Temporary Increase Research Articles

Pregnancy is associated with a simultaneous but independent increase in circulating CD177pos and immature low-density granulocytes.

The neutrophil marker CD177 (NB1, HNA-2a) is expressed by 0-100% of circulating neutrophils in any given donor, dividing neutrophils into two distinct subpopulations (CD177pos and CD177neg). High proportions of CD177pos blood neutrophils have been linked to both systemic infections and a range of inflammatory pathologies, but whether this is a cause or a consequence of disease is not known. Many conditions displaying elevated CD177pos neutrophil proportions are also accompanied by the presence of circulating low-density granulocytes (LDGs). Accordingly, it is tempting to speculate that these two events are connected, i.e., that proportions of CD177pos neutrophils increase as a result of an enlarged pool of circulating LDGs. A temporary increase in CD177pos neutrophils, in combination with the presence of LDGs has been reported during pregnancy. The present study aimed to investigate whether elevated proportions of CD177pos neutrophils in peripheral blood from pregnant women can be attributed to the presence of LDGs. We found that LDGs were indeed present in pregnancy and included both immature, and activated mature neutrophils. The proportion of CD177pos LDGs increased over time during pregnancy and correlated with a simultaneous increase in immature cells. However, a majority of immature neutrophils were CD177neg, meaning that increased release of immature cells cannot explain the increased proportions of the CD177pos subtype. Therefore, although LDGs and CD177pos neutrophils are expanded simultaneously during pregnancy these events occur independent from each other.

Power Distance Moderates the Relation Between Income Inequality and Life Satisfaction: A Cross-Country Longitudinal Analysis.

Despite extensive research, the relationship between income inequality and life satisfaction remains unclear, with some countries experiencing negative consequences, while others show neutral or positive outcomes. Using data from the Gallup World Poll (2006-2022) with nearly two million respondents from more than 110 countries, we disentangle the distinct within-country and between-country effects of inequality. Our multilevel analyses reveal a significant within-country effect: Temporal increases in inequality are associated with decreases in life satisfaction. At the between-country level, power distance-a cultural dimension reflecting tolerance for social disparities-moderates the relationship. In low power distance countries, higher inequality strongly predicts lower life satisfaction, whereas in high power distance countries, the effect is nonsignificant. These findings are robust across two measures of income inequality and controls for wealth and individualism, offering a refined methodological and cultural interpretation to resolve inconsistencies in prior cross-national research.

A cross-season analysis of S100B as a potential marker of concussion in professional rugby players

ABSTRACT Objectives To investigate the effect of multiple seasons of play on serum S100B concentration in male professional rugby players, while also assessing the acute effects following a season of play and concussion. Methods A prospective study of professional male rugby players over three seasons (2016/17 to 2018/19) was conducted. Serum sampling was carried out during pre-season, post-season and following a concussion; sustained during match play at a home game (between 2-24hrs), during each season. Serum S100B concentrations were determined by ELISA assay. Results Fourteen players sustained 24 concussions over three seasons, of which 13 samples (54%) were collected. Pre- and post-season serum S100B remained stable across multiple seasons. S100B concentration increased significantly following concussion compared with pre-season (p = 0.002) and post-season (p = 0.009), reflective in a 3.23-fold-change post-concussion, with no difference found between pre- and post-season values. S100B concentration measured at post-season was not significantly different for players who had a concussion during a season and players who did not. Conclusion S100B remains stable across multiple seasons of play in professional rugby players. As concussion results in a temporary increase in S100B concentration, returning to pre-season values by post-season, S100B may be a useful diagnostic marker for improving existing management protocols for sports-related concussions.

The Analysis and the Impact of Surface Temperature Anomalies on the Health of Residents in the River Niger Basin Development Authority Area, West Africa.

