Higher Decrease Research Articles

Evolving trends in prostate cancer: Disparities across income levels and global regions (1990-2019).

25 Background: Prostate Cancer, the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2020 and the fifth leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, has exhibited significant disparities in global prevalence and impact over recent decades. This study assesses the trends in incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years from prostate cancer in the World Bank regions based on country income levels from 1990 to 2019. Methods: The Global Burden of Disease Study database was used to extract Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR), age-standardized (ASDR), and life years (DALYs) for prostate cancer from different World Bank regions based on income levels from 1990 to 2019. Annual percentage change was also acquired. Mortality-to-incidence ratios (MIR) were then computed. Trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression. Results: Between 1990 and 2019, ASIRs increased across all income levels, with the greatest growth in the upper middle income (+64.7%). While ASDRs decreased in high income, upper middle income, and lower middle income levels, they notably increased in low income levels (+14.3%). DALYs decreased in high income and upper middle income levels, primarily in the high income (-25.7%), and increased in lower middle and low income levels, primarily in the low income (+13.8%). MIRs decreased in all countries, with the largest decrease in high income levels (-50%). In the last 30 years, high income countries have consistently observed the highest ASIR (2019: 77.5/100,000). However, in 1990 high income countries also had the highest ASDRs and DALYs. Interestingly, by 2019 this pattern shifted, with low income surpassing high income countries in both. Conclusions: Over the last 30 years, the incidence of prostate cancer has been rising regardless of income level. Despite the universal decrease of MIRs implying improved outcomes, screening, and therapeutical strategies, the contrasting trends in ASDRs and DALYs across income levels underscore the disparities in health outcomes. Higher income countries experienced highest cancer incidence but also the highest decrease in the mortality rates while lower income countries faced the opposite challenges with lower increase but higher mortality rates. [Table: see text]

Comparative Evaluation of DFDBA versus PRF with DFDBA in Treatment of Grade-II Furcation Defects – A Clinical Trial

ABSTRACT Background: In order to determine whether a method is more successful for treating a grade-II furcation deficiency, this randomized trial will compare demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA) to platelet-rich fibrin with DFDBA Materials and Methods: Twenty systematically healthy patients between the ages of 30 and 60 with a grade-II furcation were evaluated pre and postoperatively for changes in the modified plaque index, probing depth, relative vertical and horizontal clinical attachment level, gingival marginal level, and radiographic bone defect. Results: The test group significantly outperformed the control group on all clinical and radiological measures Conclusion: The experimental group improved at both clinical attachment levels and had a higher decrease in probing depth than the control group did.

Dynamics of intraocular pressure in patients with refractory glaucoma after transscleral cyclophotocoagulation in micropulse mode

A retrospective analysis of IOP values was carried out in 38 patients (38 eyes) with refractory glaucoma stage III–IV after transscleral micropulse cyclophotocoagulation (mCPC) using the Cyclo G6 IRIDEX device on the next day after the procedure, after 1 month, 6, 12 and 24 months after surgery. The dynamics of IOP in the postoperative period largely depends on the initial values of the clinical parameter and does not depend on the patient’s age (p = 0.32), glaucoma stage (p = 0.46), history of antiglaucoma surgery (p = 0.34), the number of used drugs (p = 0.72). After mCPC, patients with lower baseline IOP values have a higher decrease in the indicator (-36 %) and a gradual increase by the follow-up period of 12–24 months compared with patients with high baseline IOP values.

Antidiabetic activity of Akar Kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria Lour) Extract in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic White Male Rats

The Akar kuning (Fibraurea tinctoria Lour) is a well-known plant for its potential for the treatment of liver damage and hyperglycemia. However, the main constituent responsible for the anti-diabetic effect is unknown. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of administration of Fibraurea tinctoria Lour ethanol extract on the blood sugar levels in alloxan-induced diabetic male albino rats. All animals were acclimatized with normal feed, and were subsequently divided into 5groups (3rats/ group). Group 1 (negative control group) was given 0.3% NaCMC; Groups 2, 3, and 4 (treatment groups), were given 50, 100, and 200mg/kg BW of Fibraurea tinctoria Lour ethanol extract, respectively once daily for 15 days, while Group 5(positive control group) received 0.65mg/kg BW glibenclamide. Before the treatments, the rats were induced intraperitoneally with 175mg/kg BW alloxan monohydrate. The blood glucose levels were observed every five days. The results showed that the ethanol extract at the doses of 50, 100, and 200mg/kg BW caused a significant decrease (p <0.05) in the blood glucose levels compared to the negative control group. Also, the highest decrease in the blood glucose level was observed in the 100mg/kg BW treatment group. The findings from this study indicate that the ethanol extract of Fibraurea tinctoria Lour has an antidiabetic effect and the 100mg/kg BW dose was the most effective in lowering blood glucose levels.

