Higher Rate Of Decrease Research Articles

Risk Factors Associated With Perioperative Skeletal Muscle Loss in Patients With Colorectal Cancer.

Postoperative changes in body composition, especially loss of muscle mass, often occur in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Few studies have reported perioperative changes in the body composition of patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, this study aimed at clarifying changes in body composition during the perioperative period and identifying risk factors for skeletal muscle mass loss in patients with colorectal cancer. This prospective observational study included 148 patients who underwent robot- or laparoscopic-assisted surgery for colorectal cancer. The rate of change in body composition at discharge was -6.25% for body fat, with a higher rate of decrease than that for skeletal muscle mass (-3.30%; p=0.0006) and body water mass (-2.66%; p=0.0001). Similarly, even at one month postoperatively, body fat mass (-8.05%) was reduced at a greater rate than skeletal muscle mass (-2.02% p=0.0001) and body water mass (-1.33% p=0.0001).The site-specific percent change in limb skeletal and trunk muscle mass at discharge was the greatest in the lower extremities at -5.37%, but one month after surgery, the upper extremities had the greatest change at -4.44%. The Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) influenced skeletal muscle mass loss at discharge [odds ratio (OR)=2.6; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.30-5.58], while diabetes (OR=4.1; 95%CI=1.40-12.43) and ileostomy (OR=6.7; 95%CI=1.45-31.11) influenced skeletal muscle loss one month postoperatively. Preoperative and postoperative nutritional guidance/intervention and body part-specific rehabilitation should be provided to prevent skeletal muscle mass loss in patients with low PNI, diabetes, and those undergoing ileostomy.

Analysis of the Cooling Modes of the Lining of a Ferroalloy-Casting Ladle

Analysis of the Cooling Modes of the Lining of a Ferroalloy-Casting Ladle

Analysis of wastewater from 2013 to 2021 detected a recent increase in nicotine use in Queensland, Australia

Previous wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) studies have reported decreasing trends of nicotine and tobacco use in Australia before 2017, but there is concern that increasing illicit use of nicotine in vaping products and illicit tobacco could reverse this progress. This study aimed to assess temporal trends of nicotine consumption and specifically tobacco consumption via wastewater analysis in a population in Australia between 2013 and 2021. One week of daily wastewater samples were analyzed every two months from February 2013 to December 2021 in a regional city serving ∼100,000 people. A total of 340 daily samples were analyzed for anabasine (tobacco specific biomarker) and nicotine metabolites, cotinine and hydroxycotinine, using direct injection method by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Daily consumption estimates were calculated from daily flow data, population estimates and previously reported excretion factors. Linear spline regression was performed to identify periods when significant change of slopes occurred and to evaluate the temporal trends. Tobacco use monitored using anabasine as a biomarker, showed a decreasing trend over the whole period with a higher rate of decrease during the first two years (2013-2014, 21 % decrease) compared to the later 7 years (2015-2021, 10 % decrease). Nicotine use, monitored using cotinine and hydroxycotinine, showed a downward trend between 2013 and 2018 (2013‐2014: 18 % decrease, p < 0.05; 2015‐2016: 6 % increase, p = 0.48; Feb-Dec 2017: 15 % decrease, p = 0.39) followed by a significant increase from 2018 to 2021 (40 % increase, p < 0.001). This finding suggests the increasing use of non-tobacco nicotine-based products. Additionally, the tobacco use estimate by wastewater analysis was higher than the tobacco sales data, which suggests the use of illicit tobacco in the catchment.

Persistence of SARS-CoV-2-antibodies against N, S and RBD after natural infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected most countries in the world. Monitoring the humoral immune responses during the natural course of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and the duration of them provide useful information for the development of vaccination strategies against this virus and its emerging variants. The importance of the antibody response especially neutralizing antibodies in long-term immunity to SARS-CoV-2 is significant. The present study is a cross-sectional study of sero-epidemiological type that has been proposed to compare the persistence of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) against N (nucleocapsid), S (spike) and RBD (receptor-binding domain) proteins in the community after the time of primary disease. A total of 652 serum samples were collected from hospital staff working in COVID wards, as well as a number of community members with different occupations, among those with positive antibody titers, 86 participated in the resampling test before vaccination. There was no association between antibody titer and disease severity (p>0.05). A significant decrease in Ab levels was observed in the paired second samples. The highest rate of decrease was related to anti-N, then anti-RBD and anti-S IgG levels, respectively. There is a significant relationship between the initial antibody titer and its reduction over time (p-value <0.05). Our data revealed that humoral immunity following natural infection of SARS-CoV-2 is detectable for at least 4 months, regardless of disease severity. The most decrease in antibody titer over time was related to anti-N IgG levels.

