Research Foundation Research Articles

CAT Study: Pediatric Catheter-Associated Thrombosis: A Retrospective Electronic Record Review

Highlights CAT is a significant problem in pediatric patients with CVCs and other risk factors. CAT was found in 4% of the sample with estimated 0.23 events per 1,000 CVC days. Incidence of CAT was lower than anticipated but consistent with published evidence. Median LOS was substantial in the CAT group suggesting increased disease burden. Specific clinical modifiers and CVC factors were more common in the CAT group. Findings provide valuable foundation for future CAT research and risk models. Clinicians and researchers should collaborate to reduce CAT incidence. Abstract Background: Catheter-associated thrombosis (CAT) is a serious condition, especially among pediatric surgical patients. This study describes the CAT incidence rate and clinical, demographic, and central venous catheter (CVC)-specific risk factors that may be associated with CAT, for a cohort of pediatric surgical patients. Methods: An electronic record review of 124 pediatric surgical patients with indwelling CVCs receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) cared for in a single pediatric hospital between 2016 and 2018 was performed. Results: Of the 297 CVCs, 4% of patients (n = 5) developed CAT, resulting in an estimated incidence rate of 0.23 events per 1,000 CVC days (95% confidence interval 0.15–0.31). Patients diagnosed with CAT had a higher burden of anemia, blood product administration, chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, sepsis, prolonged mechanical ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation use, increased surgical complexity, and longer hospital stays. They also had a higher frequency of peripherally inserted central catheters, small caliber size CVCs, double lumen CVCs, extended PN and lipid course, lack of ethanol prophylaxis, higher rates of intravenous antibiotics, lower rates of treatment-dose heparin, and prolonged CVC duration. Conclusion: The incidence of CAT in this study was consistent with published rates for hospitalized pediatric patients with CVCs. The study provides additional foundational evidence about clinical, demographic, and CVC-specific risk factors associated with CAT in pediatric surgical patients with CVCs. It can help guide future research and collaborative efforts to develop risk assessment and other preventative strategies to reduce CAT incidence and improve patient care outcomes.

Identification of Daurisoline Metabolites in Rats via the UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer

Daurisoline, a bisbenzylisoquinoline alkaloid extracted from the rhizomes of Menispermum dauricum, exhibits diverse biological activities, encompassing antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and antitumor properties. However, previous investigations have not comprehensively elucidated the metabolic profile and pathways of daurisoline in vivo. Using Ultra-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with Q-Exactive Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry technology, we comprehensively investigated the metabolites of daurisoline in Sprague-Dawley rats, following intragastric administration. Data collection and analysis were enhanced through Full Scan MS/dd-MS2, in conjunction with parallel reaction monitoring, extracted ion chromatography, and diagnostic fragment ions. Sixty-three metabolites were detected and characterized, including sixty-two novel metabolites and coclaurine. This investigation elucidated the cleavage patterns and tissue distribution characteristics of the metabolism of daurisoline. Furthermore, in vivo reactions, including dehydrogenation, hydroxylation, methylation, sulfation and glucuronidation, were thoroughly examined. Investigating the metabolites of daurisoline in rats has deepened our understanding of its metabolism in vivo, aiding in elucidating its metabolic and pharmacological actions. This provides a valuable foundation for further research into its therapeutic efficacy.

Design and analysis of a novel rotary inertance hydraulic converter with the continuous controlling turntable

The inertance hydraulic converter is an energy-efficient hydraulic component, its output efficiency and dynamic performance are seriously affected by the switched valve. This paper proposed an innovative a rotary inertance hydraulic converter (RIHC), which uses a continuous controlling turntable to determine the ratio of the high pressure oil and the low pressure oil to change the output energy, instead of the discrete controlling of the switched valve. The working principle and mechanical design of the RIHC are described, and mathematical models are established. The effects of the key variables on energy efficiency are evaluated using numerical analysis. The operating performance is analyzed based on simulation, and a control strategy to achieve stable system output is proposed. The results provide a foundation for theoretical research and practical application of the novel RIHC.

