Boosting supercapacitive performance of pristine covalent organic frameworks via phenolic hydroxyl groups: A two-in-one strategy.

Two-dimensional covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are ideal electrode materials for electrochemical energy storage devices due to their unique structures and properties, and the accessibility and utilization efficiency of the redox-active sites within COFs are critical determinants of their pseudocapacitive performance. Via introducing meticulously designed phenolic hydroxyl (Ar-OH) groups with hydrogen-bond forming ability onto the imine COF skeletons, DHBD-Sb-COF exhibited improved hydrophilicity and crystallinity than the parent BD-Sb-COF, the redox-active sites (SbPh3 moieties) in COF electrodes could thus be highly accessed by aqueous electrolyte with a high active-site utilization of 93%. DHBD-Sb-COF//AC provided an excellent supercapacitive performance with an energy density of 78 Wh Kg-1 at the power density of 2553 W Kg-1 and super cycling stability, exceeding most of the previously reported pristine COF electrode-based supercapacitors. The "two-in-one" strategy of introducing hydroxyl groups onto imine COF skeletons to enhance both hydrophilicity and crystallinity provides a new avenue to improve the electrochemical performance of COF-based electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors.

Oxygen atmosphere enhances ball milling remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil and reuse as adsorptive/catalytic materials for wastewater treatment.

Ball milling is an environmentally friendly technology for the remediation of petroleum-contaminated soil (PCS), but the cleanup of organic pollutants requires a long time, and the post-remediation soil needs an economically viable disposal/reuse strategy due to its vast volume. The present paper develops a ball milling process under oxygen atmosphere to enhance PCS remediation and reuse the obtained carbonized soil (BCS-O) as wastewater treatment materials. The total petroleum hydrocarbon removal rates by ball milling under vacuum, air, and oxygen atmospheres are 39.83%, 55.21%, and 93.84%, respectively. The Langmuir and pseudo second-order models satisfactorily describe the adsorption capacity and behavior of BCS-O for transition metals. The Cu2+, Ni2+, and Mn2+ adsorbed onto BCS-O were mainly bound to metal carbonates and metal oxides. Furthermore, BCS-O can effectively activate persulfate (PDS) oxidation to degrade aniline, while BCS-O loaded with transition metal (BCS-O-Me) shows better activation efficiency and reusability. BCS-O and BCS-O-Me activated PDS oxidation systems are dominated by 1O2 oxidation and electron transfer. The main active sites are oxygen-containing functional groups, vacancy defects, and graphitized carbon. The oxygen-containing functional groups and vacancy defects primarily activate PDS to generate 1O2 and attack aniline. Graphitized carbon promotes aniline degradation by accelerating electron transfer. The paper develops an innovative strategy to simultaneously realize efficient remediation of PCS and sequential reuse of the post-remediation soil.

Skilled home healthcare utilization and outcomes for older adults with dementia: A scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to summarize the existing research literature examining Medicare-skilled home health (HH) utilization and clinical outcomes for persons with dementia (PwD). We sought to answer the following questions: (1) How is dementia defined and classified in the HH literature? (2) What associations have been observed between dementia status and patterns of HH utilization? (3) What associations have been observed between dementia status and HH outcomes? METHODS: Using Arksey and O'Malley's framework for scoping reviews, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, and select relevant journals for quantitative studies conducted in the United States between 2000 and 2023 examining Medicare HH use and outcomes for PwD. We describe and compare approaches to classify dementia, identify findings related to HH utilization and outcomes supported by the preponderance of evidence, and comment on existing gaps and areas of ambiguity in the literature. RESULTS: Thirty-two articles met the inclusion criteria. Most used claims-based data to classify dementia, leveraged national data, and were limited to traditional Medicare beneficiaries. Studies found meaningful differences in HH utilization by dementia status; most notably, PwD were more likely to access HH without a preceding hospitalization, had longer lengths of stay, and incurred higher HH costs. Literature relating to clinical outcomes was more difficult to interpret, due to significant variation in study objectives, samples, and outcome measures which prompted more nuanced and even contradictory conclusions. There is a dearth of research identifying how specific HH care pathways (e.g., service types, visit frequency) impact outcomes for this patient population. CONCLUSIONS: This review supports the understanding that PwD are a unique subpopulation of HH patients who require special attention in policy development and evaluation. Critical research is needed to examine clinical outcomes in PwD further to inform practice and improve care quality.

