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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]

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]

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]

Copyright of Social Anthropology / Anthropologie Sociale is the property of Berghahn Books 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.)

Rising length of stay and inpatient boarding in emergency departments have directly affected patient satisfaction and nearly all provider-to-patient care metrics. Prior studies suggest that ED observation has significant clinical and financial benefits including decreasing hospitalization and length of stay. ED observation is one method long employed to shorten ED length of stay and to free up inpatient beds, yet many patients continue to be admitted to the hospital with an average hospital length of stay of only one day. The objectives of this study were to evaluate whether vigorous tracking and provider reviews of one day hospital admits affected the utilization of ED observation and whether this correlated with significant change in rates of admission from observation status. Between September 2020 and May 2021, in a tertiary care hospital with an annual ED volume of 55,0000, chart reviews of 24-h inpatient discharges were initiated by two senior EM faculty to determine perceived suitability for ED observation. Non-punitive email reviews were then initiated with ED attending providers in order to encourage evaluation of whether these patients would have benefitted from being placed into observation. We then analyzed ED observation patient volumes and subsequent admission rates to the hospital from ED observation and compared these numbers to baseline ED observation volume and admission rates between September 2018 and May 2019. A total of 1448 reviews were conducted on 24-h discharges which correlated with an increase in utilization of ED observation from 11.77% (95% CI [11.62, 12.31]) of total ED volume in our control period to 14.21% (95% CI [13.84, 14.58]) during the study period. We found that the overall admission rate from ED observation increased from 20.12% (95% CI [18.97, 21.26]) baseline to 23.80% (95% CI [22.60, 25.00]) during the same time periods. Our data suggest that increasing the total number of patients placed into observation by 21% correlated with a relative increase in admission rates from ED observation by 18%. This would suggest that our efforts to potentially include more patients into our observation program led to a significant increase in subsequent admission rates. There is likely a balance that must be struck between under- and over-utilization of ED observation, and expanding ED observation may be an effective solution to hospital boarding and ED overcrowding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ContextSegregation has been linked to unequal life chances. Individuals from marginalized communities experience more crime, higher levels of poverty, poorer health, and less civic engagement. In addition, segregated metropolitan regions have been found to display inequality in access to basic services. This article builds on these findings by linking segregation to infection and deaths from COVID-19.MethodsUsing census data matched to COVID infection and death statistics at the county level, this article offers a theoretical basis for the researchers' choice of segregation measures and predictions for different racial groups. It analyzes the relationship between two dimensions of segregation-racial isolation and racial unevenness-and COVID outcomes for different racial and ethnic groups.FindingsIn counties where Black and Latino residents lived in more racially isolated neighborhoods, they were much more likely to contract COVID-19. This pattern was exacerbated in counties with a high proportion of frontline workers. In addition, racial segregation increased COVID-19 death rates for Black, Latino, and white residents.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that devastating outcomes of the coronavirus pandemic were linked to a long history of racial marginalization and entrenched discrimination produced by structural inequalities embedded in our geographies. This knowledge should be used to inform public health planning.

This study was conducted in a farmer’s field at Balantay, Dimasalang, Masbate, Philippines, to evaluate the performance of different eggplant varieties with different levels of vermicast fertilizers. The different varieties were arranged in the plot while the levels of vermicast applied were set in the sub-plot using a two-factorial design in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). Growth parameters such as the number of days to flowering and plant height at maturity were evaluated. The fruit yield and other parameters like yield per treatment in kgs, number of marketable fruits, number of non-marketable fruits, yield per hectare basis, and the chemical analysis of the nutritional value of eggplant fruits were also gathered. Based on the result of the study, growth parameters, and yield performance, particularly on the number of days to flowering, plant height in cm at maturity period, yield per treatment in kilograms, number of marketable fruits, number of non-marketable fruits, and yield in tons were significantly affected by the varying levels of vermicast application. However, a non-significant result was observed between different varieties of eggplant. For nutritional analysis, it was found that the application of higher rates of vermicast (10 tons/ha) resulted in a higher calcium, magnesium, and sodium content. In light of these findings, applying vermicast at 10 tons/ha as a substitute for synthetic fertilizer in eggplant production is recommended for a higher fruit yield and better farm profit.

