Slow Growth Rate Research Articles

Causes and Effects of Unemployment in India: With Special Reference to Rural Areas of Yamuna Nagar District of Haryana

In underdeveloped countries unemployment is both open and disguised. Presently like all other underdeveloped countries, India suffers mainly from structural unemployment which exists in open and disguised forms. Unemployment which prevails in India is definitely structural in nature. During the 1951-2011 period, population in India increased at an alarming rate of around 2.1% per annum and with it the number of people coming to the labour market in search of jobs also rose rapidly. But due to slow economic growth rate, employment opportunities did not increase most of the time correspondingly, which results into an increase in the volume of unemployment. Apart from structural unemployment, there is Keynesian involuntary unemployment prevails in India. The present paper defines the situation of unemployment in India with special reference to rural areas of Haryana. Haryana is a state where agriculture and Industrial Sector and Service sector all have shown a good performance in the Gross Domestic Product. Since its creation, the economic growth of Haryana is very high. But it is also true that Haryana is also facing the problem of unemployment. The level of development of a country determines the extent of employment or unemployment. Therefore, when a country makes progress size and its production expands, the employment opportunities grow. During the past three decades, the production has expanded in all the sectors of the Indian economy. Absolute level of employment has grown in response to these developments, but was not found enough to remove the unemployment in the economy. However, during the planning period, unemployment in absolute terms has increased, not in a single state but in whole country. This present paper defines the unemployment situation that prevails in India with special reference to Haryana.

Atomic vs. sub-atomic layer deposition: impact of growth rate on the optical and structural properties of MoS2 and WS2

MoS2 and WS2 mono- and multilayers were grown on SiO2/Si substrates. Growth by atomic layer deposition (ALD) at fast growth rates is compared to sub-ALD, which is a slow growth rate process with only partial precursor surface coverage per cycle. A Raman spectroscopic analysis of the intensity and frequency difference of the modes reveals different stages of growth from partial to full surface layer coverage followed by layer-by-layer formation. The initial layer thickness and structural quality strongly depend on the growth rate and monolayers only form using sub-ALD. Optical activity is demonstrated by photoluminescence (PL) characterization which shows typical excitonic emission from MoS2 and WS2 monolayers. A chemical analysis confirming the stoichiometry of MoS2 is performed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The surface morphology of layers grown with different growth rates is studied by atomic force microscopy. Plan-view transmission electron microscopy analysis of MoS2 directly grown on freestanding graphene reveals the local crystalline quality of the layers, in agreement with Raman and PL results.

Revolutionizing comammox enrichment: Novel approaches for comammox enrichment through reactor configuration and ammonia concentration mediation

The identification of comammox Nitrospira as a complete ammonia oxidizer marked a significant milestone in the field of ammonia oxidation. Nonetheless, the slow growth rate of comammox bacteria poses a challenge in differentiating them from conventional ammonia-oxidizers. In this study, different reactor configurations (SBR and SBBR) were used to explore the enrichment effect of comammox Nitrospira. The operation process of both reactors was organized into three distinct phases according to the concentration of NH4+ in the influent. With the increase in running time, the abundances of comammox bacteria in R1 (SBR) and R2 (SBBR) increased. The relative abundances of comammox amoA in Phase III of R2 were 27.9 times that of R1. After 240 days of enrichment, the abundances of Nitrospira in R1 and R2 increased from 0.03 % to 3.33 % and 22.79 %, respectively. The enrichment in R2 was about 6.8-fold of R1. The results showed that comammox Nitrospira is more competitive in an oligotrophic environment, and they are more favorable to grow in biofilms. This study shed new light on the impact of reactor configurations and provides a novel strategy for enriching comammox bacteria, highlighting the potential for optimizing wastewater treatment processes and advancing our understanding of microbial ecology.