Investigating image-based fallow weed detection performance on Raphanus sativus and Avena sativa at speeds up to 30 km h−1

Site-specific weed control (SSWC) can provide considerable reductions in weed control costs and herbicide usage. Despite the promise of machine vision for SSWC systems and the importance of ground speed in weed control efficacy, there has been little investigation of the role of ground speed and camera characteristics on weed detection performance. Here, we compare the performance of four camera/software combinations using the open-source OpenWeedLocator platform – (1) default settings on a Raspberry Pi HQ camera (HQ1); (2) optimised software settings on a HQ camera (HQ2), (3) optimised software settings on the Raspberry Pi v2 camera (V2); and (4) a global shutter Arducam AR0234 camera (ARD) – at speeds ranging from 5 km h−1 to 30 km h−1. A combined excess green (ExG) and hue, saturation, value (HSV) thresholding algorithm was used for testing under fallow conditions using tillage radish (Raphanus sativus) and forage oats (Avena sativa) as representative broadleaf and grass weeds, respectively. ARD demonstrated the highest recall among camera systems, with up to 100 % recall for tillage radish and 91.6 % for forage oats at 5 km h−1. At 30 km h−1 ARD recall for forage oats declined (P < 0.05) by 12.4 %. There was no significant change for tillage radish. All cameras experienced a decrease in recall as speed increased. The highest rate of decrease was observed for HQ1 with 1.12 % and 0.90 % reductions in recall for every km/h increase in speed for tillage radish and forage oats, respectively. Detection of the ‘grassy’ forage oats was worse (P < 0.05) than the broadleaved tillage radish for all cameras. Despite the variations in recall, HQ1, HQ2, and V2 maintained near-perfect precision at all tested speeds. The variable effect of ground speed and camera system on detection performance of grass and broadleaf weeds, indicates that careful hardware and software considerations must be made when developing SSWC systems.

Lead, cadmium, and mercury blood levels in schoolchildren in southern Sweden: Time trends over the last decades

To prevent diseases arising from exposure to toxic metals, more knowledge about their temporal changes is needed, especially in children, the most vulnerable group.This study follows temporal changes in blood lead (BPb), mercury (BHg) and cadmium (BCd) levels in schoolchildren (8–11 years old) from two cities in southern Sweden. One blood sample per 773 children was used for time trend analyses between 2007 and 2022. One further blood sample re-sampled after 2 years, were used to assess intra-individual time trends of BPb (n = 377), BCd (n = 102) and BHg (n = 53) between 1979 and 2019.Geometric mean (range) of BPb, BCd and BHg concentrations during 2007–2022 was 9.9 (2.3–59), 0.09 (0.03–0.34) and 0.73 (0.02–8.2) μg/L, respectively. Living close to a Pb smelter resulted in higher levels of all three metals compared with living in the city or rural area. Annually, the concentrations clearly decreased for BPb (−4.9%, p < 0.001) and weakly for BCd (−0.6%, p = 0.013), while BHg slightly increased (+1.4%, p = 0.029). When stratified by residential area, the decrease of BCd and increase of BHg were significant only in the urban area (−1.8% and +2.8%, respectively; p < 0.01). The BPb decrease rate was the highest in the urban area followed by the rural and Pb smelter areas (−5.8% > -4.5% > -3.9%; p < 0.001). For children re-analysed during 1979–2019, a significant decrease was observed only for BPb (−6.8%; p < 0.001), with a 2% higher decrease rate in the period before than after the Pb-gasoline ban in 1994.The preventive measures against Pb pollution are reflected in the constant decrease of BPb levels over time. However, the area close to a Pb smelter, as indicated by a slower Pb decrease rate, might need further and stricter preventive measures. Exposure to Hg and Cd was low, however, the slight increase in BHg and only a minor decrease in BCd, indicate the need for continuous biomonitoring of children.