Short-term effects of foot surgery on walking-related pain, function, and satisfaction in patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease: a prospective cohort study.

Patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) often suffer from walking-related pain (WRP), muscle weakness, foot deformities, and reduced ankle dorsiflexion (DF), which affects their ability to walk and daily activities. Functional surgery (FS) can restore foot deviations, affecting the loading ability during gait. We assessed the short-term effects of FS in patients with CMT on WRP, foot and ankle structure, and function, along with patients' perceived improvement. This is a prospective cohort study on CMT patients who had undergone FS and rehabilitation. We analyzed the changes after 1 month, focusing on WRP, DF, the center of pressure progression (COPP) during walking, and measures of walking ability. The non-parametric Wilcoxon test was used. Ten patients were included. One month after FS, WRP reduced from 5.5 (IQR = 3.5) to 2 (IQR = 3.5), p = 0.063, with an effect size of 0.615. The highest decrease was found in patients with very high pre-surgical pain levels. DF almost reached 10° for both active and passive movements (p < 0.05), and COPP improved from 44 to 60% (p = 0.009) of foot length. Gait speed, lower limb functioning, and balance did not change. More than half of the sample felt improved or much improved after FS. FS can be effective in reducing WRP and restoring foot posture in CMT patients in the short-term, which allows them to wear shoes, and leads to a perceived improvement and satisfaction. Lack of improvement in functional skills may be due to muscle weakness typical of CMT. Studies with longer follow-ups may confirm these hypotheses.

Impact of Distractors on Sustained Attention and Inhibition in Children With ADHD

Objective: This study examines the impact of visual and auditory distractors on attention and inhibition in children with and without ADHD. Method: The study used the MOXO d-CPT child version. The sample consisted of 208 children aged 8 to 12 years, including 64 with ADHD and 144 controls. Results: Children with ADHD and controls differed in their reaction to distracting stimuli; visual distractors cause a higher decrease in sustained attention and inhibitory control in the ADHD group. Moreover, auditory distractors generate improved performance in the control group but not in the ADHD group. In addition, age-related effects were found in both sustained attention and inhibitory control in all children, regardless of whether the ADHD condition was present. Conclusions: The findings indicate that children with ADHD performed poorer compared to controls, and that distractors differently affected the performance of the two groups.

Exchangeable Al, peanut growth, and nodulation on Ultisol Bogor as affected by ameliorant proportion of lime and organic matter

Ultisols are characterized as acid soils with high exchangeable Al as the primary constraint for plant growth. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the proportion of lime and organic matter in decreasing exchangeable Al on Ultisol Bogor and continued to observe the impact on the growth and nodulation of peanuts. The pot experiment used a completely randomized design with a single treatment of the addition of ameliorant consisting of 12 levels of the treatment of lime (calcite and dolomite), organic matter (dry cow dung and rice straw compost), and their combinations with three replications. The first step was applying the ameliorant and incubating for eight weeks, then continuing the cultivation of peanuts. Results showed that during incubation, the decrease in exchangeable Al levels varied between treatments, along with an increase in soil pH and available P. The treatments of calcite 100% (T1) and dolomite 100% (T2) showed the highest increase in soil pH and available P and the highest decrease in exchangeable Al. The result of plant growth showed that the highest plant dry weight, N-uptake, and P-uptake were obtained by the treatment of dolomite 25% + rice straw compost 25% + dry cow dung 25% + NPK 25% (T10), whereas the highest number and total weight of nodules were obtained by the rice straw compost 50% + dry cow dung 50% (T7) and dolomite 25% + rice straw compost 75% (T8).

N1-Acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine, which decreases in the hippocampus with aging, improves long-term memory via CaMKII/CREB phosphorylation.

