Detrimental Effects Research Articles

Formulation and evaluation of sunscreen spray gel with lime peel extract (Citrus aurantifolia)

Background: Prolonged exposure to sunlight poses detrimental effects on the skin. Lime peel extract, containing over 60% flavonoids, demonstrates significant potential as a sunscreen agent due to the presence of conjugated aromatic benzene rings capable of absorbing UV-A and UV-B radiation. To mitigate sun-induced skin damage, lime peel extract has been formulated into a spray gel, offering rapid drying properties that enhance user convenience and comfort during application. Objective: To evaluate the impact of varying concentrations of lime peel extract in sunscreen spray gel formulations on their physical properties and in vitro sun protection factor (SPF) values. Methods: Lime peel crude extract was obtained using 70% ethanol as the extraction solvent. The extract was incorporated into sunscreen spray gel formulations at concentrations of 5% (F1), 10% (F2), and 15% (F3). These formulations were assessed for their physical properties, including pH, viscosity, spreadability, drying time, and adhesion, alongside their in vitro SPF values. Results: The concentration of lime peel extract significantly influenced both the physical properties and SPF values of the spray gel formulations. All formulations (F1, F2, and F3) exhibited satisfactory physical stability and met the quality criteria for spray gel preparations. The SPF values for F1, F2, and F3 were determined to be 15, 20, and 30, respectively, indicating a progressive increase in photoprotective efficacy with higher extract concentrations. Conclusion: The sunscreen spray gel formulations containing lime peel extract at concentrations of 5% (F1), 10% (F2), and 15% (F3) demonstrated physical stability and provided moderate to high SPF protection. Among the formulations, F3 (15%) exhibited the highest SPF value of 30, suggesting its superior efficacy as a sunscreen agent.

Loneliness among Adults Aging with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: The Importance of Living Situation.

Loneliness is a serious public health concern among the aging population. Not only is loneliness an unpleasant emotional experience, it is also associated with worse health, well-being, and even mortality. This is a particularly important issue among the population aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities, who are more likely to experience loneliness across the life course, and who - particularly if living in an intermediate care facility (ICF) or nursing facility - may lack social connections. We analyzed data from the 2012-2013 through 2021-2022 waves of the National Core Indicators-Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities In-Person Survey (NCI-IPS; 8 waves total), a national survey of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities receiving state services (N = 101,374 observations drawn from 49 states). Multilevel logistic regression models examined whether loneliness varied according to living situation. Results indicated that (1) adults aging with intellectual and developmental disabilities in ICF and nursing facilities reported significantly greater loneliness than those living in the community, (2) having friends was associated with reduced loneliness overall, yet (3) having friends was associated with reduced loneliness among those living in the community, but not for those living in ICF or nursing facilities. These results indicate not only that adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in institutionalized settings are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and its detrimental effects, but that specialized interventions are required to meet their unique needs and reduce their loneliness in mid and later life.

A critical review on effects of artificial sweeteners on gut microbiota and gastrointestinal health.

Artificial sweeteners have emerged as popular alternatives to traditional sweeteners, driven by the growing concern over sugar consumption and its associated rise in obesity and metabolic disorders. Despite their widespread use, the safety and health implications of artificial sweeteners remain a topic of debate, with conflicting evidence contributing to uncertainty about their long-term effects. This review synthesizes current scientific evidence regarding the impact of artificial sweeteners on gut microbiota and gastrointestinal health. Our analysis of in vitro experiments, animal models, and clinical trials reveals that artificial sweeteners can alter the composition and abundance of gut microbes. These changes raise concerns about their potential to affect overall gut health and contribute to gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, artificial sweeteners have been shown to influence the production of metabolites by gut bacteria, further impacting systemic health. The findings suggest that artificial sweeteners may have complex and sometimes contradictory effects on gut microbiota. While some studies indicate potential benefits, such as reduced caloric intake and weight management, others highlight detrimental effects on microbial balance and metabolic functions. The inconsistent results underscore the need for further research to comprehensively understand the physiological impacts of various artificial sweeteners on human health. Future studies should aim for long-term, well-controlled investigations to clarify these relationships, ensuring evidence-based guidelines for the safe use of artificial sweeteners in diet management. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.

The legacy of endophytes for the formation of bioactive agents, pigments, biofertilizers, nanoparticles and bioremediation of environment.