SCHWANNOMA OF THE HEAD AND NECK REGION: A CASE SERIES IN A TERTIARY HEALTH CENTRE IN WESTERN ODISHA

Objective: Schwannoma is a benign peripheral nerve sheath tumour. Previously referred to as Neurilemmomas. It is a slow-growing tumour. The commonest site is the limb with a predilection to the upper limb. But, it has a 25–48% predilection for nerves of the head and neck. In the oral cavity, the commonest site is said to be the tongue. Methods: We report three cases of histopathologically diagnosed Schwannoma at unusual sites. The first case was a 52 y old lady with a palpable, firm, painless swelling in the occipital region of the scalp of size 2.0 x 1.0 x 1.0 cm. The second case was a 29 y old woman with a painless scalp swelling of 1 cm by 1 cm. The third case was a 23 y old boy who presented with a slow-growing and painless pedunculated swelling in the posterior pharyngeal wall for a year. All cases showed classical histopathologic pictures on microscopy. Results: All the patients were evaluated pre-operatively and subjected to an excisional biopsy. The post-operative period was uneventful and everything went according to plan for a full year. Conclusion: Schwannomas exhibit a slow growth rate, are present in all age groups, and are not specific to one gender. Extremities are the most common locations to occur, but some rare sites like the scalp, oral cavity, retroperitoneum, and internal viscera also exist. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is helpful in those lesions, providing useful information about the location and nature of the lesion, eliminating differential diagnosis, and thus providing correct management plans.

Succinate utilisation by Salmonella is inhibited by multiple regulatory systems.

Succinate is a potent immune signalling molecule that is present in the mammalian gut and within macrophages. Both of these infection niches are colonised by the pathogenic bacterium Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium during infection. Succinate is a C4-dicarboyxlate that can serve as a source of carbon for bacteria. When succinate is provided as the sole carbon source for in vitro cultivation, Salmonella and other enteric bacteria exhibit a slow growth rate and a long lag phase. This growth inhibition phenomenon was known to involve the sigma factor RpoS, but the genetic basis of the repression of bacterial succinate utilisation was poorly understood. Here, we use an experimental evolution approach to isolate fast-growing mutants during growth of S. Typhimurium on succinate containing minimal medium. Our approach reveals novel RpoS-independent systems that inhibit succinate utilisation. The CspC RNA binding protein restricts succinate utilisation, an inhibition that is antagonised by high levels of the small regulatory RNA (sRNA) OxyS. We discovered that the Fe-S cluster regulatory protein IscR inhibits succinate utilisation by repressing the C4-dicarboyxlate transporter DctA. Furthermore, the ribose operon repressor RbsR is required for the complete RpoS-driven repression of succinate utilisation, suggesting a novel mechanism of RpoS regulation. Our discoveries shed light on the redundant regulatory systems that tightly regulate the utilisation of succinate. We speculate that the control of central carbon metabolism by multiple regulatory systems in Salmonella governs the infection niche-specific utilisation of succinate.

Actinomycetes: Isolation, Cultivation and its Active Biomolecules

Actinomycetes are the potential producers of secondary metabolites of vivid applications; they are isolated from almost all the sources both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Actinomycetes are a group of Gram-positive bacteria known for their filamentous structure and ability to produce a diverse array of bioactive compounds. These bioactive compounds include antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, anticancer agents, immunosuppressants, and enzymes. Actinomycetes have been a major source of these bioactive compounds and have played a significant role in the development of many therapeutic drugs. Actinomycetes, which are isolated from practically all sources in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, have the potential to create secondary metabolites with diverse uses. A class of Gram-positive bacteria called actinomycetes is distinguished by its filamentous structure and capacity to manufacture a wide range of bioactive substances. Antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, cancer preventatives, immunosuppressants, and enzymes are a few examples of these bioactive substances. These bioactive substances have primarily come from actinomycetes, which have also contributed significantly to the creation of several medicinal medications. However, actinomycetes isolation and cultivation can be challenging due to their slow growth rate and complex nutritional requirements. In order to isolate and cultivate actinomycetes, several pre-treatment methods and media can be employed.

The right banker plant for the right application: Comparison of three candidates for aphid biocontrol, barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), corn (Zea mays L.), and finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn).

