Distinct Factors Research Articles

Discriminant Analysis of Plant Growth Regulators among Vegetable Growers in Junagadh District of Gujarat, India

In an agrarian economy like ours, farming productivity is of vital importance for farmers' economic wellbeing and national prosperity. The differential adoption of PGRs among horticulturists can offer insights into broader agricultural practices. Understanding PGR use in vegetable provides a comparative basis for evaluating its impact on diverse crops in the region. This study examines the socio-economic profile and identifies distinguishing factors between users and non-users using a sample of 160 farmers (80 users and 80 non-users) in Junagadh district, Gujarat. Analyses included simple tabular analysis and discriminant analysis. In this study, it was observed that most farmers were aged 36 to 50 years, and all respondents were male. The majority had an education level of 1st to 8th standard and an income up to 2 lakhs. Most farmers had landholdings of 2.01 to 4.00 hectares, engaged in both agriculture and animal husbandry, and had over 12 years of farming experience. Linear discriminant analysis identified annual family income, education, quality of yield and awareness as the most significant variables in distinguishing between users and non-users of plant growth regulators.

Metal Meets Green: A Multifaceted Exploration of Sustainability Perceptions at Heavy Metal Music Festivals

The enduring presence of heavy metal music spanning multiple decades has generated a large global audience of devoted fans. Within Europe, renowned metal music festivals such as Wacken Open Air and Rock am Ring in Germany have solidified the genre's influence. Although scholarly research has explored metal music festivals and their attendees, there has been a noticeable gap in the examination of sustainability aspects within this domain. Consequently, this work undertakes a quantitative investigation into the social, environmental, and economic impacts within the context of metal music festivals, focusing on four key stakeholder groups: festival organizers, attendees, musicians, and volunteer workers (n = 742). To gain insights, an online survey was conducted to respondents, presenting them with questions pertaining to various aspects of environmental, social, and economic sustainability. These stakeholders were asked to assess these issues based on their individual perspectives. Subsequently, the collected data underwent explorative factor analysis utilizing maximum likelihood estimation, leading to the identification of eight distinct factors: perceptions of social behavior at metal music festivals, environmental responsibility, financial responsibility, environmental and social responsibility, sense of community, environmental and economic impacts, perceptions of volunteer work, and economic impacts. This study's findings revealed noteworthy disparities across all sectors, offering a comprehensive perspective on current sustainability practices and challenges within metal music festivals. By highlighting inconsistencies, this research underscores the need for festival organizers to critically evaluate their events and consider avenues for improvement in sustainability practices.

Disease Phenotypes in Refractory Musculoskeletal Pain Syndromes Identified by Unsupervised Machine Learning.

Overlapping chronic pain syndromes, including fibromyalgia, are heterogeneous and often treatment-resistant entities carrying significant socioeconomic burdens. Individualized treatment approaches from both a somatic and psychological side are necessary to improve patient care. The objective of this study was to identify and visualize patient clusters in refractory musculoskeletal pain syndromes through an extensive set of clinical variables, including immunologic, psychosomatic, wearable, and sleep biomarkers. Data were collected during a multimodal pain program involving 202 patients. Seventy-eight percent of the patients fulfilled the criteria for fibromyalgia, 77% had a concomitant psychiatric-mediated disorder, and 22% a concomitant rheumatic immune-mediated disorder. Five patient phenotypes were identified by hierarchical agglomerative clustering as a form of unsupervised learning, and a predictive model for the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) response was generated. Based on the clustering data, digital personas were created with DALL-E (OpenAI). The most relevant distinguishing factors among clusters were living alone, body mass index, peripheral joint pain, alexithymia, psychiatric comorbidity, childhood pain, neuroleptic or benzodiazepine medication, and response to virtual reality. Having an immune-mediated disorder was not discriminatory. Three of five clusters responded to the multimodal treatment in terms of pain (BPI intensity), one cluster responded in terms of functional improvement (BPI interference), and one cluster notably responded to the virtual reality intervention. The independent predictive model confirmed strong opioids, trazodone, neuroleptic treatment, and living alone as the most important negative predictive factors for reduced pain after the program. Our model identified and visualized clinically relevant chronic musculoskeletal pain subtypes and predicted their response to multimodal treatment. Such digital personas and avatars may play a future role in the design of personalized therapeutic modalities and clinical trials.

