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Background Excess weight gain is an important health concern among people with HIV (PWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART). The extent to which ART contributes to body mass index (BMI) changes is incompletely understood. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of PWH initiating ART and demographically matched people without HIV (PWoH). Data on baseline BMI (kg/m2; categorized as underweight/normal, overweight, or obese) and ART class (integrase strand transfer inhibitor [INSTI], non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor [NNRTI], protease inhibitor [PI]) were obtained from electronic health records. BMI was evaluated longitudinally using piecewise linear splines in mixed effects models by HIV status, baseline BMI, and ART class. Models were adjusted for sociodemographics, comorbidities, and substance use. Results The study included 8256 PWH and 129 966 PWoH (mean baseline age, 40.9 and 42.2 years, respectively; 88% men). In adjusted models, the average annual change in BMI in the first 2 years after ART initiation was 0.53 for PWH and 0.12 for PWoH (P <.001). BMI increases among PWH were observed for all ART classes: 0.69 for INSTIs, 0.69 for PIs, and 0.40 for NNRTIs vs 0.12 among PWoH. For PWH initiating INSTIs, BMI increases were observed regardless of baseline BMI. Overall BMI changes >2 years after ART initiation were similar by HIV status (0.02 average annual increase for PWH and PWoH). Conclusions PWH initiating ART gained excess weight in the first 2 years, emphasizing the importance of monitoring weight and cardiometabolic health among ART-treated PWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Infections in haemodialysis (HD) patients are an important cause of morbidity, hospitalization, and mortality. Patients undergoing HD are more prone to develop bacterial infections by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Objectives: This study is aimed to detect MDROs colonization in HD patients and its associated risk factors and outcome. Methodology: A total of 62 nasal swabs and 124 rectal swabs were collected from 62 patients coming to the haemodialysis unit from of March to May 2021 and were further screened for MRSA, VRE and CRE. Results: Out of 62 patients, 22.59% showed the presence of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) while VRE was present in four patients (4/62). CRE was found as 24.2% (15/62). Duration of dialysis was found as a significant risk factor-associated MRSA carriage, Whereas Charlson index and drug and medication were found as significant risk factor for VRE carriage. Discussion & Conclusion: HD patients are particularly vulnerable to life threatening infections. Therefore, continuous epidemiological surveillance for these MDROs, including genotypic analysis and implementation of adequate decolonization strategies, is crucial and will reduce the possibility of autoinfection as well as disrupt transmission of multi-resistant isolates to others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid expansion of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) throughout the United States has been fueled by unlawful introductions, with invasive populations causing extensive crop losses, damaging native ecosystems, and serving as a reservoir for disease. Multiple states have passed laws prohibiting the possession or transport of wild pigs. However, genetic and phenotypic similarities between domestic pigs and invasive wild pigs—which overwhelmingly represent domestic pig and wild boar hybrids—pose a challenge for the enforcement of such regulations. We sought to exploit wild boar ancestry as a common attribute among the vast majority of invasive wild pigs as a means of genetically differentiating wild pigs from breeds of domestic pig found within the United States. We organized reference high‐density single nucleotide polymorphism genotypes (1039 samples from 33 domestic breeds and 382 samples from 16 wild boar populations) into five genetically cohesive reference groups: mixed‐commercial breeds, Durocs, heritage breeds, primitive breeds, and wild boar. Building upon well‐established genetic clustering approaches, we structured the test statistic to describe the difference in the likelihood of a given genotype's ancestry vectors (sensu genetic clustering analysis) if derived strictly from the four described domestic pig reference groups versus allowing for admixture from the wild boar group. By fitting statistical distributions to test statistics of reference domestic pigs, we characterized the distribution of the null hypothesis that a given genotype descends strictly from domestic pig reference groups. We tested the approach with simulated genotypes and empirical data from an additional 29 breeds of domestic pig represented by 435 unique genotypes; all associated test statistics for simulated and empirical domestic pig challenge sets fell within the distribution of reference domestic pigs. We then evaluated 6566 invasive wild pigs sampled across the contiguous United States, of which 63% exceeded the maximum threshold for domestic pigs and could be statistically classified as possessing wild boar ancestry. This approach provides a scientific foundation to enforce regulations prohibiting the possession of this destructive invasive species. Further, this computationally efficient and generalizable approach could be readily adapted to quantify gene flow among ecological systems of conservation or management concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memory formation requires coordinated control of gene expression, protein synthesis, and ubiquitin--proteasome system (UPS)-mediated protein degradation. The catalytic component of the UPS, the 26S proteasome, contains a 20S catalytic core surrounded by two 19S regulatory caps, and phosphorylation of the 19S cap regulatory subunit RPT6 at serine 120 (pRPT6-S120) has been widely implicated in controlling activity-dependent increases in proteasome activity. Recently, RPT6 was also shown to act outside the proteasome where it has a transcription factor-like role in the hippocampus during memory formation. However, little is known about the proteasome-independent function of "free" RPT6 in the brain or during memory formation and whether phosphorylation of S120 is required for this transcriptional control function. Here, we used RNA-sequencing along with novel genetic approaches and biochemical, molecular, and behavioral assays to test the hypothesis that pRPT6-S120 functions independently of the proteasome to bind DNA and regulate gene expression during memory formation. RNA-sequencing following siRNA-mediated knockdown of free RPT6 revealed 46 gene targets in the dorsal hippocampus of male rats following fear conditioning, where RPT6 was involved in transcriptional activation and repression. Through CRISPR-dCas9-mediated artificial placement of RPT6 at a target gene, we found that RPT6 DNA binding alone may be important for altering gene expression following learning. Further, CRISPR-dCas13-mediated conversion of S120 to glycine on RPT6 revealed that phosphorylation at S120 is necessary for RPT6 to bind DNA and properly regulate transcription during memory formation. Together, we reveal a novel function for phosphorylation of RPT6 in controlling gene transcription during memory formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have implicated oxidative stress-sensitive signaling in the pathogenesis of stress-induced male infertility. However, apart from oxidative stress, gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) plays a major role. The present study provides a detailed review of the role of GnIH in stress-induced male infertility. Available evidence-based data revealed that GnIH enhances the release of corticosteroids by activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. GnIH also mediates the inhibition of the conversion of thyroxine (T4) to triiodothyronine (T3) by suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroidal axis. In addition, GnIH inhibits gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), thus suppressing the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, and by extension testosterone biosynthesis. More so, GnIH inhibits kisspeptin release. These events distort testicular histoarchitecture, impair testicular and adrenal steroidogenesis, lower spermatogenesis, and deteriorate sperm quality and function. In conclusion, GnIH, via multiple mechanisms, plays a key role in stress-induced male infertility. Suppression of GnIH under stressful conditions may thus be a beneficial prophylactic and/or therapeutic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a newly identified checkpoint, T cell immunoreceptor with immunoglobulin and tyrosine-based inhibitory motif (ITIM) domain (TIGIT) is highly expressed on CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, regulatory T cells (Tregs), and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs). TIGIT has been associated with NK cell exhaustion in vivo and in individuals with various cancers. It not only modulates NK cell survival but also mediates T cell exhaustion. As the primary ligand of TIGIT in humans, CD155 may be the main target for immunotherapy due to its interaction with TIGIT. It has been found that the anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) treatment response in cancer immunotherapy is correlated with CD155 but not TIGIT. Anti-TIGIT alone and in combination with anti-PD-1 agents have been tested for cancer immunotherapy. Although two clinical studies on advanced lung cancer had positive results, the TIGIT-targeted antibody, tiragolumab, recently failed in two new trials. In this review, we highlight the current developments on TIGIT for cancer immunotherapy and discuss the characteristics and functions of TIGIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is one of the most aggressive cancers with high mortality rates. Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play essential roles in tumor growth, metastasis and the establishment of a pro‐tumor microenvironment. This study aimed to establish a CAF‐related signature for providing a new perspective for indicating prognosis and guiding therapeutic regimens of SKCM patients. Methods: In this study, the CAF‐related genes were screened out based on melanoma‐associated fibroblast markers identified from single‐cell transcriptome analysis in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and a CAF‐related module identified from weighted gene co‐expression analysis using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. We extracted these gene expression data of SKCM samples from TCGA and constructed a prognostic CAF‐related signature. The prediction abilities of the signature for survival prognosis, tumor immune landscape and responses to chemo‐/immunotherapies were evaluated in the TCGA‐SKCM cohort. Results: We suggested that CAFs were significantly involved in the clinical outcomes of SKCM. A 10‐gene CAF‐related model was constructed, and the high‐CAF risk group exhibited immunosuppressive features and worse prognosis. Patients with high CAF score were more likely to not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors but were more sensitive to some chemotherapeutic agents, suggesting a potential approach of chemotherapy/anti‐CAF combination treatment to improve the SKCM patient response rate of current immunotherapies. Conclusions: The CAF‐related risk score could serve as a robust prognostic indicator and personal assessment of this score could uncover the degree of immunosuppression and provide treatment strategies to improve outcomes in clinical decision‐making in SKCM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Universitatis Lodziensis. Folia Oeconomica is the property of Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Lodzkiego and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

IN RECENT DECADES, interest has grown in how increasing populations of herbivorous geese and swans (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Anserinae) affect macrophyte communities in wetlands, especially because many waterbodies are simultaneously subjected to stressors like eutrophication and biodiversity declines. Here, we review the literature on methods applied in grazing experiments that have been conducted in aquatic ecosystems. We also investigate and how different macrophyte characteristics may respond to waterfowl herbivory. Results indicate that both research methodology and responses of macrophytes differ widely among studies. While most experimental studies on grazing pressure employ a 'paired plot design' with exclosures and open control plots, the structure, size, and placement of plots vary among studies. Commonly sampled macrophyte variables are biomass (of either above- or below-ground plant parts), density, height, plant cover, and community composition. The literature provides support that geese and swans significantly affect several of these variables, but the outcome depends on additional factors, e.g. waterfowl density, water depth, and timing (within or between seasons/years). Because of the persisting conservation threats to aquatic ecosystems, more knowledge is needed about potential direct and indirect consequences of waterfowl herbivory in these environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co-culture tumour spheroid experiments are routinely performed to investigate cancer progression and test anti-cancer therapies. Therefore, methods to quantitatively characterise and interpret co-culture spheroid growth are of great interest. However, co-culture spheroid growth is complex. Multiple biological processes occur on overlapping timescales and different cell types within the spheroid may have different characteristics, such as differing proliferation rates or responses to nutrient availability. At present there is no standard, widely-accepted mathematical model of such complex spatio-temporal growth processes. Typical approaches to analyse these experiments focus on the late-time temporal evolution of spheroid size and overlook early-time spheroid formation, spheroid structure and geometry. Here, using a range of ordinary differential equation-based mathematical models and parameter estimation, we interpret new co-culture experimental data. We provide new biological insights about spheroid formation, growth, and structure. As part of this analysis we connect Greenspan’s seminal mathematical model to co-culture data for the first time. Furthermore, we generalise a class of compartment-based spheroid mathematical models that have previously been restricted to one population so they can be applied to multiple populations. As special cases of the general model, we explore multiple natural two population extensions to Greenspan’s seminal model and reveal biological mechanisms that can describe the internal dynamics of growing co-culture spheroids and those that cannot. This mathematical and statistical modelling-based framework is well-suited to analyse spheroids grown with multiple different cell types and the new class of mathematical models provide opportunities for further mathematical and biological insights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Weibull distribution is a versatile probability distribution widely applied in modeling the failure times of objects or systems. Its behavior is shaped by two essential parameters: the shape parameter and the scale parameter. By manipulating these parameters, the Weibull distribution adeptly captures diverse failure patterns observed in real-world scenarios. This flexibility and broad applicability make it an indispensable tool in reliability analysis and survival modeling. This manuscript explores five parameterizations of the Weibull distribution, each based on different moments, like mean, quantile, and mode. It meticulously characterizes each