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]

Copyright of Diversitas Journal is the property of Diversitas Journal 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.)

The need for clean water during the pandemic is significantly increasing due to high public awareness of adopting a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS), necessitating more water treatment. Conventional methods are used for water treatment, including coagulation-flocculation system, rapid sand filter, and disinfection. However, these methods have limitations such as reduced capacity and sand filter efficiency, leading to increased backwash costs due to the need for sand replacement caused by particle stratification. In response to these challenges, an innovative method to water treatment is the use of concrete sand filter (CSF). Previous studies predominantly focused on downflow filtration, but there has been limited analysis of horizontal flow. Therefore, this study aimed to assess filtration and backwash effectiveness of CSF with horizontal flow, specifically focusing on the capacity performance in treating water with varying levels of turbidity. Filtration experiment was carried out using simulated water at turbidity of 125 NTU based on the Mataram Channel Turbidity with variations of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 m hour-1, as well as backwash at flow rate of 40.91 m hour-1 for 3 minutes. The variables measured during filtration process included head losses and turbidity at the inlet and outlet of CSF. The results showed that the capacity performance during filtration process was directly proportional to flow rate. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of concrete filter was inversely proportional to flow rate. At initial turbidity 617 NTU, the 3 minutes backwash process obtained lower final turbidity compared to the raw water used, which was 5.19 NTU. Meanwhile, at turbidity 617 NTU, the final turbidity was still high, reaching approximately 14.6 - 26.4 NTU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identify urinary catheter (UC)-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) incidence and risk factors (RF) in 235 ICUs in 8 Asian countries: India, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam. From January 1, 2014, to February 12, 2022, we conducted a prospective cohort study. To estimate CAUTI incidence, the number of UC days was the denominator, and CAUTI was the numerator. To estimate CAUTI RFs, we analyzed 11 variables using multiple logistic regression. 84,920 patients hospitalized for 499,272 patient days acquired 869 CAUTIs. The pooled CAUTI rate per 1,000 UC-days was 3.08; for those using suprapubic-catheters (4.11); indwelling-catheters (2.65); trauma-ICU (10.55), neurologic-ICU (7.17), neurosurgical-ICU (5.28); in lower-middle-income countries (3.05); in upper-middle-income countries (1.71); at public-hospitals (5.98), at private-hospitals (3.09), at teaching-hospitals (2.04). The following variables were identified as CAUTI RFs: Age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.01; 95% CI = 1.01-1.02; P <.0001); female sex (aOR = 1.39; 95% CI = 1.21-1.59; P <.0001); using suprapubic-catheter (aOR = 4.72; 95% CI = 1.69-13.21; P <.0001); length of stay before CAUTI acquisition (aOR = 1.04; 95% CI = 1.04-1.05; P <.0001); UC and device utilization-ratio (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI = 1.01-1.13; P =.02); hospitalized at trauma-ICU (aOR = 14.12; 95% CI = 4.68-42.67; P <.0001), neurologic-ICU (aOR = 14.13; 95% CI = 6.63-30.11; P <.0001), neurosurgical-ICU (aOR = 13.79; 95% CI = 6.88-27.64; P <.0001); public-facilities (aOR = 3.23; 95% CI = 2.34-4.46; P <.0001). CAUTI rate and risk are higher for older patients, women, hospitalized at trauma-ICU, neurologic-ICU, neurosurgical-ICU, and public facilities. All of them are unlikely to change. It is suggested to focus on reducing the length of stay and the Urinary catheter device utilization ratio, avoiding suprapubic catheters, and implementing evidence-based CAUTI prevention recommendations. • Identify rates and risk factors for CAUTI in ICUs of 8 Asian Countries. • A cohort study over 8 years with data on 84,920 patients from 8 Countries. • Length of stay increase the risk of CAUTI by 4% per day. • The urinary catheter and device utilization ratio increases the risk of CAUTI. • Age, female sex, suprapubic catheter, and public facilities increase CAUTI risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Riwayat: Educational Journal of History & Humanities is the property of Riwayat: Educational Journal of History & Humanities 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.)

