Percent Decline Research Articles

Examining the effects of COVID-19 on logistics and supply chain networks in Oman.

Our study analyzes the economic impact of COVID-19 and its subsequent border closure and the lockdown on the logistics, transportation services, and supply chain networks, most notably the closure of industrial complexes, commercial centers, and loss of jobs and businesses. As the pandemic disruption of the global supply chains reached its peak in the Middle East region, with approximately 22 percent decline in turnover of goods transport companies in 2020, we empirically assess the impact of this decline on the revenue, demand of services, operation, wages, and employments in the logistics companies in the Sultanate of Oman. Methodologically, we employ the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, McNemar's test, and Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks test to analyze the primary data collected from 61 survey questionnaire responses and 20 interviews of senior executives of these companies. Our results reveal unfavorable pandemic externalities on the surveyed companies' balance sheet, demand for services, operational capacity, wage payments, and employee layoffs. We also observed strong correlations between the timely goods delivery and customs clearance and material shortages, and between customs clearance and material shortages. Our findings have practical implications for company executives to lessen the effects of the pandemic on the reduction of company income, service demand, operational capacity, salary payments, and employee layoffs. Policymakers must develop appropriate policy measures to enhance port competitiveness and improve customs procedures and service delivery.

Assessment of oligometastasis status of prostate cancer following combined robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation versus androgen deprivation therapy alone using PSA percentage decline rate.

To compare the tumor control in prostate cancer patients with oligo-metastasis following combined robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and androgen deprivation versus androgen deprivation therapy alone based on total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) assessment. Medical data of a total of 18 prostate cancer patients with oligometastasis administered in The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from March 2017 to March 2018 were prospectively collected. 10 patients received a combined therapy of robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and pharmaceutical androgen deprivation (RARP+ADT group), while 8 patients received pharmaceutical androgen deprivation therapy alone (ADT group). Then demographic characteristics, prostate volume, tumor characteristics and tPSA data were analysised and compared. Statistical analysis was performed using t-test for continuous variables and Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables. No significant difference was found in patients' age (p = 0.075), prostate volume (p = 0.134) and number of bone metastasis (p = 0.342). Pre-treatment Gleason score was significantly lower in RA group (p = 0.003). Patients in RARP+ADT group had significantly lower pre-treatment tPSA (p = 0.014), while no statistical difference was noted in reexamined tPSA (p = 0.140) on follow-up. No statistical difference was noted in tPSA decline rates (declined tPSA value per day) in RARP+ADT and ADT group (8.1 ± 4.7 verse 7.5 ± 8.0 ng/ml/d, p = 0.853). However, tPSA percentage decline rate (declined tPSA percentage per day) was significantly higher in RARP+ADT group (11.6 ± 1.5%/d verses 2.9 ± 2.2%/d, p< 0.001). Immediate urinary continence was achieved in 9 patients (90%) upon removal of urethral catheter on post-operative day 7 in RARP+ADT group. ADT alone and in combination with RARP both provide effective tumor control in patients suffering from prostate cancer with oligometastasis. ADT combined with RARP exhibited significant advantage in PSA percentage decline rate without compromising patients' urinary continence. Long-term tumor control requires further follow-up.

Static Perimetry in the Rate of Progression in USH2A-related Retinal Degeneration (RUSH2A) Study: Assessment Through 2 Years

To evaluate disease progression using static perimetry (SP) in patients with USH2A-related retinal degeneration, including Usher syndrome type 2 (USH2) and nonsyndromic autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Prospective, observational cohort study. A total of 102 patients with biallelic disease-causing sequence variants in USH2A with baseline best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) letter score ≥54 were recruited from 16 clinical sites in Europe and North America. SP, BCVA, full-field stimulus thresholds, spectral domain optical coherence tomography macular scans, and fundus-guided mesopic microperimetry were performed at baseline and annually. The main outcome measures were total hill of vision (VTOT), hill of vision in the central 30° (V30), VTOT minus V30 (VPERIPH), and mean sensitivity. The average decline (95% CI) was 2.05 (1.40, 2.70) decibel-steradian (dB-sr)/y for VTOT, 0.48 (0.32, 0.65) dB-sr/y for V30, 1.53 (0.97, 2.08) dB-sr/y for VPERIPH, and 0.55 (0.40, 0.71) dB/y for mean sensitivity. Average percentage decline per year was 8.3 (5.5, 11.1) for VTOT, 5.2 (3.0, 7.4) for V30, 16.0 (9.5, 22.0) for VPERIPH, and 5.1 (3.5, 6.7) for mean sensitivity. Changes from baseline to year 2 in all SP measures were highly correlated (r's ranging from 0.52 [V30 vs VPERIPH] to 0.98 [VTOT vs VPERIPH]). Quantitative measures of SP declined significantly over 2 years in USH2A-related retinal degeneration. The annual percentage rate of change was greatest for VTOT and VPERIPH, whereas V30 and mean sensitivity changed least, reflecting earlier and more severe peripheral degeneration compared with central loss.