parameterization, introducing a novel one based on the model's mode, along with its hazard and survival functions, shedding light on their unique properties. Additionally, it delves into the interpretation of regression coefficients when incorporating regression structures into these parameterizations. It is analytically established that all five parameterizations define the same log-likelihood function, underlining their equivalence. Through Monte Carlo simulation studies, the performances of these parameterizations are evaluated in terms of parameter estimations and residuals. The models are further applied to real-world data, illustrating their effectiveness in analyzing material fatigue life and survival data. In summary, this manuscript provides a comprehensive exploration of the Weibull distribution and its various parameterizations. It offers valuable insights into their applications and implications in modeling failure times, with potential contributions to diverse fields requiring reliability and survival analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: The use of oncolytic viruses as a gene therapy vector is an area of active biomedical research, particularly in the context of cancer treatment. However, the actual therapeutic success of this approach to tumor elimination remains limited. As such, the present study was developed with the goal of simultaneously enhancing the antitumor efficacy of oncolytic viruses and the local immune response by combining the Ad-GD55 oncolytic adenovirus and an antibody specific for the TIM-3 immune checkpoint molecule (α-TIM-3). Approach and Key Results: The results of Virus and cell-mediated cytotoxicity assay, qPCR, and Western immunoblotting showed that Ad-GD55–α-Tim-3 oncolytic adenovirus is capable of inducing α-TIM-3 expression within hepatoma cells upon infection, and Ad-GD55–α-TIM-3 exhibited inhibitory efficacy superior to that of Ad-GD55 when used to treat these tumor cells together with the induction of enhanced intracellular immunity. In vivo experiments revealed that Ad-GD55–α-TIM-3 administration was sufficient to inhibit tumor growth and engage in a more robust local immune response within the simulated tumor immune microenvironment. Conclusion and Implications: These results highlighted the promising therapeutic effects of Ad-GD55–α-TIM-3 oncolytic adenovirus against HCC in vitro and in vivo. As such, this Ad-GD55–α-TIM-3 oncolytic adenovirus may represent a viable approach to the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate whether GRK4 regulates the phosphorylation and function of renal CCKBR. Methods: GRK4 A142V transgenic mice were used as an animal model of enhanced GRK4 activity, and siRNA was used to silence the GRK4 gene to investigate the regulatory effect of GRK4 on CCKBR phosphorylation and function. Finally, the co-localization and co-connection of GRK4 and CCKBR in RPT cells were observed by laser confocal microscopy and immunoprecipitation to explore the mechanism of GRK4 regulating CCKBR. Results: Gastrin infusion significantly increased urinary flow and sodium excretion rates in GRK4 WT mice (P < .05). GRK4 siRNA did not affect CCKBR protein expression in WKY RPT cells and SHR RPT cells, but remarkably reduced CCKBR phosphorylation in WKY and SHR RPT cells (P < .05). The inhibitory effect of gastrin on Na+-K+ -ATPase activity in WKY RPT cells was further enhanced by the reduction of GRK4 expression (P < .05), while GRK4 siRNA restored the inhibitory effect of gastrin on Na+-K+ -ATPase activity in SHR RPT cells. Laser confocal and Co-immunoprecipitation results showed that GRK4 and CCKBR colocalized in cultured RPT cells' cytoplasm. Conclusion: GRK4 participates in the development of hypertension by regulating the phosphorylation of renal CCKBR leading to impaired CCKBR function and water and sodium retention. Knockdown of GRK4 restored the function of CCKBR. The enhanced co-connection between GRK4 and CCKBR may be an important reason for the hyperphosphorylation of GRK4 and CCKBR involved in the pathogenesis of hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effect of Phyllanthus emblica leaves and branches mixture (PE) on growth performance, oxidative status and intestinal characteristics in broilers, as well as the in vitro antioxidant potential of PE extract (PEE). As the result of in vitro evaluation, the PEE had a total phenolic compound content of 95.5 ± 2.75 mg of Gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight (DW), and a total flavonoid content of 3.04 ± 0.06 mg of quercetin equivalent/g DW. The PEE exhibited significant antioxidant activity through various mechanisms, including chelation of ferrous iron, reducing power, scavenging 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals, inhibition of liposome peroxidation and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC). A total of 320 Ross 308 broilers were randomly allocated into four groups: control, basal diet supplemented with 0.5%, 1%, 2% PE. Each group was fed for 35 d. The results showed that the group fed with 0.5% PE had significantly better weight gain, and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group. Moreover, each PE group significantly reduced coliform and Clostridium perfringens in the ileum and caecum. Additionally, PE group with 0.5% concentration had significantly higher villus height in the jejunum compared to the other group. Furthermore, compared to the control group, each PE group had significantly lower levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and higher levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in the serum. In the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of chickens, each PE group showed significantly higher mRNA levels of antioxidant-regulated genes, including Nrf2, GST, GCLC, SOD1 and HO-1. In contrast, the expression levels of NOX1 and ROMO1 genes were significantly lower. In conclusion, the inclusion of 0.5% PE in the basal diet could have a positive impact on the growth performance of broilers by modulating intestinal characteristics and oxidative status. Phyllanthus emblica affects the growth performance, oxidative status and intestinal characteristics in broilers. The 0.5% PE group had significantly better weight gain and improved FCR. The 0.5% PE in the basal diet could potentially enhance growth performance by modulating intestinal characteristics and oxidative status in broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Breast cancer is the commonest and the deadliest malignancy among women. Iron is known as an essential element for cell growth and division. The connection between oxidative stress, antioxidants, and progression, aggressiveness, and recurrence of breast cancer, is widely recognized to involve impaired iron metabolism. The purpose of this study was to investigate the connection between the tumor characteristics and the levels of total iron in breast tissues by employing state of the art technology, inductively-coupled plasma/mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with our in-house analysis methodology for tissue samples. Materials and Methods: Iron contents were determined in 25 tissue sets (matched tumor and peritumoral tissues) collected from 25 women diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer. In addition, three cancer-free breast tissues, obtained from breast reduction surgery, were analyzed as a normal group. Collected samples were digested and introduced to ICP-MS for iron analysis. Results: Our method showed a low rate of measurement error (<10%). A highly significant (p<0.001) ~3 fold difference of iron concentrations were observed in tumors (24.73±6.15 ppb/mg) as compared to peritumoral tissues (9.10±4.84 ppb/mg). As the grade and stage of the cancer increases, iron levels in tumor tissues were also found to be increased (p=0.006, p=0.022 respectively). Conclusion: Our ICP-MS based method can be reliably performed at the established conditions for tissue specimens, and also have potential