bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Extraction efficiency and characteristic evaluation of turmeric oleoresins; A potential functional ingredient
Authors: Subtain Muhammad
Published: January 2024

Oleoresins are key flavoring and coloring ingredients in spices and herbs. Among spices turmeric is most commonly used all around the world. Turmeric oleoresins have a promising future in pharmaceutical and food processing industries as functional ingredient. Apart from conventional extraction methods by using modern extraction methods a higher yield of oleoresins can be obtained without losing characteristic integrity. In the present research turmeric oleoresins were extracted by 5 different extraction methods and were compared for extraction efficiency and characterization. Turmeric samples were dried and their moisture content was further adjusted to 12% prior to extraction. Extraction was carried out by (i) conventional solvent extraction (hexane acetone petroleum ether diethyl ether and petroleum ether) (ii) steam distillation (iii) 3-phase partitioning (iv) Supercritical fluid extraction/SCFE and (v) solvent extraction followed by cryogenic grinding. The results revealed that interestingly the highest extraction efficiency was observed in solvent extraction after cryogenic grinding (4.85%). Total phenolics content (TPC) total flavonoids content (TFC) 2 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibition assay were determined through UV-vis spectrophotometer functional characterization was carried out by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy while fatty acids profiling was carried out by gas chromatography attached with flame ionization detector. Total volatiles and non-volatiles were also determined by oven drying method. Characteristically oleoresins extracted through SCFE were found to be a rich source of TPC (20.57 mg GAE g-1) TFC (109.00 mg QE 100g-1) and total volatiles (2.23%) while highest non volatiles were observed in extracts obtained after cryogenic grinding. Similarly the highest antioxidant activities assessed by DPPH and FRAP were indicated by oleoresins extracted through SCFE as 59.55% and 220.60 ?M Fe2+ g-1 while highest LOX activity (58.33%) was observed in extract obtained by 3-phase partitioning. FTIR spectroscopic analysis of the selected sample indicated the presence of different functional groups with bond type at different wave numbers. GC-FID analysis of selected sample indicated the presence of 13 different fatty acids ranging from 1.9-18.6%. Pentadecane was found in lowest percentage while cis-10 pentadecanoic acid was found in highest concentration. Overall it was concluded that although extraction % of SCF extract was slight lower (4.07%) but it was found best in term of purity and characterization with a strong potential to be used in food and other related industries.
Relationship of progranulin response with some physio-biochemical parameters in Akkaraman sheep
Authors: Bayraktar Bülent
Published: January 2024

Progranulin (PGRN) is a multifunctional protein that is critical in the retention of embryos in the endometrium of the uterus and the protection of cervical tissue during fetal growth. In case of PGRN release and dysfunction, cervical tissue may remodel (regeneration) and lead to the risk of abortion. Serum PGRN level in sheep and its variation according to different physiological periods and its relationship with some biochemical parameters are unknown. In this study, the relationship between early lactation, early and late pregnancy serum PGRN levels and some biochemical parameters in Akkaraman sheep was investigated for the first time. In the literature search, no similar studies were found on the relationship between early lactation, early and late pregnancy serum PGRN levels and some biochemical parameters in Akkaraman sheep. The research was carried out on 90 Akkaraman sheep reared in the same herd under the same care and feeding conditions. In the study, Akkaraman ewe were divided into 3 groups as early lactation, early pregnancy and late pregnancy. 1st group is early lactation period ewe (first 60 days of lactation), (n = 30), 2nd group is in the first period of pregnancy (on the 0–90th day of the first pregnancy (n = 30)), 3rd group is in the late pregnancy of pregnancy (100–150 days of pregnancy (n = 30)) was created. Blood samples from vena jugularis were taken before morning feeding from the animals that formed the study groups. PGRN levels in serum were determined by ELISA method. In addition, glucose, calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) levels were analyzed in biochemistry autoanalyzer. As a result of the study, lactation and early pregnancy and late pregnancy mean serum PGRN levels were determined as 1.93, 1.78, 1.33 ng mL-1, respectively. The serum PGRN, glucose, Ca, Mg, P, TC, TG, LDL, HDL and VLDL levels of sheep with late pregnancy, early lactation and early pregnancy periods, which constitute the study groups, were found to be statistically significant (P<0.05). Our results have shown that due to the physiological role of PRGN in keeping the embryo in the endometrium of the uterine and in preserving the cervical tissue during fetal growth, there may be a useful parameter in the pursuit of the pregnancy process
Population diversity of soil macro-fauna in cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) fields
Authors: Kanwal Sobia
Published: January 2024

Soil macro-fauna regarded as a fundamental indicator, responsive to water pollution's impact on agricultural systems' management options. They are an essential part and hence contributing to the pivotal role in all the agro-ecosystems. In the present study, soil macro-faunal diversity was estimated from cauliflower fields (treated and control) in Faisalabad, district, Pakistan. Soil macro-fauna belonging to three phyla were recorded from cauliflower treated and control fields. The maximum relative abundance was recorded for phylum Mollusca (58.18%) from cauliflower control fields. In cauliflower control fields, the macro-fauna population consisted of 52 species, 44 genera and 24 families and nine orders. The cauliflower treated fields consisted of 58 species, 51 genera and 60 families, and 12 orders. Highest diversity index was found in cauliflower treated fields (3.451); the higher dominance was in cauliflower control fields (0.526). Evenness was recorded higher (0.474) in control cauliflower fields, while richness in cauliflower treated fields was recorded higher (8.855) than in control fields (6.499). These agro-farming practices are destroying important organisms, soil texture, hydrological procedures, detoxification, and nutrients recycling. Presently, it is dire need to make conservation strategies for the survival of fauna.
Chemometric characterization of twenty barley varieties/lines based upon mineral profiling
Authors: Kanwal Nida
Published: January 2024