A környezettudatos gondolkodás és magatartás vizsgálata a Pécsi járásban = The Examination of the Environmentally Conscious Thinking and Behavior in the District of Pécs

Environmentally conscious thinking and the knowledge and attitude of society towards sustainability have a big impact on the practicability of the sustainability of socio-economic processes. The overarching goal of the present research is to analyze the environmental awareness of the Pécs District. The foundation of the primer research was a questionnaire survey. The present study, moreover, is founded on the databases of the Hungarian Central Statistical Office. According to the survey, in the dimension of transport, the car is the most popular vehicle to use; in terms of shopping, people have an environmentally conscious attitude; and on average, the subjects reported they were likely to take part in selective waste collection. The results of the present survey contribute to the exploration of the environmentally conscious behavior of the population of a micro-region, therefore are useful for all those who are interested in or support developing environmental consciousness.

S09-02 Informatics approaches and evidence mapping to establish the foundation for class-based research and risk assessments

S09-02 Informatics approaches and evidence mapping to establish the foundation for class-based research and risk assessments

Investigation of the Mechanism of SEMA5A and Its Associated Autophagy-Related Genes in Gastric Cancer.

Semaphorin 5A (SEMA5A) and autophagy-related genes (ARGs) are pivotal in the pathogenesis of gastric cancer (GC). However, the potential regulatory role of SEMA5A in autophagy via its associated ARGs and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unresolved. GC-related datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between GC and control samples. The intersection of DEGs with ARGs produced candidate genes, which were further analyzed using Spearman correlation with SEMA5A to identify signature genes. Stratification of GC samples based on signature gene expression, followed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, identified key genes. Subsequent analyses, including gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), immune infiltration, and immune checkpoint evaluation, were conducted on the key genes and SEMA5A. The mRNA expression level was quantified using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Ninety candidate genes were identified for Spearman correlation with SEMA5A, revealing TNFSF11, BMP6, ITPR1, and DLC1 with correlation coefficients exceeding 0.3. Survival analysis underscored DLC1 and BMP6 as key genes due to significant prognostic differences. GSEA implicated SEMA5A, BMP6, and DLC1 in the ECM receptor interaction pathway. Immune infiltration analysis indicated a negative correlation of SEMA5A and BMP6 with M1 macrophages, while DLC1 exhibited the strongest association with the immune checkpoint PDCD1LG2 (p < 0.05, cor = 0.43). The mRNA expression level of SEMA5A was significantly upregulated in AGS parental cells compared to GES-1 cells (p < 0.01), whereas DLC1 and BMP6 mRNA levels were markedly downregulated in AGS parental cells relative to GES-1 (p < 0.0001). ARGs BMP6 and DLC1, associated with SEMA5A, were identified, and their prognostic significance in GC was demonstrated. Additionally, their regulatory mechanisms were further elucidated through immune infiltration analysis and molecular network construction, providing a theoretical foundation for future research on the molecular mechanisms in patients with GC.

Sequential [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and docetaxel versus docetaxel in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (UpFrontPSMA): a multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 2 study.