Research on the energy saving behaviors of university students based on TPB in a hot summer–cold winter area in China

Energy saving in higher education institutions holds significant importance in the establishment of environmentally friendly and low-carbon societies, with the energy-saving behaviors of university students playing a pivotal role in the development of sustainable campuses. However, there is a clear need for customized strategies to encourage energy-saving habits among university students in areas of China with extreme weather conditions, such as hot summers and cold winters. This study offers a thorough examination of the literature regarding energy-saving behaviors among college students and presents a new theoretical framework based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). A survey questionnaire is conducted at universities in regions with hot summers and cold winters across China, with the goal of identifying the main factors that influence students' intentions and actions regarding campus energy conservation. From July to August 2022, we collected 512 survey responses from different university campuses in China's hot summer-cold winter weather zone. The survey asked about subjective norms, understanding of energy conservation, and the importance of saving energy. Utilizing the Structural Equation Model (SEM), we examined how influencing factors are associated with energy conservation behaviors. Our findings indicate that (1) both the significance of energy conservation and subjective norms significantly drive energy-saving actions; (2) distinct factors impact different forms of energy-saving practices; and (3) the inclination to save energy partially mediates the relationship between comfort choices and the significance of energy conservation. This study presents a validated behavioral model tailored for regions experiencing hot summers and cold winters, offering valuable insights for college administrators in managing energy usage while also serving as a theoretical reference for establishing environmentally sustainable campuses.

Source Identification Using Principal Component Analysis and Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals Contamination in PM2.5 Near an Industrial Area in Thailand

AbstractIndustrialization has led to a surge in air pollution-related problems, as particulate matter (PM) containing heavy metals poses significant health risks. Understanding airborne particle chemistry, particularly the presence of heavy metals, is vital for effective air quality management and health interventions. This study analysed heavy metal levels in PM2.5 across various sites near an industrial zone in Thailand, including areas near main roads, the industrial zone, as well as indoor and outdoor areas of childcare centres. The concentrations of ambient PM2.5 were found to exceed national standards and acceptable limits during the cool dry season, particularly in the industrial zone (46.4 µg/m3), followed by areas near main roads (41.0 µg/m3) and childcare centres (31.6 µg/m3). The impact of the indoor–outdoor relationship on PM2.5 concentration within childcare centres varied. During the cool dry season, Aluminium had the highest concentration, while lead (Pb) across all sites raised environmental concerns. Remarkably, indoor childcare centres showed higher Pb levels than industrial zones and areas near the main road. Principal Component Analysis revealed the distinct factors linked to specific metals, implying contributions from industrial and transportation sources. Lead isotopic analysis indicated potential associations between lead sources and industries like smelting and refining. During the cool dry season, non-carcinogenic risks were concerning (HI > 1), especially near roads and industrial areas. Vulnerabilities were also observed in students and teachers within indoor childcare centres. This study underscores the importance of monitoring and reducing heavy metal pollution in PM2.5, especially in childcare centres near industrial zones, to preserve public health and regional air quality.

