Variation Of Concentration Research Articles

Dosage optimization for reducing tumor burden using a phenotype-structured population model with a drug-resistance continuum.

Drug resistance is a significant obstacle to effective cancer treatment. To gain insights into how drug resistance develops, we adopted a concept called fitness landscape and employed a phenotype-structured population model by fitting to a set of experimental data on a drug used for ovarian cancer, olaparib. Our modeling approach allowed us to understand how a drug affects the fitness landscape and track the evolution of a population of cancer cells structured with a spectrum of drug resistance. We also incorporated pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling to identify the optimal dosages of the drug that could lead to long-term tumor reduction. We derived a formula that indicates that maximizing variation in plasma drug concentration over a dosing interval could be important in reducing drug resistance. Our findings suggest that it may be possible to achieve better treatment outcomes with a drug dose lower than the levels recommended by the drug label. Acknowledging the current limitations of our work, we believe that our approach, which combines modeling of both PK and drug resistance evolution, could contribute to a new direction for better designing drug treatment regimens to improve cancer treatment.

Quantitative trait loci and genomic prediction for grain sugar and mineral concentrations of cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.

Development of high yielding cowpea varieties coupled with good taste and rich in essential minerals can promote consumption and thus nutrition and profitability. The sweet taste of cowpea grain is determined by its sugar content, which comprises mainly sucrose and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) including raffinose and stachyose. However, GOS are indigestible and their fermentation in the colon can produce excess intestinal gas, causing undesirable bloating and flatulence. In this study, we aimed to examine variation in grain sugar and mineral concentrations, then map quantitative trait loci (QTLs) and estimate genomic-prediction (GP) accuracies for possible application in breeding. Grain samples were collected from a multi-parent advanced generation intercross (MAGIC) population grown in California during 2016-2017. Grain sugars were assayed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Grain minerals were determined by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry and combustion. Considerable variation was observed for sucrose (0.6-6.9%) and stachyose (2.3-8.4%). Major QTLs for sucrose (QSuc.vu-1.1), stachyose (QSta.vu-7.1), copper (QCu.vu-1.1) and manganese (QMn.vu-5.1) were identified. Allelic effects of major sugar QTLs were validated using the MAGIC grain samples grown in West Africa in 2017. GP accuracies for minerals were moderate (0.4-0.58). These findings help guide future breeding efforts to develop mineral-rich cowpea varieties with desirable sugar content.

The Effect of Fermentation Time, pH and Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Concentration for Bioethanol Production from Ulva Reticulata Macroalgae

Research has been carried out on the effect of pH, fermentation time and yeast concentration on bioethanol production through hydrolysis using a CEM (Ceramic Elekctromagnetic Microwave) synthesizer and bioethanol production from Ulva reticulata seaweed. Ulva reticulata seaweed contains carbohydrates in the form of heteropolysaccharides such as glucose, arabinose, ramnose and xylose which are very abundant and suitable for conversion into bioethanol because the people of Timor Island do not use them as food. The carbohydrate content of Ulva reticulata seaweed can be converted into hexose and pentose sugars (glucose, arabinose, ramnose and xylose) through hydrolysis using 3 types of acid catalysts, namely hydrochloric acid (HCl), sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3). Fermentation was carried out with S. cerevisiae concentration variation of 6; 8; 10; 12 % (v/v) and fermentation time variation of 3; 5; 7; 9 days and a pH variation of 4; 4.5; 5; 5.5 at a temperature of 30 °C. Reducing sugar characterization used the Dinitrosalicylic acid (DNS) reagent, sample surface texture analysis was carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and ethanol characterization used Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detector (GC-FID). The results of surface texture analysis before and after hydrolysis experienced significant changes. Optimal conditions for hydrolysis of Ulva reticulata seaweed using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) combined with a CEM synthesizer at an acid concentration of 3 % (v/v) with irradiation power of 200 watts for 50 min at a temperature of 150 °C, produced reducing sugar of 97.06 g/L. The results of GC-FID analysis indicated that bioethanol concentration obtained at optimal conditions of pH 4.5 was 42.32 %, S. cerevisiae concentration was 12 % with a bioethanol content of 42.53 % at a fermentation time of 5 days. This research is expected to provide information for researchers and industry to overcome world energy problems and environmental pollution through Ulva reticulata waste. HIGHLIGHTS The results of surface texture analysis before and after hydrolysis experienced significant changes. Optimum conditions for hydrolysis of Ulva reticulata seaweed using sulfuric acid (H2SO4) combined with a CEM synthesizer at an acid concentration of 3 % (v/v) with irradiation power of 200 watts for 50 min at a temperature of 150 °C, producing reducing sugar of 97.06 g /L. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Occurrence, distribution, and composition of black sand along the Red Sea, Egypt

