Control Levels Research Articles

Data-Driven Batch Process Monitoring for Continuous Annealing of Cold-Rolled Strip Steel

The continuous annealing process (CAP) is a crucial process of steel production, which has a significant impact on the uniformity and stability of mechanical properties. A novel batch monitoring process based on kernel dissimilarity (KDISSIM) and Kmeans++ is proposed in this paper, focusing on problems such as unequal sample lengths between batches and nonlinearity between variables. First, KDISSIM is used to describe the dissimilarity between batches. Secondly, Kmeans++ is employed to improve the accuracy of clustering tasks based on historical batches. The largest cluster is considered to be at a relatively stable control level, and these batches are further used as training data. Then, the center batch and boundary batch of the training set are used as the reference batch and monitoring threshold for the monitoring model, respectively. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified via the actual CAP data, providing a feasible solution for CAP batch monitoring.

Effects of drought on photosynthetic induction in leaves of different wheat genotypes under dark-to-light transition

Adjustment of photosynthetic processes to an increase in irradiance constrains the CO2 assimilation and photosynthetic carbon gain compared to that which would be obtained if photosynthesis reached its terminal value instantaneously. Acceleration of photosynthesis induction under field conditions of fluctuating light opens up new perspectives for increasing yields. However, there is little information on response of photosynthetic processes to changes in the light under drought conditions. In a pot experiment, we have studied the peculiarities of response of CO2- and H2O-gas exchange parameters in flag leaves of 3 winter wheat genotypes to a transition from dark to bright light under drought conditions, to reveal the features of drought effect on photosynthetic induction processes. The plants were exposed to a 7-day drought (30% FC) during the flowering stage. After that, the watering of the treated plants was restored to the control level (70% FC), which was maintained until the end of the growing season. Induction curves of CO2 assimilation and transpiration of the flag leaves were recorded after keeping them in the darkness for 30 minutes, then the light was turned on. It was revealed that drought impacts the photosynthetic apparatus by reducing its maximum functional intensity as well as by diminishing its ability to respond to changing light conditions. Specifically, drought slows the rate of gas exchange increase during transitions from dark to light. High-yielding wheat genotypes, which had higher assimilation rates and stomatal conductance under optimal watering, showed increased sensitivity to drought. The reduction in the CO2 assimilation rate in wheat leaves under drought was primarily due to damage to the photosynthetic apparatus in mesophyll cells, rather than inhibition of stomatal conductance. This conclusion is supported by Ci value calculations, which were highest at the lowest CO2 assimilation rate at the beginning of light exposure and lowest at the highest CO2 assimilation rate when reaching a steady-state plateau. The stronger impact of the drought on the biochemical components of the photosynthetic apparatus than on stomata is also suggested by a decrease in instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEi) during photosynthesis. The genotypic differences in the effects of drought on the dynamics of photosynthetic induction parameters during dark-to-light transitions in wheat leaves suggest the potential of these traits for evaluating breeding material. This could enhance the ecological plasticity of new wheat varieties.

Efficacy and safety of moxibustion as a complementary and alternative therapy for asthma: A systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of moxibustion as a complementary or alternative treatment for asthma. MethodsSeven databases were searched up to June 23, 2024, to identify RCTs assessing moxibustion for bronchial asthma. The outcomes of interest included response to treatment, asthma control, quality of life, lung function, immunological indicators, and incidence of adverse events (AEs). The treatment effects were measured by proportional odds ratios or mean differences with 95% confidence intervals. ResultsThirty-seven RCTs (n = 2,879) were included. Moderate- to very low-quality evidence showed that compared with anti-asthmatic drugs alone, moxibustion plus anti-asthmatic drugs led to a significantly better response and greater increases in lung function, asthma control, and IgE levels. However, the combination therapy had no effect on children’s quality of life. In the active comparisons, moxibustion resulted in a superior response to treatment and a greater improvement in asthma control and had comparable effects on lung function, quality of life, and IgE levels compared with anti-asthmatic drugs. The effects of moxibustion on the proportions of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells and the eosinophil count were inconsistent between the add-on and active comparisons. All reported AEs related to moxibustion were mild. ConclusionsMoxibustion, as an adjunctive treatment or used alone, may improve the response to treatment, lung function, asthma control, and IgE levels in patients with asthma with good safety. Its effects on children’s quality of life and immune cell levels remain uncertain.