Unveiling the antibacterial potential of anthocyanins - a comprehensive review on this natural plant extract.

With the gradual prohibition of antibiotic fungicides, it is of great significance to develop high-efficient, nontoxic and environmental-friendly antimicrobial agents. Anthocyanin is a natural plant polyphenol pigment which shows antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects through inhibiting the synthesis of bacterial cell wall, interfering bacterial respiratory metabolism, and inducing bacterial autolysis. As a typical antibacterial agent, anthocyanins have been widely used in various fields, including biological pesticides or feed additives in agricultural production, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial wound dressings in medicine, etc. However, the structure of anthocyanins is unstable, which limits its practical application. In this article, the biological activity, antibacterial mechanism and stabilization strategy of anthocyanins as antibacterial agents were reviewed. The safety, application scope and methods of anthocyanins were discussed. In addition, the challenges and development prospects of anthocyanin extract antibacterial technology were also prospected. This will be the direction for researchers to further explore and better apply anthocyanins to practical production and application.

Engineering Escherichia coli for l-Threonine Hyperproduction Based on Multidimensional Optimization Strategies.

Exploring effective remodeling strategies to further improve the productivity of high-yield strains is the goal of biomanufacturing. However, the lack of insight into host-specific metabolic networks prevents timely identification of useful engineering targets. Here, multidimensional engineering strategies were implemented to optimize the global metabolic network for improving l-threonine production. First, the metabolic bottleneck for l-threonine synthesis was eliminated by synergistic utilization of NADH and an enhanced ATP supply. Carbon fluxes were redistributed into the TCA cycle by rationally regulating the GltA activity. Subsequently, the stress global response regulator UspA was identified to enhance l-threonine production by a transcriptomic analysis. Then, l-threonine productivity was improved by enhancing the host's stress resistance and releasing the inhibitory reaction of glucose utilization. Eventually, the l-threonine yield of THRH16 reached 170.3 g/L and 3.78 g/L/h in a 5 L bioreactor, which is the highest production index reported. This study provides rational guidance for increasing the productivity of other chemicals.

Prevalence, characteristics, and selection of Bacillus cereus sub-groups from dairy products for challenge testing and predictive model development.

Prevalence, toxin gene profiles, lactose fermentation, and growth responses of B. cereus sensu lato sub-groups in various dairy and dairy alternative products and ingredients were studied to identify relevant isolates for challenge testing and model development to predict and manage growth responses. Out of 71 examined products or ingredients, 51 B. cereus s.l. isolates were obtained from 35 positive samples (49% prevalence). These 51 isolates along with 18 additional dairy isolates and 12 B. cereus s.l. reference strains were identified using MALDI-TOF. The 81 isolates were further characterized by panC sequencing, testing for cold shock and toxin genes (cspA; hbl, nhe, CytK and ces), lactose fermentation, and study of growth rates (µmax) under various conditions (45°C, 10°C, 6% NaCl, pH 5.1), resulting in 298 µmax-values. These conditions were selected to differentiate mesophilic and psychrotolerant strains and to identify tolerant isolates. Dairy powders (83%), pasteurized upconcentrated cheese whey (43%), and cheeses (42%) had the highest prevalences of B. cereus s.l. and the highest concentrations in positive samples (5-100 CFU/g or ml). The panC groups II, III, IV, VI, and VIII were detected among the dairy isolates, with 97% harbouring one or more toxin genes. Lactose fermentation was observed in 42% of isolates, with lactose-fermenting B. cereus s.l. isolates of panC groups III and IV dominant in dairy powders. Growth rates of B. cereus s.l. varied considerably, among and within panC groups of the dairy isolates. Based on the highest growth rates at 45°C, 10°C, 6 % NaCl, pH 5.1, panC group membership, toxin genes profiles, and lactose fermentation ability, two cocktails of "mesophilic" or "psychrotolerant" isolates were selected. These strain cocktails can be used in future challenge testing and predictive food microbiology studies to evaluate and manage growth of B. cereus s.l. in dairy products and ingredients.

