Postsynthetic Modification of Amine-Functionalized MIL-101(Cr) Metal-Organic Frameworks with an EDTA-Zn(II) Complex as an Effective Heterogeneous Catalyst for Hantzsch Synthesis of Polyhydroquinolines.

The present work aims at preparing the EDTA-Zn(II) complex-supported on the amine-functionalized MIL-101(Cr) MOF-as a new and effective heterogenized catalyst. The optimization of the hydrothermal process shows that 120 °C is the best condition to grow the MIL-101(Cr)-NH2 MOF crystals. Moreover, regarding the use of the postsynthetic modification (PSM) method, hexadentate EDTA was grafted on this support via a simple aminolysis process before further coordinating it with Zn ions to create the corresponding Zn(II) catalytic complex. The catalytic activity of this compound was then investigated in the context of a one-pot synthesis of polyhydroquinolines. This approach has a number of advantages including the following: the use of a solvent that is not hazardous, applying a porous catalyst that is inexpensive, secure, and recyclable; rapid reaction times, high levels of efficiency, and the simplicity of MOF catalyst separation. Accordingly, the process in question can be given the label of "green chemistry".

Global Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Schizophrenia Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with schizophrenia has significantly increased and can be associated with severe complications such as chronic diseases and mortality. Despite numerous studies, a comprehensive estimate of the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the global prevalence of metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis. This study was conducted as a systematic review and meta-analysis based on PRISMA guidelines without time restrictions until April 1, 2024. Relevant articles were identified through searches in databases including Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, and Google Scholar, using key terms combined with AND & OR operators. After removing duplicates and conducting primary and secondary screening, 12 studies were included in the meta-analysis. Data were analysed using the random-effects model in Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2 software. This analysis included 12 studies with 1,953 participants. The pooled prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 41.3% (95% CI: 28.8-55.1), with significant heterogeneity (I2: 96.3%). The highest prevalence was reported in France (79.1%) and the lowest in China (18.03%). Over one-third of patients with schizophrenia are affected by metabolic syndrome. Hence, greater attention should be paid to the prevention and reduction of complications and mortality associated with metabolic syndrome in schizophrenia patients.

Global Prevalence of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Among Patients with Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

The changes in human lifestyle over the past few decades have impacted the prevalence of skin diseases within different societies. Skin diseases may result in various physical and mental disorders. The most common mental disorders observed among the patients are stress, anxiety, and depression. This study aims to investigate the global prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with skin diseases. In this Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis study, the PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Embase, Web of science, and Google Scholar repositories were searched without a lower time limit. Heterogeneity among the identified studies was examined using the I2 index, and accordingly random effects model was adopted for analysis. Data analysis was conducted within the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (v. 2). In total, 113 studies were included for the final analysis. The overall pooled prevalence of stress, depression, and anxiety in skin disease patients was found to be 39.4%, 27.2% and 28.8%, respectively. Among patients with psoriasis, acne, vitiligo or atopic dermatitis diseases, the highest number of patients suffering from stress was related to patients with acne (75.7%). The highest prevalence of depression, and anxiety was reported in patients with vitiligo (38.3%) and acne (36.5%), respectively. Considering the high prevalence of mental disorders among patients with skin diseases and recognising the impacts of mental health challenges on patients' well-being, the findings of this study provide valuable insights for identifying specific populations that require targeted interventions for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses. Accordingly, healthcare policymakers should incorporate psychological treatment and support measures as integral components of comprehensive care strategies for patients with skin diseases.

RSM optimization of Friedel-Crafts C-acylation of para-fluorophenol over the catalysis of phosphomolybdic acid encapsulated in MIL-53 (Fe) metal organic frameworks.

In this research, a heterogeneous acid catalyst was synthesized by room temperature encapsulation of phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) in the pores of the MIL-53 (Fe) metal organic framework (MOF) under ultrasonic conditions. Then the catalytic activity of PMA@MIL-53 (Fe) was investigated in Friedel-Crafts C-acylation of para-fluorophenol, and this procedure was optimized using response surface methodology based on central composite design (RSM-CCD). The impact of critical reaction parameters including reaction duration, catalyst dosage, and PMA amount in the catalyst was optimized, leading to the formation of the target product in excellent yield at a short reaction time.