Correlations of Socioeconomic and Clinical Determinants with United States County-Level Stroke Prevalence.

Socioeconomic status (SES) is a multi-faceted theoretical construct associated with stroke risk and outcomes. Knowing which SES measures best correlate with population stroke metrics would improve its accounting in observational research and inform interventions. Using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Population Level Analysis and Community Estimates (PLACES) and other publicly available databases, we conducted an ecological study comparing correlations of different United States county-level SES, health care access and clinical risk factor measures with age-adjusted stroke prevalence. The prevalence of adults living below 150% of the federal poverty level most strongly correlated with stroke prevalence compared to other SES and non-SES measures (correlation coefficient = 0.908, R2 = 0.825; adjusted partial correlation coefficient: 0.589, R2 = 0.347). ANN NEUROL 2024;96:739-744.

Effects of 9 Weeks of High- or Moderate-Intensity Training on Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Inhibitory Control, and Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Danish Adolescents-A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The primary aims of this study were to examine the effects of 9 weeks of aerobic training, comprising three 30-min sessions per week, on V̇O2max, inhibitory control, and plasma brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels among adolescents aged 16-19 years. One hundred twenty-one untrained or recreationally active adolescents from a Danish high school were enrolled in the study, with 58 females (17.8 ± 0.8 years) and 27 males (18.0 ± 0.9 years) completing it. Participants were randomly divided into three groups performing aerobic training at either moderate-intensity (MIT: 60%-70% heart rate reserve [HRR]) or high-intensity (HIT: 80%-100% HRR) or a passive control group (CON) continuing their habitual lifestyle. Both the training groups exercised for 3×30 min per week for 9 weeks using a combination of cycling and running. Before and after the intervention period maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) and the primary outcomes (inhibitory control measured by a modified flanker task, and resting plasma levels of BDNF) were evaluated. After the intervention period, the HIT group demonstrated a larger increase in V̇O2max compared to both the CON and MIT groups, while no significant effects were observed on inhibitory control or plasma BDNF levels in any training group. However, compared to the CON group, the HIT group exhibited a tendency for greater improvement in the flanker interference score (accuracy), attributable to enhanced accuracy on the incongruent stimuli from pre to post. Aerobic training in adolescents increased cardiorespiratory fitness in an intensity-dependent manner, but no clear effects were observed on neither inhibitory control nor resting plasma BDNF levels. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02075944.

May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from the UK and Republic of Ireland.

We participated in the UK and Republic of Ireland May Measurement Month 2021 (MMM21) campaign to raise awareness about blood pressure (BP) measurement and the dangers posed by elevated BP and hypertension. In addition, the campaign aimed to collect and report levels of BP awareness and control in the community setting. The MMM21 campaign set up opportunistic community screening sites at hospitals, general practice (GP) surgeries, community pharmacies, gyms, and various other public places. The campaign screened 1322 participants (mean age 46 years, 55% women) and found that 522 (39.5%) had hypertension (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication) at the time of testing. Of the 522 participants identified with hypertension, only 47.2% were aware of their condition. Of those on antihypertensive medication, only 45.7% had controlled BP (systolic BP < 140 mmHg and diastolic BP < 90 mmHg), and of all hypertensives, only 19.0% were controlled. Our UK and Ireland data continue to shed further light on low levels of awareness and control of hypertension in the UK and Ireland community setting. This evidence supports a critical need to further highlight the importance of identifying and taking action against raised BP.

The Impacts of Centralized Control on Mixed Traffic Network Performance: A Strategic Games Analysis

Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS) address contemporary transportation challenges, as Connected Vehicles (CVs) can play a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency and safety. The role of central governing authorities in shaping traffic management policies for CVs influences decision-making processes and system performance. In this work, the role of central governing authorities in the traffic management of a mixed traffic network is examined, integrating System Optimum principles with game theory. More specifically, we introduce and develop a framework that models and analyses the strategic interactions between different stakeholders in a mixed traffic environment, considering central governing authorities with varying levels of control. The results indicate how the various levels of control of a central governing authority may have an impact on the network in terms of traffic measures. Through a strategic games analysis, the trade-offs associated with centralized control mechanisms are demonstrated and recommendations are offered for policymakers and practitioners to optimize traffic management strategies.

