Counting Measurements Research Articles

Smartwatches in the assessment of heart failure patients in epidemiology and pathophysiology studies: A scoping review.

A limited number of studies with smartwatches (SWs) investigated their potential in the field of heart failure (HF). The aim of this scoping review is to understand the extent of current literature on SWs in the HF population and the device's potential to improve disease management. The literature search was performed on PubMed and Embase in March 2024. Inclusion criteria included the use of commercialized SWs, HF diagnosis and peer-reviewed publications. Articles were excluded if the SW was not the study intervention or was part of a broader intervention programme. Reviews, case reports and study protocols were excluded. Of 1200 identified articles, 13 were included in the scoping review, encompassing 1171 patients with HF, and findings were presented in a descriptive summary table. Validity of several SW-collected physiological metrics was assessed against established technologies. Heart rate and step count measures were deemed moderately accurate in the HF population with Fitbit trackers (n=5 patients, r=0.54) and Garmin watches [n=15 patients (mean age: 65.5±12.6years), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC)=0.89 for Vivofit 1 and CCC=0.92 for Vivofit 3], respectively, while calorimetry was the least reliable measurement [n=19 patients (mean age: 65.1±6.6years), mean difference to indirect calorimeter: P=0.01 for Fitbit Charge 2, P=0.02 for Mio Slice]. Wrist-worn activity trackers were positively received by patients with HF [91.3% of adherence in research setting (n=70 patients, median age (IQR): 79years (76-82)), and 64% in real-world environment (n=14 patients)]and their health-care providers (six cardiologists out of six acknowledged the data's usefulness), although device ownership ranged from 10 to 50% among the HF population. Physical activity information collected from SWs was found to be valuable in assisting cardiologists with their New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class assessment, which is known for its limited objectivity and reproducibility. Multiple studies found that SWs, especially Fitbit devices, successfully identified a pattern where the degree of exercise intolerance increased with higher NYHA classes. These findings suggested that activity trackers can objectively evaluate the severity of physical activity limitations. As the functional classification of patients influences treatment strategies, SWs could serve as a valuable tool to facilitate and optimize outpatient disease management. SWs could be used as a complement to standard monitoring in HF. With continuous technological advances, it will be valuable to follow the deployment of SWs and to investigate their contribution to increased patient safety and consequently to health care cost reductions.

IgE and Eosinophilia in Newly Arrived Refugees in Denmark: A Cross-Sectional Study of Prevalence and Clinical Management in Primary Care

Refugees have different disease patterns than the population in receiving countries. Furthermore, refugees face barriers to accessing health care services and treatment. The purpose of this study was to describe the prevalence of eosinophilia and elevated IgE levels in refugees and assess the clinical follow-up. Using a cross-sectional study design, we offered health assessments, including eosinophil count and IgE level measurements, to all newly arrived refugees in a Danish municipality from January 2016 to November 2018. In a subgroup, we assessed the clinical follow-up. The study population consisted of 793 refugees, all of whom had eosinophil counts measured, with 411 also having IgE levels measured. Notably, 48.6% were female and most participants originated from Syria, Eritrea, Iran or Afghanistan, with smaller representation from several other countries. Notably, 6.8% had eosinophilia and 32.1% had elevated IgE levels. Syrian origin was associated with a lower prevalence of both biomarkers, and Eritrean origin with a higher prevalence. In a subgroup of 116 participants with abnormal results, general practitioners brought attention to the elevated levels in 50.9% of the cases, and 31.0% of these received a diagnosis related to the findings. In total, 98.3% (114) of patients in the subgroup had contact with their GP following the health assessment. In refugees, eosinophilia and elevated IgE levels are common conditions, and underlying causes are often not diagnosed, potentially leading to inadequate treatment and worse health outcomes.

Clinical and analytical monitoring of patients with multiple sclerosis on anti-CD20 therapeutics: a real-world safety profile study.

Anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies are a class of immunosuppressive drugs widely used in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory diseases, with well-established efficacy and safety. Although rare, these therapies can be associated with serious adverse events including hematological and infectious complications. This study aims to evaluate their safety and tolerability profile in real-world clinical practice. We conducted a retrospective cohort study comprising patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) treated with anti-CD20 drugs since 2016 followed in the Demyelinating Diseases clinic of a tertiary center. Clinical and paraclinical parameters were evaluated, including complete blood count and immunoglobulins measurements. A total of 160 with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) were included in our study, of whom 110 (68.8%) were female and 147 are currently receiving anti-CD20 therapies. Half of the patients were diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, while the remaining had progressive forms, including 23 with primary-progressive MS and 57 with secondary-progressive MS. Eighty-three patients were on ocrelizumab, 48 on rituximab, and 29 on ofatumumab. The mean follow-up duration from the start of anti-CD20 therapy was 30.5 ± 21.3 months. During this period, serious adverse events were observed in 9 patients, including SARS-CoV-2 infection (resulting in one death), urinary tract infection, febrile neutropenia, severe diarrhea, and acute hepatitis. The rate of serious infections in the ocrelizumab subgroup was consistent with the literature, although a higher rate was observed in the rituximab subgroup. A positive correlation was found between serious infectious complications and lower IgG levels. Additionally, longer exposure to anti-CD20 therapy in our cohort was associated with an increased risk of IgG deficiency and a higher incidence of serious infections. Lymphopenia was detected in 25 patients, though it was not directly linked to the occurrence of serious infections. Our work confirms the tolerability and safety of anti-CD20 drugs in a real-world clinical practice MS cohort, despite their frequent association with analytical changes such as lymphopenia and hypogammaglobulinemia. To better understand the clinical significance of hypogammaglobulinemia secondary to anti-CD20 treatment and to develop strategies for mitigating the associated potential infection risk, future studies with larger populations are essential.

The Association Between the CALLY Index and All-Cause Mortality in Patients with COPD: Results from the Cohort Study of NHANES 2007-2010.

The C-reactive protein (CRP)-albumin-lymphocyte (CALLY) index is a newly developed biomarker that combines measurements of CRP, serum albumin, and lymphocyte count. This index provides a thorough assessment of a patient's inflammation level, nutritional condition, and immunological function. The objective of this study is to examine the correlation between the CALLY index and all-cause mortality in COPD patients. We calculated the CALLY index using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for the 2007-2008 and 2009-2010 cycles, extracted from the participants' peripheral blood samples. The study utilized Kaplan-Meier curves, restricted cubic spline (RCS) curves, and Cox regression analysis to evaluate the relationship between the CALLY index and the risk of all-cause mortality in COPD patients. To assess the predictive accuracy of the CALLY index, we calculated the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The study included 1,048 participants and found a significant negative correlation between the CALLY index and all-cause mortality in patients with COPD. The CALLY index was a major predictor of survival in COPD patients [fully adjusted model: in the 3rd quartile, HR = 1.61, 95% CI: 1.02-2.52, p = 0.039; in the 2nd quartile, HR = 2.11, 95% CI: 1.22-3.65, p = 0.008; in the 1st quartile, HR = 3.12, 95% CI: 2.00-4.85, p < 0.001]. The RCS curves demonstrated a non-linear association between the CALLY index and all-cause mortality in COPD patients. The areas under the curve (AUC) in predicting 5- and 10-year all-cause mortality were 0.693 and 0.656. The CALLY index has a strong relationship with all-cause mortality in patients with COPD in the US and could serve as a prognostic biomarker for these patients.

Validation of steps countering recorded with a smartwatch.

Activity trackers are becoming increasingly popular in everyday life, sport and research. Accurate measurement of step counts is essential for understanding an individual's daily activity levels and promoting healthier lifestyles. As the sensor technology has become very sophisticated, such a device can be worn on the body for several hours or days without restricting the subject's daily activities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of a commercially available wrist-worn pedometer in accurately recording step counts. A total of twenty-one subjects participated in this comparative study by running at various speeds in a laboratory setting while wearing a Garmin Forerunner 245 Music watch (Garmin Ltd, Schaffhausen, Switzerland) on each wrist. Simultaneously, their steps were recorded by a camera system. The step counts recorded by the pedometer were compared with the counts obtained by the camera system. Descriptive statistical analyses such as Pearson correlation and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the accuracy and reliability of the pedometer. For most settings the results on the treadmills showed a high correlation between the pedometer and the camera system. On the step machine the results showed a low correlation between the pedometer and the camera system, the pedometer showed a systematic bias by consistently overestimating the number of steps. Bland-Altman plots showed that the results were within the limits of agreement. Although pedometers provide a convenient tool for monitoring step count, this study highlights some limitations and potential inaccuracies of a commercially available pedometer. Our study indicates that the Garmin watch is sufficiently accurate to be used as a measurement tool in a treadmill running environment.