to be used in clinical practice. Understanding the relationship between tissue iron levels and tumor characteristics is essential in identifying potential prevention and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canine adenovirus (CAdV), a non‐enveloped, linear dsDNA virus, is a member of the genus Mastadenovirus of the family Adenoviridae. Two different serotypes of CAdVs, canine adenovirus type 1 (CAdV‐1), which causes infectious canine hepatitis (ICH), and canine adenovirus type 2 (CAdV‐2), which causes canine infectious laryngotracheitis, have been identified in dogs. In this report, we discuss a case of fatal CAdV‐1 infection in a 4‐month‐old, male, unvaccinated, Rajapalayam breed dog. Postmortem examination results were suggestive of CAdV‐1 infection, which was confirmed by histopathological examination, molecular characterisation and phylogenetic analysis. Sequence analysis of the CAdV‐1 strain showed a close similarity with the Australasian‐Europe cluster, a high identity (99.78% nucleotide and 98.91% amino acid identities) with a CAdV‐1 isolate (KU75571) from a fox in the United Kingdom, and a unique substitution (W126S) in the E3 protein encoding sequence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a dynamic program crucial for organismal development and tissue regeneration. Unfortunately, this program is often hijacked by epithelial tumors to facilitate metastasis. Beyond its role in cancer spread, EMT increases cancer cell survival by activating stem cell programs and bypassing apoptotic programs. Importantly, the capacity of EMT to enforce tumor progression by altering the tumor cell phenotype without triggering immune responses opens the intriguing possibility of a mechanistic link between EMT-driven cancers and immune evasion. Indeed, EMT has been acknowledged as a of driver immune evasion, but the mechanisms are still evolving. Here, we review recent insights into the influence of EMT on tumor immune evasion. Specifically, we focus on the mechanistic roles of EMT in immune escape as the basis that may provide a platform for innovative therapeutic approaches in advanced tumors. We summarize promising therapeutic approaches currently in clinical trials and trending preclinical studies aimed at reinvigorating the tumor microenvironment to create immune-permissive conditions that facilitates immune-mediated tumor clearance. We anticipate that this will assist researchers and pharmaceutical companies in understanding how EMT compromises the immune response, potentially paving the way for effective cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Intensive Care is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Adverse alcohol consumption is a major public health concern, which might have been further increased by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study we investigated the impact of a lockdown stage on the association between alcohol consumption, loneliness, and COVID-19-related worries. We used smartphone-based Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany. We recruited 280 participants from the general population, who experienced at least mild loneliness and distress due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We assessed daily alcohol intake, loneliness, and COVID-19-related worries every evening for 7 consecutive days across a no-lockdown [8th August 2020-1st November 2020] and lockdown stage [2nd November 2020-11th March 2021]. We did not find that a lockdown stage, compared to a no-lockdown stage, is associated with increased alcohol consumption. We found that loneliness, previous day drinking, and COVID-19-related worries were not associated with increased, but with decreased alcohol consumption. Moreover, COVID-19-related worries were more negatively associated with alcohol consumption during a no-lockdown stage compared to a lockdown stage. We found that the effect of COVID-19 related worries on alcohol consumption is mediated by loneliness. Our study suggests that heightened levels of worry can decrease alcohol intake. This association can be explained by loneliness: individuals who worry more are lonelier and thus less likely to engage in social drinking. However, during a lockdown stage, the negative association between worrying and drinking diminishes., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical approval: The study was approved by both Ethics Committee of Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin (ref: EA2/143/20) and Ethics Committee of Freie Universität Berlin (ref: 030/2020). Conflict of interest: None., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Leaf dark respiration (R dark ), an important yet rarely quantified component of carbon cycling in forest ecosystems, is often simulated from leaf traits such as the maximum carboxylation capacity (V cmax ), leaf mass per area (LMA), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, in terrestrial biosphere models. However, the validity of these relationships across forest types remains to be thoroughly assessed. Here, we analyzed R dark variability and its associations with V cmax and other leaf traits across three temperate, subtropical and tropical forests in China, evaluating the effectiveness of leaf spectroscopy as a superior monitoring alternative. We found that leaf magnesium and calcium concentrations were more significant in explaining cross-site R dark than commonly used traits like LMA, N and P concentrations, but univariate trait-R dark relationships were always weak (r 2  ≤ 0.15) and forest-specific. Although multivariate relationships of leaf traits improved the model performance, leaf spectroscopy outperformed trait-R dark relationships, accurately predicted cross-site R dark (r 2  = 0.65) and pinpointed the factors contributing to R dark variability. Our findings reveal a few novel traits with greater cross-site scalability regarding R dark , challenging the use of empirical trait-R dark relationships in process models and emphasize the potential of leaf spectroscopy as a promising alternative for estimating R dark , which could ultimately improve process modeling of terrestrial plant respiration., (© 2024 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Background: Failure-free survival (FFS) rates of low-risk patients with rhabdomyosarcoma improved in Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study IV after the escalation of cyclophosphamide total dose to 26.4 g/m 2 . However, this dose may increase the risk of adverse events, including infertility, in some patients. The JRS-I LRA0401 and LRB0402 protocols aimed to reduce the cyclophosphamide dose to 9.6 g/m 2 and 17.6 g/m 2 , respectively, without decreasing the FFS rates., Methods: Subgroup-A patients received eight cycles (24 weeks) of vincristine, actinomycin D, and 1.2 g/m 2 /cycle cyclophosphamide. Subgroup-B patients received eight cycles (24 weeks) of vincristine, actinomycin D, and 2.2 g/m 2 /cycle cyclophosphamide, followed by six cycles (24 weeks) of vincristine and actinomycin D. Group II/III patients in both subgroups received radiotherapy., Results: In subgroup A (n = 12), the 3-year FFS rate was 83% (95% confidence interval [CI], 48-96), and the 3-year overall survival (OS) rate was 100%. Only one isolated local recurrence was observed (8.3%). There were no unexpected grade-4 toxicities and no deaths. In subgroup B (n = 16), the 3-year FFS and OS rates were 88% (95% CI, 59-97) and 94% (95% CI, 63-99), respectively. There were no unexpected grade 4 toxicities and no deaths., Conclusions: Shorter duration therapy using vincristine, actinomycin D, and lower dose cyclophosphamide with or without radiotherapy for patients with low-risk subgroup A rhabdomyosarcoma (JRS-I LRA0401 protocol) and moderate reduction of cyclophosphamide dose for patients with low-risk subgroup B rhabdomyosarcoma (JRS-I LRB0402 protocol) did not compromise FFS., (© 2024. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Japan Society of Clinical Oncology.)