Combining Metabolomics and Machine Learning to Identify Diagnostic and Prognostic Biomarkers in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Pre- and Post-Radiation Therapy.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for over 85% of cases and poor prognosis in advanced stages. This study explored shifts in circulating metabolite levels in NSCLC patients versus healthy controls and examined the effects of conventionally fractionated radiation therapy (CFRT) and stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). We enrolled 91 NSCLC patients (38 CFRT and 53 SBRT) and 40 healthy controls. Plasma metabolite levels were assessed using semi-targeted metabolomics, revealing 32 elevated and 18 reduced metabolites in patients. Key discriminatory metabolites included ethylmalonic acid, maltose, 3-phosphoglyceric acid, taurine, glutamic acid, glycocolic acid, and d-arabinose, with a combined Receiver Operating Characteristics curve indicating perfect discrimination between patients and controls. CFRT and SBRT affected different metabolites, but both changes suggested a partial normalization of energy and amino acid metabolism pathways. In conclusion, metabolomics identified distinct metabolic signatures in NSCLC patients with potential as diagnostic biomarkers. The differing metabolic responses to CFRT and SBRT reflect their unique therapeutic impacts, underscoring the utility of this technique in enhancing NSCLC diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

May Measurement Month 2021: an analysis of blood pressure screening results from Argentina.

Hypertension continues to be the leading cause of death and disability in the industrialized world, with a high level of unawareness and unacceptably poor control rates. Therefore, the Argentinian Society of Hypertension, in association with the May Measurement Month (MMM) charity, implemented an awareness campaign during May 2021. A voluntary cross-sectional survey was carried out during the month of May 2021 in public spaces and health centres across 29 cities in Argentina. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (BP) ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg based on the mean of the second and third of three BP measurements or in those volunteers on treatment for high BP. Statistical analysis including multiple imputation followed the MMM protocol. A total of 26 070 individuals (average age 53.4 years, 14 816 women and 11 254 men) were evaluated. The age- and sex-standardized mean BP was 125.1/77.6 mmHg. Of all participants, 54.4% had hypertension. Although 79.8% of the hypertensive participants were aware of their condition and 76.9% were on antihypertensive treatment, only 42.5% of all individuals with hypertension had their BP controlled (<140/90 mmHg). Of those on antihypertensive medication, 55.3% were controlled. The low level of hypertension control highlights the critical need for community-based prevention strategies to increase the awareness and control of hypertension, thereby reducing the enormous health burden attributed to this condition.

Relationship between perceived learner control and student engagement in various study activities in a blended course in higher education

AbstractIn this study, we investigated the relationship between perceived learner control and student engagement in a blended course. Data were collected from 110 s-year bachelor students through weekly questionnaires to gather information about how they perceived their learner control and engagement in various study activities, including reading literature, watching knowledge clips, doing assignments, attending workgroups, and attending lectures. Most students perceived the knowledge clips and workgroups positively because of their clear structure and interactive elements, respectively. In addition, perceived learner control, behavioral engagement, and emotional engagement varied across different activities, whereas cognitive engagement had a similar moderate score across the activities. No significant positive relationships were found between students' perceived learner control and engagement. However, negative relationships between perceived learner control and cognitive and behavioral engagement were found for reading literature, and a negative relationship between perceived learner control and cognitive engagement was identified for attending lectures. We conclude that, in general, perceived learner control is not a significant factor for student engagement in blended learning. However, for particular activities, student engagement may increase as their perceived learner control decreases. The results extend the understanding of the relationship between perceived learner and student engagement, which varied at an activity level. Additionally, the findings suggest that teachers could consider enhancing student engagement by assigning different levels of learner control to students based on their needs.

