Concentration Index Values Research Articles

Daily Concentration of Precipitation in the Province of Alicante (1981–2020)

The precipitation in the Mediterranean region, characterised by its annual variability and concentration in high-intensity events, is a key factor in territorial planning and the management of runoff in urban areas, particularly on the Spanish Mediterranean coast. This study focuses on the province of Alicante, applying the “daily precipitation concentration index (CI)” in 26 meteorological stations for the period 1981–2020, with the aim of analysing the statistical structure of precipitation on an annual scale. It measures the irregularity and intensity of precipitation according to the concentration of most of the annual total in a few days. Furthermore, it examines the synoptic situations and trajectories of the air masses on days of torrential rain using the HYSPLIT model. This is essential to identify the origin of moist air masses, to understand the meteorological mechanisms that intensify extreme rainfall events, and to identify recurrent patterns that explain their frequency and characteristics. The results reveal extreme CI values of between 0.58 in the interior of the province and 0.71 in the southern pre-coastal area, with a value of 0.68 in the city of Alicante. On average, the CI is 0.65, indicating that 25% of days with more rain have a concentration of around 75% of total precipitation, while 10% of the days represent 45% of the total. With respect to the origin of air masses, the most relevant in the mid-troposphere (500 hPa) are those from the north of Africa, particularly during the final periods of their trajectory, with flows from the east on the surface.

Synthesis and evaluation of the antifungal and antibiofilm potential of aminochalcones.

Candida is a commensal fungus of clinical interest that commonly lives in oral cavity and intestine but can become an opportunist microrganism and cause severe infections. A serie of 10 aminochalcones were designed and synthetized to obtain compounds anti-Candida with potent and broad-spectrum activity. The most active compound J34 demonstrated excellent in vitro activity against Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida krusei with minimum inhibitory concentration between 1.9 and 7.8µg/mL. The association of aminochalcone J34 with amphotericin B demonstrated synergistic effect against C. albicans, with Fractional Inhibiroty Concentration Index (FICI) value of 0.5. Subinhibitory concentration of J34 inhibited the C. albicans adhesion to human keratinocytes. Treatment with J34 reduced C. albicans biofilm formation, as well as acts on preformed biofilm in concentration-dependent mode. Time-kill curve demonstrated that J34 had fungicidal action after 12h of treatment. Preliminary mechanism of action study showed J34 interacts with membrane ergosterol but does not act on fungal cell wall of C. albicans. In additon, in vivo studies using Galleria mellonella indicated low toxic effect of chalcone J34 after 72h of treatment.

Socioeconomic inequality in exposure to second-hand smoke among middle-aged adults of the RaNCD cohort study: a decomposition analysis

BackgroundSecondhand smoke (SHS) can cause various health problems among different age groups worldwide. Socioeconomic factors may influence the distribution of SHS exposure among population subgroups. We aimed to estimate socioeconomic inequality in SHS exposure and identify its contributing factors among a sample of Iranian adults.MethodsThis cross-sectional investigation utilized baseline data from the Ravansar Non-Communicable Disease cohort study. The study population comprised 7991 middle-aged adults aged between 35 and 65 years. To determine socioeconomic status (SES) principal component analysis (PCA) was used. The Wagstaff normalized concentration index (Cn) was utilized to measure the extent of socioeconomic inequality in SHS. Furthermore, decomposition analysis was performed to identify the factors contributing to the observed inequality in SHS exposure.ResultsThe prevalence of SHS exposure among men, women, and the total population was 38.23%, 47.29%, and 43.89%, respectively. The concentration index (Cn) value for SHS exposure was − 0.121 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.146, -0.096) in the study participants. Among men and women, the values were − 0.080 (95% CI: -0.122, -0.037) and − 0.095 (95% CI: -0.112, -0.063), respectively, indicating a higher concentration of SHS among individuals with low SES. Female sex (35.17%), socioeconomic status (31.83%), being married (-26.36%), and rural residency (22.44%) were identified as the primary factors contributing to the observed inequality in SHS exposure.ConclusionThe research findings revealed a pro-rich inequality in SHS, with a significant concentration among low-SES individuals. In terms of the main contributors to socioeconomic inequality in SHS exposure, policy interventions need to pay attention to females, individuals with low SES, and married individuals to address inequality in SHS exposure.

