Including the Household: Individual, Community and Household Factors Affecting Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence After ART Initiation in Cape Town, South Africa.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is crucial for health outcomes of people living with HIV (PLHIV), influenced by a complex interplay of individual, community, and household factors. This article focuses on the influence of household factors, as well as individual and community factors, on ART adherence among PLHIV in Cape Town who have recently initiated ART. Baseline data for a cluster-randomized controlled trial were collected from 316 PLHIV in 12 districts in Cape Town between 6th May 2021 and 22nd May 2022. Zero-inflated Poisson models, with cluster-adjusted standard errors, were used to analyse the association between individual, household, and community factors and ART adherence measures. At the household-level, household support was associated with both better self-rated adherence (exp(ß) = 0.81, z = - 4.68, p < 0.001) and fewer days when pills were missed (exp(ß) = 0.65, z = - 2.92, p = 0.003). Psychological violence (exp(ß) = 1.37, z = 1.97, p = 0.05) and higher household asset scores (exp(ß) = 1.29, z = - 2.83, p = 0.05) were weakly associated with poorer ART adherence. At the individual-level, male gender (exp(ß) = 1.37, z = 3.95, p < 0.001) and reinitiating ART (exp(ß) = 1.35, z = 3.64, p < 0.001) were associated with worse self-rated ART adherence; higher education levels (exp(ß) = 0.30 times, z = - 3.75, p < 0.001) and better HIV knowledge (exp(ß) = 0.28, z = - 2.83, p = 0.005) were associated with fewer days where pills were missed. At the community-level, community stigma was associated with worse self-rated ART adherence (exp(ß) = 1.24, z = 3.01, p = 0.003). When designing interventions to improve ART adherence, household, individual and community factors should all be considered, particularly in addressing gender-based disparities, reducing stigma, tackling violence, and enhancing household support.Clinical Trial Number: Pan African Clinical Trial Registry, PACTR201906476052236. Registered on 24 June 2019.

RESUMEN: La adherencia a la terapia antirretroviral (TAR) es crucial para los resultados de salud de las personas que viven con el VIH (PLHIV), influenciada por una compleja interacción de factores individuales, comunitarios y del hogar. Este artículo se centra en la influencia de los factores del hogar, individuales y comunitarios en la adherencia al TAR entre personas que iniciaron recientemente el TAR en Ciudad del Cabo. Se recopilaron datos de referencia para un ensayo de control aleatorio por grupos de 316 PLHIV en 12 distritos de Ciudad del Cabo entre el 6 de mayo de 2021 y el 22 de mayo de 2022. Se utilizaron modelos de Poisson inflados a cero, con errores estándar ajustados por conglomerado para estudiar la asociación entre factores individuales, del hogar o comunitarios con dos medidas de adhesión al TAR: por un lado la auto declaración de adhesión, y por otro la cantidad de días en que se olvidó de tomar la medicina en los últimos 4 días. A nivel del hogar, el apoyo del hogar se asoció con una mejor adherencia auto declarada (exp(ß) = 0.81, z = − 4.68, p < 0.001) y menos días en los que se omitió la medicina (exp(ß) = 0.65, z = − 2.92, p = 0.003). La violencia psicológica (exp(ß) = 1.37, z = 1.97, p = 0.05) y las puntuaciones más altas de activos del hogar (exp(ß) = 1.29, z = − 2.83, p = 0.05) se asociaron con una peor adherencia al TAR. A nivel individual, el sexo masculino (exp(ß) = 1.37, z = 3.95, p < 0.001) y el reinicio del TAR (exp(ß) = 1.35, z = 3.64, p < 0.001) se asociaron con una peor adherencia al TAR autodeclarada; niveles de educación más altos (exp(ß) = 0.30 times, z = − 3.75, p < 0.001) y un mejor conocimiento sobre el VIH (exp(ß) = 0.28, z = − 2.83, p = 0.005) se asociaron con menos días en los que se omitió la medicina. A nivel comunitario, el estigma comunitario se asoció con una peor autodelaración de adhesión del TAR (exp(ß) = 1.24, z = 3.01, p = 0.003). Para mejorar la adherencia al TAR, se deben tener en cuenta los factores del hogar, así como los individuales y comunitarios, particularmente al abordar las disparidades de género, reducir el estigma, abordar la violencia y mejorar el apoyo del hogar.