Endophytes have significant prospects for applications beyond their existing utilization in agriculture and the natural sciences. They form an endosymbiotic relationship with plants by colonizing the root tissues without detrimental effects. These endophytes comprise several microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi. They act as repositories of compounds of medicinal importance. They are considered sources of pigments besides synthetic dyes and assist with soil fertility and plant growth as bio-fertilizers. They also have immense potential for advanced technology using endophyte-synthesized nanoparticles. In assisting bioremediation, they facilitate detoxification of pollutants in all spheres of the environment. Studies on the potential of endophytic microbes in drug discovery and biotic stress management are underway. In this review, published databases on endophytes and their diverse roles and applications in various fields, such as bio-fertilizers and nanoparticles, as well as bioremediation, are critically discussed while exploring unanswered questions. In addition, future perspectives on endosymbiotic microorganisms and their prospective use in plants, environmental management, and medicine are discussed in this review.

Central Nervous System Response Against Ionizing Radiation Exposure: Cellular, Biochemical, and Molecular Perspectives.

Gamma radiation is known to induce several detrimental effects on the nervous system. The hippocampus region, specifically the dentate gyrus (DG) and subventricular zone (SVZ), have been identified as a radiation-sensitive neurogenic niche. Radiation alters the endogenous redox status of neural stem cells (NSCs) and other proliferative cells, especially in the hippocampus region, leading to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cell death. Planned (i.e., radiotherapy of brain tumor patients) or unplanned radiation exposure (i.e., accidental radiation exposure) can induce nonspecific damage to neuronal tissues, resulting in chronic or acute radiation syndrome. Although anatomical alterations in the neuronal tissues have been reported at higher doses of gamma radiation, biochemical and molecular perturbations may be evident even at much lower radiation doses. They may manifest in the form of neuronal deficits and cognitive impairment. In the present review, several molecular events and signaling pathways, such as oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, apoptosis, cognition, neuroplasticity, and neurotoxicity induced in neuronal cells upon ionizing radiation exposure, are reviewed. Furthermore, brain-specific radioprotectors and mitigators that protect normal neuronal cells and tissues against ionizing radiation during radiotherapy of cancer patients or nuclear emergencies are also discussed.

From Structure to Function: Isatin Derivatives as a Promising Class of Antiviral Agents.

A range of heterocyclic compounds, including Isatin (oneH-indole-2, 3-dione) and its by-products, have been shown to represent potential unit blocks in the synthesis of potential medicinal agents. Numerous studies have been carried out on isatin, its synthesis, biological uses, and its chemical composition since when it was discovered. Functionally, these isatin-containing heterocycles have demonstrated antibacterial, antidiabetic, antiviral, antitubercular, and anticancer properties, among many others. In vitro and In vivo efficaciousness of several Isatin moieties has been assessed in recent years based on their antimicrobial qualities. Isatin has shown great promise as a flexible heterocycle in the realm of drug development in recent years. Many viruses have caused extensive epidemics during the last 50 years, which have had detrimental effects on social, economic, and health conditions. The current unprecedented SARS-CoV-2 epidemic necessitates intensive research into the development of potent antiviral medications. It has been shown that Isatin, a flexible heterocycle, has a great deal of potential for drug development. Appropriately functionalized Isatin compounds have shown noteworthy and extensive antiviral activities throughout the last fifty years. The goal of this study is to gather all known data on Isatin derivatives' antiviral activity, emphasizing their structure-activity correlations as well as research on mechanistic and molecular modelling. We think that the scientific community will find this review to be a useful tool in the development of more efficient and powerful antiviral treatments based on Isatin scaffolds.

Assessment of a semiquantitative scoring system for mild-to-moderate gill lesions in Atlantic salmon reared in recirculating aquaculture systems in Norway.