Silver bismuth sulfide quantum dot‐based bioelectronics for light‐mediated neuronal stimulation

Aims/Purpose: Nanomaterial based bioelectronics have been effectively developed as optoelectronic bio‐interfaces for neural stimulation and can be fabricated from diverse substances to adapt to cellular environments. In this study, we employed silver bismuth sulfide (AgBiS2) quantum dot (QD)‐based neural interfaces stimulated by near‐infrared light.Methods: Primary neuron isolation and culture on AgBiS2 QD based photovoltaic device and indium tin oxide (ITO) control device was performed. Cell viability was assessed by CTG, MTT, Live/Dead assay and LDH leakage assays. Cellular stress with light stimulation was assessed by measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species. Cell specific biomarkers, NeuN, beta‐III Tubulin and F‐actin, were examined by immunofluorescence staining to demonstrate short‐ and long‐term morphological changes and neural network improvements. Number of neuron count and neurite length measurement were analyzed to compare groups. Under light stimulation (λ = 780 nm), neural dynamics and electrophysiological activity were examined through intracellular calcium flow and patch clamp.Results: Throughout the 14‐day culture period, neurons remained healthy and viable, preserving their characteristics and forming extensive networks with neurite outgrowth on both the device and ITO. Light stimulation was found to have no adverse effects on viability or intracellular stress levels. The device demonstrated successful photostimulation of neurons with calcium release and generating action potential under 780 nm light illumination which is validating its potential to be used as optoelectronic bio‐interfaces for neural applications.Conclusions: Our study holds high potential for the development of QD‐based retinal prosthesis, enabling near infrared light‐controlled activation in vision related diseases.Funding Information: This study was funded by the European Union (ERC, MESHOPTO, 101045289).References Balamur R, Oh JT, Karatum O, Wang Y, Onal A, Kaleli HN, Pehlivan C, Şahin A, Hasanreisoglu M, Konstantatos G, Nizamoglu S. Capacitive and Efficient Near‐Infrared Stimulation of Neurons via an Ultrathin AgBiS2 Nanocrystal Layer. ACS Applied Materials &amp; Interfaces. 2024 May 29

Blood flow restriction-enhanced platelet-rich plasma: A pilot randomised controlled trial protocol.

To assess platelet-rich plasma (PRP) changes in platelet and leucocyte count, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentration after bilateral low-load knee extensions under blood flow restriction (BFR). The present randomised controlled trial protocol will include two groups: the intervention group, which will undergo bilateral knee extensions under BFR, and the control group, which will perform bilateral knee extensions without BFR. Participants will be randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio. Twenty-two healthy individuals will be enrolled if the predefined inclusion criteria are met: (1) males, (2) ages 18-40, (3) Tegner activity level ≥5 and (4) with no musculoskeletal conditions that would interfere with exercise. Exclusion criteria include (1) individuals with systemic inflammatory diseases, (2) cardiovascular risk factors, (3) any blood dyscrasia, (4) Tegner Activity scale scores <5, (5) under nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin treatment within one week before testing or (6) that had previously performed exercises on the testing day. The participant will perform low-load bilateral knee extensions under BFR following a standard protocol of 30-15-15-15 repetitions of consecutive sets with 30-s rest intervals at 80% of limb occlusive pressure and 30% of 1-RM load. PRP platelet and leucocyte count, IGF-1 and IL-6 concentration measurements (via flow cytometry, chemiluminescence testing and immunochromatography, respectively) will be conducted before exercise and 10, 20 and 30 min after the intervention. The expected outcome is that the standard protocol of low-load bilateral knee extensions under BFR will increase the platelet and leucocyte count, IGF-1 and IL-6 in the PRP preparation. The current protocol allows the study of an enhanced PRP formulation for its potential implementation in multiple sports injuries.