Targeted Antioxidant Therapy Reduces Hyperglycemic Exacerbation of Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

IntroductionAcute hyperglycemia (HG) enhances inflammatory and oxidative stress and exacerbates myocardial infarct size during ischemia-reperfusion injury by activating splenic leukocytes. Formyl peptide receptor 1 (FPR1) on leukocytes is activated by and mediates myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. We hypothesize that selective FPR1 antagonist cinnamoyl-F-(D)L-F-(D)L-F (CF) or potent reducing agent tris (2-carboxyethyl) phosphine hydrochloride (TCEP) could abrogate hyperglycemic infarct exacerbation, both alone and synergistically via a novel CF-TCEP compound that would target leukocytes for antioxidative effect. MethodsAcute HG was induced in wild type mice with an intraperitoneal dextrose injection followed by left coronary artery occlusion (30 min) and reperfusion (60 min). In treatment groups, CF (0.1 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg), TCEP (1 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg), or the CF-TCEP conjugate (0.1 mg/kg) was administered intravenously before reperfusion. The hearts were harvested to measure infarct size (IF). ResultsHG resulted in >50% increase in IF compared to euglycemic mice (52.1 ± 3.0 versus 34.0 ± 3.2%, P < 0.05). Neither CF nor TCEP independently exerted an infarct-sparing effect at lower doses (46.2 ± 2.1% or 50.9 ± 4.1%, P > 0.05 versus HG control) but at high doses, significantly attenuated IF exacerbation (23.2 ± 5.2% or 33.9 ± 3.6%, P < 0.05 versus HG control). However, the low-dose CF-TCEP conjugate significantly reduced IF (39.1 ± 1.7%, P < 0.05 versus HG control). IF was decreased to near euglycemic control levels (P > 0.05). ConclusionsThe CF-TECP conjugate synergistically attenuated HG infarct exacerbation at significantly lower respective doses of CF and TCEP. In addition to the intrinsic anti-inflammatory effect of blocking FPR1, CF is also a feasible tool for leukocyte-targeted therapy to treat IRI.

Dulaglutide rescues the elevated testicular dysfunction in a mouse model of high-fat diet-induced obesity

Obesity is a well-known risk factor for testicular function; however, dulaglutide's effect on the testis in obesity has received little attention. Currently, clinicians prescribe the antidiabetic drug dulaglutide only off-label for weight management in non-diabetics. Investigating the impact of this novel compound on obesity is critical for determining whether it has any disruptive effects on testicular cells. We used a well-known animal model of high-fat diet-induced obesity in this investigation, and testicular dysfunction was determined by sperm DNA damage, spermatocyte chromosomal abnormalities, and spermiogram analysis. Following a 12-week high-fat diet challenge, mice were randomly assigned to dulaglutide (0.6 mg/kg/day) or saline treatments for five weeks. Testes and sperm cells were collected 24 h after the last dulaglutide injection. Untreated obese mice had a lower testes/body weight ratio, more sperm DNA damage, diakinesis-metaphase I chromosomal abnormalities, a lower sperm count/motility, more cell morphological defects, and an altered testicular redox balance. In obese mice, dulaglutide injection efficiently restored all disturbed parameters to their control levels. Dulaglutide injection into healthy mice exhibited no significant harmful effects at the applied regimen. As a result, we infer that dulaglutide therapy might bring obese men additional benefits by recovering testicular dysfunction induced by obesity.

Atopic Dermatitis Treatment with Topical Therapy Alone Results in Persistent Elevated Disease Severity and High Disease Control Dissatisfaction: Real-World Health Care Professional and Patient Perspectives

