Significant Increase Research Articles

The dynamics of microRNAs level associated with pathological venous angiogenesis in experimental toxic liver fibrosis in rats

BACKGROUND: It is known that miRNAs are important in liver fibrogenesis. However, their use as targets for early diagnosis and treatment of fibrosis is far from use in clinical practice. Angiogenesis and sinusoid capillarization are important histological features of the process. Studies regarding the role of miRNAs in pathological angiogenesis and sinusoid capillarization are insufficient.
 AIM: To study the molecular targets (miRNAs and mRNAs) dynamics of associated with pathological angiogenesis in toxic fibrosis of the liver; to evaluate the relationship of the selected molecular factors to the processes of restructuring the intrahepatic vascular system.
 METHODS: Fibrosis and subsequent cirrhosis of the liver in rats of the Wistar line (males) were induced for 17 weeks by a freshly prepared solution of thioacetamide. The level of miRNA-19а-3р, miRNA-29b-3р, miRNA-29b-1-5p, miRNA-34b-5р, miRNA-125b-5р, miRNA-130a-5p, miRNA-195-5р, miRNA-449а-5р, miRNA-449с-5р, miRNA-466d, miRNA-489-3р, miRNA-495, miRNA-664-3р, miRNA-3085, miRNA-3558-3р in fresh frozen liver samples, was determined by Two-tailed RT-qPCR.
 RESULTS: In this study, we found that throughout the experiment, the relative level of microRNAs varied in a wide range of values (10–3–104 rel. units). In most cases, it decreased at the point of transition from fibrosis to cirrhosis, while growth was observed only for microRNA-29b-3p. Statistically significant correlation relationships were established between microRNAs and the number of interlobular veins, interlobular arteries, sinusoids, and the area of connective tissue (p 0.05).
 CONCLUSION: A joint analysis of morphological and molecular-genetic parameters allowed us to suggest that within the framework of the current experimental model of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis, the restructuring of the intrahepatic vascular bed and the progression of fibrosis are associated with the dynamics of the level of a number of microRNAs that we studied and Ang mRNA level.

Scratching beneath the surface: An evaluation of the management of scabies 2017-2023.

Possible resistance to recommended treatments for scabies has emerged recently. In response to anecdotal reports of a recent increase in treatment failure with permethrin, the British Association for Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH) released a statement alerting members to this. To examine attendances and the treatment pathways for scabies cases seen at local sexual health clinics. A case note review of scabies attendances between January 2017 and December 2023 was conducted. Data collected included patient demographics, clinical information, and scabies treatment histories. Statistical analysis was performed. 143 patients attended with scabies. The number of scabies cases did not appear to increase significantly from 2017 to 2023 (p = .09). There was significant increase in median number of treatments per case per year over time (p = .013). The number of individuals needing second-line treatments increased significantly over time (p-trend < 0.001). Individuals with scabies are requiring more treatments to clear infection. Use of ivermectin has risen in the last year suggesting that second-line treatment is increasingly needed for eradication. Whilst treatment failure may be due to non-compliance with treatment and decontamination efforts for both index and contacts, the more recent change in findings could be attributed to a fall in permethrin efficacy.

Healing of induced tongue defects using erythropoietin hydrogel (an experimental study on rats)

BackgroundTongue is complex muscular organ that may be affected by recurrent or chronic ulcerations and malignances that require effective treatment to enhance healing and tissue regeneration. So, this study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of erythropoietin (EPO) hydrogel as an anti-inflammatory and an inducer of neovascularization during healing of induced rats’ tongue defects.MethodsThirty six rats were divided into three groups; Group I (negative control): tongues were left without ulceration and received no treatment, Group II (positive control): tongue defects were prepared on the tongues’ dorsal surfaces, measuring (5 mm × 2 mm) using a tissue punch rotary drill for standardization, and left untreated, Group III (EPO group): tongue defects were prepared as in group II, then injected circumferentially around wound margins with a single high dose of EPO hydrogel of 5000 U/kg on the day of defect preparation. Animals were euthanized on seventh and fourteenth days after treatment, tongue specimens were collected, and paraffin blocks were prepared and processed for histological assessment by hematoxylin and eosin stain and immunohistochemical evaluation of anti-iNOS and anti-VEGF followed by histomorphometrical analysis and the relevant statistical tests.ResultsAt both time points, the EPO treated group showed significantly enhanced tissue regeneration marked by the histologically better regenerated tissue with well developed, thick walled and well-organized blood vessels and significant reduction in defect depth compared to positive control group. EPO group also showed significant decrease in iNOS and significant increase in VEGF antibodies indicating its anti-inflammatory and neovascularization effects respectively.ConclusionEPO treatment can significantly accelerate regeneration and filling of tongue defects by reducing tissue inflammation and enhancing neovascularization. Therefore, EPO could be a potential therapeutic strategy for accelerating healing of tongue ulcers. However, further investigations are required to optimize the dose and unravel any potential side effects before its clinical application.