Melatonin is a molecule ubiquitous in nature and involved in several physiological functions. In the brain, melatonin is converted to N1-acetyl-N2-formyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AFMK)and then to N1-acetyl-5-methoxykynuramine (AMK),which has been reported to strongly enhance long-term object memory formation. However, the synthesis of AMK in brain tissues and the underlying mechanisms regarding memory formation remain largely unknown. In the present study, young and old individuals from a melatonin-producing strain, C3H/He mice, were employed. The amount of AMK in the pineal gland and plasma was very low compared with those of melatonin at night; conversely, in the hippocampus, the amount of AMK was higher than that of melatonin. Indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (Ido) mRNA was expressed in multiple brain tissues, whereas tryptophan 2,3-dioxygenase (Tdo) mRNA was expressed only in the hippocampus, and its lysate had melatonin to AFMK conversion activity, which was blocked by the TDO inhibitor. The expression levels of phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)and PSD-95in whole hippocampal tissue were significantly increased with AMK treatment. Before increasing in the whole tissue, CREB phosphorylation was significantly enhanced in the nuclear fraction. In the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG)pathway analysis, we found that downregulated genes in hippocampus of old C3H/He mice were more enriched for long-term potentiation (LTP)pathway. Gene set enrichment analysis showed that LTP and neuroactive receptor interaction gene sets were enriched in hippocampus of old mice. In addition, Ido1 and Tdo mRNA expression was significantly decreased in the hippocampus of old mice compared with young mice, and the decrease in Tdo mRNA was more pronounced than Ido1. Furthermore, there was a higher decrease in AMK levels, which was less than 1/10 that of young mice, than in melatonin levels in the hippocampus of old mice. In conclusion, we first demonstrated the Tdo-related melatonin to AMK metabolism in the hippocampus and suggest a novel mechanism of AMK involved in LTP and memory formation. These results support AMK as a potential therapeutic agent to prevent memory decline.

Changes in soil properties of xerophytic forests in Southern Russia after anthropogenic impact

Anthropogenic influences negatively affect the soil properties and woody vegetation in the xerophytic forests and the rare forests of the northern coastal area of the Black Sea. The study was carried out at the properties of soils in the Utrish State Nature Reserve (Russia), which was previously under the influence of anthropogenic impact. Fires, deforestation, and recreational load were selected as the prioritised types of anthropogenic impact in long-term studies with soil (Cambisols) in the Utrish State Nature Reserve, which rapidly lead to the degradation of ecosystems and biodiversity reduction. Soil samples were taken from the 0–10-cm layer in triplicate from each study site. The study site after recreational load has been investigated in 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, and 2020. The parameters pH, organic carbon content, enzyme activity were studied. Biological properties of soils were found to be more sensitive to changes in characteristics than other soil parameters. For all the studied parameters, there was a decrease in the organic carbon content from 18% to 59% relative to the control. The highest decrease in the indicator was noted for soils after deforestation. Enzymes from the oxidase class recover faster than the hydrolases. Catalase activity for all disturbed soils decreased on average by 13%. Non-significant differences from the control were observed for soils after deforestation and fires. Inhibition of invertase activity was established in soils by an average of 52% after fires and recreational exposure, with an increase in enzyme activity of 77% observed after deforestation. The results can be used to assess effects of the anthropogenic impacts on forests. Biological indicators are good markers of the condition of disturbed soils that could be implicated to determine the prioritised anthropogenic load in the soils of xerophytic forests.

Toxicity of the mixture of nanoparticles to algae–bacteria consortia in OECD media

Toxicity trend of 0.1 mg L−1 NPs in consortia: CuO &gt; ZnO &gt; CuO + ZnO. At 0.1 mg L−1, NP toxic effect was antagonistic and resulted in a higher decrease in bacterial count than algal count. Growth of consortia in a mixture of NPs up to 0.1 mg L−1 is possible.

Spatiotemporal patterns of rheumatic heart disease burden attributable to high systolic blood pressure, high sodium diet, and lead exposure (1990 to 2019): a longitudinal observational study.