Different varieties of cereal grains differ in their nutritional composition and product making characteristics. Barley is an underutilized and neglected food crop in Pakistan. Mainly barley is used as source of carbohydrates but is also an imperative source of minerals specially potassium, calcium and phosphorus. Although, the importance of these minor constituents as minerals is of significant importance for human nutrition, the micronutrients of different Pakistani barley varieties have not been studied up till now. The aim of this study was to characterize the mineral profile of Pakistani grown barley varieties from different geographical regions. Ash content in different barley varieties ranged between 1.32-2.00%. Potassium (409-585 mg/100g) and phosphorus (307-446 mg/100g) were found to be highest minerals in all varieties while selenium (0.04-0.30 mg/kg) and cobalt (3.1-24.2 µg/kg) were found in trace amount. Overall, the varieties grown in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa (KPK) province were found to be potentially good source of minerals especially iron and calcium. However, the varieties grown in Sindh province were found to be poor sources of minerals excluding sodium. Three statistically significant clusters were identified using chemometric tools. Barley variety Rakhshan-10 showed highest ash content and overall presented better mineral profile. Significant differences in mineral content were found in all barley varieties grown in different locations. Overall, findings of this study will help the food industries in selection of barley variety/ies with high mineral profile to be incorporated in barley-based food products.
Effect of wounding on the maturity and chemical composition of Cabernet Sauvignon (Vitis vinifera L.) berry
Authors: Candar Serkan
Published: January 2024

Phenolic compounds are important indicators of grape berry and wine quality. They also have many important effects on human health. Biotic and abiotic plant stressors are the factors that affect the composition and amounts of metabolites dramatically. Although wounding is one of these stressors, little is known about its effect on the accumulation and biosynthesis of the entire phenolic profile. This study aimed to identify the effects of human-made wounding to grapevine leaves on the accumulation of grape berry metabolites in cv. ‘Cabernet Sauvignon’ grapevines. Ten combinations of different wounding timing and treatment methods were applied to 20 years old grapevine plants. The data suggests that wounding treatments have the potential to diversify the phenolic compound profile and can be utilized for their management compared to the control group. Specifically, the E15 treatment accelerated MITSS/TA by 39.83% and increased the content of trans-resveratrol by 35.78% compared to the Control. On the other hand, the E10+W5+E3 treatment resulted in a regression in maturity parameters. The wounding treatment E10+W5 increased the total phenolics by 13.74%, total anthocyanin contents by 20.48%, and transresveratrol content by 93.05%. Additionally, the E5+W3 treatment demonstrated a significant increase of 19.65% in syringic acid and 21.89% in vanillic acid contents. Although the control application for antioxidant activity reached its peak value, it decreased in the E15+W5 treatment. As a result, it was determined that the responses given to the treatments were quite diverse. Nevertheless, they also found it applicable to manage berry maturity and quality indicators. Early wounding treatments accelerate maturity, and treatments performed more recently at harvest stop berry sugar accumulation. While late treatments increase the total phenolics, the responses of the phenolic compounds profile differ
Management of marandu grass pasture increases soil carbon and nitrogen stocks in forest grazing systems in the brazilian cerrado
Authors: Anésio Arnon Henrique Campos , Santos Márcia Vitória , Frazão Leidivan Almeida , Teixeira Rafael Bastos , Tuffi-Santos Leonardo David , Pegoraro Rodinei Facco , Barboza Josiane Aparecida de Souza , Dumont Mariana Almeida , Paschoaloto Josimari Regina , Silva Konrad Passos e
Published: January 2024

This paper aimed to evaluate the influence of management practices of marandu grass, at eucalyptus shading levels in a forest grazing system, on organic carbon (OC) and nitrogen (N) stocks, and on soil chemical characteristics in the Brazilian Cerrado. The experimental design adopted was entirely random with five repetitions. In the plots were allocated the environments with different light availability, and a treatment with marandu grass in full sun. The management of marandu grass pasture was distributed in the subplots with pre-pasture at 30, 40, 50, and 60 cm high. Evaluations were repeated in two crop cycles in year 1 and year 2. Soil chemical characteristics, OC and N stocks were analyzed. The management of marandu grass at 50 cm height in the forest grazing system provided higher levels of OC, N, organic matter in the soil and an increase in fertility, compared to monoculture pasture, with repercussions in two years. The integration of eucalyptus and marandu grass pasture contributes with greater stocks of OC and N in the soil strips closest to the tree row, due to greater nutrient cycling. Marandu grass in forest grazing systems with shading varying from 40 to 60% present greater efficiency and maintenance of soil chemical attributes, demonstrating greater sustainability compared to monoculture pastures.
Immunoinformatics approach to Rift Valley fever virus vaccine design in ruminants
Authors: Oladipo Elijah Kolawole , Taiwo Oluseyi Rotimi , Teniola Fashanu Omotoyosi , Temitope Adedokun Praise , Boluwatife Akanni Motunrayo , Oluwaseyi Oyewale Isaac , Oladimeji Bolanle Victor , Taiwo Jonathan Iyanuoluwa , Adejumo Isaac Oluseun
Published: January 2024