Black sand along the Red Sea is often composed of volcanic minerals and heavy minerals. The Red Sea region is known for its unique geological features, and black sand beaches can be found in various areas along its shores. The study presents a comprehensive semi-quantitative chemical analysis of black sand samples collected from various locations along the red sea, revealing significant variations in their elemental compositions. The main oxides were identified in each sample, determined through X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyses, indicate diverse mineralogical compositions. The spatial distribution of minerals at each site is depicted through mapping. Additionally, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra offer information on the functional groups present in the samples, revealing the existence of hydroxyl groups, aliphatic compounds, and adsorbed water molecules. For Qusier-Elsharm Alqbly, Safaga, Marsa Alam, Gabal Alrosass, Hurghada Titanic, Hurghada Elahiaa, Gemsa, and Ras Elbehar samples, the results highlight the presence of various minerals, such as Quartz, Calcite, Titanium Dioxide, Magnetite, Hematite, Aluminum Oxide, Zirconium Dioxide, Chromium (III) Oxide, and others, providing insights into the geological characteristics of each location. The differences in mineral content among the examined sites are linked to the geological and mineralogical makeup of the source rocks upstream and midstream in the basins that discharge into the surveyed regions. So, variations in black sand concentrations among different locations offer insights into the geological and mineralogical diversity of the studied areas along the Red Sea coast. This study addresses the existing knowledge gap by focusing on the preliminary exploration and description of the occurrence, distribution, and composition of black sand along the Red Sea in Egypt. whereas the results provide valuable insights into the geological diversity of black sand deposits in the surveyed areas, underscoring the need for additional research and interpretation of these variations. Therefore, the in-depth examination of mineralogical composition and crystal structures establishes a foundation for future investigations in the field of geology and earth sciences.

Vertical measurements of atmospheric CO2 and 14CO2 at the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains in China

The CO2 and 14CO2 levels in air samples from the northern foot of the Qinling Mountains (Xi'an, China) were determined. In 2021, a hexacopter unmanned aerial vehicle sampled air at different heights, from near-ground to 2000 m. The objectives of this study were to determine vertical characteristics of CO2 and 14CO2, the sources of different-height CO2, and the influence of air mass transport. The CO2 concentrations mainly exhibited a slight decreasing trend with increasing height during summer observations, which was in contrast to the increasing trend that was followed by a subsequent gradual decreasing trend during early winter observations, with peak CO2 levels (443.4 ± 0.4–475.7 ± 0.5 ppm) at 100–500 m. The variation in vertical concentrations from 20 to 1000 m in early winter observations (21.6 ± 19.3 ppm) was greater than that in summer observations (14.6 ± 14.3 ppm), and the maximum vertical variation from 20 to ∼2000 m reached 61.1 ppm. Combining Δ14C and δ13C vertical measurements, the results showed that fossil fuel CO2 (CO2ff, 56.1 ± 15.2 %), which mainly come from coal combustion (81.2 ± 3.4 %), was the main contributor to CO2 levels in excess of the background level (CO2ex) during early winter observations. In contrast, biological CO2 (CO2bio) dominated CO2ex in summer observations. The vertical distributions of CO2ff in early winter observations and CO2bio in summer observations were consistent with those of CO2 during early winter and summer observations, respectively. The strong correlation between winter CO2bio and ΔCO (r = 0.81, p < 0.01) indicated that biomass burning was the main contributor to CO2bio during early winter observations. Approximately half of the air masses originated from the Guanzhong Basin during observations. The results provide insights into the vertical distribution of different-sources of atmospheric CO2 in scientific support of formulating carbon emission-reduction strategies.