The need for clean water during the pandemic is significantly increasing due to high public awareness of adopting a clean and healthy lifestyle (PHBS), necessitating more water treatment. Conventional methods are used for water treatment, including coagulation-flocculation system, rapid sand filter, and disinfection. However, these methods have limitations such as reduced capacity and sand filter efficiency, leading to increased backwash costs due to the need for sand replacement caused by particle stratification. In response to these challenges, an innovative method to water treatment is the use of concrete sand filter (CSF). Previous studies predominantly focused on downflow filtration, but there has been limited analysis of horizontal flow. Therefore, this study aimed to assess filtration and backwash effectiveness of CSF with horizontal flow, specifically focusing on the capacity performance in treating water with varying levels of turbidity. Filtration experiment was carried out using simulated water at turbidity of 125 NTU based on the Mataram Channel Turbidity with variations of 0.2, 0.5, 1.0, 5.0, and 10.0 m hour-1, as well as backwash at flow rate of 40.91 m hour-1 for 3 minutes. The variables measured during filtration process included head losses and turbidity at the inlet and outlet of CSF. The results showed that the capacity performance during filtration process was directly proportional to flow rate. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of concrete filter was inversely proportional to flow rate. At initial turbidity

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]

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]

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]

Photosynthesis stands as a unique biological phenomenon that can be comprehensively explored across a wide spectrum, from femtoseconds to eons. Across each timespan, a delicate interplay exists between coupling and inherent deviations that are essential for sustaining the overall efficiency of the system. Both quantum mechanics and thermodynamics act as guiding principles for the diverse processes occurring from femtoseconds to eons. Processes such as excitation energy transfer and the accumulation of oxygen in the atmosphere, along with the proliferation of organic matter on the Earth's surface, are all governed by the coupling–slip principle. This article will delve into select time points along this expansive scale. It will highlight the interconnections between photosynthesis, the global population, disorder, and the issue of global warming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Researchers apply varying definitions when measuring stroke incidence using administrative data. We aimed to investigate the sensitivity of incidence estimates to varying definitions of stroke and lookback periods and to provide updated incidence rates and trends for Western Australia (WA). Methods: We used linked state-wide hospital and death data from 1985 to 2017 to identify incident strokes from 2005 to 2017. A standard definition was applied which included strokes coded as the principal hospital diagnosis or the underlying cause of death, with a 10-year lookback used to clear prevalent cases. Alternative definitions were compared against the standard definition by percentage difference in case numbers. Age-standardised incidence rates were calculated, and age- and sex-adjusted Poisson regression models were used to estimate incidence trends. Results: The standard definition with a 10-year lookback period captured 31,274 incident strokes. Capture increased by 19.3% when including secondary diagnoses, 4.1% when including nontraumatic subdural and extradural haemorrhage, and 8.1% when including associated causes of death. Excluding death records reduced capture by 11.1%. A 20-year lookback reduced over-ascertainment by 2.0%, and a 1-year lookback increased capture by 13.3%. Incidence declined 0.6% annually (95% confidence interval −0.9, −0.3). Annual reductions were similar for most definitions except when death records were excluded (−0.1%, CI: −0.4, 0.2) and with the shortest lookback periods (greatest annual reduction). Conclusion: Stroke incidence has declined in WA. Differing methods of identifying stroke influence estimates of incidence to a greater extent than estimates of trends. Reductions in stroke incidence over time are primarily driven by declines in fatal strokes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through a cross-sectional and longitudinal study, we examined the attitudes of men and women at two time periods, 20 years apart, towards a set of social and ethical issues in international trade using a 10-item survey questionnaire. While women are more concerned than men in both time periods, this concern has declined over time for both groups. In 1999, women were significantly more disturbed than men over child labor, working conditions and human rights violations in exporting countries. In 2019, women were significantly more concerned about lower wage rates, use of prison labor, and deficient environmental standards, in addition to poor working conditions. Use of prison labor and undemocratic nature of foreign governments were the least important issues