Individual characteristics in arts management careers: investigating the highly sensitive person scale on motivation to lead.

Research on personality in leadership indicates that self-selection to leadership careers and artistic careers correlates with diverging personality profiles. People in leadership careers traditionally display lower neuroticism and higher conscientiousness than artistic individuals. In between, there are individuals entering arts management careers. To study these individuals directly, we collected Norwegian data from 91 musical theater students and 102 arts management students and compared with 109 business management students. As expected, conscientiousness and neuroticism predicted artistic careers against business management careers, aligned with the "arts for arts' sake" myth of artists. Interestingly, arts management careers were not different from artistic careers. They weren't more motivated to take on leadership roles than performing artists either. However, the Highly Sensitive Person Scale indicated that narrower traits of sensitivity predicted higher levels of motivation to lead in many artists. Some arts and arts management students seem to bring unique talents into forms of leadership particularly useful for artistic organizations. Our findings are discussed in terms of how leadership characteristics operate in the field of art, and the effect of domain-specific characteristics in this setting.

Are Art-Based Interventions Effective in Improving Psychological Well-Being Among Informal Caregivers of Cancer Patients? A Systematic Review.

Objectives: To systematically synthesize the current evidence on the effects of art-based interventions on improving anxiety, depression, stress, sleep, and well-being of cancer caregivers. Design: A systematic review. Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases from their inception up to April 2024. Studies exploring the effects of art-based interventions on the psychological symptoms of cancer caregivers were included. We did not restrict the publication to the particular study designs, including randomized controlled trials, quasiexperimental studies, and qualitative studies. Results: Fifteen studies of 607 participants were identified in this systematic review. Overall, the existing studies provided preliminary evidence to suggest that art-based interventions may benefit cancer caregivers in improving anxiety, depression, stress, caregiver burden, and quality of life. However, the relatively low quality of the current evidence limits the efficacy of these findings. Conclusions: According to the existing evidence, the therapeutic benefits of using art-based interventions for improving the psychological well-being of cancer caregivers are uncertain. More high-quality and well-designed studies are still required to confirm the psychological effectiveness of art-based interventions for cancer caregivers in the future.

The Alzheimer's patients interaction through digital and arts (AIDA) program: A feasibility study to improve wellbeing in people with Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents a growing global challenge, with an increasing prevalence and significant impact on individuals and public health. Effective pharmacological treatments directly impacting the disease are still lacking, highlighting the importance of programs and interventions aimed at improving the wellbeing of those affected. The present feasibility study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of the Alzheimer's patients Interaction through Digital and Arts (AIDA) program. AIDA's main objective is to enhance perceived wellbeing and quality of life of people with AD and their caregivers through a series of structured activities through museum- and art-based activities over five sessions. Pre- and post-program evaluations were conducted using Visual Analog Scales (VASs) to measure various dimensions of perceived wellbeing such as confidence, happiness, interest, optimism, and wellness. Results showed significant improvements in all considered dimensions for people with AD following AIDA activities, highlighting its potential to enhance overall wellbeing. Caregivers also reported increased perceived wellness post-program, demonstrating some positive effects also in healthy participants. The feasibility of AIDA was supported by positive feedback and engagement of participants. Overall, the AIDA program offers a non-intrusive and engaging approach to improve the perceived wellbeing of people with AD and caregivers while facilitating meaningful experiences (e.g., silence, sharing etc.) in cultural settings.

Aesthetic valence: Psychophysical perspectives.

Comparisons of aesthetic valence and of sensory magnitude are subject to similar order effects, indicating an evolved mechanism that sharpens also aesthetic discrimination. As the foundation of pleasantness and aesthetic valence of an object, an optimal level of evoked arousal or, in more recent research, of information load, has been proposed. According to discrepancy theory, this evoked effect is modulated by the object's deviation from the current adaptation level (AL). The AL is built up and updated by pooling recent stimulation. A model based on these concepts is proposed here, and it is illustrated by results of empirical studies by the author's students. For everyday objects such as cars and ladies' clothes, rated beauty was related by a U-shaped function to rated modernity. Minimal beauty occurred for intermediate modernity. For ladies' clothes, this minimum was situated higher on the modernity scale for females and extraverts. As modernity can be seen as the amount of deviation from the AL which represents the usual, this shift could be explained by faster upward adjustment of the AL. In contrast, for paintings the relation between modernity and beauty was inversely U-shaped. This could be due to paintings intrinsically carrying more information than other objects, as indicated by ratings of hard-to-access, with which rated beauty had an inverse U-shaped relation. In a factor-analytic study of preference for 42 paintings four orthogonal factors were extracted, interpreted as High and Low modernity, and High and Low information content. This could yield a rudimentary empirical typology of art.