In temperate regions, aphid biological control in greenhouses is mostly achieved by the regular release of biocontrol agents. Due to the rapid growth rate of the aphid population, biocontrol agents must be released frequently in order to be present before pest outbreaks and to act rapidly to prevent exceeding the economic threshold. Banker plants reduce these numerous releases by providing natural enemies with a high-quality environment to develop and reproduce. Optimally, banker plants should be easy to produce, resistant to environmental conditions, provide a large amount of suitable banker prey in order to produce a high number of biocontrol agents, and resist the herbivory pressure of the banker prey. The present study aimed to compare the value of three banker plant candidates of the Poaceae family under laboratory and greenhouse conditions: barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn), and corn (Zea mays L.). Our results show that the three plants were suitable for different contexts. Finger millet yielded the biggest fresh plant biomass, supported the highest load of banker prey, and resisted aphid feeding longer than the other plant species. Corn was the cheapest to produce, and barley was the fastest to grow. Overall, finger millet could be more fitted for long crop cycles, pests with rapid population growth rates, and voracious or fast-reproducing biocontrol agents. Meanwhile, barley and corn may be better suited for rapid crop cycles, pests with slow population growth rates, and biocontrol agents that are not too voracious or have low reproductive rates. © 2024 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Enhancing grain growth of caesium-formamidinium-based lead halide perovskite thin films through PbI2 precursor engineering in vapor-solid reaction

Vapor-solid reaction methods are highly regarded as potential solutions for large-scale production of perovskite thin films due to their scalability, compatibility with silicon tandem technology, and lack of solvents. However, the limited penetration of organic vapor through the solid inorganic film results in a slow growth rate of perovskite, leading to poor crystallinity and small grain size. This high defect density in the grain boundaries hinders the enhancement of device performance. In this study, we used 1,3-diaminoguanidine monohydrochloride as an additive in the PbI2 precursor films, which effectively improved perovskite grain growth in the vapor-solid reaction process. After optimization, we achieved high-quality perovskite thin films with a large grain size exceeding 5 μm. Notably, solar devices based on these large-grain perovskite thin films achieved a high power conversion efficiency up to 21.13%.

Breed Preference by Farmers and the Morphometric Characteristics of Sukuma Goats and a Crossbred of Malya and Sukuma Goats in Maswa District, Tanzania

Aims: To study farmers’ perception toward performance of crossbreds (Malya x Sukuma) relative to the indigenous Sukuma goats.
 Study Design: The study was of cross-sectional design employing comparative analysis.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Maswa District of Tanzania over a three weeks period.
 Methodology: Fifty respondents from household which were previously involved in the crossbreeding program were sampled purposively. In which they were interviewed using questionnaires on good/positive and bad/negative attributes for each genotype, then ranks of desired breed according to market price, mature body size and age of attaining mature size. Body weights and linear body measurement of mature crossbred (Malya x Sukuma) goats and pure Sukuma goats were also taken after interviewing each household respondent. Interview data were analyzed using descriptive statistics option of SPSS and body measurements were analyzed using GLM procedure of SAS.
 Results: The most preferred breed was crossbred goats due to their high market price, large mature body size and early age of attaining mature size. Good attributes for Sukuma goats were disease resistance (98%) and drought resistance (94%) while bad attributes were low price in the market (88%), small body size (94%) and slow growth rate (72%). Good attributes for crossbred goats were premium price in the market (92%), high growth rate (80%) and large body size (94%). Bad attributes for crossbred goats had very low frequency. The crossbred goats were larger compared to Sukuma goats. Their mature body measurements were body length (60.6±0.46 cm), heart girth (77.6±0.58 cm), height at withers (66.4±0.42 cm) and body weight (35.1±0.52 kg) for crossbred goats while corresponding mature body measurements for Sukuma goats were 49.6±0.42 cm, 65.1±0.54 cm, 56.7±0.39 cm and 21.6±0.48 kg, respectively.
 Conclusion: Crossbred goats were accepted by farmers due to their beneficial impact to the households’ economy.

Algae-Based Biopolymers for Batteries and Biofuel Applications in Comparison with Bacterial Biopolymers-A Review.