Optimizing the rate of straw returning to balance trade-offs between carbon emission budget and rice yield in China

Rice paddies are a prominent contributor to greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions, accounting for 22 % of the overall agricultural methane (CH4) emissions. Although returning rice straw to the field can increase yield and soil organic carbon (SOC), the significant GHGs released during this process often negate these positive effects. Thus, understanding the impact of straw returning on the relationship between rice yield and GHGs is crucial for farming adaptation and climate change mitigation. This study aims to investigate the effects of varying straw returning rates on rice yield and GHGs in China and identify the optimal rates on a provincial scale. This study utilized county-level meteorological, soil, and field management data. The Dynamic Nitrogen and Carbon Model (DNDC) model was used to simulate the impacts on rice yield, GHGs, and SOC changes under different straw returning rates in China from 2010 to 2022, including no straw, 1/3, 2/3, and full straw returning. The results showed that 1/3, 2/3, and full straw incorporation increased rice yield per unit area by 1.07 %, 2.25 %, and 3.26 % for single rice cropping, 1.10 %, 2.24 %, and 3.52 % for early rice, and 1.92 %, 3.91 %, and 5.95 % for late rice, respectively. Compared with no straw returning, the total SOC content (0–50 cm) increased by 3.88 % (78.07 Tg), 7.75 % (156.09 Tg), and 11.65 % (234.62 Tg) under 1/3, 2/3, and full straw returning, respectively. However, the total GHGs were increased by 23.32 %, 43.50 %, and 61.48 % for 1/3, 2/3, and full straw incorporation compared to no straw returning. While the overall benefits of straw returning varied across regions, in certain areas like northeastern China, Xinjiang, and Yunnan, an increase in straw returning rates leads to a significant increase in yield with a relatively smaller increase in GHGs. This can be attributed to factors such as lower temperatures, decreased SOC, and lower soil pH, restricting CH4 production. Conversely, in regions with higher soil pH, such as north China and the Sichuan Basin, as well as in warmer southern areas, the increase in GHGs is quite pronounced. In summary, implementing straw returning significantly increases rice production and SOC but simultaneously increases GHGs. In China, the most widespread utilization of rice straw remains straw returning. We have summarized the average impact of straw returning on yield, SOC, and GHGs, and proposed straw returning rates tailored to the comprehensive benefits in different regions, to enhance the carbon sequestration and emission reduction rate of rice straw returning.

Gut microbiota dynamics in KK-Ay mice: restoration following antibiotic treatment.

The primary aim of this study was to investigate the alterations in the microbial community of KK-Ay mice following antibiotic treatment. A comparative analysis of the gut microbiota was conducted between KK-Ay mice treated with antibiotics and those without treatment. The microbial community dynamics in antibiotic-treated KK-Ay mice were meticulously assessed over an eight-week period using 16S rDNA sequencing analysis. Simultaneously, dynamic renal function measurements were performed. The results demonstrated a marked decrease in bacterial DNA abundance following antibiotic intervention, coupled with a substantial reduction in bacterial diversity and a profound alteration in microbial composition. These observed microbiota changes persisted in the KK-Ay mice throughout the eight-week post-antibiotic treatment period. Particularly noteworthy was the reemergence of bacterial populations after two weeks or more, resulting in a microbiota composition resembling that of untreated KK-Ay mice. This transition was characterized by a significant increase in the abundance of clostridia at the class level, Lachnospirales and Oscillospirales at the order level, and Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Ruminococcaceae at the family level. Concurrently, there was a notable decrease in Clostridia_UCG-014. The observed alterations in the gut microbiota of antibiotic-treated KK-Ay mice suggest a dynamic response to antibiotic intervention and subsequent restoration towards the original untreated state.