In perspective of specific symptoms of major depressive disorder: Functional connectivity analysis of electroencephalography and potential biomarkers of treatment response

BackgroundThe symptom variability in major depressive disorder (MDD) complicates treatment assessment, necessitating a thorough understanding of MDD symptoms and potential biomarkers. MethodsIn this prospective study, we enrolled 54 MDD patients and 39 controls. Over the course of weeks 1, 2, and 4 participants underwent evaluations, with electroencephalograms (EEG) recorded at baseline and week 1. Our investigation considered five previously identified syndromal factors derived from the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (17-item HAMD) for assessing depression: core, insomnia, somatic anxiety, psychomotor-insight, and anorexia. We assessed treatment response and EEG characteristics across all syndromal factors and total scores, all of which are based on the 17-item HAMD. To analyze the topology of brain networks, we employed functional connectivity (FC) and a graph theory-based method across various frequency bands. ResultsThe healthy control group had notably higher values in delta band EEG FC compared to the MDD patient group. Similar distinctions were observed between the responder and non-responder patient groups. Further exploration of baseline FC values across distinct syndromal factors revealed significant variations among the core, psychomotor-insight, and anorexia subgroups when using a specific graph theory-based approach, focusing on global efficiency and average clustering coefficient. LimitationsDifferent antidepressants were included in this study. Therefore, the results should be interpreted with caution. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that delta band EEG FC holds promise as a valuable predictor of antidepressant efficacy. It demonstrates an ability to adapt to individual variations in depressive symptomatology, offering insights into personalized treatment for patients with depression.

Evaluation of the Implementation of a Day-Treatment Program for Executive Functioning for Individuals With Traumatic Brain Injury in Rehabilitation Settings Using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research.

To identify barriers and facilitators to implementation of a cognitive rehabilitation intervention (Short-Term Executive Plus [STEP]) into routine clinical practice using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) by comparing high (HI) and low implementation (LI) sites. Qualitative interviews conducted with professionals who work with people who have sustained brain injuries at various rehabilitations sites across the United States. Seven sites completed training, consultation, and agreed to implement STEP. Retrospective qualitative study. Qualitative interview developed for the purposes of this study and the CFIR for evaluation of implementation efforts and identification of barriers and facilitators. Out of 7 sites, 6 completed interviews. Out of the 39 CFIR constructs, 4 distinguished between HI and LI sites. Four distinguishing factors included evidence strength and quality, needs and resources of those served by the organization, leadership engagement, and engaging champions. Five common factors were identified (4 positive and 1 negative) across HI and LI sites, which may reflect aspects of implementation that could inform future implementation efforts. Ten inconclusive factors were identified, having both a positive and a negative influence on implementation. While there were several factors that were viewed positively by all sites, only 4 factors made a difference in implementation outcomes. These distinguishing factors can help inform future implementation efforts, highlighting a need for strong evidence supporting an intervention, a match between the intervention and the needs of the population served, engaging those in leadership and decision-making roles and ensuring their buy-in, and having a strong champion directly involved in implementation. In addition, taking a closer look at common and inconclusive factors may enable us to identify areas in which the implementation efforts could be strengthened.

Comparing Physical Activity and Exercise Experiences, Values, and Beliefs of Latino, Latina, and/or Latine People and Non-Latino, Non-Latina, and/or Non-Latine People With Parkinson Disease: A Qualitative Study.

The objective of this study was to examine and compare the beliefs, values, experiences, and barriers to and facilitators of exercise in Latino/a/e (Latino, Latina, and/or Latine) people and non-Latino/a/e (non-Latino, non-Latina, and/or non-Latine) people with Parkinson disease (PD). This study involved a qualitative research design with data collection via focus groups of Latino/a/e and non-Latino/a/e people with PD. A semistructured interview protocol was used, and a theoretical (social ecological model) thematic analysis was used for data analysis. Twenty-five individuals (15 non-Latino/a/e and 10 Latino/a/e) participated across 5 focus groups. While there were several common themes among both groups, 7 themes related to exercise in the management of PD were unique to Latino/a/e participants: generalized versus specific knowledge of exercise components; family can have both facilitating and impeding roles; finances influence access to exercise and physical therapy; prior emotional experiences related to exercise and PD affect the future use of exercise; group exercise can have both facilitating and impeding roles; availability and access to a variety of modes and stratification of exercise classes for people with PD facilitate exercise; and cultural beliefs and expectations can impede the use of exercise at the population level. Latino/a/e people with PD have overlapping and unique themes related to the use of exercise. Distinctive factors must be addressed in physical activity interventions and during physical therapists' care of people with PD to maximize the use of exercise and ultimately improve health equity in this overburdened and underserved population. Physical therapists should provide information and education to their Latino/a/e patients with PD and family members on the frequency, intensity, type, and time of exercise and how to safely participate in physical activity in the home and community to best manage PD. Physical therapists and exercise professionals should work at the environmental level to increase access to affordable, culturally tailored, PD-specific exercise services and enhance community knowledge of PD.