Algae-based biopolymers can be used in diverse energy-related applications, such as separators and polymer electrolytes in batteries and fuel cells and also as microalgal biofuel, which is regarded as a highly renewable energy source. For these purposes, different physical, thermochemical, and biochemical properties are necessary, which are discussed within this review, such as porosity, high temperature resistance, or good mechanical properties for batteries and high energy density and abundance of the base materials in case of biofuel, along with the environmental aspects of using algae-based biopolymers in these applications. On the other hand, bacterial biopolymers are also often used in batteries as bacterial cellulose separators or as biopolymer network binders, besides their potential use as polymer electrolytes. In addition, they are also regarded as potential sustainable biofuel producers and converters. This review aims at comparing biopolymers from both aforementioned sources for energy conversion and storage. Challenges regarding the production of algal biopolymers include low scalability and low cost-effectiveness, and for bacterial polymers, slow growth rates and non-optimal fermentation processes often cause challenges. On the other hand, environmental benefits in comparison with conventional polymers and the better biodegradability are large advantages of these biopolymers, which suggest further research to make their production more economical.

Dating the Noah trees to improve age estimates in centennial and millennial olive trees

The olive tree is an iconic component of Mediterranean agricultural landscapes. Many monumental olive trees are regarded as millennial individuals, but their ages cannot be estimated through tree ring dating. Alternatively, 14C-dating of pith wood sample provides age estimates for these old trees. However, published age estimates indicate that most ages of old olive trees range between 200 and 700 years. Nevertheless, some rare individuals may be millennial or even older. Here we report the oldest dated olive tree, sampled in the so-called Noah olive grove in Bshaaleh (northern Lebanon), and having an age of 1161 ± 131 years according to 14C dating. By measuring tree diameter, ring counting, and 14C wood dating in old olive trees in Mediterranean countries an equation was obtained to estimate the 14C-estimated age of old olive trees: age = 37.56 + 1.835 diameter. We conclude that most monumental olive trees are centennial but not millennial, with very old trees probably restricted to harsh sites where trees show slow growth rates.

Transcriptome analysis reveals ABA involved in the detoxification mechanism of macroalga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis to cadmium toxicity

IntroductionCadmium (Cd) is a significant threat environmental pollutant in the marine ecological environment offshore. The macroalga, Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis, of significant economic value, is widely cultivated along China’s coastline. Yet, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance in macroalga.MethodsHere, we examined the transcriptome of G. lemaneiformis exposed to Cd to identify the responses to Cd stress.Results and discussionOur findings revealed that Cd led to the retardation of growth rate in G. lemaneiformis, accompanied by a notable reduction in the content of photosynthetic pigments and a decrease in the expression of genes associated with the photosynthetic system and nitrogen metabolism. When exposed to Cd, there was a rapid increase in Cd levels through the upregulation of genes encoding GlZIP6 and GlIRT1. Additionally, the expression of Cd efflux transporters, GlZIP1 and GlABCG22, and the ABCC7 transporter for compartmentation to the vacuole, was induced to mitigate Cd toxicity. Cd also activated crucial genes involved in the ABA biosynthesis and enhanced ABA content, thereby inducing ABA signaling pathway. Furthermore, exogenous ABA reduced the growth inhibition of G. lemaneiformis under Cd stress. Redox homeostasis was adjusted to adapt to Cd toxicity, with thioredoxin, glutaredoxin cycle and ascorbate-glutathione cycle identified as playing significant in maintaining reactive oxygen species homeostasis. Moreover, transcription factors such as several MYBs, signal transmission factors G protein and heat shock proteins (sHSPs, HSP 40, HSP 90, HSP101) were involved in the detoxification of Cd. Collectively, this study provided a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the of responses of macroalga G. lemaneiformis to Cd exposure.

Pangenome-Scale Mathematical Modelling of ANAMMOX Bacteria Metabolism

Removal of fixed nitrogen compounds such as ammonium and nitrite from wastewater is of critical importance for balancing the nitrogen cycle and protecting aquatic environments from eutrophication. ANaerobic AMMonium OXidising (ANAMMOX) bacteria have recently been employed for fixed nitrogen removal purposes in wastewater treatment processes. These specialised bacteria convert ammonium and nitrite into nitrogen gas anaerobically, thereby reducing the amount of energy required for aeration in conventional wastewater treatment processes. However, slow growth rates of ANAMMOX remain a major obstacle towards their widespread use in industrial wastewater treatment processes. Thus, a pangenome-scale, constraint-based metabolic model, iRB399, of ANAMMOX bacteria has been developed to design strategies for accelerating their growth. The main metabolic limitation was identified in the energy metabolism of these bacteria, concerning the production of ATP. The extremely low efficiency of the electron transport chain combined with very high growth-associated maintenance energy is likely to be responsible for the slow growth of ANAMMOX. However, different ANAMMOX species were found to conserve energy using a variety of different redox couples, and the modelling simulations revealed their comparative advantages under different growth conditions. iRB399 also identified dispensable catabolic reactions that have demonstrably beneficial effects on enhancing the growth rates of ANAMMOX bacteria. Thus, the pangenome-scale model will not only help identify and overcome metabolic limitations of ANNAMOX bacteria, but also provide a valuable resource for designing efficient ANNAMOX-based wastewater treatment processes.