Curious minds to aspiring pharmacists: Impact of high school outreach on pharmacy knowledge and interest

ObjectiveTo analyze the impact of a pharmacy student delivered presentation on prospective rural high school students' interest toward the pharmacy profession and knowledge regarding a career in pharmacy. MethodsPresentations about applying to pharmacy school, the Doctor of Pharmacy degree, and pharmacist careers were given at ten high schools across North Dakota and Minnesota by third year pharmacy students attending North Dakota State University. Each pharmacy student presenter received training to ensure that all high school students received clear and consistent information. A pre-post survey was used to understand the impact of the presentation on high school student interest and knowledge regarding a career in pharmacy. Data was analyzed using a chi-square test and McNemar's test. ResultsFive hundred and eight students consented to the study and completed the pre-post surveys. Of these students, the largest group was high school juniors (number (n) = 239, 47%), followed by sophomores (n = 161, 32%), seniors (n = 104, 20%) and freshmen (n = 3, 1%). The majority of students attended school in North Dakota (n = 469, 92%). Similarly, most students planned to attend a four-year college (n = 451, 89%) and were interested in a medical/healthcare related career (n = 310, 61%). All interest and knowledge questions showed a statistically significant increase in score pre-post. ConclusionPresentations delivered by pharmacy students to prospective rural high school students improved overall interest and knowledge regarding pharmacy school and the profession. Presentations are a useful tool for pharmacy programs to help promote their school and the profession of pharmacy.

Complexities and opportunities: A review of the trajectory of fish farming in Zimbabwe

AbstractZimbabwe is currently rated as one of the top 10 fish producers in Sub‐Saharan Africa. Fish farming in Zimbabwe is dominated by the culture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) followed by rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Over 90% of the cultured fish is O. niloticus, which comes from Lake Kariba. Since the first decade of the 21st century, there has been a significant increase in fish production from two tons to eight tons annually. The increase in fish production has been attributed to the government and donor‐funded fishery programs. In this review, current practices, opportunities, and challenges for aquaculture in Zimbabwe are highlighted. The current practices include intensive, semi‐intensive, and extensive aquaculture systems. Consistent high market demand for fish and numerous water bodies with potential for cage culture are some of the drivers for aquaculture. Despite the industry's significant growth, there are still a number of management and production issues that need to be resolved. Weaknesses in structural issues and operational frameworks in Non‐Governmental Organizations, lack of credit facilities, subsidies, limited technology, obfuscated governance, weak fish disease surveillance mechanisms and legal frameworks, and constrained human resources capacity are some of the challenges plaguing fish culture in Zimbabwe. Cogent aquaculture policies, sustainable subsidies, intensive training of human resources and fisheries experts, strengthened disease surveillance, cheaper alternative fish feeds, reliable viable fingerling production, concerted value chain efforts, and exploration of lucrative export markets is a panacea for the fledgling aquaculture industry in Zimbabwe.

Investigations of an increased incidence of non-Aspergillus invasive mould infections in an onco-haematology unit.

Invasive mould infections are life-threatening complications in patients with haematologic cancer and chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. While invasive aspergillosis represents the main cause of invasive mould infections, non-Aspergillusmould infections, such as mucormycosis, are increasingly reported. Consequently, their local epidemiology should be closely monitored. The aim of this study was to investigate the causes of an increased incidence of non-Aspergillusmould infections in the onco-haematology unit of a Swiss tertiary care hospital. All cases of proven and probable invasive mould infections were retrospectively identified via a local registry for the period 2007-2021 and their incidence was calculated per 10,000 patient-days per year. The relative proportion of invasive aspergillosis and non-Aspergillusmould infections was assessed. Factors that may affect invasive mould infections' incidence, such as antifungal drug consumption, environmental contamination and changes in diagnostic approaches, were investigated. A significant increase of the incidence of non-Aspergillusmould infections (mainly mucormycosis) was observed from 2017 onwards (Mann and Kendall test p = 0.0053), peaking in 2020 (8.62 episodes per 10,000 patient-days). The incidence of invasive aspergillosis remained stable across the period of observation. The proportion of non-Aspergillusmould infections increased significantly from 2017 (33% vs 16.8% for the periods 2017-2021 and 2007-2016, respectively, p = 0.02). Building projects on the hospital site were identified as possible contributors of this increase in non-Aspergillusmould infections. However, novel diagnostic procedures may have improved their detection. We report a significant increase in non-Aspergillusmould infections, and mainly in mucormycosis infections, since 2017. There seems to be a multifactorial origin to this increase. Epidemiological trends of invasive mould infections should be carefully monitored in onco-haematology units in order to implement potential corrective measures.