Combination therapy strategies against multi-drug resistant bacteria in vitro and in vivo.

Exploring effective combination antibacterial therapies has become a research focus. This study selected seven common antibiotics to perform a series of tests on different Gram-negative bacteria isolated from clinical samples of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients. More than 70% of the strains exhibited multi-drug resistance but remained sensitive to polymyxin B. The checkerboard assay revealed a significant synergistic effect between polymyxin B and tetracycline against different resistant strains, with fractional inhibitory concentration index values consistently below 0.5. Further time-kill curve analysis demonstrated that the use of minimal inhibit concentration of polymyxin B or tetracycline alone had limited bactericidal effects, while their combination significantly reduced bacterial counts by 2-3 log colony-forming units within 12 hours. Additionally, the survival rate of larvae treated with the polymyxin B and tetracycline combination was significantly higher than that of the mono-therapy and untreated groups. In brief, this study demonstrates that the combination of polymyxin B and tetracycline exhibits potent antibacterial activity against multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria both in vitro and in vivo.

Inequality in modern contraceptive use and unmet need for contraception among women of reproductive age in Zambia. A trend and decomposition analysis 2007–2018

BackgroundAccess to contraception can be a transformational intervention towards advancement of education, health, and freedom of choice. Countries have committed to improving access to contraception enshrined in the sustainable development goals (SDGs), indicator 3.7.1. Our study seeks to investigate the level of inequality in current use of modern contraception and unmet need for contraception among sexually active women of reproductive age in Zambia during 2007, 2013/14 and 2018 to inform family planning policy.MethodsWe use three rounds of Zambia demographic and health survey datasets for the years 2007, 2013/14 and 2018, which are nationally representative surveys. We included a total of 19,973 sexually active women of reproductive age from 15 to 49 years living in Zambia. The level of inequality was assessed using concentration curves, and indices. The concentration indices were decomposed to identify the causes of the inequality.ResultsOur analysis shows that there was inequality in the current use of modern contraception across the years 2007, 2013/14 and 2018. The concentration curves showed that current use of modern contraception was higher among the wealthy than the poor. This pro-rich trend was consistent throughout the study period. Erreygers concentration Index (EI) values were 0.2046 in 2007, 0.1816 in 2013/14, and 0.1124 in 2018. The inequality in current use of modern contraception was significantly influenced by having access to contraceptive counselling, education level and being in a union (living with a partner). In addition, there was inequality in unmet need for contraception with concentration curves showing that unmet need for modern contraception was experienced more among the poor compared to the wealthy. Unmet need was thus pro poor. The EI values were – 0.0484 in 2007, – 0.0940 in 2013/14 and – 0.0427 in 2018. This inequality was significantly influenced by education, employment status, being in a union, and having health insurance.ConclusionInequality in modern contraceptive use and unmet need for contraception exists and has persisted over the years in Zambia. Such inequality can be addressed through a multipronged approach that includes encouraging women to visit health facilities, access to contraceptive counselling, and promoting formal education.

Unclean but affordable solid fuels effectively sustained household energy equity

Extensive use of traditional solid fuels necessitates a clean transition to modern energy, yet rising costs hinder equitable progress, presenting a challenge that remains underexplored. Here we quantify household energy inequities in China and evaluate shifts during the cooking and heating transition by compiling data from nationwide questionnaire surveys and statistic datasets. We find that by meeting 42.6% of household energy needs at low costs, solid fuels sustain equitable energy consumption across different income groups, being measured by the Concentration Index (CI). However, energy burden inequity remains substantially with the CI value increases by up to 43% during the transition, particularly when moving away from biomass for cooking. Switching to electric heating with natural gas cooking would limit such increases by only 15.5%. The study underscores the negative equity impacts of solid fuel cessation, advocating for phased transitions and targeted subsidies to ensure a just clean energy transition.

Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Rainfall Erosivity in Southern Africa in Extreme Wet and Dry Years

Soil erosivity is a key indicator of the effectiveness of precipitation acting on the land’s surface and is mainly controlled by event-scale and seasonal weather and climatic factors but is also influenced by the nature of the land’s surface, including relief and vegetation cover. The aim of this study is to examine spatial and temporal variations in soil erosivity across southern Africa using rainfall data for the period 2000–2023 and a gridded raster spatial modelling approach. The two wettest and driest years in the record (±>1.5 standard deviation of rainfall values) were identified, which were 2000 and 2006, and 2003 and 2019, respectively. Monthly rainfall values in these extreme wet/dry years were then analyzed for four rainfall regions (arid, semiarid, subhumid, humid), identified according to their annual rainfall totals. These data were then used to calculate Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) values as an expression of rainfall seasonality, and the modified Fournier index (MFI) was used to quantify rainfall erosivity. The results show that there are significant differences in erosivity between the different climate regions based on rainfall seasonality and also their distinctive environmental settings. In turn, these reflect the synoptic climatic conditions in these regions, their different precipitation sources, and rainfall totals. The results of this study show that calculated MFI values at the national scale, which is the approach taken in most previous studies, cannot effectively describe or account for erosivity values that characterize different climatic regions at the sub-national scale. Furthermore, the mismatch between PCI and MFI spatial patterns across the region highlights that, under semiarid, and highly seasonal rainfall regimes, episodic rainfall events interspersed with periods of dryness result in significant variability in erosivity values that are unaccounted for by rainfall totals or seasonality alone. In these environments, flash floods and wind erosion result in regional-scale soil erosion and land degradation, but these processes and outcomes are not clear when considering MFI values alone. Fully evaluating spatial and temporal patterns of erosivity in their climatic and environmental contexts, as developed in this study, has implications for sediment and carbon exports, as well as identifying the major regions in which land degradation is an environmental and agricultural issue.

Trends in socioeconomic inequality in e-cigarette use among adolescents in South Korea.

The global rise in e-cigarette use among adolescents is alarming, with associated socioeconomic inequalities posing potential public health risks. This study examined trends in the socioeconomic inequality in e-cigarette use among South Korean adolescents to inform future regulatory directions. Socioeconomic inequalities in e-cigarette use among Korean adolescents were assessed using data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) from 2011 to 2023. The Concentration Index, a well-established method for measuring health inequalities, was employed. Additionally, this study investigated how the smoking behaviors of family members and friends influence socioeconomic inequality in e-cigarette use among Korean adolescents, using a decomposition analysis. The Concentration Index values showed a clear, fluctuating downward trend over 13 years, from -0.12 (95% CI: -0.13 - -0.10) in 2011 to -0.24 (95% CI: -0.26 - -0.21) in 2023. Decomposition analysis revealed that smoking among peer groups, including friends and siblings, was the primary contributor to socioeconomic inequality in e-cigarette use, followed by maternal smoking. Socioeconomic inequalities in adolescent e-cigarette use in South Korea are widening, particularly among low socioeconomic status groups. The impact of peer groups on socioeconomic inequalities in e-cigarette use among adolescents is concerning.