Background: Given the changing treatment landscape in atopic dermatitis (AD), it is important to understand real-world disease severity and health care professional (HCP) and patient treatment expectations and goals. This study assesses HCP-reported current disease severity and rates of HCP and patient dissatisfaction with current disease control in patients with a history of moderate-to-severe AD. Methods: This study was an analysis of data from the United States Adelphi AD Disease Specific Programme™, a cross-sectional, descriptive, real-world study of HCP-completed medical records and patient surveys including retrospective data. The study included patients with a current diagnosis or a history of moderate-to-severe AD. HCPs provided information on current AD severity and treatments. Both HCPs and patients provided information on satisfaction with disease control on current treatment, and reasons for any dissatisfaction. Patients were stratified by their current treatment (systemic + topicals, systemic only, or topicals only). Systemic treatments included injectable biologics, oral small molecules, oral and injected corticosteroids, and immunosuppressants; topical treatments included corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, crisaborole, and ruxolitinib. Results A total of 146 HCPs (70 dermatologists, 19 allergists/immunologists, and 57 primary care practitioners) provided data for 747 patients, 215 of whom filled out a patient survey. Based on defined systemic and topical treatments, there were 191 (26%) patients on systemic + topical therapy, 143 (19%) patients on systemics only, and 200 (27%) patients on topicals only. Dissatisfaction rates for AD disease control on current treatment were reported by HCPs and patients for systemic + topicals [20%, 21%], systemic only [10%, 11%], and topicals only [23%, 30%]). The most common reasons for patient dissatisfaction with AD control were the “constant problem of itch,” “lack of clear skin,” “skin lesions that were visible to other people,” and “unresolved flaring.” Despite extended mean treatment duration (MTD), HCPs reported current moderate-to-severe disease severity in 64% of patients on systemic + topicals (MTD 496 days), 50% on systemics only (MTD 456 days), and 61% on topicals only (MTD 268 days). Conclusion: These descriptive results suggest that many patients still have moderate-to-severe AD despite available treatments. A higher proportion of HCPs and patients were dissatisfied with the current level of disease control when topical therapies alone were prescribed. Patient dissatisfaction with disease control was due to itch, lack of clear skin, visible skin lesions, and flares.

Effect of Nitrogen Application Rate on the Relationships between Multidimensional Plant Diversity and Ecosystem Production in a Temperate Steppe.

Nitrogen (N) deposition, as one of the global change drivers, can alter terrestrial plant diversity and ecosystem function. However, the response of the plant diversity-ecosystem function relationship to N deposition remains unclear. On one hand, in the previous studies, taxonomic diversity (i.e., species richness, SR) was solely considered the common metric of plant diversity, compared to other diversity metrics such as phylogenetic and functional diversity. On the other hand, most previous studies simulating N deposition only included two levels of control versus N enrichment. How various N deposition rates affect multidimensional plant diversity-ecosystem function relationships is poorly understood. Here, a field manipulative experiment with a N addition gradient (0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, and 64 g N m-2 yr-1) was carried out to examine the effects of N addition rates on the relationships between plant diversity metrics (taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity) and ecosystem production in a temperate steppe. Production initially increased and reached the maximum value at the N addition rate of 47 g m-2 yr-1, then decreased along the N-addition gradient in the steppe. SR, functional diversity calculated using plant height (FDis-Height) and leaf chlorophyll content (FDis-Chlorophyll), and phylogenetic diversity (net relatedness index, NRI) were reduced, whereas community-weighted means of plant height (CWMHeight) and leaf chlorophyll content (CWMChlorophyll) were enhanced by N addition. N addition did not affect the relationships of SR, NRI, and FDis-Height with production but significantly affected the strength of the correlation between FDis-Chlorophyll, CWMHeight, and CWMChlorophyll with biomass production across the eight levels of N addition. The findings indicate the robust relationships of taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity and production and the varying correlations between functional diversity and production under increased N deposition in the temperate steppe, highlighting the importance of a trait-based approach in studying the plant diversity-ecosystem function under global change scenarios.

Agent-Based Spatial Dynamic Modeling of Diatraea saccharalis and the Natural Parasites Cotesia flavipes and Trichogramma galloi in Sugarcane Crops

In recent years, sugarcane production areas in Brazil have experienced a slower evolution in productivity, and one of the reasons for this is related to the increase in phytosanitary problems, such as the presence of pests. Nevertheless, limited attention has been paid to the development of tools for simulating the spatial dynamics of pests, including their impact on production. This study aims to simulate the potential population growth and dispersal of Diatraea saccharalis (sugarcane borer) in sugarcane crop fields and its estimated impacts on this crop production and to simulate biological control strategies. We developed an agent-based model to simulate the pest population and its dispersal in a one-hectare sugarcane crop field in Pederneiras, São Paulo, Brazil, delimited with the aid of satellite imagery, considering two scenarios: the first without biological control and the second with biological control using the parasites Trichogramma galloi and Cotesia flavipes. The model was developed using the NetLogo 6.3.0 software. The results indicate that the model accurately reproduced the infestation rates reported in the literature. Additionally, it provided insights into expected pest dispersal, potential production losses, and how the use of T. galloi in association with C. flavipes could mitigate production losses. We believe that the model can be used to simulate different biological control strategies and the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) to achieve adequate control levels and greater productivity in sugarcane production.