Effects of COVID-19 vaccines on patient-reported outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease: a multicenter survey study in Korea.

The impact of vaccination on inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients is still unknown, and no studies have assessed the changes in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) after vaccination in patients with IBD. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the impact of vaccines on the PROs of patients with IBD. We conducted a questionnaire survey of patients with IBD who visited outpatient clinics at 4 specialized IBD clinics of referral university hospitals from April 2022 to June 2022. A total of 309 IBD patients were included in the study. Patient information was collected from a questionnaire and their medical records, including laboratory findings, were reviewed retrospectively. Risk factors associated with an increase in PROs after COVID-19 vaccination were analyzed using logistic regression analyses. In addition, we assessed whether there were differences in variables by vaccine order using the linear mixed model. In multivariate analysis, young age ( < 40 years) and ulcerative colitis (UC) were found to be independent risk factors for aggravation of PROs in patients with IBD. In all patients, platelet count significantly increased with continued vaccination in multiple pairwise comparisons. In UC patients, PROs such as the short health scale, UC-abdominal signs and symptoms, and UC-bowel signs and symptoms were aggravated significantly with continued vaccination. There was no significant increase in the variables of patients with Crohn's disease. Therefore, there may be a need to counsel patients with IBD younger than 40 years of age, and patients with UC before they receive COVID-19 vaccinations.

Mechanical and electrical performances of ternary Cu-2.8%Ni-0.7%Si alloy modulated by ultrasonic solidification

One-dimensional (1D) and three-dimensional (3D) ultrasounds were introduced into the solidification process of ternary Cu-2.8wt%Ni-0.7wt%Si alloy together with the in-situ measurements of acoustic fields. In the case of 1D ultrasound, stable cavitation was the main form of acoustic energy transmission. The grain size of α-Cu dendrites was reduced because stable cavitation improved the wetting between impurities and alloy melt, which further promoted nucleation process. When 3D ultrasounds were applied, transient cavitation was the dominant mode of acoustic energy dissipation. This induced local high undercooling in alloy melt, causing a significant increase in bulk nucleation rates and the formation of numerous tiny α-Cu equiaxed grains. Meanwhile, as ultrasonic dimension increased, the strengthened acoustic streaming accelerated solute and thermal diffusion and weakened the preferred orientation of growing α-Cu grains. The proportion of low-angle grain boundaries (LAGBs) increased consequently, which suppressed the nucleation and growth of δ-Ni2Si discontinuous precipitates (DPs) during subsequent annealing treatment. The tensile strength and electrical conductivity of 3D ultrasonically solidified alloy after annealing reached 688.2 MPa and 2.7×107 S/m respectively, showing obvious advantages in synergetic mechanical and electrical performances.

Assessment of patho-physiological responses, gill histopathology and SEM analysis in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to varied doses of chloramine-T: A potent chemotherapeutic agent

Chloramine-T (Cl-T) is a chemo-therapeutant used at aquafarms to control fish mortalities associated with bacterial and parasitic infections in freshwater aquaculture. It is also effective as a disinfectant against a wide range of viruses known to cause disease in fish. However, a very little information is available on the patho-physiological alterations in common carp (Cyprinus carpio) exposed to different doses of Cl-T. Herein, the present study aimed to assess the patho-physiological changes in common carp exposed to different doses of Cl-T (20 mg/L, 100 mg/L, and 200 mg/L) for 15 days followed by a post-exposure assessment for another 15 days. The results indicated a significant decrease in haematological indices viz., Total Erythrocyte Count (TEC), Total Leucocyte Count (TLC), Total Platelet Count (TPC), Haemoglobin (Hb), Haematocrit (Hct), and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) at higher Cl-T concentrations. Whereas, a decrease in some of the immune-biochemical parameters was also noted viz., lysozyme, NBT, Total Ig, phagocytic activity, protein, albumin and globulin in a dose-dependent manner. However, a significant increase in Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV) and glucose levels was observed during exposure period. Histopathological analysis revealed gill hypertrophy, fusion of secondary lamellae, sloughing of lamellar epithelium and gill necrosis which were more pronounced with increasing concentration of Cl-T. The maximum damage to the gill was noted at a concentration of 200 mg/L. Whereas, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis of gill revealed sloughing of lamellar epithelium, reduced interlamellar space and hypertrophy of secondary lamellae in Cl-T exposed fishes. Together, these results suggest that Cl-T exposure in common carp at 20 mg/L has a mild and acceptable effect on gill and physiology of fish, 100 mg/L has moderate effect, and 200 mg/L causes extensive damage to gills and physiology of fish.