Construction of a Dual-Functionalized Acid-Base Nanocatalyst via HEPES Buffer Functionalized on Fe3O4 as a Reusable Catalyst for Annulation Reactions.

Herein, we present a highly efficient dual-functionalized acid-base nanocatalyst, denoted as Fe3O4@GLYMO-HEPES, featuring sulfuric acid and tertiary amines as its dual functional components. This catalyst is synthesized through the immobilization of 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) as the source of these functionalities onto magnetite (Fe3O4) using 3-glycidoxypropyltriethoxysilane (GLYMO) as a linker. Characterization studies confirm the integrity of the Fe3O4 core, with the GLYMO-HEPES coating exhibiting no phase changes. Furthermore, Fe3O4@GLYMO-HEPES nanoparticles demonstrate a uniform size distribution without aggregation. Notably, the catalyst exhibits remarkable stability up to 200 °C and possesses a saturation magnetization value of 31.5 emu/g, facilitating easy recovery via magnetic separation. These findings underscore the potential of Fe3O4@GLYMO-HEPES as a versatile and recyclable nanocatalyst for various applications. Its catalytic ability was evaluated in the synthesis of various pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazoles and 2-amino-3-cyano-4H-chromenes through a tandem Knorr-Knoevenagel-Michael-Thorpe-Ziegler-type heterocyclization mechanism, using different aldehydes. A wide range of fused heterocycles was synthesized having good to excellent yields. The process is cost-effective, safe, sustainable, and scalable, and the catalyst can be reused up to five times. The prepared catalyst was found to be highly stable and heterogeneous and showed good recyclability.

The global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with thyroid gland disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: fluctuation in serum levels of thyroid hormones or thyroid-associated dysfunction can negatively affect the sexual behaviors or performance, and disruption in couples` relationship or satisfaction. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis study was aimed to investigate the global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with thyroid gland disorders (TGD). Methods: this systematic review and meta-analysis study conducted based on PRISMA statement criteria regarding the available evidences representing the prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with TGD. The initial searching process was applied on July, 2023. In this era, the main keywords of "Prevalence", "Sexual disorders", "Sexual disorder", "Sexual dysfunction", "Male sexual dysfunction", "Erectile dysfunction", "Males", "Men", "Thyroid disorders", "Thyroid diseases", "Hyperthyroidism", "Thyroid", and "Thyroiditis" were hired. Also, "AND" and "OR" operators were used for keywords combination. All intended studies were searched using the databases of Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, ScienceDirect, PubMed, and Embase. Random effects model was used to perform the analysis and the heterogeneity of the studies was assessed through I2 index. Data analysis was applied with CMA software (v.2). Results: following the assessment of 17 eligible studies with a sample size of 501 individuals, the global prevalence of male sexual dysfunction with TGD was found 51.5% (95% CI:38.7-64). Also, the prevalence of male sexual dysfunction in hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism cases was 59.1% (95% CI:37.2-77.8) and 41.5% (95% CI:25.9-59.1), respectively. The meta-regression analysis showed that following incremental trend in sample size, the global prevalence of male sexual dysfunction with TGD decreases. This assessment also revealed that the prevalence of male sexual dysfunction increases with the year of study conduction, significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusion: the global prevalence of sexual dysfunction in men with TGD was found relatively high. also, the highest prevalence of sexual disorders was reported in hypothyroid cases. Thus, health policymakers are suggested to inform the individuals prone to this pathology regarding the negative effects of TGD on sexual dysfunction. Besides, TGD-affected cases can prevent sexual disorders and unpleasant consequences through timely medical treatments.

