Concentration Index Research Articles

Modifying the Ambient Light Spectrum Using LED Lamps Alters the Phenolic Profile of Hydroponically Grown Greenhouse Lettuce Plants without Affecting Their Agronomic Characteristics.

The growth and development of green lettuce plants can be modulated by the prevailing light conditions around them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ambient light enrichment with different LED light spectra on agronomic characteristics, polyphenol concentration and relative gene expression of enzymes associated with polyphenol formation in 'Levistro' lettuce grown hydroponically in a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) system for 28 days in a greenhouse. The spectra (blue:green:red:far-red) and red:blue (R:B) ratios obtained by enriching ambient light with Blue (B), White (W), Blue-Red (BR) and Red (R) LED light were B: 47:22:21:10, 0.5:1; W: 30:38:23:9, 0.8:1; BR: 33:15:44:8, 1.3:1 and R: 16:16:60:8, 3.8:1, respectively, and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) under the different treatments, measured at midday, ranged from 328 to 336 µmoles m-2 s-1. The resulting daily light integral (DLI) was between 9.1 and 9.6 mol m-2 day-1. The photoperiod for all enrichment treatments was 12 h of light. The control was ambient greenhouse light (25:30:30:15; R:B = 1.2:1; PAR = 702 µmoles m-2 s-1; DLI = 16.9 mol m-2 day-1; photoperiod = 14.2 h of light). Fresh weight (FW) and dried weight percentage (DWP) were similar among the enrichment treatments and the control. The leaf number increased significantly under BR and R compared to B lights. The relative index of chlorophyll concentration (RIC) increased as plants grew and was similar among the enrichment treatments and the control. On the other hand, the concentration of chlorogenic acid and chicoric acid increased under BR and B lights, which was consistent with the higher relative expression of the coumarate 3-hydroxylase enzyme gene. In view of the results, it is inferred that half of the PAR or DLI is sufficient to achieve normal growth and development of 'Levistro' lettuce plants, suggesting a more efficient use of light energy under the light enrichment treatments. On the other hand, the blue and combined blue-red lights promoted the accumulation of phenolic compounds in the leaves of 'Levistro' lettuce plants.

Spatio-Temporal Distribution Characteristics of Buddhist Temples and Pagodas in the Liaoning Region, China

Buddhist culture in Liaoning has a long and rich history. The continuous spread of Buddhism has promoted the development of Buddhist architecture, leaving us a rich architectural art heritage. Furthermore, it has also profoundly influenced China’s architectural characteristics, social culture, and economic development. This paper takes Buddhist temples and pagodas in Liaoning as the research objects and uses methods such as the geographic concentration index, nearest neighbor index, kernel density estimation, and standard deviation ellipse to analyze their spatio-temporal distribution characteristics and influencing factors across different periods. 1. Temporal distribution. During the Liao Dynasty (907–1125 AD) and the Qing Dynasty (1636–1912 AD), the construction of Buddhist temples and pagodas was the highest, with a linear increase in the Qing Dynasty. 2. The overall spatial distribution of Buddhist temples and pagodas in Liaoning is uneven, showing an agglomeration distribution state. The distribution status of different periods was different, and the Ming (1368–1644 AD) and Qing dynasties (1636–1912 AD) showed obvious aggregation distribution. The overall state is “more in the west and less in the east” and “more in the north and less in the south”. 3. In different periods, the spatial distribution direction of Buddhist temples and pagodas in Liaoning was relatively obvious and was southwest–northeast, and the center of gravity gradually shifted to the northwest. 4. The kernel density of different periods presents the density distribution and area of each period. The overall distribution is dense to scattered and then to highly dense. 5. The spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of Buddhist temples and pagodas in Liaoning are mainly composed of deep-seated political factors, rapid economic development and stable social environment, diverse culture, natural geography, cultural relics protection, and the artistic value of Buddhist architecture in the Liaoning region.