This study investigates the impact of surface temperature anomalies on the health of residents within the River Niger Basin Development Authority (RIBDA) enclave, which covers Nigeria, Niger, and Mali in West Africa, with a focus on the regional implications for public health. Historical climate data from 1985 to 2014, sourced from the Climatic Research Unit Time-Series, Version 3.22 (CRU TS 3.22), was analyzed to comprehend past climate patterns and establish a baseline for future comparisons. Predictions for future climate conditions (2015-2044) were derived by adjusting the CRU data using temperature projections from the Community Climate System Model 4 under the Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5 scenario. To assess the potential impacts of these climate changes, particularly during the boreal summer season of July-August-September (JAS), the study utilized the Hydrology, Entomology, and Malaria Transmission Simulator (HYDREMATS). Findings indicate that surface temperature can intricately influence disease transmission, with varied effects on parameters such as Ro, EIR, prevalence, and immunity index. Observations revealed fluctuations in temperature anomalies over the years, with negative anomalies in 1991-1995 and positive anomalies in subsequent years. Although precise predictions for 2016-2044 are challenging based solely on data trends from 1985 to 2015, continued temperature rises could potentially lead to increased disease prevalence and decreased immunity index. Moreover, the analysis identified a notable temporal increase in mean annual temperature and mean annual maximum temperature from 1999 to 2020, suggesting a faster warming trend in maximum temperatures compared to minimum temperatures. This increase in temperature variability may alter the onset and cessation dates of the rainy season, affecting water availability, accessibility, and consumption, consequently fostering conditions conducive to health-related diseases. By incorporating predicted long-term temperature changes due to greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining current inter-annual climate patterns, this approach allows researchers to anticipate potential future health implications in the studied regions.

Study on the Technical Parameters for Estimating HIV-1 Incidence by Using a Recombinant Antigen-based Capture Enzyme Immunoassay - China.

A novel recombinant antigen-based capture enzyme immunoassay (RAg-CEIA) was optimized and used to determine technical parameters for estimating human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) incidence in China. We employed orthogonal experimental design to optimize RAg-CEIA by adjusting raw material dilution ratios. The assay was used to measure normalized optical density (ODn) values in 171 longitudinal plasma specimens from 51 HIV-1 seroconverting individuals, plotted against estimated days post-seroconversion. We determined the optimal ODn threshold value for differentiating recent from long-term infections and calculated the mean duration of recent infection (MDRI) for incidence estimation. The false recent rate (FRR) was determined using 481 HIV-1 antibody-positive specimens with infection durations exceeding twice the MDRI. Optimal RAg-CEIA parameters were established with a raw material dilution ratio of 1/12 for calibrator preparation and an enzyme conjugate titer of 1:1200. ODn values demonstrated consistent temporal increases across HIV-1 seroconverting individuals, though with notable kinetic heterogeneity in individual responses. The optimal ODn threshold value of 0.8 for distinguishing recent from long-term infections corresponded to an MDRI of 205 days and an FRR of 4.78%. The optimized RAg-CEIA effectively differentiates recent from long-term HIV-1 infections at the population level, enabling reliable HIV-1 incidence estimation in China.

Replacing sulfate with hydroxychloride sources of trace minerals modulated the growth performance and plasma indicators of inflammation and energy metabolism in beef heifers during periods of feed restriction and adaptation to a high-starch diet.

