Search

Importance: Large-scale estimates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are warranted for adequate prevention and treatment. However, systematic approaches to ascertain rates of BPD are lacking. Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the prevalence of BPD in very low birth weight (≤ 1,500 g) or very low gestational age (< 32 weeks) neonates. Data sources: A search of MEDLINE from January 1990 until September 2019 using search terms related to BPD and prevalence was performed. Study selection: Randomized controlled trials and observational studies evaluating rates of BPD in very low birth weight or very low gestational age infants were eligible. Included studies defined BPD as positive pressure ventilation or oxygen requirement at 28 days (BPD28) or at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (BPD36). Data extraction and synthesis: Two reviewers independently conducted all stages of the review. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to calculate the pooled prevalence. Subgroup analyses included gestational age group, birth weight group, setting, study period, continent, and gross domestic product. Sensitivity analyses were performed to reduce study heterogeneity. Main outcomes and measures: Prevalence of BPD defined as BPD28, BPD36, and by subgroups. Results: A total of 105 articles or databases and 780,936 patients were included in this review. The pooled prevalence was 35% (95% CI, 28-42%) for BPD28 (n = 26 datasets, 132,247 neonates), and 21% (95% CI, 19-24%) for BPD36 (n = 70 studies, 672,769 neonates). In subgroup meta-analyses, birth weight category, gestational age category, and continent were strong drivers of the pooled prevalence of BPD. Conclusions and relevance: This study provides a global estimation of BPD prevalence in very low birth weight/low gestation neonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation rate influences poly(A) site selection, with slow and fast Pol II derivatives causing upstream and downstream shifts, respectively, in poly(A) site utilization. In yeast, depletion of either of the histone chaperones FACT or Spt6 causes an upstream shift of poly(A) site use that strongly resembles the poly(A) profiles of slow Pol II mutant strains. Like slow Pol II mutant strains, FACT-and Spt6-depleted cells exhibit Pol II processivity defects, indicating that both Spt6 and FACT stimulate the Pol II elongation rate. Poly(A) profiles of some genes show atypical downstream shifts; this subset of genes overlaps well for FACT-or Spt6-depleted strains but is different from the atypical genes in Pol II speed mutant strains. In contrast, depletion of histone H3 or H4 causes a downstream shift of poly(A) sites for most genes, indicating that nucleosomes inhibit the Pol II elongation rate in vivo. Thus, chromatin-based control of the Pol II elongation rate is a potential mechanism, distinct from direct effects on the cleavage/polyadenylation machinery, to regulate alternative polyadenylation in response to genetic or environmental changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Treat-all strategies improved patient outcomes, despite higher rates of loss to follow-up compared to the pre-treat era. Patients in Ethiopia experienced a higher rate of LTFU during the treat-all strategy period; however, studies did not identify contributing factors in comparison with previous strategies. This study aimed to assess the incidence and predictors of loss to follow-up before and after the start of the treat-all strategy among adults on anti-retroviral therapy in public health facilities in Hawassa City, Ethiopia. Methods: An institution-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 1190 randomly selected adults on antiretroviral therapy in public health facilities in Hawassa City. Using the Open Data Kit (ODK), data were collected from medical records and exported to Stata version 16 and R 4.2.1 for analysis. A Grays test and cumulative incidence curve were used to compare the cumulative incidence function of loss to follow-up. Bivariable and multivariable competing risk regression were fitted to identify predictors of LTFU and variables with a p-value <0.05 were considered significant. Results: The cumulative incidence of lost-to-follow-up was 4.92(3.84,6.3) and 8.67(7.26,10.3) per 100 person-years (PY) in pre-treat all and treat all cohorts, respectively. The cumulative incidence of mortality was 5.86(4.67,7.35) and 3(2.26,4.12) per 100 PY in pre-treat and treat all cohorts, respectively. Fair/poor adherence (aSHR:5.17; (95% CI 1.97, 13.51), underweight (aSHR:2.13; 95% CI: 1.15–3.93) and WHO stage III/IV (aSHR:2.69; 95% CI: 1.27, 5.71) were predictors of loss up in pre—treat all, whereas fair/poor adherence (aSHR = 2.07; 95% CI: 1.18, 3.68), underweight (aSHR:1.71; 95% CI: 1.13, 2.56), and CD4 cell >350 cell/m3 (aSHR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.05, 2.65) predicts of loss up in treat all cohorts. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the incidence of loss to follow-up was considerably higher in the treat-all period as compared to the pre-treat-all era. Poor medication compliance, underweight, and a CD4 level >350 cells/m3 contributed to the higher rate of LTFU in the treat-all strategy. Targeted interventions, such as nutritional support and strengthening medication adherence counseling, should be implemented to maintain treatment retention and reduce antiretroviral therapy dropout rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genomic surveillance is crucial for tracking emergence and spread of novel variants of pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, to inform public health interventions and to enforce control measures. However, in some settings especially in low- and middle- income counties, where sequencing platforms are limited, only certain patients get to be selected for sequencing surveillance. Here, we show that patients with multiple comorbidities potentially harbour SARS-CoV-2 with higher mutation rates and thus deserve more attention for genomic surveillance. The relationship between the patient comorbidities, and type of amino acid mutations was assessed. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant tendency for mutations to occur within the ORF1a region for patients with higher number of comorbidities. Frequency analysis of the amino acid substitution within ORF1a showed that nsp3 P822L of the PLpro protease was one of the highest occurring mutations. Using molecular dynamics, we simulated that the P822L mutation in PLpro represents a system with lower Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) fluctuations, and consistent Radius of gyration (Rg), Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA) values—indicate a much stabler protein than the wildtype. The outcome of this study will help determine the relationship between the clinical status of a patient and the mutations of the infecting SARS-CoV-2 virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There has been little information on the actual diagnosis of pulmonary lesions in patients with a history of urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) and short- and long- outcomes of pulmonary resection for these patients. Methods: In the present study, the data of 37 consecutive patients with a history of TCC who underwent pulmonary resection for solitary pulmonary lesions were reviewed, and the clinical factors and short- and long-term outcomes were analyzed. Results: The study population included 35 male patients, and 2 female patients. The mean age was 72.5 years. Twenty patients (80%) were smokers and showed a high incidence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Pulmonary lesions and primary TCC were detected simultaneously in 5 patients and metachronously in 32 patients. The median interval between treatment for primary TCC and the detection of pulmonary lesion was 43 months. The mean tumor diameter was 23 mm. The types of resection included lobectomy (n = 19), segmentectomy (n = 8), and partial resection (n = 10). Twelve of 37 patients (32%) developed postoperative complications. The pathological diagnoses included primary lung cancer (n = 28), pulmonary metastasis from TCC (n = 7), and others (n = 2). The 5-year overall survival rate for all patients was 72%. The 5-year overall survival rate of patients with primary lung cancer was 74%, while that of patients with pulmonary metastasis from TCC was 57%. Conclusions: Surgery can be proactively considered for treating pulmonary lesions in patients with a previous history of TCC, as it provides favorable long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the burden and causes of disease in Mexican women in 1990 and 2019, based on the data disaggregation by age groups and states. Also, to evaluate the relationship of years of healthy life lost with the Socio-demographic Index (SDI) and with the Healthcare Access and Quality (HAQ) Index. This was an ecological descriptive study. Based on the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study study, the age-standardized and age-specific rates for mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were reported. At the national level, the all-cause age-standardized rates for Mexican women decreased in mortality −28.8%; YLLs -39.8%; YLDs −1.3%; and DALYs −26.2%. For 2019, the indicators analyzed had the worst performances in Chiapas and Chihuahua, while women in Sinaloa had the lowest age-standardized rates. In 1990, it is worth noting that there was a remarkable presence of CDs, mainly in YLLs. In all age groups, diabetes mellitus was the leading cause of DALYs in Mexico's 32 states, followed by CKD (in 24 states), and ischemic heart disease (in 18 states). In both 1990 and 2019, a negative and statistically significant correlation between DALYs and the HAQ Index was evident. The correlation between DALYs and the SDI was only significant in 1990. In the last 30 years, the burden of disease on Mexican women has undergone substantial changes that reflect progress in the improvement of their health conditions. However, the current scenario is complex because the convergence of communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, and injuries is evident, which implies important challenges that must be addressed as soon as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Relapse is a clinical concern in dogs diagnosed with immune‐mediated hemolytic anemia (IMHA), thrombocytopenia (ITP), or polyarthritis (IMPA). The average time to relapse is unknown, and evidence that vaccination is associated with disease relapse is lacking. Hypothesis/Objectives: Compare the incidence of relapse in groups of dogs with IMHA, ITP, or IMPA over a 24‐month period after diagnosis and compare proportions of dogs that received vaccines in those dogs that did and did not relapse. Animals: One hundred sixty client‐owned dogs (73 with IMHA, 55 with ITP, 32 with IMPA). Methods: Medical records of dogs were reviewed with the goal of following cases for a minimum of 2 years. Incidence of relapse was calculated for each disease, and relapse rates in dogs that were or were not vaccinated after diagnosis were compared. Results: Relapse rates at 12 months differed significantly among disease groups (P =.02), with a higher rate for IMPA (35%) compared to IMHA (11%) or ITP (11%). Relapse rate at 24 months was 41% for IMPA, 18% for IMHA, and 23% for ITP. Ninety percent of IMPA relapses occurred in the first 12 months after diagnosis, compared with 56% for IMHA and 50% for ITP. Vaccine administration after diagnosis was not associated with relapse (P =.78). Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Risk of disease relapse in IMPA is highest in the first year after diagnosis, with a higher relapse rate compared with IMHA and ITP. The role of vaccination in disease relapse remains unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of U.S. monetary policy (USMP) on domestic interest rates and goods markets in Emerging Market Economies (EMEs) remains a subject of ongoing debate. We investigate the fluctuations in U.S. interest rates across 17 inflation-targeting EMEs with flexible exchange rates from 2000–2020. Our findings reveal asymmetric contagion effects, with U.S. interest rate decrease having a more significant short-term impact than rate hikes. Long-term U.S. rates minimally influence EMEs’ domestic rates. Resilience is observed in EMEs with robust GDP growth and favorable trade balances, while increased capital inflows and stock market surges heighten contagion risks. Focusing on the short-term contagion effect on goods markets through international trade drivers, we find that global capital flows and US dollar fluctuations, combined with a rise in the FED rate, contribute to the deterioration of EMEs’ trade balance. The study underscores the need for EMEs to monitor and respond to U.S. monetary policy changes for financial stability and advocates for enhanced international dialogue among policymakers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cuba has worked on the development of photovoltaic energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The residential sector has embraced the modality of installing solar panels on the roofs of their homes in order to reduce their rates. Unconsumed energy can be sold to the national electrical grid. In the study, through scenario analysis, with the Homer Pro, the approximate time to recover the initial investment and obtain profits was determined by evaluating its technical-economic viability with the objective of recovering the investment in 7 to 8 years. At provide a clear vision of how the study, when considering local conditions and needs, offers specific recommendations on adjusting tariffs to encourage investment in solar energy and highlights its relevance within the Havana context, so that prosumers can recover their investment in solar energy less time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Identify urinary catheter (UC)-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) incidence and risk factors (RF) in Latin American Countries. Methods: From 01/01/2014 to 02/10/2022, we conducted a prospective cohort study in 145 ICUs of 67 hospitals in 35 cities in nine Latin American countries: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, and Peru. To estimate CAUTI incidence, we used the number of UC-days as the denominator, and the number of CAUTIs as numerator. To estimate CAUTI RFs, we analyzed the following 10 variables using multiple logistic regression: gender, age, length of stay (LOS) before CAUTI acquisition, UC-days before CAUTI acquisition, UC-device utilization (DU) ratio, UC-type, hospitalizationtype, ICU type, facility ownership, and time period. Results: 31,631 patients, hospitalized for 214,669 patient-days, acquired 305 CAUTIs. The pooled CAUTI rate per 1000 UC-days was 2.58, for those using suprapubic catheters, it was 2.99, and for those with indwelling catheters, it was 2.21. The following variables were independently associated with CAUTI: age, rising risk 1% yearly (aOR = 1.01; 95% CI 1.01–1.02; p < 0.0001 female gender (aOR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.01–1.61; p = 0.04), LOS before CAUTI acquisition, rising risk 7% daily (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.06–1.08; p < 0.0001, UC/DU ratio (aOR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.08–1.21; p < 0.0001, public facilities (aOR = 2.89; 95% CI 1.75–4.49; p < 0.0001. The periods 2014–2016 and 2017–2019 had significantly higher risks than the period 2020–2022. Suprapubic catheters showed similar risks as indwelling catheters. Conclusion: The following CAUTI RFs are unlikely to change: age, gender, hospitalization type, and facility ownership. Based on these findings, it is suggested to focus on reducing LOS, UC/DU ratio, and implementing evidence-based CAUTI prevention recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to systematically assess the changes of production performance, meat quality, immune and antioxidant properties of Qianbei Ma goat under different feeding method, so as to provide scientific support for high-yield, high-quality and healthy mutton production. Twenty six healthy Qianbei Ma goat rams with similar body weight [(19.68±1.60) kg] were randomly and averagely divided into grazing and stallfeeding groups. The grazing group was fed with traditional grazing, and the stall-feeding group was fed with full price pellet feed. The pre test period was 10 days, and the trial period was 180 days. After the test, three goat in each group were slaughtered to compare the production performance, meat quality, immunity and antioxidant performance of the two groups. The results showed that: ① in terms of production performance, compared with the grazing group, the stall-feeding group had better production performance in terms of final body weight, average daily gain, carcass weight, slaughter rate, net meat weight, meat to bone ratio, shearing force, cooked meat rate, but the skin was thinner, loin eye area was smaller, bone was lighter, pH was higher, with a significant difference in meat to bone ratio (P<0.05). ② In terms of meat nutrient composition, the contents of glycine, tyrosine and proline in the 16 kinds of amino acids in the stall-feeding and grazing groups were significantly different (P<0.05), while the contents of other 13 kinds of amino acids and total amino acids had no significant difference; The contents of protein, fat and cholesterol in the grazing group were higher than those in the stall-feeding group, but there was no difference between the two groups. ③ In terms of immune and antioxidant properties, immune indicators of the stall-feeding group γ interferon was higher than that in grazing group (P<0.05), lysozyme was lower than that in grazing group (P<0.05), and there was no significant difference between MDA and four antioxidant indexes (P>0.05). In conclusion, the meat carrying capacity of Qianbei Ma goat is stronger in stall-feeding than in grazing. The feeding regimens has a small impact on meat quality and antioxidant performance. However, the immune regulation ability of grazing feeding is better, and it is suggested that a suitable indoor (outside) sports field should be equipped in stall-feeding, which can improve the meat production capacity while protecting the immunity and health of the goat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Setting: Paraquat is a highly toxic, herbicide, extensively used in various parts of India. There is no effective treatment for paraquat poison and carries a very high mortality. In India, this compound can be misused for harmful purposes. Objective: A retrospective time-bound descriptive study of paraquat-consumed patients was conducted at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, from January 1, 2014 to January 31, 2016. Materials and Methods: All the data were analyzed using the SPSS version 16. All the categorical data are expressed in terms of frequency and percentage. Continuous normal variables were expressed in terms of mean ± standard deviation, and skewed variables were expressed in terms of median and quartiles. Chi-square test was used to find the association between the categorical independent variables across the outcome in survivors, nonsurvivors, and those patients who were discharged from the hospital against medical advice. Similarly, Fisher's exact test was performed for those variables, for which 20% of the expected cell count was <5%. Kruskal--Wallis test was used to compare the relationship between the continuous skewed variables across the outcome. Results: A total of 55 paraquat-consumed patients were admitted, out of which 67.27% (n = 37) of patients were men. Only 32.7% (n = 18) of patients were farmers. Oral ulcers were seen in 43.6% (n = 24) of patients. About 65.5% (n = 36) of patients underwent hemoperfusion, 27.3% (n = 15) of patients survived, 47.3% (n = 26) of patients expired, and 25.5% (n = 14) of patients were discharged against medical advice in a critical condition. The presence of respiratory failure, hypotension, need for ventilator supportive therapy, the elevation of levels of blood urea, serum creatinine, and liver enzymes AST and ALT levels were statistically significant in three groups (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Paraquat poisoning is highly fatal. Treatment is expensive and available only in tertiary care hospitals in India. Central and state governments should ensure that it should not be readily accessible to ordinary people and it should be banned progressively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines whether or to what extent San Francisco International Airport's (SFO's) purportedly high costs relative to other airports suppressed SFO's traffic demand and prolonged the recovery of passenger traffic in the period after the 11th September, 2001 terrorist attacks. A comparative analysis of the historical data shows that SFO's direct airport costs per enplanement (CPE) were higher than most other major airports in the post-9/11 period by a considerable margin, but that airport costs likely were not a significant factor in SFO's prolonged recovery. Airport costs likely did not affect airline profitability sufficiently to influence route and scheduling decisions, and it is unlikely that passenger demand was dampened by the pass-through of higher costs to airfares. This research suggests at best a tenuous relationship between airport rates and passenger activity, and at SFO the evidence does not suggest that an extremely high CPE relative to peer airports affected the pace of its slow return to pre-9/11 traffic levels. Rather, the slow return of traffic to SFO and its neighbour, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), compared to the robust growth at Oakland International Airport (OAK) can be explained by traditional economic means. It also suggests that in a multi-airport region where each airport is somewhat specialised, an individual airport's over- or underperformance relative to its neighbours is more likely to be a function of economic geography than of any airport's rate-setting practices. If this conclusion holds true for other US airports, it emphasises the ability of airports to create capital plans and set rates and charges to make long-term investments in organic air traffic growth, ensuring that new entrant airlines have sufficient facilities to begin service and that existing airlines have sufficient capacity to grow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this experiment was to study the effects of drinking water feeding of Lactobacillus (Lactobacillus plantarum) preparations on production performance, egg quality, mineral content in eggs, and antioxidant capacity indexes of commercial laying hens in the late laying period. 