The economic burden of recurrence in elderly patients with completely resected, stage IIB/IIC or III melanoma: an analysis of the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare linked database.

AIMS: To compare healthcare resource utilization (HRU) and costs between patients with or without melanoma recurrence and between patients with distant or locoregional melanoma recurrence. METHODS: Patients aged ≥65 years with completely resected, stage IIB/IIC or III melanoma were identified from Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare data and stratified based on whether they experienced a recurrence, and whether it was distant or locoregional (separately for each stage). The index date was the date of recurrence (recurrence group) or a randomly assigned date (non-recurrence group). Patients in the recurrence and non-recurrence groups were propensity score-matched 1:1 based on patient characteristics; HRU and healthcare costs were compared between the 2 groups and between patients with distant or locoregional recurrence during the ≤24 months following index. RESULTS: After matching, 507 pairs of patients with recurrent or non-recurrent stage IIB/IIC melanoma (236 patients with distant recurrence, 271 with locoregional) and 141 pairs of patients with recurrent or non-recurrent stage III melanoma (50 patients with distant recurrence, 91 with locoregional) were included. During the first year following recurrence, unadjusted HRU was generally higher in patients with versus without recurrence and patients with distant versus locoregional recurrence among both stage IIB/IIC and III cohorts. Patients who experienced recurrence incurred $6,474 (stage IIB/IIC) or $6,112 (stage III) per patient per month (PPPM) more in unadjusted, all-cause, total healthcare costs than patients without recurrence (both p < 0.001). Patients with distant recurrence incurred $7,292 (stage IIB/IIC) or $5,436 (stage III) PPPM more in unadjusted, all-cause, total healthcare costs than patients with locoregional recurrence (both p < 0.05). LIMITATIONS: Melanoma recurrence was identified using a claims-based algorithm. CONCLUSIONS: Economic burden is higher in patients with versus without melanoma recurrence and patients with distant versus locoregional recurrence. There is a high unmet need for adjuvant therapies that may help to prevent or delay recurrence.

Association of polypharmacy with clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization in older adults with cardiometabolic diseases: a retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Limited knowledge exists on the association between polypharmacy among older patients diagnosed with cardiometabolic diseases and the risk of clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization. AIM: This study aimed to estimate the impact of polypharmacy on clinical outcomes and healthcare utilization in older adults with cardiometabolic diseases. METHOD: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed using data from the Beijing Municipal Medical Insurance Database. The study focused on polypharmacy prescribing patterns in community-dwelling adults 65 years and older with cardiometabolic diseases. Polypharmacy was defined as the use of five or more medications on the index date. The primary outcome included clinical outcomes, including hospitalizations and emergency department visits. The secondary outcome focuses on hospital utilization, specifically medication costs and length of stay. RESULTS: The study included a cohort of 405,608 patients. Among these, the most frequently used drug classes in the polypharmacy and non-polypharmacy groups were HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and dihydropyridines, respectively. After adjustment for covariates, polypharmacy was not associated with an increased risk of hospitalization (odds ratio [OR] 1.09, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-1.26, p = 0.23) or ED visits (OR 1.28, 95% CI 0.97-1.68, p = 0.08). Similarly, no significant association was found with an increase in inpatient medication costs ($2,620.5, 95% CI $2387.3-$2894.3, p = 0.97) or length of stay (3.98 days, 95% CI 3.68-4.30 days, p = 0.79). However, polypharmacy was associated with higher medication costs in outpatient settings ($73.07, 95% CI $72-$74, p < 0.05) and ED visits ($51.2, 95% CI $44.5-$59.1, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although polypharmacy is associated with increased healthcare costs in outpatient settings and ED visits, it does not significantly increase the risk of hospitalization or ED visits when properly managed.