Effects of a large-scale program for the construction of daycare and preschool centers on cognitive skills and female employment

ABSTRACT This paper assesses the impacts of a large-scale program aimed at constructing daycare and preschool centers in Brazil named Proinfância, which funded new buildings in nearly 45% of the municipalities between 2008 and 2017. We find a significant increase in early education care in the jurisdictions that participated in the program more than a decade after it had started: 4 percentage points in the attendance rate for infants aged up to three and six percentage points for children aged 4 to 5. However, the improvements in public schools' scores in ‘Prova Brasil’, which is a national exam for elementary school children, are small (at most 1%). Despite this, the program significantly helped increase female labor force participation, especially considering low-educated workers, but also with a small magnitude (1 percentage point). The results suggest that a faster increase in the coverage of public infant education would lead to more pronounced effects on children's development and female participation in the workforce.

Changes in enamel hardness, wear resistance, surface texture, and surface crystal structure with glass ionomer cement containing BioUnion fillers.

This study investigated the potential of BioUnion filler containing glass ionomer cement (GIC) to enhance the properties of enamel surrounding restorations, with a specific focus on the effect on hardness. The hardness of the bovine enamel immersed in the cement was measured using Vickers hardness numbers. Following sliding and impact wear simulations, the enamel facets were examined using confocal-laser-scanning microscopy and scanning-electron microscopy. Surface properties were further analyzed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A significant increase in Vickers hardness numbers was observed in the BioUnion filler GIC after 2 days. Furthermore, the mean depth of enamel facets treated with BioUnion filler GIC was significantly less than that of untreated facets. Characteristic XRD peaks indicating the presence of hydroxyapatite were also observed. Our findings imply that GIC with BioUnion fillers enhances the mechanical properties of the tooth surface adjacent to the cement.

An adaptive spacing of root-zone hole fertilization to improve production and fertilizer utilization of rapeseed.

Root-zone hole fertilization has a positive impact on enhancing crop production and fertilization efficiency. However, a suitable spacing for hole fertilization in rapeseed cultivation is unclear. To explore an adaptive hole spacing for improving rapeseed yield and fertilization efficiency, field experiments were conducted. Four spacings of hole fertilization were designed: 10 (FD10), 20 (FD20), 30 (FD30) and 40 cm (FD40), using no fertilization (F0) and deep-banded placement of fertilizer (DBP) as controls. The burial depth was 10 cm for FD and DBP treatments. Compared to DBP, hole fertilization impacted soil microenvironment, crop growth and yield components, resulting in a significant increase of 28.4% in seed yield and 25.6% in oil yield. Seed yield in FD20 (4345.43 kg ha-1) increased by 4.3%, 9.4% and 15.1% compared to FD10, FD30 and FD40, respectively. Fertilizer partial factor productivity under FD20 was 4.2%, 8.6% and 13.9% greater than FD10, FD30 and FD40, respectively; whereas the increase for agronomic efficiency was 6.0%, 12.7% and 21.0%, and the increase for N recovery efficiency was 39.5%, 52.5% and 62.9%, respectively. Fertilization with a hole spacing of 17 cm is a promising practice to maintain high production and fertilization efficiency when cultivating rapeseed. These results provide a theoretical foundation and scientific basis for improving rapeseed productivity and fertilizer utilization. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Analysis of the environmental and economic performance of common agricultural policy eco-schemes in soil organic carbon sequestration