Vibriocidal efficacy of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus cell-free supernatants encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles against multi-drug resistant Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor

BackgroundCholera is a diarrheal disease recognized for being caused by toxin-producing Vibrio (V.) cholerae. This study aims to assess the vibriocidal and immunomodulatory properties of derived cell-free supernatants (CFSs) of Bifidobacterium (B.) bifidum and Lactobacillus (L.) acidophilus encapsulated in chitosan nanoparticles (CFSb-CsNPs and CFSa-CsNPs) against clinical multi-drug resistance (MDR) isolates of V. cholerae O1 El Tor.MethodsWe synthesized CFSb-CsNPs and CFSa-CsNPs using the ionic gelation technique. The newly nanostructures were characterized for size, surface zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficacy (EE), stability in different pH values and temperatures, release profile, and in vitro cytotoxicity. The antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of the obtained nanocomposites on clinical MDR isolates (N = 5) of V. cholerae E1 Tor O1 were investigated by microbroth dilution assay and crystal violet staining, respectively. We conducted quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) to analyze the relative gene expressions of Bap, Rbmc, CTXAB, and TCP in response to CFSb-CsNPs and CFSa-CsNPs. Additionally, the immunomodulatory effects of formulated structures on the expression of TLR2 and TLR4 genes in human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) were studied.ResultsNano-characterization analyses indicated that CFSb-CsNPs and CFSa-CsNPs exhibit spherical shapes under scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, with mean diameters of 98.16 ± 0.763 nm and 83.90 ± 0.854 nm, respectively. Both types of nanoparticles possess positive surface charges. The EE% of CFSb-CsNPs was 77 ± 4.28%, whereas that of CFSa-CsNPs was 62.5 ± 7.33%. Chitosan (Cs) encapsulation leads to increased stability of CFSs in simulated pH conditions of the gastrointestinal tract in which the release rates for CFSb-CsNPs and CFSa-CsNPs were reached at 58.00 ± 1.24% and 55.01 ± 1.73%, respectively at pH = 7.4. The synergistic vibriocidal effects observed from the co-administration of both CFSb-CsNPs and CFSa-CsNPs, as evidenced by a fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index of 0.57, resulting in a significantly lower MIC of 2.5 ± 0.05 mg/mL (p < 0.0001) compare to individual administration. The combined antibacterial effect of CFSb-CsNPs and CFSa-CsNPs on Bap (0.14 ± 0.05), Rbmc (0.24 ± 0.01), CTXAB (0.30 ± 0.09), and TCP (0.38 ± 0.01) gene expression was significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, co-administration of CFSb-CsNPs and CFSa-CsNPs also demonstrated the potency of suppressing TLR 2/4 (0.20 ± 0.01 and 0.12 ± 0.02, respectively) gene expression (p = 0.0019) and reduced Caco-2 cells attached bacteria to 526,000 ± 51,46 colony-forming units/mL (11.19%) (p < 0.0001).ConclusionOur study revealed that encapsulating CFSs within CsNPs enhances their vibriocidal activity by improving stability and enabling a controlled release mechanism at the site of interaction between the host and bacteria. Additionally, the simultaneous use of CFSb-CsNPs and CFSa-CsNPs exhibited superior vibriocidal potency against MDR V. cholerae O1 El Tor strains, indicating these combinations as a potential new approach against MDR bacteria.

P205 HYPERTENSION AWARENESS, TREATMENT, AND CONTROL RATE IN NEPAL: AN EFFECTIVENESS OF WHO-PEN PACKAGE INTEGRATION THROUGH PRIMARY CARE TO ADDRESS THE NCDs

