Recent advances in quantum communication and quantum error correction (QEC) have motivated hybrid architectures that exploit quantum resources to enhance multimedia transmission. However, practical quantum hardware remains constrained in qubit count, making it unrealistic to apply full scale QEC to every pixel of an image. To address this, we propose a hybrid framework combining Adaptive Multi-Qubit Encoding (AMQE) with selective Quantum Low-Density Parity-Check (QLDPC) protection. The proposed solution is demonstrated for the case of image data. Our work provides a resource-efficient pathway for high-quality quantum media transmission. The system partitions the image into blocks and assigns an importance score based on local variance. High-importance blocks structural features are encoded into multi-qubit superposition states and embedded into the logical subspace of a high-rate lifted-product QLDPC code. Low-importance blocks background are transmitted with lightweight AMQE encoding. We model the channel using realistic amplitude - damping noise. Numerical simulations show that this selective protection strategy decouples perceptual quality from physical noise limits. The proposed architecture maintains a Peak Signal-to-Noise Ratio (PSNR) above 40 dB in noise regimes where classical baselines fail. The framework also retains high-structural fidelity, maintaining the Structural Similarity Index Measure (SSIM) more than 0.98, confirming robust preservation of key visual features under amplitude - damping noise. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the proposed QLDPC architecture outperforms Quantum Polar codes at finite block lengths due to the steeper error suppression slope of the Belief Propagation - Ordered Statistics Decoding (BP - OSD).
The ability to successfully retain and manipulate information in working memory (WM) requires that objects' individual features are bound into cohesive representations; yet, the mechanisms supporting feature binding remain unclear. Binding (or swap) errors, where memorized features are erroneously associated with the wrong object, can provide a window into the intrinsic limits in capacity of WM that represent a key bottleneck in our cognitive ability. We tested the hypothesis that binding in WM is accomplished via neural phase synchrony and that swap errors result from perturbations in this synchrony. Using magnetoencephalography data collected from human subjects in a task designed to induce swap errors, we showed that swaps are characterized by reduced phase-locked oscillatory activity during memory retention, as predicted by an attractor model of spiking neural networks. Further, we found that this reduction arises from increased phase coding variability in the alpha-band over a distributed network of sensorimotor areas. Our findings demonstrate that feature binding in WM is accomplished through phase coding dynamics that emerge from the competition between different memories.
The subiculum, a key component of the medial temporal lobe (MTL), has traditionally been viewed as a relay station for hippocampal output to cortical regions. However, its intricate afferent and efferent connections with diverse brain areas suggest a more independent role in memory and spatial navigation. This review argues that the subiculum encodes regularities in environmental structures (e.g., boundaries, corners, axes) and behavioral patterns imposed by task demands, integrating hippocampal information into schematic representations for goal-directed actions. In conditions where perceptual constraints are dominantly fostering predictable behaviors, subicular neurons exhibit invariant firing properties tied to environmental features, such as boundary vector and axis tuning. However, during task-guided behaviors, subicular firing is further shaped by task-relevant mnemonic constraints, as seen in theta-phase-specific fields that segment space into pre- and postchoice zones, encoding variables such as context and choice. Anatomical evidence, including convergent CA1 inputs and local recurrent connections within the subiculum, supports this function, with subicular outputs to regions like the medial prefrontal cortex facilitating rule-guided action generation. Ultimately, the subiculum transforms granular hippocampal codes into memory schemas, enabling efficient navigation and behavior in complex environments.