Real world community-based HIV Rapid Start Antiretroviral with B/F/TAF versus prior models of antiretroviral therapy start - the RoCHaCHa study, a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: The rapid start of antiretroviral therapy (RSA) model initiates antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible after a new or preliminary diagnosis of HIV, in advance of HIV-1 RNA and other baseline laboratory testing. This observational study aims to determine if RSA with a single tablet regimen of bictegravir, emtricitabine, and tenofovir alafenamide (B/F/TAF) is an effective regimen for achieving viral suppression and accepted by patients at the time of diagnosis. METHODS: Adults newly or preliminarily diagnosed with HIV were enrolled from October 2018 through September 2021. Real world advantage, measured in days between clinical milestones and time to virologic suppression, associated with B/F/TAF RSA was compared to historical controls. RESULTS: All Study RSA participants (n = 45) accepted treatment at their first visit and 43(95.6%) achieved virologic suppression by week 48. Study RSA participants had a significantly shorter time (median 32 days) from diagnosis to ART initiation and virologic suppression, in comparison to historical controls (median 181 days) (n = 42). Qualitative feedback from study RSA participants showed high acceptance positive response to RSA. CONCLUSIONS: RSA is feasible and well accepted by patients in a real-world community-based clinic setting. Promoting RSA in community-based clinics is an important tool in ending the HIV epidemic.

Dataset of Batik Nitik Sarimbit 120.

Batik holds profound cultural significance within Indonesia, serving as a tangible expression of the nation's rich heritage and intricate philosophical narratives. This paper introduces the Batik Nitik Sarimbit 120 dataset, originating from Yogyakarta, Indonesia, as a pivotal resource for researchers and enthusiasts alike. Comprising images of 60 Nitik patterns meticulously sourced from fabric samples, this dataset represents a curated selection of batik motifs emblematic of the region's artistic tradition. The Batik Nitik Sarimbit 120 dataset offers a comprehensive collection of 120 motif pairs distributed across 60 distinct categories. By providing a comprehensive repository of batik motifs, the Batik Nitik Sarimbit 120 dataset facilitates the training and validation of machine learning algorithms, particularly through the utilization of generative method. This enables researchers to explore and innovate in the realm of batik pattern generation, fostering new avenues for creativity and expression within this venerable art form. In essence, the Batik Nitik Sarimbit 120 dataset stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts of cultural institutions and academia in preserving and promoting Indonesia's rich batik heritage. Its accessibility and richness make it a valuable resource for scholars, artists, and enthusiasts seeking to delve deeper into the intricate world of Indonesian batik.

Differentiated Service Delivery Models for Maintaining HIV Treatment and Prevention Services During Crisis and Disease Outbreaks: Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes differentiated service delivery (DSD) models for HIV treatment and prevention that have been adapted for maintaining continuity of services during the COVID-19 pandemic and proposes strategies for sustaining their benefits now and during future disruptions. RECENT FINDINGS: The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in an overburdened and disrupted health system, forcing countries to adopt and/or scale up DSD models for HIV services. While initially implemented as emergency measures, these models evolved and were refined over time to fit recipient needs ensuring continued HIV treatment and prevention services with minimal health system impact. Successful models employed task shifting, community-based delivery models, multimonth scripting and dispensing, and telehealth for remote consultation. DSD models enabled HIV services globally to be maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic. Though these models and adaptations were critical in addressing health gaps and disruptions caused by the pandemic, they were beneficial in improving efficiency and access to client-centered services and should be sustained.

Diameter of Human Day Five Blastocysts and Birth Sex.