Synergistic Effect Antibacterial Activity of The Combination of Andaliman (Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC) Fruit Essential Oil and Erythromycin against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus pyogenes

Background: The concept of synergism is one of the approaches taken to combat the problems related to antibiotic resistance. Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the synergistic effect of antibacterial activity of a combination of essential oil of Zanthoxylum acanthopodium DC fruit and erythromycin against Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus pyogenes. Methods: The broth microdilution assay was used to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Z. acanthpodium DC fruit essential oil and erythromycin. The synergistic effects were assessed using the checkerboard method. Results: MIC value of Z. acanthopodium DC fruit essential oil against both bacteria was 2500 mg/mL. The combination of Z. acanthopodium DC fruit essential oil and erythromycin had a synergistic effect against S. mutans and S. pyogenes with fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values of 0.375 and 0.0872, respectively. Conclusions: These results suggest that a combination of herbal plants and conventional antibiotics could be used as an alternative therapy for bacterial infections.

Inequalities in disease burden and care quality of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 1990-2021: Findings from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the primary causes of significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. This study aimed to explore the cross-country inequalities by age, sex, and region in COPD's burden and care quality from 1990 to 2021. We obtained data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021. Using age-standardised disability-adjusted life years rate (ASDR) per 100 000 population and quality of care index (QCI), we quantified the COPD burden and care quality, respectively. Applying the principal component analysis method, we calculated QCI scores, ranging from 0 to 100, where higher values indicate better care quality. We quantified temporal trends from 1990 to 2021 for ASDR and QCI by estimated annual percentage change (EAPC). Finally, we assessed the absolute and relative disparities in ASDR and QCI across countries using the slope index of inequality (SII) and concentration index. Between 1990 and 2021, there was a notable decline in ASDR of COPD globally (1990 = 1492.64; 2021 = 940.66; EAPC = -1.71), accompanied by an increase in QCI (1990 = 58.42; 2021 = 73.86; EAPC = 0.89). Regions with middle sociodemographic index (SDI) consistently demonstrated the highest ASDR and the lowest QCI in 1990 (ASDR = 2332.91; QCI = 31.70), whereas by 2021, low-middle SDI regions exhibited similar trends (ASDR = 1707.90; QCI = 57.50). In 2021, the highest ASDR was among individuals aged 95 years and above (16251.22), while the lowest QCI was among people aged 70-74 years (72.18). Papua New Guinea recorded the highest ASDR and the lowest QCI in 2021 (ASDR = 3004.36; QCI = 19.18). Compared to 1990, where the SII for ASDR was -612.44 and for QCI was 21.78, with concentration indices of -0.14 for ASDR and 0.11 for QCI, the absolute values of both SII and concentration index were smaller in 2021, with ASDR's SII at -555.90, QCI's at 16.72, ASDR's concentration index at -0.13, and QCI's at 0.04. The global burden of COPD decreases and care quality increases over time, with notable variations across ages, sexes and SDI regions. Countries with lower SDI had disproportionately higher burden and poorer care quality for COPD.

The global burden, trends and cross-country inequalities of female breast and gynaecologic cancers: A population based study.

To analyse the global burden, trends and cross-country inequalities of female breast and gynaecologic cancers (FeBGCs). Population-Based Study. Data sourced from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Individuals diagnosed with FeBGCs. Age-standardised mortality rates (ASMRs), age-standardised Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) rates (ASDRs) and their 95% uncertainty interval (UI) described the burden. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) and their confidence interval (CI) of age-standardised rates (ASRs) illustrated trends. Social inequalities were quantified using the Slope Index of Inequality (SII) and Concentration Index. The main outcome measures were the burden of FeBGCs and the trends in its inequalities over time. In 2019, the ASDRs per 100 000 females were as follows: breast cancer: 473.83 (95% UI: 437.30-510.51), cervical cancer: 210.64 (95% UI: 177.67-234.85), ovarian cancer: 124.68 (95% UI: 109.13-138.67) and uterine cancer: 210.64 (95% UI: 177.67-234.85). The trends per year from 1990 to 2019 were expressed as EAPCs of ASDRs and these: for Breast cancer: -0.51 (95% CI: -0.57 to -0.45); Cervical cancer: -0.95 (95% CI: -0.99 to -0.89); Ovarian cancer: -0.08 (95% CI: -0.12 to -0.04); and Uterine cancer: -0.84 (95% CI: -0.93 to -0.75). In the Social Inequalities Analysis (1990-2019) the SII changed from 689.26 to 607.08 for Breast, from -226.66 to -239.92 for cervical, from 222.45 to 228.83 for ovarian and from 74.61 to 103.58 for uterine cancer. The concentration index values ranged from 0.2 to 0.4. The burden of FeBGCs worldwide showed a downward trend from 1990 to 2019. Countries or regions with higher Socio-demographic Index (SDI) bear a higher DALYs burden of breast, ovarian and uterine cancers, while those with lower SDI bear a heavier burden of cervical cancer. These inequalities increased over time.