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The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants, like XBB.1.5, causing immune evasion and frequent breakthrough infections, emphasizes the need for vaccines that limit transmission and target newly emerging variants. Mucosal vaccines, particularly live attenuated vaccines (LAV), are promising candidates for inducing strong mucosal immune responses to prevent viral replication and transmission. Vaccination with the previously described "one-to-stop" codon-modified LAV OTS-228, carrying the ancestral spike protein, induced sterilizing immunity against ancestral SARS-CoV-2 but also broad protection against Omicron variants, including XBB.1.5, but transmission of XBB.1.5 to contacts could not be prevented completely. As a proof-of-concept, we updated OTS-228 by replacing the sequence coding for the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 spike protein with that of the XBB.1.5 variant. We applied flow cytometry to detect SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell responses, as well as ELISA and qPCR, to characterize systemic and mucosal immune responses in Syrian hamsters in detail. The new OTS construct designated as "OTS-300" exhibited an optimal safety profile in Syrian hamsters comparable to the original candidate vaccine. A single-dose intranasal (i.n.) vaccination with OTS-300 protects against disease, substantially limits XBB.1.5 replication, and reduces transmission in Syrian hamsters, showcasing the adaptability of the OTS platform for other emerging variants. OTS-300 induced accelerated mucosal and systemic antibody responses and reduced virus-mediated inflammation as compared with an intramuscularly delivered mRNA vaccine encoding the XBB.1.5 Spike.
Perceiving the direction of observed actions is critical for interpreting intentions and understanding everyday actions. While direction selectivity has been extensively studied with simple stimuli such as dots, gratings, or point-light displays (PLDs), little is known about how the brain encodes direction in naturalistic, repetitive actions that are seen frequently in daily life. The present fMRI study investigated direction-selective representations during observation of complex actions performed along three bidirectional dimensions (left-right, up-down, front-back) within a 96-video stimulus set. The brain activity was analyzed using multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and multiple regression representational similarity analysis (RSA). MVPA revealed above-chance classification of action direction across occipital, parietal, and motor cortices, with the highest decoding in occipital, primary motor, and somatosensory regions. Crucially, RSA demonstrated that when accounting for low-level and motor features, direction information was still represented in early visual cortex, occipito-temporal areas, parietal regions, and motor-related regions. These findings indicate that action direction is represented across multiple levels of the action observation network (AON), extending from early sensory regions to higher-order parietal and frontal cortices. By using naturalistic, repetitive action videos, this study provides new evidence that the coding of action direction in the human brain is broadly distributed, reflecting the complexity of perceiving actions in everyday life. These findings suggest that direction selectivity is a core feature of the action observation network, linking basic motion processing with higher-level action understanding.
The genus Stachys, a large and taxonomically intricate group within the Lamiaceae family, includes numerous species valued in traditional medicine, yet their evolutionary relationships are often obscured by morphological complexity. To resolve these persistent difficulties, we sequenced and assembled the complete chloroplast genomes of two medicinally important Iranian species, Stachys persica and Stachys germanica, and compared them against seven congeneric genomes. Despite an overall picture of strong structural conservation across the genus, we discovered that evolutionary variation concentrates in specific genomic hotspots. Several non-coding intergenic spacers, most notably trnL-trnF, along with the matK and ycf1 genes emerged as exceptionally variable regions, making them promising candidates for species-level DNA barcoding. In a more surprising finding, we detected clear signatures of positive selection acting on the photosynthetic gene petB, suggesting that even core energy pathways have experienced adaptive refinement within this lineage. Phylogenetically, whole-plastome data placed S. germanica as sister to S. byzantina, with S. persica as their closest relative, a relationship that individual barcode loci failed to recover reliably. Taken together, this study provides a robust evolutionary framework for Stachys, identifies practical molecular tools for authenticating medicinal materials, and demonstrates the power of whole-plastome sequencing to untangle taxonomically intricate plant groups.
With more eukaryotic genomes available for study researchers have been able to identify a growing number of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) candidates. We compiled 9,495 protein coding genes that were identified as horizontally transferred to metazoan hosts in the published literature. This dataset contains gene transfers from bacteria, fungi, archaea and protists to metazoans. We assigned a confidence score to each gene based on the methods used in the scientific paper reporting HGT. All the coding sequences and protein sequences for the HGT genes are stored in a fig share repository. This dataset can be used to identify trends in genome and protein evolution and provide a foundation for creating a centralized HGT database for eukaryotes.