Tilts, developmental modules, and cognitive differentiation-integration effort: A multi-study response to

Sorjonen et al. (2024) critique a recently published finding that cognitive tilts are heritable, which was advanced as a line of evidence supporting their substantive (rather than artefactual) nature. These researchers claim: i) that the heritability of tilts is simply a function of the heritabilities of the specific cognitive dimensions used in their estimation, and ii) that spuriously heritable tilts can be recovered using difference scores between psychometric, anthropometric, and even random number variables. Here, multiple studies employing three behavior genetic datasets are used to test these claims. Even when cognitive tilts are residualized for their association with their constituent abilities, they still exhibit small, but non-zero heritabilities. Shared environmentality (C) accounts for the largest proportion of variance among these residuals. Tilts generated using random numbers are, by contrast, in all cases associated with AE models, exhibiting near 100 % E variance, corresponding to error. In the Swedish Twin Registry, the tilt residual is positively correlated with a measure of life history speed (Mini-K score), suggesting that tilts capture cognitive differentiation-integration effort conditioned developmentally by C variance. Distinct latent factors among psychometric and anthropometric variables in the Georgia Twin Study are also found. These indicate the presence of distinct developmental modules, meaning that tilts estimated using manifest variables associated with different modules lack theoretical credibility, as also evidenced by weak cross loadings.

Support Vector Machine-Based Fault Diagnosis under Data Imbalance with Application to High-Speed Train Electric Traction Systems

The safety and reliability of high-speed train electric traction systems are crucial. However, the operating environment for China Railway High-speed (CRH) trains is challenging, with severe working conditions. Dataset imbalance further complicates fault diagnosis. Therefore, conducting fault diagnosis for high-speed train electric traction systems under data imbalance is not only theoretically important but also crucial for ensuring vehicle safety. Firstly, when addressing the data imbalance issue, the fault diagnosis mechanism based on support vector machines tends to prioritize the majority class when constructing the classification hyperplane. This frequently leads to a reduction in the recognition rate of minority-class samples. To tackle this problem, a self-tuning support vector machine is proposed in this paper by setting distinct penalty factors for each class based on sample information. This approach aims to ensure equal misclassification costs for both classes and achieve the objective of suppressing the deviation of the classification hyperplane. Finally, simulation experiments are conducted on the Traction Drive Control System-Fault Injection Benchmark (TDCS-FIB) platform using three different imbalance ratios to address the data imbalance issue. The experimental results demonstrate consistent misclassification costs for both the minority- and majority-class samples. Additionally, the proposed self-tuning support vector machine effectively mitigates hyperplane deviation, further confirming the effectiveness of this fault diagnosis mechanism for high-speed train electric traction systems.

Factors Influencing the Strategic Governance of EHR Interoperability: A Rapid Literature Review.

While the importance of Electronic Health Records (EHR) interoperability is widely recognised in the healthcare digitalisation context, its optimal governance structure remains controversial, requiring further research. Through the rapid literature review of 32 articles retrieved from PubMed and EBSCO, 47 distinct factors under ten categories were established. The three most cited factors in the reviewed 32 articles were "Robust inter-institutional connections, trust, and the technologies to ensure security", "Legal adaptations to the evolving digitalisation needs", and "Standardisation of terminologies and codes, and harmonised data structure". This review contributes preliminary results for the ongoing research to optimise EHR interoperability governance.