Deregulation of MicroRNA-146a and 155 expression levels might underlie complicated pregnancy in Toxoplasma Gondii seronegative women

BackgroundTo evaluate the ability of the estimated plasma expression levels of genes of microRNA (MiR-) 146a and 155 to differentiate between samples of pregnant women suspected to be infected by T. gondii. 50 newly pregnant women who had at least one of the criteria of high risk for toxoplasma infection and 50 newly primigravida women free of these criteria gave blood samples for qualitative determination of serum toxoplasma antibodies and estimation of plasma expression levels of MiR-146a and 155 using the qRT-PCR. During the pregnancy course, the incidence of pregnancy complications was recorded.ResultsTwenty-six women were IgM−/IgG−, 17 women were IgM+/IgG− and 7 women were IgM+/IgG+. Thirty-two women had pregnancy complications with significantly lower incidence in IgM−/IgG− women. Plasma expression levels of MiR-146a and 155 were significantly higher in total patients compared to control levels and were significantly higher in samples of IgM+/IgG+ patients than in other samples. Statistical analyses defined a high plasma level of MiR-155 as the highly significant predictor for oncoming pregnancy complications and high levels of both microRNAs as predictors for the presence of toxoplasmosis despite seronegativity. Kaplan-Meier regression analysis defined increasing cumulative risk of having toxoplasmosis despite seronegativity with plasma levels of MiR-146a and MiR-155 of 1.2 and 3, respectively.ConclusionThe incidence of pregnancy complications is high, irrespective of the seronegativity of women at high risk of toxoplasmosis. Estimated plasma levels of MiR-155 might identify women liable to develop complications and differentiate seronegative women vulnerable to having T. gondii infection.Trial registrationThe study protocol was approved preliminarily by the Local Ethical Committee at Benha Faculty of Medicine. Before enrollment, the study protocol was discussed in detail with the study participants, and those accepted to participate in the study signed written fully informed consents. The final approval of the study protocol was obtained after the end of case collection and registered by RC: 5-11-2022.

Maternal Hypertensive Disorder in Pregnancy and Childhood Strabismus in Offspring

Maternal hypertensive disorder in pregnancy (HDP) might affect ocular health in offspring; however, its association with strabismus remains unclear. To examine the association of maternal HDP with overall and type-specific strabismus in offspring. In the Jiangsu Birth Cohort study, a population-based study in China, pregnant women were recruited from April 24, 2014, to November 30, 2018. A total of 6195 offspring had maternal HDP diagnosis information, of whom 3078 were excluded due to having no information on ocular alignment or due to having ocular diseases other than strabismus or refractive error. Offspring underwent ocular examinations at 3 years of age, completed May 21, 2022. Data were analyzed from May 28, 2022, through December 15, 2023. Maternal HDP, categorized into hypertension and preeclampsia or with blood pressure (BP) well controlled (systolic BP, <130; diastolic BP, <80 mm Hg) and poorly controlled (systolic BP, ≥130; diastolic BP, ≥80 mm Hg). The primary outcome was the incidence of strabismus in offspring. Poisson generalized linear mixed models were used to estimate the association between maternal HDP and strabismus. Among the included 3117 children (mean [SD] age, 36.30 [0.74] months; 1629 boys [52.3%]), 143 (4.6%) were exposed to maternal HDP and 368 (11.8%) had strabismus. Offspring exposed to maternal HDP had an 82% increased risk of overall strabismus (relative risk [RR], 1.82 [95% CI, 1.21-2.74]), an 82% increased risk of exophoria (RR, 1.82 [95% CI, 1.11-3.00]), and a 136% increased risk of intermittent exotropia (RR, 2.36 [95% CI, 1.13-4.93]) compared with unexposed offspring. When considering the type of maternal HDP, the risk for all strabismus was high for offspring exposed to preeclampsia (RR, 2.38 [95% CI, 1.39-4.09]) compared with unexposed offspring. When considering the BP control level of maternal HDP, the risk for all strabismus was high for offspring born to mothers with HDP and poorly controlled BP (RR, 2.07 [95% CI, 1.32-3.24]) compared with unexposed offspring. These findings suggest that maternal HDP is associated with an increased risk of offspring strabismus. Early screening of strabismus might be recommended for offspring with maternal HDP. Further exploration of the underlying mechanism of the association between HDP and strabismus is warranted.