Silver bismuth sulfide quantum dot‐based bioelectronics for light‐mediated neuronal stimulation

Aims/Purpose: Nanomaterial based bioelectronics have been effectively developed as optoelectronic bio‐interfaces for neural stimulation and can be fabricated from diverse substances to adapt to cellular environments. In this study, we employed silver bismuth sulfide (AgBiS2) quantum dot (QD)‐based neural interfaces stimulated by near‐infrared light.Methods: Primary neuron isolation and culture on AgBiS2 QD based photovoltaic device and indium tin oxide (ITO) control device was performed. Cell viability was assessed by CTG, MTT, Live/Dead assay and LDH leakage assays. Cellular stress with light stimulation was assessed by measuring intracellular reactive oxygen species. Cell specific biomarkers, NeuN, beta‐III Tubulin and F‐actin, were examined by immunofluorescence staining to demonstrate short‐ and long‐term morphological changes and neural network improvements. Number of neuron count and neurite length measurement were analyzed to compare groups. Under light stimulation (λ = 780 nm), neural dynamics and electrophysiological activity were examined through intracellular calcium flow and patch clamp.Results: Throughout the 14‐day culture period, neurons remained healthy and viable, preserving their characteristics and forming extensive networks with neurite outgrowth on both the device and ITO. Light stimulation was found to have no adverse effects on viability or intracellular stress levels. The device demonstrated successful photostimulation of neurons with calcium release and generating action potential under 780 nm light illumination which is validating its potential to be used as optoelectronic bio‐interfaces for neural applications.Conclusions: Our study holds high potential for the development of QD‐based retinal prosthesis, enabling near infrared light‐controlled activation in vision related diseases.Funding Information: This study was funded by the European Union (ERC, MESHOPTO, 101045289).References Balamur R, Oh JT, Karatum O, Wang Y, Onal A, Kaleli HN, Pehlivan C, Şahin A, Hasanreisoglu M, Konstantatos G, Nizamoglu S. Capacitive and Efficient Near‐Infrared Stimulation of Neurons via an Ultrathin AgBiS2 Nanocrystal Layer. ACS Applied Materials &amp; Interfaces. 2024 May 29

ImmuNet: a segmentation-free machine learning pipeline for immune landscape phenotyping in tumors by multiplex imaging.

Tissue specimens taken from primary tumors or metastases contain important information for diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients. Multiplex imaging allows in situ visualization of heterogeneous cell populations, such as immune cells, in tissue samples. Most image processing pipelines first segment cell boundaries and then measure marker expression to assign cell phenotypes. In dense tissue environments, this segmentation-first approach can be inaccurate due to segmentation errors or overlapping cells. Here, we introduce the machine-learning pipeline "ImmuNet", which identifies positions and phenotypes of cells without segmenting them. ImmuNet is easy to train: human annotators only need to click on an immune cell and score its expression of each marker-drawing a full cell outline is not required. We trained and evaluated ImmuNet on multiplex images from human tonsil, lung cancer, prostate cancer, melanoma, and bladder cancer tissue samples and found it to consistently achieve error rates below 5%-10% across tissue types, cell types, and tissue densities, outperforming a segmentation-based baseline method. Furthermore, we externally validate ImmuNet results by comparing them to flow cytometric cell count measurements from the same tissue. In summary, ImmuNet is an effective, simpler alternative to segmentation-based approaches when only cell positions and phenotypes, but not their shapes, are required for downstream analyses. Thus, ImmuNet helps researchers to analyze cell positions in multiplex tissue images more easily and accurately.

Platelets, Biomarkers of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis, and Early Coronary Stent Thrombosis.