Tennessee Medicaid patient immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception utilization.

OBJECTIVE: To understand immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception (IPP LARC) desire and utilization trends among publicly insured patients delivering at one academic hospital in a state with healthcare barriers and high short-interval birth rates. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of electronic delivery records between March 2018-June 2023 for publicly insured patients. Patient demographics, IPP LARC desire and utilization trends were compared using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests. Binary logistic regression explored the relationship between IPP LARC utilization and demographics. Multivariable logistic regression was performed on all statistically significant variables. RESULTS: Analysis included 10,472 delivery encounters; 2,459 (23.5%) requested IPP LARC on admission and 464 (4.4%) changed contraception to IPP LARC after admission. Among those obtaining IPP LARC (n=2,523, 24.1%), 1,224 (48.5%) selected arm implants and 1,299 selected IUDs. Patients who self-reported as non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic Other or multiple races utilized IPP LARC less (aOR=0.84, 95% CI: 0.72-0.98, aOR=0.68, CI 95%: 0.48-0.97, respectively). Patients with cesarean delivery (aOR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.31-1.61) or inadequate prenatal care (aOR=1.54, CI 95%: 1.35-1.75) were more likely to utilize IPP LARC. Maternal age and years of education were inversely associated with utilization. Primiparous patients were less likely to utilize IPP LARC. CONCLUSION: LARC utilization was 24.1% during the immediate postpartum period; higher than the 11% nationally reported interval LARC use among publicly insured patients. Understanding the demographics of those desiring IPP LARC could highlight accessibility gaps. The impact of IPP LARC utilization on rates of short-interval birth is being evaluated. FUNDING SOURCE: Organon IIS #60719 IMPLICATIONS STATEMENT: Understanding the demographics of IPP LARC utilizers may contribute to understanding accessibility gaps and facilitate discernment of factors impacting patient initiation. Evidence suggests that comprehensive contraception access during delivery admission is feasible, patient-desired, and essential.

Epidemiology and Health Care Burden of Alcohol Use Disorder.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic medical condition that affects over 29.5 million people and accounts for $249 billion in social and health care costs annually. Prevalence is higher among young adults, males, sexual and gender minorities, American Indians and Alaska Natives, and the uninsured. Despite its high prevalence and societal impact, AUD is often overlooked in health care settings. This has resulted in insufficient implementation of AUD screening as well as low levels of treatment uptake. Addressing these challenges requires recognition of the current epidemiology of AUD and role of social determinants of health.

Impact of rurality on health care utilization among Australian residents from 2009 to 2021.

PURPOSE: In Australia, there is limited research regarding the effect of rurality on health care utilization using longitudinal data. METHODS: We analyzed data from four annual waves (2009, 2013, 2017, and 2021) of the longitudinal Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey to examine changes in the health care utilization over time among urban and rural residents. Poisson regression models estimated adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for rural versus urban residents, accounting for a range of health-related and sociodemographic characteristics. Health care utilization was measured using four key indicators: visits to family doctor or another general practitioner (GP visits from hereon), hospital admissions, total nights' stay in the hospital, and prescribed medications taken on a regular basis. RESULTS: The aIRR for GP visits among rural versus urban Australian residents increased over time, from 0.89 (95% CI: 0.82 to 0.97) in 2009 to 0.96 (95% CI: 0.89 to 1.04) in 2021 although not consistently increased in a statistically significant manner. While there were no consistent temporal patterns, our analysis found that rural residents experienced higher number of hospital admissions (aIRR, 1.12 to 1.15) and number of nights in the hospital in the last 12 months (aIRR, 1.18 to 1.25) compared to urban residents. Moreover, rurality had little to no effect on the number of prescribed medications taken on a regualar basis in the 12 months preceding the HILDA Surveys in 2013, 2017, and 2021. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that GP visits were less frequent among rural residents compared to metropolitan residents in 2009, indicating health care access disparities between rural and urban areas in Australia. However, the differences in GP visits between rural and urban areas were less pronounced  from 2013 to 2021.