Background This study aimed to evaluate the offspring sex ratio, born through fresh and cryo-thawed single blastocyst (BL) transfers regarding a single morphological, static parameter, namely, BL diameter. Methodology This retrospective, observational study was conducted at an assisted reproductive technology (ART) center, Kinderwunschzentrum Niederrhein Germany. We conducted a statistical analysis of all births resulting from fresh and thawed in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles after a single embryo transfer (SET). The main outcome measure was the offspring sex ratio after SET of a day five BL in relation to the BL diameter measurement. Results There were more female than male babies born in our study. We observed a tendency for BL to have a higher diameter, resulting in female offspring, which was not statistically relevant. We also compared the BL diameter in the fresh embryo transfer (ET) group with that of the cryo-thawed ET group, showing a tendency toward a larger diameter in the fresh ET group. In the ICSI cycles, there was a higher tendency for a larger BL diameter when compared to IVF cycles. In the fresh ET cycles, BL leading to the male sex at birth had a tendency toward a larger diameter than the female BL. In the cryo-thaw ET cycles, BL leading to the female sex had a tendency toward a larger diameter than the male BL. Conclusions Our results showed a tendency in the sex of offspring toward the female sex and no significant difference in the BL diameter of BL leading to birth after ART and consecutive transfer of day five BL.

Revolutionizing Reproduction: The Impact of Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Comprehensive Review.

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has revolutionized the field of reproductive medicine, offering hope to millions of individuals and couples facing infertility challenges. In recent years, integrating robotics and artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising avenue for advancing ART. This comprehensive review explores the transformative impact of robotics and AI on ART, examining recent advancements, technological applications, clinical implications, and ethical considerations. Robotics enables precise and minimally invasive procedures, enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of various reproductive techniques such as sperm retrieval, embryo handling, and surgical interventions. Meanwhile, AI offers predictive analytics, personalized treatment protocols, and decision support systems tailored to individual patient needs, optimizing treatment outcomes and expanding access to reproductive care. Key findings highlight the significant advancements made possible by robotics and AI in ART, including improved success rates, reduced risks, and enhanced patient experience. However, challenges such as regulatory considerations, adoption barriers, and ethical dilemmas must be addressed to realize the full potential of these technologies. The transformative impact of robotics and AI on ART is profound, shaping the future of fertility treatment and family-building worldwide. Continued research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and investment are essential to further harness the potential of robotics and AI in advancing reproductive medicine and ensuring accessible, equitable, and effective care for all individuals and couples.

The risk of asthma in singletons conceived by ART: a retrospective cohort study.

STUDY QUESTION: Do singleton children conceived by ART have a higher asthma risk than naturally conceived (NC) singletons? SUMMARY ANSWER: The asthma risk was similar for ART-conceived singletons and NC singletons, and there were no clear differences between the various types of ART. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Whether ART increases asthma risk in offspring is questionable. The evidence is inconsistent and limited by ethnicity, geographic distribution, inadequate confounder adjustment, unsatisfactory control groups, and specific methods of ART. Furthermore, the mediating effects of obstetric and neonatal outcomes on the association between ART and asthma remain unclear. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION: This observational, single-centre study was conducted at a reproductive centre of an affiliated university hospital between September 2009 and April 2023. A total of 3227 singletons aged 3-6 years conceived by IVF versus ICSI or fresh versus frozen embryo transfer were retrospectively enrolled, and a total of 1206 NC singletons of the same age were subsequently recruited. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS: Asthma was defined as a self-reported physician diagnosis or wheezing in the past 12 months. We performed multivariable logistic regression analyses to examine associations between asthma in offspring and ART use, adjusting for parental characteristics (age, education level, occupation type, BMI, asthma), smoking exposure, residence type, child sex, child age, and year of follow-up. Mediating effects were explored using longitudinal mediation structural equation modelling. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Asthma was reported for 51 (4.2%) of the 1206 NC singletons (median [interquartile range] age 5 [4-5] years; 48.1% females) and 169 (5.2%) of the 3227 ART-conceived singletons (5 [5-5] years; 47.6% females). We found that risks of childhood asthma in singletons conceived by ART were, overall, similar to those of NC singletons before (odds ratio [OR], 1.25 [95% CI, 0.92-1.74]; P = 0.170) and after adjustment (adjusted OR [aOR], 0.66 [95% CI, 0.44-1.03]; P = 0.126). The results were similar in multiple sensitivity analyses, and there were no clear differences in asthma risks according to the method of ART. Mediation analysis revealed a significant positive indirect effect of neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission (standard path coefficient, b = 0.025, P < 0.05) and a negative indirect effect of breastfeeding (b = -0.012, P < 0.05) on the association between ART and asthma in singleton offspring. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study is limited to singletons only and cannot be generalized. The study is also limited by its retrospective observational single-centre nature and sample size. Mediation analyses were exploratory. Therefore, the findings need to be interpreted with caution. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: These findings can help infertile couples undergoing ART be reassured about the risk of childhood asthma in singleton offspring. Breastfeeding is recommended as a potentially feasible intervention to reduce the asthma risks in ART-conceived children who are at increased potential risk of asthma, such as those with NICU admissions. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS: This work was supported by the Key Research and Development Program of Zhejiang Province (2021C03100), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFC2700603), and the Program for Key Subjects of Zhejiang Province in Medicine and Hygiene to Y. Z., the Zhejiang Province Natural Science Foundation (No. LQ22H040006) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.82101759) to M.T., and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82201860) to J.Y. The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR2300069906.