Rift Valley fever is a new arboviral illness with serious public health implications. The disease, which is brought on by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV), is linked to severe economic losses in animals as well as a number of human ailments. There are currently no authorized live attenuated vaccines for human use, and they have been linked to increased risks of abortion in ruminants.
In this study, the use of reverse vaccination was applied in creating a vaccine using a segment for use in ruminants by exploring proteins in the M-glycoprotein segment. Glycoprotein sequences were retrieved from cattle, sheep and goats from endemic countries across Africa and subjected to computational analysis for B and T cell epitope prediction. Highly conserved, immunodominant epitopes were obtained and connected with the ideal linkers for proper conformation. A Bos taurus-specific beta-defensin was also added to increase immunogenicity. The secondary as well as tertiary structures of the vaccine were then determined by SOPMA and alphafold2, respectively.
Analysis of the vaccine’s physicochemical properties all yielded favorable results regarding its potential effectiveness and safety. Furthermore, molecular docking analysis was carried out using Toll-like receptors 7 and 8 to show molecular binding interactions. While in-silico analyses have yielded satisfactory results, translational research may be required to validate the vaccines’ effectiveness in animals.
Preferences for genetic interventions for SCA and Huntington’s disease: results of a discrete choice experiment among patients.
Authors: Os Nienke J.H. Van , Oosterloo Mayke , Grutters Janneke P.C. , Essers Brigitte A.B. , de Warrenburg Bart P.C. van
Published: January 2024

Background Although genetic interventions are on the horizon for some polyglutamine expansion diseases, such as subtypes of spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) and Huntington’s disease (HD), the patients’ preferences regarding these new therapies are unclear. This study aims to what extent different characteristics of genetic interventions affect the preferences of patients with SCA and HD with regard to these interventions.Methods Manifest and premanifest patients with SCA or HD were recruited online by platforms of patient associations. The respondents conducted a questionnaire that included a discrete choice experiment (DCE). The experimental design included 24 choice sets, but these were divided into three blocks of eight to reduce the number of tasks per respondent. Each choice set included two alternative treatments and consisted of four attributes (mode and frequency of administration, chance of a beneficial effect, risks, and follow-up), each with three or four different levels. The forced choice-elicitation format was used. Data were analyzed by using a multinominal logistic regression model.Results Responses of 216 participants were collected. The mode and frequency of administration of a genetic intervention, as well as the chance of a beneficial effect both influence the choice for a genetic intervention. Respondents less prefer repeated lumbar punctures compared to a single operation. As expected, a higher beneficial effect of treatment was preferred. Risks and follow-up did not influence the choice for a genetic intervention. Completing the DCE appeared difficult for some respondents, in particular for patients in a more severe disease stage of HD.Conclusions The results can be used for the design and implementation of future genetic interventional trials and care pathways for patients with rare movement disorders such as SCA and HD.
Eigenspace-based Fuzzy C-Means with Large Language Model BERT for Topic Detection
Authors: Murfi Hendri , Agung Yudhistira Jinawi , Nurrohmah Siti , Satria Yudi , Za’in Choiru , Rahayu Dwi
Published: January 2024

Topic detection is the process of automatically identifying topics within text data. The manual execution of this task becomes challenging for large-scale datasets due to its labor-intensive nature, and it needs machine learning for automated processing. A prevalent method in topic detection is clustering through Eigenspace-based Fuzzy C-Means (EFCM), utilizing a standard TFIDF as the text representation. However, TFIDF only pays attention to the frequency of words and does not consider the semantics of these words in the text. Bidirectional Encoder Representation from Transformer (BERT) is a pre-trained model which means that it has learnt the representations of the words and sentences as well as the underlying semantic relations that they are connected and has shown significant advantages over text representation in many Natural Language Processing (NLP) tasks. This paper extends the EFCM model using BERT instead of the standard TFIDF as text representation. Then, we use TFIDF on each cluster (c-TFIDF) to generate the most frequent words to represent the topics. Our simulations show that the BERT representation improves topic coherence scores of the EFCM model for topic detection. If we measure the topic coherence scores using TC-W2V, the BERT-based EFCM model scores better on the two datasets. Meanwhile, the model achieves better on all three datasets using the CTC measurement unit.
Behavior-based dependency networks between places shape urban economic resilience
Authors: Yabe Takahiro , Garcia-Bulle Bernardo , Frank Morgan , Pentland Alex , Moro Esteban
Published: January 2024