Dysregulation of transcription factors is a hallmark of lung tumorigenesis, and Sex-determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) has emerged as a putative master regulator at the intersection of development and malignancy. Building on evidence from lung and other solid tumors, we summarize how aberrant SOX9 expression, shaped by epigenetic modification, post-translational regulation, and non-coding RNAs, drives proliferation, survival, invasion, and therapy resistance. In lung cancer, SOX9 appears to orchestrate a stem-like, plastic cell state, promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), metastatic dissemination, and remodeling of the tumor microenvironment (TME). These context-dependent functions position SOX9 both as an oncogenic driver and, in selected settings, as a modulator of treatment response. This review integrates current mechanistic and translational data to frame SOX9 as a clinically actionable node within key signaling circuits relevant to non-small cell and small cell lung cancer. We highlight emerging strategies that directly or indirectly target SOX9, including interference with upstream pathways, epigenetic reprogramming, and RNA-based approaches designed to modulate SOX9 expression or activity. Finally, we propose SOX9 as a dual biomarker and therapeutic handle to guide rational combination therapies aimed at overcoming drug resistance and improving patient stratification. By connecting molecular insight with unmet clinical needs, this article outlines a conceptual roadmap for SOX9-centered therapeutic approaches in lung cancer. A key novelty of this review is the integration of SOX9-centered molecular mechanisms with therapeutic resistance, biomarker potential, and emerging indirect targeting strategies in lung cancer, thereby providing a translational framework for future SOX9-guided interventions.
Apolipoprotein L1 (APOL1)-mediated kidney disease is causally associated with the G1/G2 risk alleles of the APOL1 gene, and shows incomplete penetrance shaped by environmental and genomic modifiers. A rare coding variant, N264K, observed on G0 or G2 variants, has been associated with protection in high-risk genotypes. Importantly, emerging data indicate that in some settings a single APOL1 risk allele can confer risk, including reports of end stage kidney disease in G0/G2 individuals, underscoring the need to determine whether N264K protection requires cis configuration with G2 allele (on the same polypeptide), or can also act in trans (on the opposite allele), an issue of potential future clinical diagnostic and therapeutic relevance when phase is unknown for certain genotypes. A previously healthy 10-year-old Muslim Arab male developed edema during laboratory-confirmed influenza. He had sub-nephrotic-range proteinuria with hypoalbuminemia, preserved kidney function, and normal blood pressure. Treatment with prednisone according to Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) pediatric guidelines did not induce remission. Kidney biopsy showed diffuse mesangial hypercellularity with prominent IgM deposition. In patients with steroid non-remitting disease, this finding is compatible with IgM nephropathy that can herald focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Tacrolimus was started, and later pulse methyl-prednisolone was administered, achieving only transient reduction in proteinuria; therapy was complicated by reversible insulin-requiring hyperglycemia and subsequently withdrawn. Subsequent administration of Rituximab in combination with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition resulted in significant reduction of proteinuria. Trio exome sequencing demonstrated APOL1 G0/G2 with N264K on the paternal G0 allele (trans to G2) and no other monogenic cause of steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. At follow-up, the child has preserved kidney function with normal plasma albumin level and without proteinuria. In human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cultured cells co-transfection assays modeling heterozygosity, N264K reduced G2-dependent cytotoxicity only in cis (same construct as G2) and not in trans (on G0), despite comparable expression; the effect was stronger on an EIK than a KIK haplotype backbone. Taken together the clinical findings and the in vitro experimental laboratory results suggest that APOL1 allele phasing may be informative in selected cases where both G2 and N264K are reported, and support development of APOL1-mediated kidney disease biomarkers and genotype-informed therapies.