1 125 healthy laying hens at 81 weeks of age were selected and chivided into 3 groups (5 replicates in each group, 75 hens in each replicate), control group, test group Ⅰ and Ⅱ, fed the same diet conditions under drinking water fed with 0, 3, 5 mL/ (each·d) dose of lactic acid bacteria preparation (live bacteria count ≥ 1.0×109 CFU/mL). The pre-feeding period was one week and the formal trial period was 44 d. The test results were as follows: ① production performance: test groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ significantly increased egg weight (P<0.05), and the egg production rate of test group Ⅱ significantly increased (P<0.05); there was a trend of improvement in the feed-to-egg ratio and egg breakage rate, but there was no significant difference compared with the control group (P>0.05); ② egg quality: the test group Ⅱ could significantly improve eggshell strength (P<0.05) and eggshell thickness (P<0.05) compared with the control group; the differences in eggshell thickness, hastelloy units and protein height were not significant (P>0.05); ③ mineral element content in eggs: test groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ significantly increased magnesium (P< 0.05) and zinc (P<0.05) content in eggs compared with the control group, and test group Ⅱ significantly increased calcium (P<0.05), but no significant differences in other mineral elements (P>0.05); ④ antioxidant capacity: test groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ significantly increased the total antioxidant capacity compared with the control group (P<0.05), but no significant differences in other indicators (P>0.05). In conclusion, drinking water feeding of Lactobacillus plantarum preparation can improve production performance, egg quality and antioxidant capacity of 81-week-old laying hens with the recommended additive amount of 5 mL/(each·d). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effects of Jianpi Huatan Xiaoying decoction on autoimmunity, swallowing function and serum Macrophage Inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α), soluble interleukin receptor (sIL-2R) and thymidine kinase 1 ( S-TK1) in patients with thyroid dysfunction induced by immunotherapy of lung cancer. METHODS: Totally 88 patients with lung cancer admitted into the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from Feb. 2020 to Feb. 2022 were extracted to be divided into the control group and the study group via the random number table method. Forty-four patients in the control group were treated with PD-1/ PD-L1 immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with conventional chemotherapy, while 44 patients in the study group received Jianpi Huatan Xiaoying decoction on the basis of the control group. Before and after treatment, immunoglobulin M (IgM), T lymphocyte subsets CD4 +, CD8 +, MIP-1α, SIL-2R, free thyroxin (FT4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), total triiodothyronine (TT3), S-TK1, anti thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb), and thyroid receptor antibody (TRAb) levels were measured. Wata drinking water test was used to determine the swallowing function of patients. The patients were evaluated with the EORTC QLQ-C30. Adverse drug reactions of two groups were compared. RESULTS: After treatment, the levels of IgM and CD4 + in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group, the levels of CD8 + were significantly lower than those in the control group, the levels of TT3 were significantly higher than those in the control group, the levels of TSH, TGAb and TRAb were significantly lower than those in the control group, the levels of MIP-1α, sIL-2R and S-TK1 were significantly lower than those in the control group, and the scores of swallowing function were significantly lower than those in the control group, the EORTC QLQ-C30 score was significantly higher than that of the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions in the study group was 6. 82% (3 / 44), significantly lower than 29. 55% (13 / 44) in the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Jianpi Huatan Xiaoying decoction in the treatment of patients with thyroid dysfunction induced by immunotherapy of lung cancer can reduce the immune function injury of patients, improve the abnormal thyroid function, improve the levels of autoimmune antibodies, decrease the reduced swallowing function of patients, improve the quality of life, and reduce adverse drug reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immigrants living in low hepatitis C (HCV) prevalence countries bear a disproportionate HCV burden, but there are limited HCV population‐based studies focussed on this population. We estimated rates and trends of reported HCV diagnoses over a 20‐year period in Quebec, Canada, to investigate subgroups with the highest rates and changes over time. A population‐based cohort of all reported HCV diagnoses in Quebec (1998–2018) linked to health administrative and immigration databases. HCV rates, rate ratios (RR) and trends overall and stratified by immigrant status and country of birth were estimated using Poisson regression. Among 38,348 HCV diagnoses, 14% occurred in immigrants, a median of 7.5 years after arrival. The average annual HCV rate/100,000 decreased for immigrants and nonimmigrants, but the risk (RR) among immigrants increased over the study period [35.7 vs. 34.5 (RR = 1.03) and 18.4 vs. 12.7 (1.45) between 1998–2008 and 2009–2018]. Immigrants from middle‐income Europe & Central Asia [55.8 (RR = 4.39)], sub‐Saharan Africa [51.7 (RR = 4.06)] and South Asia [32.8 (RR = 2.58)] had the highest rates between 2009 and 2018. Annual HCV rates decreased more slowly among immigrants vs. nonimmigrants (−5.9% vs. −8.9%, p < 0.001), resulting in a 2.5‐fold (9%–21%) increase in the proportion of HCV diagnoses among immigrants (1998–2018). The slower decline in HCV rates among immigrants over the study period highlights the need for targeted screening for this population, particularly those from sub‐Saharan Africa, Asia and middle‐income Europe. These data can inform micro‐elimination efforts in Canada and other low‐HCV‐prevalence countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effect of bisoprolol on H9C2 cardiomyocyte injury induced by ischemia reperfusion (I/ R) and its mechanism. METHODS: H9C2 cardiomyocytes were cultured in vitro and divided into the control group ( Control group ), hypoxia / reoxygenation ( H / R) model group ( Model group ), bisoprolol group (Bisoprolol group), bisoprolol + apoptosis signal-regulated kinase 1 (ASK1) recombinant protein group (Bisoprolol+ ASK1 group). Except for the Control group, the H9C2 cardiomyocytes were treated with H / R injury in the rest groups. The cell viability was detected by cell counting kit (CCK8) method; the cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry; the myocardial injury markers [ lactate dehydrogenase ( LDH ), cardiac troponin T ( cTnT )] and inflammatory factors [ interleukin 6 ( IL-6), interleukin 1β ( IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)] levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the calcium ion concentration in cells was measured by laser confocal assay; the ASK1-c-Jun amino-terminal kinase ( JNK) / p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase ( p38 MAPK) signaling pathway-related protein expression was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the Control group, the H9C2 cell viability, LDH and cTnT levels were lower, the cell apoptosis rate, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were higher, the calcium ion concentration, p-ASK1 / ASK1, p-JNK/ JNK and p-p38 MAPK/ p38 MAPK ratio were higher in the Model group, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). Compared with the Model group, the H9C2 cell viability, LDH and cTnT levels were higher, the cell apoptosis rate, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were lower, the calcium ion concentration, p-ASK1 / ASK1, p-JNK/ JNK and p-p38 MAPK/ p38 MAPK ratio were lower in the Bisoprolol group and Bisoprolol + ASK1 group, with statistically significant differences ( P < 0. 05). Compared with the Bisoprolol group, the H9C2 cell viability, LDH and cTnT levels were lower, the cell apoptosis rate, IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α levels were higher, the calcium ion concentration, p-ASK1 / ASK1, p-JNK/ JNK and p-p38 MAPK/ p38 MAPK ratio were higher in the Bisoprolol +ASK1 group, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Bisoprolol can improve H9C2 cardiomyocyte injury induced by I/ R through inhibiting inflammatory response and calcium overload, its mechanism may related to the inhibition of ASK1-JNK/ p38 MAPK signaling pathway activation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine injury and concussion rates, mechanisms, locations, and types of injury in Canadian high school male rugby. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: High school male rugby. Participants: A total of 429 high school players (2018: n = 225, 2019: n = 256) were recruited from 12 teams in 7 schools in Calgary, Canada. Interventions: None. Main Outcome Measures: Injury surveillance included baseline questionnaires, weekly exposure, and injury reports. Injuries included those requiring medical attention, resulted in time loss and/or inability to complete a session. Concussion was defined as per the fifth Consensus on Concussion in Sport, and all players with a suspected concussion were referred to a study sport medicine physician. Results: A total of 134 injuries were captured, leading to an injury incidence rate (IR) of 57.9/1000 hours [95% confidence intervals (CIs): 45.4-73.8]. Median time loss was 6 days (range: 0-90). Injuries to the head were the most common (40%), followed by shoulder (12%) and ankle (10%). The concussion IR was 22.0/1000 hours (95% CIs: 15.9-30.4), which was the most common injury type (38%), followed by sprain (20%) and strain (15%). Sixty-five percent of injuries occurred in the tackle (ball carrier 35%, tackler 30%) and 76% of concussions (ball carrier 41%, tackler 35%). Conclusions: The rate of injury and concussion in Canadian youth high school male rugby is high, with tackle-related injuries and concussions the most common. Given this, there is a critical need for implementation of prevention strategies, in particular targeting concussion and the tackle event (eg, neuromuscular, tackle training, and law changes). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to know the evolution of purchase prices of advertising slots in conventional media in the last decade and discover the conditioning factors that facilitate a good advertising negotiation. A double methodology is used: quantitative by analyzing secondary sources and qualitative through a panel of experts. The results show a decreasing amount for the purchase of advertising slots, despite the increase in official rates and the scope of the medium or support. Profitability and management time are the determining factors of a good advertising negotiation. We also noted a change toward a more flexible purchase focused on results beyond brand visibility. The research shows the shift from all-media marketing toward a purchase similar to the programming used online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of Yiguanjian decoction combined with conventional western medicine in the treatment of ascites induced by liver cirrhosis. METHODS: CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, Embase, Web of science, PubMed and Clinical Trials databases were retrieved to collect randomized controlled trials that met the screening criteria (the control group received conventional western medicine, while the observation group received Yiguanjian decoction on the basis of control group ), the search time was from the establishment of the database until Feb. 2023. The Cochrane Collaboration Network bias risk assessment was used for quality assessment, and Meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5. 4 software. RESULTS: Totally 15 articles were enrolled, including 1 147 patients. Meta-analysis showed that compared with the control group, the treatment regimen in the observation group could improve the total effective rate (RR = 1. 31,95%CI = 1. 24-1. 40,P<0. 000 01) and reduce abdominal circumference (MD = - 8. 26,95% CI = - 10. 44-- 6. 09,P < 0. 000 01), decrease body mass (MD= -6. 86,95%CI = -8. 23--5. 48,P<0. 000 01), increase 24 h urine volume (MD = 465. 38,95%CI = 351. 27- 579. 48,P<0. 000 01), and shorten disappearance time of ascites (MD= -7. 29,95%CI = -13. 97--0. 61,P = 0. 03), and improve liver function. Meanwhile, the incidence of adverse drug reactions in the observation group decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Yiguanjian decoction can improve the efficacy of conventional western medicine treatment of cirrhotic ascites, with few adverse drug reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Programmed cell death‐1/ligand 1 inhibitors are a new treatment strategy for advanced urothelial carcinoma. Therefore, a comparative evaluation of their efficacy and toxicity compared with chemotherapy is necessary. Methods: We comprehensively searched PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases and performed a meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials up to July 2021. We considered overall survival as the primary outcome, and progression‐free survival, objective response rate, and treatment‐related adverse events as secondary outcomes. Results: Overall, 3584 patients from five studies were evaluated. Compared with first‐line chemotherapy, programmed cell death‐1/ligand 1 inhibitors were significantly associated with worse progression‐free survival (p < 0.001) and adverse objective response rates (p < 0.001). However, the treatments were not significantly different in terms of overall survival (p = 0.33). Compared with second‐line chemotherapy, programmed cell death‐1/ligand 1 inhibitors significantly improved overall survival (p < 0.001), and there was no statistically significant difference in progression‐free survival (p = 0.89) or objective response rate (p = 0.34). Compared with chemotherapy, programmed cell death‐1/ligand 1 inhibitors were well tolerated (first‐line chemotherapy: p < 0.001; second‐line chemotherapy: p < 0.001). Conclusions: The efficacy of programmed cell death‐1/ligand 1 inhibitors in patients with advanced urothelial carcinoma is not superior to that of first‐line platinum‐based chemotherapy but is better than second‐line chemotherapy; however, programmed cell death‐1/ligand 1 inhibitors are safer than first‐ and second‐line chemotherapy and have a broader prospect for use in combination therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity has been recognized as one of the most significant risk factors for the deterioration and mortality associated with COVID-19, but the significance of obesity itself differs among ethnicity. Multifactored analysis of our single institute-based retrospective cohort revealed that high visceral adipose tissue (VAT) burden, but not other obesity-associated markers, was related to accelerated inflammatory responses and the mortality of Japanese COVID-19 patients. To elucidate the mechanisms how VAT-dominant obesity induces severe inflammation after severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, we infected two different strains of obese mice, C57BL/6JHamSlc-ob/ob (ob/ob), C57BLKS/J-db/db (db/db), genetically impaired in the leptin ligand and receptor, respectively, and control C57BL/6 mice with mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2. Here, we revealed that VAT-dominant ob/ob mice were extremely more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 due to excessive inflammatory responses when compared to SAT-dominant db/db mice. In fact, SARS-CoV-2 genome and proteins were more abundant in the lungs of ob/ob mice, engulfed in macrophages, resulting in increased cytokine production including interleukin (IL)-6. Both an anti-IL-6 receptor antibody treatment and the prevention of obesity by leptin replenishment improved the survival of SARS-CoV-2-infected ob/ob mice by reducing the viral protein burden and excessive immune responses. Our results have proposed unique insights and clues on how obesity increases the risk of cytokine storm and death in patients with COVID-19. Moreover, earlier administration of antiinflammatory therapeutics including anti-IL-6R antibody to VAT-dominant patients might improve clinical outcome and stratification of the treatment for COVID-19, at least in Japanese patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occurrence of hyperglycemia upon infection is associated with worse clinical outcome in COVID-19 patients. However, it is still unknown whether SARS-CoV-2 directly triggers hyperglycemia. Herein, we interrogated whether and how SARS-CoV-2 causes hyperglycemia by infecting hepatocytes and increasing glucose production. We performed a retrospective cohort study including patients that were admitted at a hospital with suspicion of COVID-19. Clinical and laboratory data were collected from the chart records and daily blood glucose values were analyzed to test the hypothesis on whether COVID-19 was independently associated with hyperglycemia. Blood glucose was collected from a subgroup of nondiabetic patients to assess pancreatic hormones. Postmortem liver biopsies were collected to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and its transporters in hepatocytes. In human hepatocytes, we studied the mechanistic bases of SARS-CoV-2 entrance and its gluconeogenic effect. SARS-CoV-2 infection was independently associated with hyperglycemia, regardless of diabetic history and beta cell function. We detected replicating viruses in human hepatocytes from postmortem liver biopsies and in primary hepatocytes. We found that SARS-CoV-2 variants infected human hepatocytes in vitro with different susceptibility. SARS-CoV-2 infection in hepatocytes yields the release of new infectious viral particles, though not causing cell damage. We showed that infected hepatocytes increase glucose production and this is associated with induction of PEPCK activity. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that SARS-CoV-2 entry in hepatocytes occurs partially through ACE2- and GRP78-dependent mechanisms. SARS-CoV-2 infects and replicates in hepatocytes and exerts a PEPCK-dependent gluconeogenic effect in these cells that potentially is a key cause of hyperglycemia in infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents the trends of age-standardised incidence and mortality rates of common cancers in Brunei Darussalam from 2011 to 2020. All cancer cases diagnosed among Brunei Darussalam citizens and permanent residents in the period 2011 to 2020 were included in the study. De-identified data were provided by the CanReg5 based BDCR, Ministry of Health Brunei Darussalam. The annual age-standardised incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 persons were standardised by the direct method using the World Health Organization (WHO) world standard population distribution. Joinpoint regression analyses were used to study the incidence and mortality trends of cancer in Brunei Darussalam over the 2011–2020 period. Trends were expressed as average annual percent change (AAPC) over 2011 to 2020, or annual percent change (APC) for a given time period. There were a total of 6,495 new cancer cases diagnosed and 3,359 death cases recorded from 2011 to 2020, in Brunei Darussalam. The five common cancers for males were colorectal, lung and bronchus, prostate, liver, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Among females, the five most common cancers were breast, colorectal, lung and bronchus, corpus uteri and cervix uteri. The five leading cancer deaths for males were lung and bronchus, colorectal, liver, prostate, and stomach, while for females, the five leading cancer deaths were breast, lung and bronchus, colorectal, ovary, and cervix uteri. There was a significant increase in the incidence trend of corpus uteri (AAPC : 13.3 ) and a significant decline in the incidence trend for cervical cancer (AAPC : - 4.5 ) from 2011 to 2020. There was a significant increase in the