Protein production dynamics and physiological adaptation of recombinant Komagataella phaffii at near-zero growth rates

BackgroundSpecific productivity (qP) in yeast correlates with growth, typically peaking at intermediate or maximum specific growth rates (μ). Understanding the factors limiting productivity at extremely low μ might reveal decoupling strategies, but knowledge of production dynamics and physiology in such conditions is scarce. Retentostats, a type of continuous cultivation, enable the well-controlled transition to near-zero µ through the combined retention of biomass and limited substrate supply. Recombinant Komagataella phaffii (syn Pichia pastoris) secreting a bivalent single domain antibody (VHH) was cultivated in aerobic, glucose-limited retentostats to investigate recombinant protein production dynamics and broaden our understanding of relevant physiological adaptations at near-zero growth conditions.ResultsBy the end of the retentostat cultivation, doubling times of approx. two months were reached, corresponding to µ = 0.00047 h−1. Despite these extremely slow growth rates, the proportion of viable cells remained high, and de novo synthesis and secretion of the VHH were observed. The average qP at the end of the retentostat was estimated at 0.019 mg g−1 h−1. Transcriptomics indicated that genes involved in protein biosynthesis were only moderately downregulated towards zero growth, while secretory pathway genes were mostly regulated in a manner seemingly detrimental to protein secretion. Adaptation to near-zero growth conditions of recombinant K. phaffii resulted in significant changes in the total protein, RNA, DNA and lipid content, and lipidomics revealed a complex adaptation pattern regarding the lipid class composition. The higher abundance of storage lipids as well as storage carbohydrates indicates that the cells are preparing for long-term survival.ConclusionsIn conclusion, retentostat cultivation proved to be a valuable tool to identify potential engineering targets to decouple growth and protein production and gain important insights into the physiological adaptation of K. phaffii to near-zero growth conditions.

Exploring the coupling coordination relationship of water resources, socio-economy and eco-environment in China

Water resources (W), socio-economy (S), and eco-environment (E) have incredibly intricate linkages of interaction, and the coordination of them is crucial to the long-term sustainability of a nation. Thus, we considered “water resources, socio-economy, and eco-environment” (W-S-E) as a composite system and constructed an evaluation model to quantitatively analyze the coupling coordination degree (CCD) of W-S-E system in China from 2011 to 2020. Then, the spatial correlation characteristics were analyzed by using spatial autocorrelation method. To analyze the time evolution patterns of the W-S-E system, this paper divided the stages from the perspective of clustering, which is more scientific and interpretable than the CCD fixed-value division. We found that: (1) W subsystem, S subsystem and E subsystem were closely connected and its CCD was enhanced with relatively higher growth rates in the development of S subsystem but slower growth rates in the W subsystem. (2) The CCD of W-S-E system had spatial correlation. The areas with low CCD were concentrated in the west of China, forming poor coordinated development phenomena. Conversely, most of provinces had relatively high CCD in the east of China with the coastal region playing radiative driving function. (3) The temporal change of W-S-E system followed four transforming patterns including “policy-oriented type”, “resource problems constraint type”, “socio-economy leading type”, and “special location controlling type”. Furthermore, we also put forward some advice and policy suggestions. The findings provide research basis and guidance for the sustainable and coordinated development of water, society and ecology.

Light Influences the Growth, Pigment Synthesis, Photosynthesis Capacity, and Antioxidant Activities in Scenedesmus falcatus.