Melatonin mitigated methotrexate-induced hepatotoxicity through interrelated biological processes.

Hepatotoxicity associated with methotrexate (MTX) is mainly due to disruption of redox balance and development of oxidative injury to hepatocytes. Melatonin (MLT) is a potent antioxidant and regulates wide range of biological functions, processes and utilized as adjuvant for number of medical applications. The current study investigated the mitigating effect of MLT on the MTX-induced hepatotoxicity. Adult male rats received MLT (25mg/kg, orally) for seven days flowed by single injection of MTX (20mg/kg, ip) then treat with MLT continued for additional 7days. The present result showed MLT treatment mitigated histopathological changes in the liver that associated with normalization of ALT and AST activity as well as bilirubin, albumin and alfa-fetoprotein levels in serum of MLT + MTX-treated rat to comparable control level. MLT treatment significantly reduced MDA content and myeloperoxidase activity while enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione content in the liver indicating the empowerment of the antioxidant status. Amelioration of MLT-induced oxidative stress resulted in a reduction in the inflammatory response due to antioxidant restoration and inhibited apoptosis indicated by downregulation of caspase-3 expression. The replenishment of antioxidant content powers the defense system of the hepatocytes. As a result, apoptosis is reduced which might be due to the ability of MLT protect DNA integrity thus maintaining hepatocyte functions and structure. Consequently, liver histology was protected. In summary, MLT modulates liver function and structure by orchestrating linked processes, including redox balance, inflammatory response, suppression of caspase-3, and DNA damage.

Analytical performance of publicly dispensed glucometers in primary health care in a southern Brazilian city

AimsThis study aimed to assess the use of glucometers by patients and the analytical performance of glucometers provided by the primary care services. MethodsThe analytical performance of 48 glucometers Accu-Chek® Active, was assessed through quintuplicate analyses of one Roche and one PNCQ (National Quality Control Program) control sample at different concentrations; 31 were also evaluated by a single proficiency testing sample. The evaluation metrics included imprecision, bias, and total error and were measured according to quality specifications based on biological variation (QSBV). Glucometer users answered a questionnaire regarding their experience. ResultsAmong the 48 glucometers evaluated with internal control samples, 17 met precision criteria at both control levels according to QSBV, while 24 met the criteria at only one control level. Of the 31 glucometers further evaluated through proficiency test, 11 met accuracy criteria according to QSBV, and only one device showed an unacceptable result. Out of these 31, only 15 demonstrated a total error within the acceptable maximum limits based on QSBV. ConclusionsOverall, our findings showed that patients had a good understanding of glucometer usage and suggested that some glucometers should be replaced, as they sometimes failed to meet even the manufacturer’s acceptable variation limits, and/or did not meet QSBV.

Amorphization‐Driven RhRu Bimetallene Enhances Water Dissociation Kinetics

AbstractPhase engineering holds great promise in enhancing the functionalities of nanomaterials by enabling precise control over their phase and morphology. However, achieving this level of control in synthesis remains a significant challenge. In this study, the synthesis of a highly amorphous RhRu (a‐RhRu) bimetallene using a one‐pot wet‐chemical approach is presented. The introduction of a highly amorphous structure allows for the optimization of electron configurations overall structure of a‐RhRu. This catalyst demonstrates exceptional activity in the alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction, with a low overpotential of 32 mV at 10 mA cm−2 and a high turnover frequency (TOF) of 3.06 H2 s−1 at an overpotential of 50 mV, surpassing the performance of most reported Rh‐based electrocatalysts. The findings underscore the potential of phase engineering strategies in electrocatalysis.