Background/Objectives: Acute stent thrombosis (ST) is a rare yet severe complication following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Herein, we investigated the possible association between routinely available coagulation and fibrinolysis markers with early ST. Methods: Within a single-center registry, we investigated the association between the preprocedural platelet count, plasma levels of fibrinogen and D-Dimer, and the incidence of early ST in the first 30 days after PCI. Results: Out of 10,714 consecutive patients who underwent PCI using drug-eluting stents (DESs), the preprocedural platelet count, fibrinogen, and D-Dimer measurements were available in 6337, 6155, and 956 patients, respectively. Fifty-eight patients (0.92%) experienced an early ST within 30 days after PCI. Compared with those without ST, patients with early ST showed significantly elevated preprocedural platelet counts (p < 0.05) and fibrinogen levels (p < 0.05). D-Dimer levels were not associated with early ST. Patients in the fifth quintile of platelet count had a significantly increased risk for early ST (HR 2.43; 95% CI 1.43-4.14; p = 0.001) compared with patients in the lower four quintiles. In addition, patients in the fifth quintile of fibrinogen also had a significantly increased risk for early ST (HR 1.86; 95% CI 1.07-3.26; p < 0.05) compared with patients in the lower four quintiles. These associations were independent of clinical risk factors, the number of stents, the presence of acute coronary syndromes, and white blood cell count. Conclusions: Preprocedural platelet counts and fibrinogen plasma levels can identify patients at elevated risk of early ST after implantation of DESs in addition to procedure-level and device-related risk factors.

A review on Toxic Effect Of Triazine On Hematological Parameters Of &lt;i&gt;Channa punctatus&lt;/i&gt; (Bloch)

In both agricultural and non-agricultural settings across the globe, triazines have been widely utilised as a class of herbicides for the last half-century to suppress the growth of broadleaf and certain grassy weeds. First developed by J.R. Geigy Limited in 1956, with simazine as the pioneering compound, triazines revolutionized weed management, especially in crops such as maize and sorghum. These herbicides have since found widespread applications in the cultivation of various crops, including fruit, legumes, and even non-crop agriculture. Despite their effectiveness, the extensive and prolonged use of triazines has raised environmental concerns, particularly regarding their persistence and toxicity in aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, triazines have been utilized in aquaculture for controlling aquatic weeds and algae, but this use also contributes to environmental contamination. Recent research has extended into understanding the immunotoxicological effects of triazines, particularly in aquatic organisms like fish. The impact of triazines on the hematological and immunological systems of fish has been a focus of study due to their potential to disrupt immune functions, including changes in blood cell profiles, immune cell activity, and overall resistance to pathogens. For example, exposure to triazines has been linked to altered levels of phagocytic activity, oxidative burst responses, and immune cell proliferation. Hematological tests, such as the measurement of blood cell counts, nonspecific antibodies, and enzymes with bacteriolytic activity (e.g., lysozyme), provide valuable insights into the extent of immunomodulation caused by triazines. Furthermore, laboratory-based studies investigating the effects of triazines on immune activation in fish have demonstrated changes in both specific and nonspecific immune responses, which could increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. This paper discusses the historical development, agricultural use, environmental impact, and immunological consequences of triazine herbicides, with a particular emphasis on their effects on hematological and immune functions in aquatic organisms. The findings underscore the need for further research into the ecotoxicological risks of triazines, especially in relation to aquatic health and disease susceptibility.

Cumulative HIV viral load and lower CD4 cell count are associated with incident venous thromboembolism in people with HIV.

People with HIV (PWH) have benefited greatly from antiretroviral therapy, but face additional challenges from age-related comorbid conditions, particularly cardiovascular disease including venous thromboembolism (VTE). Little is known about the effect of HIV viremia and immunodeficiency on VTE risk in this population. We assessed incident, centrally adjudicated VTE among 21,507 PWH in care between 1/2009-12/2019 within the Centers for AIDS Research Network of Integrated Clinical Systems (CNICS) cohort. We examined the association of three measures of HIV viral load (VL: baseline, current, cumulative) and current CD4 count with VTE. Cumulative VL (copy-days of viremia) was estimated with a time-weighted sum using the trapezoidal rule. We modeled the association between VL and VTE using Cox proportional hazards models (marginal structural Cox models for cumulative), adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics. We compared the 75th percentile of the VL distribution with the 25th percentile using the hazard function from the model for all PWH with a VTE and those with a pulmonary embolism (PE). During a median of 4.8 years of follow-up, 424 PWH developed VTE. In adjusted analyses, higher cumulative VL (75th percentile vs. 25th percentile), the strongest VL predictor, was associated with a 1.45-fold higher risk of VTE (95%CI:1.22-1.72). Low CD4 cell count <100 cells/mm3 was associated with higher VTE risk (HR: 4.03, 95%CI: 2.76-5.89) as compared to ≥500 cells/mm3. Findings were similar for PWH who had a pulmonary embolism (n = 189). Reducing HIV VL and maintaining CD4 cell count may help mitigate VTE risk in PWH.