John Lizars' (1792-1860). A system of anatomical plates of the human body: Artistry and analysis.

John Lizars' (1792-1860) 'A System of Anatomical Plates of the Human Body' is widely recognized as one of the finest British anatomical atlases published in the nineteenth century. Lizars' commentators always praise his illustrations for their artistry and accuracy, but no one ever provides an account of why they are artistically significant or what makes them veracious. The principal aim of this paper is to begin a discussion of both of those subjects and to show how Lizars used the resources of the visual arts as analytical tools to extend his audience's understanding of the human body.

Survey on ART and IUI: legislation, regulation, funding, and registries in European countries-an update.

STUDY QUESTION: How are ART and IUI regulated, funded, and registered in European countries, and how has the situation changed since 2018? SUMMARY ANSWER: Of the 43 countries performing ART and IUI in Europe, and participating in the survey, specific legislation exists in only 39 countries, public funding varies across and sometimes within countries (and is lacking or minimal in four countries), and national registries are in place in 33 countries; only a small number of changes were identified, most of them in the direction of improving accessibility, through increased public financial support and/or opening access to additional subgroups. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: The annual reports of the European IVF-Monitoring Consortium (EIM) clearly show the existence of different approaches across Europe regarding accessibility to and efficacy of ART and IUI treatments. In a previous survey, some coherent information was gathered about how those techniques were regulated, funded, and registered in European countries, showing that diversity is the paradigm in this medical field. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: A survey was designed using the SurveyMonkey tool consisting of 90 questions covering several domains (legal, funding, and registry) and considering specific details on the situation of third-party donations. New questions widened the scope of the previous survey. Answers refer to the situation of countries on 31 December 2022. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS: All members of the EIM were invited to participate. The received answers were checked and initial responders were asked to address unclear answers and to provide any additional information considered relevant. Tables resulting from the consolidated data were then sent to members of the Committee of National Representatives of ESHRE, requesting a second check. Conflicting information was clarified by direct contact. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Information was received from 43 out of the 45 European countries where ART and IUI are performed. There were 39 countries with specific legislation on ART, and artificial insemination was considered an ART technique in 33 of them. Accessibility is limited to infertile couples only in 8 of the 43 countries. In 5 countries, ART and IUI are permitted also for treatments of single women and all same sex couples, while a total of 33 offer treatment to single women and 19 offer treatment to female couples. Use of donated sperm is allowed in all except 2 countries, oocyte donation is allowed in 38, simultaneous donation of sperm and oocyte is allowed in 32, and embryo donation is allowed in 29 countries. Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT)-M/SR (for monogenetic disorders, structural rearrangements) is not allowed in 3 countries and PGT-A (for aneuploidy) is not allowed in 10; surrogacy is accepted in 15 countries. Except for marital/sexual situation, female age is the most frequently reported limiting criterion for legal access to ART: minimal age is usually set at 18 years and the maximum ranges from 42 to 54 with some countries not using numeric definition. Male maximum age is set in very few countries. Where third-party donors are permitted, age is frequently a limiting criterion (male maximum age ranging from 35 to 50; female maximum age from 30 to 37). Other legal restrictions in third-party donation are the number of children born from the same donor (or, in some countries, the number of families with children from the same donor) and, in 12 countries, there is a maximum number of oocyte donations. How countries deal with the anonymity is diverse: strict anonymity, anonymity just for the recipients (not for children when reaching legal adulthood age), a mixed system (anonymous and non-anonymous donations), and strict non-anonymity. Inquiring about donors' genetic screening showed that most countries have enforced either mandatory or scientific recommendations that exclude the most prevalent genetic diseases, although, again, diversity is evident. Reimbursement/compensation systems exist in more than 30 European countries, with around 10 describing clearly defined maximum amounts considered acceptable. Public funding systems are extremely variable. One country provides no financial assistance to ART/IUI patients and three offer only minimal support. Limits to the provision of funding are defined in the others i.e. age (female maximum age is the most used), existence of previous children, BMI, maximum number of treatments publicly supported, and techniques not entitled for funding. In a few countries reimbursement is linked to a clinical policy. The definitions of the type of expenses covered within an IVF/ICSI cycle, up to which limit, and the proportion of out-of-pocket costs for patients are also extremely dissimilar. National registries of ART are in place in 33 out of the 43 countries contributing to the survey and a registry of donors exists in 19 of them. When comparing with the results of the previous survey, the main changes are: (i) an extension of the beneficiaries of ART techniques (and IUI), evident in nine countries; (ii) public financial support exists now in Albania and Armenia; (iii) in Luxembourg, the only ART centre expanded its on-site activities; (iv) donor-conceived children are entitled to know the donor identity in six countries more than in 2018; and (v) four more countries have set a maximum number of oocyte donations. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: Although the responses were provided by well-informed and committed individuals and submitted to double checking, no formal validation by official bodies was in place. Therefore, possible inaccuracies cannot be excluded. The results presented are a cross-section in time, and ART and IUI frameworks within European countries undergo continuous modification. Finally, some domains of ART activity were deliberately left out of the scope of this survey. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Our results offer a detailed updated view of the ART and IUI situation in European countries. It provides extensive answers to many relevant questions related to ART usage at the national level and could be used by institutions and policymakers at both national and European levels. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): The study has no external funding, and all costs were covered by ESHRE. There were no competing interests.