Compromised gill health is a critical cause of forfeited welfare in Atlantic salmon farming. Detecting and quantifying the early onset of gill disease is important to reveal initial inflicting stimuli. We collected gill samples of 45 Atlantic salmon from 2 commercial recirculating aquaculture systems (RASs) spanning fry-to-market-size fish with no clinical signs of gill disease. Gill samples were assessed histologically by 3 independent raters with different levels of experience. Semiquantitative scoring for 7 types of gill changes was carried out for 10 filaments per gill (450 filaments total) over 3 rounds on anonymized samples. Scores were summarized for each type of gill change. The assumed clinical relevance for each change was transformed into a category score, followed by an assessment of agreement within (intra) and between (inter) raters. A generalized linear model estimated the difference in score levels between raters. For each rater, intra-rater agreement was high for 6 gill changes and moderate for 1 gill change. Inter-rater agreement was moderate to almost-perfect, except for 2 gill changes; generalized linear model regression revealed systematic differences in score usage between the raters. Our scoring protocol worked satisfactorily for mucous cell amount, lamellar clubbing, lamellar hypertrophy and/or hyperplasia, and aneurysms, despite different levels of expertise in histologic evaluation. Intra-rater agreement was consistent, but differences existed for interlamellar hypercellularity, lamellar inflammation, and degeneration. Scoring subclinical gill changes is a challenge, and our scoring system for mild-to-moderate lesions may enable early intervention to limit the detrimental effects of poor gill health in RAS farming.

Association between metabolic score for visceral fat index and BMI-adjusted skeletal muscle mass index in American adults

BackgroundThe metabolic score for visceral fat (METS-VF) is a recently identified index for evaluating visceral fat, also referred to as abdominal obesity. The skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) serves as a critical measure for assessing muscle mass and sarcopenia. Both obesity and the reduction of muscle mass can significantly affect human health. However, research exploring the relationship between METS-VF and SMI remains limited. This study aims to investigate whether a association exists between these two indices, and if so, to elucidate the nature of their interactions.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the NHANES database, focusing on U.S. adults aged 20 years and older from 2013 to 2018. Controlling for relevant covariables, we primarily investigated the association between METS-VF and SMI values utilizing weighted multivariable linear regression models. Additionally, we assessed the diagnostic efficacy of METS-VF for sarcopenia.ResultsA total of 3,594 participants were included in this study for analysis. The final adjusted model from the weighted multivariable linear regression indicated that METS-VF was negatively associated with SMI, with a coefficient of β = -0.13 (95% CI: -0.14, -0.12; P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses further demonstrated that this negative association was consistent across different populations. Notably, the negative association varied significantly between diabetic and nondiabetic population, as well as among populations classified by different BMI categories. Additionally, threshold effect analysis identified a significant inflection knot at 6.33. The characteristic curves of the subjects’ work illustrated that, compared to other indicators, METS-VF exhibited excellent diagnostic efficacy for sarcopenia, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.825.ConclusionOur results indicate that METS-VF is negatively correlated with SMI among adults in the United States, suggesting that visceral obesity exerts a detrimental effect on muscle mass. Furthermore, METS-VF shows potential as a valuable indicator for assessing SMI and sarcopenia. These findings underscore the importance of considering lipid metabolism disorders in the context of muscle health and highlight the potential for developing prevention strategies for sarcopenia.

Experimental paradigm to test the effects of providing social support: study protocol of the PROSPECT trial (Study 2)

BackgroundA growing body of research suggests that the provision of social support can have benefits not only for the recipients but also for the provider. Although initial evidence for affective, self-evaluative and physiological outcomes has been established, the beneficial effects of support provision do not occur consistently across all support interactions, and some interactions may even have detrimental effects on providers. The aim of our experimental paradigm is to enable researchers to test the conditions under which the provision of social support to dyadic partners affects affective, self-evaluative, physiological, and relationship outcomes for the provider. In line with self-determination theory, it is proposed that the provision of support is only beneficial to the provider if it satisfies the three basic psychological needs of autonomy, competence and relatedness. The paradigm allows for the manipulation of the provider's levels of competence (feedback on the effectiveness of their support to the other person) and relatedness (feedback on the alleged level of relatedness perceived by the partner person following the provision of support).MethodsA priori power analyses resulted in a planned sample size of 250 participants randomized to four conditions: 1) no support provision, 2) support provision without feedback, 3) support provision with feedback on competence, 4) support provision with feedback on relatedness. Primary outcomes are immediate physiological (saliva cortisol, heart rate, heart rate variability, blood pressure), affective (positive and negative affect, anxiety), self-evaluative (e.g., self-esteem) and relationship outcomes. Generalized linear models will be used to compare the four conditions.DiscussionIn a controlled laboratory experiment, this new experimental paradigm manipulates the conditions under which social support is provided. Insights into the conditions under which the provision of social support is detrimental or beneficial to the provider can inform the development of preventive and interventional approaches across a range of life domains, motivational and developmental research across the lifespan (e.g. prevention of care-giver burnout), and applied clinical contexts (e.g. therapeutic interventions).Trial registrationPre-registration (2023-11-10): https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/8SPZW, retrospective registration with more details (2024-10-23): https://www.drks.de/DRKS00034287