Global prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women worldwide: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common metabolic disorder among women of reproductive age. Many factors are involved in the development of PCOS, among which genetic predisposition is probably the main contributor that is also influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors. This study aims to determine the prevalence of PCOS in different continents based on Rotterdam, AES and NIH diagnostic criteria. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome in women according to (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis) PRISMA guidelines. PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were comprehensively searched until February 2021 for relevant articles. Heterogeneity between the studies was assessed using the I2 index. Begg and Mazumdar's test was used to evaluate publication bias. RESULTS: A total of 35 studies with 12,365,646 subjects were retrieved. The mean age ranged from 10-45 years. Global prevalence of PCOS was 9.2% (95% CI: 6.8-12.5%) based on meta-analysis, our results showed that the global prevalence of PCOS was 5.5% (95% CI: 3.9-7.7%) based on NIH criteria, 11.5 (95% CI: 6.6-19.4) based on Rotterdam criteria, and 7.1% (95% CI: 2.3-20.2%) based on AES criteria. According to self-report subgroup analysis, the prevalence of PCOS was found to be 11% (95% CI: 5.2-21.8%). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, the prevalence of PCOS in the world was 9.2% (95% CI: 6.8-12.5%). According to the results of the present study and the high prevalence of PCOS, especially in the Africa continent, it is necessary for health systems to implement measures to timely prevent and treat this syndrome.

Global Prevalence of Social Anxiety Disorder in Children, Adolescents and Youth: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Social anxiety disorder is a prevalent mental health condition that significantly impairs social interactions, academic performance, and professional functioning in children, adolescents, and youth. This study aimed to investigate the global prevalence of social anxiety disorder across these developmental stages. Six electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar) were systematically searched for studies related to the prevalence of social anxiety disorder in children, adolescents and youth. Random-effects models were employed for data analysis and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Version 2.0. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 index. A total of 38 studies were included in the final analysis. The global prevalence of social anxiety disorder was estimated to be 4.7% in children, 8.3% in adolescents, and 17% in youth. These findings suggest a progressive increase in the prevalence of SAD across these developmental stages. Considering the prevalence of social anxiety disorder in this study, policymakers can use the findings of this study to inform and develop effective prevention strategies for individuals and communities most susceptible to this disorder.

The global prevalence of E-cigarettes in youth: A comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Smoking, especially cigarettes, is known as one of the most common social and health problems among people. E-cigarettes are another form of tobacco that has been an ordinary daily occurrence.Study Design: systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: Systematic searching of databases was performed in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, MagIran, IranDoc, SID and Google search engine based on the PRISMA 2020 guideline. This search was conducted by the end of May 2021. Following full-text assessments, the related data were extracted from the papers. Newcastle-Ottawa scale was also used to evaluate the quality of methodology of the articles. Finally, study analysis was performed using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (version 2) based on the random effect model. Results: Global prevalence of E-cigarette in younger individuals was 16.8 (95 % CI: 10.6-25.6) and 4.8 (95 % CI: 3-7.6) in the Ever and Current modes of E-cigarette, respectively. We also found that E-cigarettes were used more common in young boys than young girls in both Ever and Current modes. In young boys, the prevalence of E-cigarette were 18.8 (95 % CI: 8.4-36.8) and 4.9 (95 % CI: 3-8) in both modes of Ever and Current, respectively. In young girls, these factors were 9.9 (95 % CI: 5-18.6) and 1.6 (95 % CI: 1-3.1) in both modes of Ever and Current, respectively. Conclusions: The global prevalence of e-cigarettes among young people, especially young boys, is increasing. Based on this, the prevention and management of the damage of this social phenomenon requires comprehensive global study, planning and policy.

Advances and applications of crosslinked electrospun biomacromolecular nanofibers.

