A variety of chronic, inflammatory vascular and autoimmune diseases are accompanied by fibrinaloid microclots. Such diseases reflect endothelial dysfunction and may be detected using a ‘structural’ assay in the form of the fluorescence microscopic or flow ‘clotometry’ analysis of suitably stained platelet-poor plasma. Their amyloid nature and the presence of anti-fibrinolytic molecules therein make the fibrinaloid microclots comparatively resistant to the normal processes of clot degradation. By inhibiting the free flow of blood, the many effects of fibrinaloid microclots include those causing hypoxia, oxidative stress, and ‘blood stasis’ in the microcirculation. Nailfold capillaroscopy is an established observational technique (with both ‘structural’ and ‘functional’ elements) for assessing the microcirculation, and it is thus of interest to establish whether it too demonstrates changes when these syndromes are diagnosed. All diseases in which both methods have been applied show both the presence of fibrinaloid microclots and changes in capillary properties, indicating the complementary value of the structural and functional assays. This also suggests the potential value of nailfold capillaroscopy in a variety of other diseases involving coagulopathies or a deficient microcirculation, which has been little studied to date.
Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) is a rare neonatal disorder causing diaphragmatic defects and cardiopulmonary hypoplasia, traditionally attributed to mechanical compression from organ herniation. However, emerging evidence suggests genetic mutations may independently impair lung development, prompting debate over CDH etiology. Here, we investigated the requirement of mitochondrial function guarded by LON peptidase 1 (Lonp1), a CDH risk gene, in either diaphragm or lung development. Lonp1 loss in skeletal muscles of the diaphragm led to its thinning and membranization, recapitulating the pathology of sac-type CDH. On the other hand, lung-specific inactivation caused severe hypoplasia with defective branching morphogenesis, independent of diaphragm anomalies. Molecularly, Lonp1 disruption dysregulated key transcription factors and signaling pathways known to be critical for early lung development. Our findings here revealed that mitochondrial defects contribute to the pathogenesis of CDH in an organ and cell type specific manner, opening new avenues for drug and therapeutic development.
The construction of hydroelectric dams for power generation causes environmental alterations and ecosystem restructuring in directly and indirectly affected areas. This study aimed to survey the ant fauna in the indirect area of influence of a small hydroelectric plant located in Mangueirinha, Paraná State, Brazil. Seven sampling campaigns were conducted, two before and five during the project’s implementation, using pitfall traps as the sampling method. A total of 72 ant species were recorded, belonging to 26 genera and six subfamilies. Species richness and abundance did not differ significantly between the pre-implementation and implementation phases. The Chao1 estimator indicated that actual species richness may be approximately 7.6% higher than observed. These findings contribute to understanding ant biodiversity in areas subject to land-use change in Paraná State. The results highlight the value of using insect species richness and abundance, particularly of bioindicator groups such as ants, for environmental impact monitoring.
Forensic science is a critical element of policing. In the past three decades, it has become one of the most important investigative tools in criminal investigations. The importance of forensic science is operationalized by linking suspects to crime scenes, exoneration of the wrongly convicted, novel forensic technologies in cold case clearances, and many other aspects. Although modern policing is equipped with forensic resources, it faces some challenges, including investigative flaws that are heavily impacted by the neglect and misuse of forensic science. With the development of forensic science, it is necessary to take advantage of technology in investigations to the maximum extent. From police academy training to criminal investigation, there are many procedures in the process that require forensic and related professionalism. In this respect, the need to strengthen forensic education, training, and practice to improve policing is urgent. This article addresses the current situation and problems of forensic science in general procedures and proposes strategies for improving forensic science in policing.
This ethnographic study examines generational shifts in fertility behaviour among ever-married women in Howrah district, West Bengal, India—a region characterised by the convergence of agrarian rural and rapid urbanisation. Utilising a cross-sectional sample of 665 women across three generational cohorts, the analysis applies a negative binomial regression framework to assess the impact of socio-demographic, economic, and cultural determinants on fertility outcomes. One-way ANOVA result reveals a significant generational decline in mean number of children (p = 0.004); with participants of Generation I (1.89) showing the highest mean number of children than the participants of Generation III (1.38). Negative binomial regression results showed that women from Generation II (IRR = 0.99; CI: 0.72–1.37; p < 0.001) and Generation III (IRR = 0.95; CI: 0.60–1.49; p = 0.001) exhibiting significantly lower fertility compared to those from Generation I. Key predictors of reduced fertility include higher educational attainment among women (IRR = 0.95; CI: 0.72–1.26; p < 0.01) and their spouses (IRR = 0.99; CI: 0.85–1.25; p < 0.05), engagement in white-collar occupations (IRR = 0.93; CI: 0.72–1.22; p < 0.01), prioritisationof leisure time (IRR = 0.51; CI: 0.85–1.18; p < 0.05), fewer siblings (1–2) of the husband (IRR = 0.99; CI: 0.81–1.28; p < 0.05), higher household crowding (HCI) (IRR = 0.99; CI: 0.85–1.14; p < 0.05), and greater economic status within the upper expenditure quintile (IRR = 0.95; CI: 0.79–1.15; p < 0.01). Fertility preferences increasingly reflect modern aspirations related to lifestyle enhancement and personal autonomy. However, traditional influences—such as perceived necessity of children for life fulfilment and old-age dependency—continue to exert a reduced but noticeable effect. Significantly, higher fertility rates among Muslim participants (IRR = 1.04; CI: 0.81–1.14; p < 0.01) highlight the enduring impact of religious and economic disparities. IDIs observed a clear generational shift; older generations follow traditional childbearing norms, while younger ones lean toward modern views. The study concludes that fertility transition in the Howrah district is shaped by a dynamic interplay between persisting traditional norms and evolving individualistic values, positioning generational change as a crucial lens for interpreting India’s ongoing demographic transformation.