Clinical calculator for the prognosis of rapid progression of chronic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Aim. To develop an applied clinical calculator for the prognosis of rapid progression of CKD in patients with type 2 diabetes, which allows to identify a group of patients at risk of a high rate of decrease in GFR of diabetes in outpatient admission, to assess its informativeness, resolution and diagnostic significance.Material and methods. A single-stage cross-observational study of clinical status indicators was performed in a population sample of patients with type 2 diabetes. Primary medical data were collected using the AWPE 2.0 program; 150 protocols of outpatient consultations, including 69 clinical indicators, were selected according to the compliance criteria. Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis of the relationship between the indicators of clinical status and the stages of development of CKD in type 2 diabetes, the most significant factors of progression of diabetic kidney damage are identified; the original diagnostic parameter "GFR reduction Index" is proposed and clinically justified, which allows to give an objective quantitative characteristic of the dynamics of the pathological process; the measure of the influence of diagnostically significant predictors on the rate of GFR reduction is determined by regression analysis; a logistic model is constructed, on the basis of which a prognostic calculator for rapid progression of CKD is developed.Results. Quantitative assessment of the contribution of individual clinical indicators to the rate of progression of CKD allowed us to identify the following significant factors: duration of diabetes and insulin therapy, acute myocardial infarction in history, age, BMI, concomitant retinopathy, pulsation on the popliteal artery, risk group IV hypertension, treatment with sulfonylureas (without differentiated assessment by pharmacological groups), calcium antagonists; when evaluating the informativeness and predictive ability of the calculator, the area under the AUC ROC curve was 0,90 (0,82; 0,98), p&lt;0,001, which characterizes the quality of the diagnostic technique as very high.Conclusion. The original diagnostic parameter "Glomerular filtration Rate reduction Index" allows us to get a more detailed and accurate idea of the patterns of progression of CKD in DM, the applied clinical calculator of rapid progression of CKD allows us to identify a group of patients at risk of a high rate of GFR reduction, with a high level of diagnostic significance in outpatient settings.

Valorisation of Wasted Immature Tomato to Innovative Fermented Functional Foods

In this study, the lactic fermentation of immature tomatoes as a tool for food ingredient production was evaluated as a circular economy-oriented alternative for valorising industrial tomatoes that are unsuitable for processing and which have wasted away in large quantities in the field. Two lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were assessed as starter cultures in an immature tomato pulp fermentation to produce functional food ingredients with probiotic potential. The first trial evaluated the probiotic character of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LAB97, isolated from immature tomato microbiota) and Weissella paramesenteroides (C1090, from the INIAV collection) through in vitro gastrointestinal digestion simulation. The results showed that LAB97 and C1090 met the probiotic potential viability criterion by maintaining 6 log10 CFU/mL counts after in vitro simulation. The second trial assessed the LAB starters' fermentative ability. Partially decontaminated (110 °C/2 min) immature tomato pulp was used to prepare the individually inoculated samples (Id: LAB97 and C1090). Non-inoculated samples, both with and without thermal treatment (Id: CTR-TT and CTR-NTT, respectively), were prepared as the controls. Fermentation was undertaken (25 °C, 100 rpm) for 14 days. Throughout storage (0, 24, 48, 72 h, 7, and 14 days), all the samples were tested for LAB and Y&M counts, titratable acidity (TA), solid soluble content (SSC), total phenolic content (TPC), antioxidant capacity (AOx), as well as for organic acids and phenolic profiles, and CIELab colour and sensory evaluation (14th day). The LAB growth reached ca. 9 log10 CFU/mL for all samples after 72 h. The LAB97 samples had an earlier and higher acidification rate than the remaining ones, and they were highly correlated to lactic acid increments. The inoculated samples showed a faster and higher decrease rate in their SSC levels when compared to the controls. A nearly two-fold increase (p < 0.05) during the fermentation, over time, was observed in all samples' AOx and TPC (p < 0.05, r = 0.93; similar pattern). The LAB97 samples obtained the best sensory acceptance for flavour and overall appreciation scores when compared to the others. In conclusion, the L. plantarum LAB97 starter culture was selected as a novel probiotic candidate to obtain a potential probiotic ingredient from immature tomato fruits.