Differential Expression of lncRNAs in HIV Patients with TB and HIV-TB with Anti-Retroviral Treatment.

Tuberculosis (TB) is the leading cause of death among people with HIV-1 infection. To improve the diagnosis and treatment of HIV-TB patients, it is important to understand the mechanisms underlying these conditions. Here, we used an integrated genomics approach to analyze and determine the lncRNAs that are dysregulated in HIV-TB patients and HIV-TB patients undergoing anti-retroviral therapy (ART) using a dataset available in the public domain. The analyses focused on the portion of the genome transcribed into non-coding transcripts, which historically have been poorly studied and received less focus. This revealed that Mtb infection in HIV prominently up-regulates the expression of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes DAAM2-AS1, COL4A2-AS1, LINC00599, AC008592.1, and CLRN1-AS1 and down-regulates the expression of lncRNAs AC111000.4, AC100803.3, AC016168.2, AC245100.7, and LINC02073. It also revealed that ART down-regulates the expression of some lncRNA genes (COL4A2-AS1, AC079210.1, MFA-AS1, and LINC01993) that are highly up-regulated in HIV-TB patients. Furthermore, the interrogation of the genomic regions that are associated with regulated lncRNAs showed enrichment for biological processes linked to immune pathways in TB-infected conditions. However, intriguingly, TB patients treated with ART showed completely opposite and non-overlapping pathways. Our findings suggest that lncRNAs could be used to identify critical diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment targets for HIV-TB patients.

The Use of Insect Pigment in Art Works.

In this compilation, the focus is on the Cochineal insect (Dactylopius coccus Costa, 1835 (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae)), a creature native to South America that produces a potent natural red pigment known as "carmine". This pigment, utilized for obtaining the color red, has been an integral part of the art world for thousands of years. Indigenous cultures, in particular, have employed the dye extracted from this insect in the creation of textile dyes and paintings. Moreover, the Cochineal insect and its unique pigments have not only supported artistic expression but also captivated and inspired artists. During the Renaissance period, artists preferred the carmine pigment produced by the females of the Cochineal insect for obtaining bright and vivid red tones. This study delves into the history of the Cochineal insect, its role in art, and its perception in the modern world. Famous paintings created with dyes obtained from the Cochineal insect are discussed, exploring how pigments have found a place in the art world and how artists have utilized this extraordinary source to create distinctive works.