Despite their benefits, digital health tools often face adoption barriers because of the digital divide. Identifying the fundamental user skills required to effectively navigate these tools and the usability barriers is essential to addressing disparities in use. This study aimed to identify the skill and usability barriers to using digital health tools. This study included English-, Spanish-, or Cantonese-speaking patients, aged ≥50 years, who received care at an urban safety net health system in the United States. Participants completed a survey examining sociodemographic characteristics and digital health tool use and were observed and video recorded as they navigated four digital health care tasks: (1) launch a video visit, (2) visit a health website through a URL, (3) log in to the patient portal, and (4) sign up for a patient portal account. Participants who could not independently perform the tasks received additional support. Tasks were conducted in English, while instructions and additional assistance were provided in each participant's preferred language. Video recordings were thematically coded to identify the fundamental skills needed for effective digital tool use and usability barriers in the design of digital tools. We examined whether task independence was associated with participant demographics and thematic categories using Kruskal-Wallis, χ2, and Fisher exact tests. In total, 74% (34/46), 52% (31/60), 71% (44/62), and 70% (43/61) of participants (N=64) independently completed digital tasks 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Older age, minoritized races and ethnicities, non-English language preference, lower educational attainment, access to cellular data only or no internet access, and lack of a portal account were associated with a higher likelihood of requiring assistance or being unsuccessful at completing each task (P<.001, except for older age [P=.004]). The qualitative coding of video recordings identified 3, 4, and 6 categories of typing, navigation, and human-computer interaction (HCI) skills, respectively, as fundamental skills required to independently complete digital tasks. χ2 and Fisher exact tests indicated significant associations between most typing, navigation, and HCI categories and independent task completion. We coded usability barriers as one of 6 learnability challenges or 3 operability challenges. This study identified that independent use of digital health tools requires fundamental typing, navigation, or HCI skills as well as high usability of digital tools. The inclusion of 4 different digital tasks added specificity to the type of skills and usability considerations necessary to ensure accessibility of digital health tools to diverse older adults. This study underscores the need for vendors to cocreate digital health tools with historically excluded end users in mind. As health care systems expand digital tool adoption, they must distinguish fundamental skill gaps from usability barriers, as each may require different intervention strategies.
Executive functions (EF) are crucial for children's optimal functioning in several spheres. Therefore, understanding the factors involved in their early development is of paramount importance. The present longitudinal study aimed to obtain deeper insight into the role of fathers' and mothers' mind-mindedness in toddlers' EF. The sample included 131 families visited at home when children were aged around 6 (T1) and 19 (T2) months. At T1, both parents' mind-mindedness was rated, based on a 10-min parent-infant free play period, using a widely recognized and validated coding system capturing the number of appropriate and non-attuned comments on the child's mental states (emotions, thoughts, needs, and desires). At T2, child EF were measured with three behavioral tasks targeting inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility, and working memory. Regressions revealed that mothers' non-attuned comments were negatively and prospectively associated with all components of toddlers' EF, whereas mothers' appropriate comments were positively and prospectively associated with cognitive flexibility. Fathers' mind-mindedness was not associated with any EF components. The findings highlight the importance of maternal mind-mindedness in infancy for child EF during toddlerhood. This study provides novel insights into how maternal appropriate and non-attuned comments on children's mental states are distinctly related to child EF early in life.
Lumbar spinal endoscopy has long been mischaracterized by payers as investigational. Such claims conflict with decades of refinement, randomized trials, and policy precedent. We reviewed the historical evolution, prospective trials, meta-analyses, and policy milestones of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD), with emphasis on coding, reimbursement, and comparative effectiveness. Evidence demonstrates that TELD, performed with direct visualization, provides durable outcomes with complication, reoperation, and conversion rates equal or superior to open decompression. Meta-analyses confirm comparable effect sizes to microsurgery, while selective integration with motion-preserving adjuncts extends durability in complex cases. TELD has matured into a safe and durable technology. It is not limited to lateral recess disease but is capable of effectively addressing central stenosis, including select cases with low-grade spondylolisthesis. TELD's trajectory mirrors that of other coverage-adopted technologies, and its future impact depends on structured training to ensure reproducibility and broad patient access. This work establishes that transforaminal endoscopy, performed with direct visualization, is not limited to lateral recess disease. TELD can safely and effectively address central stenosis, including selected cases with low-grade spondylolisthesis. Contemporary evidence demonstrates durable outcomes comparable to open decompression. The next step is structured training to ensure reproducibility across the broader surgical community, thereby securing patient access to this established and codified technique within recognized coverage frameworks.
