Introduction: Variations in chronotype influence sleep quality in humans. Insufficient sleep can have adverse consequences for students' health and academic performance. The aim of our study was to measure the associations between chronotype and sleep quality in a population of 1210 students of health sciences in Morocco and Spain. Methods: The study variables were assessed using the Horne and Ostberg Morningness–Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: This study revealed that the majority of the students belonged to the "neutral" chronotype (73.9%) and that the prevalence of poor-quality sleep was high (74.0%). Associations were found between chronotype and subjective sleep quality (p=0.006), sleep duration (p=0.005), sleep disturbances (p=0.013) and the use of sleeping medication (p=0.003). Chronotype was also associated with gender (p=0.009), country of study (p<0.001), field of study (p<0.001) and chronic health problems (p=0.001). The associations between chronotype and field of study (p<0.001 for an evening chronotype) and between chronotype and sleep disturbances (p<0.001 and p=0.026 for evening and morning chronotypes) were confirmed in the multivariate analysis. Conclusions: We have highlighted the influences of chronotype on sleep quality, which point to the need to undertake educational activities on sleep hygiene, taking chronotype into account among science students, in order to improve the mental health of future health professionals.

• Introduction and Objective: Cancer cachexia pivotally influences morbidity and mortality. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is aberrantly activated by tumor-derived factors, contributing to weight loss and cachexia. NF-κB-inducing kinase (NIK) is highly activated in cancer cells, prompting us to decipher the role of NIK in tumor-stimulation of BAT.

• Methods: NIK was overexpressed (NIK-Tg) or deleted (NIK-KO) specifically in bile duct epithelial cells. NIK-Tg, NIK-KO, and wild-type (WT) control mice were treated with thioacetamine (TAA) to induce intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA). NIK was deleted via CRISPR/Cas9 in HuCCT1 cells (HuCCT1-KO), a human iCCA line. Conditioned medium was prepared from huCCT1-KO and HuCCT1 cells and used to stimulate brown adipocyte culture. HuCCT1-KO and TuCCT1 cells were injected subcutaneously into immunodeficient mice, and tumor growth and BAT activation were assessed.
• Results: TAA promoted iCCA to a dramatically higher degree in NIK-Tg than in WT mice; conversely, NIK-KO mice were resistant to TAA-induced iCCA. Likewise, ablation of NIK also markedly suppressed tumor growth from HuCCT1-KO cells relative to tumors from HuCCT1 cells. BAT expression of UCP1 and other thermogenic genes was tremendously higher in tumor-bearing NIK-Tg mice relative to iCCA-free WT mice. Consistently, BAT was activated to a markedly higher level in mice transplanted with HuCCT1 cells (large tumors) relative to mice transplanted with HuCCT1-KO cells (small tumors). HuCCT1-KO conditioned medium activated the thermogenic program in brown adipocyte culture to a substantially higher level than HuCCT1 conditioned medium.
• Conclusion: Aberrant activation of biliary NIK increases liver cancer risk. NIK is required for production and secretion of soluble tumor mediators that stimulate BAT and cancer cachexia. NIK inhibitors may serve as a potential medication for the treatment of cancer and cancer cachexia.