Health Information Seeking on the Internet Among Patients With and Without Cancer in a Region Affected by the 2011 Fukushima Triple Disaster: Cross-Sectional Study.

Health information seeking via the internet among patients with cancer in disaster-affected areas is underresearched. This study aims not only to assess the extent and means of web-based health information seeking among patients with cancer living in the disaster-affected area of the 2011 Fukushima triple disaster but also to compare these patterns with those without cancer, identifying distinct and shared factors influencing their web-based health information behaviors. We surveyed 404 patients (263 with and 141 without cancer) from the surgery department outpatient office at Minamisoma Municipal General Hospital, from October 2016 to January 2017. The survey included self-administered questions on internet and digital device use. Descriptive analyses were performed to examine the use patterns of digital devices and the internet and their impact on health information seeking across different age groups of patients with and without cancer. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with web-based health information seeking, stratifying by cancer diagnosis. The proportion of participants who sought health information on the internet was comparable between patients with cancer and patients without cancer (19% vs 17.4%; P=.71). Digital device use varied significantly with age, with peak smartphone use occurring among the youngest cohorts for both groups. Multivariable logistic regression revealed that patients with cancer using smartphones or tablets daily were significantly more likely to gather web-based health information (odds ratio [OR] for smartphones 3.73, 95% CI 1.58-8.80; OR for tablets 5.08, 95% CI 1.27-20.35). Trust in institutional websites also significantly influenced web-based health information gathering among patients with cancer (OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.13-7.25). Conversely, among patients without cancer, unemployment was associated with a lower likelihood of seeking web-based health information (OR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08-0.85), whereas trust in both institutional and personal websites significantly increased this likelihood (OR for institutional websites 6.76, 95% CI 2.19-20.88; OR for personal websites 6.97, 95% CI 1.49-32.58). This study reveals that a small proportion of both patients with cancer and patients without cancer engage in health information seeking via the internet, influenced by age, digital device use, and trust in institutional websites. Given the growing prevalence of digital literacy, strategies to enhance accessible and reliable web-based health information should be developed, particularly for patients with cancer in postdisaster settings. Future efforts should focus on tailored health communication strategies that address the unique needs of these populations.

Valencene ameliorates ox-LDL induced foam cell formation by suppressing inflammation and modulating key proteins involved in the atherogenesis on THP-1 derived macrophages

Atherosclerosis is a distinct risk factor for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disorders, which are significant contributors to global mortality. It is defined by macrophage-derived foam cell development followed by persistent inflammation, plaque formation, fibrosis and thrombosis. Studies have shown valencene, a sesquiterpene obtained from Valencia oranges, has several health-promoting properties. However, its protective effect against atherosclerosis and foam cell models remains unexplored. The present investigation revealed that valencene treatment suppresses foam cell generation and accumulation of lipids in THP-1-derived cells macrophage models activated with oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), maintained in vitro. The intracellular lipid content was qualitatively and semi-quantitatively analyzed by Oil Red O staining, and the compound's cytotoxicity was assessed through the MTT assay, considering both time-dependent and dose-dependent factors. The RT-qPCR results showed promising anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant enzyme status upon valencene treatment. The H2DCFDA staining revealed valencene's ability to reduce the oxidative stress induced by ox-LDL. Further, high-throughput proteomic profiling was carried out to identify the target proteins affected by valencene treatment and thereby explore its mechanism of action on foam cell models. Proteomic studies revealed that valencene treatment regulates the expression of several proteins associated with ox-LDL-induced inflammation, defective cholesterol homeostasis and cholesterol efflux pathways.

Nosocomial transmission of fluconazole-resistant Candida glabrata bloodstream isolates revealed by whole-genome sequencing.

The prevalence of fluconazole-resistant bloodstream infections caused by Candida glabrata is increasing globally, but the transmission of these resistant strains within hospitals has rarely been documented. Through whole-genome sequencing and epidemiological analyses, this study identified two potential clusters of C. glabrata bloodstream infections within the same hospital, revealing the transmission of clonal C. glabrata strains with different levels of fluconazole susceptibility or distinct transcription factor pleiotropic drug resistance protein 1 (Pdr1p) single-nucleotide polymorphism profiles among patients receiving antifungal therapy.