Оцінка ефективності перинатальної допомоги в Україні

In the context of political changes, increasing social heterogeneity of society, high income differentiation, Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine, and the COVID-19 pandemic, women during pregnancy and childbirth and newborns are becoming the most vulnerable groups in the population. Effective maternal and newborn health can only be promoted and maintained through effective healthcare systems. Purpose - to analyze and evaluate the integrated effectiveness of perinatal care in Ukraine at the national and regional levels. Materials and methods. A comprehensive analysis of regional peculiarities and an assessment of the main indicators of perinatal care in Ukraine in 2017, 2021 according to the data of the State Institution «Centre for Medical Statistics of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine», perinatal audit according to the World Health Organization «MATRIX - BABIES» methodology were carried out. A modified outcome model was used to assess the integrated effectiveness of perinatal care. Methods of systematic approach, comparative analysis, bibliographic, statistical data processing were used. Results. The population-based comprehensive study of the integrated performance of perinatal care at the national and regional levels showed a sufficient, above-average level of achievement of results (comprehensive assessment ratio (CAR) - 0.77 in 2017 and 0.73 in 2021) with a high level of coefficient of achievement of normative values of resource components (0.82 and 0.86) and activities (0.76 and 0.77, respectively), which is likely due to the reorientation of perinatal care facilities and institutions to evidence-based medical and organizational technologies. The negative trend in the perinatal care CAR for 2017-2021 (5.19% decline rate) is due to a decrease in the ratio of achievement of the normative value of the performance component from 0.79 to 0.64 due to the rapid increase in maternal mortality from 12.5 to 42.5 per 100 thousand live births and an increase in bleeding in the sequential and postpartum periods from 7.1 to 8.9 per 1000 births, respectively, which may be due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Changes in the CAR of the integrated effectiveness of regional perinatal care systems in Ukraine in 2021 compared to 2017 were downward in the vast majority (15) of territories (the highest rate of decrease in the CAR (19.05-15.0%) was in Zhytomyr, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Poltava regions), and upward in 9 territories (the highest rate of increase in the CAR (9.37-7.58%) was in Zakarpattia, Chernivtsi, and Volyn regions), with stabilization of this indicator in Rivne region. The leaders of the integrated perinatal care efficiency (the Group 1) with a high level of results achievement ratio (CAR≥0.80), which indicates that the perinatal service in the regions is quite effective, are Kyiv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, and Chernivtsi regions. An another group of regions (the Group 2) with above average CAR (0.7-0.79), which requires strengthening of certain components of perinatal service facilities and institutions, includes 13 regions. The outsiders of the integral effectiveness of perinatal care (the Group 3 of regions with an average CAR of 0.6-0.69), requiring management decisions on more efficient operation of perinatal service facilities and institutions, are 7 regions (Dnipro, Donetsk, Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv, Poltava and Kherson regions). Conclusions. The integrated assessment of the effectiveness of perinatal care makes it possible to evaluate the effectiveness of management actions in ensuring the availability and quality of perinatal care, and to respond in a timely manner to changes in the macro- and microenvironment. Given that the model of integrated assessment of perinatal care effectiveness has dynamic properties, it is planned to revise them in the future as the healthcare sector transforms and the normative values of individual indicators of the integrated assessment are achieved. No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.

EFFECT OF THE RUSSIAN MILITARY INVASION ON THE ENDOGENOUS POTENTIAL OF UKRAINE

The research determines main risks for the endogenous development of the regions of Ukraine in the war conditions. It is stressed that the highest rate of decrease was demonstrated by the export of agricultural and metallurgical products. In the conditions of war, the main risks for the endogenous development of the regions of Ukraine have been identified. It was emphasized that the greatest rate of decline is demonstrated by exports of agricultural and metallurgical products. The growing risks of loss of the export market of Ukraine because of the war was the main reason for export reduction in the first half of 2022. The work specifies structure of the main export goods of Ukraine and defines geographical and commodity structure of the foreign trade of Ukraine in the first half of 2022. It is noted that blockade of export routes for agricultural products increased tension at the international food market. The author analyzes behaviour of companies during the war.