Device modelling and numerical analysis of high-efficiency double absorbers solar cells with diverse transport layer materials

Recently, a lot of focus has been placed on cesium lead iodide (CsPbI3) since it is considered a potentially useful inorganic halide perovskite with improved stability. Moreover, another potential absorber material is the mixed chalcogenide CZTSSe, which is abundant on Earth, cheap, environmentally acceptable, and has excellent photovoltaic performance. This research numerically simulated a novel double absorber solar cell structure employing CsPbI3 and CZTSSe absorbers in the active layer in SCAPS-1D. The current study analyses the effects of various electron and hole transport materials, back contact material's work functions, working temperatures, variations in defect concentration, and absorber thickness on the performance of photovoltaic devices. After researching a variety of distinct arrangements of double absorber solar cells, it was realized that the FTO/STO/CsPbI3/CZTSSe/NiO/W cell configuration exhibited the best overall performance with an open circuit voltage (Voc) at 1.0207 V, a short circuit current density (Jsc) at 41.815426 mA/cm2, Fill Factor (FF) at 87.50 %, and a Power Conversion Efficiency (PCE) at 37.35 %. The modeling of the device showed that a thickness of around 1.4 µm for the CZTSSe absorber is optimal. This simulation shows that when the working temperature in the cell and the defect concentration in the absorber increase, the efficiency of the device reduces uniformly, and the device is stable at 300 K temperature. In conclusion, if the material's work function is greater than 5.20 eV, then it is suitable for use as an anode.

Estimating the Anti-Viral Performance of Photocatalytic Materials: The Correlation between Air Purification Efficiency and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Inactivation

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has increased the demand for anti-viral products. Photocatalytic materials are used to develop coatings and air purifiers that inactivate severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. However, the methods for evaluating the anti-viral performance of photocatalytic materials are time-consuming. To address this problem, herein, we propose a screening test for the anti-viral performance of photocatalytic materials based on the ‘acetaldehyde decomposition test’—an air purification efficiency test used to evaluate the decomposition performance of photocatalytic materials. This test is suitable for screening multiple samples and conditions in a short period. The temporal variation in the acetaldehyde concentration was approximated using an exponential function, similar to the temporal variation in the viral infection values. Thereafter, the slope of the regression line for the acetaldehyde concentration over time was used as an indicator in the screening tests. When the anti-viral performance and acetaldehyde decomposition tests were conducted on the same photocatalytic material, a correlation was observed between the slopes of the regression lines. Overall, the proposed screening test shows good potential for evaluating the anti-viral performance of photocatalytic materials.

Optimizing waterborne eDNA capture from waterholes in savanna systems under remote field conditions.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is used for biodiversity assessments in a variety of ecosystems across the globe, whereby different eDNA concentration, preservation and extraction methods can outperform others depending on the sampling conditions and environment. Tropical and subtropical ecosystems in Africa are among the less studied systems concerning eDNA-based monitoring. Waterholes in arid parts of southern Africa represent important agglomeration points for terrestrial mammals, and the eDNA shed into such waterbodies provides a powerful source of information for monitoring mammalian biodiversity in the surrounding area. However, the applied methods for eDNA sampling, preservation and filtering in different freshwater systems vary greatly, and rigorous protocol testing in African freshwater systems is still lacking. This study represents the first attempt to examine variations in eDNA concentration, preservation and extraction methods under remote field conditions using waterborne eDNA in a savanna system. Collected samples were heavily affected by microalgal and bacterial growth, impeding eDNA capture and PCR success. We demonstrate clear effects of the methodological choices, which also depend on the state of eDNA. A preliminary metabarcoding run showed little taxonomic overlap in mammal species detection between two metabarcoding primers tested. We recommend water filtering (using filters with pore sizes >1 μm) over centrifugation for eDNA concentration, Longmire's solution for ambient temperature sample preservation and Qiagen's DNeasy PowerSoil Pro Kit for DNA extraction of these inhibitor-prone samples. Furthermore, at least two independent metabarcoding markers should be utilized in order to maximize species detections in metabarcoding studies.