Light plays a significant role in microalgae cultivation, significantly influencing critical parameters, including biomass production, pigment content, and the accumulation of metabolic compounds. This study was intricately designed to optimize light intensities, explicitly targeting enhancing growth, pigmentation, and antioxidative properties in the green microalga, Scenedesmus falcatus (KU.B1). Additionally, the study delved into the photosynthetic efficiency in light responses of S. falcatus. The cultivation of S. falcatus was conducted in TRIS-acetate-phosphate medium (TAP medium) under different light intensities of 100, 500, and 1000 μmol photons m-2·s-1 within a photoperiodic cycle of 12 h of light and 12 h of dark. Results indicated a gradual increase in the growth of S. falcatus under high light conditions at 1000 μmol photons m-2·s-1, reaching a maximum optical density of 1.33 ± 0.03 and a total chlorophyll content of 22.67 ± 0.2 μg/ml at 120 h. Conversely, a slower growth rate was observed under low light at 100 μmol photons m-2·s-1. However, noteworthy reductions in the maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) and actual quantum yield (Y(II)) were observed under 1000 μmol photons m-2·s-1, reflecting a decline in algal photosynthetic efficiency. Interestingly, these changes under 1000 μmol photons m-2·s-1 were concurrent with a significant accumulation of a high amount of beta-carotene (919.83 ± 26.33 mg/g sample), lutein (34.56 ± 0.19 mg/g sample), and canthaxanthin (24.00 ± 0.38 mg/g sample) within algal cells. Nevertheless, it was noted that antioxidant activities and levels of total phenolic compounds (TPCs) decreased under high light at 1000 μmol photons m-2·s-1, with IC50 of DPPH assay recorded at 218.00 ± 4.24 and TPC at 230.83 ± 86.75 mg of GAE/g. The findings suggested that the elevated light intensity at 1000 μmol photons m-2·s-1 enhanced the growth and facilitated the accumulation of valuable carotenoid pigment in S. falcatus, presenting potential applications in the functional food and carotenoid industry.

Predictive role of NICU-related stress, postpartum depression trajectory and family coping on growth trajectory of moderate-to-late preterm infants: A longitudinal study.

To describe the changes in moderate-to-late preterm infants' (MLPIs) growth during 12 months of corrected age (CA) and to examine the predictive role of NICU-related stress, postpartum depression trajectory and family coping ability on the physical developmental trajectory of MLPIs. A prospective longitudinal study. There were 237 mother-infant dyads with at least two follow-up data records included. General characteristics and NICU-related stress were recorded from medical records at baseline. Infants' physical growth was measured at 40 weeks, 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months CA during outpatient follow-up. Maternal postpartum depressive symptoms and family coping ability were assessed by questionnaires at 1, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months CA and 1 month CA respectively. We investigated the modifiable factors inside and outside of NICU on the trajectories of physical growth in the first year in MLPIs, mainly by using latent growth curve models with time-varying covariates. The curved trajectories of weight, length and head circumference in the first year in MLPIs demonstrated gradually slowed growth rates and these infants were above the WHO growth standards for the same age and sex. The latent growth curve models indicated that more NICU-related stress was negatively associated with the weight and length at 40 weeks CA, and family coping ability (parent-child relationship) at 1 month CA was associated with the growth rate of weight. Besides, more NICU-related stress predicted faster length growth rate. The infants of mothers who were in the group of high-level postpartum depression trajectory had a slower growth rate of head circumference. Our study identified the modifiable factors along the care continuum influencing the trajectory of MLPIs' physical growth. Nurses should receive more training about infant stress measurement and family-centred care to work in partnership with parents so that MLPIs can reach their full developmental potential. Also, multidisciplinary interventions including stress reduction strategies, close psychological monitoring and education improving parent-infant relationships should be further developed to achieve optimizing growth in the first year of MLPIs. It is recommended that nurses pay attention to the long-term physical growth status of MLPIs, and closely support their families. Quantifying NICU-related stress and developing reduction strategies should be the priority for clinical staff during hospitalization. After discharge, persistent screening of depressive symptoms, psychological intervention and education about the parent-child relationship need to be included in the follow-up visits. No patient or public contribution. The study only included patients who were research participants.