Race-Specific Mortality from Multiple Myeloma: A CDC Database Population Study in the United States between 2000 and 2020

Background: Multiple myeloma is the second most prevalent hematologic cancer, following lymphoma, with a median overall survival of 5 to 10 years. Multiple myeloma prognosis has markedly changed over time. Despite that, there are significant racial inequalities in the incidence and overall survival of all different types and stages of the disease. Interestingly, it is twice as prevalent and fatal among African-Americans as White. In the lack of studies examining racial disparities in racial subgroups, we conducted a retrospective study to assess mortality trends across all racial groups in the United States between 2000 and 2020. Method: We performed a retrospective study utilizing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) database. Employing the multiple cause of death database (ICD-10 revision codes), we identified all patients who died of Multiple Myeloma (C90.0.x listed as the underlying cause of death) of all races (White, Black, Asian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native) between 2000 and 2020 in the United States regardless of Hispanic origin and gender. Age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated per 1000,000 persons (PMP), standardized to the US census data from 2000, and stratified by race. Result: Between 2000 and 2020, a total of 237,496 multiple myeloma deaths were identified in all races, with an overall age-adjusted mortality of 33.4 PMP. We identified a total of 189,964 deaths, 41,823 deaths, 4,558 deaths, and 1,151 deaths in the White, Black, Asian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native populations respectively. The overall age-adjusted mortalities were 31.1 PMP, 62.1 PMP, 16 PMP, and 22.7 PMP in the White, Black, Asian or Pacific Islander, and American Indian or Alaska Native populations respectively. Furthermore, over the 20 years, the age-adjusted mortality decreased by 26 % in Black (from 74.5 PMP in 2000 to 54.8 PMP in 2020), 22 % in White (from 35.2 PMP in 2000 to 27.5 PMP in 2020), 12 % in Asian or Pacific Islander (from 16.3 PMP in 2000 to 14.4 PMP in 2020), and 52 % in American Indian or Alaska Native (from 28.8 PMP in 2000 to 13.9 PMP in 2020). Conclusion: This comprehensive population-based study demonstrates that there are racial disparities in multiple myeloma mortality. Within the past two decades, the mortality was highest among African Americans and lowest among Asians and Pacific Islanders. Moreover, all racial groups had a decrease in mortality trends. American Indian Alaskans had the highest rate of decrease, which was double that of blacks. Multiple factors can contribute to the disparities including but not limited to the interplay between disease biology, risk factors, treatment response, and unequal access to innovative therapies. Further studies are needed to investigate the causes of the racial disparities and identify strategies to minimize the racial gap.

Impact of lenvatinib on renal function compared to sorafenib for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma.

Anti-VEGF drugs, such as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, play an important role in systemic therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC). We examined the effects of sorafenib and lenvatinib on proteinuria and renal function.Patients who were administered sorafenib (n = 85) or lenvatinib (n = 52) as first line treatment for uHCC from July 2009 to October 2020, were enrolled in this retrospective observational study. A propensity score analysis including 13 baseline characteristics was performed. Eighty four patients were selected (sorafenib, n = 42; lenvatinib, n = 42) by propensity score matching (one-to-one nearest neighbor matching within a caliper of 0.2). We analyzed changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) during tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment, as well as the development of proteinuria in both groups. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify predictors of a deterioration of eGFR.At 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks, ΔeGFR was significantly lower in the lenvatinib group than in the sorafenib group (P < .05). The lenvatinib group showed a significantly higher frequency of proteinuria than the sorafenib group (30.9% vs 7.1%, P = .005) and had a higher rate of decrease in eGFR than the sorafenib group (P < .05). Multivariate analysis revealed that lenvatinib use was the only predictive factor of eGFR deterioration (odds ratio 2.547 [95% CI 1.028–6.315], P = .043). In cases of proteinuria ≤1+ during lenvatinib treatment, eGFR did not decrease. However, eGFR decreased in the long term (>24 weeks) in patients who have proteinuria ≥2+.Lenvatinib has a greater effect on proteinuria and renal function than sorafenib. In performing multi-molecular targeted agent sequential therapy for uHCC, proteinuria and renal function are important factors associated with drug selection after atezolizumab-bevacizumab combination therapy currently used as the first-line treatment.