Electrospinning is a technology for fabricating ultrafine fibers from natural or synthetic polymers that have novel or enhanced functional properties. These fibers have found applications in a diverse range of fields, including the food, medicine, cosmetics, agriculture, and chemical industries. However, the tendency for electrospun nanofibers to dissociate when exposed to certain environmental conditions limits many of their practical applications. The structural integrity and functional attributes of these nanofibers can be improved using physical and/or chemical crosslinking methods. This review article discusses the formation of polymeric nanofibers using electrospinning and then describes how different crosslinking methods can be used to enhance their mechanical, thermal, and biological attributes. Methods for optimizing the crosslinking reactions are discussed, including proper selection of crosslinker type and reaction conditions. Then, food, medical, and separation applications of crosslinked electrospun fibers are assessed, including in bone and skin tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, air filtration, water filtration, oil removal, food packaging, food preservation, and bioactive delivery. Finally, areas where future research are needed are highlighted, as well as possible future applications of crosslinked nanofibers.

The Global Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in the Elderly: A Meta-analysis.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent among the elderly, posing significant health risks. This study aims to determine the global prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in the elderly. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted, examining databases including Scientific Information Database (SID), Medline (PubMed), ScienceDirect, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar until January 2023. The publication bias of the studies was assessed using the I2 test of heterogeneity and the Egger test. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, defined as levels below 20 ng or 50 nmol was found to be 59.7% (95% CI 45.9-72.1). Furthermore, a review of six studies involving 6748 elderly individuals showed a prevalence of 27.5% (95% CI 21.8-34.1) for deficiency defined between 20 and 30 ng or 50-75 nmol. Additionally, a meta-analysis of seven studies with a sample size of 6918 elderly individuals reported a prevalence of 16% (95% CI 10.2-24.1) for deficiency defined above 30 nmol or 75 nmol. Conclusion: The results of the present study reveal that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among the elderly is high and requires the attention of health policymakers at the World Health Organization to prioritize extensive information dissemination and screening to mitigate the adverse effects on their quality of life. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s43465-023-01089-w.

Nurses' moral courage and related factors: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Nurses face various ethical conflicts when taking care of patients, and such conflicts require moral courage. This systematic review was conducted with the aim of investigating moral courage and its related factors among nurses. METHODS: To find related studies, the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, Embase and Science Direct databases were searched using keywords such as Courage, Moral Courage, and Nurses, and no lower time limit was imposed when conducting the searches. The identified studies were published between January 2000 and March 2023. Quality of articles was assessed using the STROBE checklist. RESULTS: The pooled sample size for the 19 included studies was 7863. All studies were observational and cross-sectional. The results showed that three categories of factors most related to moral courage are individual, moral, and factors related to the organization. Underlying factors of each category are also provided within this paper. CONCLUSION: Moral courage is an integral part of nursing, which as a profession, is becoming even more challenging with the advancement of science and technology. Therefore, there is a need for nurses and especially nursing managers to be considerate of factors affecting moral courage of nurses, with a view to strengthening the positive factors and reducing the negative impacts.

Global prevalence of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, stress, and depression among infertile women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, the global prevalence of infertility has increased among women (Talmor and Dunphy, Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 29(4):498-506, 2015) and is considered as a public health concern. One of the impacts of infertility is mental health problems in the patients, which can lead to complications such as stress, anxiety, and depression. The aim of this study is to investigate the global prevalence of major depressive disorder, general anxiety, stress, and depression in infertile women through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: To identify studies that have reported the prevalence of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety, stress, and depression in infertile women, the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar repositories were systematically searched. Articles published up until February 2023 were included, while no lower time limit was imposed in the search strategy. Heterogeneity of studies was examined using the I2 test and, thus, random-effects model was used to perform the analysis. Data analysis was conducted within the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (v.2) software. RESULTS: In the review of 44 studies with a sample size of 53,300 infertile female patients, the overall prevalence of major depressive disorder (clinical depression), generalized anxiety, stress, and depression was found to be 22.9%, 13.3%, 78.8%, and 31.6% respectively. It was also found that mental health complications are more prevalent among infertile women in Asia (continent). CONCLUSION: Considering the prevalence of mental disorders among infertile women, health policymakers can use the results of the present meta-analysis to pay more attention to the mental health of infertile women and devise suitable interventions and programs to reduce and prevent the spread of psychological disorders among infertile women.