The Andalusian olive grove in South Spain is employed as a case study to assess the environmental and economic effects of the green architecture (eco-schemes) of the Common Agricultural Policy in relation to low carbon agriculture under different soil management policy scenarios to support more efficient agri-environmental policy making. To do so, we adopted a multidisciplinary approach in which we used: (i) an integrated modelling framework comprising geographic information systems (GIS); (ii) the RothC model; and (iii) a cost-benefit analysis. Results show that eco-schemes provide a significant increase of soil organic carbon (SOC) relative to cross-compliance. Practices involving vegetation covers are more efficient than using pruning residues as mulching. SOC accumulation increases rapidly in the first five-ten years to slow down afterwards. The cost-benefit ratios of eco-schemes policy implementation are higher than one when only SOC is considered. Nonetheless, the inclusion of additional co-benefits has the potential to invert this scenario and enhance policy efficacy. Various insights on optimizing the design and application of eco-scheme efficiency are provided.

The Change in the Thoughts and Feelings after the Orientation Education of Nurses Starting Work during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the change in the thoughts and feelings after the orientation education of nurses who started work during the COVID-19 pandemic.&#x0D; Methods: This research was designed as a semi-experimental study with a single group applied with pre-test and post-test. The study was conducted with 358 nurses. The data were collected using the “Nurse Info Form”, “Pre-Orientation Evaluation Form” and “Post-Orientation Evaluation Form”. Approval for the study was granted by the Clinical Research Ethics Committee and permission was also received from the institution where the study was conducted. Data obtained in the study were analyzed statistically using Number Cruncher Statistical System Statistical Software (Utah, USA).&#x0D; Results: In the examination of the positive feelings, there was seen to be a statistically significant increase after the orientation education compared to before concerning feeling self-motivated, satisfied, and safe. In the examination of the negative feelings, there was seen to be a statistically significant decrease after the orientation education compared to before concerning feeling anxious. &#x0D; Conclusions: The planning and application of orientation education taking the thoughts and feelings of nurses into account will facilitate adaptation to work.

Enhancing RECK Expression Through miR-21 Inhibition: A Promising Strategy for Bladder Carcinoma Control.

Bladder carcinoma (BC) is the tenth most frequent malignancy worldwide, with high morbidity and mortality rates. Despite recent treatment advances, high-grade BC and muscle-invasive BC present with significant progression and recurrence rates, urging the need for alternative treatments. The microRNA-21 (miR-21) has superexpression in many malignancies and is associated with cellular invasion and progression. One of its mechanisms of action is the regulation of RECK, a tumor suppressor gene responsible for inhibiting metalloproteinases, including MMP9. In a high-grade urothelial cancer cell line, we aimed to assess if miR-21 downregulation would promote RECK expression and decrease MMP9 expression. We also evaluated cellular migration and proliferation potential by inhibition of this pathway. In a T24 cell line, we inhibited miR-21 expression by transfection of a specific microRNA inhibitor (anti-miR-21). There were also control and scramble groups, the last with a negative microRNA transfected. After the procedure, we performed a genetic expression analysis of miR-21, RECK, and MMP9 through qPCR. Migration, proliferation, and protein expression were evaluated via wound healing assay, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence.After anti-miR-21 transfection, miR-21 expression decreased with RECK upregulation and MMP9 downregulation. The immunofluorescence assay showed a significant increase in RECK protein expression (p < 0.0001) and a decrease in MMP9 protein expression (p = 0.0101). The anti-miR-21 transfection significantly reduced cellular migration in the wound healing assay (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, in the colony formation assay, the anti-miR-21 group demonstrated reduced cellular proliferation (p = 0.0008), also revealed in the cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry (p = 0.0038). Our results corroborate the hypothesis that miR-21 is associated with BC cellular migration and proliferation, revealing its potential as a new effective treatment for this pathology.

