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Data sharing holds promise to accelerate innovative discoveries through artificial intelligence (AI) and traditional analytics. However, it remains unclear whether these prospects translate into tangible benefits in improving health care and scientific progress. In this cross-sectional study, we investigate current data reuse practices and explore ways to enhance the use of existing data in clinical research, focusing on low- and middle-income countries. 643 clinical researchers and data professionals participated in the study. 55.5% analysed clinical trial data. 75.3% of data users analysed data from observational studies obtained mainly through personal requests or downloads from publicly available sources. Data was mainly used to influence the design of new studies or in pooled and individual patient-level data meta-analyses. Key benefits realised were career progression and academic qualification, with more gains reported by users affiliated with high-income and upper-middle-income countries (p = 0.046, chi = 8.0). Scientific progress through publications and collaborations was associated with gender (p = 0.012, chi = 10.9), with males more likely to contribute. Benefits to the public although minimal, were associated with career seniority (p = 0.001, chi = 18.8), with works by senior researchers being more likely to influence health policy or treatment guidelines. Although 54% of the respondents accessed at least 3 datasets in the past 5 years, 79.4% of data users encountered difficulty finding relevant data for planned analyses. Researchers affiliated with low and middle income institutions reported more difficulty interpreting data (p = 0.012, chi = 25.7), while challenges with language were regionally influenced (p = 0.000, chi = 51.3) and more commonly reported by researchers in Latin America and South and East Asia institutions. While the utilisation of shared data is lower than expected, focused efforts to enrich existing data with extensive metadata using standard terminologies can enhance data findability. Investment in training programmes, building professional networks, and mentorship in data science may improve the quality of data generated and increase researchers' ability to use existing datasets.

Vaccinations can serve as an important preventive measure against the porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED) virus that currently threatens the swine industry. This study focuses on the development of a fusion protein vaccine, FliC99-mCOE, which combines the N-terminus of flagellin (FliC99) with a modified core neutralizing epitope (mCOE) of PEDV. In silico immunoinformatic analysis confirmed the construct's non-toxic, non-allergenic, and highly antigenic nature. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations demonstrated FliC99-mCOE's strong binding to the TLR-5 immunological receptor. Repeated exposure simulations and immunological simulations suggested enhanced cell-mediated immunity. Both FliC99-mCOE and an inactivated PEDV vaccine were produced and tested in mice. The results from cell proliferation, ELISA, and neutralization assays indicated that FliC99-mCOE effectively stimulated cellular immunity and neutralized PEDV. We conclude that the FliC99-mCOE fusion protein may serve as a promising vaccine candidate against PEDV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is toxic for humans, but its effects on the yield and quality of rice under contaminated irrigation conditions remain uncertain. In this study, paddy soils in the Red River Delta (Vietnam) were selected for experiments with the purpose of understanding the effects of Cd contaminated irrigation water on growth, yields, and grain Cd accumulation. In addition, biochar was produced from rice husk (BRH) and rice straw for preventing Cd infiltration into rice was also studied in this experiment. A field experiment was established with applicated BRH and straw into polluted paddy soil, as a result the Cd content in grains reduced significantly. The Cd contaminated soil was added to the BRH and rice straw (RS) with six ratios, including: (1) RS 2.5%, (2) BRH 2.5%, (3) RS-BRH: 1.25-1.25%, (4) RS 5.0%, (5) BRH 5.0%, (6) RS-BRH: 2.5-2.5%, (w:w). Besides, three content levels 0.01-0.05-0.5 mg/L of Cd in irrigation water were applied throughout crop season. The results showed that the Cd accumulation in rice was in the following order: roots > stems > seeds. With 3 contaminated irrigation levels which were applied, the Cd concentrations of 0.05 mg/L and 0.5 mg/L affected plant height and yield. However, the Cd content in grains under contaminated soil condition can be controlled from 82.47-83.94% by applying a BRH ratio from 2.5-5% (w:w). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims at illustrating the optimal functions of removing copper ions in aqueous solution by means of the electrocoagulation process in which portable solar power generators are used as renewable energy. A solar photovoltaic cell (PV), producing approximately 48A current intensity for 4-7 h per day, was sufficient to charge the lithium batteries completely during the day. This system was connected directly to the electrocoagulation tank. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) was applied to evaluate three effects of process factors: current density, the dose of electrolyte (NaCl), and application time. The results showed that an optimal efficiency of 99.01% Cu removal plus an energy savings of 1.039 kWh/m³ were obtained at a current density of 4 A/m², the dosage of NaCl (electrolyte) of 1.87 g/L, and electrolysis time of 10 min. The chemical components of the sludge produced under these optimized conditions were determined by means of EDX. It was illustrated that the copper ions were the main elements of sludge, and nonhazardous compounds were contained. The PV-lithium battery system is considered to be an efficient alternative energy source toward sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sperm preparation is an important step during assisted reproduction, and different assisted reproductive techniques have different sperm quality requirements. For intrauterine insemination (IUI), the total motile sperm count is a predictor of a patient's fertility., Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the sperm recovery rate and DNA fragmentation index (DFI) outcomes following density mini-gradient and single-layer centrifugation in preparation for intrauterine insemination (IUI)., Methods: A total of 30 semen samples with concentrations under 15 million cells/ml were obtained, and each sample was divided into 3 aliquots, with each aliquot subjected to 1 of 3 separation methods: mini-gradient, single-layer using a 90% density layer (single 90-layer), and single-layer using a 45% density layer (single 45-layer). Total sperm motility and sperm recovery rates were compared before and after preparation using each method., Results: The sperm concentration obtained using single 45-layer was higher than the other groups (p<0.05), but sperm motility was higher using the mini-gradient and single 90-layer methods higher than the single 45-layer method (p<0.05). The recovered sperm motility rates for the mini-gradient, single 90-layer, and single 45-layer methods were 57.6% ± 20.6%, 62.8% ± 18.5%, and 78.7% ± 12.4%, respectively, indicating a better outcome for the single 45-layer method than for the other methods., Conclusion: All of these methods can be applied to sperm preparation for IUI, and the optimal method can be selected based on initial sperm quality to collect sperm with good motility and DNA integrity to achieve a satisfactory pregnancy rate., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest to declare., (© 2022 Nguyen Thanh Hoa, Nguyen Khang Son, Tran-Thi Phuong Hoa, Mai-Thi Giang, Le Ngoc Dung, Nguyen Minh Duc, Nguyen Manh Ha.)