WHO-PEN, the essential NCD services even in resource constraint settings through PHC approach has been implemented in Nepal since 2017. PEN approach consists of set of protocols for the management of listed major diseases and behavioral interventions to address the associated major modifiable risk factors. The major focused diseases in PEN includes cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory diseases. By 2021 it has been expanded across all 77 districts of Nepal. The aim of this analysis is to assess the before and after PEN package changes in hypertension prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rate in Nepal. This analysis used the 2016 Nepal demographic and health survey (NDHS) data as a baseline(N=14,823) and 2022 NDHS data as an Edline(N=10,022). Awareness, treatment and control rate was calculated from the population aged 15 years and above along with the concentration Index (CI) to assess the changes in magnitude and inequalities before and after the intervention. Cluster sampling design was considered for all the inferential statistics and sample weight was used to obtain the population estimates. P&lt;0.05 were considered statistically significant. The study revealed a non-significant change in the hypertension prevalence before and after the intervention (19.6% vs 20.1%;p&gt;0.05). However, a significant change was observed in the awareness rate (40% vs 50.2%,p&lt;0.05) and treatment rate (20.2% vs 31.7%,p&lt;0.05). A significant wealth inequality was observed in awareness ((CI:0.12,p&lt;0.001 in 2016) and (CI:0.13,p&lt;0.001 in 2022)) and treatment rate ((CI:0.24,p&lt;0.001 in 2016) and (CI:0.21,p&lt;0.001 in 2022)) over the period of time. We did not find a significant change (51.7% vs 56.7%, p&gt;0.05) and wealth inequalities in control rate (figure 1). The improvement in awareness and treatment rate over the period entails the integration of WHO-PEN package through primary care is effective, however, the persistent wealth inequalities indicate next level community-based intervention should be instrumental to address the NCDs burden targeted to ultra-poor/poor and marginalized population of Nepal.

Association between initial diquat plasma concentration, severity index and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute diquat poisoning: a retrospective cohort study

Background Since 2016, diquat has replaced paraquat in China, resulting in increased diquat poisoning cases. However, understanding of diquat poisoning is still limited. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between initial diquat plasma concentration, severity index, and in-hospital mortality in acute diquat poisoning cases. Methods This retrospective cohort study, conducted from January 2016 to July 2023 in a tertiary care hospital, used univariate logistic regression to examine the link between the initial diquat plasma concentration, severity index, and in-hospital mortality in acute diquat poisoned patients. A receiver operating characteristic curve assessed the predictive value of these parameters for prognosis. Results Among the 87 participants, the median age was 32 years, 35 (40.2%) were female. The overall mortality rate was 37.9%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the initial diquat plasma concentration and severity index were associated with increased in-hospital mortality. These factors also effectively predicted the prognosis of acute diquat poisoning, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.851 and an optimal diquat concentration threshold of 2.25 mg/L (sensitivity 90.9%, specificity 74.1%, P < 0.05) and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.845 with an optimal cut-off value for the sevity index of 9.1 mg/L*min (sensitivity 97%, specificity 74.1%, P < 0.05). Discussion Our results are limited by the retrospective design of this study. However, if validated, these results could impact management strategies, especially in East Asia. Further research is needed due to potential confounding factors. Conclusions The findings suggest that a higher initial plasma concentration and severity index in patients with acute diquat poisoning were correlated with higher in-hospital mortality. Prospective validation will confirm the predicative value of these findings.

PyMTRD: A Python package for calculating the metrics of temporal rainfall distribution

Temporal rainfall distribution facilitates the understanding of rainfall patterns at various time scales, extreme events, and corresponding water resources implications. Researchers have developed various metrics of temporal rainfall distribution but there exist no easy-to-use software packages for calculating these metrics. To address this gap, we developed the PyMTRD package, which can be conveniently used to calculate the metrics of temporal rainfall distribution and conduct rainfall pattern analysis. The metrics calculated in the package included rainfall intensity, rainfall frequency, consecutive dry days, Gini index, unranked Gini index, wet-day Gini index, precipitation concentration index, dimensionless seasonality index, and seasonality index. This paper documented our Python software development, which included the architecture design, the Application Programming Interfaces design and algorithms for calculating each metric, and also the point and global scale applications.

Therapeutic efficacy of compound organic acids administration on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-induced arthritis in broilers