Safety and Efficacy of Bone Marrow and Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells for the Treatment of Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review.

Neurological diseases, including ischemic stroke, are considered a big challenge for public health due to their high prevalence and lack of definitive and effective treatments. Addressing these issues requires innovative therapeutic approaches and among the limited methods available, stem cells have shown promise in improving central nervous system repair by enhancing myelin regeneration and neuronal recovery. To advance this field of research, this systematic review aims to assess the safety and effectiveness of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from both bone marrow and adipose tissue for the treatment of ischemic stroke. This study conducted a systematic review in the electronic databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar to assess the efficacy and safety of MSCs generated from bone marrow and adipose tissue for the treatment of ischemic stroke. It was extracted without a time limit until April 2023. The studies were then transferred to the information management program (EndNote) and duplicates were eliminated. The remaining studies were then examined using the entry and exit criteria and the 3 stages of primary, secondary, and qualitative evaluation, and finally, the results of the final studies were extracted. According to the initial search in the desired databases, 1028 possible related articles were identified and transferred to the information management software (EndNote). After removing 390 duplicate studies, 608 studies were excluded based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Finally, 37 final studies were included in the systematic review process. Based on the investigations, it was evident that the administration of MSCs derived from both bone marrow and adipose tissue holds significant promise as an effective and safe treatment approach for ischemic stroke. The results consistently showed acceptable outcomes in the studies and this evidence can be recommended for the clinical application of this treatment. Also, the findings of this study report that the use of adipose tissue and bone marrow MSCs in the treatment of ischemic stroke can be used as a practical method.

Global prevalence of vasovagal syncope: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Today, vasovagal syncope is a common problem that has become a significant health and social challenge. The present study investigated the global prevalence of vasovagal syncope using a systematic review and meta-analysis.Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis study, the global prevalence of vasovagal syncope using the keywords Prevalence, Epidemiology, Vasovagal syncope, and Reflex syncope in PubMed, WoS, Scopus, ScienceDirect databases, and Google scholar search engine without time limit until July 20, 2022, was extracted and transferred to the information management software (EndNote). Then the repeated studies were excluded, and researchers evaluated the remaining studies during three stages (i.e., screening, eligibility, and qualitative assessment). The heterogeneity of studies was investigated using the I2 index, and the analysis of eligible studies was performed using the random effects model. Results: In the review of 12 studies with a sample size of 36,156 people, the global prevalence of vasovagal syncope was reported as 16.4 (95%CI: 6-37.5), and the study of publication bias in the studies through the Egger test shows the absence of publication bias in the studies. Conclusion: The prevalence reported in the studies shows a high prevalence of vasovagal syncope, which requires serious intervention and preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic measures. It is necessary for health policymakers to take effective measures in this field.

Effects of Curcumin on the treatment of oral lichen planus symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a relatively common chronic T-cell-mediated disease that can cause significant pain, particularly in its erosive or ulcerative forms. This study aimed to examine the therapeutic impact of curcumin on symptoms of OLP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. All related English documents indexed in electronic databases (including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, Wiley, Cochrane, and ProQuest databases [updated to August 15, 2023]) were retrieved. Data were double-extracted into a predefined worksheet, and quality analysis was performed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) scale. We carried out meta-analyses, and the random effects model was used to estimate the differences in erythema, lesion size, and pain between the curcumin control groups. RESULTS: The search identified 289 studies, of which 10 were found to meet the inclusion criteria. The overall findings of the meta-analysis revealed that curcumin did not have a significant effect on erythema of OLP (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.14; 95% CI, -0.68 to 0.40; P = 0.61; I2 = 57.50%), lesion size of OLP (SMD = -0.15; 95% CI, -0.45 to 0.15; P = 0.33; I2 = 28.42%), and pain of OLP (SMD = -0.38; 95% CI, -0.97 to 0.22; P = 0.22; I2 = 86.60%). However, subgroup analysis based on treatment duration indicated that 2-week treatment duration was significantly associated with a reduction in OLP pain (n = 3; SMD = -1.21; 95% CI, -2.19 to -0.23; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin had no significant effect on erythema, lesion size, and pain of OLP compared to the control groups. However, subgroup analysis revealed that curcumin was more effective in reducing pain in non-randomized trials and in trials with a treatment duration of 2 weeks.