Improved representation of soil moisture processes through incorporation of cosmic-ray neutron count measurements in a large-scale hydrologic model

Abstract. Profound knowledge of soil moisture and its variability plays a crucial role in hydrological modelling to support agricultural management, flood and drought monitoring and forecasting, and groundwater recharge estimation. Cosmic-ray neutron sensing (CRNS) has been recognised as a promising tool for soil moisture monitoring due to its hectare-scale footprint and decimetre-scale measurement depth. But since CRNS provides an integral measurement over several soil horizons, a direct comparison of observed and simulated soil moisture products is not possible. This study establishes a framework to assess the accuracy of soil moisture simulated by the mesoscale Hydrologic Model (mHM) by generating simulated neutron counts and comparing these with observed neutron measurements for the first time. We included three different approaches to estimate CRNS neutron counts in the mHM as a function of the simulated soil moisture profiles: two methods based on the Desilets equation and one based on the forward operator COSMIC (COsmic-ray Soil Moisture Interaction Code). For the Desilets method, we tested two different approaches to average the vertical soil moisture profiles: a uniform vs. a non-uniform weighting scheme depending on the CRNS measurement depth. The methods were tested at two agricultural sites, namely one pasture site and one forest site, in Germany. To explore the prior and posterior distributions of the mHM parameters when constrained by CRNS observations, we used a Monte Carlo method based on Latin hypercube sampling with a large sample size (S = 100 000). We found that all three methods performed well, with a Kling–Gupta efficiency &gt; 0.75 and a percent bias &lt; ± 10 % across the majority of investigated sites and for the best 1 % of parameter sets. The performance of the neutron forward models varied slightly across different land cover types. The non-uniform approach generally showed good performance, particularly at the agricultural sites. On the other hand, the COSMIC method performed slightly better at the forest site. The uniform approach showed slightly better results at the grassland site. We also demonstrated for the first time that the incorporation of CRNS measurements into the mHM could improve both the soil moisture and the evapotranspiration products of the mHM. This suggests that CRNS is capable of improving the model parameter space in general and adds a broader perspective on the potential of CRNS to support large-scale hydrological and land surface models.

ON ULTRAPRODUCTS, THE SPECTRAL THEOREM AND RIGGED HILBERT SPACES

Abstract We start by showing how to approximate unitary and bounded self-adjoint operators by operators in finite dimensional spaces. Using ultraproducts we give a precise meaning for the approximation. In this process we see how the spectral measure is obtained as an ultralimit of counting measures that arise naturally from the finite dimensional approximations. Then we see how generalized distributions can be interpreted in the ultraproduct. Finally we study how one can calculate kernels of operators K by calculating them in the finite dimensional approximations and how one needs to interpret Dirac deltas in the ultraproduct in order to get the kernels as propagators $\langle x_{1}|K|x_{0}\rangle $ .

Association Between Dynamic Viral Rebound and Longitudinal Measures of Viral Load/CD4 Counts Among People with HIV in South Carolina.