for both groups in either time periods. The findings suggest that quality of life issues in developing countries concern women more than men and the relevance of issues change from one generation to another. While no support was found for trade critics’ assertion that low wages are a source of unfair competition, policy makers, advocacy groups, and corporate leaders need to be mindful of how trade is viewed by women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, the Biden Administration issued mandates requiring COVID‐19 vaccinations for U.S. federal employees and contractors and for some healthcare and private sector workers. These mandates have been challenged in court; some have been halted or delayed. However, their costs and benefits have not been rigorously appraised. This study helps fill that gap. We estimate the direct costs and health‐related benefits that would have accrued if these vaccination requirements had been implemented as intended. Compared with the January 2022 vaccination rates, we find that the mandates could have led to 15 million additional vaccinated individuals, increasing the overall proportion of the fully vaccinated U.S. population from 64% to 68%. The associated net benefits depend on the subsequent evolution of the pandemic—information unavailable ex ante to analysts or policymakers. In scenarios involving the emergence of a novel, more transmissible variant, against which vaccination and previous infection offer moderate protection, the estimated net benefits are potentially large. They reach almost $20,000 per additional vaccinated individual, with more than 20,000 total deaths averted over the 6‐month period assessed. In scenarios involving a fading pandemic, existing vaccination‐acquired or infection‐acquired immunity provides sufficient protection, and the mandates' benefits are unlikely to exceed their costs. Thus, mandates may be most useful when the consequences of inaction are catastrophic. However, we do not compare the effects of mandates with alternative policies for increasing vaccination rates or for promoting other protective measures, which may receive stronger public support and be less likely to be overturned by litigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI), also referred to as nosocomial infections, is defined as an infection acquired in a hospital setting. This infection is considered a HAI if it was not present or incubating at the time of admission. This includes infections acquired in the hospital but appearing after discharge, and also occupational infections among staff of the facility. HAI are a major patient safety measure to be considered in hospitals.

The aim of this paper is to estimate using monthly data the influence of the Mexican Stock Market in the nominal Exchange Rate from 1993 to 2022. We conducted an Exploratory Data Analysis to identify the most important correlations of the following monetary variables: 28-day Mexican Debt bills/ (T-Bill), interest rates, inflation, and Stock Exchange Market both from Mexico and from the USA respectively. We then resorted to a VAR model to indentify which of these variables determined changes in Mexico´s nominal Exchange Rate more significantly. During the period in question the model showed, that Exchange Rate variations were driven by the Mexican Stock Exchange Market, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the US Treasury Bills. The model also pointed out that variations in Mexican Stock Market were determined by the Mexican Stock Market itself, the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the US Treasury Bills (T-Bills).

Introduction: Medication errors (MEs) are a huge burden on any healthcare system and have been associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The medical literature reported heavily on MEs but lacked focus on analyzing high-risk medications such as antimicrobials. Research design and methods: This was a retrospective analysis of the MEs database reported by the eastern region’s medical centers in Saudi Arabia from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019. We used descriptive analysis to identify most common antimicrobials with errors, the stage of antimicrobial errors, type of the errors, contributing factors to the errors, and categories of errors based on the National Coordinating Council for Medication Error Reporting and Prevention (NCC-MERP) classification of errors. Results: A total of 1422 (22.1%) antimicrobial errors were identified out of 6412 MEs. Amoxicillin/Clavulanate (18%) was the most common antimicrobial reported in the database. Most errors occurred in the prescribing phase (87.6%) and included mainly incorrect doses (32.1%) and duplicate therapy (20.5%). In addition, most errors were identified as category B (72.5%). Finally, inexperienced personnel (57.9%) was the most cited contributing factor. Conclusion: This study revealed that antimicrobial errors occur primarily during prescription and that policy gaps and inexperienced staff were contributory factors. To improve, the focus should shift to physician education, clear dosing guidelines, efficient workload management, and implementing antimicrobial stewardship programs to promote appropriate antimicrobial use.