Health Care Utilization and Perceived Quality of Care in a Colombian Indigenous Health Organization.

Indigenous governance of health care has increasingly been advocated among Indigenous peoples in many countries. However, there is limited research that has empirically examined its benefits. In 2020/21, we conducted a survey of 2113 Indigenous Wayuu individuals in Colombia who received services from the Indigenous Wayuu led health care insurance organization Anas Wayuu and its network of service providers, and Wayuu individuals who received services from non-Indigenous health insurance organizations. We compared their health care utilization and perception of quality of care. A main finding of the study was that Anas Wayuu enrollees were more than twice as likely to access health care than enrollees from non-Indigenous health insurance organizations, even when controlling for the demographic and health characteristics. The study provided compelling evidence suggesting that Anas Wayuu, being an Indigenous led health organization improves access to, and quality of care, among Indigenous health service recipients.

The healthcare support program and healthcare utilization of older adults in ethnic minority areas in Vietnam.

Over the past few decades, Vietnam has experienced a substantial improvement in health outcomes, providing an example of a low-income country that has achieved a major success in public health despite the lack of resources. However, inequalities in access to healthcare services persist among the poor, ethnic minorities, and other vulnerable groups. To address this issue, the Vietnamese government implemented a healthcare support program in ethnic minority areas in 2013. We examine the effects of this program on healthcare utilization among older individuals aged 55-74. Employing a difference-in-differences approach and data from the Vietnam Household Living Standards Survey from 2008 to 2018, we find that the program has a positive effect on inpatient visits at public health facilities. However, the program has no impact on outpatient visits. Additional analysis reveals that the program increases outpatient visits at commune health stations and inpatient visits at district hospitals. There is also suggestive evidence of a switch from private to public facilities. Our results suggest that providing healthcare resources to disadvantaged areas can increase healthcare utilization of older people, which can, in turn, improve their health outcomes.

The Combined Relationship of Prescription Drug Monitoring Program Enactment and Medical Cannabis Laws with Chronic Pain-Related Healthcare Visits.

BACKGROUND: U.S. state electronic prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) are associated with reduced opioid dispensing among people with chronic pain and may impact use of other chronic pain treatments. In states with medical cannabis laws (MCLs), patients can use cannabis for chronic pain management, reducing their need for chronic-pain related treatment visits and moderating effects of PDMP laws. OBJECTIVE: Given high rates of chronic pain among Medicaid enrollees, we examined associations between PDMP enactment in the presence or absence of MCL on chronic pain-related outpatient and emergency department (ED) visits. DESIGN: We created annual cohorts of Medicaid enrollees with chronic pain diagnoses using national Medicaid claims data from 2002-2013 and 2016. Negative binomial hurdle models produced adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for the likelihood of any chronic pain-related outpatient or ED visit and incident rate ratios (IRR) for the rate of visits among patients with ≥ 1 visit. PARTICIPANTS: Medicaid enrollees aged 18-64 years with chronic pain (N = 4,878,462). MAIN MEASURES: A 3-level state-year variable with the following categories: 1) no PDMP, 2) PDMP enactment in the absence of MCL, or 3) PDMP enactment in the presence of MCL. Healthcare codes for chronic pain-related outpatient and ED visits each year. KEY RESULTS: The sample was primarily female (67.2%), non-Hispanic White (51.2%), and ages 40-55 years (37.2%). Compared to no-PDMP states, PDMP enactment in the absence of MCL was not associated with chronic pain-related outpatient visits but PDMP enactment in the presence of MCL was associated with lower odds of chronic pain-related outpatient visits (aOR = 0.81, 95% CI:0.71-0.92). PDMP enactment was not associated with ED visits, irrespective of MCL. CONCLUSIONS: During a period of PDMP and MCL expansion, our findings suggest treatment shifts for persons with chronic pain away from outpatient settings, potentially related to increased use of cannabis for chronic pain management.

Organic waste recycling application increases N availability and mitigates N2O emission without crop yield penalty in the North China Plain.