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) continues to be a significant global health concern, exhibiting unique regional disparities. Although there is a noted decline in the burden of RHD, the specific causatives for this decrease remain unclear. This study aims to identify and quantify the spatiotemporal patterns related to the RHD-attributable risk burden. The data pertaining to deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to RHD risk were drawn from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study conducted from 1990 to 2019. These data, categorized by age, gender, and geographical location, highlighted risk factors including diets high in sodium, elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP), and lead exposure. To examine the long-term trends in RHD changes due to these specific risk factors, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) method was used. During the past 30 years, the highest decrease in RHD burden was attributed to high SBP. An AAPC of -2.73 [95% confidence interval (CI): -2.82 to -2.65] and - 2.45 (95% CI: -2.55 to -2.36) in deaths and DALYs was attributable to high SBP, while an AAPC of -3.99 (95% CI: -4.14 to -3.85) and - 3.74 (95% CI: -3.89 to -3.6) in deaths and DALYs was attributed to a diet high in sodium. Moreover, the trends in deaths and DALYs due to lead exposure also showed decreases with an AAPC of -2.94 (95% CI: -3 to -2.89) and - 3.46 (95% CI: -3.58 to -3.34) from 1990 to 2019. Oceania showed an upward trend of the RHD DALYs due to high SBP, with an AAPC of 0.23 (95% CI: 0.13 to 0.33). In general, countries in Oceania, East Asia, and South Asia had higher age-standard deaths and DALY rates of RHD due to diets high in sodium. Our study has revealed that high SBP remains the prime risk factor contributing to the RHD burden. There are decreasing spatiotemporal patterns in RHD-related deaths and burdens. Gaining this knowledge is fundamental to making informed public health strategies and clinical decisions, especially concerning risk assessment, screening, and prevention initiatives.

Swelling and removal of metal in zeolit alam lampung (ZAL) using a swelling agent C15H32

Natural Zeolite, especially Zeolit Alam Lampung (ZAL) from Indonesia is a natural zeolite with a clinoptilatite-type crystal with a hollow structure. One option in modifying ZAL in the chemical field, especially catalysts and adsorbents, is the swelling method. The challenge of swelling in ZAL is the content of alkali and alkaline earth metals (Na, Mg, K, Ca), transition metals (Fe and Cu), and the Si/Al ratio of 5.9, which will influence the structure of the swelled ZAL. The selection of swelling agents with isomers of aromatic and alkane groups at C15H32 has two functions: a swelling agent and a removal agent for alkali metals, alkaline earth, and transition metals. The ability of C15H32 can break Si-O-T and Al-O-T bonds without adversely affecting the crystal structure of ZAL Swelling. SEM EDX results showed that the highest decrease in alkali and alkaline earth metal content occurred in Na and Ca metals, which amounted to 42.6% and 43.3%, respectively. The same condition also occurred in Fe and Cu transition metals, which decreased to 59.3% and 52.3%, respectively. Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) analysis showed an increase in Average pore Radius in ZAL Swelling by 35.6% (95.8442 Å) compared to ZAL of 70.6596 Å.

Comparison of risk of malignancy and predictive value of diagnostic categories defined by Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology system and WHO reporting system for pancreaticobiliary cytopathology in solid pancreatic lesions.

The standardized diagnostic categories defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) reporting system support the interdisciplinary interpretation of cytological findings in the management of pancreatic cancer. To compare this classification to the Papanicolaou Society of Cytopathology (PSC) system in terms of predictive value and risk of malignancy (ROM) in solid pancreatic lesions. Retrospective cohort study. All consecutive patients with solid pancreatic lesions who underwent endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) sampling at the University of Szeged from 2014 to 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. The predictive value and ROM of cytological findings were determined with comparison to histologic outcome and/or clinical follow-up. A total of 521 EUS-FNAs were performed with a malignancy rate of 81.76%. In both classification systems, the absolute ROM of "non-diagnostic," "negative for malignancy," "atypical," "suspicious for malignancy," and "malignant" categories were 48.2%, 2.3%, 78.1%, 100.0%, and 99.4%, respectively. Despite the heterogeneous nature of the "neoplastic: other" category of the PSC system, the absolute ROM for solid lesions was 100%. Pancreatic neoplasm: high-risk/grade category including only two endosonographically solid cases of high-grade intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms showed 100% ROM. There were no differences between PSC and WHO systems in sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values: excluding the "atypical" category, these were 99.7%, 95.6%, 97.7%, and 99.5%, respectively. The "atypical" category considered benign resulted in a higher decrease in validity and negative predictive value, compared to "atypical" considered true malignant (93.6% vs 97.7% and 65.8% vs 97.7%). For solid pancreatic lesions, the WHO system was identical to the PSC system in terms of ROM and predictive values.