Lutetium-177 [177Lu]Lu-prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-617 improves survival and quality of life in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, but whether it confers a benefit in hormone-sensitive disease is unknown. We aimed to evaluate [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 before docetaxel treatment in patients with de-novo high-volume metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. UpFrontPSMA was an investigator-initiated, multicentre, open-label, randomised, phase 2 trial done at 11 Australian hospitals. Eligible patients had prostate adenocarcinoma without clinically significant neuroendocrine differentiation or small-cell histology, were aged 18 years or older, had less than 4 weeks on androgen deprivation therapy, had an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2, and had high-volume PSMA-avid disease on [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET-CT with no major discordance on 2-[18F] fluorodeoxyglucose-PET-CT. Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to the experimental treatment ([177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 followed 6 weeks later by docetaxel) or standard-of-care treatment (docetaxel alone) using computer-based block randomisation with random block sizes, stratified by disease volume by conventional imaging and duration of androgen deprivation therapy at the time of registration. Neither patients nor investigators were masked to treatment assignment. Patients in the experimental group received two cycles of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 7·5 GBq every 6 weeks intravenously, followed 6 weeks later by six cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks intravenously, whereas patients in the standard-of-care treatment group received six cycles of docetaxel 75 mg/m2 every 3 weeks intravenously. All patients received continuous androgen deprivation therapy. The primary endpoint was undetectable prostate-specific antigen (≤0·2 ng/mL) at 48 weeks, assessed using a modified intention-to-treat analysis. The trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04343885. Between May 5, 2020, and April 18, 2023, 130 patients were randomly assigned, 63 (48%) to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 plus docetaxel and 67 (52%) to docetaxel alone. All patients were male and no race or ethnicity data were collected. Median follow-up was 2·5 years (IQR 1·8-3·0). Four patients in the docetaxel alone group withdrew consent after randomisation and no data beyond screening were collected. An additional four patients were not evaluable for the primary endpoint at 48 weeks (two in each group). 25 (41%) of 61 patients (95% CI 30-54) in the [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 plus docetaxel group had undetectable PSA at 48 weeks compared with ten (16%) of 61 patients (9-28) in the docetaxel alone group (OR 3·88, 95% CI 1·61-9·38; p=0·0020). The most common grade 3 or 4 treatment-related adverse events were febrile neutropenia (seven [11%] of 63 patients in the [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 plus docetaxel group vs six [10%] of 63 patients in the docetaxel alone group) and diarrhoea (four [6%] of 63 patients vs none). Serious adverse events occurred in 16 (25%) patients in the [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 plus docetaxel group (none were definitely related to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617) and 16 (25%) patients in the docetaxel alone group. No treatment-related deaths occurred. [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 followed by docetaxel improved antitumour activity in patients with de-novo high-volume metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer compared with docetaxel alone, without increased toxic effects. Our data potentially support a role for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 in metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer. Prostate Cancer Research Alliance (Movember Foundation and Australian Government Medical Research Future Fund), US Department of Defence Impact Award-Clinical Trials, Endocyte/Advanced Accelerator Applications (a Novartis company), Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, Victorian Cancer Agency, University of Melbourne, and Peter MacCallum Cancer Foundation.

D meson production in p+Pb collisions with the analytical transverse momentum distribution from the color dipole models* *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China Joint for Large Scientific Units (U1832120), the Hebei Province Outstanding Youth Fund (A2020210012), the S&T Program of Hebei (Grant No. 236Z4601G), and the Scientific Research Foundation for the Introducing Returned Overseas Chinese Scholars of

D meson production in proton–lead (p+Pb) collisions is globally investigated within the color dipole framework. To simplify the Fourier transform, the analytical transverse momentum distribution functions extracted from different color dipole models are used. With the Glauber–Gribov method, the impact parameter dependence is considered for the nuclear modification of the gluon density. We obtain from comparison with recent experimental data from the LHCb and ALICE Collaborations that the theoretical results from the Kovchegov, Lu and Rezaeian (KLR) model are in good agreement with the experimental data at small P T, and the results from the Golec–Biernat–Wüsthoff (GBW) and Bartels, Golec-Biernat and Kowalski (BGK) model are reasonable at all rapidity bins. Then, the influence of the initial-state energy loss effect on D meson production in p+Pb collisions is analyzed. A clear reduction of the nuclear modification factor is shown at backward rapidity. Finally, the predictive results for D0 and D+ production differential cross section versus rapidity (Y) in p+Pb collisions are given.

Edoxaban Antithrombotic Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation and Stable Coronary Artery Disease.