Factors influencing compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue among nurses: a study in a tertiary hospital

BackgroundNursing is a caring profession for which compassion is a core value. Increasing stress and declining job satisfaction are among the major challenges in nursing. Demographic and work-related factors may influence nurses’ compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue (i.e., burnout and secondary traumatic stress) levels. In this study, the level of compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction and their associated factors were examined among nurses in a tertiary hospital.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Malaysia. The data were collected over a period of 6 months via online distribution of the Personal Information Form, Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ) version III and Professional Quality of Life (ProQOL) version V questionnaires. The Cronbach’s alpha internal consistency of the questionnaire scales was mostly acceptable and above 0.75. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the sociodemographic and rank domains of work environment-related factors for nurses and their levels of compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Relationships between sociodemographic factors and the levels of compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, and burnout were assessed by bivariate analyses. A p value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance.ResultsA total of 323 registered nurses participated in this study. A majority of the participants were female (91%, n = 294), and the mean age of the participants was 33.01 ± 8.50 years. The majority of the participants had moderate levels of compassion satisfaction (71%, n = 229); 46% (n = 148) had moderate levels of burnout, and 45% (n = 147) had moderate levels of secondary traumatic stress. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that the health and well-being and demands at work domain were significantly associated with compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress levels among nurses.ConclusionsIn this study, the majority of the nurses reported decreased compassion satisfaction and increased burnout. These findings provide valuable insights, as there may be detrimental effects on the healthcare industry and retention of nurses if no action is taken to combat compassion fatigue. Recommendations to motivate nurses and reduce demands at work should be explored by healthcare organizations to increase nurses’ performance and job satisfaction.

Continuous PPI Treatment After Gastric Bypass Increases the Risk of Pathological PTH Levels at 10 Years Postoperatively.

Apart from massive weight loss, metabolic and bariatric surgery, especially gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass [RYGB]), can cause nutritional deficiencies. Proton pump inhibitors (PPI), relatively often used after RYGB, are associated with reduced calcium absorption. We have studied the long-term impact of PPI upon calcium homeostasis among RYGB patients. In the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry (SOReg), 550 primary RYGB patients, with eGFR > 60mL/min/1.73 m2, had PTH and 25-OH D levels registered at 10years. To avoid the impact of hypovitaminosis D, those with 25-OH D > 75nmol/L were selected. At 10years, 10.3% of patients reported continuous PPI treatment, i.e., daily use during the last month. In an age adjusted logistic regression model, continuous PPI treatment was associated with a quadruple risk (OR: 4.65 [1.54-14.04]) of having a pathological PTH level (> 7pmol/L). This unique study has shown a correlation between continuous PPI use and pathological PTH levels, thereby inferring that the medication may have detrimental effects upon calcium homeostasis among gastric bypass patients. The risk of having pathological PTH levels was more than tripled among those with PPI treatment, highlighting the importance of specialized follow-up while also suggesting that a limited duration of PPI treatment is preferable.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Personal and Work-related Burnout among Primary Health Care Physicians in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia

Introduction: Physician burnout is a growing concern worldwide, including in Arab nations. Physicians working in primary health care settings are increasingly experiencing it. The study aimed to assess the status and determinants of burnout among primary health care physicians in the Tabuk Region, Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out using a Google Form questionnaire, based on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory. The questionnaire was distributed among primary health care physicians through the Ministry of Health’s email and social media channels. The responses were collected using a five-point Likert scale, and the overall mean scores for personal and work-related burnout were calculated. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0 and OpenEpi Version 3.01. Results: A total of 92 primary health care physicians responded to the survey. The overall mean scores for personal and work-related burnout were 38.99 and 41.41, respectively. The most common response category for both types of burnout was “Sometimes” or “Somewhat”. Physicians experienced personal burnout, characterized by emotional exhaustion (92.4%), feelings of being worn out (88%), tiredness (79.3%), and a sense of weakness and vulnerability to illness (69.6%). Similarly, they reported work-related burnout, manifested by feeling worn out after work (91.3%), feeling exhausted before work (83.7%), feeling burnt out by their work (82.6%), and feeling frustrated by their work (82.6%). Both personal and work-related burnout showed significant associations (p &lt; 0.05) with age group, gender, years of experience, marital status, and professional category. Moreover, nationality, hours of work per week, and duty schedule were significantly associated with work-related burnout (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: Physician burnout, both personal and work-related, is prevalent in primary healthcare settings in the Tabuk Region. It is significantly associated with various demographic and professional characteristics. Healthcare administrators and policymakers should develop and implement effective strategies to mitigate burnout and its detrimental effects on healthcare providers and the quality of care.