Introduction: Agricultural organic waste recycling can supply nutrients for crop production and partially replace chemical nitrogen fertilizers, which is beneficial for waste management and environmental protection. Nevertheless, comprehensive evaluation of the effects of different organic materials applications on crop yield and the environment is limited. Methods: Therefore, in this study, a comprehensive investigation of the synergistic effects of straw, pig manure, and biogas residue recycling on the wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and maize (Zea mays L.) systems was carried out in the North China Plain. Field experiments were conducted from 2019 to 2021, comprising five treatments: straw (ST), pig manure (PM), and biogas residue (BR) partially replacing chemical nitrogen fertilizer, sole application of chemical nitrogen fertilizer (CF), and a control with no nitrogen application (WN). Results and discussion: The results showed that organic materials significantly increased soil total nitrogen (3.04%-9.10%) and N recovery efficiency (REN; 42.21%-44.99%), but pig manure was more beneficial in increasing crop yields (3.50%), especially wheat yields (8.72%), and REN was significantly higher than that of the other treatments. Organic materials performed differently in wheat and maize seasons, and wheat yield could be improved by organic materials return. Organic materials stimulated N2O emission in wheat season (4.28%-32.20%), while biogas residue inhibited the N2O emission in maize season (47.47%). The negative effect of straw and biogas residue on yield decreased with increasing years of return, and pig manure continued to contribute to yield. In conclusion, pig manure is the optimal alternative that can increase crop yield, soil N content, and REN without stimulating N2O emissions.

Partial replacement of inorganic fertilizer with organic inputs for enhanced nitrogen use efficiency, grain yield, and decreased nitrogen losses under rice-based systems of mid-latitudes.

In the rice-based system of mid-latitudes, mineral nitrogen (N) fertilizer serves as the largest source of the N cycle due to an insufficient supply of N from organic sources causing higher N losses due to varying soil and environmental factors. However, aiming to improve soil organic matter (OM) and nutrients availability using the best environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable cultural and agronomic management practices are necessary. This study aimed to enhance nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and grain yield in rice-based systems of mid-latitudes by partially replacing inorganic N fertilizer with organic inputs. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was employed to evaluate the effects of sole mineral N fertilizer (urea) and its combinations with organic sources-farmyard manure (FYM) and poultry compost-on different elite green super rice (GSR) genotypes and were named as NUYT-1, NUYT-2, NUYT-3, NUYT-4, NUYT-5, and NUYT-6. The study was conducted during the 2022 and 2023 rice growing seasons at the Rice Research Program, Crop Sciences Institute (CSI), National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), Islamabad, one of the mid-latitudes of Pakistan. The key objective was to determine the most effective N management strategy for optimizing plant growth, N content in soil and plants, and overall crop productivity. The results revealed that the combined application of poultry compost and mineral urea significantly enhanced soil and leaf N content (1.36 g kg- 1 and 3.06 mg cm- 2, respectively) and plant morphophysiological traits compared to sole urea application. Maximum shoot dry weight (SDW) and root dry weight (RDW) were observed in compost-applied treatment with the values of 77.62 g hill- 1 and 8.36 g hill- 1, respectively. The two-year mean data indicated that applying 150 kg N ha⁻1, with half provided by organic sources (10 tons ha⁻1 FYM or poultry compost) and the remainder by mineral urea, resulted in the highest N uptake, utilization, and plant productivity. Thus, integrated management of organic carbon sources and inorganic fertilizers may sustain the productivity of rice-based systems more eco-efficiently. Further research is recommended to explore root and shoot morphophysiological, molecular, and biochemical responses under varying N regimes, aiming to develop N-efficient rice varieties through advanced breeding programs.

Heme homeostasis and its regulation by hemoproteins in bacteria.

Heme is an important cofactor and a regulatory molecule involved in various physiological processes in virtually all living cellular organisms, and it can also serve as the primary iron source for many bacteria, particularly pathogens. However, excess heme is cytotoxic to cells. In order to meet physiological needs while preventing deleterious effects, bacteria have evolved sophisticated cellular mechanisms to maintain heme homeostasis. Recent advances in technologies have shaped our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that govern the biological processes crucial to heme homeostasis, including synthesis, acquisition, utilization, degradation, trafficking, and efflux, as well as their regulation. Central to these mechanisms is the regulation of the heme, by the heme, and for the heme. In this review, we present state-of-the-art findings covering the biochemical, physiological, and structural characterization of important, newly identified hemoproteins/systems involved in heme homeostasis.