Diagnostic and prognostic value of serum soluble B7-H3 in nonsmall cell lung cancer.

The aim of this study was to investigate the utility of serum soluble B7-H3 (sB7-H3) as a diagnostic marker for early-stage nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its potential for evaluating the prognosis of patients with advanced-stage NSCLC. In this study, an ELISA was employed to detect the expression levels of sB7-H3 in a cohort of patients diagnosed with NSCLC ( n = 122) and a control group ( n = 42) during the same observation period. Comparative analyses were conducted to ascertain the variations in sB7-H3 concentrations between the NSCLC cohort and the healthy control group, as well as across pathological types and the presence and absence of lymph node metastasis. (1) The concentration of sB7-H3 in patients diagnosed with NSCLC exhibited a statistically significant increase compared to that observed in the healthy control group ( P < 0.05). Elevated expression levels of sB7-H3 demonstrated a significant correlation with pathological type, lymph node metastasis, tumor, node and metastasis stage and programmed cell death ligand (PD-L1) expression ( P < 0.05). (2) The diagnostic utility of sB7-H3 for the diagnosis of NSCLC and the heightened expression of PD-L1 demonstrated high levels of sensitivity and specificity. (3) Elevated levels of sB7-H3 emerged as an independent risk factor impacting the overall survival of patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC. The findings of this study suggest that sB7-H3 holds promise as a diagnostic tool for early-stage NSCLC. The elevated expression of sB7-H3 appears to serve as a reliable indicator for assessing the prognosis of patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC.

Potential pathogenic microorganisms in rural wastewater treatment process: Succession characteristics, concentration variation, source exploration, and risk assessment

Pathogenic microorganisms can cause infection, sepsis, and other diseases in humans. Although municipal wastewater plants are important sources and sinks for potential pathogenic microorganisms, data on rural wastewater treatment processes are limited. The proximity of rural wastewater facilities to human settlements and the trend toward wastewater resourcing could pose risks to humans. Here, a typical village in southern China was selected to analyze potential pathogenic microorganisms in wastewater, sewage sludge, and aerosols during the collection, treatment, and discharge of domestic wastewater. The succession characteristics and concentration variations of potential pathogenic microorganisms throughout the wastewater treatment process were identified using high-throughput sequencing and culture methods. Bacteria-associated health risks in facility aerosols were estimated based on average daily dose rates from inhalation and dermal exposure. Lower amounts of pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic fungi were detected in the effluent of the 1-ton treatment scale and the 10-ton treatment scale facilities, compared to those in the influent. Pathogen effluent concentrations were significantly lower than influent concentrations after treatment in rural wastewater facilities. 16 and 29 potential pathogenic bacteria and fungi were detected in aerosols from wastewater treatment facilities, respectively. Furthermore, the potential pathogen concentrations were higher than those in the background air. Aerobic units are the main source of pathogen emissions from aerosols. There were 42 potential pathogenic bacteria and 34 potential pathogenic fungi in the sewage sludge. Biochemical units were the main source of potential pathogens in sewage sludge, and more potential airborne pathogens originated from wastewater. In rural wastewater resourcing processes with greater pollutant exposure, the effluent of rural wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs), downstream rivers, and facility aerosols, could be important potential sources of microbial risk. Inhalation is the main pathway of human exposure to airborne bacteria. Therefore, more attention should be focused on microbiological risk in rural wastewater treatment processes.