This study evaluated the effects of different sources (sulfate vs. hydroxychloride) of Cu, Mn, and Zn during feed restriction and high-starch diet on heifer growth performance. On day 0, Nelore heifers (n = 40) were stratified by body weight (BW = 238 ± 38kg) and age (21 ± 1 mo), and individually allocated into 1 of 40 drylot pens. The study was divided into periods of pen acclimation (day 0 to 27), nutrient surplus (day 28 to 55), nutrient restriction (day 56 to 83), and step-up adaptation to a high-starch diet (day 84 to 112). Heifers had free choice access to Tifton hay (Cynodon sp.) and salt from day 0 to 27. On day 28, 20 heifers/treatment were randomly assigned to receive free choice access to Tifton hay and protein supplementation at 0.10% of BW (dry matter, DM) added with sulfate (SUL) or hydroxychloride (HYD) sources of Cu, Mn, and Zn from day 28 to 112. From day 56 to 83, heifers were offered 50% of the average hay DM intake obtained from day 50 to 55. From day 84 to 112, each respective protein supplement was mixed with a starch-based total mixed ration (TMR) and concentrate DM amount was gradually increased every 7 days (starting with 35% concentrate and 65% hay on day 84 and ending with 80% concentrate and 20% hay from day 106 to 112). Effects of treatment × day and treatment were not detected (P ≥ 0.37) for heifer BW, fecal pH, average daily gain (ADG), and DM intake, except for ADG from day 28 to 56, which was less (P = 0.05) for SUL vs. HYD heifers. Effects of treatment × day were detected (P = 0.02) for plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and haptoglobin. Plasma concentrations of IGF-1 were greater (P ≤ 0.05) for HYD vs. SUL heifers on days 56, 70, 77, 84, and 91. Plasma concentration of haptoglobin was greater (P = 0.05) for SUL vs. HYD heifers on day 63. Effects of treatment × day of the study and treatment were not detected (P ≥ 0.35) for plasma concentrations of cortisol, ß-hydroxybutyrate (BHBA) and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Thus, Nelore heifers offered hydroxychloride sources of Cu, Mn, and Zn exhibited greater plasma concentrations of IGF-1 and a temporary increase in ADG during nutrient surplus compared to those receiving sulfate sources. While hydroxychloride supplementation reduced the acute phase response early in nutrient restriction, it did not improve growth and plasma concentrations of haptoglobin, cortisol, NEFA and BHBA during nutrient restriction and adaptation to a high-starch diet.

Anion exchange membrane electrolysis at work—Investigating impact of starting parameters and start-stop operation on cold start behavior and degradation

Water electrolysis is a key technology for the production of green hydrogen, with anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE) showing promising properties. Future energy systems will require transient electrolysis operation to combine electrolysis with fluctuating renewably generated power. This study examines and optimizes the cold start process (ambient temperature and 0 V stack voltage) of an AEMWE stack system in terms of starting time, energy demand and degradation. The influence of relevant parameters such as voltage slope, target voltage, downtime and heating strategy on the starting process is experimentally quantified. A temporary increase in cell voltage during the starting process thereby represents a suitable compromise between acceleration of the startup and maintaining a low degradation. In addition, the start-stop degradation analysis with 150 cold starts per parameter set reveals that the degradation of the AEMWE stack during the starting process is independent of the maximum cell voltage and instead correlates with the steepness of the current slope. Using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the degradation is assigned to electrode processes. Under moderate starting conditions, degradation rates of 2–10 μV start−1 are observed. This shows that AEMWE is highly compatible with regular operational interruptions.

Cleansing our waters: how riffle fish communities in the Spring River of Kansas responded to pollution legislation, mining remediation, and improved water quality.

Metal pollution from mining is a threat to lotic fishes, although legislation that requires improved water quality and provides funding for remediation has been enacted to combat this stressor. The Spring River in southeastern Kansas historically received inputs of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc that reduced the prevalence of several sensitive and imperiled fishes. Long-term reductions in these toxic metals have occurred since the 1990's because of management activities, but presently it is unknown how riffle fish communities responded to improved water quality. As such, the objective of our research was to quantify changes in riffle fish community structure between 1993-1995 and 2019-2021 using a before-after-control-impact (BACI) study design. Responses were quantified with univariate analyses to examine the interactive effects of time period (i.e., historical versus contemporary), pollution tolerance classification (i.e., intolerant, moderately-intolerant, moderately-tolerant, and tolerant), and site position (i.e., above versus below the most severe historical metal pollution inputs) on relative abundance, occupancy, and species richness of riffle fishes. We used multivariate analyses to examine temporal changes in community structure above and below pollution inputs. Our findings indicated that intolerant fish species relative abundance increased between the historical and contemporary time periods throughout the Spring River. Occupancy of all fishes increased over time in the formerly metal contaminated portion of the Spring River, becoming similar to values in the reference reach. Changes in species richness depended on site position and pollution tolerance, as temporal increases of intolerant and moderately intolerant species richness were most pronounced in the lower Spring River below historical metal pollution inputs. Multivariate analyses revealed a significant interaction between time period and site position, as there was a shift in community structure over time in the lower reach that was less pronounced in the upper reach. Most of the intolerant species that increased in prevalence are of high conservation priority, thus our research suggested that legislation enacted to improve water quality produced a ripple effect that stimulated the recovery of imperiled fish species.