To identify barriers and facilitators to parents' participation in shared decision making (SDM) for adenotonsillectomy or tympanostomy tube surgeries. A qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews with parents who had attended a surgical consultation to discuss adeno/tonsillectomy or tympanostomy tube placement for their child. Data were analyzed using the Theoretical Domains Framework to identify behavioural determinants related to parents' capability, opportunity, and motivation for engaging in SDM. Thematic coding of interviews was performed by 2 separate reviewers. A total of 11 interviews were conducted. Data saturation was confirmed following thematic analysis. Themes were grouped into 4 meta-themes identifying dominant factors shaping parents' participation in SDM: (1) Having adequate information about the condition and available options, (2) Having time to consider and discuss the decision beyond the initial consultation, (3) The demeanor of the surgeon, and (4) Comfort participating in decision-making. Parents agree that SDM is a good ideal for guiding consultations about adeno/tonsillectomy or tympanostomy tube surgery, but not all parents prefer the same role in decision-making. Parents are not equally aware of treatment options before or after attending a consultation, and their comfort discussing options is impacted by surgeons' behaviour. Design of SDM supports for this clinical context would beneficially include provision of information before the consultation, tools to support explicit and supportive conversation about parents' preferences and treatment options, and clinical infrastructure for continued communication and emotional support after the consultation.
Red tilapia has gained increasing popularity worldwide in the commercial aquaculture production due to its rapid growth and delightful taste. However, the occurrence of skin colour variation poses a significant challenge to the advancement of commercial culture. Furthermore, the molecular regulatory mechanism and genetic basis for the distinct skin colouration in red tilapia remain undisclosed. In this study, a comprehensive transcriptome analysis was conducted on red tilapia with different skin colour by integrating PacBio Iso-seq technology with Illumina short-read sequencing methods. A total of 41.38 Gb of clean data was generated, resulting in the acquisition of 30,970 transcripts. Among them, 10,829 transcripts were successfully annotated in at least one public database. In addition, 10,827 coding sequences, 452 transcription factors, and 781 lncRNAs were identified in new transcripts. Furthermore, we performed RNA-seq analysis to identify skin colour-associated genes in red tilapia with three colour spots (white spots, W; black spots, B; red spots, R). The results revealed the identification of 278 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the comparison groups, which included B vs R, B vs W, and WvsR.Amongthem, some known genes were found to be involved in regulating the skin pigment synthesis, including PMEL, Wnt-4, melanoregulin and ALK in red tilapia with different skin colour. In addition, some pathways, including melanogenesis (ko04916), ECM receptor interaction (ko04512), Hedgehog signaling pathway (ko04340) and steroid hormone biosynthesis (ko00140), were associated with the skin pigment synthesis in red tilapia. Furthermore, the quantitative real-time PCR analysis confirmed a moderate correlation (coefficient of 0.68) between the results obtained from the qPCR and RNA-seq methodologies. In summary, our findings will significantly contribute to the enhanced comprehension of the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the variation in skin colour observed in red tilapia..