The Impacts of Abattoir Wastes on Soil Quality at Ukwunwangwu, Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria

This study investigated the impact of abattoir waste on the soil quality in Ukwunwangwu, Uturu, Abia State. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of abattoir wastes on soil quality at Ukwunwangwu, Uturu, Abia State. Experimental research design was used and it was carried out at Uturu, Abia State, Nigeria. Three sampling locations were chosen, the bone, dung and slurry sections respectively and two control points labeled A and B respectively. The first set of samples were collected in the morning to ensure freshness and the second set of samples were collected after two weeks making it a total of eight samples used for this study. These samples were collected at different sections so as to know the variations in concentrations of the following important physico-chemical parameters: pH, Temperature, Moisture Content, Soil Organic Carbon, Cation Exchangeable Capacity and Soil Exchangeable Acidity. The temperature was taken in-situ using a mercury-in-glass thermometer. Results of analyses revealed that UK3A had the highest temperature of 35.00C in the first week and also 35.20C after two weeks, control A had the highest pH value of 8.2mg/l in the first week while UK2B had the highest pH of 8.5mg/l after two weeks. Control A had the higher moisture content value of 58.08% in the first week while UK3B had the highest value of 54.81% after two weeks. UK1A had the highest soil organic carbon 30.5 in the first week and also after two weeks. UK3A had the highest soil exchangeable capacity of 0.6 in the first week while UK3B had the highest value of 0.5 after two weeks. UK3A had the highest cation exchangeable capacity of 5.0 in the first week while UK2B had the highest value of 4.8 after two weeks. The correlation between the results was done using the Pearsons Correlation Moment. The experiment will help reduce the impact of abattoir waste on the environment by reducing the effect of global Climate Change and other environmental hazards. The study therefore recommended that strict environmental laws that can help curb the effects of abattoir wastes on the environment be enforced.

An effective multiphysics toolkit for lithium prospecting: From geophysics to the static reservoir model in the Pozuelos salt flat, Argentina

Energy transition drives the energy sector to renewable energy and electrification, being the critical minerals key players in the industrial development map. They comprise rare-earth elements and 35 other elements, including lithium, which holds 60% of its world reserves in the so-called lithium triangle located in Argentina, Bolivia, and Chile. The low electrical resistivities, variations in salt concentrations, low acoustic impedances, and dynamics of the hydrogeologic system make brine monitoring a complex geophysical exploratory problem. So, the objective is to find a suitable combination of geophysical techniques that fit the lithium exploration objectives, which are the characterization of the salt flat in-depth, fluid detection, basement delineation, definition of the main structures and main faults, and detection of semifresh water aquifers that contribute to its recharge and that are key to the reservoir water balance of an endorheic basin, which has the resource in solution. For this purpose, the evaluation of several prospecting methods in different salt flats was executed, concluding that full tensor magnetotellurics (MT), electrical resistivity tomography, and gravity comprise a toolkit that fits the objectives set. The methodology was validated at the Pozuelos salt flat. The results show that the fresh water-brines contact and the recharge system were well-defined and imaged by ERT. The full tensor MT detected two ultraconductive units: a shallower multilayer system saturated with brines, has a 400 m thickness, whereas the deeper unit has a 500 m thickness. Both MT and gravity characterized the basement, and gravity successfully delineated the main structures. The geophysical interpretation is in concordance with shallow and deep exploration wells. Finally, the integration of geophysical and well data allowed the construction of a 3D static reservoir model that finds the deepest basement area at approximately 900 m depth and discriminates eight lithofacies.

Arsenic variation in soil layers in Bandung Regency, Indonesia: A statistical approach for identifying potential sources