Urban economic resilience is intricately linked to how disruptions caused by pandemics, disasters, and technological shifts ripple through businesses and urban amenities.
Disruptions, such as closures of non-essential businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, not only affect those places directly but also influence how people live and move, spreading the impact on other businesses and increasing the overall economic shock. However, it is unclear how much businesses depend on each other in these situations.
Leveraging large-scale human mobility data and millions of same-day visits in New York, Boston, Los Angeles, Seattle, and Dallas, we quantify dependencies between points-of-interest (POIs) encompassing businesses, stores, and amenities.
Compared to places' physical proximity, dependency networks computed from human mobility exhibit significantly higher rates of long-distance connections and biases towards specific pairs of POI categories.
We show that using behavior-based dependency relationships improves the predictability of business resilience during shocks, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, by around 40% compared to distance-based models.
Simulating hypothetical urban shocks reveals that neglecting behavior-based dependencies can lead to a substantial underestimation of the spatial cascades of disruptions on businesses and urban amenities.
Our findings underscore the importance of measuring the complex relationships woven through behavioral patterns in human mobility to foster urban economic resilience to shocks.
Genome-guided isolation of Fervidibacter sacchari, an aerobic, hyperthermophilic polysaccharide-degrading specialist
Authors: Hedlund Brian , Nou Nancy , Covington Jonathan , Lai Dengxun , Mayali Xavier , Seymour Cale , Johnston Juliet , Jiao Jian-Yu , Buessecker Steffen , Mosier Damon , Muok Alise , Torosian Nicole , Cook Allison , Briegel Ariane , Woyke Tanja , Eloe-Fadrosh Emiley , Shapiro Nicole , Bryan Scott , Sleezer Savannah , Dimapilis Joshua , Gonzalez Cristina , Gonzalez Lizett , Noriega Marlene , Hess Matthias , Carlson Ross , Liu Lan , Li Meng-Meng , Lian Zheng-Han , Zhu Siqi , Liu Fan , Sun Xian , Gao Beile , Mewalal Ritesh , Harmon-Smith Miranda , Blaby Ian , Cheng Jan-Fang , Weber Peter , Grigorean Gabriela , Li Wen-Jun , Dekas Anne , Dodsworth Jeremy , Pett-Ridge Jennifer , Palmer Marike
Published: January 2024

Few aerobic hyperthermophiles degrade polysaccharides. Here, we describe the genome-enabled enrichment and optical tweezer-based isolation of an aerobic polysaccharide-degrading hyperthermophile, Fervidibacter sacchari, which was originally ascribed to candidate phylum Fervidibacteria. F. sacchari uses polysaccharides and monosaccharides as sole carbon sources from 65-87.5 °C and expresses 191 carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) according to RNA-Seq and proteomics, including 30 with unusual glycoside hydrolase (GH)109, 177, or 179 domains. Many CAZymes were also expressed in a proteolytic enrichment culture, and fluorescence in situ hybridization and nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry confirmed rapid assimilation of 13C-starch in spring sediments. Purified GHs were optimally active at 80-100 °C on eight different polysaccharides. Finally, we reassign Fervidibacteria as a class within phylum Armatimonadota, along with 18 other species, and trace the evolution of aerobic and anaerobic polysaccharide catabolism within the phylum. This study establishes Fervidibacteria as unique hyperthermophilic polysaccharide-degrading specialists in terrestrial geothermal springs.
The Epstein Barr virus deubiquitinase BPLF1 regulates stress-induced ribosome UFMylation and ER-phagy
Authors: Masucci Maria
Published: January 2024

The synthesis of membrane and secreted proteins is safeguarded by an Endoplasmic Reticulum-associated Ribosome Quality Control (ER-RQC) that promotes the disposal of defective translation products by the proteasome or via a lysosome-dependent pathway involving the degradation of portions of the ER by macroautophagy (ER-phagy). The UFMylation of RPL26 on ER-stalled ribosomes is essential for activating the ER-RQC and ER-phagy. Here, we report that the viral deubiquitinase (vDUB) encoded in the N-terminal domain of the EBV large tegument protein BPLF1 hinders the UFMylation of RPL26 on ribosomes that stall at the ER, promotes the stabilization of ER-RQC substrates, and inhibits ER-phagy. We found that the vDUB does not have UFM1 deconjugase activity and does not prevent the UFMylation of the ER membrane protein CYB5R3. However, it copurifies with ribosomes in sucrose gradients and abrogates a ZNF598- and LTN1-independent ubiquitination event that appears to be required for RPL26 UFMylation. Physiological levels of BPLF1 impaired RPL26 UFMylation and promoted the accumulation of lipidated LC3-II in productively EBV-infected cells, pointing to an important role of the enzyme in regulating the translation quality control that allows the efficient synthesis of viral proteins and the production of infectious virus.
The arterial supply of pancreas: clinical and anatomical correlation
Authors: Kaur Simarpreet , Bathla Shilpa , Haokip Lamhoitheng , Sharma Abhishek , jain pooja , Yadav Anjoo
Published: January 2024

Purpose: The main arterial blood supply to pancreas is provided by splenic, superior (SPDA) and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries (IPDA). These arteries are susceptible to anatomical variations which affect the outcome in various embolization and invasive techniques especially involved in management of GI bleed. The present study was performed with the objective of streamlining variations of the arterial pattern, classify them and to document the presence of accessory arteries which will aid in success of various surgical and radiological interventions.Methods: The study was conducted on 23 cadavers during routine dissection. The origin, course, branching pattern of splenic as well as superior and inferior pancreaticoduodenal arteries were studied carefully.Results: significant variants were seen in case of SPDA & IPDA. The variants of SPDA and IPDA were classified based upon the origin, course, branching pattern and presence of accessory arteries into group I, II and III respectively.Conclusions-The knowledge of the rare anatomic variants can help the interventional radiologists to plan further treatment for aneurysms and prevent risk of hemorrhage during surgical procedures.
High comorbidity indexes predict 30-day mortality after percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy
Authors: Kuwai Toshio , Kusunoki Ryusaku , Kuwai Toshio , Tamaru Yuzuru , Mizumoto Takeshi , Semba Shigeaki , Kato Naohiro , Sugata Shuhei , Okuda Yasuhiro , Teraoka Yuji , Yamaguchi Atsushi , Kouno Hirotaka
Published: January 2024