Drivers of Weighted Average Cost of Capital in Selected Listed Companies in Tanzania

This study investigates drivers of the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for the listed companies in Tanzania. Specifically, the study aimed to investigate the relationship between size of the firm and WACC of the selected listed companies in Tanzania, to examine how Profitability of the firm affects WACC of the selected listed companies in Tanzania, to analyze Growth rate impact on WACC of the selected listed companies in Tanzania and to examine how tangibility of the firm affects WACC of the selected listed companies in Tanzania. The study employed quantitative time series data covering data from various sources such as the published company’s financial statements, managerial commentary and reports, data from Dar-es-salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) was also form a prominent part of data for the purpose of the study in a span of 11 years (2010 to 2020). The study findings reveal that a percentage increase in the size of members will lead to a 0.00% increase in WACC. More so, A percentage increase in profitability will lead to a 1.46 percent decline in WACC. A percentage increase in growth rate will lead to a 0.07 percent increase in WACC. A percentage increase in asset tangibility will result in a 0.04 percent decline in WACC. The study recommends that a company’s capitalization structure can have a significant impact on its financial performance as everything begins with how the company finances its operations, from its first sale to future investments. However, the profitability of a listed company can be achieved by finding against the company’s predetermined investments as the company uses profitability for expansion and dividend distribution to shareholder debt by carefully analyzing the debt ratio. Additionally, larger profits made by a firm can boost investor and creditor confidence in capital investments, which has an impact on a company’s capital structure.

Monetary policy and economic growth in Nigeria: Evidence from bounds and Bayer-Hanck cointegration techniques

This paper contributes to the monetary policy-economic growth debate by investigating whether monetary policy stimulates economic growth in Nigeria. Using time series data from 1970 to 2018 and deploying the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) model, bounds and the Bayer- Hanck (2013) cointegration tests, evidence from the main and robustness checks show that (1) a significant long-run association exists, and (2) a percentage increase in the monetary policy rate results in 0.055 percentage decline in economic growth, on average, ceteris paribus. In other words, these findings confirm that a statistically significant inverse relation exists between monetary policy and economic growth in Nigeria. Trade openness also exerts asymmetric contemporaneous (0.094) and lag (-0.059) impacts on economic growth at the 1% and 5% significance levels, respectively. Similarly, the inflation rate contemporaneously reduces economic growth (-0.002) at the 1% significance level while its lag impacts are asymmetric and statistically significant at the 10% and 5% levels, respectively. Policy recommendations are discussed.

Antenatal visits and obstetric outcomes during nationwide COVID-19 lock down period in a tertiary hospital of Nepal

Introduction: Maternity services were disrupted during nationwide COVID-19 lock down period. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of nationwide COVID-19 lock down on antenatal visits and obstetric outcomes in a tertiary hospital of Nepal.&#x0D; Method: A study was conducted at Patan hospital, Nepal with regard to antenatal visits and obstetric outcomes during COVID-19 lockdown period (24th March to 14th June 2020) and was compared to non COVID-19 period (24th March to 14th June 2019). A Chi-square test was used to determine the association between the outcome variables. The data was taken as statistically significant when the p-value was &lt;0.05.&#x0D; Result: A total of 4,157pregnant women visited antenatal clinic (ANC) during nationwide COVID-19 lock down period while 7,029 patients visited during same period a y back (non COVID-19 period) which is a 40.86 percentage decline. There was significant reduction in deliveries during COVID-19 lock down period (1604 during non COVID-19 and 1140 deliveries during COVID-19 lockdown period respectively) but mode of delivery was similar. Maternal complications like postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), intensive care stay (ICU), sepsis and cesarean hysterectomy were similar during both the period.&#x0D; There was a significant reduction in preterm deliveries during COVID-19 lock down period (13 during non COVID-19and 8.7 percentage during COVID-19 period respectively). However, early neonatal sepsis (EONS) was significantly higher during COVID-19 lock down period.&#x0D; Conclusion: While, there was a significant reduction in preterm births and increase in early neonatal sepsis during COVID-19 lockdown period, there was no difference in maternal outcome.