This research investigates the arsenic concentrations in 96 soil samples from a regency in Indonesia using a statistical approach. Soil samples were collected from three depth layers (topsoil [10–20 cm], subsoil [50–60 cm], and deep soil [90–100 cm]), with each layer consisting of 32 samples. Statistical analysis using SPSS was employed to analyze potential arsenic sources based on the proximity of study locations to geothermal system areas, land use, distance from industry, and the presence of study locations on fault lines.The findings indicate that the potential source of arsenic contamination in the soil are suspected to be associated with geothermal system activities and the presence of soil samples on fault lines. The arsenic concentration in locations near to the geothermal system (5-10 km) was 45 times higher (OR = 45, 95% CI = 45–362.57, p < 0.01). Arsenic was found to be 3.828 times higher in study areas situated on fault zones (OR = 3.828, 95% CI = 1.507–9.719, p < 0.01). Additionally, the research suggests that arsenic in the soil may also originate from anthropogenic activities, such as agriculture and industry, as the highest concentrations were found in subsoil or topsoil layers compared to deep soil. The variation in arsenic concentration from highest to lowest in agricultural soil layers was subsoil > topsoil > deep soil, whereas in residential soil, it was subsoil > deep soil > topsoil. The arsenic concentration variation at near distances from industrial areas was topsoil > subsoil > deep soil, contrasting with medium to far distances from industry (subsoil > deep soil > topsoil). Therefore, these findings can be utilized to prioritize remediation efforts and provide input for future research on arsenic contamination in the region.

Effect of Age, Comedications, and CYP3A4/5 Polymorphisms on Perampanel Exposure in Chinese Pediatric Patients With Epilepsy.

Perampanel (PER) is a new type of antiseizure medication used for partial or generalized seizures. However, the plasma concentration shows obvious individual variability in children. The present study aims to ascertain the effect of age, comedications, and cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4/5 polymorphisms on PER exposure in Chinese pediatric patients with epilepsy. Clinical data were retrospectively collected in a tertiary children's hospital medical records system from January 2021 to December 2022. The influence factors on the daily dose, plasma concentration, and concentration-to-dose ratio (CDR) of PER were investigated. A total of 135 pediatric patients with 178 blood samples were involved. With a median daily dose of 4.0 mg (interquartile range, 3.0-5.0 mg), the median plasma concentration was 409.4 ng/mL (interquartile range, 251.7-639.4 ng/mL). The CDR in patients aged less than 4 years was significantly decreased by 48.0% and 39.1% compared with those aged 4-11 years and 12 years or older, respectively. Enzyme inducers significantly decreased the CDR of PER by 34.5%, while valproic acid showed an increase of 71.7%. In addition, genotype CYP3A5*3/*3 carriers presented a significant increase of 21.5% compared to the CYP3A5*1/*3 expresser. No correlations were observed between the CDR and CYP3A4∗1G polymorphism. PER showed high variations in individual plasma concentrations. Age younger than 4 years, comedication with enzyme inducers or valproic acid, and possession of the CYP3A5*3 genotype potentially predicted PER exposure in pediatric patients with epilepsy.

A traceable and continuous flow calibration method for gaseous elemental mercury at low ambient concentrations

Abstract. The monitoring of low gaseous elemental mercury (GEM) concentrations in the atmosphere requires continuous high-resolution measurements and corresponding calibration capabilities. Currently, continuous calibration for GEM is still an issue at ambient concentrations (1–2 ng m−3). This paper presents a continuous flow calibration for GEM, traceable to NIST 3133 Standard Reference Material (SRM). This calibration approach was tested using a direct mercury analyser based on atomic absorption spectrometry with Zeeman background correction (Zeeman AAS). The produced continuous flow of GEM standard was obtained via the reduction of Hg2+ from liquid NIST 3133 SRM and used for the traceable calibration of the Zeeman AAS device. Measurements of atmospheric GEM using the calibrated Zeeman AAS were compared with two methods: (1) manual gold amalgamation atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) calibrated with the chemical reduction of NIST 3133 and (2) automated gold amalgamation AFS calibrated using the mercury bell-jar syringe technique. The comparisons showed that a factory-calibrated Zeeman AAS device underestimates concentrations under 10 ng m−3 by up to 35 % relative to the two other methods of determination. However, when a calibration based on NIST 3133 SRM was used to perform a traceable calibration of the Zeeman AAS, the results were more comparable with other methods. The expanded relative combined uncertainty for the Zeeman AAS ranged from 8 % for measurements at the 40 ng m−3 level to 91.6 % for concentrations under 5 ng m−3 using the newly developed calibration system. High uncertainty for measurements performed under 5 ng m−3 was mainly due to instrument noise and concentration variation in the samples.