Purposeof Review: A heart-healthy lifestyle adopted during childhood and sustained throughout life can reduce cardiovascular disease risk in youth with dyslipidemia. In this review, we discuss nutrition recommendations for youth (< 18 years-of-age) with dyslipidemia, compare recommendations for youth versus those for adults, review published data regarding nutrition management in the pediatric population, and discuss strategies for successful implementation in a clinical setting., Recent Findings: Recent publications highlight the characteristics of genetic and acquired hypertriglyceridemia disorders, dietary adjuncts used for lipid-lowering, and the effectiveness of a multi-disciplinary team approach. Nutrition interventions remain a cornerstone of lipid management and cardiovascular disease risk reduction in youth with dyslipidemia. Nutrition counseling should include age and developmentally appropriate education while also addressing barriers to implementing a heart-healthy lifestyle. A registered dietitian nutritionist plays an important role within a multidisciplinary clinic setting by providing dietary recommendations to address the needs of youth with dyslipidemia., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Aims: Hepatic inflammatory pseudotumours (IPTs) are nonneoplastic hepatic masses characterized by variably fibroblastic stroma and inflammatory infiltrate, hypothesized to arise as part of a response to infection or prior surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinicopathologic features and outcomes of biopsy-proven hepatic IPT as well as other cases with IPT-like histologic features., Methods and Results: A database search at our institution identified cases with a pathologic diagnosis of hepatic IPT (n = 80) between 2000 and 2023. Histologic features (stromal quality, inflammatory cell components, granulomas, and necrosis) were evaluated. Past medical and surgical history, microbiologic studies, and outcomes were reviewed retrospectively. Patients frequently had a past medical history of malignancy (34%), biliary disease (15%), or prior intraabdominal surgery (24%), and often presented with multifocal hepatic lesions (36%). Variable inflammatory backgrounds were present, including histiocytic (36%), lymphoplasmacytic (34%), or neutrophilic (24%). Specific organisms were identified in 15% of cases, most commonly Klebsiella and Staphylococcus species. Most patients with available clinical follow-up demonstrated radiologic resolution and/or had repeat negative biopsy; a minority of patients (8%) were subsequently diagnosed with neoplastic hepatic lesions. No significant association was seen between histologic features and the subsequent clinical or pathologic diagnosis of hepatic neoplastic lesions., Conclusions: Hepatic IPT is a heterogeneous entity that can present in a variety of clinical scenarios and show a wide morphologic spectrum. These lesions often regress spontaneously or with antibiotics. A subset of cases with hepatic IPT-like histologic features were subsequently diagnosed with malignancy, emphasizing the need for continued follow-up and repeat biopsy depending on clinical and radiologic features., (© 2024 The Author(s). Histopathology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A propeptide is removed from a precursor protein to generate its active or mature form. Propeptides play essential roles in protein folding, transportation, and activation and are present in about 2.3% of reviewed proteins in the UniProt database. They are often found in secreted or membrane-bound proteins including proteolytic enzymes, hormones, and toxins. We identified a variety of globular and nonglobular Pfam domains in protein sequences designated as propeptides, some of which form intramolecular interactions with other domains in the mature proteins. Propeptide-containing enzymes mostly function as proteases, as they are depleted in other enzyme classes such as hydrolases acting on DNA and RNA, isomerases, and lyases. We applied AlphaFold to generate structural models for over 7000 proteins with propeptides having no less than 20 residues. Analysis of residue contacts in these models revealed conformational changes for over 300 proteins before and after the cleavage of the propeptide. Examples of conformation change occur in several classes of proteolytic enzymes in the families of subtilisins, trypsins, aspartyl proteases, and thermolysin-like metalloproteases. In most of the observed cases, cleavage of the propeptide releases the constraints imposed by the covalent bond between the propeptide and the mature protein, and cleavage enables stronger interactions between the propeptide and the mature protein. These findings suggest that post-cleavage propeptides could play critical roles in regulating the activity of mature proteins., (© 2024 The Authors. Proteins: Structure, Function, and Bioinformatics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Background: Recently, there has been a growing interest in exploring AI-driven chatbots, such as ChatGPT, as a resource for disease management and education., Objective: The study aims to evaluate ChatGPT's accuracy and quality/clarity in providing nutritional management for Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM), the Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components, in accordance with the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics' guidelines., Methods: Three nutrition management-related domains were considered: (1) Dietary management, (2) Nutrition care process (NCP) and (3) Menu planning (1500 kcal). A total of 63 prompts were used. Two experienced dietitians evaluated the chatbot output's concordance with the guidelines., Results: Both dietitians provided similar assessments for most conditions examined in the study. Gaps in the ChatGPT-derived outputs were identified and included weight loss recommendations, energy deficit, anthropometric assessment, specific nutrients of concern and the adoption of specific dietary interventions. Gaps in physical activity recommendations were also observed, highlighting ChatGPT's limitations in providing holistic lifestyle interventions. Within the NCP, the generated output provided incomplete examples of diagnostic documentation statements and had significant gaps in the monitoring and evaluation step. In the 1500 kcal one-day menus, the amounts of carbohydrates, fat, vitamin D and calcium were discordant with dietary recommendations. Regarding clarity, dietitians rated the output as either good or excellent., Conclusion: Although ChatGPT is an increasingly available resource for practitioners, users are encouraged to consider the gaps identified in this study in the dietary management of T2DM and the MetS., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Research into the impacts of oxidative stress (OS), and hormonal balance on reproductive potential has increased over the last 40 years possibly due to rising male infertility. Decreased antioxidant levels and increased OS in tissues result from hormonal imbalance, which in turn leads to male infertility. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in seminal plasma has been linked to many lifestyle factors such as alcohol and tobacco use, toxicant exposure, obesity, varicocele, stress, and aging. This article provides an overview of the crosslink between OS and gonadal hormone disruption, as well as a potential mode of action in male infertility. Disrupting the equilibrium between ROS generation and the antioxidant defense mechanism in the male reproductive system may affect key hormonal regulators of male reproductive activities. Unchecked ROS production may cause direct injury on reproductive tissues or could disrupt normal regulatory mechanisms of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and its interaction with other endocrine axes, both of which have negative effects on male reproductive health and can lead to male infertility., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Society for Reproductive Investigation.)