Impact of Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Endometritis on Outcomes Before Starting Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Retrospective Study.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of diagnosis and treatment of chronic endometritis (CE) on the outcome of assisted reproductive technology (ART) with or without repeated implantation failure (RIF). This retrospective analysis included patients who underwent pathological examination for diagnosis of CE at Yamagata University Hospital. The examination was performed for all patients planned for ART with or without RIF. Patients who were examined within 6 months of the first oocyte retrieval or embryo transfer were included. We counted the number of CD138-positive cells within the endometrial stroma in patients' specimens and analyzed the patients' clinical information. Clinical rates of pregnancy and implantation were determined. A total of 80 women met the inclusion criteria: 13 CE-negative patients (17.3%) and 67 CE-positive patients (83.7%). A significant decrease was noted in the CD138-positive cell count between the first biopsy and second biopsy after CE treatment (p < 0.001). In addition, no significant differences were noted in ongoing pregnancy rates between the CE-negative patients and those who underwent CE treatment. The CD138-positive cell counts at first biopsy tended to be lower in each pregnancy group than in the non-pregnancy group. For patients planned to undergo ART, examination for diagnosis of CE with or without RIF could be considered. Pathological CD138-positive cell counts were considered useful for CE diagnosis and treatment decision-making. The study findings suggest the efficacy of antimicrobial agents in CE treatment, contributing to improved pregnancy outcomes.

Environmentally sound recycling of agricultural waste: A sustainable approach to develop bio-functional art textile.

The agricultural processing industry produces a large amount of waste on a global scale whose disposal is simultaneously a nuisance and of special interest. The by-products are rich in bioactive phytoconstituents that might be beneficial to the production of bio-functional textiles. The present work uses agricultural wastes for the eco-friendly dyeing of woolen yarns. Response surface methodology based on 23- Central Composite Design was used to design experiments, evaluate the main dyeing parameters, develop efficient mathematical models to predict the dyeing process, and optimize the procedure. The quadratic regression models developed were found to be statistically significant using ANOVA, with R2 -value of 0.9734 and 0.9820 for color strength and lightness responses, respectively. Also, eye-soothing tone and hues with a good resistance to durability (4-5) and light (4) were achieved. The banana shell and gallnut bio-mordants improved UV protection by up to 25.33% and 59.79%, respectively. Generally speaking, the results showed that C. Oblonga leaf as well as gallnut and banana shells could be used as whole crop products in an ecologically sound textile dyeing process through a sustainable approach and that the proposed innovative application might serve as an attractive procedure for recycling and green waste management.

"I've got yer back": A community art and anatomy project.

This article describes a community collaborative project, "I've got yer back," that utilized the craft of needle felting to raise awareness and develop understanding of the anatomy of the human spine. The project took place in 2023 and engaged with participants from across the United Kingdom and abroad and its completion was timed to coincide with National Back Health Awareness week in October 2023. We describe the process of creating a vertebra using needle felt and examine how the particularities of the process and the use of the sense of touch helped participants notice and understand the complex form of the human vertebra. We consider how the project encompassed creative processes of hands-on learning to enhance knowledge about this aspect of human anatomy. We discuss how the project evolved to include public and academic participation in a shared goal and argue for the effectiveness of seemingly simple and straightforward art or craft workshops in teaching relatively complex science. The article includes detailed feedback from participants who reflect on the process of learning through making and how it went on to affect individuals in very different, and sometimes very personal, ways.

Comparison of choroidal thickness, superficial and deep retinal vascular indices, and foveal avascular zones: Martial arts athletes vs healthy non-athletes.

AIM: The study aims to compare choroidal thickness, deep and superficial retinal capillary plexuses, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters in elite martial arts athletes and a healthy sedentary control group. METHODS: The study included martial arts athletes (32 individuals, 64 eyes) and healthy sedentary persons (43 individuals with healthy sedentary lifestyles, 86 eyes) aged 18-35 years. In this single non-repeated observational and cross-sectional study, choroidal thickness, superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses, and FAZ measurements were measured using Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) and compared between groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found (p > 0.05) in age, IOP, AL (axial length), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) parameters between groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in choroidal thickness, superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses, and FAZ parameters determined by the OCTA method (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, we observed that the retinal and choroidal structures of martial art athletes and healthy sedentary individuals were similar. This observation implies that the putative microvascular effects on the choroid and retina in martial arts, especially those based on the anaerobic energy system, may reflect similar outcomes to those observed in individuals with sedentary lifestyles characterized by healthiness.