Clinical efficacy of the radius bone plates for the fixation of radius bone fractures

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background:&lt;/strong&gt; The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the radius bone plates fixation for treating radius bone fracture.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods:&lt;/strong&gt; Forty-Five patients with fracture of the radius involving the distal part were treated with fixed angle plate fixation approach. This was a retrospective study in which 45 patients (39M, 6F) were treated at different hospitals and countries between August 2020 to October 2021 with a mean follow up of year (1month, 3months, 6months and 12months). All patients were followed using radiographs, physical examination, ASA and VAS score.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results:&lt;/strong&gt; All patients with radius fracture treated with specific fixation of plate system were enrolled and received continuous physiotherapy by physiotherapists, which helped in early healing. The clinical treatment results showed decline in the VAS score percentage after 1 year follow up. About 91.1% patients were satisfied with no pain and 8.8% patients were unsatisfied due to mild pain. A successful surgical outcome was reported without any complications related to implant breakage, loosening, corrosion or other factors.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;The radius plate system results in more efficient, stable fixation and better subjective results early in the postoperative period. It has minimal complications requiring reoperation and risks.&lt;/p&gt;

FIFTEEN-YEAR TRENDS IN THE PATTERNS OF MEAL TIMING AND EATING FREQUENCY AMONG US ADULTS

Abstract Understanding patterns of eating behavior may provide insights into contributors to obesity and metabolic diseases. To characterize trends in meal timing and frequency in US population age &amp;gt;19 years, we performed a serial cross-sectional analysis of 8 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles (2003-2018) on 34,470 adults (52.5% women and 21% black). Time of food and beverage intake was extracted from two 24-hour food recalls. The following meal timing measures were defined: 1) The time of the last and first calorie intake either from food or drink, 2) Eating window: The time elapsed between the first and last food intake, 3) Calorie midpoint time: The time when half of the calories for the day were consumed, 4) Late night eating: Consumption of ≥33% of total daily energy between 5:00pm and midnight, and 5) Eating frequency: Frequency of food or beverage consumption &amp;gt;0 kcal which were &amp;gt;15 minutes apart. From 2003 to 2018, survey-weighted mean (±SE) of eating window decreased from 12.21±0.06 to 12.02±0.05 hours/d (Ptrend=0.002). Time of the last calorie intake significantly decreased from 20.31±0.04 to 20.09±0.03 hours/d, while the time of first calorie intake and eating frequency remained unchanged. More than two-third of participants consumed ≥33% of total daily energy after 5:00pm. Over the 15-year span, composition of diet has also changed, including a decline in total calorie intake and percentage of energy from carbohydrate intake, while percentage of energy from dietary fats increased, Ptrend&amp;lt; 0.05. Patterns of eating behavior have changed in American adults over time.

National Health Care Spending In 2021: Decline In Federal Spending Outweighs Greater Use Of Health Care.

Health care spending in the US grew 2.7percent to reach $4.3trillion in 2021, a much slower rate than the increase of 10.3percent seen in 2020. The slower rate of growth in 2021 was driven by a 3.5percent decline in federal government expenditures for health care after a spike in 2020 that occurred largely in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside this decline, the use of medical goods and services increased in 2021. The share of the economy accounted for by the health sector fell from 19.7percent in 2020 to 18.3percent in 2021, but it was still higher than the 17.6percent share in 2019. In 2021 the number of uninsured people declined for the second consecutive year as Medicaid enrollment increased.