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]

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]

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]

Pollen reconstructions of tree genera in North America since glaciation are available, but species distributions predicted for paleoclimate based on tree inventories may inform knowledge gaps. Here I examined the distributions of 25 species or species groups from 20 000 years ago (ka) to 5 ka to give potential paleoecological ranges of boreal and temperate tree species. I also assessed the effects of correlated climate variables on species distribution models for current and past climate, which were modeled with the non‐linear random forests classifier. Climate change alone was enough to create unique, species‐specific paths that did not run directly north. At 20 ka, black spruce (Picea mariana) occurred as far north as the ice sheet and most boreal species generally may have extended as far south as 32°N, or the northern southeastern United States. Temperate eastern species may have extended as far north as 39°N in low‐elevation locations and temperate eastern species displayed both continuous and clustered distributions across the southeastern United States. Rate of movement was 5.5 km per century between 20 and 14 ka, 13.3 km per century between 14 and 10 ka, and 3.25 km per century between 10 and 5 ka. Species retreated southward between 7 and 5 ka. Regarding correlation, models with all variables had greater accuracy than models with the two most important variables, which had greater accuracy than models with two variables of intermediate importance, demonstrating both reduced accuracy with omission of relevant variables and isolation of important variables that improve accuracy in models with correlated climate variables. Models from different climates identified the same two most important variables and ranked the remaining variables similarly, revealing robustness in the models over time. Distribution models agreed with pollen reconstructions regarding timing and rate of change, while generating detailed species‐specific information about movement trajectories and velocities, latitudinal extents, and distribution continuities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Overfishing and Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus predation led to extirpation of Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush from Lake Michigan in the 1950s. Large populations of hatchery‐reared fish were developed by the 1970s, but natural reproduction was limited until the early 2000s when it began to increase in the southern main basin. Hypothesizing that the relatively low mortality of spawning‐aged fish contributed to this reproductive success, we estimated the total annual mortality rate for this population. Methods: We used catch curves to estimate the total instantaneous mortality rate Z using coded wire tags, which provided definitive ages. We made separate estimates from fish collected in three on‐going surveys: a spring gill‐net survey, a fall gill‐net spawning survey, and a sport fishery survey. Result: Our estimates of Z ± SE were 0.297 ± 0.019, 0.239 ± 0.009, and 0.205 ± 0.007 for the spring, spawning, and sport fishery surveys, respectively. We suggest that the mean Z ± SE of all survey estimates of 0.247 ± 0.027 would be a reasonable estimate for this population, which equates to a total annual mortality of 22 ± 3%. This estimate is in the low range of rates reported for the species and is in the same range as other populations in the Great Lakes with well‐established natural reproduction. Conclusion: We concluded that these low total mortality rates contributed to the reproductive success in southern Lake Michigan through increasing spawning stock density and age structure and that previous estimates of another important population parameter, the instantaneous natural mortality rate M, were too high. Estimates of M ranged from 0.210 to 0.240 and were based on the Pauly equation, a growth‐ and temperature‐based estimator. We suggest maximum‐age‐based estimators of M are more appropriate for Lake Trout. Several alternative maximum‐age‐based estimators produced estimates for M of 0.132–0.058, all of which are more compatible with our estimate of Z. Impact statementFollowing a decades‐long stocking program, promising levels of naturally produced Lake Trout are emerging. We conclude that low total mortality rates contributed to the emerging natural reproduction in southern Lake Michigan through increasing spawning stock density and age structure, and that previous estimates of the background natural mortality rate were too high. This is an