Awakening of Maunaloa Linked to Melt Shared from Kīlauea’s Mantle Source

Abstract Maunaloa—the largest active volcano on Earth—erupted in 2022 after its longest known repose period (~38 years) and two decades of volcanic unrest. This eruptive hiatus at Maunaloa encompasses most of the ~35-year-long Puʻuʻōʻō eruption of neighboring Kīlauea, which ended in 2018 with a collapse of the summit caldera and an unusually voluminous (~1 km3) rift eruption. A long-term pattern of such anticorrelated eruptive behavior suggests that a magmatic connection exists between these volcanoes within the asthenospheric mantle source and melting region, the lithospheric mantle, and/or the volcanic edifice. The exact nature of this connection is enigmatic. In the past, the distinct compositions of lavas from Kīlauea and Maunaloa were thought to require completely separate magma pathways from the mantle source of each volcano to the surface. Here, we use a nearly 200-yr record of lava chemistry from both volcanoes to demonstrate that melt from a shared mantle source within the Hawaiian plume may be transported alternately to Kīlauea or Maunaloa on a timescale of decades. This process led to a correlated temporal variation in 206Pb/204Pb and 87Sr/86Sr at these volcanoes since the early 19th century with each becoming more active when it received melt from the shared source. Ratios of highly over moderately incompatible trace elements (e.g., Nb/Y) at Kīlauea reached a minimum from ~2000 to 2010, which coincides with an increase in seismicity and inflation at the summit of Maunaloa. Thereafter, a reversal in Nb/Y at Kīlauea signals a decline in the degree of mantle partial melting at this volcano and suggests that melt from the shared source is now being diverted from Kīlauea to Maunaloa for the first time since the early to mid-20th century. These observations link a mantle-related shift in melt generation and transport at Kīlauea to the awakening of Maunaloa in 2002 and its eruption in 2022. Monitoring of lava chemistry is a potential tool that may be used to forecast the behavior (e.g., eruption rate and frequency) of these adjacent volcanoes on a timescale of decades. A future increase in eruptive activity at Maunaloa is likely if the temporal increase in Nb/Y continues at Kīlauea.

Innovative Strategies for Tannery Wastewater Remediation with Sequential batch reactor and phycoremediation

<p style="line-height:150%;text-align:justify;"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;font-size:12.0pt;" lang="EN-IN">This research assessed the performance of combining Sequential Batch Reactor (SBR) and phycoremediation method used for tanning effluent. The SBR system obtained high removal efficiencies with Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)  is reduced by  85%, Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is reduced  by 80% as well as ammonia by more than 75%. Chromium and lead were dropped by 65% and 60% correspondingly after treatment. Following SBR process, inclusion of Chlorella vulgaris in the phycoremediation stage further improves the removal of pollutants achieving 95% COD and 92% BOD reductions. Heavy metal removal was enhanced with chromium and lead by reducing 85% each. Kinetic analysis indicated that ammonia and COD removal followed first-order kinetics with high model fit (R2=0.93 for COD; R2=0.91 for ammonia). Heavy metal removal using Chlorella vulgaris also conformed to first-order kinetics. A temporary increase in ammonia levels was observed due to nitrification inhibition during periods of high organic loads in the wastewater discharged from tanneries into rivers or lakes without treatment facilities such as oxidation ditches or stabilization ponds used in some cases. Finally, it can be concluded that an integrated SBR phycoremediation process shows very good potentialities with respect to good performances in treating wastewater efficiently.</span></p>

Delay discounting validity and e-cigarette use: A comparison in e-cigarette users, combustible cigarette users, dual users, and nonusers.