Do Lifestyle Interventions Mitigate the Oxidative Damage and Inflammation Induced by Obesity in the Testis?

Obesity results from a disproportionate accumulation of fat and has become a global health concern. The increase in adipose tissue is responsible for several systemic and testicular changes including hormone levels (leptin, adiponectin, testosterone, estrogen), inflammatory cytokines (increase in TNF-α and IL-6 and decrease in IL-10), and redox state (increase in reactive oxygen species and reduction in antioxidant enzymes). This results in poor sperm quality and compromised fertility in men with obesity. Lifestyle modifications, particularly diet transition to caloric restriction and physical exercise, are reported to reverse these negative effects. Nevertheless, precise mechanisms mediating these benefits, including how they modulate testicular oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolism, remain to be fully elucidated. The main pathway described by which these lifestyle interventions reverse obesity-induced oxidative damage is the Nrf2-SIRT1 axis, which modulates the overexpression of antioxidant defenses. Of note, some of the detrimental effects of obesity on the testis are inherited by the descendants of individuals with obesity, and while caloric restriction reverses some of these effects, no significant work has been carried out regarding physical exercise. This review discusses the consequences of obesity-induced testicular oxidative stress on adult and pediatric populations, emphasizing the therapeutic potential of lifestyle to mitigate these detrimental effects.

Association between exposure to 35 environmental pollutants and mortality from cerebrovascular diseases: A long-term prospective study.

Environmental pollutants have been implicated in various detrimental health effects. However, the specific relationship between environmental pollutant exposure and the risk of cerebrovascular disease mortality remains uncertain. This study aimed to comprehensively explore the potential relationship between environmental pollutant exposure and risk of cerebrovascular disease mortality in the U.S. population. Data on 35 types of environmental pollutant exposure were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Cerebrovascular disease-related deaths were ascertained from the National Center for Health Statistics, with mortality follow-up data available until December 31, 2019. Weighted univariable and multivariable Cox regression analyses were employed to evaluate the association between environmental pollutants and mortality from cerebrovascular diseases. A total of 11,643 participants were included for organochlorine pesticides, 11,912 for brominated flame retardants, 13,797 for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, and 14,560 for phthalates, with a median follow-up of 8.6 years. The average age of participants was approximately 46 years, with male participants comprising around 48 % of the cohort. Four types of organochlorine pesticides (hexachlorobenzene, oxychlordane, 2,2-Bis(4-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dichloroethene, and trans-nonachlor), perfluorooctanoic acid, and mono-n-butyl phthalate were found to be associated with an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease mortality. Furthermore, the composite environmental index derived from these six pollutants also demonstrated a significant correlation with elevated cerebrovascular disease mortality risk. This prospective study provides evidence of an association between certain environmental pollutant exposure (especially for organochlorine pesticides) and risk of cerebrovascular disease mortality. These findings provide new insights into potential prevention strategies for this disease mortality from the perspective of environmental pollutant exposure.

Effects of Interaural Latency and Frequency Mismatch on Speech Recognition for Bimodal Cochlear Implant Users.