To improve the clinical skills in parasitology of students working toward their Master's in Advanced Biomedical Sciences (De Montfort University, UK), a series of parasitology mini case studies were introduced in 2020/21, requiring students to reflect on their knowledge and seek information from different sources to suggest possible diagnoses. This Master's course is attended by graduates from a range of backgrounds who may or may not have studied human parasitology during their undergraduate studies. During theory classes, students were given a series of parasitology mini clinical cases from the Laboratory for the Detection of Parasitic Diseases of Public Health Interest of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. These mini cases consisted of a brief medical history and a series of virtual micrographs. Environmental micrographs were also used to familiarise the students with the characteristics of these parasites in environmental samples. Students were asked to provide a possible 'diagnosis' for each case, encouraging critical thinking. This experience was tested between 2020/21 and 2022/2023. Students (n=15/36; 2021-23) reported learning techniques to detect microsporidia spores (66.7%) and Cyclospora oocysts (75%) in environmental/clinical samples, which would be logical given the size of oocysts versus spores (10 vs. <1 μm). Our intervention would have been shown to facilitate the acquisition of clinical skills. In addition, students showed a gradual improvement in clinical case resolution throughout the course. To study the impact of this intervention in a short period of time, these mini cases were used in a five-hour training session as part of the Master's in Industrial and Galenic Pharmacy at the Spanish University of Alcalá (2023/24). This MSc is for pharmacists only and has a full compulsory module on parasitology. Students quickly familiarised themselves with what they had learned about parasitology and showed a high success rate in responding to the various mini cases presented during the session, displaying similar results.

The opportunistic bacterial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is mostly linked to infections acquired in hospitals. Recent increases in incidence, primarily associated with sick combat troops returning from conflict zones, and a dramatic rise in the incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains have significantly increased the frequency of this emerging opportunistic infection. The goal of the study is to look into A. baumannii's protein sequence in order to learn more about its physiochemical properties, functional assessments based on structure, domain anticipation for certain functional forecasts, secondary and tertiary structures, and the PPI network. The protein's physiochemical characteristics showed that its sequence contains more negatively charged residues than positively charged residues. This protein is stable and has suitable thermostability, according to the aliphatic index and instability index. Documentation further supports the protein's hydrophilic nature. The siroheme synthase enzyme catalyzes the protein's siroheme synthase CysG domain, which facilitates three stages of siroheme biosynthesis: methylation, oxidation, and iron insertion into the tetrapyrrole uroporphyrinogen III (Uro-III). Gene ontology analyses have revealed the protein interactions in molecular and biological processes. The chosen protein and 10 additional proteins formed an interaction network according to the PPI network. The secondary structural assessment revealed the alpha helix as the most prevalent structural element, followed by random coils and extended strands. Additionally, three distinct programs—AlphaFold, I-TASSER, and SWISS-MODEL—modeled the protein's tertiary structure. Upon examining various structures, the structural assessment study determined that the SWISS-MODEL program's predicted structure was the most optimal. This conclusion was drawn from the values of the most desired and extra-allowed areas in the plot statistics results. We can target the selected protein, associated with siroheme biosynthesis, for further study, including the development of drugs and vaccine candidates to combat diseases caused by this protein.

There is still debate whether ribavirin should be added to direct acting antivirals (DAAs) for the management of treatment-experienced individuals with non-genotype-1 hepatitis C. This study compared the efficacy and safety of adding ribavirin to sofosbuvir-based combinations compared to sofosbuvir-based regimens alone in treating non-genotype 1 HCV in individuals who have been previously treated. We searched Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, SCOPUS, CINAHL and preprint databases from inception to September 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared sofosbuvir-based regimens with ribavirin to sofosbuvir-based regimens alone in previously treated individuals with non-genotype 1 HCV infection. Data extraction and quality of study assessments were done by two independent authors and synthesis using bias-adjusted models, heterogeneity using I2, and publication bias using funnel plots. Eight RCTs, which compared sofosbuvir-based combinations with and without ribavirin were included. Overall, the addition of ribavirin to sofosbuvir, compared to sofosbuvir alone, did not show benefit in achieving sustained virological response (SVR) (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.26-3.17, I2 = 70.0%) with moderate certainty GRADE evidence. In subgroup analysis, there was no benefit of adding ribavirin to sofosbuvir in individuals with different HCV genotypes. The additional ribavirin showed increased odds of developing adverse events (OR 2.03, 95%CI 1.58-2.6, I 2 = 8.0%) and treatment discontinuation (OR 1.81, 95%CI 0.78-4.28, I 2 = 0.0%). The moderate certainty evidence suggests that adding ribavirin to sofosbuvir-based regimens may not confer benefit in achieving SVR in previously treated individuals with non-genotype 1 HCV but increases the odds of adverse events and treatment discontinuation. More evidence is needed on the effect of additional ribavirin in achieving SVR in individuals with decompensated cirrhosis.