Assessing the significance of leaf chlorophyll content for measuring the vegetation health in mangrove species along the Kerala Coast, India – A multi-proxy approach

This study aimed to estimate the chlorophyll content of mangrove species distributed along the Kerala coast of India, and also to address the critical issue of assessing the health of these ecosystems. We identified 16 mangrove species and estimated their chlorophyll concentration levels through a combination of field reconnaissance, in situ radiometric measurements at 218 locations, and UV spectrophotometric (ultraviolet–visible) analysis in the laboratory, and estimated the vegetation health from spectral indices using IRS (Indian Remote Sensing) Resourcesat LISS-IV (Linear Imaging and Self-Scanning Sensor) satellite imagery. This study revealed that the dominant species in Kerala are Avicennia officinalis, A. marina, Rhizophora mucronata and Excoecaria agallocha, whereas, Bruguiera sexangula is sparsely spread. Approximately 14 % of the mangrove cover along the Kerala coast is under stress due to various factors, including climate change and anthropogenic influences. Significantly, two of the 16 species, Avicennia marina and Rhizophora appiculata appeared relatively healthy, with average chlorophyll concentration index (CCI) values of 311.89±40.13 µmol/m2 and 553.42±23.24 µmol/m2, respectively. However, other dominant species Avicennia officinalis, Rhizophora mucronata, and Excoecaria agallocha exhibited average CCI values of 582.35±147.61, 611.7±104.58, and 559.04±141.13 respectively, and seemed to be under stress, calling for serious conservation measures. Our study also revealed the potential of cost-effective IRS LISS-IV imagery for identifying mangrove species and for estimating the chlorophyll concentration and plant vigour together with field and laboratory observations and measurements.

Boosting the Anti-Helicobacter Efficacy of Azithromycin through Natural Compounds: Insights From InVitro, InVivo, Histopathological, and Molecular Docking Investigations.

Antimicrobial-resistant Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) poses a significant public health concern, especially given the limited therapeutic options for azithromycin-resistant strains. Hence, there is a necessity for new studies to reconsider the use of azithromycin, which has diminished in effectiveness against numerous strains. Thus, we aimed to augment azithromycin's anti-Helicobacter properties by combining it with curcumin in different formulations, including curcumin in clove oil, curcumin nano-gold emulsion, and curcumin nanoemulsion. The antimicrobial activities of the investigated compounds, both individually and in combination with other anti-Helicobacter drugs, were evaluated. Their antibiofilm and anti-virulence properties were assessed using both phenotypic and genotypic methods, alongside molecular docking studies. Our findings were further validated through mouse protection assays and histopathological analysis. We observed high anti-Helicobacter activities of curcumin, especially curcumin nanoemulsion. A synergistic effect was detected between curcumin nanoemulsion and azithromycin with fraction inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values <0.5. The curcumin nanoemulsion was the most active anti-biofilm and anti-virulence compound among the examined substances. The biofilm-correlated virulence genes (babA and hopQ) and ureA genes were downregulated (fold change <1) post-treatment with curcumin nanoemulsion. On the protein level, the anti-virulence activities of curcumin nanoemulsion were documented based on molecular docking studies. These findings aligned with histopathological scoring of challenge mice, affirming the superior efficacy of curcumin nanoemulsion/azithromycin combination. The anti-Helicobacter activities of all curcumin physical forms pose significant challenges due to their higher minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values exceeding the maximum permissible level. However, using curcumin nanoemulsion at sub-MIC levels could enhance the anti-Helicobacter activity of azithromycin and exhibit anti-virulence properties, thereby improving patient outcomes and addressing resistant pathogens. Therefore, more extensive studies are necessary to assess the safety of incorporating curcumin nanoemulsion into H. pylori treatment.