Despite consistent recommendations from clinical guidelines, data from randomized trials on a long-term antithrombotic treatment strategy for patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease are still lacking. We conducted a multicenter, open-label, adjudicator-masked, randomized trial comparing edoxaban monotherapy with dual antithrombotic therapy (edoxaban plus a single antiplatelet agent) in patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease (defined as coronary artery disease previously treated with revascularization or managed medically). The risk of stroke was assessed on the basis of the CHA2DS2-VASc score (scores range from 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating a greater risk of stroke). The primary outcome was a composite of death from any cause, myocardial infarction, stroke, systemic embolism, unplanned urgent revascularization, and major bleeding or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding at 12 months. Secondary outcomes included a composite of major ischemic events and the safety outcome of major bleeding or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding. We assigned 524 patients to the edoxaban monotherapy group and 516 patients to the dual antithrombotic therapy group at 18 sites in South Korea. The mean age of the patients was 72.1 years, 22.9% were women, and the mean CHA2DS2-VASc score was 4.3. At 12 months, a primary-outcome event had occurred in 34 patients (Kaplan-Meier estimate, 6.8%) assigned to edoxaban monotherapy and in 79 patients (16.2%) assigned to dual antithrombotic therapy (hazard ratio, 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30 to 0.65; P<0.001). The cumulative incidence of major ischemic events at 12 months appeared to be similar in the trial groups. Major bleeding or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding occurred in 23 patients (Kaplan-Meier estimate, 4.7%) in the edoxaban monotherapy group and in 70 patients (14.2%) in the dual antithrombotic therapy group (hazard ratio, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.53). In patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease, edoxaban monotherapy led to a lower risk of a composite of death from any cause, myocardial infarction, stroke, systemic embolism, unplanned urgent revascularization, or major bleeding or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding at 12 months than dual antithrombotic therapy. (Funded by the CardioVascular Research Foundation and others; EPIC-CAD ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03718559.).

Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-based child maltreatment profiles to predict efficacy of the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy versus non-specific psychotherapy in adults with early-onset chronic depression: cluster analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial

Child maltreatment is a broadly confirmed risk factor for mental and physical illness. Some psychological treatments specifically target mental health conditions associated with child maltreatment. For example, the Cognitive Behavioral Analysis System of Psychotherapy (CBASP) focuses on maladaptive interpersonal behaviours in chronic depression. However, how the assessment of child maltreatment could inform personalised treatment is unclear. We used data from a previously published clinical trial to investigate whether a pre-established child maltreatment clustering approach predicts differential outcomes after CBASP versus non-specific supportive psychotherapy in patients with early-onset chronic depression. We did a cluster analysis of data from a previous randomised controlled trial of unmedicated adult outpatients with early-onset chronic depression who were treated at eight university clinics and psychological institutes in Germany with 32 sessions of CBASP or non-specific supportive psychotherapy. Participants were eligible for the original trial if they were aged 18-65 years; had major depressive disorder (MDD) with an early onset and duration of at least 2 years, current MDD superimposed on a pre-existing dysthymic disorder, or recurrent MDD with incomplete remission between episodes as defined by DSM-IV; and had a score of at least 20 points on the 24-item Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HRSD-24). Participants were included in the current study if they had completed the short form of the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) at trial baseline. We used an agglomerative hierarchical clustering approach to derive child maltreatment clusters from individual patterns across the five domains of the CTQ. We used linear mixed models to investigate whether clustering could predict differential clinical outcomes (change in symptom severity on the HRSD-24) up to 2 years after treatment onset. People with lived experience were involved in the current study. 253 patients (129 [51%] treated with CBASP and 124 [49%] with supportive psychotherapy) had complete CTQ records and were included in the analysis. 169 (67%) participants were women, 84 (33%) were men, and the mean age was 45·9 years (SD 11·7). We identified seven child maltreatment clusters and found significant differences in treatment effects of CBASP and supportive psychotherapy between the clusters (F(6,948·76)=2·47; p=0·023); differences were maintained over the 2-year follow-up. CBASP was superior in distinct clusters of co-occurring child maltreatment: predominant emotional neglect (change in β -6·02 [95% CI -11·9 to -0·13]; Cohen's d=-0·98 [95% CI -1·94 to -0·02]; p=0·045), predominant emotional neglect and abuse (-6·39 [-10·22 to -2·56]; -1·04 [-1·67 to -0·42]; p=0·0011), and emotional neglect and emotional and physical abuse (-9·41 [-15·91 to -2·91]; -1·54 [-2·6 to -0·47]; p=0·0046). CTQ-based cluster analysis can facilitate identification of patients with early-onset chronic depression who would specifically benefit from CBASP. Child maltreatment clusters could be implemented in clinical assessments and serve to develop and personalise trauma-informed care in mental health. The German Research Foundation and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