Efek Perendaman Ikan Asin Sepat dalam Cuka Makan terhadap Penurunan Kadar Formalin

There are still many salted fish producers or sellers who misuse formalin to preserve salted fish. Because of its easy availability and can extend shelf life, this chemical is often misused as a food preservative, and its carcinogenic nature the use of formalin in food can have a negative impact on health. Various efforts and previous studies have been carried out to deformalize and reduce formalin levels in food, one of which is through the use of table vinegar in reducing the formalin content of Salted Sepat Fish. The study aims to determine the effect of soaking in vinegar solution to reduce the formalin content in Salted Sepat Fish and determine the concentration of vinegar solution that is effective in reducing formalin levels in Salted Sepat Fish. The study was conducted as a true experimental research with Pre and Post Test Control Group research design. Samples of Salted Sepat Fish used in this study were obtained from several traditional markets in Pontianak City (Flamboyan Market, Tengah Market, Dahlia Market, Teratai Market and Kemuning Market). The results showed that there was a decrease the concentration of formalin after soaking with 25% dining vinegar solution at 6%, 8% and 10% concentration variations with a percentage decrease of 23.32%; 50.77% and 68.21% respectively. The solution of table vinegar with a concentration of 8% was the most effective in reducing formalin levels in Salted Sepat Fish.

Influence of Sucrose and Activated Charcoal on Phytochemistry and Vegetative Growth in Zephyranthes irwiniana (Ravenna) Nic. García (Amaryllidaceae).

Zephyranthes irwiniana (Ravenna) Nic. García is an endemic, red list threatened species from the Brazilian savanna (Cerrado) with pharmacological potential to treat the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease (AD). This work analyzed the vegetative growth and phytochemistry of its potential compounds, in response to variations in sucrose concentration and activated carbon (AC). Seeds were germinated in vitro and in the greenhouse. The in vitro bulbs were separated in six treatments with different sucrose concentrations (30, 45 and 60 gL-1) and/or AC (1 gL-1). Biomass increases in individuals grown in the greenhouse were higher than those cultivated in vitro. Sucrose concentration significantly increased biomass and root number. AC had a positive influence on leaf and root size, and a negative influence on root number. GC-MS analyses indicated great variation in the abundance of α-terpenyl-acetate, ethyl linoleate, clionasterol and lycorine between treatments, with maximum concentrations of 53.06%, 38.68, 14.34% and 2.57%, respectively. Histolocalization tests indicated the presence of alkaloids in the leaf chlorenchyma and bulb cataphylls. Finally, the present study provided new evidence that the constitution of the culture medium directly influences the vegetative growth and phytochemistry of this species, providing a good medium condition for propagating the species under threat.

A multi-center interventional study to assess pharmacokinetics, effectiveness, and tolerability of prolonged-release tacrolimus after pediatric kidney transplantation: study protocol for a prospective, open-label, randomized, two-phase, two-sequence, single dose, crossover, phase III b trial.