Synergistic bactericidal activity of a novel dual β-lactam combination against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

MRSA is a major cause of hospital-acquired and community-acquired infections. Treatment options for MRSA are limited because of the rapid development of β-lactam resistance. Combining antibiotics offers an affordable, time-saving, viable and efficient approach for developing novel antimicrobial therapies. Both amoxicillin and cefdinir are oral β-lactams with indications for a wide range of bacterial infections and mild side effects. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of combining these two β-lactams against MRSA strains. Fourteen representative prevalent MRSA strains with diverse sequence types (STs) were tested with a combination of amoxicillin and cefdinir, using chequerboard and time-kill assays. The Galleria mellonella larvae infection model was used to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of this dual combination against the community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) strain USA300 and the hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) strain COL. The chequerboard assay revealed a synergistic activity of the dual amoxicillin/cefdinir combination against all tested MRSA strains, with fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values below 0.5 and at least a 4-fold reduction in the MICs of both antibiotics. Time-kill assays demonstrated synergistic bactericidal activity of this dual combination against the MRSA strain USA300 and strain COL. Moreover, in vivo studies showed that the administration of amoxicillin/cefdinir combination to G. mellonella larvae infected with MRSA strains significantly improved the survival rate up to 82%, which was comparable to the efficacy of vancomycin. In vitro and in vivo studies indicate that the dual combination of amoxicillin/cefdinir demonstrates a synergistic bactericidal efficacy against MRSA strains of various STs. Further research is needed to explore its potential as a treatment option for MRSA infections.

Developing antibacterial peptides as a promising therapy for combating antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.

Antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a serious health threat. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial activity of peptide KW-23 against drug-resistant P. aeruginosa and its potential for enhancing the efficacy of conventional antibiotics. KW-23 was synthesized from nine amino acids, specifically three tryptophans and three lysines. The purity of the substance was analyzed using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The peptide was identified through mass spectrometry using electrospray ionization. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of KW-23 in combination with conventional antibiotics against control and multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa were determined utilizing broth microdilution. The erythrocyte hemolytic assay was used to measure toxicity. The KW-23 effect was analyzed using the time-kill curve. The peptide exhibited strong antibacterial activity against control and multidrug-resistant strains of P. aeruginosa, with MICs of 4.5 μg/mL and 20 μg/mL, respectively. At higher concentration of 100 μg/mL, KW-23 exhibited a low hemolytic impact, causing no more than 3% damage to red blood. The cytotoxicity assay demonstrates KW-23's safety, while the time-kill curve highlights its rapid and sustained antibacterial activity. The combination of KW-23 and gentamicin exhibited synergistic activity against both susceptible and resistant P. aeruginosa, with fractional inhibitory concentration index values of 0.07 and 0.27, respectively. The KW-23 synthesized in the laboratory significantly combats antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa. Due to its strong antibacterial properties and low toxicity to cells, KW-23 is a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics in combating multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Towards sustainable precipitation management in Madurai Town Planning Area (India)