Experimental and numerical study of corrugated steel-plain concrete composite structures under contact explosions

This paper investigates the dynamic response and blast resistance of corrugated steel-plain concrete (CSPC) composite structures subjected to contact blast. A series of explosive tests were conducted to investigate the acceleration, deformation, and damage patterns of CSPC plates under varying blast loads and arrangements of shear connectors, and these findings were compared with reinforced concrete (RC) plates. The results suggested that CSPC plates exhibited superior ductility and blast resistance, and effectively mitigated concrete collapse. The CSPC slab primarily underwent elastic deformation when the TNT charge was small, with the rebound deformation of the concrete and steel plates acting as a significant mode of energy dissipation. As for larger TNT charges, the maximum deformation of the plate progressively increased, especially when exceeding 0.3 kg, the deformation rebound ratio decreased significantly, and the plastic deformation increased. For further increased explosive loads, the concrete and steel plates exhibited a pronounced strain rate effect with a slowed growth rate of deformation. By examining different configurations of shear connectors, it was discovered that the adhesive strength between concrete and steel plates was closely related to the energy dissipation mode, and the elastic recovery capability and deformation resistance of the CSPC structure significantly deteriorated when the shear connectors were shorter, sparser or thinner. A numerical model based on LS-DYNA was designed to further analyze the blast resistance characteristics of CSPC plates. An engineering collapse coefficient Kz was established to predict the failure level of the CSPC plates. This paper provides useful insights for the optimal design and damage assessment of CSPC composite structures.

The cyclic AMP (cAMP) phosphodiesterase CpdA required for growth, biofilm formation, motility and pathogenicity of Edwardsiella piscicida

Edwardsiella piscicida is a severe fish pathogen with wide host range, causing the huge economic losses in the aquaculture industry. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) as an important second messenger regulates the physiological and behavioral responses to environmental cues in eukaryotic and prokaryotic. The intracellular level of cAMP for effective activity is tightly controlled by the synthesis of adenylate cyclase, excretion and degradation of phosphodiesterase. In this study, we identified and characterized a class III cAMP phosphodiesterase, named as CpdA, in the E. piscicida. To investigate the role of CpdA in the physiology and pathogenicity, we constructed the in-frame deletion mutant of cpdA of E. piscicida, TX01ΔcpdA. The results showed that TX01ΔcpdA accumulated the higher intracellular cAMP concentration than TX01, indicating that CpdA exerted the hydrolysis of cAMP. In addition, compared to the TX01, the TX01ΔcpdA slowed growth rate, diminished biofilm formation and lost motility. More importantly, pathogenicity analysis confirmed that TX01ΔcpdA significantly impaired the ability of invading the epithelial cells, reproduction in macrophages, tissues dissemination and lethality for healthy tilapias. The most of lost properties of TX01ΔcpdA were restored partially or fully by the introduction of cpdA gene. These results suggest that cpdA is required for regulation of the physiology and virulence of E. piscicida.

Association of metformin use with abdominal aortic aneurysm: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a cardiovascular disease characterized by a high mortality rate when ruptured. Some studies suggest a potential inverse correlation between AAA and diabetes patients, especially those undergoing metformin treatment. However, this relationship remains unclear. This paper offers a systematic review and meta-analysis with the objective of clarifying the influence of metformin on AAA. A search for relevant articles was performed across multiple databases including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane and Scopus. The focus was on studies that examined the comparative effects of metformin and non-metformin treatments on AAA patients. Data from appropriate studies were consolidated to estimate the effects. Our study encompassed 11 articles, comprising 13 cohorts that compared metformin (n = 32,250) with a control group (n = 116,339). The random effects meta-analysis revealed that metformin was associated with a slower growth rate (weighted mean difference (WMD) -0.86 mm; 95% CI: -1.21 to -0.52; p < 0.01; I2: 81.4%) and fewer AAA-related events (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.34 to 0.86; p = 0.01; I2: 60.9%). The findings suggest that metformin may be linked to a reduced risk of aortic aneurysm. A meta-regression analysis indicated that the association between metformin and AAA growth was significantly influenced by male gender (p = 0.027), but not by age (p = 0.801), hypertension (p = 0.256), DM (p = 0.689), smoking history (p = 0.786), use of lipid-lowering agents (p = 0.715), or baseline diameter (p = 0.291). These results hint at a potential role for metformin in limiting annual AAA growth, AAA-related events, and the risk of AAA.