Expression of CD4+T Cells in Myeloproliferative Diseases and the Effect of Ruxolitinib Treatment on Prognosis.

Myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) are rare diseases in which the bone marrow produces too many red, white, or platelets. Myeloproliferative disorders are neither acute nor leukaemia. To study ruxolitinib's effect on MPD therapy and CD4+ T cell expression. In total, 66 JAK2V617F-positive MPD patients were admitted to our hospital. The patients were randomly assigned to control and research groups (each 33). Hydroxyurea pills were given to the control group and ruxolitinib to the observation group. The MPN-10 assesses 10 of the most clinically relevant symptoms, including fatigue and generates a Total Symptom Score (TSS). In addition, by comparing myelofibrosis (MF), spleen length, JAK2V617F gene expression, peripheral blood lymphocyte and T cell levels, and prognostic levels, analyze the shortcomings of each group. Post-treatment, MPN-10, MF, and spleen length diameter were reduced in both groups (P < 0.05), with the study group showing a higher reduction than the control group (P < 0.05). Compared to prior treatment, JAK2V617F gene expression was reduced in all groups after 6 months and a year of medication. The study category had a higher decrease in expression than the control group. After therapy, CD4 and CD4/CD8 levels rose, but CD8 and Treg levels decreased. The study group had increased CD4 and CD4/CD8 levels, whereas the control group had lower CD8 and Treg levels . The study group had a greater 1-year survival rate than the control group, but the control group had lower mortality and adverse event rates. In JAK2V617F-positive MPD patients, ruxolitinib reduces JAK2V617F gene expression, myelofibrosis, and therapeutic impact.

Liposomes versus microemulsions: Two novel nanosystems achieved an increased latanoprost hypotensive effect compared to traded medication

Aims/Purpose: The design of new topical ophthalmic nanosystems is linked to obtain non‐harmful carriers capable of increasing drug bioavailability and reduce the frequency of its instillations. Hypotensive actives such as latanoprost (L) are used to decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients. Two novel formulations, L‐loaded liposomes (LL) and L‐loaded microemulsions (LME), both including hyaluronic acid for its mucoadhesive properties were elaborated. The efficacy in reducing IOP of both formulations (48 h) was compared to a traded L‐ophthalmic solution (TM).Methods: LL were manufactured by the lipid film hydration method using synthetic phospholipids and cholesterol. LME were produced according to the self‐emulsification method by employing well‐tolerated oils and co‐solvents. Both LL and LME were characterized in terms of pH, osmolarity, size distribution, viscosity, and surface tension. Their hypotensive effect was evaluated up to 48 h in normotensive male albino New Zealand rabbits (n = 6, 12 eyes) using a tonometer following a single 25 μL topical administration and related to TM (n = 6). Draize test was performed before and 4 h after the instillation to establish LL, LME and TM tolerance.Results: Both LL and LME displayed proper physicochemical properties for the parameters evaluated. According to Draize test, both formulations resulted well‐tolerated without any sign of conjunctival hyperaemia, chemosis or discharge. Both LL and LME showed at least a 24‐h longer IOP reduction compared to TM, with the higher decrease at 3 h for LL and TM (24.02 ± 8.26% LL; 21.94 ± 10.14% TM) and 28 h for LME (30.40 ± 6.50%). Whilst at 24 h animals treated with TM (101.68 ± 5.27%) recuperated basal values, LL (91.08 ± 7.89%) and LME (80.14 ± 7.19%) rabbits still showed IOP decrease effect.Conclusions: Liposomes and microemulsions showed a longer hypotensive effect compared to traded medication, which makes them encouraging novel compliance‐friendly eye drops for glaucoma treatment.Acknowledgments: PID2020‐113281RB‐C21 funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033; 813440‐ORBITAL‐H2020‐MSCA‐ITN‐2018.

Effectiveness of various nematode-trapping fungi for biocontrol of the Meloidogyne incognita in tomato (Lycopersicion esculentum Mill.)