Bimodal cochlear implant (CI) users vary in speech recognition outcomes. This variability may be influenced partly by the CI and contralateral hearing aid (HA) programming procedures, which can result in mismatches in latency and frequency. We assessed the performance of bimodal listeners when latency mismatches were corrected and analyzed how frequency mismatches influenced outcomes. Twelve adults with at least 1 year of bimodal use were evaluated in latency mismatched versus matched conditions. Masked sentence recognition was assessed in a 10-talker masker for three spatial configurations: target from the front and the masker either co-located, 90° toward the CI-ear, or 90° toward the HA-ear. Frequency mismatch for the most apical electrode (E1) was determined from postoperative imaging and the filter frequency assignment of their familiar CI map. Participants had significantly better performance when latency mismatches were small or matched between the devices, with an approximately 10% improvement in the configuration with the masker toward the HA-ear. Significantly, poorer performance was observed with larger magnitudes of frequency mismatch, with a 2% drop in performance for every one semitone deviation increase in mismatch. The interaction between latency and frequency mismatch was nonsignificant, suggesting that the benefit of latency matching was approximately additive across the range of frequency mismatches. Detrimental effects of interaural mismatches in latency and frequency were observed, even after long-term device use. These preliminary results suggest that bimodal CI users might benefit from individualized fitting procedures that match latency across devices and minimize frequency mismatch for the CI. 3 Laryngoscope, 2025.

Trigger factors of general body overheating (scientific review)

Global statistics show that approximately 489,000 people died annually from heat-related causes over the past two decades. Higher temperatures are associated with increased risk of mortality due to general accidents and four main subtypes, including road traffic accidents, falls, drownings, and unintentional injuries. Elevated temperatures and periods of anomalously hot weather already increase the global health hazard and cause significant economic losses. Mortality from general overheating is high and ranges from 33 to 80 %, with terminal events including shock, arrhythmias, myocardial infarction, renal failure, and neurological dysfunction. Residual neurological disorders were observed in 17 % of survivors. General overheating affects military personnel, athletes, workers in hot industries, and civilian populations exposed to or having formed risk factors for general inadvertent body overheating. Therefore, identifying and, where possible, preventing these risk factors is currently relevant. Exogenous hyperthermia contributing and predisposing factors are identified, timely detection and prevention of which will allow medical and social workers to limit the detrimental effects of hot conditions on public health.

Should the Start of Immunosuppressive Treatment for COVID-19 Rely upon the Degree of Inflammation or the Time from Onset?

Background and Objectives: A COVID-19 model with a viral first-week phase and an inflammatory second phase has been proposed. It has been suggested that immunosuppressive treatment in the first week is harmful. This study aimed to analyze the potential damage of corticosteroids (CS) administered in the first week of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on a large cohort of consecutive COVID-19 patients admitted to Bellvitge University Hospital (Barcelona, Spain) from March 2020 to April 2021. Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who were treated with 6 mg of dexamethasone a day for 10 days, and whose initiation of administration occurred within the first 2 weeks from symptom onset were included. We divided the cohort into the following two groups: patients for whom CS were initiated within the first 7 days after symptom onset vs. patients for whom CS were initiated between days 8 and 14. The degree of analytical inflammation (based on lymphocyte count, C-reactive protein, ferritin, lactate dehydrogenase, and D-dimer) upon admission was taken into account. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality. Results: A total of 581 patients met the inclusion criteria. The results included, as follows: differences in age at baseline between groups (70.8 years old vs. 62.7, p &lt; 0.001); moderate-to-severe dependency (11.9% vs. 4.2%, p = 0.003); the lymphocyte count (840 × 106/L vs. 900, p = 0.033); D-dimer (400 ng/mL vs. 309, p &lt; 0.001); and PaO2/FiO2 (290 vs. 311, p &lt; 0.001). In-hospital mortality in patients who received CS in the first week of symptom onset was higher (29% vs. 12.8%, p &lt; 0.001). The following risk factors were associated with higher in-hospital mortality: age (OR = 1.06, p &lt; 0.001); Charlson index (OR = 1.34, p = 0.001); tachypnea &gt; 20 bpm (OR = 2.58, p &lt; 0.001); ≥3 high-risk criteria of inflammation (OR = 1.94, p = 0.012); and CS onset in the first week (OR = 2.17, p = 0.004). A higher PaO2/FiO2 (OR = 0.99, p &lt; 0.001) and the use of remdesivir (OR = 0.53, p = 0.021) were identified as protective factors. However, when stratified by analytical inflammation criteria, the onset of CS in the first week did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: The early administration of CS did not demonstrate a significant detrimental effect. These results highlight the need for a nuanced approach to CS therapy in COVID-19 that carefully weighs the risks and benefits based on individual patient characteristics and the severity of the inflammation.