Purpose of Review: The overwhelming majority of stroke burden can be prevented through the pillars of lifestyle medicine: diet, exercise, sleep, substance abuse, stress management, and healthy relationships. Among these, diet confers the greatest attributable risk., Recent Findings: Despite abundant data and integration of lifestyle medicine within major stroke prevention guidelines, several barriers to effective implementation remain. These include lack of emphasis in medical education, integration in hospital certification metrics, reimbursement from medical insurance, and health policy that inadequately addresses social determinants of health. However, both top-down and bottom-up solutions introduced within the last few years are helping to break down these barriers. This review highlights recent literature and interventions that are closing the gap between the theory and practice of stroke prevention through lifestyle risk factors from a US perspective. By strategically targeting the various institutional barriers, it is possible and essential to substantially reduce stroke burden., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

The radiologic diagnosis of biliary disease can be challenging due to atypical or delayed presentation, rare or less common entities, and imaging overlap of benign and malignant processes. Establishing a specific diagnosis, when possible, is important to avoid progression of infections to sepsis and multiorgan failure, and for appropriate staging and management in cases of malignancy. Gallstones are the most common biliary disease, and along with stone-related complications, including cholecystitis and choledocholithiasis, constitute the majority of acute biliary pathology. Late and atypical manifestations of acute cholecystitis demonstrate imaging overlap with primary gallbladder cholangiocarcinoma, especially with cases of exuberant inflammatory reaction such as xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis. Additional challenging scenarios related to gallbladder disease, that may be benign or malignant, include adjacent fistulas and lymphadenopathy. Dropped gallstones, especially in atypical locations, may be misdiagnosed as neoplastic. Recurrent cholecystitis after cholecystectomy, whether related to subtotal cholecystectomy or to stumpitis, is another entity that can be confusing to the radiologist with a documented history of cholecystectomy. Inflammatory and autoimmune conditions, such as pseudotumors and IgG4 disease, are a less common but not infrequent cause of diagnostic dilemma. Furthermore, biliary strictures and hepatobiliary cystic lesions can be benign or malignant and could constitute a diagnostic and management challenge. The goal of this manuscript is to present the lessons learned from multidisciplinary conferences on the above entities and suggest tips and pearls to maximize the value of radiologists' contribution to patient management., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Determining the risk of pathologic fracture in dogs with a primary bone tumor would aid in case selection for in-situ treatment options. Prior research found strong relationships between in vitro strength of canine antebrachii with primary bone tumors and CT-derived metrics. This study assesses the prognosis for pathologic fracture in dogs with distal radial bone tumors using CT-derived structural analysis metrics. CT images of the antebrachium in dogs with aggressive osseous lesions of the radius were used to calculate structural rigidity and failure forces, including axial rigidity (AR), craniocaudal bending rigidity (BR), torsional rigidity (TR), and failure forces for a slightly-curved/asymmetric beam (Fs) or a curved beam (Fc). Metrics were compared with the clinical outcome of radial fracture. Eight of 19 dogs with CT-derived metrics developed a radial fracture. The prognostic potential of the metrics to discriminate fractured and nonfractured bones was analyzed using receiver operating characteristic curves (area under the curve), stepwise logistic regression, and classification regression (CART) analyses. Fc was the most sensitive and specific metric for prognosing fracture occurrence (AUC = 0.864). When dog body weight (BW) was included, all five metrics had AUC > 0.705. Fc was the best predictor of fracture using stepwise logistic regression and CART analysis, followed by BR. An indication of fracture probability can be determined by normalizing Fc or BR with dog BW or by using the logistic regression equation of either metric with dog BW. Results warrant further analysis of a larger cohort to evaluate fracture likelihood in dogs with antebrachial bone neoplasia., (© 2024 The Author(s). Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Radiology.)

Huntington disease (HD), a devastating autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by an expanded CAG trinucleotide repeat, is clinically characterized by a triad of symptoms including involuntary motions, behavior problems and cognitive deficits. Behavioral symptoms with anxiety, irritability, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, apathy and other neuropsychiatric symptoms, occurring in over 50% of HD patients are important features of this disease and contribute to impairment of quality of life, but their pathophysiology is poorly understood. Behavior problems, more frequent than depression, can be manifest before obvious motor symptoms and occur across all HD stages, usually correlated with duration of illness. While specific neuropathological data are missing, the relations between gene expression and behavior have been elucidated in transgenic models of HD. Disruption of interneuronal communications, with involvement of prefronto-striato-thalamic networks and hippocampal dysfunctions produce deficits in multiple behavioral domains. These changes that have been confirmed by multistructural neuroimaging studies are due to a causal cascade linking molecular pathologies (glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunctions inducing multiple biochemical and structural alterations) and deficits in multiple behavioral domains. The disruption of large-scale connectivities may explain the variability of behavior profiles and is useful in understanding the biological backgrounds of functional decline in HD. Such findings offer new avenues for targeted treatments in terms of minimizing neurobehavioral impairment in HD., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Austria, part of Springer Nature.)

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of corneal neurotisation using sural nerve graft coaptation of the contralateral supratrochlear nerve in unilateral neurotrophic keratopathy and corneal anesthesia. Corneal neuralization has emerged as a potential option in the treatment of neurotropic keratopathy, however not free from the predicament. We evaluated the long-term outcome of corneal neurotisation in the treatment of unresponsive unilateral neurotropic keratopathy using surgical variations to mimic and expedient the surgical procedure. Methods: A Prospective interventional study involving patients with unilateral neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) who did not respond to medical measures was conducted. The study parameters evaluated were best-corrected visual acuity improvement, ocular surface evaluation parameters [tear break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer's 1, and ocular surface staining scores (corneal and conjunctival staining)], central corneal sensation (Cochet Bonnet esthesiometer), sub-basal nerve fiber length (SBNFL), and sub-basal nerve fiber density (SBNFD) determined by central confocal microscopy at recruitment and during follow-up at 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, 9-month and 12-month respectively, following corneal neurotization. Results: Eleven eyes of 11 patients with unilateral neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) who underwent corneal neurotisation were studied. The mean follow-up was 10.09±2.31months (range, 6–12). Mean best corrected visual acuity in log MAR at baseline, 1.35±0.52 improved significantly to 1.06±0.76 (P = 0.012) at 3 months and continued to 0.55±0.60 (P = 0.027) at 12 months. There was a significant reduction in NK grade severity and improvement in the ocular surface as early as 1 month, and central corneal sensations (P = 0.024) as soon as 3 months. Mean corneal SBNF improved from 3.12±1.84 mm/mm2 to 4.49±1.88 at 1 month (P = 0.008), 13.31±3.61 mm/mm2 (P = 0.028) at 12 months. Mean central corneal SBNFD evident at 6 months was 1.83±2.54no/mm2 (P = 0.018) and 4.90±3.12no/mm2 (P = 0.028) at 12 months. Conclusion: This study substantiates the routine practice of corneal neurotisation by simplifying the intricacies observed during the procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mild memory impairment, termed amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), is associated with rapid progression towards dementia in Parkinson's disease (PD). Studies have shown hyperactivation of hippocampal DG/CA3 subfields during an episodic memory task as a biomarker of aMCI related to Alzheimer's disease. This project investigates the feasibility of a trial to establish the efficacy of a repurposed antiepileptic drug, levetiracetam, in low doses as a putative treatment to target DG/CA3 hyperactivation and improve episodic memory deficits in aMCI in PD. Based on previous work, it is hypothesized that levetiracetam will normalize DG/CA3 overactivation in PD-aMCI participants and improve memory performance. Methods: Twenty-eight PD-aMCI participants, 28 PD participants without memory impairment (PD-nMI), and 28 healthy controls will be recruited. PD-aMCI participants will undertake a 12-week randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over trial with a 14-day treatment of 125 mg levetiracetam or placebo twice daily, separated by a 4-week washout period. After each treatment period, participants will complete an episodic memory task designed to tax hippocampal subregion-specific function during high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). PD-nMI and healthy controls will undergo the fMRI protocol only, to compare baseline DG/CA3 subfield activity. Results: Episodic memory task performance and functional activation in the DG/CA3 subfield during the fMRI task will be primary outcome measures. Global cognition, PD severity, and adverse events will be measured as secondary outcomes. Recruitment, eligibility, and study completion rates will be explored as feasibility outcomes. Conclusions: This study, the first of its kind, will establish hippocampal subregion functional impairment and proof of concept of levetiracetam as an early therapeutic option to reduce dementia risk in PD. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04643327. Registered on 25 November 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a versatile model, called α -monotone inverse Weibull distribution (α IW), for lifetime of a component under stress is introduced by using the α -monotone concept. The α IW distribution is also expressed as a scale-mixture between the inverse Weibull distribution and uniform distribution on (0, 1). The α IW distribution includes α -monotone inverse exponential and α -monotone inverse Rayleigh distributions as submodels and converenges to the inverse Weibull, inverse exponential, and inverse Rayleigh distributions as limiting cases. Also, slash Weibull, slash Rayleigh, and slash exponential distribuitons can be obtained under certain variable transformation and parameter settings. The α IW distribution is characterized by its hazard rate function and characterizing conditions are provided as well. Maximum likelihood, maximum product of spacing, and least squares methods are used to estimate distribution parameters. A Monte-Carlo simulation study is conducted to compare the efficiencies of the considered estimation methods. In the application part, two practical data sets, Kevlar 49/epoxy and Kevlar 373/epoxy, are modeled via the α IW distribution. Modeling performance of the α IW distribution is compared with its rivals by means of some well-known goodness-of-fit statistics and results show that α IW distribution performs better modeling than them. Results of comparison also indicate that obtaining the α IW distribution by using the α -monotone concept is cost effective since the new shape parameter added to the distribution by using the α -monotone concept significantly increases the modeling capability of the IW distribution. As a result of this study, it is shown that the α IW distribution can be an alternative to the well-known and recently-introduced distributions for modeling purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The concept of the inheritance of acquired traits, a foundational principle of Lamarck's evolutionary theory, has garnered renewed attention in recent years. Evidence for this phenomenon remained limited for decades but gained prominence with the Överkalix cohort study in 2002. This study revealed a link between cardiovascular disease incidence and the food availability experienced by individuals' grandparents during their slow growth periods, reigniting interest in the inheritance of acquired traits, particularly in the context of non-communicable diseases. This scientometric analysis and systematic review comprehensively explores the current landscape of paternally transmitted acquired metabolic traits. Results: Utilizing Scopus Advanced search and meticulous screening, we included mammalian studies that document the inheritance or modification of metabolic traits in subsequent generations of unexposed descendants. Our inclusive criteria encompass intergenerational and transgenerational studies, as well as multigenerational exposures. Predominantly, this field has been driven by a select group of researchers, potentially shaping the design and focus of existing studies. Consequently, the literature primarily comprises transgenerational rodent investigations into the effects of ancestral exposure to environmental pollutants on sperm DNA methylation. The complexity and volume of data often lead to multiple or redundant publications. This practice, while understandable, may obscure the true extent of the impact of ancestral exposures on the health of non-exposed descendants. In addition to DNA methylation, studies have illuminated the role of sperm RNAs and histone marks in paternally acquired metabolic disorders, expanding our understanding of the mechanisms underlying epigenetic inheritance. Conclusions: This review serves as a comprehensive resource, shedding light on the current state of research in this critical area of science, and underscores the need for continued exploration to uncover the full spectrum of paternally mediated metabolic inheritance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: There has been much debate surrounding the use of omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), for cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction. Recent Findings: Recent trials of EPA and DHA have offered conflicting evidence. Some demonstrate reduction in CV risk using EPA alone in select populations. Others have demonstrated no benefit, with potential for side effects, such as new-onset atrial fibrillation. Summary: Both EPA and DHA have favorable impact on lipids and inflammation, suggesting some biological plausibility for CV risk reduction. However, clinical trials of these agents have produced mixed results. Based on available evidence, EPA may work better for CV risk than DHA and EPA combined. The benefit of EPA seems to be dose dependent, though higher doses may have more side effects. Further research is needed to define the role of EPA and DHA in the landscape of CV risk reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of power and exponential transformations, an original family of distributions is created and studied. Thanks to two tuning parameters, it has the capacity to generalize a few of the present families, which have been widely used in recent data. As a first contribution of this paper, a theoretical result is demonstrated on the admissible values of these parameters. Then, some of the properties of the family are established, including functional series expansions, quantile function, and moments. After that, we exemplify the theory; a special case based on the Weibull distribution is emphasized. It can be described as a new two-parameter lifetime distribution. It is of interest because of its original and flexible functionalities in terms of probability density and hazard rate shapes, and manageable properties, including a closed form expression of the quantile function. Five different and efficient estimation methods are examined for the point estimation of the parameters of this special distribution. A simulation work is performed to compare these estimation methods. Finally, we apply the special distribution to two real-world datasets to illustrate its usefulness, and compare it to some competitors, including some based on the Weibull distribution. According to the data analysis, the proposed distribution works well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the past ten years, trigonometric-type distributions have drawn a lot of attention due to their excellent capacity to assess a wide range of data types thanks to their oscillatory characteristics. In this article, we contribute to the development of such distributions by providing a flexible version of the sine-generated family of distributions. It is elaborated by combining the famous "sine-generated family" with a newly introduced family: the modified power generalized family. In the first part, we study its main theoretical properties, providing the corresponding probabilistic functions, quantiles, and tractable series expansions for moments, among others. An emphasis is put on the member of the family defined with the exponential distribution as the baseline distribution; a new two-parameter lifetime exponential distribution is thus created. The second part is devoted to inference and statistical applications. The maximum likelihood, least squares, weighted least squares, Cramér–von Mises, and Anderson–Darling methods are examined to estimate the unknown parameters of the new exponential distribution. To assess the performance of these estimates, a Monte Carlo simulation is run. Two real-life data sets are analyzed to demonstrate the flexibility of the proposed family. It is found that the new exponential model is more flexible than the comparable models, including the modified power exponential models. In the last part, we use some members of this new family to compute the ruin probabilities in the insurance company problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Driving under the influence of alcohol is one of the main factors for morbidity and mortality from traffic accidents. In 2010 and 2013, the Program Life in Traffic was implemented in Brazil, including the international