Registration

The protocol is registered on the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) (CRD42022368868).

COVID-19, caused by the zoonotic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, first emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It was later declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization due to its rapid spread and significant impact on public health. The virus is characterized by high transmissibility and variable clinical outcomes, ranging from mild respiratory symptoms to severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Several studies have highlighted the role of hematological parameters in understanding disease severity and progression. This study aimed to analyze the hematological parameters of COVID-19 patients in Tlemcen, Algeria, through a descriptive approach. Data were collected from private laboratories in Tlemcen between January and March 2024. The sample population included individuals who tested positive for COVID-19. The study categorized patients based on age and gender and analyzed five key parameters from complete blood count (CBC) tests: white blood cell (WBC) count, lymphocyte count, neutrophil count, hemoglobin levels, and platelet count. Correlation tests were performed to determine potential associations between these hematological parameters. Preliminary findings indicated variations in blood parameters among infected individuals. Certain abnormalities, such as lymphopenia and an elevated neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), were more pronounced in specific patient groups. Age and gender appeared to influence these variations, with older individuals showing more significant deviations from normal values. Our results suggest that hematological parameters can serve as potential indicators for COVID-19 progression and severity. Understanding these changes could contribute to early risk stratification and improved patient management. Further studies with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has had a profound global impact on public health. This study aimed to evaluate both the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 cases and the efficacy of the vaccination campaign in Tlemcen, Algeria, in 2021. A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the Public Health Establishment Near Tlemcen (EPSP), University Hospital of Tlemcen. The study included confirmed COVID-19 cases, with clinical evaluations involving PCR testing and chest CT imaging. Among 68,745 confirmed cumulative number of cases, common symptoms included fever, cough, and shortness of breath, while PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values ranged from 15 to 35. CT scans revealed widespread lung involvement, with ground-glass opacities being a predominant feature. Epidemiological trends indicated a steady rise in cases, highlighting sustained transmission and underscoring the importance of diagnostic tools such as PCR and CT imaging in managing disease severity. Parallel to the clinical assessment, a comprehensive analysis of the vaccination campaign was conducted, focusing on vaccine distribution, uptake, and demographic trends. Data for five vaccine brands—Sputnik, AstraZeneca, Sinopharm, Sinovac, and Janssen—were analyzed to assess vaccine distribution efficiency, wastage rates, and demographic uptake patterns. Sinovac emerged as the most widely administered vaccine, accounting for 91.94% of its imported doses, while Sputnik showed the lowest wastage rate, with minimal expired vaccines. Age-specific vaccination trends revealed higher Sinovac uptake among individuals aged 50-64 and 65+, and Janssen was favored by the 30-49 age group. Additionally, individuals with comorbidities showed a stronger vaccine response to Sinovac, suggesting the need for targeted vaccination strategies. These findings provide essential insights into both COVID-19 clinical progression and vaccination dynamics in Tlemcen, contributing to future public health strategies aimed at controlling the spread and impact of COVID-19.

Introduction

Deficits in executive functions represent a fundamental challenge in various neuropsychiatric conditions, impairing cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibitory control. Conventional occupational therapy (OT) interventions often rely on standardized rehabilitation protocols, which may not sufficiently accommodate the heterogeneous neural profiles of individuals with executive dysfunction. This study introduces a novel, data-driven framework that integrates real-time neuroimaging with personalized occupational therapy interventions, aiming to optimize executive function rehabilitation through individualized neuroadaptive strategies.