Delay discounting refers to the devaluation of an outcome as temporal delay increases. Steep discounting is characterized by preferring a smaller, immediate outcome over a larger, delayed outcome and is associated with maladaptive behaviors such as tobacco use. Previous studies have compared delay discounting outcomes between combustible cigarette (CC) smokers and nonusers using various discounting tasks. With the growing use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes [EC]) and various delay discounting tasks available to researchers, we extended previous work in delay discounting and EC use in two ways. The present study assessed delay discounting in a web-based sample of 259 participants to (a) establish convergent validity across four different delay discounting tasks and (b) compare the outcomes between four subgroups: dual users, exclusive EC users, exclusive CC users, and nonusers. The four delay discounting tasks (Monetary Choice Questionnaire, 5-Trial Adjusting Delay Discounting Task [ADT-5], Temporal Discounting Questionnaire, and Brief Intertemporal Choice Task [BRIC Task]) showed moderate to strong convergent validity (p < .001). Further, findings indicated significant differences between all four subgroups across the four different delay discounting tasks (p < .048) with small effect sizes. Pairwise comparisons showed that exclusive EC users exhibited significantly steeper discounting than nonusers in ADT-5 (p = .043) and BRIC Task (p = .029) and dual users exhibited significantly steeper discounting than nonusers on ADT-5 (p = .043) and BRIC Task (p = .030). Our findings replicate previous findings and suggest the potential role of delay discounting in explaining the behavioral mechanism underlying e-cigarette use. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Association between coagulation activity and clinical and imaging outcomes in acute ischemic stroke patients - A sub-study of the MR CLEAN NO-IV trial

BackgroundThe MR CLEAN NO-IV trial showed neither superiority nor noninferiority of endovascular treatment (EVT) alone compared to intravenous thrombolysis (IVT; Alteplase) before EVT in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation. Although the treatment effect is largely attributable to EVT, IVT may affect hypercoagulability during AIS. AimsTo investigate the association between activated coagulation and final infarct volume and clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale 3–6 and mortality 90 days post-EVT), and whether this effect is modified by IVT administration. MethodsEnzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to quantify activated coagulation markers (activated coagulation factor (F) XIIa-C1 esterase inhibitor (C1inh); FXIIa-antithrombin (AT), FXIa-C1inh, FXIa-AT, FIXa-AT, FXa-AT, T-AT, FVIIa-AT) in plasma samples obtained on admission (T0), 1 h post-EVT (T1) and 24 h post-EVT (T2). Multivariable regressions were performed to investigate the associations and effect modification. ResultsIn the total cohort of 116 patients, a significant increase at T1 was seen in FIXa-AT (p = .001), FXa-AT (p < .001), T-AT (p < .001), and FVIIa-AT (p = .012), while there was a significant increase at T2 in FXIIa-C1inh (p < .001). Similar results were seen in the IVT+EVT subgroup. The EVT alone subgroup showed a significant temporary increase at T1 in FXa-AT (p < .001) and T-AT (p = .014). Neither the enzyme:inhibitor complexes nor the interaction with IVT were significantly associated with the outcome measures. ConclusionDespite temporary significant increases in enzyme:inhibitor complexes in the IVT+EVT group, but not in the EVT alone group, there were no significant associations with final infarct volume and clinical outcomes.