initiative "Road Safety in Ten Countries", which established actions to reduce one of the main risk factors for road traffic injuries, the driving under the influence of alcohol. In 2012, a new zero-tolerance drinking and driving law (new dry law) was implemented, establishing a zero-tolerance limit for the drivers' blood alcohol concentration, and increasing punitive measures. This study aimed at analyzing the impact of these measures on the prevalence of driving under the influence of alcohol abuse in Brazilian capitals. Methods: An interrupted time series study was conducted using the models of autoregressive integrated moving average or seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average. The main outcome was the prevalence of driving after alcohol abuse in the adult population (≥ 18 years). The model's predictors were the interventions "Program Life in Traffic" and "New Dry Law". The former was implemented in the first quarter of 2011, initially in five capitals: Belo Horizonte, Campo Grande, Palmas, Teresina, and Curitiba, being expanded to the other capitals in the first quarter of 2013. The latter was implemented in the country on the first quarter of 2013. Data source for the study was the records of the surveillance system for risk and protection factors of chronic diseases through telephone survey (Vigitel) from 2007 to 2016. Results: The time intervals considered in the study were the quarters. Thirty-eight units were considered in the analysis, corresponding to time series points. It was found that after the implementation of the Program Life in Traffic, in the first quarter of 2011, there was a reduction in the prevalence in Belo Horizonte and Curitiba. Because the introduction of the New Dry Law and the Program Life in Traffic took place in similar periods in the other cities, there was a significant reduction in the outcome prevalence in the cities of Aracaju, Belo Horizonte, Boa Vista, Fortaleza, João Pessoa, Maceió, Manaus, Palmas, Porto Alegre, Recife, Teresina, Rio Branco, and Vitória following the law application. Conclusion: The present study identified an immediate impact of the Program Life in Traffic in two capitals (Belo Horizonte and Curitiba) and a joint impact of the New Dry Law in 13 capitals. The results of this study have implications for strengthening interventions aimed at reducing the burden of morbidity and mortality from traffic accidents in Brazil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In the past decade, there has been little progress in the treatment of malignant glioma. Recently, oncolytic virus has made great progress in glioma treatment, and a number of clinical trials have shown their potential of prolonging the survival time of glioma patients. Our objective is to evaluate effectiveness and safety of oncolytic virus (OV) in malignant glioma treatment. Methodology: Based upon PRISMA, we collected relevant published clinical trials by searching medical databases up to January 16, 2023, applying the language restrictions in English and Chinese. We cross-searched the terms: 'glioma', 'glioblastoma', 'oncolytic viruses', 'oncolytic virotherapy' with filter 'clinical trial'. Two researchers independently extracted the data regarding case definitions, published years, trial phase, characteristics of patients, administration of drug, overall survival (OS), and adverse events. Results: 19 published clinical trials in OV treatment of malignant glioma were included in the further systematic review analysis. None of them induced irresistible adverse effects attributing to OV treatment, median overall survival varied from 3.25 to 20.2 months after treatments. According to trials providing patient's detailed molecular diagnosis, we find that the effectiveness of OV treatment has no significant difference in patients with different IDH or MGMT status. Conclusions: Current clinical trials have initially shown the potential of oncolytic virotherapy as a new treatment for malignant glioma. Besides development of virus types, the strategy of OV use is an urgent problem to be solved in future clinical application, such as repeated administrations, innovative drug delivery systems, and biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a two-parameter continuous distribution, namely the Lehmann type II Teissier distribution is introduced. Some important properties including the Rényi entropy, Bonferroni curves, Lorenz curves and the exact information matrix of the proposed model are derived. Seven different techniques are being used for the estimation of parameters and a simulation is carried out to observe the maximum likelihood estimates. Interval estimates of the parameters are obtained using exact information matrix and bootstrapping techniques. Finally, to show the practical significance, three datasets related to COVID-19 and rainfall are modeled using the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Vasconcellea cauliflora plants exhibiting chlorotic spots, mottling and mosaic with yellowing on leaves were observed in Pune, India in October 2020. The disease incidence was 16%. The samples were screened for cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), papaya ringspot virus, tobacco mosaic virus and zucchini yellow mosaic virus using ELISA. Sap inoculation on healthy V. cauliflora plants using CMV positive DAS-ELISA samples reproduced field symptoms. The transmission upon mechanical inoculation was 100%. For further confirmation, RT-PCR was carried out using CMV coat protein gene specific primers. Amplicons of expected size (c. 650 bp) were obtained in all symptomatic and sap inoculated samples. No amplification was observed in the asymptomatic samples. BLASTn analysis revealed that the amplicon sequence shares more than 99% identity with CMV isolates and in phylogenetic analysis it clustered with CMV IB isolates. This is the first record of V. cauliflora as a natural host of CMV worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to reduce air pollution is an essential topic of environmental governance. Existing research has predominantly concentrated on the decentralization effect within the environmental field, leaving a gap in exploring non-environmental decentralization effects. This paper exploits a quasi-experiment of "counties power expansion (CPE)" reform in China to examine the effect of administrative decentralization on air pollution. Administrative decentralization will reorganize authority in economic and social matters and redistribute fiscal responsibility and resources for specific targets among multilevel governments. Employing a county-level dataset from 1999 to 2019 in China, we find that administrative decentralization significantly raises air pollution by about 2%. Our results further suggest that air pollution is mainly attributed to the increment of resource input and firm expansion. We find that geographical location will influence the air pollution effect. The policymaker should consider an inclusive intuitional design when launching administrative decentralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The national scale of catastrophic losses risk linked to state catastrophe bonds (SCB) is enormous. It can reduce investors' interest in buying them because the capital required and the loss probability are also significant. To overcome this, the SCB can be made on a smaller regional scale, known as a regional catastrophe bond (RCB). Through RCBs, the catastrophic loss risk investors bear becomes smaller, which can increase investors' interest in buying them. Unfortunately, RCB issuance faced a fundamental obstacle, where its complex pricing model needed further study. Therefore, this study aims to model it. The model uniquely involves the inflation rate modeled using the Fisher equation and the nonbinary scheme of coupon and redemption value payments modeled by a compound Poisson process. In addition, the model is applied to Indonesia's catastrophe data, resulting in all provinces' RCB price estimation and the effects of several variables on RCB price. This research can guide the RCB pricing process of the country's regions. The estimated RCB prices can be used by Indonesia's government if RCBs are to be issued one day. Finally, the effects of the inflation rate, catastrophe intensity, and geographical location on RCB prices can guide investors in selecting bond portfolios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present a new bounded distribution known as the power Lambert uniform distribution, and we deduce some of its statistical properties such as quantile function, moments, incomplete moments, mean residual life and mean inactivity time, Lorenz, Bonferroni, and Zenga curves, and order statistics. We presented different shapes of the probability density function and the hazard function of the proposed model. Eleven traditional methods are used to estimate its parameters. The behavior of these estimators is investigated using simulation results. Some actuarial measures are derived mathematically for our proposed model. Some numerical computations for these actuarial measures are given for some choices of parameters and significance levels. A new quantile regression model is constructed based on the new unit distribution. The maximum likelihood estimation method is used to estimate the unknown parameters of the regression model. Furthermore, the usability of the new distribution and regression models is demonstrated with the COVID-19 and educational datasets, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]