This study aimed to look for efficient development strategies towards achieving sustainable precipitation management in the Madurai Town Planning Area (MTPA) in India. In the MTPA, precipitation is the predominant source of freshwater for agricultural and domestic uses in addition to water received through conventional systems. The average annual precipitation in the region is ~ 816 mm with standard deviation of 233 mm. The regression analysis showed that annual precipitation is following a decreasing trend and will be about 716 mm by 2030. The Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) values ranging from 18 to 20 represented strong irregularities and seasonality in annual precipitation over the study area. March, July, September, and November months contributed 2.5, 6.19, 14, and 16% to annual precipitation, respectively, and all showed decreasing trends over time. Only 20% of Northeast monsoon was active over the past 44 years (1976–2019), resulting in a 15% probability of flood and drought occurrences throughout the MTPA. The long-term (1976–2019) average value of annual precipitation days was about 42. The Concentration Index (CI) showed that 60–70% of precipitation was received within 25% of precipitable days. Daily precipitation class of moderate (7.5–34 mm) and rather heavy (34–64 mm) ranges were the dominant types of precipitation, contributing 46% and 26% to total annual precipitation, respectively. Except for October, the monthly precipitation received was deficit to meet the irrigation water demand in the MTPA. However, development of precipitation harvesting systems can annually preserve about 27 Mm3 freshwater in the urban space of the MTPA.

Trends in socioeconomic inequalities in pancreatic cancer mortality in Canada: Evidence from the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database

BackgroundPancreatic cancer is one of the leading causes of death in Canada and is projected to be the second leading cause of cancer death by 2030. This study sought to evaluate education and income inequalities in pancreatic cancer mortality in Canada between 1990 and 2019. MethodsUsing a unique census division level dataset (n = 280) constructed from the Canadian Vital Statistics Death Database, Canadian Census of Population (1991, 1996, 2001, 2006, 2016), and National Household Survey (2011) we assess socioeconomic inequalities in pancreatic cancer in Canada. Age-standardized Concentration index was used to quantify income and education inequalities in pancreatic cancer mortality. Trends analyses were conducted to assess changes in income and education inequalities in pancreatic cancer mortality over time. ResultsOur results show that crude pancreatic cancer mortality in Canada increased significantly from 10.23 for males and 9.65 for females in 1990, to 15.99 for males and 14.28 for females in 2019, per 100,000 people. The statistically significant negative values of age-standardized Concentration indices suggest persistent income and education inequalities in pancreatic cancer mortality in Canada. Trend analyses indicates reductions in income and education inequalities in pancreatic cancer mortality over time, particularly among females. ConclusionsSignificant income and education inequalities in pancreatic cancer mortality in Canada warrant public policy concern and action. Further research is required to understand whether differential access to treatment across socioeconomic groups played a role in the observed socioeconomic inequalities.

Subjective Well-Being Population Norms and Inequalities in Hungary: A Large Cross-Sectional, Internet-Based Survey

ObjectivesThis study aimed to provide subjective well-being (SWB) population norms in Hungary and explore the contribution of explanatory factors of SWB inequality among the Hungarian adult general population. MethodsThe data originated from a large representative internet-based cross-sectional survey in Hungary, which was conducted in 2020. We applied validated multi-item instruments for measuring SWB, namely Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) and World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Multiple linear regressions were used to examine the relationship between demographic-socioeconomic-health status and both well-being instruments. The concentration index (CI) was used to measure the degree of income-related inequality in well-being. ResultsA total of 2001 respondents were enrolled with the means ± SD WHO-5 scores and SWLS scores of 0.51 ± 0.21 and 0.51 ± 0.23, respectively. Higher household income, higher educational level, better general health status, and absence of chronic morbidity were significant positive predictors for both WHO-5 and SWLS scores. The CI of WHO-5 scores was lower than that of SWLS scores in the total sample (0.0480 vs 0.0861) and in subgroups by gender (male, 0.0584 vs 0.1035; female, 0.0302 vs 0.0726). The positive CI values implied a slight pro-rich SWB inequality in this population. The regression analyses showed a positive association of SWB with having a higher household income and a better general health status. ConclusionsThis is the first representative study in Hungary to compare population norm of 2 well-being instruments and analyze well-being inequality. Slight pro-rich inequality was found consistently with both SWB measures. Our findings support the need for health and social policies that effectively tackle inequalities in Hungary.