Menstruation has long been framed primarily as a hygiene issue, with mainstream products and public messaging emphasizing concealment and disposal of menstrual blood (MB). This has contributed to a culture of silence in which conversations about menstrual health have been marginalized in public and clinical settings. Recent international guidance, including the World Health Organization's call to reframe menstruation as a health issue, underscores the need for more open discourse. Simultaneously, social media has become a prominent space where menstruating individuals share experiences, seek advice, and challenge stigma. The resurgence of reusable menstrual products has increased users' direct observation of MB, prompting questions about variations in color, texture, and smell. These developments highlight growing curiosity about MB yet reveal persistent information gaps regarding how MB is understood outside the clinical setting. This study aimed to examine how MB is represented in social media discourse and to explore individuals' perceptions of MB's potential use as a diagnostic tool. We conducted a cross-sectional, convergent mixed methods social listening study combining qualitative content analysis, social network analysis, sentiment analysis, and descriptive statistical analysis. Data were collected from TikTok (ByteDance), Facebook (Meta), Instagram (Meta), and Reddit using Mention and Apify. Between February 1 and 28, 2025, 6263 posts and videos were extracted using 3 strategies-group searches, hashtag searches, and social listening alerts. All data were anonymized, and demographic information was unavailable. After removing duplicates, non-English content, images, and posts without reference to blood, 349 posts were included. Coding followed a multistep deductive process in Atlas.ti. All posts were assigned with quotations, which were designated with one or more codes. Network analysis examined associations between appearance descriptors and reported health conditions. Sentiment analysis assessed perceptions of MB-based diagnostics. Among the included posts (n=349), most originated from Reddit and Facebook. Seeking help (154/349, 44.1%) was the most common type of post. Appearance descriptions (n=243 posts) focused on color, particularly brown, bright red, pink, and black; consistency, particularly coagulation; and smell, mainly unpleasant. Network analysis linked specific colors and textures to perceived conditions, including miscarriage, endometriosis, hormonal changes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and infections. Discussion of MB as a diagnostic tool (n=80 posts) was less frequent but included predominantly positive quotations (110/115, 95.7%), emphasizing accessibility, noninvasiveness, and home-based sampling. Concerns (19/115, 16.5%) focused on inclusivity, stigma, and bodily autonomy. This study demonstrates that social media serves as an important source for discussion on MB-related topics and highlights a gap between public information needs and the available scientific evidence. The findings also indicate a strong interest in MB characteristics and support further research into its diagnostic potential. To our knowledge, this is the first study to analyze social media discussions on MB characteristics and its diagnostic potential.
Occupational therapists engage in continuing professional development (CPD) through various means, including workplace experiences. Workplace discussions between peers can promote reflection and foster learning. However, the specific contribution of peer support in occupational therapists' CPD remains underexplored. This study aimed to explore the role of peer support in clinical occupational therapists' CPD. A constructivist grounded theory approach was employed to develop an explanatory, substantive theory of the peer support process among occupational therapists working in clinical settings. Participants were occupational therapists who had received or provided peer support within the past 2 years. Semi-structured interviews lasting approximately 60 minutes were conducted. Qualitative data were analysed using a constant comparative method involving initial, focussed, and theoretical coding. There is no consumer or community involvement. The 15 occupational therapists recruited had either only received (n = 4) or both offered and received (n = 11) peer support. Clinical reasoning, emotional support, professional growth, and career trajectories all acted as triggers for engaging in peer support. Analysis of participants' interview data informed the conceptualisation of peer support as an ongoing, non-linear process shaped by three interrelated sets of conditions: (1) mobilisation (timely access, being grounded in practice, and access to relevant peer expertise), (2) interaction (navigating hierarchy, feeling safe, and dialogical conditions), and (3) practice context (workplace culture and protected time). Engagement in peer support was associated with a range of CPD-related outcomes, including broadening perspective, embracing risk-taking and practice-based experimentation, building self-efficacy, and transferring professional knowledge. The theory explains how the process of peer support contributes to multiple effects of CPD and fosters transformative learning at individual and organisational levels. Occupational therapists continue learning throughout their careers to maintain their skills and provide high‐quality care. One way this learning happens is through everyday workplace experiences and conversations with colleagues. These peer discussions can support reflection and learning in practice. However, little is known about how peer support contributes to professional development. This study explored how peer support contributes to continuing professional development for occupational therapists working in clinical settings. Fifteen occupational therapists who had given or received peer support in the past 2 years took part in interviews lasting about 60 minutes. The occupational therapists shared their experiences of peer discussions at work. The findings showed that therapists sought peer support when they needed help with clinical reasoning, when facing emotionally challenging situations, or when reflecting on their professional development. How peer support unfolded depended on several conditions, including how easily peers could be accessed, whether discussions were based on similar work experiences, and whether peers had relevant expertise. It also depended on the quality of interactions—such as feeling safe, having open conversations, and managing differences in roles—as well as on the practice context, including workplace culture and protected time for discussion. Through peer support, therapists described gaining new perspectives on their practice, feeling more confident to try new approaches, strengthening professional confidence over time, and sharing knowledge with colleagues. Overall, this study highlights peer support as a process that continues over time and does not follow a single, predictable path, supporting learning in practice and contributing to continuing professional development at individual and team levels.