Methods

This study employs a multimodal neuroimaging approach, combining portable electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to monitor cortical activation during occupational therapy sessions. Participants with executive function impairments will undergo baseline assessments, including standardized neuropsychological tests and neuroimaging measures. Occupational therapy tasks will be dynamically tailored based on individual neural activation patterns, with real-time modifications guided by neurophysiological feedback. Data analysis will evaluate longitudinal changes in functional connectivity, task performance, and executive function outcomes over a 12-week intervention period.

Results

Preliminary findings indicate that real-time neuroadaptive occupational therapy facilitates neuroplastic changes in cortical regions implicated in executive functions, particularly within the prefrontal cortex. Participants demonstrate statistically significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, working memory, and task-switching efficiency compared to conventional OT protocols. Neurophysiological markers, including enhanced functional connectivity and optimized cortical activation patterns, provide empirical support for the efficacy of this individualized intervention model.

Conclusions

This study presents a pioneering neuro-mapping paradigm within occupational therapy, leveraging real-time neuroimaging to inform personalized intervention strategies. Findings underscore the potential of neuroadaptive occupational therapy to enhance executive function rehabilitation beyond traditional methodologies. Future research should investigate the durability of these effects and explore broader clinical applications across diverse neurocognitive conditions.

C. difficile is a bacterium that causes severe diarrhea and may result in colon cancer. C. difficile are anaerobic, motile bacteria that are found practically everywhere, but particularly in soil. C. difficile produces up to three distinct toxins and lacks catalase and superoxide dismutase. Stressful conditions cause bacteria to release spores, which are resistant to harsh environments and cannot be destroyed by active bacteria. This study aims to investigate the C. difficile protein sequence, learn about its physicochemical properties, conduct structure-based functional analysis, anticipate domains for specific functional predictions, and investigate secondary and tertiary structures. According to its physicochemical qualities, the protein's sequence contains more negatively charged residues than positively charged residues. The aliphatic index suggests that this protein has adequate thermostability. Documentation also validates the protein's hydrophilic nature. This protein includes an uncharacterized stationary-phase protein (YicC). This protein aids in the 3' to 5' exoRNase PNPase's degradation of the sRNA RhyB and appears to produce a 5'-phosphate and a 3'-OH group. This protein has a domain named the sugar transport 2 domain, which is an IMP, and it is believed that this protein might play a role in the transfer of glucose. The secondary structural analysis revealed that the alpha helix was the most prominent structural element, followed by random coils and extended strands. Furthermore, two separate programs, AlphaFold and SWISS-MODEL, predicted the protein's tertiary structure. After examining various structures, the structural assessment study determined that the SWISS-MODEL program's prediction was the best, taking into account the values for the most wanted and extra-allowed areas in the plot statistics. Potential therapies and immunizations can target this protein in order to prevent microbial infection and prevent the protein from infecting cells.

Camellia japonica, which is traditionally valued as an ornamental plant, has recently attracted attention for its nutritional potential due to its rich mineral profile. This study aimed to evaluate the macromineral composition of C. japonica leaves to assess their potential for food and nutraceutical applications.

Dried leaf samples were subjected to acid digestion, and the concentrations of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and sodium (Na) were determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Analyses were conducted in triplicate, and the results were expressed as the mean ± standard deviation (mg/kg dry weight).

Compared to well-known leafy vegetables such as spinach (Spinacia oleracea) on a dry weight basis [1], C. japonica leaves exhibit lower mineral concentrations overall. Nevertheless, the results revealed that C. japonica is particularly rich in Ca (8301.26 ± 78.42), K (3096.23 ± 12.55), and Mg (1415.25 ± 24.34), with moderate levels of P (437.44 ± 6.92) and Na (126.99 ± 4.38). These findings highlight its potential as a sustainable and underutilized botanical source for the development of functional foods and dietary supplements.

(1) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. (2024). FoodData Central: Spinach, raw (FDC ID: 168462). Retrieved May 29, 2025, from https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/168462/nutrients