Avian arthritis is a common disease in the poultry industry, and the etiology is complex. Bacterial arthritis is usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) infection. This study explored the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of different organic acids against S. aureus MRSA85 and found that vanillic acid, suberic acid, itaconic acid, salicylic acid, and other organic acids had significant inhibitory effects on this strain, especially cinnamic acid, which exhibited the best inhibitory effect. The Fractional Inhibitory Concentration Index (FICI) test further revealed the synergistic effect among some compound organic acids, which can significantly enhance the antibacterial efficiency against MRSA85 while reducing the risk of bacterial resistance. Under the low concentrations (1/2 or 1/4 MIC) conditions, the MIC of the compound organic acids against S. aureus remains unchanged, and it can even enhance the sensitivity of antibiotic-resistant S. aureus to Oxacillin. Furthermore, the compound organic acids could effectively promote the recovery of S. aureus-induced arthritis in broiler models, reduce inflammatory responses, and lower down bacterial loads and inflammatory cytokine levels in joints, which indicated that the effects of the Compound 2 is comparable to that of the trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole group. These results support the potential and application value of organic acids and their compounds, including Compound 1 to 3, as novel antibacterial agents in the treatment of S. aureus infections.

Inequalities in health care use among patients with arthritis in China: using Andersen’s Behavioral Model

BackgroundThis study sought to assess socioeconomic-related inequalities in health care use among arthritis patients in China and to analyze factors associated with this disparity.MethodsThis study used data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. 3255 arthritis patients were included. The annual per capita household expenditure was used to divide individuals into five categories. We calculated actual, need-predicted, and need-standardized distributions of health care use by socioeconomic groups among people with arthritis. The concentration index (Cl) was used to assess inequalities in health service use. Influencing factors of inequalities were measured with the decomposition method.ResultsThe outpatient and inpatient service use rates among 3255 arthritis patients were 23.13% and 21.41%, respectively. The CIs for actual outpatient and inpatient services use were 0.0449 and 0.0985, respectively. The standardized CIs for both outpatient and inpatient services use increase (CI for outpatient services use = 0.0537; CI for inpatient services use = 0.1260), indicating the emergence of a significant pro-rich inequity. Annual per capita household expenditure was the chief positive contributor to inequity for both outpatient (104.45%) and inpatient services use (105.74%), followed by infrequently social interaction (22.60% for outpatient services use) and Urban Employee Basic Medical Insurance (UEBMI) (11.90% for inpatient services use). By contrast, UEBMI also provided a high negative contribution to outpatient services use (-15.99%).ConclusionsThere are significant pro-rich inequalities in outpatient and inpatient services use among patients with arthritis, which are exacerbated by widening economic gaps. Interventions to address inequalities should start by improving the economic situation of lower socioeconomic households.

Stillbirths Associated with Particle Pollution are Disproportionally Contributed by Sand Dust: Findings from 52 Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Whether maternal exposure to dust-sourced particulate matter (hereafter, dust PM2.5) is associated with stillbirth remains unknown. We adopted a sibling-matched case-control design to analyze 9332 stillbirths and 17,421 live births. We associated the risk of stillbirth simultaneously with dust and nondust components of PM2.5 and developed a nonlinear joint exposure-response function. Next, we estimated the burden of stillbirths attributable to the PM2.5 mixture. The concentration index was used to evaluate whether the burden of PM2.5-related stillbirths was disproportionally distributed among pregnancies exposed to dust-rich particles. Each 10 μg/m3 increase in dust PM2.5 was associated with a 14.5% (95% confidence interval: 5.5, 24.2%) increase in the odds of stillbirth. Based on the risk assessment across 137 countries, sand dust contributed to about 15% of the PM2.5 exposure but to about 45% of the PM2.5-related stillbirths during 2003-2019. In 2015, 30% of the PM2.5-related stillbirths were concentrated within 15% of pregnancies exposed to the dust-richest PM2.5. The index increased in subregions, such as South Asia, suggesting the growth of health inequality due to exposure to dust PM2.5. Based on our findings, land management, such as halting desertification, will help prevent stillbirths and reduce global maternal health inequality.

Prediction of the response to antiangiogenic sunitinib therapy by non-invasive hybrid diffuse optics in renal cell carcinoma.