Simulated Handling to Investigate the Effect of Mechanical Damage on Stored Pomegranate Fruit

Mechanical damage is a threat to both food security and sustainability. Bruising is the most common type of mechanical damage, and it causes a huge economic loss due to rejection of fresh produce and downgrading of the appearance quality by consumers. Therefore, this study aims to examine the effect of bruising during postharvest handling using a pendulum test technique. Pomegranate fruit were bruised once at two impact levels (1.189 ± 0.109 and 2.298 ± 0.239 J) and then stored (at 5 °C ± 1 °C and 22 °C ± 1 °C) for 28 days. The study evaluated the effect of impact bruising, storage temperature, and duration on the bruise magnitude and quality attributes of the bruised and non-bruised pomegranates. The results showed that the investigated factors affect the bruise size of bruised pomegranates. Increasing storage temperature from 5 to 22 °C and impact level from 1.189 to 2.298 J increased the bruise area, bruise volume, and bruise susceptibility over time. Alterations in total soluble solids (TSS) and titratable acidity (TA%) were statistically (p &lt; 0.05) induced by bruising, particularly at a high impact. The total soluble solids (TSS) content was reduced in all tested pomegranate fruit (bruised and non-bruised) and recorded the highest percentage decline in those impacted at a high level and stored at 22 °C, at 16.81%. The combination of both studied factors did not affect the water activity (Aw) of aril or the mesocarp of bruised or non-bruised fruit. Bruising parameters and quality attributes were strongly correlated in this study, excluding water activity (Aw). The regression models showed a good determination coefficient (R2) between the predicted and measured values of bruise susceptibility (BS), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA%), and sugar: acid ratio (TSS:TA). The study demonstrates that bruising at a high impact level and long-term storage both affected the susceptibility of pomegranates to bruise, and altered fruit quality. Thus, these factors need to be considered during the postharvest supply chain.

Antimicrobial edible materials via nano-modifications for food safety applications

Abstract Edible films from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)/starch incorporated with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were developed. The prepared films were characterized by Fourier transforms infrared, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, swelling behaviour, and thermal and mechanical properties. Results showed a decrease in the average particle size of TiO2 nanoparticles with increasing irradiation dose up to 30 kGy. The swelling capacity of CMC/starch blends is ordered in the sequence of composition ratio 2:1 &gt; 1:1 &gt; 1:2. The effect of different irradiation doses (2.5, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kGy) and different concentrations of TiO2 (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 wt%) on the film properties was evaluated. The tensile strength increased gradually, accompanied by a decline in elongation percentage with the increase in the irradiation dose and increase in the TiO2 contents up to 2.5 wt%. The irradiated CMC/starch/TiO2 film showed higher thermal stability than CMC/starch film. Furthermore, the unirradiated and irradiated CMC/starch/TiO2 edible films were applied to fresh strawberries by surface coating. The irradiated film showed a superior effect in prolonging the fruits’ shelf life. The antimicrobial activity of CMC/starch/TiO2 film against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus was increased by increasing the irradiation dose. In conclusion, CMC/starch/TiO2 edible film exhibited the prerequisite behaviour for potential application in active food packaging.

Foliar spraying of elicitors in pear trees induced resistance to Cacopsylla bidens

• Elicitors influence the Cacopsylla pyricola population. • Chitosan induced resistance to Cacopsylla pyricola. • Chitosan for IPM of Cacopsylla pyricola. • Activity of detoxifying enzymes in pear psyllid is altered by elicitor application. • Elicitors influence secondary metabolites. The pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola is a serious pest of pear worldwide. In this research, the effects of salicylic acid (SA), chitosan, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), and Serenade Aso ( Bacillus subtilis QST713) were studied on the induced resistance of pear trees to C. pyricola . The treatments showed a significant difference in terms of population growth of C. pyricola after 7 and 14 days during two years. In 2019, the mean population growth of total life stages of C. pyricola in the studied treatments was significantly lower than control after 7 and 14 days of spraying. In 2020 (7 and 14 days after spraying), the percent decline in the mean population of pear psylla (total life stages) was highest on chitosan treatment (75 and 85 %, respectively) and the lowest on control (30 and 48 %, respectively). GC-MS analysis revealed the range of chemicals in the pear leaves under different treatments. Based on the results, 23 compounds were identified, including 9 alkaloids, 6 flavonoids, 4 polyphenols, 3 terpenoids, and one glycoside. In all treatments except Serenade, the amounts of alkaloids increased compared to the control. Furthermore, the activity of catalase and glutathione S- transferase enzymes in C. pyricola under chitosan treatment was significantly higher than others; but the activity of peroxidase significantly decreased on chitosan compared to SA and GABA. The lower levels of peroxidase in C. pyricola reared on trees treated with chitosan indicate this insect has not been able to detoxify plant secondary metabolites effectually. In addition, our findings suggested that chitosan on pear trees could act effectively in reducing the C. pyricola population and can be considered in integrated management programs of this pest.