Tacrolimus, a calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), is currently the first-line immunosuppressive agent in kidney transplantation. The therapeutic index of tacrolimus is narrow due to due to the substantial impact of minor variations in drug concentration or exposure on clinical outcomes (i.e., nephrotoxicity), and it has a highly variable intra- and inter-individual bioavailability. Non-adherence to immunosuppressants is associated with rejection after kidney transplantation, which is the main cause of long-term graft loss. Once-daily formulations have been shown to significantly improve adherence compared to twice-daily dosing. Envarsus®, the once-daily prolonged-release formulation of tacrolimus, offers the same therapeutic efficacy as the conventional twice-daily immediate-release tacrolimus formulation (Prograf®) with improved bioavailability, a more consistent pharmacokinetic profile, and a reduced peak to trough, which may reduce CNI-related toxicity. Envarsus® has been approved as an immunosuppressive therapy in adults following kidney or liver transplantation but has not yet been approved in children. The objective of this study is to evaluate the pharmacokinetic profile, efficacy, and tolerability of Envarsus® in children and adolescents aged ≥ 8 and ≤ 18 years to assess its potential role as an additional option for immunosuppressive therapy in children after kidney transplantation. The study is designed as a randomized, prospective crossover trial. Each patient undergoes two treatment sequences: sequence 1 includes 4 weeks of Envarsus® and sequence 2 includes 4 weeks of Prograf®. Patients are randomized to either group A (sequence 1, followed by sequence 2) or group B (sequence 2, followed by sequence 1). The primary objective is to assess equivalency between total exposure (of tacrolimus area under the curve concentration (AUC0-24)), immediate-release tacrolimus (Prograf®) therapy, and prolonged-release tacrolimus (Envarsus®) using a daily dose conversion factor of 0.7 for prolonged- versus immediate-release tacrolimus. Secondary objectives are the assessment of pharmacodynamics, pharmacogenetics, adherence, gut microbiome analyses, adverse events (including tacrolimus toxicity and biopsy-proven rejections), biopsy-proven rejections, difference in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and occurrence of donor-specific antibodies (DSAs). This study will test the hypothesis that once-daily prolonged-release tacrolimus (Envarsus®) is bioequivalent to twice-daily intermediate-release tacrolimus after pediatric kidney transplantation and may reduce toxicity and facilitate medication adherence. This novel concept may optimize immunosuppressive therapy for more stable graft function and increased graft survival by avoiding T-cell mediated and/or antibody-mediated rejection due to improved adherence. In addition, the study will provide data on the pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenetics of prolonged-release tacrolimus in children and adolescents. EUDRA-CT 2019-003710-13 and ClinicalTrial.gov, identifier NCT06057545.

The effect of in‐vehicle agent embodiment on drivers' perceived usability and cognitive workload: Evidence from subjective reporting, ECG, and fNIRS

AbstractTo improve the interaction between drivers and the in‐vehicle information system (IVIS), various intelligent agents, such as robot agents, virtual agents, and voice‐only agents, have been integrated into vehicles. However, it is not yet clear which type of in‐vehicle agent is best suited to the driving context. This study aims to investigate the effect of in‐vehicle agent embodiment on drivers' perceived usability and cognitive workload. In a within‐subject simulated driving experiment, 22 participants interacted with three different in‐vehicle agents (smartphone agent, robot agent, and virtual agent). Functional near‐infrared spectroscopy and electrocardiogram (ECG) were used to record prefrontal cortex activation and electrical changes associated with cardiac activity during simulated driving, respectively. The results show that the smartphone agent had the lowest perceived usability scores, oxygenated hemoglobin concentration variation (ΔHbO), and maximum ECG signal variation compared to baseline. There were no statistical differences in cognitive workload, perceived usability scores, brain area activation, and ECG signals between the robot agent and the virtual agent. The research findings demonstrate the positive effects of the anthropomorphic appearance of in‐vehicle agents on perceived usability and contribute to improving the design of in‐vehicle intelligent agents.

The Impact of Tides and Monsoons on Tritium Migration and Diffusion in Coastal Harbours: A Simulation Study in Lianyungang Haizhou Bay, China

Many nuclear power plants have been built along China’s coasts, and the migration and diffusion of radioactive nuclides in coastal harbours is very concerning. In this study, considering the decay and free diffusion of radioactive nuclides, a local hydrodynamic model based on the FVCOM was built to investigate the migration and diffusion of the radioactive nuclide tritium in Haizhou Bay, China. This model was calibrated according to the observed tidal level and flow velocity and direction, which provide an accurate background. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of tides and monsoons on the migration path and concentration variations in tritium over time. The results demonstrated that the simulated flow field can reflect real-life receiving waters. The distribution of the tritium concentration is affected by the flow field, which is related to the tides. Moreover, more severe radioactive contamination was exhibited in winter than in summer because monsoons may have hindered the migration and diffusion of tritium within the harbour. Given the poor hydrodynamic conditions and slow water exchange in the open ocean in Haizhou Bay, the diffusion rate of radioactive nuclides outside the bay area was higher than that within it.