mortality trend of female breast cancer from 2011 to 2015 (APC : 16.3 ), but the trend significantly declined from 2015 to 2020 (APC : - 12.5 ). We also found a significant decrease in mortality trends for stomach cancer (AAPC : - 4.7 ) from 2011 to 2020 for both genders combined. The burden of common cancers is expected to continue to grow with ageing population, effective public health interventions targeting high burden cancers and high-risk groups, and control of modifiable risk factors will continue to be the essential approaches in reducing cancer burden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mexico is among the countries with the highest estimated excess mortality rates due to the COVID–19 pandemic, with more than half of reported deaths occurring in adults younger than 65 years old. Although this behavior is presumably influenced by the young demographics and the high prevalence of metabolic diseases, the underlying mechanisms have not been determined. The age–stratified case fatality rate (CFR) was estimated in a prospective cohort with 245 hospitalized COVID–19 cases, followed through time, for the period October 2020–September 2021. Cellular and inflammatory parameters were exhaustively investigated in blood samples by laboratory test, multiparametric flow cytometry and multiplex immunoassays. The CFR was 35.51%, with 55.2% of deaths recorded in middle–aged adults. On admission, hematological cell differentiation, physiological stress and inflammation parameters, showed distinctive profiles of potential prognostic value in patients under 65 at 7 days follow–up. Pre–existing metabolic conditions were identified as risk factors of poor outcomes. Chronic kidney disease (CKD), as single comorbidity or in combination with diabetes, had the highest risk for COVID–19 fatality. Of note, fatal outcomes in middle–aged patients were marked from admission by an inflammatory landscape and emergency myeloid hematopoiesis at the expense of functional lymphoid innate cells for antiviral immunosurveillance, including NK and dendritic cell subsets. Comorbidities increased the development of imbalanced myeloid phenotype, rendering middle–aged individuals unable to effectively control SARS–CoV–2. A predictive signature of high–risk outcomes at day 7 of disease evolution as a tool for their early stratification in vulnerable populations is proposed. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study provides an overview of opioid dispensing in Queensland from 2008 to 2018 by recipient age, drug, oral morphine equivalent and remoteness. Methods: Data were obtained from the Queensland Monitoring of Drugs of Dependence System database for 2008–18 and analysed using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics to account for population growth. Opioid dispensing by age, drug, oral morphine equivalent and remoteness were assessed. Results: The number of prescriptions for Schedule 8 opioid medicines dispensed in Queensland increased from 190 to 430 per 1000 population over the study period (2.3-fold increase). Oxycodone had the largest increase in dispensing over the study period of 3.1-fold, with tapentadol increasing rapidly since initial Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme listing in 2013 to the third most dispensed opioid by 2018. By 2018, opioid dispensing among the oldest Queenslanders, those aged 85+ years, occurred at triple the rate for those aged 65–84 years. When adjusted to report oral morphine equivalents (OME) in milligrams (mg), there has been an increase of approximately 1.9-fold over the study period. Results were also presented by geographical area, including a heatmap and analysis by remoteness. Prescriptions dispensed per 1000 population were 416 for major cities, 551 for inner regional and 445 for outer regional, and highlight that inner and outer regional areas have higher rates of prescriptions when compared to major cities (32 and 7% higher, respectively). Conclusion: This study highlights changes in opioid prescription dispensing by drug and OME, as well as the variation in dispensing rates when accounting for remoteness. Further studies to link statewide databases, and to better understand drivers for differences in dispensing by location, will provide valuable insights to further inform policy and service provision. What is known about the topic? Opioid dispensing is known to have increased in Australia over recent decades. However, most existing data hails from the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), which has small gaps in quantifying opioids that are not subsidised. What does this paper add? This retrospective study uses an alternative database, adding information about non-PBS dispensing of tapentadol and buprenorphine, accompanied by rates of opioid dispensing in Queensland by age, oral morphine equivalent and geographical area. What are the implications for practitioners? This research highlights recent changes in opioid dispensing and opportunities for further studies to best inform practice improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID‐19 vaccines have so far been the most powerful weapon in the current pandemic, yet many people still show hesitancy towards them. This paper is one of the first studies that examine the factors affecting the COVID‐19 vaccine uptake decision from a spatial perspective in Turkey. The study setting allows us to specify the spatial effects that are influential in this decision without which the true nature of the association between vaccination rates and various socio‐economic factors can be determined. Our findings reveal the existence of global spatial interactions in vaccination rates. In addition, age, the level of conservatism, and low education levels show spillovers that amplify their total effects on vaccination rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frenkel exciton population dynamics of an excitonic dimer is studied by comparing the results from a quantum master equation involving rates from second-order perturbative treatment with respect to the excitonic coupling with the non-perturbative results from "Hierarchical Equations of Motion" (HEOM). By formulating generic Liouville-space expressions for the rates, we can choose to evaluate them either via HEOM propagations or by applying the cumulant expansion. The coupling of electronic transitions to bath modes is modeled either as overdamped oscillators for the description of thermal bath components or as underdamped oscillators to account for intramolecular vibrations. Cases of initial nonequilibrium and equilibrium vibrations are discussed. In the case of HEOM, initial equilibration enters via a polaron transformation. Pointing out the differences between the nonequilibrium and equilibrium approach in the context of the projection operator formalism, we identify a further description, where the transfer dynamics is driven only by fluctuations without involvement of dissipation. Despite this approximation, this approach can also yield meaningful results in certain parameter regimes. While for the chosen model, HEOM has no technical advantage for evaluation of the rate expressions compared to cumulant expansion, there are situations where only evaluation with HEOM is applicable. For instance, a separation of reference and interaction Hamiltonian via a polaron transformation to account for the interplay between Coulomb coupling and vibrational oscillations of the bath at the level of a second-order treatment can be adjusted for a treatment with HEOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kinetic rate factors of crystallization have a direct effect on formation and growth of an ordered solid phase in supercooled liquids and glasses. Using the crystallizing Lennard-Jones liquid as an example, in the present work, we perform a direct quantitative estimation of values of the key crystallization kinetic rate factors—the rate g+ of particle attachments to a crystalline nucleus and the rate g− of particle detachments from a nucleus. We propose a numerical approach, according to which a statistical treatment of the results of molecular dynamics simulations was performed without using any model functions and/or fitting parameters. This approach allows one to accurately estimate the critical nucleus size nc. We find that for the growing nuclei, whose sizes are larger than the critical size nc, the dependence of these kinetic rate factors on the nucleus size n follows a power law. In the case of the subnucleation regime, when the nuclei are smaller than nc, the n-dependence of the quantity g+ is strongly determined by the inherent microscopic properties of a system, and this dependence cannot be described in the framework of any universal law (for example, a power law). It has been established that the dependence of the growth rate of a crystalline nucleus on its size goes into the stationary regime at the size n > 3nc particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We address the calculation of microcanonical reaction rates for processes involving significant nuclear quantum effects using ring-polymer molecular dynamics (RPMD), both with and without electronically non-adiabatic transitions. After illustrating the shortcomings of the naive free-particle direct-shooting method, in which the temperature of the internal ring-polymer modes is set to the translational energy scale, we investigate alternative strategies based on the expression for the microcanonical rate in terms of the inverse Laplace transform of the thermal reaction rate. It is shown that simple application of the stationary-phase approximation (SPA) dramatically improves the performance of the microcanonical rates using RPMD, particularly in the low-energy region where tunneling dominates. Using the SPA as a Bayesian prior, numerically exact RPMD microcanonical rates are then obtained using maximum entropy inversion of the thermal reaction rates for both electronically adiabatic and non-adiabatic model systems. Finally, the direct-shooting method is revisited using the SPA-determined temperature for the internal ring-polymer modes, leading to a simple, direct-simulation method with improved accuracy in the tunneling regime. This work suggests a general strategy for the extraction of microcanonical dynamical quantities from RPMD (or other approximate thermal) simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical reactions in multidimensional driven systems are typically described by a time-dependent rank-1 saddle associated with one reaction and several orthogonal coordinates (including the solvent bath). To investigate reactions in such systems, we develop a fast and robust method—viz., local manifold analysis (LMA)—for computing the instantaneous decay rate of reactants. Specifically, it