Background
High postoperative mortality rates have been reported for percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG), although guidelines recommend PEG for patients anticipated inability of oral intake for more than 4 weeks. Conversely, comorbidity indexes have not been adequately validated among patients who underwent PEG. We evaluated comorbidity indexes and clinical risk factors for 30-day mortality after PEG.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed 1,395 patients who underwent PEG at our hospital from April 2008 to December 2020. We used the direct introducer procedure to perform PEG and compared preprocedural clinical factors, demographics, comorbidity indexes, (Charlson comorbidity index [CCI] and cumulative illness rating scale [CIRS]), and laboratory data of patients who survived and those who died within 30 days after PEG.
Results
A total of 104 (7.5%) patients died within 30 days after PEG. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed association of 30-day mortality with patients’ age of ≥ 80 years, total parental nutrition before PEG, CCI of ≥ 5, CIRS of ≥ 13, and serum C-reactive protein level of ≥ 2.6 mg/dl. The receiver operating characteristics analysis revealed CIRS as the best 30-day mortality predictor (area under the curve: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.75–0.85). The 30-day mortality among the highest quartile of CCI and CIRS groups were 16.9% and 20.3%, respectively. Kaplan–Meyer analysis revealed that multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios are favored lower comorbidity scores.
Conclusion
High comorbidity indexes were associated with 30-day mortality after PEG. Comorbidity indexes must be considered while predicting patients’ prognosis to reduce inappropriate performance of PEG.
The upcoming RSV vaccine: Assessing the potential effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different vaccination strategies in China
Authors: Zhou Dachuang , Zhou Kejia , Wang Wenjuan , Zhang Di , Fang Hongshu , Tang Wenxi
Published: January 2024

Background Coinciding with the release of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines Arexvy and Abrysvo in Europe and the United States in 2023, and the clinical trials in China for Arexvy, we aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the diverse vaccination strategies in pregnant women, individuals aged 60, and those in the same age group at high risk with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases in China.
Methods We did a cost-effectiveness analysis in China, in which we developed a decision-making model of RSV to evaluate the effectiveness and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios of 22 intervention strategies, including diverse vaccination coverages (25%, 50%, 75%) of Arexvy and Abrysvo, as well as scenarios without vaccination, from a health-care system perspective with four different scenarios of US vaccine costs (25%/50%/75%/100%). We performed both univariate sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis to assess the robustness of the model’s findings.
Results Compared with the absence of vaccination, various vaccination strategies would bring an additional cost of $-512.55-2719.8 million and 103.28-28811.06 Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) averted in the setting cohort over one year. With a willingness-to-pay threshold of three times of the Chinese per-capita gross domestic product (GDP), the most cost-effective strategy would be Abrysvo vaccination for 75% of pregnant women in all price settings with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $-19116.29-21887.62 per DALY compared with no vaccination, and the cost-effectiveness frontier for all strategies further validated its dominance advantage. Consistent results were obtained in multiple extensive sensitivity analysis scenarios.
Conclusion Priority vaccination for pregnant women was the most cost-effective strategy for RSV prevention in China. Additionally, a potentially low RSV vaccine price in China might simultaneously incentivize vaccination in elderly population, especially those at high risk. The findings furnished crucial evidence that informed the development of effective vaccination policies to combat RSV in China.
Assessment of fat mass and fat-free mass in Portuguese youth and adults: calibration of bioelectrical impedance with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry
Authors: Araujo Joana , Farias Fernanda , Severo Milton , Ramos Elisabete , Lopes Carla , Nogueira Luisa , Araújo Joana
Published: January 2024

Background/Objectives:
Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) is more commonly employed in outpatient evaluations and epidemiological studies, as its costs are lower and it is less time-consuming. So, we aimed to compare fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) estimated by BIA and by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), in Portuguese youth, and to calibrate BIA estimates.
Subjects/Methods: We analysed data from two population-based cohorts: EPIPorto (n = 392; <65y) and EPITeen (n = 974; 27y). Both completed single-frequency BIA (Tanita TBF-300) and DXA (QDR 4500A Hologic). Agreement between BIA and DXA (FM/FFM) was evaluated by Bland and Altman. To calibrate the BIA estimates, the coefficients were estimated by linear regression using univariate (FM or FFM, separately) and multivariate models (FM and FFM in the same model).
Results
The correlation between BIA and DXA was high for FFM and for FM (FFM: r = 0.954/r = 0.965; FM: r = 0.939/r = 0.940, for EPIPorto and EPITeen, respectively). However, BIA underestimated FM (14.5% EPIPorto; 28.4% EPITeen) and overestimated FFM (8.7% EPIPorto; 16.4% EPITeen). Using the multivariate constrained model to have an absolute equal intercept for FFM and FM, the following calibration equations for BIA measurements were obtained for EPITeen: FFMcalibrated = -6.621 + 0.984 x FFMBIA; FMcalibrated = + 6.620 + 0.974 x FMBIA; and for EPIPorto: FFMcalibrated = -4.089 + 0.998 x FFMBIA; FMcalibrated = + 4.089 + 0.970 x FMBIA.
Conclusion
FM assessed by BIA was largely underestimated and FFM overestimated, in comparison to DXA, and therefore the calibration should be applied to BIA estimates in clinical settings and research studies.
Effectiveness of Urban Distributed Runoff Model for Discharge and Water Depth Calculation in Urban Drainage Pipe Networks
Authors: Zhou Yang , Leng Yiling , Wang Pengyu , Zhang Shanghong , Zhu Yulong , Yi Yujun
Published: January 2024