Climate change and disturbances will shape future temperate forests in the transition zone between Central and SE Europe

It is expected that climate change as well as abiotic and anthropogenic disturbances will strongly influence temperate forests. Besides changes in the main climate variables, various disturbance factors may significantly worsen conditions for mesic Slovenian forests (SE Europe) dominated by European beech (Fagus sylvatica), Norway spruce (Picea abies) and European silver fir (Abies alba). In Slovenia, the climate has warmed in recent decades, with an average annual rate of increase of about 0.4°C per decade or even more than 0.5°C per decade in summer. In addition, disturbances have caused considerable damage to trees in the most extensive forest types in Slovenia, starting with a widespread ice storm in 2014, followed by bark beetle outbreaks, windthrows and salvage logging interventions. After 2014, salvage logging increased from about one third to two thirds of the total annual felling. Over the last two decades, we have observed a decline in Norway spruce growing stock, with the highest rate of decrease in areas below 500 m a.s.l., and an increasing trend for European beech. Overall, the three dominant species (beech, spruce, silver fir), which together account for more than 70% of the total growing stock, have shown a declining trend over the last 20 years. The patterns observed are broadly consistent with earlier predictions developed for different climate change scenarios and with those reported in many other European countries. Adaptive forest management, which implements close-to-nature silviculture, has been traditionally practised in the region under study and has the potential to play an important role in reducing the risks associated with the impacts of climate change and disturbances in the future.

On rational Abel – Poisson means on a segment and approximations of Markov functions

Approximations on the segment [−1, 1] of Markov functions by Abel – Poisson sums of a rational integral operator of Fourier type associated with the Chebyshev – Markov system of algebraic fractions in the case of a fixed number of geometrically different poles are investigated. An integral representation of approximations and an estimate of uniform approximations are found. Approximations of Markov functions in the case when the measure µ satisfies the conditions suppµ = [1, a], a &gt; 1, dµ(t) = φ(t)dt and φ(t) ≍ (t − 1)α on [1, a], a are studied and estimates of pointwise and uniform approximations and the asymptotic expression of the majorant of uniform approximations are obtained. The optimal values of the parameters at which the majorant has the highest rate of decrease are found. As a corollary, asymptotic estimates of approximations on the segment [−1, 1] are given by the method of rational approximation of some elementary Markov functions under study.

Effects of 1-year treatment with canagliflozin on body composition and total body water in patients with type 2 diabetes.

To characterize the long-term changes in body composition associated with sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. In this multicentre, single-arm, open-label study, 107 patients with type 2 diabetes were treated with canagliflozin 100 mg, as add-on therapy, for 12 months. Body composition was measured with a body composition analyser (T-SCAN PLUS) using the impedance method to prospectively analyse changes in body components, including percentage of body fat, body fat mass, total body water, muscle mass and mineral mass. Estimated plasma volume (PV) was calculated using the Kaplan formula. Body weight showed a significant decrease from 1month to 12 months of treatment with canagliflozin, with a higher rate of decrease in body fat in body composition. A significant decrease in mineral mass was also observed, but its rate was low. Following treatment with canagliflozin, changes in total body water did not affect intracellular water, and a significant decrease in extracellular water, including plasma components, was observed early and was sustained up to 12 months. Protein mass, a component of muscle mass, was not affected, with only a slight decrease in water volume observed. Canagliflozin decreased extracellular fluid and PV in addition to decreasing fat in the body via calorie loss resulting from urinary glucose excretion. This study suggested that SGLT2 inhibitors might reduce body weight by regulating fat mass or water distribution in the body and might have cardiac and renal protective effects by resetting the homeostasis of fluid balance.