Nanosilicon application changes the morphological attributes and essential oil compositions of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) under water deficit stress

Various practical strategies have been employed to mitigate the detrimental effects of water deficit stress on plants such as application of nano-stimulants. Nanosilicon plays a crucial role in alleviating the deleterious impacts of both abiotic and biotic stresses in plants by modulating various phyto-morphological and physiological processes. This study aimed to examine the combined effects of drought stress and nanosilicon application on the morphological traits and essential oil content and compositions of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.), in which four-week-old seedlings were subjected to irrigation treatments at four levels, including 100% (control), 80% (mild stress), 60% (moderate stress) and 40% (severe stress) field capacity and nanosilicon at three concentrations (0, 0.5 and 1.5 mM) in a completely randomized factorial design experiment with three replications for 40 days. The results showed that the maximum plant height (109.07 cm), number of nodes (33.3), and number of flowering branches (29.4) were recorded under the treatment of 1.5 mM nanosilicon and 100% FC. The lowest fresh and dry weights of aerial parts were associated to the severe drought stress (40% FC) without nanosilicon application. The mild water stress (80% FC) combined with foliar application of 1.5 mM nanosilicon led to highest EO content (0.17%) compared with the other treatments. However, the highest content of cannabidiol in the essential oil was achieved in the severe water stress (40% FC) and treatment of 0.5 mM nanosilicon. The results showed that the application of nanosilicon improved the morphological characteristics and also changed the content and compositions of the hemp plants under drought stress conditions.

Modeling the determinants of cigarette consumption in Iranian households with children under 5 years of age using the Income and Expenditure Survey 2021

BackgroundCigarette smoking remains a significant public health concern, with detrimental effects on both smokers and those exposed to secondhand smoke. This study investigates the factors influencing smoking behaviors in Iranian households, focusing on households with children under five years old.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional analysis of 8751 Iranian households using data from the Iranian Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES) collected by the Statistical Center of Iran (SCI) in 2021. A variety of count regression models were examined, including Poisson (P), Negative Binomial (NB), Generalized Poisson (GP) and their zero-inflated counterparts. The best fitting model was selected based on goodness-of-fit indices.ResultsApproximately 87% of households were non-smokers, with a mean daily cigarette consumption of 14.29 (SD = 8.64) among smokers. The three-level Zero-Inflated Generalized Poisson (TL-ZIGP) model was considered a suitable model for the interpretation of the data. Key predictors of smoking included older age, male gender, lower education, higher income, and larger homes. Homeownership was negatively associated with smoking. Considerable geographic variation in smoking prevalence was observed.ConclusionsSocioeconomic and demographic factors, including lifestyle and geographic regions, are associated with smoking behavior among Iranian households. A three-level ZIGP regression model is appropriate for analyzing these complex relationships. This study reveals different patterns of smoking prevalence in different population subgroups and emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to effectively reduce smoking rates.

Count-rate management in 131I SPECT/CT calibration

BackgroundSystem calibration is essential for accurate SPECT/CT dosimetry. However, count losses due to dead time and pulse pileup may cause calibration errors, in particular for 131I, where high count rates may be encountered. Calibration at low count rates should also be avoided to minimise detrimental effects from e.g. background counts and statistical fluctuations. This paper aims to present experimental data illustrating count-rate dependencies and to propose practical routines to mitigate errors in the 131I calibration procedure without needing advanced analysis tools.ResultsThe sensitivities of two General Electric (GE) Discovery 670 Pro systems were assessed using two Jaszczak phantom geometries. SPECT/CT data were collected over two months, starting with an initial 131I content of > 2 GBq, decaying to approximately 20 MBq. This allowed for a detailed analysis of count losses due to dead time and pulse pileup. From the sensitivity analysis, it was shown that robust calibration was obtained for 131I phantom activities ranging between 250 and 1500 MBq.ConclusionsThe results show that adequate corrections for dead-time and pulse-pileup counting losses are essential for accurate calibration. It is argued that loss corrections should be based on total spectrum count rates in projections and not only on the 364.5 keV energy window data. The measurement campaigns presented in this paper, using basic tools and equipment, may serve as a model for establishing routines for count-loss corrections as well as for system calibration and regular control of system sensitivity. The data suggest that analysis of source and count concentration in a homogeneous Jaszczak phantom offers robust calibration, whereas analysis of source strength and counts in a delineated phantom insert offers a practical and robust method for regular quality control.