Do wildfires exacerbate COVID-19 infections and deaths in vulnerable communities? Evidence from California

Understanding whether and how wildfires exacerbate COVID-19 outcomes is important for assessing the efficacy and design of public sector responses in an age of more frequent and simultaneous natural disasters and extreme events. Drawing on environmental and emergency management literatures, we investigate how wildfire smoke (PM2.5) impacted COVID-19 infections and deaths during California's 2020 wildfire season and how public housing resources and hospital capacity moderated wildfires' effects on COVID-19 outcomes. We also hypothesize and empirically assess the differential impact of wildfire smoke on COVID-19 infections and deaths in counties exhibiting high and low social vulnerability. To test our hypotheses concerning wildfire severity and its disproportionate impact on COVID-19 outcomes in socially vulnerable communities, we construct a county-by-day panel dataset for the period April 1 to November 30, 2020, in California, drawing on publicly available state and federal data sources. This study's empirical results, based on panel fixed effects models, show that wildfire smoke is significantly associated with increases in COVID-19 infections and deaths. Moreover, wildfires exacerbated COVID-19 outcomes by depleting the already scarce hospital and public housing resources in local communities. Conversely, when wildfire smoke doubled, a one percent increase in the availability of hospital and public housing resources was associated with a 2 to 7 percent decline in COVID-19 infections and deaths. For California communities exhibiting high social vulnerability, the occurrence of wildfires worsened COVID-19 outcomes. Sensitivity analyses based on an alternative sample size and different measures of social vulnerability validate this study's main findings. An implication of this study for policymakers is that communities exhibiting high social vulnerability will greatly benefit from local government policies that promote social equity in housing and healthcare before, during, and after disasters.

Longitudinal Study of Therapeutic Adherence in a Cystic Fibrosis Unit: Identifying Potential Factors Associated with Medication Possession Ratio.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic and multisystemic disease that requires a high therapeutic demand for its control. The aim of this study was to assess therapeutic adherence (TA) to different treatments to study possible clinical consequences and clinical factors influencing adherence. This is an ambispective observational study of 57 patients aged over 18 years with a diagnosis of CF. The assessment of TA was calculated using the Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) index. These data were related to exacerbations and the rate of decline in FEV1 percentage. Compliance was good for all CFTR modulators, azithromycin, aztreonam, and tobramycin in solution for inhalation. The patients with the best compliance were older; they had exacerbations and the greatest deterioration in lung function during this period. The three variables with the highest importance for the compliance of the generated Random Forest (RF) models were age, FEV1%, and use of Ivacaftor/Tezacaftor. This is one of the few studies to assess adherence to CFTR modulators and symptomatic treatment longitudinally. CF patient therapy is expensive, and the assessment of variables with the highest importance for a high MPR, helped by new Machine learning tools, can contribute to defining new efficient TA strategies with higher benefits.