Effective urban land-use re-planning and the strategic arrangement of drainage pipe networks can significantly enhance a city's capacity to mitigate flood risks. Aimed at reducing the potential risks of urban flooding, this paper presents a straightforward and efficient approach to make urban land-use re-planning and drainage pipe network layout (ULP-DPNL). To achieve this goal, an urban distributed runoff model (UDRM) is firstly developed to quantify the discharge and water depth within urban drainage pipe networks under varying rainfall intensities and land-use scenarios. The Nash efficiency coefficient of UDRM is greater than 0.9 with high computational efficiency, affirming its potential benefit in predicting urban flooding. Then five different flood recurrence intervals are adopted to predict drainage congestion under both current and re-planned land-use typologies. The findings reveal that the re-planned land-use strategies could effectively diminish flood risk upstream of the drainage pipe network across all five flood recurrence intervals. However, in the case of extreme rainfall events (a 100-year flood recurrence), the re-planned land-use approach fell short of fulfilling the requirements necessary for flood disaster mitigation. In these instances, the adoption of larger-diameter drainage pipes becomes an essential requisite to satisfy drainage needs. Accordingly, the proposed UDRM-based ULP-DPNL approach effectively amalgamates land-use information with pipeline data to provide constructive recommendations for pipeline modification and land-use optimization in combating urban floods. Therefore, this methodology warrants further promotion in the field of urban re-planning.
Clinical significance of circulating biomarkers of immune checkpoint molecules with atezolizumab plus bevacizumab therapy in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Chuma Makoto , Uojima Haruki , Toyoda Hidenori , Hiraoka Atsushi , Arase Yoshitake , Atsukawa Masanori , Itokawa Norio , Okubo Tomomi , Tada Toshifumi , Numata Kazushi , Morimoto Manabu , Sugimori Makoto , Nozaki Akito , Iwasaki Shuichiro , Yasuda Satoshi , Koshiyama Yuichi , Mishima Yusuke , Tsuruya Kota , Tokoro Chikako , Miura Yuki , Hidaka Hisashi , Kumada Takashi , Kusano Chika , Kagawa Tatehiro , Maeda Shin
Published: January 2024

Background
The aim of this study was to identify clinically significant biomarkers of a response to atezolizumab plus bevacizumab (ATZ + BV) therapy, and to target strategies against unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (u-HCC).
Method
We first investigated the potential of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to serve as a biomarker for predicting the therapeutic outcome in 24 u-HCC patients treated with ATZ + BV therapy. Next, we analyzed levels of immune-related cytokines in blood samples from 134 u-HCC patients who received ATZ + BV. For this, serum immune-related molecules or cancer immune cycle-related molecules that have been reported in HCC patient sera, namely CD274, LAG-3, CCL2, 4, 5, CXCL1, 9, 10, 12, 13, CX3CL1, CCR5, IFNγ and IL-6, 8 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results
More than 1% of variant read frequency (VRF) mutations were found in TP53, APC, PIK3CA and VHL, although with no correlation with treatment response. Among the 15 cytokines evaluated, CXCL9 and LAG-3 levels were significantly different between patients with objective response (OR), stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD) following ATZ + BV treatment. Receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses of CXCL9 (cut-off value: 419.1 (pg/ml) and LAG-3 (3736.3 pg/ml) indicated areas of 0.779 and 0.697 respectively, for differentiating PD from non-PD and OR from non-OR. In multivariate analysis of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), high serum CXCL9 (hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.412 (0.251–0.677) (P = 0.0005) for PFS and 0.252 (0.125–0.508) (P = 0.0001) for OS), and low serum LAG-3 (HR and 95% CI: 0.419 (0.249–0.705) (P = 0.0011) for PFS and 0.294 (0.140–0.617) (P = 0.0012) for OS) were independent positive predictive factors.
Conclusion
Although, as far as we examined, no ctDNA mutations in blood were found to be related to ATZ + BV treatment efficacy, serum CXCL9 and LAG-3 levels, which are related to the cancer immune cycle, were associated with treatment efficacy and could be predictive markers of the efficacy of ATZ + BV treatment in HCC patients.
Enhancing the Physical Characteristics and Antibacterial Efficacy of Chitosan via Innovative Methods: Investigation into Chemically Formulated Chitosan-Coated ZnO and the Physical Composite of Chitosan/ZnO
Authors: Ali Sara A. , Ali E. S. , Hamdy G. , El-Sabbagh Inas. A. , El-Fass Magda M. , Badawy Mona Shaban E. M. , Ismail Abdallah R. , Elsawy Moataz A.
Published: January 2024