important finding for encouraging Lake Trout restoration elsewhere in the Great Lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Northern Refuge of Lake Michigan was established under the auspices of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission in 1985 as an additional step toward restoring a self‐sustaining Lake Trout Salvelinus namaycush population to the lake. The overall goal of our study was to assess progress toward Lake Trout rehabilitation in the Northern Refuge through 2021. Methods: We conducted annual (1992–2021) gill‐net surveys in the fall to assess the adult population and beam trawl surveys in the spring to assess naturally reproduced age‐0 Lake Trout. Result: Spawner abundance averaged 45 fish • 305 m of gill net−1 • day−1 during 1992–1999, just 4 fish • 305 m of gill net−1 • day−1 during 2000–2014, and then 67 fish • 305 m of gill net−1 • day−1 during 2018–2021. Sea Lamprey Petromyzon marinus wounding rate decreased by nearly 90% between the 2000–2014 and 2015–2021 periods. The average annual mortality rate of adult Lake Trout decreased from 43% during the 1990s and 2000s to 22% during 2015–2021. All of these population dynamics were partly driven by changes in Lake Trout stocking rates, which declined by roughly 50% during 1994–1996 but then increased roughly twofold during 2006–2010 and remained at this higher level during 2010–2018. In 2021, early signs of natural recruitment of Lake Trout became evident. Beam trawling during June 2021 yielded a wild age‐0 Lake Trout, the first ever caught since the surveys began in 1992. In addition, 15 (4% of total catch) of the Lake Trout caught in the fall 2021 gill‐net survey were unclipped (wild) fish. Estimated ages of these wild fish indicated that natural recruitment had begun sometime around 2015. Conclusion: With Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus abundance in Lake Michigan at record low levels, Sea Lamprey wounding rate greatly reduced, and Lake Trout spawner abundance at relatively high levels, the outlook for Lake Trout rehabilitation in the Northern Refuge holds promise. Impact statementWe documented significant progress toward the goal of establishing a self‐sustaining Lake Trout population in the Northern Refuge of Lake Michigan during 2009–2021. Accomplishing this goal is a key step in stabilizing the ecosystem, but additional effort is still needed to reach the goal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historically, soil ingestion rate estimates were based on trace element-based mass balance (MB) study results. These were used in assessing exposures and health risks for children residing in Superfund or chemically contaminated communities. However, soil and dust can have considerable differences with respect to their sources, chemical, physical, and toxicological characteristics. Unfortunately, the MB approach is incapable of disentangling dust ingestion rates from soil ingestion rates. Alternative methods, such as activity pattern and biokinetic modeling techniques, have also been used to predict soil and dust ingestion rates. The results from these studies differed from those obtained from the MB studies. This research evaluated the MB methodology and formulated a physical model which characterized the environmental and behavioral determinants of soil and dust ingestion exposures by children. This new approach explicitly separates outdoor soil exposures from the indoor tracked-in soil portion of the dust and total dust exposures by utilizing information from five key MB studies along with new information derived from the SHEDS-Soil/Dust time-activity pattern-based modeling runs. Application of this new hybrid methodology showed that the predicted mean soil ingestion rates are 30%-70% less than the “total soil” ingestion rates obtained from the selected MB studies. In contrast, most of the predicted dust ingestion rate estimates were typically greater than the predicted soil ingestion rates. Moreover, the predicted total soil plus dust ingestion rates were found to be mostly higher (by ≤ 60%) than the MB-based “total soil” ingestion rates. Except for one study these results were higher than the results produced by the stand-alone SHEDS-Soil/Dust model runs. Across the MB studies analyzed, predicted outdoor soil ingestion rate contributions to “total soil” ingestion rates varied between 29% and 70% while the tracked-in soil portion of the indoor dust ingestion rates varied between 30% and 71%.

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]

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]

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]

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]