Local environmental factors drive distributions of ecologically-contrasting mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae)

Mosquitoes are important vectors of disease pathogens and multiple species are undergoing geographical shifts due to global changes. As such, there is a growing need for accurate distribution predictions. Ecological niche modelling (ENM) is an effective tool to assess mosquito distribution patterns and link these to underlying environmental preferences. Typically, macroclimatic variables are used as primary predictors of mosquito distributions. However, they likely undervalue local conditions and intraspecific variation in environmental preferences. This is problematic, as mosquito control takes place at the local scale. Utilising high-resolution (10 × 10 m) Maxent ENMs on the island of Bonaire as model system, we explore the influence of local environmental variables on mosquito distributions. Our results show a distinct set of environmental variables shape distribution patterns across ecologically-distinct species, with urban variables strongly associated with introduced species like Aedesaegypti and Culexquinquefasciatus, while native species show habitat preferences for either mangroves, forests, or ephemeral water habitats. These findings underscore the importance of distinct local environmental factors in shaping distributions of different mosquitoes, even on a small island. As such, these findings warrant further studies aimed at predicting high-resolution mosquito distributions, opening avenues for preventative management of vector-borne disease risks amidst ongoing global change and ecosystem degradation.

Native and prosthetic septic arthritis in a university hospital in Saudi Arabia: A retrospective study.

Septic arthritis, whether native or prosthetic, poses a significant challenge in clinical practice due to its potentially devastating consequences. Despite its clinical importance, there remains a dearth of comprehensive studies and standardized diagnostic criteria, particularly in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. To investigate the epidemiology, microbiological profiles, and clinical characteristics of native and prosthetic septic joints in the Saudi Arabian population. Medical records of patients diagnosed with septic arthritis between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2022, were retrospectively reviewed. Data regarding patient demographics, clinical presentation, microbiological cultures, treatment modalities, and outcomes were analyzed. In a retrospective review of 52 cases of septic arthritis, a balanced gender distribution was observed (1:1 ratio), with the knee being the most commonly affected joint (80.8%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus predominated in native joints (24.2%), while Brucella spp. was more prevalent in prosthetic joints (21.1%). Joint preservation was achieved in most cases (84.6%), with no significant difference in clinical features between native and prosthetic joints. However, certain comorbidities were more common in native joint cases, including renal impairment (P = 0.002), hemodialysis (P = 0.004), heart disease (P = 0.013), and chronic liver disease (P = 0.048). At the same time, osteoarthritis was more prevalent in prosthetic joint cases (P = 0.013). Vancomycin was the most frequently used antibiotic (26.9%), and most patients received antibiotics before joint aspiration (57.7%). Surgical intervention, predominantly arthrotomy, was required in most cases (32.7%). Notably, a significant association was found between joint type and mortality (odds ratio = 0.587, P = 0.048), as well as the Charlson comorbidity index and mortality (P = 0.001). This study highlighted distinctive microbiological profiles and etiological factors in septic arthritis cases in the Saudi Arabian population.