Temporal increase in ticks and pathogen prevalence in the small mammal part of the Lyme disease cycle in northern Europe

AbstractLyme disease is an emerging infectious disease and the most common vector‐borne zoonosis in the northern hemisphere. The pathogen that causes Lyme disease in Europe is vectored by the generalist tick Ixodes ricinus, and the emergence of Lyme disease is partly linked to how climate warming affects tick distribution and abundance. However, we lack long‐term data on tick infestations and infection prevalence in the main hosts involved in the transmission cycle. Here, we quantified the temporal trends (2014–2022) of I. ricinus infestations and the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in small mammalian hosts and linked annual variation to host abundance and climate in Norway. We found that tick infestations for both larvae (21% per year [95% CI 18–25]) and nymphs (18% [11–26]), and infection prevalence (14% [8–20]) increased over the period and were negatively associated with rodent abundance. Additionally, warmer years were associated with increased larval tick infestations on hosts. The combination of a temporal increase in both larval tick infestation and infection prevalence in hosts likely results in increased production of infected nymphs. Thus, we provide one mechanistic step toward understanding the Lyme disease emergence at northern latitudes of Europe.

Insights Into Cataract Surgery Outcomes In Age-Related Macular Degeneration: Real-World Perspectives Across Severity Grades

PurposeCataract and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) share age as a main risk factor and thus have a high coincidence. Both conditions substantially reduce visual acuity. This study aimed to assess the impact of cataract surgery on visual acuity, retinal morphology, and vascular-endothelial-growth-factor (VEGF) inhibitor therapy in patients with AMD. DesignThis study was designed as a retrospective, monocentric, real-world study. SubjectsPatients diagnosed with either dry AMD or neovascular AMD undergoing cataract surgery at Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin. MethodsTreatment data were extracted from the Berlin Macular Registry. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and macular optical coherence tomography (OCT) parameters, including central retinal thickness (CRT), macular volume (MV), presence of macular edema, intraretinal or subretinal fluid and pigment epithelial detachment were assessed. Main Outcome MeasuresPrimary outcome measure was the postoperative BCVA. Secondary outcomes included postoperative CRT, MV, changes in qualitative OCT parameters, alterations in anti-VEGF-therapy interval and postoperative complications. ResultsA total of 418 eyes of 418 patients were included in the analysis with a mean follow-up time of 18.8 (2-62) months. They were classified into a neovascular AMD (n=85) and a dry AMD (n=333) cohort. Mean BCVA improved significantly in the neovascular AMD cohort from 0.69 ±0.45 logMAR to 0.47 ±0.42 (p= <0.001) and in the dry AMD cohort from 0.53 ±0.47 logMAR to 0.27 ±0.32 (p= <0.001) at the two-month follow-up. Improvements in BCVA were sustained to the final visit (18.9 ±19.5 months post-surgery) with BCVA at 0.46 ± 0.38 logMAR (p= <0.001) and 0.26 ± 0.34 logMAR (p= <0.001), respectively. Temporary postoperative increases in CRT and MV were observed, reverting to preoperative levels by six months post-surgery. The need for anti-VEGF therapy did not change postoperatively in patients with neovascular AMD. ConclusionsWithin this retrospective analysis, on average patients with coincident AMD of all severity grades meeting the inclusion criteria benefited from cataract surgery. Transient increases in retinal thickness and macular volume returned to baseline within six months post-surgery. The need for intravitreal injections in neovascular AMD subjects was unchanged post-surgery. Overall, the study suggests no adverse long-term macular changes attributable to cataract surgery.

The effect of a subclinical dose of esketamine on depression and pain after cesarean section: A prospective, randomized, double-blinded controlled trial.

The aim of this randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was to study the effects of subclinical doses of esketamine on postpartum depression and pain following elective cesarean sections. This randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial included 150 pregnant women undergoing elective cesarean sections. After umbilical cord clamping, participants received either subclinical doses of esketamine (0.25 mg/kg, diluted in 10 mL of 0.9% saline) or a placebo (10 mL of 0.9% saline). The primary outcome measures were the incidence of postpartum depression (PPD) and postoperative pain. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to evaluate PPD on days 3, 7, and 14 postpartum, with an Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale score ≥ 10 indicating PPD. Postoperative pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 4, 24, and 48 hours post-surgery. Secondary outcomes included adverse reactions and Ramsay sedation scores at 5 and 15 minutes post-administration. There were no significant differences in the incidence of PPD between the 2 groups on days 3, 7, and 14 postpartum (P > .05). The VAS scores showed significant differences between the 2 groups at 4 and 24 hours postoperatively (P < .05), but not at 48 hours (P > .05). The experimental group had significantly higher adverse reactions and Ramsay sedation scores 5 minutes post-administration compared to the control group (P < .05), but no significant differences were observed upon leaving the operating room (P > .05). Subclinical doses of esketamine did not reduce the incidence of PPD at 14 days postpartum but did significantly lower VAS scores at 24 hours post-surgery. The experimental group experienced temporary increases in adverse reactions and Ramsay sedation scores shortly after administration.