The prevalence of bleeding after percutaneous coronary interventions: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bleeding is a common complication associated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of bleeding after PCI through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: The systematic review and meta-analysis covered the period from 1989 to 2023. Multiple databases, including Embase, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Sciences (WoS), MagIran, Scientific Information Database (SID), and Google Scholar, were searched using validated keywords with MeSH and Emtree. The I2 index was used to check for heterogeneity among studies. RESULTS: The review of 8 studies, with a sample size of 397,298 participants, showed high heterogeneity (I2: 97.8 %). Therefore, the random effects method was used to analyze the results. The prevalence of bleeding after intervention in percutaneous coronary arteries was reported to be 4.4 % (95%CI: 2-9.1). CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis showed a significant prevalence of bleeding after PCI, highlighting the need for health policymakers to pay more attention to the complications associated with PCI. Interventional cardiologists should consider the effective factors in these bleeding and how to treat and control them due to the importance of this complication.

Avoidance and escape conditioning adjust adult neurogenesis to conserve a fit hippocampus in adult male rodents.

In this study, the connection between cognitive behaviors and the adult rodent hippocampus was investigated. Recording field potentials at performant pathway (PP)-hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) synapses in transverse slices from the dorsal (d), intermediate (i), and ventral (v) hippocampus showed differences in paired-pulse responses and long-term potentiation in rats. The Barnes maze (BM) and passive avoidance (PA) tests indicated a decrease in escape latency and step-through latency in both rats and mice over training days. A decrease in the use of random or sequential strategy while an increase in the use of direct strategy to search for an escape box occurred in both groups. Evaluation of the levels of neurogenesis markers (Ki67 and BrdU/NeuN) by immunofluorescence assay in the dDG, iDG, and vDG revealed a long-axis disparity in the hippocampal dentate baseline cell proliferation and exposure to the BM and PA task changed the profile of baseline cell proliferation along the DG in both rats and mice. Also, these learning experiences changed the profile of BrdU+ /NeuN+ cells along the DG of rats. Quantitation of hippocampal BDNF protein levels using ELISA exhibited no changes in BDNF levels due to learning experiences in rats. We demonstrate that PP-DG synaptic efficacy and neurogenesis are organized along a gradient. Avoidance and escape conditioning themselves are sufficient to change and calibrate adult neurogenesis along the hippocampal long axis in rodents. Further research will be required to determine the precise mechanisms underlying the role of experience-derived neuroplasticity in cognitive function and decline.

Prevalence of suicide attempts across the African continent: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Over 700,000 people worldwide lose their lives through suicide every year. The prevalence of suicide has increased, especially in low- and middle-income countries such as many African countries. For every fatal suicidal attempt, there are approximately 20 other non-fatal suicide attempts within the population. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of attempts of suicides in the African continent through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: To identify relevant sources, the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar repositories and databases were systematically searched without a lower time limit and until July 2023. The heterogeneity of the studies was checked with the I2 index, and accordingly random effects model was adopted to perform the analysis. Data analysis was conducted within the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (v.2). RESULTS: In the review of 48 studies with a sample size of 244,701 people, the prevalence of suicide attempts in Africa was found to be 9.9% (95%CI: 8.5%-11.6%). With the increase in the year of study, the prevalence of suicide attempt in the African continent increases. Also, with the increase in the sample size, the prevalence of suicide attempts in Africa decreases. The suicide attempt prevalence among African men and woman slightly differed with 7.6% and 8.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Suicide attempt is an important public health concern in Africa. The findings of this study are important not only for African health policy making, but also to contribute to the accuracy of global estimates with respect to suicide attempts.