Long-term survival and post-hoc analysis of toripalimab plus definitive chemoradiotherapy for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma: insights from the EC-CRT-001 phase II trial

In the EC-CRT-001 phase II study, the combination of toripalimab (an anti-programmed death-1 antibody) and definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) has shown promising efficacy in patients with locally advanced oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Here, we reported the long-term outcomes and post-hoc exploratory analyses. This single-arm, phase II trial enrolled 42 patients diagnosed with unresectable stage I-IVA ESCC was conducted at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between November 2019 and January 2021. Treatment consisted of chemotherapy (weekly 50mg/m2 of paclitaxel and 25mg/m2 of cisplatin for five cycles), concurrent radiotherapy (50.4Gy in 28 fractions), and toripalimab (240mg every 3 weeks for up to 1 year). The primary endpoint was clinical complete response (CR) rate at 3 months after CRT completion. The 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were evaluated. Additionally, the exploratory objectives included analysing recurrence patterns, assessing the associations between immune-related adverse events (irAEs) and efficacy, and identifying potential predictors for irAEs. The trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04005170). With a median follow-up of 44.3 months (IQR 40.8-46.1), the 3-year OS and PFS rates were 44.8% (95% CI 31.9-62.8) and 35.7% (95% CI 23.8-53.6), respectively. Patients who failed to achieve a clinical complete response (CR) demonstrated significantly worse OS (hazard ratio [HR]=13.73, 95% CI 4.43-42.54, P<0.0001) and PFS (HR=32.08, 95% CI 8.57-120.10, P<0.0001). Disease recurrence occurred in 23 of 42 patients (55%), with recurrences being earlier and more frequent in the non-CR group compared to the CR group. Patients experiencing irAEs showed a significantly higher CR rate (72% vs. 39%, P=0.082) and better PFS (HR=0.43, 95% CI 0.19-0.93, P=0.027) than those without irAEs. GON4L mutation was associated with a lower incidence of irAEs (P=0.036). The updated survival outcomes confirmed the efficacy of toripalimab plus definitive CRT in locally advanced ESCC. Moreover, the development of irAEs may predict a more favourable prognosis. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing Xisike Clinical Oncology Research Foundation, and Sci-Tech Project Foundation of Guangzhou.

The post-non-classical university’s identity: an axiological aspect

Introduction. The relevance of the university’s role reconsideration is a consequence of the classical university foundations “ruinization” in the contemporary functioning conditions, characterized as highly dynamic, fluid and complex. The identity of the post-non-classical university is not perceived as something integral or self-evident, it is represented the essence of multifaceted identity, lying in the opposition of the idea of university modeling to the destructive postmodern conditions in which the contemporary university transforms. The aim of the study is to conceptualize the post-non-classical university’s image in its axiological foundations Research methods. To reach the aim of the study, the authors applied a methodology comprising philosophically and culturologically determined methods of qualitative analysis to explore issues in the relevant knowledge domains and the direct praxeological aspect of visible manifestations of the modern university’s identity. In their argumentation, the authors rely on philosophical and cultural comparative analysis, use the techniques of systemic functional and axiological approaches, the method of conceptualizing the university’s image. Research results. The article considers the transition from the classical to the non-classical and post-non-classical model of the university. The reflexive (convergent) consciousness is regarded as an essential condition the identity of contemporary university constructing crisis overcoming, and the glocalization argued as the strategy of the university as a sociocultural institute. The post-non-classical university multifaceted identity integrates cultural, behavioral and representational aspects, remaining in its globalized structure the regional particularities. The graduate, possessing the possibility of self-image constructing to achieve integrity and additivity, becomes the axiological foundation of the post-non-classical identity. Conclusion. The study has shown that the contemporary university independently determines the reflexive modernization of the axiological foundations of self-identity. It does not react to external circumstances and challenges, but rather absorbs external conditions and circumstances, and actively transforms and pragmatically uses them for its own advancement. The post-non-classical identity of the university, on the one hand, is a product of postmodernity. On the other hand, its contemporary reflexive modeling overcomes the deconstructing and ruining foundations of postmodernity, and can be considered as a foresight technology