Abstract 11528: Neurotrophic Signaling Pathway Dysregulation, Cardiac Amyloidosis, and Innervation Impairment in the Tg2576 Model of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a complex and incurable neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cerebral amyloid β (Aβ) deposition and tau pathology, accompanied by a gradual loss of the two main neuromodulators, NGF and BDNF. The progressive degeneration of the cerebral neuro-signaling pathways triggers a gradual decline in neurotrophic factors with significant derangement of the peripheral nervous system. This may culminate in detrimental effects on other organs, including the heart. However, whether and how AD modulates neurotrophins, innervation, and amyloidosis in the cardiac tissue is still undefined. Here, we investigated, for the first time, cardiovascular remodeling and neuro signaling pathway dysregulation in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, 12 months old Tg2576 transgenic mice, a model of cerebral amyloidosis, were compared to age-matched WT littermates. Echocardiographic analysis showed significant deterioration in LV function, evidenced by a severe decline both in ejection fraction and fraction shortening percentage in the Tg2576 group compared to WT mice. Tg2576 mice exhibited a relevant increase in interstitial fibrosis, with progressive accumulation of amyloid aggregates, resulting in severe cardiac nervous system dysfunction. The transgenic line showed a remarkable decrease in cardiac nerve fiber density, both adrenergic (stained with tyrosine hydroxylase- TH) and regenerating nerve endings (labeled with GAP-43) compared to the WT mice. This myocardial denervation was associated with a robust reduction in NGF and BDNF protein expression both at the neuronal and cardiac level, accompanied by a significant decline in GAP-43 activity in the heart and cerebral cortex lysates of Tg2576 mice. Additionally, human neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) challenged with human Aβ-40 or Aβ-42 oligomers showed a severe downregulation of both BDNF and GAP-43 protein levels. Overall, our evidence highlights a possible detrimental effect of cerebral amyloidosis on the peripheral nervous system and cardiac tissue, providing potential therapeutic targets, such as the neuro-signaling pathway, to prevent or delay some of the effects caused by AD on the cardiovascular system.

Effect of natural biomass fillers on the stability, degradability, and elasticity of crop straws liquefied polyols‐based polyurethane foams

AbstractOilseed rape straw (OS), rice straw (RS), wheat straw (WS), and corn stover (CS) particles were used to reinforce bio‐polyols based polyurethane (PU) foams. The influence of crop straws (XS) fillers on the stability in water, degradability in soil, thermal stability, and elasticity of foams were investigated. The incorporation of OS and CS particles in the PU matrix increased the stability of reinforced foams in water, while the addition of WS and RS particles made foams lower stability in water. PU foams reinforced by XS particles displayed mass reductions up to 53.8% after burying in soil for 250 days. The reinforced foams were more stable under heating but the enhancement of thermal stability trended to disappear after water immersion or soil burying. The reinforced foams showed better elasticity that incorporations of OS and CS made PU foams higher height recovery percentage, while RS and WS made the recovery percentage decline firstly and then enhance during three times compressions. All these four XS particles are suitable to modify bio‐based PU foams, especially OS and CS particles appear to be more outstanding in preparing foams with higher stability in water, degradability in soil, thermal stability, and elasticity than RS and WS particles.

Rate of Lung Function Decline in People with Cystic Fibrosis Having a Residual Function Gene Mutation.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Approximately 5% of people with CF have residual function (RF) CFTR mutations that result in partially retained CFTR activity. Published literature on disease trajectory among those with RF mutations is limited. In this retrospective study, we characterized lung function decline across different age groups in CFTR modulator-untreated people with CF heterozygous for F508del and an RF mutation (F/RF). Rate of decline in percent predicted forced expiratory volume in 1s (ppFEV1) was analyzed using data from the US CF Foundation Patient Registry (2006-2014) in F/RF (all), F/RF (excluding R117H), and F508del homozygous (F/F) cohorts. Annual rates of ppFEV1 decline were estimated over 2-year periods based on calendar year. Subgroup analyses by age [6-12 (children), 13-17 (adolescents), 18-24 (young adults), and ≥ 25years (adults)] were performed. The estimated annualized rate of ppFEV1 decline was - 0.70percentage points per year (95% CI -1.09, -0.30) in the F/RF (all) cohort (N = 1242) versus -1.91 percentage points per year (95% CI -2.01, -1.80) in the F/F cohort (N = 11,916) [difference, 1.29 percentage points per year (95% CI 0.88, 1.70); P < 0.001]. In the F/RF (all) cohort, all age groups demonstrated lung function decline ranging from -0.30 to -1.38. In the F/RF (excluding R117H) cohort, the rate of decline was -1.05 percentage points per year (95% CI -1.51, -0.60) [difference versus F/F cohort, 0.95 percentage points per year (95% CI 0.48, 1.41; P < 0.001); not statistically significant in children and young adults]. Progressive lung function decline was observed in people with F/RF genotypes across all assessed age groups, reinforcing the importance of early intervention and clinical monitoring to preserve lung function in all people with CF.