Trends of Benzotriazoles and Benzothiazoles in Australian Pooled Urine Samples from 2012 to 2023.

Benzotriazoles (BZTs) and benzothiazoles (BTs) are high-production-volume chemicals utilized in many different commercial products and industrial processes, such as metal corrosion inhibitors, vulcanization accelerators, plastic-associated UV stabilizers, and pharmaceutical precursors. This study assessed age, gender, and temporal trends of BZTs and BTs in deidentified surplus pathology urine samples, pooled and stratified by age, gender, and sample collection year from a general Australian population (168 pools representing 16,800 individuals). Tolyltriazole (TTri), 5,6-dimethyl-1H-benzotriazole (DMBZT), 1,3-benzothiazole (BTH), 2-hydroxybenzothiazole (2-OH-BTH), and 2-aminobenzothiazole (2-amino-BTH) were detected in >50% of the pools. TTri was frequently detected in pooled samples representing ≤45-year-olds (both genders). Concentrations of DMBZT, BTH (females), 2-OH-BTH, and 2-amino-BTH (females) increased with age significantly, with adults (>15 years old) showing higher levels than children (≤15 years old). Gender differences in DMBZT concentrations (females > males) were observed across all sampling years and only in some for TTri (males > females: >45 years old), BTH (females > males), and 2-amino-BTH (males > females). A temporal increase in BTH, 2-OH-BTH, and 2-amino-BTH levels within the studied period (2012-2023) has been observed. Our findings suggest ongoing exposure of the Australian general population to BZTs and BTs, highlighting age, gender, and temporal trends of these compounds as measured via their urinary concentrations.

Trace element contamination in three shorebird species migrating through Delaware Bay, New Jersey: arsenic, mercury and selenium are increasing.

Many shorebird populations are declining, and contaminants may be partly contributing to the decline by interfering with feeding, migration, and breeding success. The goal of our study was to determine whether there was a temporal change in concentrations of trace elements of red knot (Calidris canutus rufa), sanderling (Calidris alba), and ruddy turnstone (Arenaria interpres) during spring migration in Delaware Bay, New Jersey, USA. We sampled blood to 1) determine levels of trace elements in 2019, 2) compare 2019 trace element levels with those from shorebirds in 2011-2012, and 3) examine variability in blood levels of trace elements among species. In 2019: 1) trace element levels were significantly different among species (except cadmium[Cd]), 2) Cd was lowest in all species, and arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) were highest, and 3) sanderlings had the highest levels of As and Se, and knots had the highest levels of chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb). Se was higher in these shorebirds than reported for other shorebirds from elsewhere. As, mercury (Hg), and Se increased significantly between 2011-2012 and 2019 in all three species. There were no significant temporal changes in Cd. Chromium (Cr) decreased in knots and sanderling. The temporal increases in As, Se, and Hg bear watching as they are toxic in vertebrates, and each can decrease the toxicity of the others. The data indicate that shorebirds can be bioindicators of changing trace element levels in estuaries, potentially providing early warning of increasing levels of As, Hg, and Se in the environment.

Acute hemodynamic effect of oral ketones in patients with acutely decompensated heart failure and low cardiac output syndrome: a prospective randomized study.