Do New Urbanization Policies Promote Sustainable Urbanization? Evidence from China’s Urban Agglomerations

China’s urbanization has received as much attention as its economic growth in recent years. While rapid urbanization has promoted modernization and wealth creation, it has also brought many problems and challenges. So, since 2014, the Chinese government has implemented a new urbanization policy nationwide. However, few researchers have examined whether China’s new urbanization policies promote sustainable urbanization. This paper evaluates the sustainable urbanization of 19 urban agglomerations in China using the elastic coefficient. The results indicate a significant increase in the number of cities achieving sustainable urbanization since the implementation of China’s new urbanization policy. The number has risen from 46 in the period of 2010–2015 to 71 in the period of 2015–2021. Considering the impact of the new coronavirus on economy, there would have been even more cities entering sustainable urbanization during the latter period. This indicates that the new urbanization policy has a positive influence on the sustainable urbanization of China’s urban agglomerations. The sustainable urbanization status is not static and changes with different policies that are implemented in different time periods. Therefore, it is important to find useful policies that can guide and enhance the urbanization process in these cities. In addition, cities that have a sustainable urbanization status are not perfect. To address this issue, it is important to categorize and implement targeted policies for cities experiencing both sustainable and non-sustainable urbanization. Changes in a city’s size or urbanization rates are not related to the city’s sustainable urbanization status. A larger city size does not indicate sustainable urbanization, and, similarly, cities with faster urbanization rates do not exhibit a higher level of urbanization sustainability.

Trends in opioid toxicities among people with and without opioid use disorder and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario, Canada: A population-based analysis

BackgroundAcross Canada, the COVID-19 pandemic occurred amidst an ongoing drug toxicity crisis. Although elevated rates of substance-related harms have been observed nationally, it remains unknown if the pandemic state of emergency led to disproportionate increases in opioid toxicities among people with opioid use disorder (OUD) compared to those without. MethodsWe conducted a population-based repeated cross-sectional time series analysis of fatal and non-fatal opioid toxicities between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2021, in Ontario, Canada. We used interventional autoregressive integrated moving average models to examine the impact of the pandemic on monthly rates of opioid toxicities per 100,000 Ontario residents stratified by people with and without OUD. ResultsWe identified 80,296 opioid toxicities of which 53.5 % occurred among people with OUD. Among 52,052 unique individuals, 60.5 % were male and 46.2 % were 25–44 years old. Between January 2014 and December 2021, the rate of opioid toxicities increased from 2.6 to 10.5 per 100,000 (rate ratio [RR]=4.07). The magnitude of this increase differed among people with OUD (0.8 to 7.4 per 100,000; RR=9.35) and without OUD (1.8 to 3.1 per 100,000; RR=1.74). We observed a significant ramp increase in the overall rate of opioid toxicities following the declaration of the pandemic emergency in March 2020 (+0.19 per 100,000 monthly, 95 % CI: 0.029, 0.36, p = 0.021). In a stratified analysis, we found a similar ramp increase among people with OUD (+0.19 per 100,000 monthly, 95 % CI: 0.10, 0.28, p < 0.001); however, this was not observed among people without OUD (p = 0.95). ConclusionsThe rate of opioid toxicities accelerated across Ontario following the pandemic-related state of emergency, with the majority of this increase among people with OUD. The important differences observed among people with OUD compared with those without, highlights the critical need for improved access to harm reduction and treatment interventions among this population.

Otologic disease trends in Japan post-COVID-19 outbreak: A retrospective time-series analysis

ObjectiveTo evaluate the potential impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vaccinations on otologic diseases, including facial nerve paralysis (including Ramsay Hunt syndrome), vestibular neuritis, sudden sensorineural hearing loss, and Meniere's disease. MethodsIn this retrospective study, we conducted a time-series analysis employing a causal impact algorithm on a large-scale inpatient database in Japan. We compared the actual number of hospitalized patients with otologic diseases to two predictions: one without any covariates and another with a covariate accounting for the reduction in the number of hospitalized patients due to lockdown measures. Additionally, we performed Granger causality tests to ensure the robustness of our findings. ResultsNo significant increase was noted in the number of hospitalized patients with otologic diseases following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the causal impact analysis. Similarly, no notable surge was observed in hospitalizations for these diseases following the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Granger causality tests results aligned with the causal impact analysis findings. ConclusionOur findings indicate that COVID-19 and vaccinations had minimal discernible effects on hospitalization of patients with otologic diseases, suggesting that otologic diseases may not be significantly impacted by COVID-19 and vaccinations, which could have implications for public health policies and the allocation of healthcare resources during a pandemic. Further research and monitoring of long-term effects are warranted to validate these findings and guide healthcare decision-making.