In this work, broadband diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) were used to quantify deep tissue hemodynamics in a patient-derived orthotopic xenograft mouse model of clear cell renal cancer undergoing antiangiogenic treatment. A cohort of twenty-two mice were treated with sunitinib and compared to thirteen control untreated mice, and monitored by DRS/DCS. A reduction in total hemoglobin concentration (THC, p = 0.03), oxygen saturation (SO2, p = 0.03) and blood flow index (BFI, p = 0.02) was observed over the treatment course. Early changes in tumor microvascular blood flow and total hemoglobin concentration were correlated with the final microvessel density (p = 0.014) and tumor weight (p = 0.024), respectively. Higher pre-treatment tumor microvascular blood flow was observed in non-responder mice with respect to responder mice, which was statistically predictive of the tumor intrinsic resistance (p = 0.01). This hybrid diffuse optical technique provides a method for predicting tumor intrinsic resistance to antiangiogenic therapy and could be used as predictive biomarker of response to antiangiogenic therapies in pre-clinical models.

The Association between Residential Segregation and Access to Kidney Transplantation: Evidence from a Multistate Cohort Study.

Individuals currently living in neighborhoods historically influenced by racial segregation have reduced access to healthcare. Whether this is true for individuals with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) seeking transplant is unknown. We identified Black or White adults (n = 42,401; 18-80 years) with ESKD initiating kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in three US States (Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina) between January 2015 and December 2019, with follow-up through 2020, from the United States Renal Data System (USRDS). Residential segregation was defined using the racial Index of Concentration at the Extremes and classified into tertiles (predominantly Black, mixed, or predominantly White neighborhoods). Primary outcomes were referral within 12-months of KRT initiation (among patients initiating KRT) and evaluation within six-months of referral (among all referred patients), determined via linkage of USRDS to the Early-Steps to Transplant Access Registry. Secondary outcomes included waitlisting (among evaluated patients), and living or deceased donor transplant (among waitlisted patients). The association between residential segregation and each outcome was assessed using multivariable Cox models with robust sandwich variance estimators. In models adjusted for clinical factors, individuals living in predominantly Black or mixed (vs. predominantly White) neighborhoods were 8% (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.92 [0.88 - 0.96]) and 5% (aHR: 0.95 [0.91 - 0.99]) less likely to be referred for a kidney transplant, 18% (aHR: 0.82 [0.76 - 0.90]) and 9% (aHR: 0.91 [0.84 - 0.98]) less likely to be waitlisted among those who started evaluation, and 54% (aHR: 0.46 [0.36 - 0.58]) and 24% (aHR: 0.76 [0.63 - 0.93]) less likely to receive a living donor kidney transplant among those who were waitlisted, respectively. For other transplant steps, associations were non-significant. Individuals with ESKD living in historically and currently marginalized communities in the Southeast US have reduced access to important steps along the transplant care continuum.

GC-MS Analysis and Evaluation of Combination effect of Syzygium cumini L. Skeels Ethanolic Seed Extract and Vancomycin against Clinical Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Syzygium cumini (L.) has been traditionally used as an antimicrobial agent and is potential to be developed. The ethanol extract of S. cumini seed was obtained through maceration and assessed for its antibacterial activity using a dilution method, with extract concentrations of 1.625; 3.125; 6.25; 12.5, and 25mg/ml. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) of the extract-antibiotic combination against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus were determined. Phytochemical screening was performed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and the result revealed the presence of 22 compounds in S. cumini ethanolic seed extract, including fatty acids (69.63%), sesquiterpenes (11.29%), monoterpenes (2.94%), steroids (6.06%), and others (8.59%). The MIC of the single extract and vancomycin against the tested bacteria was 0.78mg/ml and 2µg/ml, respectively. The lowest concentration (MIC) of the extract-vancomycin combination inhibiting the growth of MRSA was 0.39mg/ml. The FICI value was 1.5, suggesting indifferent interaction between the extract and antibiotic.

Community Privilege and Unplanned Surgery for Access-Sensitive Surgical Conditions.