Gender disparities in suicide prevalence and risk factors in Bangladesh

Effective preventive methods for suicide need a thorough understanding of the risk factors associated with this complex and varied public health issue. This research aims to explore instances of suicide as documented in Bangladeshi newspapers, specifically examining distinctive risk factors associated with gender and demographics. 13 national daily newspapers were selected purposively data in this investigation. The logistic regression method was used for analysis and fitting to the dataset. Higher suicide odds among individuals under 30 and employed individuals. Significant regional differences are noted, with Khulna having a rate of 1.05 (OR=1.05, 95% CI: [0.45-1.42]) and Chittagong the lowest at 76% (OR=0.24, 95% CI: [0.18-0.41]) compared to Sylhet. Certain methods like hanging, poisoning, and jumping show elevated odds 1.75 (95% CI: [1.51-1.86]), 1.83 (95% CI: [0.79-1.98]), and 1.72 (95% CI: [1.53-1.97]), respectively, compared to self-harm methods among women, while factors like family issues and blackmail exhibit significantly higher odds 2.82 (95% CI: [1.85-3.10]), 1.01 (95% CI: [0.89-1.12]), and 2.06 (95% CI: [1.99-2.15]), respectively, compared to physical illness among women. By elucidating the intricacies associated with suicide risk factors in Bangladesh, our study adds to the international conversation on suicide prevention by promoting a more sophisticated comprehension of gender differences to augment the efficacy of public health campaigns. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. 2024, 10(3), 110-118

An Inexact Noda Iteration for Computing the Smallest Eigenpair of a Large, Irreducible Monotone Matrix

In this paper, we introduce an inexact Noda iteration method featuring inner and outer iterations for computing the smallest eigenvalue and corresponding eigenvector of an irreducible monotone matrix. The proposed method includes two primary relaxation steps designed to compute the smallest eigenvalue and its associated eigenvector. These steps are influenced by specific relaxation factors, and we examine how these factors impact the convergence of the outer iterations. By applying two distinct relaxation factors to solve the inner linear systems, we demonstrate that the convergence can be globally linear or superlinear, contingent upon the relaxation factor used. Additionally, the relaxation factor affects the rate of convergence. The inexact Noda iterations we propose are structure-preserving and ensure the positivity of the approximate eigenvectors. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the practicality of the proposed method, consistently preserving the positivity of approximate eigenvectors.

The Impact of Liver Steatosis on Interleukin and Growth Factors Kinetics during Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment.

Background/Objectives: Various biological response modifiers play important roles in the immunopathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C (CHC). While serum levels of cytokines and growth factors change with the disease severity and treatment responses, the impact of concomitant liver steatosis on systemic inflammatory response is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics and kinetics of serum profiles of interleukins and growth factors in CHC patients with steatotic liver disease (SLD). Methods: Serum concentrations of 12 cytokines (IL-5, IL-13, IL-2, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-4 and IL-22) and 6 growth factors (Angiopoietin-2, EGF, EPO, HGF, SCF, VEGF) were analyzed in 56 CHC patients at four time points (baseline, week 4, week 8 and SVR12) with bead-based flow cytometry assay. Results: At baseline, patients with SLD had significantly lower IL-9, IL-10, IL-13 and IL-22 and higher serum concentrations of EGF, VEGF and ANG. In a subgroup of patients with advanced liver fibrosis, SLD was linked with lower serum concentrations of IL-4, IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13 and IL-22 and higher concentrations of HGH and VEGF. Distinct cytokine kinetics during DAA treatment was observed, and SLD was identified as the main source of variation for IL-5, IL-9, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-22, EGF, VEGF and ANG. Patients with SLD at SVR12 had significantly higher VEGF and HGF serum concentrations. Conclusions: SLD is associated with distinct cytokine and growth factor profiles and kinetics during CHC treatment, which might be associated with disease severity and the capacity for liver regeneration and contribute to fibrosis persistence.

Emerging trends in early-onset gastric cancer.

The incidence of early-onset gastric cancer (EOGC) is consistently increasing, and its etiology is notably complex. This increase may be attributed to distinctive factors that differ from those associated with late-onset gastric cancer (LOGC), including genetic predispositions, dietary factors, gastric microbiota dysbiosis, and screening of high-risk cases. These factors collectively contribute to the onset of cancer. EOGC significantly differs from LOGC in terms of clinicopathological and molecular characteristics. Moreover, multiple differences in prognosis and clinical management also exist. This study aimed to systematically review the latest research advancements in the epidemiological characteristics, etiological factors, clinicopathological and molecular features, prognosis, and treatment modalities of EOGC.