Monitoring HIV viral rebound (VR) is crucial, as it indicates an increased risk of infection, transmission, disease progression, and drug resistance. This study aims to identify the association between dynamic VR and historical viral load (VL)/CD4 count measures. A 15-year South Carolina population-based electronic health record data were used for the study. VR was defined as the return of detectable levels of VL (>200 copies/mL) after stable viral suppression (VS) (two consecutive VS, i.e., VL ≤200 copies/mL). A generalized linear mixed model was used to evaluate the association between dynamic VR and historical time-dependent predictors, such as nadir CD4 count and comorbidities, within a year prior to each VR. Subgroup analysis for men who have sex with men (MSM) was also conducted. Among 8,185 people with HIV (PWH), 1,173 (14.3%) had a history of VR. Lower nadir CD4 count (≥500 vs. <200 cells/μL; adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.43, 0.60]), younger age (>60 years old vs. 18-30 years old; aOR: 0.43, 95% CI: [0.29, 0.63]), and being Black (Black vs. White; aOR: 1.58, 95% CI: [1.34, 1.85]) were associated with a higher risk of VR, while MSM (MSM vs. heterosexual; aOR: 0.81, 95% CI: [0.67, 0.96]) were associated with decreased VR risk. The rate of VR among PWH in South Carolina is significant. Within-1-year VL/CD4 test is critical for identifying PWH at risk for VR. Tailored interventions are needed for PWH at risk for VR to achieve sustained suppression and better health outcomes.

Predictive Modeling for Inactivation of Escherichia coli Biofilm with Combined Treatment of Thermosonication and Organic Acid on Polystyrene Surface.

The present study aimed to evaluate the antibiofilm effect of combined sonication treatment with organic acids on polystyrene surfaces and to develop a predictive model for the inactivation of Escherichia coli biofilms. Polystyrene plates containing E. coli biofilms were subjected to sonication using different inactivation solutions (PBS, lactic acid, and acetic acid) at varying temperatures (20 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C) and durations (2 and 5 min). The effects of temperature, treatment duration, and inactivation solution on E. coli biofilm removal were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The use of organic acids, along with increased treatment time and temperature, led to a significant reduction in viable cell counts (0.43-6.21 log CFU/mL) and optical density (0.13-0.72 at OD600) of E. coli biofilms (p < 0.05). The highest E. coli biofilm inactivation, with a reduction of 6.21 CFU/mL and 0.72 OD, was achieved by combining organic acid and thermosonication at 50 °C for 5 min. A significant positive correlation was observed between test methods based on viable cell count and optical density (OD) measurements. According to multiple linear regression analysis results, the R2 values of the predictive models for biofilm inactivation, based on viable cell count and OD measurements, were 0.84 and 0.80, respectively. Due to its higher accuracy, the predictive model developed using viable cell count data is recommended for applications in the food industry and processing sectors.

Investigation of Serum PAPP-A, IGF-II, and IGFBP-4 Levels in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - A Prospective Case-Control Study

Objective: The etiology of polycystic ovary syndrome involves complex interactions. Defining new parameters will speed up the diagnostic process. Pregnancy-associated plasma Protein A, Insulin-like Growth Factor II, and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 are candidates for becoming new parameters of the diagnostic process. The study aims to investigate the role of these parameters in the etiopathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Methods: The study was conducted on volunteer women of reproductive age who met the Rotterdam diagnostic criteria. A total of 87 participants, consisting of 45 patients and 42 healthy controls, were included in the study. The present study is a prospective, single-center study. The patients' hirsutism scores were determined with the modified Ferriman-Gallwey scoring system. Ovaries were evaluated, and Antral Follicle Count measurements were taken. Descriptive statistics were presented. Independent risk factors were investigated through Logistic Regression Analyses. Results: It was observed that the antral follicle count, Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A, and Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein 4 values were significantly elevated in the PCOS group. In the polycystic ovary syndrome cohort, Pregnancy-Associated Plasma Protein A values demonstrated a significant positive correlation with FSH and HbA1c. The inclusion of the hirsutism score as a variable demonstrated its significance (p=&lt;0.001; OR=19.173, 95% CI: 6.101-60.251), whereas potential marker levels were not independently associated with polycystic ovary syndrome risk. Conclusion: Although some measurements between the groups differed in terms of potential markers, the effectiveness of these three parameters did not reach the level of the hirsutism score.

Vaping-specific nicotine dependence across days among a national sample of US young adults who vape.