We sought to define the association of privilege on rates of unplanned surgery and perioperative outcomes for access-sensitive surgical conditions. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are critical in influencing timely access to healthcare. Privilege represents a right, benefit, advantage, or opportunity that positively influences all SDOH. The California Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) database identified patients who underwent abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, ventral hernia repair, or colectomy for colon cancer between 2017 and 2020 and was merged using ZIP codes with the Index of Concentration of Extremes, a validated measure of racial and economic privilege obtained from the American Community Survey. Clustered multivariable regression was performed to assess the association between privilege and outcomes. Among 185,316 patients who underwent a surgical procedure for one of three access-sensitive surgical conditions, roughly 1 in 5 individuals resided in areas with the highest (Q5; n=37,308; 20.1%) or lowest (Q1; n=36,352, 19.6%) privilege. Nearly one-half of the surgeries were unplanned (n=88,814, 46.9%), and colectomy for colon cancer was the most performed emergent procedure. Patients residing in the lowest privileged areas had higher rates of unplanned surgery compared with those residing in the highest privilege (Q1; 55.4% vs. 39.4%; referent: Q5; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.23, 95%CI 1.16-1.31; P<0.001). For each access-sensitive surgical condition, patients in the least privileged areas were more likely to experience higher rates of inpatient mortality (Q1; 3.1% vs. 2.1%; referent: Q5; adjusted OR, 1.41, 95%CI 1.24-1.60; P<0.001), perioperative complications (Q1; 30.4% vs. Q5; 23.8%; referent: Q5; adjusted OR, 1.24, 95%CI 1.18-1.31; P<0.001) and extended hospital stays (Q1; 26.3% vs. 20.1%; referent: Q5; adjusted OR, 1.16, 95%CI 1.09-1.22; P<0.001). Privilege was associated with rates of unplanned surgery and adverse clinical outcomes. This indicates the role privilege as a key SDOH that influences patient access to and quality of surgical care.

Exploring the Antibiofilm Effect of Sertraline in Synergy with Cinnamomum verum Essential Oil to Counteract Candida Species.

The emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens, resulting in antimicrobial resistance, continue to compromise our capability to handle commonly occurring infectious diseases. The rapid global spread of multi-drug-resistant pathogens, particularly systemic fungal infections, presents a significant concern, as existing antimicrobial drugs are becoming ineffective against them. In recent decades, there has been a notable increase in systemic fungal infections, primarily caused by Candida species, which are progressively developing resistance to azoles. Moreover, Candida species biofilms are among the most common in clinical settings. In particular, they adhere to biomedical devices, growing as a resilient biofilm capable of withstanding extraordinarily high antifungal concentrations. In recent years, many research programs have concentrated on the development of novel compounds with possible antimicrobial effects to address this issue, and new sources, such as plant-derived antimicrobial compounds, have been thoroughly investigated. Essential oils (EOs), among their numerous pharmacological properties, exhibit antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral activities and have been examined at a global scale as the possible origin of novel antimicrobial compounds. A recent work carried out by our research group concerned the synergistic antibacterial activities of commercially available and chemically characterized Cinnamomum verum L. essential oil (C. verum EO) in association with sertraline, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor whose repositioning as a non-antibiotic drug has been explored over the years with encouraging results. The aim of this work was to explore the synergistic effects of C. verum EO with sertraline on both planktonic and sessile Candida species cells. Susceptibility testing and testing of the synergism of sertraline and C. verum EO against planktonic and sessile cells were performed using a broth microdilution assay and checkerboard methods. A synergistic effect was evident in both the planktonic cells and mature biofilms, with significant reductions in fungal viability. Indeed, the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was lower than 0.5 for all the associations, thus indicating significant synergism of the associations with the Candida strains examined. Moreover, the concentrations of sertraline able to inhibit Candida spp. strain growth and biofilm formation significantly decreased when it was used in combination with C. verum EO for all the strains considered, with a reduction percentage in the amount of each associated component ranging from 87.5% to 97%.

Combinatory Use of hLF(1-11), a Synthetic Peptide Derived from Human Lactoferrin, and Fluconazole/Amphotericin B against Malassezia furfur Reveals a Synergistic/Additive Antifungal Effect.