The nine promising species of nematode-trapping fungi namely Dr. dactyloides, Dr. brochopaga, Da. gephyropaga, Da. phymatopaga, A. eudermata, A. oligospora, A. conoides, A. thaumasia and A. musiformis were isolated from the root-knots rhizosphere to compare their, in vitro nematode trapping ability against Meloidogyne incognita, ability to form conidial traps close to nematode infested soils and their effectiveness in reducing on M. incognita infection indices on tomato. The laboratory assays of nematophagous efficacy of nine nematode-trapping fungi against M. incognita revealed that Dr. dactyloides, Dr. brochopaga, D. gephyropaga and Da. phymatopaga seemed to be the most effective, with 73.2–99.8% trapping and killing of juveniles within 5 days of nematode and fungal interface. Conidial trap forming ability of different species of nematode-trapping fungi showed that Dr. dactyloides, Dr. brochopaga formed frequent formation of conidial traps without intermediate germ tubes whereas Da. phymatopaga and Da. gephyropaga formed adhesive traps on spore germ tubes in close vicinity of root-knot nematode infested soils and killed the nematode present on the agar discs. A. eudermata, A. oligospora, A. conoides, A. thaumasia and A. musiformis frequently germinated by germ tubes in soil and occasionally formed fewer traps. The pot experiment results showed that Dr. brochopaga and Dr. dactyloides, which dominantly formed conidial traps without an intermediate mycelial phase caused the highest decrease in the number of roots-knots (67.2–70.4%), females (80.5–85.8%) and eggs and juveniles (84.9–88.8%) of M. incognita followed by Da. gephyropaga and Da. phymatopaga which formed traps on conidial germ lings and mycelium. A. eudermata, A. oligospora, A. conoides, A. thaumasia and A. musiformis which formed poor conidial traps caused a moderate decrease in the number of root-knots (45.3–53.4%), females (55.5–61.1%), eggs and juveniles (52.9–60.1%) of M. incognita in comparison to control. This paper analyses the effective biocontrol of M. incognita by using different nematode-trapping fungi, especially conidial traps forming fungi and the fate of application of these species in the RKN-infested soil for management of M. ingocnita.

New insights into Hg[sbnd]Se antagonism: Minor impact on inorganic Hg mobility while potential impacts on microorganisms

Selenium (Se) is a crucial antagonistic factor of mercury (Hg) methylation in soil, with the transformation of inorganic Hg (IHg) to inert mercury selenide (HgSe) being the key mechanism. However, little evidence has been provided of the reduced Hg mobility at environmentally relevant doses of Hg and Se, and the potential impacts of Se on the activities of microbial methylators have been largely ignored. This knowledge gap hinders effective mitigation for methylmercury (MeHg) risks, considering that Hg supply and microbial methylators serve as materials and workers for MeHg production in soils. By monitoring the mobility of IHg and microbial activities after Se spike, we reported that 1) active methylation might be the premise of HgSe antagonism, as higher decreases in MeHg net production were found in soils with higher constants of Hg methylation rate; 2) IHg mobility did not significantly change upon Se addition in soils with high DOC concentrations, challenging the long-held view of Hg immobilization by Se; and 3) the activities of iron-reducing bacteria (FeRB), an important group of microbial methylators, might be potentially regulated by Se addition at a dose of 4 mg/kg. These findings provide empirical evidence that IHg mobility may not be the limiting factor under Se amendment and suggest the potential impacts of Se on microbial activities.

Влияние воздействий поверхностно-активных веществ на прочность образцов мерзлых вскрышных горных пород угольных месторождений криолитозоны

The harsh climatic conditions of the cryolithic zone with its long winter period and presence of permafrost soils significantly slow down all technological processes in surface mining. The resistance of frozen rocks at coal mines to digging with mining equipment can be reduced by their preliminary softening with the use of surfactants. The paper discusses the softening effect of aqueous surfactant solutions on samples of frozen overburden rocks. The authors demonstrate that treatment of rocks with solutions of optimal composition and concentration decreases their strength, which makes it possible to enhance the efficiency of In-Pit Crushing and Conveying Systems based on the rotary mechanical shovel in combination with a conveyor as well as the use of continuous miners. Experimental data are presented on the strength properties of artificially made samples of overburden rocks from the Kangalassky coal deposit saturated with surfactant solutions of different concentrations. The authors point out that the highest decrease in the samples strength is achieved when using aqueous solution of aluminum chloride. The results of experiments carried out to establish the effects of distilled water (H2O) and NaCl solutions of different concentrations on the strength properties of fine-grained sandstones from the Elga coal deposit are presented, which confirm that at the temperature of -10°С the maximum reduction of up to 55% is achieved in the strength of the samples, and when the temperature decreases from -10°С to -20°С a slight increase is observed in the sample strength. The authors suggest that the use of surfactants will reduce the strength of the frozen overburden soils, thus making it possible to apply a blast-free mining technology.