ASSESSING THE CHANGE OF LAND USE AND LAND COVER IN THE GAMBIA

Biological annihilation has been influenced by human activities and this has led to changes in land use and land cover, pressure on the ecosystem, biodiversity loss and contribution to global warming. This study assesses the changes in land use and land cover in The Gambia. Satellite images for the period from 2015 to 2019 from Copernicus were obtained and used for the study. ArcGIS Software and Microsoft packages were used for data analysis. Change analysis showed that between the years 2015 to 2019, there was a percentage increase for water bodies, herbaceous wetlands and built-up areas with 23.68%, 8.97% and 0.5% respectively. There was a percentage decline in forest, shrubland, herbaceous vegetation, bare/sparse land and cropland during this period. About 7.86 Km2 of Gambia became bare/sparse land as a result of climate change.&lt;p&gt; &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt; Article visualizations:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0965/a.php" alt="Hit counter" /&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

Effects of onion peel extract on bioactive components, textural and sensory characteristics of chickpea‐based fried snack

AbstractOnion peel waste is generated in huge amount during processing. This waste is a huge source of antioxidants specially quercetin. Therefore, it can be utilized to increase the phenolic and flavonoid content of food products. The present study proposed the use of different onion peel extracts (OPE) in a South Asian snack called “sew.” Sew is a cold‐extruded rod‐shaped snack made from chickpea flour and spices. After extrusion, it is deep fried till appearance of golden‐brown color. The polyphenols from onion peels were extracted in (a) EWE (ethanol and water‐based) medium, (b) EAAE (ethanol and acetic acid‐based) medium, and (c) WE (water extract). These three OPEs were separately sprayed over chickpea grits before making flours, which were then used for making sew. Antioxidant activity of EWE, EAAE, and WE extracts were found to be 59.06%, 36.85%, and 28.07%, respectively, and both gram‐positive and gram‐negative bacteria were inhibited by these three extracts. Addition of OPE led to a significant increase in antioxidant activity of snack (sew), and panelists were unable to perceive any statistical difference in control and extract added snacks in terms of sensory attributes. Interestingly, marked improvement was observed in textural characteristics (measured objectively) of snacks containing extracts and the percent decline in hardness as observed in EAAE, EWE, and WE containing fried snacks were found to be 56.83%, 37.95%, and 34.55%, respectively, after 60 day's storage, whereas 71.28% decline was recorded for control snack. Thus, incorporation of OPE proved to be an innovative method to improve the nutraceutical profile of chickpea‐based fried snack.

The clinical and prognostic significance of pre-chemotherapy serum CA-125 in high-risk early stage ovarian cancer: An NRG/GOG ancillary study

ObjectivesTo determine the clinical and prognostic significance of CA-125 trends prior to, during, and after chemotherapy in high-risk early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer patients. MethodsAll patients were enrolled in a phase III randomized trial (GOG 157) following upfront surgery for grade 3 stage IA/IB, stage IC, or stage II disease, and had been treated with either three or six cycles of carboplatin/paclitaxel. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model were used to evaluate recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). ResultsOf 350 patients, the median pre-chemotherapy CA-125 was 65 (IQR: 31–129). 71% of Whites had an elevated CA-125 compared to 47% of non-Whites (p = 0.006). Following the first cycle of chemotherapy, 74% of those with elevated CA-125 had normalization. Those who had normalization of CA-125 after 1 cycle had significantly better 5-year RFS (81% vs. 65%, p = 0.003) and OS (87% vs. 75%, p = 0.009) compared to those who did not normalize (defined as ≤35 U/mL). The pattern of CA-125 change following chemotherapy cycle 1, from normal to normal vs. elevated to normal vs. elevated to elevated had corresponding RFS of 87% vs. 80% vs. 68% (p = 0.013), and OS of 92% vs. 88% vs. 77% (p = 0.009). However, the percent decline (p = 0.993) and absolute nadir normal value of CA-125 (0–10 vs. 11–35 U/mL) were not predictive of outcome (p = 0.4). ConclusionsNormal baseline CA125 and normalization of this biomarker after the first cycle of chemotherapy were associated with better survival in high-risk early-stage epithelial ovarian cancer patients.