The increasing resistance of Malassezia yeasts against commonly used antifungal drugs dictates the need for novel antifungal compounds. Human lactoferrin-based peptides show a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. Various assays were performed to find the optimal growth conditions of the yeasts and to assess cell viability, using media with low lipid content to avoid peptide binding to medium components. In the current study, we tested the antimicrobial susceptibility of 30 strains of M. furfur that cover the known IGS1 genotypic variation. hLF(1-11) inhibited the growth of all species tested, resulting in minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) values ranging from 12.5 to 100 μg/mL. In the combinatory tests, the majority of fractional inhibitory concentration indexes (FIC) for the tested strains of M. furfur were up to 1.0, showing that there is a synergistic or additive effect on the efficacy of the antifungal drugs when used in combination with hLF(1-11). Results showed that hLF(1-11) could be combined with fluconazole or amphotericin for the antimicrobial treatment of resistant strains, enhancing the potency of these antifungal drugs, resulting in an improved outcome for the patient.

Endocrine cancer trends 1990-2021: global disparities and health inequalities.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of global, continental, and national trends in the prevalence and mortality of prostate cancer (PC), breast cancer (BC), and thyroid cancer (TC). Utilizing 2021 Global Burden of Diseases (GBD2021) data, prevalence and death rates for 2021 were examined, with temporal trends from 1990 to 2021 analyzed via Joinpoint regression. Annual percentage change (APC) and average APC (AAPC) were calculated with 95% CI. Distributive inequalities were quantified using the slope index of inequality and concentration index. In 2021, PC, BC, and TC showed higher global age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR) in Europe and America compared to Africa and Asia, while higher age-standardized death rates (ASDR) for PC and BC were noted in Africa. Over the study period, significant global increases in ASPR were observed for PC (AAPC = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.67 to 0.89), BC (AAPC = 0.31, 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.37), and TC (AAPC = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.31 to 1.52). Conversely, ASDR significantly decreased for PC (AAPC = -0.83, 95% CI: -0.92 to -0.74), BC (AAPC = -0.48, 95% CI: -0.56 to -0.39), and TC (AAPC = -0.23, 95% CI: -0.29 to -0.17). Variations were observed across continents and time periods, affecting 204 countries and territories. Higher Social Development Index (SDI) levels were associated with a more pronounced burden of these cancers. The findings highlight significant global heterogeneity in prevalence, death rates, and temporal trends of endocrine cancers, with important implications for epidemiology and public health policies.

Socioeconomic determinants of child malnutrition: Evidence from Ethiopia

In this research, I examined the role of socioeconomic variations in the prevalence of stunting and underweight among children in Ethiopia. The study aimed to identify key health factors contributing to these disparities in child malnutrition by utilizing concentration indices, concentration curves, and regression-based decomposition analysis. Despite a notable decline in the average rates of stunting and underweight prevalence, the relative and absolute gaps between different demographic and socioeconomic groups have widened in Ethiopia. The empirical analysis revealed that higher levels of maternal education and household wealth significantly benefited children from better socioeconomic backgrounds, making them less likely to experience malnutrition. The disparity in socioeconomic status is the primary driver of inequalities in child malnutrition. The findings suggest that to reduce these disparities, national health policies should focus on promoting maternal literacy and targeting interventions for underprivileged groups.

Indicators of iron metabolism in regular donors of blood platelets and plasma

Introduction. The high frequency of medical withdrawals from donatio ns due to a decrease in hemoglobin levels and the negative impact on the motivation and return to donation of temporarily withdrawn individuals dictates the need to study the effect of exfusion of blood and its components on iron metabolism.Aim: to evaluate the iron metabolism indicators in regular donors of platelets and plasma.Materials and methods. 99 platelet donors and 90 blood plasma donors who regularly participated in donations were examined. The comparison group consisted of 158 healthy individuals who had not previously donated blood and its components. Hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, erythrocyte count and erythrocyte indices were assessed. The concentration levels of ferritin, iron, transferrin in blood serum as well as the values of total and unsaturated iron-binding capacity of se rum were studied, and the saturation coefficient of transferrin was calculated.Results. In men who donated platelets, a statistically significant decrease in the red blood cells count (p = 0.001), hematocrit (p = 0.014) and ferritin concentration (p &lt; 0.001) were found relative to those in the comparison group: 4.8×1012/l, 42.0 %, 28.9 ng/ml versus 5.0×1012/l, 44.0 %, 74.2 ng/ml respectively. In regular donors a significant increase in the medium of hemoglobin of red blood cells was noted: 30.8 pg (p = 0.008) and 31.4 pg (p &lt; 0.001) in men and 30.2 pg (p = 0.030) and 31.0 pg (p &lt; 0.001) in women with platelet and plasma exfusions respectively compared to 29.4 pg in men and 29.6 pg in women who participated in donation for the first time. In plasma donors of both sexes, the values of hemoglobin and its average concentration in the erythrocyte were significantly higher than in first-time donors: 154.0 g/l (p = 0.008), 35.7 g/dl (p &lt; 0.001) and 138.0 g/l (p &lt; 0.001), 35.2 g/dl (p &lt; 0.001) versus 146.0 g/l, 33.6 g/dl and 129.0 g/l, 33.8 g/dl in men and women, respectively.Conclusion. To prevent the development of iron deficiency in donors of blood components it is necessary to monitor the con-centration of serum ferritin and correct its reduced values by changing the donation regimen or prescribing iron-containing drugs. When selecting donors, attention should be paid to the frequency of apheresis, especially in men who regularly donate platelets.