This study investigates the creation and analysis of chitosan-zinc oxide (CS-ZnO) nanocomposites, exploring their effectiveness in inhibiting bacteria. Two synthesis approaches, physical and chemical, were utilized. The CS-ZnO nanocomposites demonstrated strong antibacterial properties, especially against Staphylococcus aureus, a Gram-positive bacterium. Chemically synthesized nanocomposites (CZ10 and CZ100) exhibited larger inhibition zones (16.4 mm and 18.7 mm) compared to physically prepared CS-Z5 and CS-Z20 (12.2 mm and 13.8 mm) against Staphylococcus aureus. Moreover, CZ nanocomposites displayed enhanced thermal stability, with decomposition temperatures of 281°C and 290°C, surpassing CS-Z5 and CS-Z20 (260°C and 258°C). The residual mass percentages at 800°C were significantly higher for CZ10 and CZ100 (58% and 61%) than for CS-Z5 and CS-Z20 (36% and 34%). UV-Visible spectroscopy revealed reduced band gaps in the CS-ZnO nanocomposites, indicating improved light absorption. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed uniform dispersion of ZnO nanoparticles within the chitosan matrix. In conclusion, this research underscores the impressive antimicrobial potential of CS-ZnO nanocomposites, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, and highlights their enhanced thermal stability. These findings hold promise for diverse applications in industries such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, and materials science, contributing to the development of sustainable materials with robust antimicrobial properties.
The most important predictors in hospital mortality of patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) - using Yazd Cardiovascular Diseases Registry, YCDR data
Authors: Mohammadi Mohsen , Namayandeh Seyedeh Mahdieh , Mirzaei Masoud , Shahi Mohsen Askari , Sadr Seyed Mahmoud
Published: January 2024

Background
One of the consequences of coronary heart diseases (CAD) is a heart attack, which can sometimes lead to death. In Iran, as well as in most West Asian countries, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death, accounting for 46% of total mortality. This study aims to estimate and identify in hospital mortality predictors or prognostic factors for patients with acute ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).
Methods
This study utilized data from the Yazd Cardiovascular Diseases Registry (YCDR), which is a registry of inpatient ischemic heart disease in Yazd province, Iran. Logistic Regression was used to analyze and adjust for confounding. Variables that were not significant in the univariate analysis (P_value > 0.10) were discarded, and the remaining variables were entered into multivariable analysis. Variables with P_value < 0.05 were retained in the model, while others were discarded.
Results
The study included 1,861 patients with STEMI. Among them, 105 (5.7%) individuals died during admission the hospital. After multivariable logistic regression, the following variables were identified as prognostic factors for in-hospital mortality of STEMI: having a history of CVA (OR: 23.1, 95% CI: 19.2–28.3), lower ejection fraction (OR: 8.6, 95% CI: 7.2–9.8), lower HDL cholesterol (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.01–2.3), being single (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2–3.1), and lower hemoglobin (OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.3–2.9).
Conclusion
We evaluated the most important predictors of in-hospital mortality of STEMI and found that lower ejection fraction, lower hemoglobin levels, having a history of CVA, being unmarried, and low HDL cholesterol levels are important prognostic factors. Health policy in STEMI management must consider these factors to improve hospital prognosis.
Part II: Adaptive designs in pediatric clinical trials: specific examples, comparison with adult trials and a discussion for the child health community
Authors: Ben-Eltriki Mohamed , Chhabra Manik , Rafiq Aisha , Afolabi Michael O.S. , Paul Arun , Prabhu Devashree , Bashaw Robert , Neilson Christine J , Mahmud Salaheddin M , Lacaze-Masmonteil Thierry , Marlin Susan , Offringa Martin , Butcher Nancy J. , Heath Anna , Driedger Michelle , Kelly Lauren E
Published: January 2024

Background
In Part I of this review, we outlined the study characteristics and methodologies utilized in adaptive clinical trials reported in the literature from 2010–2020. Herein, the second part of this analysis presents a secondary analysis of the trials captured within this timeframe that enrolled children.
Methods
This analysis seeks to generate an evidence base that can inform practical recommendations that can shape the design, ethical considerations, and training on methods and reporting for pediatric adaptive design (AD) trials. We performed a secondary analysis of 43 AD trials involving children and compared the study characteristics with those of adult AD trials.
Results
There were one to five arms in these pediatric AD trials, with the most commonly reported adaptive methods being dose modifications (20/43, 46.5%) in dose-finding trials, followed by continual reassessment method (CRM), a model-based Bayesian design, reported in 20 studies (46.5%), and adaptive randomization (9/43, 20.9%). The frequentist framework (68.8%) was most commonly used for statistical analysis. Reporting indicated a lack of patient and parent engagement with clinicians and scientists during the clinical trial (CT) planning process and was only reported in 1 of the reviewed studies (1/43, 2.32%).
Conclusion
We reviewed examples of the most common types of adaptive designs used in pediatric trials and compared the methods used with adults’ trials. Against this background, we provide an overview of the different statistical approaches used and highlight the ethical considerations. The results of this review could serve as a reference for the development of guidelines and training materials to guide clinical researchers and trialists in the use of pediatric adaptive clinical trials.
Study protocol registration: DOI:10.1186/s13063-018-2934-7
Women’s Empowerment and Child Nutritional Outcomes in Rural Burkina Faso
Authors: Nikiema Pouirkèta Rita , KPONOU Monsoi Kenneth Colombiano
Published: January 2024