The Metabolism of 2-arachidonoylglycerol in Rod Outer Segments Is Modulated by Proteins Involved in the Phototransduction Process.

We previously reported that 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) synthesis by diacylglycerol lipase (DAGL) and lysophosphatidate phosphohydrolase (LPAP) and hydrolysis by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) in rod outer segments (ROS) from bovine retina were differently modified by light applied to the retina. Based on these findings, the aim of the present research was to evaluate whether 2-AG metabolism could be modulated by proteins involved in the visual process. To this end, ROS kept in darkness (DROS) or obtained in darkness and then subjected to light (BROS) were treated with GTPγS and GDPβS, or with low and moderate ionic strength buffers for detaching soluble and peripheral proteins, or soluble proteins, respectively. Only DAGL activity was stimulated by the application of light to the ROS. GTPγS-stimulated DAGL activity in DROS reached similar values to that observed in BROS. The studies using different ionic strength show that (1) the highest decrease in DROS DAGL activity was observed when both phosphodiesterase (PDE) and transducin α (Tα) are totally membrane-associated; (2) the decrease in BROS DAGL activity does not depend on PDE association to membrane, and that (3) MAGL activity decreases, both in DROS and BROS, when PDE is not associated to the membrane. Our results indicate that the bioavailability of 2-AG under light conditions is favored by G protein-stimulated increase in DAGL activity and hindered principally by Tα/PDE association with the ROS membrane, which decreases DAGL activity.

Patterns of healthcare use among children with immigrant and non-immigrant backgrounds in 2019 and 2020: evidence from the CRIAS cohort study in the metropolitan area of Lisbon, Portugal

BackgroundInternational migrant families may face various barriers in the access and use of health services. Evidence on immigrant children’s health care or prevention facilities’ utilisation patterns is scarce in Portugal. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to compare health services use between immigrant and non-immigrant children in the Metropolitan Area of Lisbon in 2019–2020 with the aim of informing public policies towards equitable access to, and use of health services.MethodsThe CRIAS (Health Trajectories of Immigrant Children) prospective cohort study enrolled 420 children (51.6% immigrant) born in 2015 and attending primary health care (PHC) services in 2019. We compared primary health care facilities and hospital paediatric emergency department (ED) utilisation patterns in the public National Health Service, together with reported private practitioners use, between immigrant and non-immigrant children in 2019 and 2020. The Pearson chi-squared test, Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact test, two-proportion z-test and Mann‒Whitney U test were used to examine the differences between the two groups.ResultsIn 2019, no significant differences in PHC consultations attendance between the two groups were observed. However, first-generation immigrant children (children residing in Portugal born in a non-European Union country) accessed fewer routine health assessments compared to non-immigrant children (63.4% vs. 79.2%). When children were acutely ill, 136 parents, of whom 55.9% were parents of non-immigrant children, reported not attending PHC as the first point of contact. Among those, nearly four times more non-immigrant children sought healthcare in the private sector than immigrant children (p < 0.001). Throughout 2019, immigrant children used ED more often than non-immigrant children (53.5% vs. 40.4%, p = 0.010), as their parents reported difficulties in accessing PHC. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer immigrant children accessed PHC compared to non-immigrant children (70% vs. 80%, p = 0.018). Both non-immigrant and immigrant children reduced ED use by 2.5 times, with a higher decrease among immigrant children (46% vs. 34%). In both 2019 and 2020, over 80% of immigrant and non-immigrant children used ED for conditions classified as having low clinical priority.ConclusionBeyond identifying health care use inequalities between immigrant and non-immigrant children, the study points to urgent needs for public policy and economic investments to strengthen PHC for all children rather than for some.