Sexual and reproductive health service utilization and associated factors among high school students in Ethiopia: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Several studies have been done on the utilization of sexual and reproductive health services by high school students in Ethiopia, but they have yielded inconsistent results. This study aimed to evaluate the extent to which high school students in Ethiopia are using sexual and reproductive health services by conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Various electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, AJOL, Google Scholar, and Grey Literature were used to search for relevant articles. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Guidelines were followed for this review and meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 and Cochrane Q statistical tests, and data analysis was done with STATA 17 software. Random effect meta-analyses were used to determine the overall utilization rate of sexual and reproductive health services. Result: This review included 20 studies with 12, 215 study participants. The pooled magnitude of sexual and reproductive health service utilization among high school students in Ethiopia was 29.79% (95% CI: 25.14, 34.43). Students with grades 11-12 (AOR = 2.33, 95% CI: 1.39, 3.90), aged between 20 and 24 years (AOR = 2.61; 95% CI: 1.79-3.81), having higher level of knowledge towards sexual and reproductive health issues (AOR = 3.10; 95% CI: 1.67-5.77), previous history of sexual intercourse (AOR = 4.18; 95% CI: 2.59-6.75), previous history of sexually transmitted infection (AOR = 3.74; 95% CI: 2.22-6.31), presence of a reproductive health service facility in the school (AOR = 2.55; 95% CI: 1.72-3.77), and ever-discussed reproductive health issues (AOR = 4.04; 95% CI: 1.62-10.03) were more likely to utilize sexual and reproductive health services. Conclusions: The overall utilization of sexual and reproductive services among high school students in Ethiopia was found to be low as compared to SDG 3.7. Older individuals with higher education levels and knowledge about sexual and reproductive health services, as well as those who have had previous sexual experiences or discussions about sexual health, are more likely to utilize reproductive health services. To increase utilization, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education should prioritize these factors.

Greater Excess Post-Exercise Oxygen Consumption and Fat Use Following Calisthenics vs. Oxygen Consumption Matched Steady-State Exercise.

Calisthenics is a form of bodyweight exercise that involves dynamic and rhythmic exercises. The physiological responses during and after calisthenics remain unclear. This study examined whether a bout of full-body calisthenics, a form of circuit resistance exercise that involves bodyweight movements, yields greater excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) than steady-state exercise (SSE) at matched oxygen consumption. Twenty-two young adults (age = 22.1 ± 2.4 years; four females) participated in two separate, oxygen consumption (V˙O2) matched exercise sessions: full-body calisthenics (nine body weight exercises, 15 reps × 4 sets) and SSE (running on a treadmill at 60-90% of V˙O2max). Energy expenditure, substrate utilization, and EPOC were measured during exercise and 60 min of recovery. SSE showed higher peak V˙O2 and heart rate during exercise than those during calisthenics. However, the post-exercise V˙O2 and energy expenditure above baseline level during the first 10 min of recovery were significantly higher with calisthenics than with SSE (0-5 min: 1.7 ± 0.5 vs. 1.0 ± 0.6; 6-10 min: 0.5 ± 0.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.2 kcal/min; 31-60 min recovery: -0.1 ± 0.3 vs. -0.2 ± 0.2; all p < .05). During calisthenics, participants utilized a significantly higher proportion of energy from carbohydrates (85 vs. 73%; p < .01) but after exercise, they used a greater proportion of fat as the energy source (71 vs. 50%; p < .01) compared to SSE. Full-body calisthenics, a circuit-style bodyweight exercise, may be more effective than V˙O2 matched SSE in triggering greater EPOC and fat metabolism. Further efforts are warranted to demonstrate whether different amounts of skeletal muscle mass groups indeed lead to varying EPOC responses and energy use.