Promising effects of 1,8 Cineole to control Giardia lamblia infection: Targeting the inflammation, oxidative stress, and infectivity

Reportedly, synthetic drugs such as metronidazole, furazolidone, tinidazole, and quinacrine are used for the treatment of giardiasis but are associated with adverse effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the in vitro and in vivo effects of eucalyptol (ECT, 1,8 cineole) alone and in combination with metronidazole (MNZ) on Giardia lamblia. The effects of ECT on cell viability, plasma membrane permeability, and gene expression levels of adenylate cyclase (AK) and extracellular signal kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1 and ERK2) in trophozoites of G. lamblia were assessed. In vivo, the effects of ECT alone and in combination with MNZ were assessed on mice infected with G. lamblia. In addition, the gene expression of inflammatory genes (e.g., TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10) and antioxidant genes (catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase 2 (GPX2)) was determined by real-time PCR. The IC50 values of ECT, MNZ, and ECT+MNZ on trophozoites were 30.2 µg/mL, 21.6 µg/mL, and 8.5 µg/mL, respectively. The estimated Fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) values for ECT and MNZ were 0.28 and 0.39, respectively. The application of ECT on G. lamblia trophozoites resulted in a dose-dependent increase in plasma membrane permeability, particularly at concentrations of ½ IC50 and IC50 (P < 0.05). The treatment of infected mice with various doses of ECT, mainly in combination with MNZ for 7 days, resulted in a significant decrease (P < 0.001) in the average number and viability of cysts. ECT, especially when combined with MNZ, caused a significant (P < 0.001) reduction in the expression of TNF-α and IL-6 genes, and an increase (P < 0.05) in the expression of IL-10 genes. ECT alone and mainly in combination with MNZ leads to a significant (P < 0.001) increase in the gene expression of CAT, SOD, and GPX genes. These findings demonstrate that the use of ECT in these doses, even for 14 days, does not have any toxic effects on the function of vital liver and kidney tissues. The study findings confirmed the promising effects of ECT against G. lamblia infection both in vitro and in vivo. Considering the possible mechanisms, ECT increases plasma membrane permeability and reduces the expression levels of infectivity-related genes. In addition, ECT suppresses inflammation and oxidative stress, controlling giardiasis in mice. More studies are needed to clarify these findings.

Investigating the possibilities of temperature concentration distribution in Zayanderood based on climate change

In this study, temperature changes and its concentration distribution in the period of 1984–2015 and 2015–2100 were investigated under CanESM5 climate model and SSP126, SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios. By confirming the correlation (more than 0.96) and the efficiency coefficient of the model (more than 0.82), the trend of temperature values using modified Mann-Kendall test and temperature concentration index (TCI) values in the sub-basins of Zayanderood Dam, Iran was estimated. The results indicated a non-significant upward trend in the base period (1984–2015) and a significant increasing trend at the level of 5% in the future period (2015–2100) produced by the mentioned scenarios. According to the slope of the trend line, an increase of 1.45, 4 and 9.8 degrees Celsius is predicted during the period of 2015–2100 according to the SSP126, SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios, respectively. The evaluation of changes in TCI values in the studied area showed that in the future period, the distribution of rainfall patterns will be regular and the uniformity of temperature distribution in the SSP585 scenario is more than in the other two scenarios. The results of the temperature pattern distribution in the study area showed that according to the upcoming climate changes and under the studied scenarios, it is expected that while the study area is warming in the future, the uniformity of the temperature distribution will also appear in the months of the year. This shows the reduction of temperature fluctuations and the uniformity of the average temperature in the months of the year. The reduction of TCI values shows the equalization of average temperature changes in the seasons. The results of the investigations showed that the combination of climate change scenarios with the TCI can well show the concentration and distribution of the temperature in different periods.