Abstract Background Preliminary studies showed positive inotropic effect of mild ketosis in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). Purpose To evaluate the acute hemodynamic effect of oral administration of beta-hydroxybutyrate (OHB) in patients with HFrEF and low cardiac output syndrome. Methods Patients with acutely decompensated HFrEF treated with inotropic therapy were randomized (1:1) to enteral bolus of OHB (25g of OHB monoester in 65 ml of solution; H.V.M.N Ketone Ester, H.V.M.N, USA) administered three times with 3-hour intervals or to euvolemic placebo. The serum concentration of OHB, biochemical markers, and invasive hemodynamics (Swan-Ganz catheter with continuous thermodilution) were repeatedly measured before and during 24 hours after administration of OHB. The primary endpoint was the maximum change in cardiac index (CI). Results The study included 20 patients with decompensated HFrEF (age: 57 ± 8 years; left ventricular ejection fraction: 21 ± 4%; non-ischemic cardiomyopathy: 16 [80%], median INTERMACS class: 3 [IQR 2 - 4]), who were treated with milrinone (0.5 ± 0.1 ug/kg/min, n=18) or levosimendan (0.1 ug/kg/min up to 25 mg, n=2). Patients in the OHB group (n = 10) did not differ from the placebo group (n = 10) in baseline clinical, biochemical, hemodynamic or echocardiographic characteristics. Baseline OHB concentration was normal (&amp;lt;0.6 mmol/L) in all patients. Administration of OHB increased serum concentration from 0.3 ± 0.2 mmol/L to a maximum of 2.4 ± 0.7 mmol/L (&amp;lt;0.001). Concentrations of OHB peaked at 1.5 ± 0.5 hours after administration of each OHB drink, and the maximum concentration was achieved at 4.1 ± 2.5 hours (Figure 1). No changes in OHB concentration were observed in the placebo group. In both study groups, there was a significant increase of CI at 3 hours compared to baseline, but the increase was significantly greater in the OHB group (OHB: 3.2 ± 0.6 vs. 2.1 ± 0.4 L/min/m2; placebo: 2.3 ± 0.4 vs. 2.0 ± 0.3 L/min/m2; both p&amp;lt;0.001 compared to baseline; p &amp;lt; 0.001 for OHB vs. placebo at 3 hours). The maximum relative increase of CI was 60 ± 24% in the OHB group (p &amp;lt;0.001) and 18 ± 8% in the placebo group (p&amp;lt; 0.01). The change of CI correlated with the change of OHB concentration in the OHB group (r = 0.58, p&amp;lt;0.001) but not in the placebo group (r = 0.1, p = 0.3). The changes in CI were not related to heart rate or concentration of norepinephrine, which did not change significantly throughout the study in both groups. Conclusion Oral administration of OHB leads to a significant temporary increase in myocardial contractility. This novel therapeutic concept might be a promising adjunction to inotropic support in patients with decompensated HFrEF.

Temporal trends and practice variation of paediatric diagnostic tests in primary care: retrospective analysis of 14 million tests

ObjectiveThe primary objective was to investigate temporal trends and between-practice variability of paediatric test use in primary care.Methods and analysisThis was a descriptive study of population-based data from Clinical Practice...

Temporal trends in the prevalence of GP registrars’ long-term paediatric asthma control medications prescription

Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting children. Long-term asthma control medications (LTACMs) are an important aspect of asthma management, with under-prescription associated with poor asthma control and increased asthma deaths. This study aimed to document temporal trends in the prescribing of LTACMs for paediatric patients for asthma-related presentations to Australian general practice registrars (trainees). Longitudinal analyses of data from 2010 to 2022 from the Registrars Clinical Encounters in Training study were undertaken. Proportions of paediatric presentations where LTACMs were prescribed were calculated, and temporal trends analysed and graphed. There was no change over time in registrar prescribing of LTACMs for paediatric asthma, although temporal changes were seen in the types of LTACMs prescribed. The lack of temporal increase in overall LTACMs prescription, despite evidence showing their importance in preventing asthma morbidity and mortality, has significant educational, clinical, and policy implications.