Geotechnical characterization of tropical soil via laboratory testing

This manuscript presents the evaluation of relevant geotechnical properties of the soil profile in the northern region of Campinas, which are important for geotechnical engineering practice and development in São Paulo State. Disturbed and undisturbed samples from the subsoil were collected through the excavation of inspection shafts at the experimental site for Soil Mechanics and Foundations research at the State University of Campinas, located at the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Urbanism (FEC). Laboratory tests were conducted, including soil characterization, soil shear strength, soil compressibility, soil permeability, and soil suction tests. The characterization tests indicated that the upper soil layer is subject to surface effects and more direct weathering action, with noticeable variations in the liquid and plasticity limit values. The permeability test results showed no significant variation between the values obtained in the vertical and horizontal directions. The soil-water characteristic curves for the studied profile were bimodal, typical of tropical soils with macro and microaggregated structures.

Updated trends in disability, diversity, and corporate social responsibility

BACKGROUND: Disability holds a unique position in employment, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) and diversity, equity and inclusion efforts. Furthermore, contextual shifts in employment, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, make it critical to explore how disability is considered within company strategies. OBJECTIVE: Authors reviewed 2020/2021 CSR reports to observe organizational disability inclusion practices and shifts in company approaches to workplace and community initiatives. This analysis helps illuminate what disability inclusion strategies businesses publicize and prioritize, contributing to the growing knowledge of disability inclusion. METHODS: Building from a previous analysis completed in 2018 (Gould et al., 2020), the current review involved content analysis of 129 CSR reports from companies recognized for their disability inclusion efforts. RESULTS: Results showed a substantial increase in organizations that participated in disability inclusion activities and illuminated potential contextual changes. Additional findings highlight primary disability inclusion strategies as well as emerging practices. CONCLUSION: Although there is an increasing interest in including disability within business efforts, there continues to be distinct challenges to advancing disability inclusion overall. By providing insights into disability inclusion approaches, the current study sets a foundation for future research to explore the efficacy and long-term impacts of inclusive practices to enhance disability employment outcomes.

Andrographis echioides mediated synthesis of ZnONPs: A mechanistic insight into their antibacterial and anticancer efficacy

Finding alternatives to traditional antibiotics has become crucial due to the emerging antibiotic resistance shown by various microorganisms. Metal nanoparticles are arising as one such alternative. This paper presents an efficient and environmentally benign approach for preparing ZnO nanoparticles via greener approaches using Andrographis echioides (L.) Nees leaf extract and unravel the possible applications and mechanisms behind their toxicity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The characterization studies show a peak at 362 nm (λmax) in the UV–Vis spectroscopic measurement with a bandgap energy of 3.10 eV. Hexagonal wurtzite structure is revealed in the XRD investigation of Ae-ZnONPs with a crystallite size of ≈14 nm. Ae-ZnONPs’ spherical structure andtheir meansize ranging between 15 and 35 nm, areconfirmed by SEM and TEM assessment respectively. The FTIR analysis revealed various functional groups and molecular interactions of plant extract and Ae-ZnONPs. Investigation into the antibacterial mechanism of action of Ae-ZnONPs revealed that these nanoparticles exhibit bactericidal effect against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus through the means of generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causing elevated lipid peroxidation and breakage of the membrane, and subsequent events culminating in cell death. These nanoparticles showed distinct antioxidant properties by scavenging DPPH, SOD, ABTS, and FRAP free radicals. Ae-ZnONPs were biocompatible with human RBC indicating their biosafe nature. Cytotoxicity evaluation of Ae-ZnONPs alone revealed concentration-dependent toxicity towards HeLa cells while remaining non-toxic to normal cells at the maximal concentration (100 μg/mL), showcasing anticancer potential which was further elucidated via ROS, live/dead cell imaging, and apoptotic study. Molecular alterations in HeLa cells were investigated through RT-PCR that showed upregulation of apoptotic and downregulation of antiapoptotic genes. The comprehensive findings suggest that Ae-ZnONPs can be employed as alternatives to antibiotics which also exhibit potential as anticancer agents, laying the foundation for future extensive research in this domain.