Vaping has increased among young adults (YAs), and nicotine dependence prevalence has increased among YAs who vape (YAV), in the U.S. Research on nicotine dependence symptoms (NDS) among YAV remains limited, and accurately measuring NDS and their severity remains a challenge. To date, no research has considered day-to-day NDS, as previous research focuses on retrospective measures. Daily data came from the Monitoring the Future (MTF) Vaping Supplement; out of 1,244 YAs, we analyzed data from 150 (Mage=19 (SE=0.44); 71.2% non-Hispanic white; 57.8% male) who vaped nicotine at least once during 14 daily surveys (n=882 nicotine vaping days). The vaping-specific Hooked on Nicotine Checklist measured NDS on nicotine vaping days. Dichotomous and count measures of NDS were used at the day and aggregated to the person level. Descriptive analyses and multilevel regression models were estimated. Weights ensured generalizability and adjusted for attrition. Any NDS were reported on 64.5% of nicotine vaping days (average 1.93 symptoms); 43.3% of nicotine vaping days had more than 1 NDS. Results across persons (rather than days) showed any NDS on 53.8% of nicotine vaping days, and 45.4% YAs reported between 1 and 2 symptoms per vaping day; 23.3% reported 2+ symptoms on average. Multilevel models showed nontrivial variance across days and persons in NDS, and regular vaping at baseline predicted NDS. Vaping-specific NDS varied across days and persons for any NDS and NDS severity. Future research should consider daily NDS fluctuations, identifying factors that confer risk to inform NDS prevention and treatment among YAV. NDS and its severity varied across days and persons, demonstrating the utility of daily data. The results were generally similar for experiencing any NDS and for NDS severity, but there was slightly more variability across days for any NDS. Intervention and treatment strategies could utilize approaches that identify and address daily symptoms to help curb nicotine dependence. Future research and treatment efforts should also consider the immediate contexts and potential factors that explain particularly elevated NDS on a given day.

Triglyceride-Glucose Index and its Relationship to Erectile Dysfunction in Subjects without Heart Disease

ABSTRACT Aim: This study primarily focused on evaluating the triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index in patients experiencing erectile dysfunction (ED) and examining its potential role as a predictive tool in diagnosing ED. Materials and Methods: The study involved a cohort of 50 patients diagnosed with erectile dysfunction, forming the study group, alongside 50 individuals exhibiting normal sexual function, who served as the control group. The assessment of erectile function was conducted using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaire. All participants underwent the calculation of the TyG index. Results: The examination indicated that there were no notable disparities between the two groups regarding smoking rates, alcohol intake, or measurements of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, haemoglobin, creatinine levels, and leukocyte and platelet counts. Individuals experiencing erectile dysfunction were found to be older and exhibited significantly higher levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, triglycerides, and the TyG index compared to the control group. Conclusion: I n patients with erectile dysfunction, the TyG index—a simple test for insulin resistance (IR) —was found to be predictive.

Eksplorasi Udeng Pacul Gowang Sebagai Sumber Belajar EtnomatematikaDi Sekolah Dasar

One of the interesting things about Sidoarjo Regency is the strong heritage of Majapahit culture, including traditional clothing. Part of the traditional clothing complement is the typical Sidoarjo Udeng Pacul Gowang. The aim of this research is to dig deeper into the history of udeng pakul gowang, study the aesthetics of the shape of udeng made by craftsmen, foster a sense of love for culture by instilling a sense of pride and love for local culture, and make mathematics learning more interesting for students by integrating udeng pacul gowang making in mathematics learning. In ethnomathematics, udeng pacul gowang is used as a learning resource that can be linked to mathematics subjects. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative which focuses on understanding descriptions and interpretations in detail and emphasizes actual conditions without any manipulation. Data collection techniques with research are used to collect in-depth information from various sources, including through (1) interviews, (2) observation, and (3) documentation studies. The results of the research show that through the udeng pacul gowang learning resource, students can learn culture with various mathematical concepts including: counting concepts, algebra, geometry, measurement, and others. Thus, it is hoped that the government and schools will support the development of a curriculum based on local wisdom, so that students can learn mathematics in a context that is more relevant to their culture.