that a commercially available pressure cooker may be suitable to prepare media in low-resource laboratories.

Predictors of active ageing among older adults in age-friendly communities in Yanji City, China: A cross-sectional study

by Jiawei Jiang, Ai Theng Cheong, Shariff Ghazali Sazlina, Zarina Haron, Shanyu Wu, Chenli Liang, Qi Jiang

Background

With the global population ageing rapidly, especially in China, promoting active ageing is crucial for ensuring healthy longevity. However, limited studies have examined the levels and predictors of active ageing at the community level in provincially designated age-friendly communities.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from August to November 2024 in two age-friendly communities in Yanji City, China. We invited 553 older adults aged 60 years and above using simple random sampling methods. We collected data through structured face-to-face interviews using validated instruments that measured socio-demographic and physical, environmental, health-related, and social variables. We used multiple linear regression to identify significant predictors of active ageing.

Results

A total of 513 older adults participated 56.9% were female, and 90.4% were aged 60−79. The mean active ageing score was 100.98 (SD = 16.78). Higher educational attainment (β = 0.138, 95% CI [0.513, 8.736]), higher income levels (β = 0.144, 95% CI [1.265, 10.266]), moderate physical activity levels (β = 0.073, 95% CI [0.004, 0.181]), better cognitive function (β = 0.214, 95% CI [0.522, 1.088]), stronger family support (β = 0.124, 95% CI [0.399, 1.535)], close social connectedness (β = 0.277, 95% CI [0.595, 1.021]), and use of community (β = 0.176, 95% CI [3.597, 9.532]) and cultural facilities (β = 0.116, 95% CI [1.659, 6.583]) three or more times a week were significantly associated with higher active ageing. Depression had a significant negative impact on active ageing scores (β = −0.170, 95% CI [−1.362, −0.570]).

Conclusion

The findings underscore the need for integrated strategies encompassing environmental design, social support systems, physical activity promotion, and mental health care to foster active and meaningful ageing in age-friendly community settings.