Duck enteritis virus LORF4 gene is a late gene and nonessential for virus replication in vitro

Duck enteritis virus (DEV) is an avian alpha-herpesvirus that primarily causes an acute and highly contagious infectious disease of ducks. The LORF4 gene is one of the specific genes of DEV, with limited reports on its biological characteristics and functions. This study investigates the basic biological properties of LORF4 protein (pLORF4). The results show that DEV LORF4 is a late gene mainly localized in the cytoplasm of DEV-infected DEF. To explore the role of pLORF4 in the DEV replication life cycle, a recombinant virus lacking pLORF4 expression was constructed. The results showed that pLORF4 is not essential for virus replication and does not affect virus adsorption, assembly and release, it plays a positive role in virus invasion and DNA replication. In summary, this study provides a foundation for further research on the function of the LORF4 gene.

The experiences of adult children caring for a parent with Korsakoff’s syndrome

Background: Korsakoff’s syndrome (KS) is a debilitating psychoneurological disorder that can occur in adults with alcohol use disorder (AUD). People with KS experience a sudden onset of symptoms including confabulation, anterograde and retrograde amnesias, apathy, issues with vision and gait, and lack of insight. Frequently an adult child of the parent with alcohol-induced KS becomes the caregiver, regardless of the status or quality of the relationship with their parent. While there is a rich literature base in the areas of adult children of parents with AUD and caregiving, there are no studies that have explored the experiences of adult children caring for a parent with alcohol-induced KS. This study aimed to explore the experiences of adult children who provide care for a parent or parental figure suffering from alcohol-induced Korsakoff syndrome (KS). Method: This study used a generic qualitative approach with thematic analysis using both in person and web-based video interview methods and field notes to address this gap in the literature. Eight individuals participated in the study, men (n=2) and women (n=6), with participants ranging in age from 31 to 43 years (average age 37 years). Results: Five themes emerged: addiction and the adult child, experiencing caregiver burden, experiencing a variety of emotions, professional healthcare experiences, and observations of symptoms. These themes emerged over seven anchor events in their caregiving experiences: interactions with their parent pre-diagnosis, parent’s medical emergency, hospitalization, diagnosis, housing, legal, and financial. Conclusion: The results provide a foundation for future research in the areas of KS, caregiving, and adult children of parents with AUD. They also provide a basis to inform the development of interventions with this population and demonstrate a need for more awareness of KS among healthcare professionals.