Across developing countries, women play an important role both as producers of major food crops and in improving household nutrition. This research paper aims to assess the effect of improving women's empowerment on the nutritional status of children in rural Burkina Faso. Based on data from the country first Living Standards Measurement Survey, the paper uses variables such as income control, access to land, autonomy in production decisions, access to credit, and social group membership to compute a composite index of women’s empowerment. Accounting for potential endogeneity of empowerment, the study adopts a dual-estimation approach that, first, uses average empowerment by stratum and, second, applies an instrumental variable. The results show a low baseline level of women’s empowerment in rural areas, but an improvement in empowerment has a relatively high and positive correlation with children’s nutritional outcomes. The study suggests that improving women’s empowerment components will translate into significant gains in children’s nutritional outcomes in rural households.
JEL Classification: C26; D13; D16; I12, Q12
A cross-diagnostic cluster analysis of attachment styles in patients with emotional dysregulation
Authors: Kouros Ioannis , Isaksson Martina , Ekselius Lisa , Ramklint Mia
Published: January 2024

Background
Insecure adult attachment has been associated with emotional dysregulation and subsequently with disorders involving this concept, such as borderline personality disorder (BPD), bipolar disorder (BD) and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, little is known about the characteristics related to different attachment patterns. The aim of this study was to identify clusters of adult attachment style in a cross-diagnostic group of patients with BDP and/or BD and/or ADHD and explore the characteristics of these clusters based on temperament profile, childhood trauma and psychiatric diagnoses.
Methods
K-means cluster analysis was used to identify subgroups, based on the Attachment Style Questionnaire Short Form dimensions, in a clinical cohort of 150 young adults (113 women and 37 men, mean age ± SD = 23.3 ± 2.1) diagnosed with BPD, and/or BD, and/or ADHD.
Results
Three distinct clusters were identified: a secure, an insecure/avoidant-anxious and an insecure/avoidant cluster. These three clusters differed in temperament profile and related psychiatric diagnoses.
Conclusions
Assessing attachment might be a tool for identifying the most disordered individuals among patients with emotional dysregulation.
An increase of serum CA-125 to two times of nadir level strongly predicts the image-identified recurrence of serous ovarian cancer
Authors: Du Kaiwen , Yang Qiyu , Huang Jin , Chan David Wai , Li Jinjin , Chang Xiaoxia , Wang Hanjie , Tang Junying
Published: January 2024

Using 35 U/ml as CA125 routine abnormal threshold may result in omissions in the recurrence detection of Ovarian cancer (OvCa). This study aimed to clarify the association between a biochemical recurrence (only the elevation of CA125) and an image-identified recurrence to predict the recurrent lesions better. 86 patients were enrolled from women diagnosed with stage I-IV serous ovarian, tubal, and peritoneal cancers from January 2013 to June 2019 at our center. The median CA125 level from 929.9 U/mL at diagnosis reduced to 7.8 U/mL at nadir during follow-up in all patients, and there was no difference between the neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) and primary debulking surgery (PDS) group after initial treatment. Compared to CA125 level exceeding 35 U/ml, the 2×nadir of CA125 improve the sensitivity and the specificity of image-identified relapse (P<0.001); the 2×nadir value can act as an earlier warning relapse signal with a longer median time to image-identified recurrence (2.7 vs. 0 months, P<0.001). Compared with 35 U/ml, CA125 reaching 2×nadir during the follow-up process might be a more sensitive and early recurrence signal in patients with serous OvCa. This criterion may help guide patients to be recommended for imaging examination to detect potential recurrence in time.
Predicting the probabilities of missed general practice appointments in England and Wales
Authors: Hartmann Morghan , Ling Suping , Exarchakou Aimilia , Rachet Bernard , Belot Aurélien
Published: January 2024

Missing general practice (GP) appointments represent an important challenge for healthcare systems. In England and Wales, reducing the number of missed appointments would benefit both the National Health Service (NHS) and the patients, avoiding delay in diagnosis and treatment. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, appointment mode has shifted substantially, and many GP practices have started scheduling online appointments in place of face-to-face meetings. In this context, our aim was to build and compare prediction models for the probability of missing a GP appointment, as a function of appointment’s characteristics and the level of deprivation of the area where the GP practice is located. We examined all English GP appointments in 2021 and used two different statistical approaches for prediction: a generalized linear model (logistic regression) and a machine learning approach (Extreme gradient boosting). Predictions were further validated with 2022 data. Both approaches provided comparable predictions in term of calibration, with the advantage that results from the logistic regression can be interpreted as odds ratios. Longer time between booking and appointment plays an important role, as well as deprivation. Deprived areas, which already tend to have lower healthcare standards, may also be losing more resources from cancelled and unattended appointments compared to their less deprived counterparts. Investigating the role of contextual factors behind these inequalities (both within and outside the healthcare system) would be an important step forward.