Understanding Socioeconomic Inequalities in Zero-Dose Children for Vaccination in Underserved Settings of Ethiopia: Decomposition Analysis Approach.

Despite considerable global efforts to enhance vaccine distribution in low-income countries, a significant number of children remain unvaccinated, particularly in Ethiopia. The underlying socioeconomic challenges in these regions are recognized as primary contributors to the low vaccination rates. However, the reasons for this persistent disparity in Ethiopia's remote and underserved regions need further analysis. The study employed a cross-sectional design and was conducted as part of the Project HOPE Zero-Dose Evaluation from 1 February to 31 July 2022. Concentration indices were utilized to quantify the extent of inequality, with further decomposition aimed at identifying contributing factors to this disparity. The findings underscored that populations with lower socioeconomic status encounter high numbers of children receiving no vaccinations. Key factors influencing the number of zero-dose children included distance from healthcare facilities (61.03%), economic status of the household (38.93%), absence of skilled birth assistance (20.36%), underutilization of antenatal care services (<four visits; 8.66%), lack of postnatal care (8.62%), and rural residency (7.69%). To reduce the number of zero-dose children in Ethiopia, it is essential to implement context-specific strategies that address socioeconomic barriers and integrate innovative approaches with community engagement. This approach will help to ensure equitable access to vaccines for children across all socioeconomic statuses.

Pakistan’s path to universal health coverage: national and regional insights

BackgroundUniversal Health Coverage (UHC) is a common health policy objective outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals. With provincial governments taking the initiative, Pakistan has implemented and extended UHC program amid a complex public health landscape. In this context, we assess Pakistan’s progress toward achieving UHC at the national and subnational level.MethodsWe use data from the Demographic and Health Surveys and the Household Integrated Economic Survey to construct a UHC index at the national and subnational level for 2007, 2013, and 2018. Furthermore, we use Concentration Index (CI) and CI decomposition methodologies to assess the primary drivers of inequality in accessing medical services. Logistic regression and Sartori’s two-step model are applied to examine the key determinants of catastrophic health expenditure (CHE).ResultsOur analysis underscores Pakistan’s steady progress toward UHC, while revealing significant provincial disparities in UHC progress. Provinces with lower poverty rate achieve higher UHC index, which highlights the synergy of poverty alleviation and UHC expansion. Among the examined indicators, child immunization remains a key weakness that one third of the children are not fully vaccinated and one sixth of these not-fully-vaccinated children have never received any vaccination. Socioeconomic status emerges as a main contributor to disparities in accessing medical services, albeit with a declining trend over time. Household socioeconomic status is negatively correlated with CHE incidence, indicating that wealthier households are less susceptible to CHE. For individuals experiencing CHE, medicine expenditure takes the highest share of their health spending, registering a staggering 70% in 2018.ConclusionPakistan’s progress toward UHC aligns closely with its economic development trajectory and policy efforts in expanding UHC program. However, economic underdevelopment and provincial disparities persist as significant hurdles on Pakistan’s journey toward UHC. We suggest continued efforts in UHC program expansion with a focus on policy consistency and fiscal support, combined with targeted interventions to alleviate poverty in the underdeveloped provinces.