Assuring fire safety in nuclear plants with international standards

This paper presents the evolution and benefits of international standards for fire safety engineering11Fire safety engineering and performance-based fire safety are both widely used, and both represent an engineering process to determine performance of a fire protection plan based on the results of fire calculations. developed at the International Organization of Standardization (ISO). The history of fire safety in nuclear power plants along with the need for fire safety regulation is discussed to lay the foundation for the standards development work. The evolution of fire safety regulation from prescriptive to performance-based is also presented as the background for the research.Extensive research of the issues that arise for performance-based fire safety regulation, specifically for computer models for fire safety calculations, which included international benchmark exercises formed the basis to identify the need for developing international standards for fire safety engineering. The research focused both on the verification and validation (V&V) of computer fire models and determining their predictive capability. The paper for the first time takes new scientific and engineering data from benchmark exercises to assess the suitability and applicability of computer fire models for application in nuclear power plants. The paper reports on the findings of the benchmark exercises and their use in formulating new requirements in ISO international standards on verification and validation of fire calculation methods and the fire safety engineering process through a consensus process of international experts.Discussion of the foundational research at the ISO fire safety engineering committee (ISO TC 92 SC 4) led to a consensus to revise two international standards. One specifying the principles and general requirements for fire safety engineering, and another on the verification and validation procedures for fire calculation methods. The development and content of these two international standards are discussed in this paper. An international technical report was subsequently developed at the ISO committee for conformity assessment (CASCO) to provide guidance for the certification of the fire safety engineering process, and specific parts of it, namely the V&V of fire calculation methods.It is concluded that the fire safety engineering international standards presented in this paper can support rigorous performance-based fire safety regulation for nuclear power plants. These ISO international standards will be particularly useful to nations that have not yet developed the regulatory infrastructure for nuclear power regulation. The international standards are also available to those that would like to transition to the use of international standards and an ISO standards-based certification scheme. Regulations based on these international standards will provide citizens with confidence in nuclear power as a viable option to address climate change.

Https://wjarr.com/ArchiveIssue-2024-Vol23-Issue2

The objective of this study was to elucidate the mechanism by which Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium (CRP) treated Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using network pharmacology and molecular docking. Initially, a screening process identified 98 target compounds and 628 related component targets within CRP. Additionally, 2483 AD targets were retrieved from disease databases. Subsequently, an overlapping targets map was constructed, integrating CRP and AD targets, followed by the creation of a protein-protein interaction network map to identify 66 targets closely associated with the treatment of AD using CRP. These targets were identified through topological attribute analysis. To gain further insights, GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were conducted on the 66 identified targets. The results revealed enrichment in various biological pathways, including the relaxin signaling pathway, calcium signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, and IL-17 signaling pathway. Finally, molecular docking verification was performed on the targets and active components of CRP. Active components, such as flavanone, tangeretin, flavonol, carvacrol, and perillaldehyde, were found to form hydrogen bonds with targets, with binding energies below 0 kg/mol. This study utilized network pharmacology and molecular docking methods to systematically elucidate the mechanism by which CRP treats AD. The findings provided a theoretical foundation for future research and clinical investigations

Bibliometric analysis of publications that cited the CIOMS 2016 “International ethical guidelines for health-related research involving humans”

The CIOMS book “International Ethical Guidelines for Health-related Research Involving Humans”, published in 2016 (IEG2016), provides information to assist research ethics committee members and research practitioners with pragmatically implementing ethical considerations while planning and conducting their research. To identify which aspects of research IEG2016 has had the greatest impact since its publication, we analyzed metadata from 942 papers that cited IEG2016 (English language title only) from Web of Science (WoS, Clarivate). Using VOSviewer, we mapped the co-occurrence of keywords to derive the network of all keywords that co-occurred at least five times in the set of citing papers. We found that the keywords ethics, research ethics, informed consent, and clinical trials had high co-occurrence scores in this set of publications. Strong links were also observed between ethics, research ethics, and informed consent. We identified fifteen human-related (HR) keyword nodes in this keyword network. Analysis of the subset of 273 IEG2016-citing articles containing these fifteen HR keywords showed later-date publications were focused on the youngest humans (children, adolescents, young people, minors) and the humans typically responsible for those youngest humans, namely women and parents. Seventy-nine of the 110 networked countries/regions associated with IEG2016-citing articles were home to HR keyword articles. We conclude that IEG2016 has had significant impact in health and medical science literature and has served as a foundation for health-related research around the world in the areas of ethics, informed consent, and research ethics and the linkage of these topics to under-represented populations in such research.