computes the instantaneous decay rates along saddle-bound trajectories near the activated complex by exploiting local properties of the stable and unstable manifold associated with the normally hyperbolic invariant manifold (NHIM). The LMA method offers substantial reduction in numerical effort and increased reliability in comparison with direct ensemble integration. It provides an instantaneous flux that can be assigned to every point on the NHIM and which is associated with a trajectory—regardless of whether it is periodic, quasiperiodic, or chaotic—that is bound on the NHIM. The time average of these fluxes in the driven system corresponds to the average rate through a given local section containing the corresponding point on the NHIM. We find good agreement between the results of the LMA and direct ensemble integration obtained using numerically constructed, recrossing-free dividing surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recombination rates in InGaN/AlGaN/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) emitting in the green-yellow and grown with different Al compositions in the AlGaN interlayer (IL) are shown. By transforming measurements on radiative efficiency, absorption, and differential carrier lifetime, the radiative and nonradiative rates are determined. The IL Al composition controls lattice relaxation of the MQWs, as determined by X-ray reciprocal space mapping, and, therefore, defect formation. For the most pseudomorphic MQWs, the Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) A coefficient is minimized and is similar to reports at shorter (blue and green) wavelengths. It is an order of magnitude smaller than a conventional InGaN/GaN MQW and is the most significant factor behind the improvement in radiative efficiency using the IL. The radiative B coefficient is also reduced and a minimum for the most pseudomorphic MQWs due to a reduction in the electron-hole wavefunction overlap. However, the decrease in A is more significant and leads to an overall improvement in the radiative efficiency. These recombination rate measurements confirm that if the SRH recombination is controlled, then the severe reduction of radiative recombination with an increased emitting wavelength is one of the main challenges in realizing high efficiency, long-wavelength InGaN-based MQW emitters operating at low to moderate current densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clinical Scenario: Current studies have identified body checking as the most common cause of sports-related concussion in ice hockey across all divisions and levels. As a result, many hockey organizations, particularly in youth sports, have implemented rules making body checking to the head, face, and/or neck illegal. Such a rule, in Canada, makes age 13 the first age in which individuals can engage in body checking. Despite these changes, effectiveness of their implementation on the incidence of concussion in Canadian male youth ice hockey players remains unclear. Clinical Question: What is the effect of body checking policy changes on concussion incidence in male youth ice hockey players? Summary of Key Findings: Of the 3 included studies, 2 studies reported a decrease in the incidence of concussion once a body checking policy change was implemented. The third study showed an increase; however, it is important to note that this may be due, in part, to increased awareness leading to better reporting of injuries. Clinical Bottom Line: Current evidence supports a relationship between body checking policy implementation and decreased concussion incidence; however, more research is needed to understand the long-term implications of policy change and the effects in other leagues. In addition, further data are needed to differentiate between increased concussion incidence resulting from concussion education efforts that may improve disclosure and increased concussion incidence as a direct result of policy changes. Strength of Recommendation: Grade B evidence exists that policy changes regarding body checking decrease concussion incidence in male youth ice hockey players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The change in electronic state from one spin multiplicity to another, known as intersystem crossing, occurs in molecules via the relativistic phenomenon of spin-orbit coupling. Current means of estimating intersystem crossing rates rely on the perturbative evaluation of spin-orbit coupling effects. This perturbative approach, valid in lighter atoms where spin-orbit coupling is weaker, is expected to break down for heavier elements where relativistic effects become dominant. Methods which incorporate spin-orbit effects variationally, such as the exact-two-component (X2C) method, will be necessary to treat this strong-coupling regime. We present a novel procedure which produces a diabatic basis of spin-pure electronic states coupled by spin-orbit terms, generated from fully variational relativistic calculations. This method is implemented within X2C using time-dependent density-functional theory and is compared to results from a perturbative relativistic study in the weak spin-orbit coupling regime. Additional calculations on a more strongly spin-orbit-coupled [ U O 2 C l 4 ] 2 − complex further illustrate the strengths of this method. This procedure will be valuable in the estimation of intersystem crossing rates within strongly spin-coupled species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effects of tislelizumab combined with PC regimen (pemetrexed + cisplatin) in the treatment of advanced lung cancer. METHODS: Totally 82 patients with advanced lung cancer in the hospital from Feb. 2021 to Feb. 2022 were extracted to be divided into the observation group (n =41) and the control group (n = 41) via the random number table method. The control group was treated with PC regimen, while the observation group received tislelizumab on the basis of the control group. The disease remission rate and adverse reactions were compared between two groups. Before treatment, after 2 cycles of treatment and after 4 cycles of treatment, the levels of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), T lymphocytes, serum phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase (PI3K) and protein kinase B (Akt) were compared between two groups. RESULTS: The disease remission rate of 56. 10% (23/41) in the observation group was higher than that of 34. 15% (14/41) in the control group, with statistically significant difference (P < 0. 05). After 2 cycles of treatment and after 4 cycles of treatment, the serum levels of CEA, CA125, CYFRA21-1, PI3K and Akt in two groups were lower than those before treatment, and after 4 cycles of treatment were lower than after 2 cycles of treatment, and the observation group were lower than the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). After 2 cycles of treatment and after 4 cycles of treatment, the levels of CD3+, CD4+, CD4+ / CD8+ in the observation group were higher than those before treatment and higher than those in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between two groups (P >0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of tislelizumab combined with PC regimen in the treatment of advanced lung cancer is significant, which can reduce the level of tumor markers, inhibit the PI3K/ Akt signaling pathway and enhance immune function with higher safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of kaempferol (KMP) on inflammatory response and cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rats with myocardial infarction (MI), and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: Fifty rats were randomly divided into the Sham operation group (Sham), model group (MI), KMP group (received KMP), DPQ group [received poly ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1) inhibitor] and KMP + DPQ group [received KMP combined with PARP-1 inhibitor], with 10 rats in each group. Except for the Sham group, MI models were established by ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery in other groups. After the corresponding drug treatment, the cardiac function indexes of rats were examined by echocardiography, and the activities of serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the pathological morphology of rat myocardium was observed by hemotoxylin and eosin staining, the apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes was detected by TUNEL staining, and the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β protein and PARP-1 protein expression in myocardium was detected by Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with MI group, left ventricular end-systolic diameter and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter in the KMP group and DPQ group decreased significantly, left ventricular fractional shortening, left ventricular ejection fraction and serum CK-MB and cTnI levels increased significantly, and the pathological damage of myocardial tissue was significantly alleviated, the apoptosis rate, the levels of inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β) decreased significantly, and the expression of inflammatory factor-related proteins and PARP-1 protein in myocardial tissue were significantly down-regulated, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). The improvement of cardiac function in the KMP+DPQ group was significantly better than that in the KMP group and DPQ group (P<0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: KMP may inhibit MI and cardiomyocyte apoptosis by down-regulating PARP-1 expression, thereby improving cardiac dysfunction in rats with MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy of glucocorticoid combined with human immunoglobulin in the treatment of children with Kawasaki disease (KD) and its effects on helper T lymphocyte (Th) 1/ Th2 and growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) levels in peripheral blood. METHODS: Totally 83 children with KD admitted into the pediatrics department in this hospital from Jan. 2018 to Jan. 2021 were selected as observation subjects and were divided into the combination group (42 cases) and control group (41 cases) according to the odd or even admission number, both groups were given human immunoglobulin + aspirin, while the combination group was treated with glucocorticoid based on that basis. The efficacy was evaluated after 1 week of treatment, the durations of fever, duration of human immunoglobulin injection, lengths of stay and hospital costs of both groups were collected; the changes of laboratory indexes (white blood cell count, platelet count, hematokrit, C-reactive protein, serum albumin, total bilirubin and direct bilirubin) were measured before treatment and after 1 week of treatment; the changes of Th1/ Th2 cell ratio and GDF-15 level were detected before and after treatment; the incidences of adverse drug reactions such as urinary tract infection, electrocardiographic abnormality and blood glucose disorders of the two groups were collected. RESULTS: The total effective rate of the combination group was 90. 