BALB/C mice were subjected to vestibular loading (rotation in individual containers at a speed of 80 rpm) for 8 h. As a result of this loading, the animals exhibited a decrease in horizontal and vertical locomotor activity, which returned to the control levels after 5 days. An immunohistochemical study of mi croglia and astrocytes in the lateral vestibular nuclei (LVN) revealed elevated levels of protein markers for astrocytes (GFAP) and microglia (Aif1) one hour and 5 days after the stimulation. These changes were indic ative of a gradual development of neuroinflammation in the LVN, which lasted for at least 5 days. Microglia, which appeared in branched shape in control animals, acquired an amoeboid reactive shape after vestibu lar loading. Moreover, expression of the genes coding for these proteins remained at the control level one hour after the stimulation and showed a reduction after 5 days. It is assumed that such a decrease helps re solve the neuroinflammation, preventing it from becoming chronic. Neuroinflammation in the acute phase is known to play a protective role and is required for plastic rearrangements of neuronal and glial networks. Transition to the chronic phase results in neuronal damage. The results of this study would allow one to de termine the period when it is reasonable to use anti-inflammatory therapy to mitigate damage. The applied model of vestibular stimulation allows one to solve problems when studying plastic rearrangements in the brain structures of the vestibular system under high-intensity sensory load.
Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common cancer among women in Uganda, with many being diagnosed when the disease is in an advanced stage. Visual Inspection with Acetic acid (VIA) remains the most readily available CC screening method in most health facilities in Uganda, but with low screening coverage. This study aimed to understand the barriers and facilitators to CC screening in Uganda. A qualitative study was conducted between March 2022 and March 2023 in Mukono, and Wakiso. Through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) data was collected on perceived barriers and facilitators to CC screening among women aged 25-65 years, primary health care workers (PHC), and community representatives (local authorities and members of civil society organisations). Sixteen FGDs were conducted with 8-12 participants per group. Four FGDs with women (57 participants), four with community representatives (35participants) and four FGDs with PHC workers (32participants). Thematic analysis was performed using deductive and inductive coding guided by the social ecological model. Perceived barriers and facilitators to CC screening emerged at multiple levels. At the individual level, women identified limited knowledge about CC screening as a major barrier, alongside several forms of fears, including fear of exposing private parts, fear of positive screening results, and concerns regarding the potential costs of treatment. At the interpersonal level, inadequate support from partners, peers, and family hindered CC screening uptake. Institutional barriers included negative attitude of health worker, prolonged waiting times, and long distances to health facilities. At the community level, stigma such as being labeled adulterous for seeking CC screening services discouraged participation. Conversely, facilitators of CC screening included awareness of the benefits of screening and experience sharing at the individual level, community sensitization and decentralization of services at the community level; and availability of accessible treatment services at the institutional level. Despite free, publicly available CC screening services in Uganda, women continue to encounter numerous barriers that influence both access to and utilization of these services. Enhanced community sensitization is essential to improve awareness of the importance of early CC screening. Additionally, there is a critical need to ensure that subsequent care and treatment services are more financially accessible to all women. Not applicable.