Numerical Modelling of Heat Transfer in Fine Dispersive Slurry Flow

Slurry flows commonly appear in the transport of minerals from a mine to the processing site or from the deep ocean to the surface level. The process of heat transfer in solid–liquid flow is especially important for the long pipeline distance. The paper is focused on the numerical modelling and simulation of heat transfer in a fine dispersive slurry, which exhibits yield stress and damping of turbulence. The Bingham rheological model and the apparent viscosity concept were applied. The physical model was formulated and then the mathematical model, which constitutes conservative equations based on the time average approach for mass, momentum, and internal energy. The slurry flow in a pipeline is turbulent and fully developed hydrodynamically and thermally. The closure problem was solved by taking into account the Boussinesque hypothesis and a suitable turbulence model, which includes the influence of the yield shear stress on the wall damping function. The objective of the paper is to develop a new correlation of the Nusselt number for turbulent flow of fine dispersive slurry that exhibits yield stress and damping of turbulence. Simulations were performed for turbulent slurry flow, for solid volume concentrations 10%, 20%, 30%, and for water. The mathematical model for heat transfer of the carrier liquid flow has been validated. The study confirmed that the slurry velocity profiles are substantially different from those of the carrier liquid and have a significant effect on the heat transfer process. The highest rate of decrease in the Nusselt number is for low solid concentrations, while for C &gt; 10% the decrease in the Nusselt number is gradual. A new correlation for the Nusselt number is proposed, which includes the Reynolds and Prandtl numbers, the dimensionless yield shear stress, and solid concentration. The new Nusselt number is in good agreement with the numerical predictions and the highest relative error was obtained for C = 10% and Nu = 44.3 and is equal to −12%. Results of the simulations are discussed. Conclusions and recommendations for further research are formulated.

Antimicrobial Activity of Combination Bacteriocin and Asam Sunti Extract (Averrhoa bilimbi L. fermented) Against Multidrug Resistant Escherichia coli in Lettuces (Lactuca sativa)

The ready-to-eat vegetables are often associated with the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. This study aimed to evaluate the potency of bacteriocin, Asam Sunti extract, and their combination against MDR E. coli in lettuce. Their antimicrobial activity was assessed using the disk diffusion method and bacterial enumeration after direct application in pre-inoculated lettuce with MDR E. coli. The bacteriocin was produced by Lactobacillus plantarum BP102 at optimum production time or during the stationary phase at 18 h. These bacteriocins were able to inhibit five MDR E. coli isolates, while Asam Sunti extract and the combination of bacteriocin and Asam Sunti extract were only able to inhibit three MDR E. coli (LL1.2, LL3.11, and LL3.12) and (LL1.2, LL1.3, and LL3.11), respectively. In direct application to pre-inoculated fresh lettuce, higher inhibition of MDR E. coli was observed after applying the combination of bacteriocin and Asam Sunti extract with a ratio of 1:1 and 1:2, compared to bacteriocin alone. However, the inhibitory activity of this combination treatment was not significantly different (p&gt;0.05) with the Asam Sunti extract alone. The highest rate of decrease in total bacteria in lettuces was 97% occurred in isolate LL1.2 with bacteriocin treatment alone, and isolate LL3.11 with combination treatment of bacteriocin and Asam Sunti extract (1:2). While on MCA media, the best reduction rate of 94% occurred in isolate LL1.2 with treatment using bacteriocin only, Asam Sunti extract only, and their combination (1:2). The inhibition of MDR E. coli in fresh lettuces by bacteriocin, Asam Sunti extract, and their combination was strain-dependent which was indicated by various inhibition results in all treatments. Key words: Asam Sunti extract, Bacteriocin, multidrug resistant.

Demonstration field experiment on testing nematode-resistant potato varieties in the Vladimir Region

The purpose of the research is a demonstration field experiment on testing nematode-resistant potato varieties on a collective farm in focal point of golden potato nematode (GPN).Materials and methods. A demonstration field experiment on testing 7 nematode-resistant and 2 susceptible potato varieties was performed in the village of Parakhino, Gus-Khrustalny District, Vladimir Region, in a small family garden with significant evidences of potato globoderosis. The family garden was divided into 27 plots. The plot area was 100 m2 . In spring and autumn, 500 cm3 soil samples were taken from each plot. The soil samples were studied by the flotation funnel method. In growing season, we measured the height of plants, counted the number of stems, estimated the color, considered the uniformity and projected coverage of grass stand of the soil, assessed the globoderosis development, and determined the number of female GPN and their development on plant roots. During the harvesting period, we took into account the number and weight of potato tubers (standard and nonstandard) in 25 plants on each plot and the number of plants on the plot, and determined potato yields. We calculated the biological and economic effectiveness of growing nematode-resistant potato varieties.Results and discussion. The demonstration field experiments of 7 nematode-resistant potato varieties using modern mechanized potato cultivation techniques in the globoderosis focus faced by high infective rate (pre-plant density of the GPN population was 9.7–10 thousand eggs and larvae per 100 cm3 of soil) showed that the nematode-resistant varieties of Saturna, Lady Rosetta, Lady Claire, Malinovka, Latonna, Skarb, Zhukovsky Ranny surpassed susceptible cultivar Udacha (standard) in biological effectiveness (57–85%), economic effectiveness (4.9–134%) and economic benefit (87–409%). In susceptible cultivars Udacha and Germes, the globoderosis development was above 53%. In the tested nematode-resistant cultivars, the globoderosis development was poorly expressed (15–26%). Nematode-resistant cultivars Lady Claire, Lady Rosetta and Saturna, which showed the highest levels of profitability, economic efficiency, and high rates of decrease in the GPN population density in the soil can be recommended for cultivation in the fields of the Rossiya agricultural company. Susceptible cultivar Germes, which has shown good performance in terms of economic effectiveness and benefit can be recommended for cultivation in the crop rotation fields of the Rossiya agricultural company. Nematode-resistant cultivars Malinovka, Skarb, Latonna and Zhukovsky Ranny, which showed less economic effectiveness and benefit as compared to potato varieties for chips can be recommended for cultivation in private plots if cultivated using modern technology.