48% (38/42), which was higher than that of the control group (73. 17%, 30/41), with statistically significant difference (χ² = 4. 196, P = 0. 041). The combination group had shorter duration of fever, duration of human immunoglobulin injection and length of stay than those of the control group (t =-3. 924, -3. 644 and -3. 644, all P<0. 01), and the hospital cost of the combination group was less than that of the control group (t =-11. 871, P<0. 01), with statistically significant differences. There were no statistical significance in differences in laboratory indexes between two groups before and after treatment (P>0. 05). After 1 week of treatment, the Th1 cells proportion and the Th1/ Th2 ratio of the combination group were higher than those of the control group, while the Th2 cells proportion and GDF-15 level of the combination group were lower than those of the control group (P <0. 05); the difference values of Th1, Th2 and Th1/ Th2 before and after treatment were higher in the combination group than those in the control group (P<0. 05), with statistically significant difference. The incidences of total adverse drug reactions of the control group and the combination group were respectively 26. 83% (11/41) and 21. 43% (9/42), with no statistically significant difference (χ² = 0. 331, P = 0. 565). CONCLUSIONS: The overall effect of glucocorticoids combination with human immunoglobulin in the treatment of children with KD is better than that of human immunoglobulin alone, which can improved Th2 cell activation, maintained Th1/ Th2 balance and reduced GDF-15 level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To (i) assess the population mortality rates of cocaine‐related deaths in Australia, 2000 to 2021; (ii) determine the circumstances of death and case characteristics; and (iii) determine their toxicological profile. Design: Retrospective study of cocaine‐related deaths in Australia, 2000 to 2021, retrieved from the National Coronial Information System. Setting: Australia‐wide. Cases A total of 884 cases, mean age = 33.8 (SD, 10.0) years and 86.5% (n = 765) male. Measurements Information was collected on characteristics, manner of death and toxicology. Only cases in which the presence of blood cocaine and/or metabolites were included. Findings Population rates did not significantly increase during 2001–2011 (annual percentage change [APC] = 1.5; CI, −3.2, 6.5), but from 2012, there was a marked acceleration (APC = 20.0, 95% CI, 15.5, 25.3). Circumstances of death were unintentional drug toxicity (70.7%, n = 625), intentional self‐harm (17.8%, n = 157), traumatic accident (11.5%, n = 102). The proportion of cases constituted by unintentional toxicity declined across the study period (APC = −2.6; CI, −3.1, −2.1). There was a substantial decline in the proportion of cases with a history of injecting drug use (APC = −5.7; CI, −6.5, −4.9) and with a history of substance use problems (APC = −3.2; CI, −3.9, −2.5). Both cocaine (0.100 vs 0.050 mg/L, P < 0.001) and benzoylecgonine (0.590 vs 0.240 mg/L, P < 0.001) concentrations were higher amongst toxicity cases than in cases of death from traumatic injury. Cocaethylene was present in 26.4% (n = 233), levamisole in 18.6% (n = 164) and lignocaine in 11.5% (n = 102). Psychoactive drugs in addition to cocaine were present in 92.9% (n = 821), most commonly opioids (50.5%, n = 446), alcohol (47.1%, n = 416), hypnosedatives (43.2%, n = 382) and psychostimulants (30.3%, n = 268). There was a steady decline in the proportion of opioid positive cases (APC = −5.4; CI, −6.3, −4.5). Conclusions: There was a large increase in cocaine‐related deaths across Australia from 2000 to 2021. This was accompanied by changes in case profiles, with histories of injecting drug use and substance use problems, as well as recent opioid use, becoming less prominent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effects of Shenxiong glucose combined with furosemide on levels of heart type-fatty acid binding protein (h-FABP ) and serum N-terminal B-type pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) complicated with cor pulmonale. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with COPD complicated with pulmonary heart disease admitted into Shijiazhuang Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to May 2021 were selected and divided into observation group and control group via the random number table, with 60 cases in each group. The control group was treated with furosemide, while the observation group was given Shenxiong glucose combined with furosemide. The therapeutic effect, the h-FABP and NT-proBNP levels, and the cardio-pulmonary function before and after treatment were compared between two groups, and the incidences of adverse drug reactions of the two groups were observed. RESULTS: The total effective rate of the observation group was 93. 33% (56 / 60), which was significantly higher than that of the control group (80. 00%, 48 / 60), with statistically significant difference (P<0. 05). Compared with before treatment, the h-FABP and NT-proBNP levels of both groups were lower after treatment, and those of the observation group were significantly lower than the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). Compared with before treatment, the cardiac output, ejection fraction and stroke volume of both groups were higher after treatment, and those of the observation group were significantly higher than the control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). Compared with before treatment, the forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 s and arterial partial pressure of oxygen of both groups were higher after treatment, and those of the observation group were significantly higher than the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0. 05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions of observation group was 6. 67% (4 / 60), which was significantly lower than that of the control group (28. 33%, 17 / 60), with statistically significant difference (P<0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: Shenxiong glucose combined with furosemide in the treatment of patients with COPD complicated with PHD has good curative effect and high safety, which can reduce the h-FABP and NT-proBNP levels, and improve the cardio-pulmonary function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participants can optimize encoding of an immediate verbal memory test for item or for order information, or they can try to be ready for either type of test. Dividing encoding between both kinds of information, however, comes at a cost. Recently, it has been shown that the cost is more severe for order information compared to item information (Guitard et al., 2022). Here, for the first time, we evaluated which factor can better account for this asymmetry by contrasting two hypotheses. According to a rate hypothesis, divided attention affects the rate of encoding more for order than for items. According to an alternative, asymptote hypothesis, divided attention does not affect the rates but diminishes the endpoint, or asymptotic level, of order encoding more than item encoding. In three experiments to distinguish these hypotheses, participants prepared for an item fragment completion test, an order reconstruction test, or both types of tests, in trials with different durations of presentation. Overall, our results were better accounted for by a model which assumes that dividing attention between preparation for item and order testing affects the asymptote of encoding more for order than for items, with no effects on the rates of order or item encoding compared to preparation for a single test. The findings not only replicate our prior results, but also demonstrate that the allocation of attention to item or order processing can be disentangled from the time on task. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Given a geodesic space (E, d), we show that full ordinal information (quadruple comparison of distances) on the metric d determines uniquely—up to a constant factor—the metric d. Moreover, given any sequence { E n } of subsets E n ⊂ E of size n such that E n → E in Hausdorff distance we construct a metric d n on E n from only ordinal information on (E n , d) and prove rates of convergence of (E n , d n) to (E, d) in Gromov–Hausdorff distance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We derive and analyze a generic, recursive algorithm for estimating all splits in a finite cluster tree as well as the corresponding clusters. We further investigate statistical properties of this generic clustering algorithm when it receives level set estimates from a kernel density estimator. In particular, we derive finite sample guarantees, consistency, rates of convergence, and an adaptive data-driven strategy for choosing the kernel bandwidth. For these results we do not need continuity assumptions on the density such as Hölder continuity, but only require intuitive geometric assumptions of non-parametric nature. In addition, we compare our results to other guarantees found in the literature and also present some experiments comparing our algorithm to k-means and hierarchical clustering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fringescale sardinella is one of the largest fishery resources and has the highest economic value in the Savu Sea. The increasing demand for this fish makes it one of the main fishing targets, which allows overfishing to occur. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the population dynamics of sardinella fringescale through growth and mortality, recruitment and exploitation rate of fringescale sardinella in Rote Island in the Savu Sea. A total of 1095 fish sampled from Rote Island were assessed and showed the total length (TL) range from 90 mm to 157 mm. Further, the data were analyzed using FISAT II software with the following results: the length-weight relationship was W= 0.0004L2.2523, while the negative allometric growth pattern and growth equation was Lt = 165.26 (1 - exp1,500 (t + 0.0585)). The age of S. fimbriata consisted of 1-2 cohorts. Recruitment of S. fimbriata in Rote Island occurred throughout the year with the highest peaks in May and August. The size of the first caught fish (Lc) was 96.98 mm TL. The total mortality rate (Z) was 2.41 yr-1, natural mortality (M) was 1.45 yr-1 and fishing mortality (F) was 0.97 yr-1. The exploitation rate of S. fimbriata is estimated at 0.40 yr-1; this implies that the stock does not exceed the optimum exploitation rate (E = 0.5) or that overfishing has not occurred in the Savu Sea. Nevertheless, this study's results are sufficiently robust to anticipate that the unprecedented overexploitation of S. fimbriata in Rote Island has nearly occurred. Therefore, regular monitoring and surveillance of surface gillnet fishing gear are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To explore the intervention of compound Kushen injection combined with gefitinib on hypercoagulable state in patients with advanced non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma. METHODS: Ninety patients with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma who were biochemical reported as hypercoagulable state in Center Hospital of Liaoyang from Jun. 2018 to May 2021 were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group, with 45 cases in each group. Patients in the two groups were treated with gefitinib, the observation group was given compound Kushen injection for 2 weeks (14 d) as a course, and both groups were treated with 4 courses. Coagulation changes [plasma prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (TT) and fibrinogen ( FIB)], coagulation metabolite changes [ D-dimer, fibrin degradation product ( FDP ), platelet count (PLT), platelet pressure product (PCT) and platelet aggregation rate (PAg)], hemodynamic indicators (erythrocyte aggregation indicator, hematocrit, capillary plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity low shearing and whole blood viscosity high shearing) before and after treatment in two groups were observed, the incidence of adverse drug reactions was recorded. RESULTS: After treatment, the PT, APTT and FIB levels in the observation group were higher than those in the control group, while the TT in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group, and there were significant differences in the levels of APTT, TT between the two groups (P<0. 05);the levels of D-dimer, FDP, PLT, PCT and PAg in the observation group were lower than those in the control group, and there were significant differences in the levels of D-dimer, FDP and PAg between the two groups (P<0. 05);the hemodynamic indicators (erythrocyte aggregation indicator, hematocrit, capillary plasma viscosity, whole blood viscosity low shearing and whole blood viscosity high shearing) of the observation group were significantly lower than the control group, the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05). The incidence of adverse drug reactions in the observation group was 11. 1% ( 5 / 45), significantly lower than 31. 1% ( 14 / 45) in the control group, with statistically significant differences (P< 0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: For patients with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma in hypercoagulable state, the combination of compound Kushen injection and gefitinib has significant therapeutic effect, and can improve the hypercoagulability of patients with non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on proliferation and apoptosis of laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells through Bcl-2-associated X protein ( Bax ) / B cell lymphoma-2 ( Bcl-2) / cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-3 (Caspase-3). METHODS: Laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells were treated with CGA culture medium of 0, 250, 500, 750 and 1 000 μmol / L for 24 and 48 h respectively to find out the most suitable concentration and treatment time of CGA. Laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells were divided into the control group (normally cultured laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells), CGA low concentration group ( 750 μmol / L CGA medium), CGA high concentration group ( 1 000 μmol / L CGA medium ), and CGA high concentration + pathway inhibitor group (1 000 μmol / L CGA medium+50 μmol / L Bax / Bcl-2/ Caspase-3 pathway inhibitor Bax inhibitor peptide V5). Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) method was used to determine the proliferation inhibition rate of laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells in each group, flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis rate of laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells in each group, Western blotting was used to determine the expression of proliferation related protein (ki-67), apoptosis related protein (p53) and Bax / Bcl-2/ Caspase-3 signaling pathway related proteins in laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the proliferation inhibition rate, apoptosis rate, p53, Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression levels of laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells in CGA low and high concentration group were significantly higher, and the ki-67 and Bcl-2 protein expression levels were significantly lower, with statistically significant differences (P< 0. 05); and the proliferation inhibition rate, apoptosis rate, p53, Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression levels of laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells in CGA high concentration group were higher than those in CGA low concentration group, the of ki-67 and Bcl-2 protein expression levels were lower than those in CGA low concentration group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0. 05). Compared with the CGA high concentration group, the proliferation inhibition rate, apoptosis rate, p53, Bax and Caspase-3 protein expression levels of laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells in the CGA high concentration+pathway inhibitor group were significantly lower, and the ki-67 and Bcl-2 protein expression levels were significantly higher, with statistically significant differences ( P < 0. 05). CONCLUSIONS: CGA can significantly inhibit the proliferation of laryngeal cancer Hep-2 cells and promote the apoptosis, which may be related to the activation of Bax / Bcl-2/ Caspase-3 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a theory and accompanying importance sampling method for computing rate constants in spatially inhomogeneous systems. Using the relationship between rate constants and path space partition functions, we illustrate that the relative change in the rate of a rare event through space is isomorphic to the calculation of a free energy difference, albeit in a trajectory ensemble. Like equilibrium free energies, relative rate constants can be estimated by importance sampling. An extension to transition path sampling is proposed that combines biased path ensembles and weighted histogram analysis to accomplish this estimate. We show that rate constants can also be decomposed into different contributions, including relative changes in stability, barrier height, and flux. This decomposition provides a means of interpretation and insight into rare processes in complex environments. We verify these ideas with a simple model of diffusion with spatially varying diffusivity and illustrate their utility in a model of ion pair dissociation near an electrochemical interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relative orientation and alignment of colliding molecules plays a key role in determining the rates of chemical processes. Here, we examine in detail a prototypical example: rotational quenching of HD in cold collisions with H2. We show that the rotational quenching rate from j = 2 → 0, in the v = 1 vibrational level, can be maximized by aligning the HD along the collision axis and can be minimized by aligning the HD at the so called magic angle. This follows from quite general helicity considerations and suggests that quenching rates for other similar systems can also be controlled in this manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasiclassical trajectories are used to compute nonthermal rate constants, k*, for abstraction reactions involving highly-excited methane CH4* and the radicals H, O, OH, and O2. Several temperatures and internal energies of methane, Evib, are considered, and significant nonthermal rate enhancements for large Evib are found. Specifically, when CH4* is internally excited close to its dissociation threshold (Evib ≈ D0 = 104 kcal/mol), its reactivity with H, O, and OH is shown to be collision-rate-limited and to approach that of comparably-sized radicals, such as CH3, with k* > 10−10 cm3 molecule−1 s−1. Rate constants this large are more typically associated with barrierless reactions, and at 1000 K, this represents a nonthermal rate enhancement, k*/k, of more than two orders of magnitude relative to thermal rate constants k. We show that large nonthermal rate constants persist even after significant internal cooling, with k*/k > 10 down to Evib ≈ D0/4. The competition between collisional cooling and nonthermal reactivity is studied using a simple model, and nonthermal reactions are shown to account for up to 35%–50% of the fate of the products of H + CH3 = CH4* under conditions of practical relevance to combustion. Finally, the accuracy of an effective temperature model for estimating k* from k is quantified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface-facilitated, front-propagated softening of glassy materials is now a well-known phenomenon, which is common to stable vapor deposited glasses. As we demonstrate in our recent communication, this softening pathway is not unique to vapor-deposited vitreous phases and can be observed in ordinary melt-cooled glasses in the limit of high heating rates [Cubeta et al., J. Chem. Phys. 147(7), 071101 (2017)]. Expanding on this preliminary report, we use our thin-wire, quasi-adiabatic fast scanning calorimetry technique to investigate softening kinetics of micrometer scale, viscous liquid methylbenzene, and 2-propanol films, which are fully equilibrated at distinct temperatures near the compounds' standard glass hardening transition ranges. Heating of each sample with rates in excess of 105 K·s−1 results in softening kinetics that are well approximated by an Arrhenius temperature function. Remarkably, the apparent activation energy barriers to non-equilibrium, front-propagated softening matches the barriers to near-equilibrium self-diffusivity at the samples' initial temperatures. Furthermore, our analysis also shows an exceptionally strong correlation between the high temperature softening rate and the self-diffusion coefficients at low initial temperatures. Finally, our front softening velocities are also strongly dependent on the samples' initial states, much more so than previously observed. Based on these results, we propose an extended Wilson-Frenkel model of non-equilibrium phase transformations as a general theoretical framework to describe front propagated softening in glassy materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]