Investigation of the Effect of Using Fe + Pure Water Nano Fluid on Thermal Performance in a Two Phase Closed Thermosiphon

Heat is a type of energy that is used in many applications and can be easily converted into other types of energy. In this study, a performance analysis was carried out by using Fe + Pure water nano fluid in place of pure water in a two phase closed thermosiphon, which has a wide place in practice due to its simple structure. In the study, a copper thermosiphon with a length of 1 m, diameter of 14 mm and wall thickness of 1 mm was used. Experiments were performed with both pure water and nano fluid to be make a comparison. To observe the performance of system in different operating conditions, the experiments were carried out at 3 different heating power (150, 300, 450 W) and 3 different coolant flow rates (3, 6, 9 g/s). In all experimental conditions, Fe + Pure water nanofluid had better results than pure water. The highest efficiency value was found to be 77.9% in the experiment using Fe + Pure water nano fluid, performed at 150 W power and 9 g/s water flow rate. When pure water was used in this experiment, the efficiency value was obtained as 67.7% and the improvement rate was 15%. The highest improvement rate was obtained as 50.3% in the experiment conducted at 450 W heating power and 3 g/s coolant flow rate. The use of nano fluid has also reduced the thermal resistance of the thermosiphon. The highest rate of decrease in thermal resistances was obtained as 56.7% in the experiment performed at 150 W heating power and 3 g/s coolant flow rate.

THE USE OF BEVACIZUMAB ALONE AND IN COMBINATION WITH CLASSICAL CHEMOTHEROPATHICS IN ISHIKAWA ENDOMETRIAL CANCER CELL CULTURE

Purpose: The aim of our study is to determine the effects of an antiangiogenic agent (bevacizumab) in combination with or without classic chemotherapeutics on the endometrium carcinoma and use these information in our clinic practice. Materials and Methods: In vitro tests were done to determine the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of Cisplatin, Adriablastine and Bevacizumab. Cytotoxic effect was determined by the standard MTT assay (Tetrozolium Test) and apopthosis by DAPI staining, caspase-3 on human endometrium cancer cell culture (Ishikawa). Results: The MTT assay determined that 9.6 mg/ml dose of bevacizumab caused a higher rate of decrease in cell number on Ishikawa cells compared to the highest doses of Cisplatin and Adriablastine. Therewithal, when Bevacizumab, Cisplatin, and Adriablastine were applied together for 24 hours, the number of cells decreased with an increasing dose. With the use of the triple combination with DAPI staining, it is seen that the cell silhouettes are effaced and the findings indicating apoptosis become more apparent. When bevacizumab was applied alone, the caspase 3 activity it produced was ascertained to be higher than the other two drugs individually and in combination. Caspase-3 activity was ascertained to have increased significantly as a result of the collective usage of 40 µM Cisplatin + 20 µM Adriablastine + 9.6 µgram / ml Bevacizumab, and this was found to be the highest cytotoxic activity compared to other applications. Conclusion: Preclinical studies have shown that murine antihuman monoclonal antibody against Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) have promising activity in many gynecologic and non-gynecologic human tumors.