Weight Distribution Research Articles

Comparison of the efficacy of a generic plerixafor versus Mozobil as adjunct peripheral blood stem cell mobilization agents in multiple myeloma patients.

Plerixafor is an adjunct peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) mobilization agent with well-demonstrated safety and efficacy. The routine use of the originator brand drug (Mozobil) has been limited by cost. This retrospective study was conducted to compare the mobilization efficacy of a lower-cost generic plerixafor and Mozobil in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The study included two near-concurrent cohorts of MM patients mobilized with brand (n = 64) or generic (n = 61) plerixafor in addition to filgrastim. Collection and early engraftment outcomes were compared. The two cohorts had comparable distributions of sex, age, and weight. Previous treatment histories and proportions of upfront versus just-in-time plerixafor use were similar. There was no significant difference in their median overall cumulative total yield (106 CD34+ cells/kg) (brand, 5.91; generic, 5.80; p = .51). However, the generic cohort had a significantly higher median yield after the first dose (4.79 vs. 3.78, p = .03), and consequently lower median numbers of plerixafor doses (p = .001) and collection days (p = .002). Only 31.1% of patients in the generic arm required more than one dose versus 59.4% of patients in the brand arm (p = .006). All transplanted patients in the brand and generic arms (90.6% and 85.2% respectively, p = .42) achieved engraftment. There was no significant difference in their median times to platelet and neutrophil engraftment, nor their transfusion requirements during the first 30 days post-transplant. The generic plerixafor produced comparable cumulative collection yields and early engraftment outcomes as Mozobil, but fewer doses and collection days were needed to reach collection goal.

Effect of Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptor-1B (BMPR-1B) Gene Variant on Litter Size in Akkaraman Sheep Breed

The BMPR-1B gene, a significant fertility gene, has been examined for its relationship with fertility characteristics in various sheep populations globally. This investigation explored the impact of the BMPR-1B gene on litter size within the Akkaraman sheep population residing in the Elâzığ Region. To locate the FecB gene in Akkaraman sheep, 104 milk samples were collected, and genetic material was isolated using the salting out technique. During the 2021–2022 period, no significant correlations were observed between the genetic make-up of Akkaraman sheep and factors including age, mastitis and disease history, milk yield, birthing type, and the number of births (p > 0.05). However, there was a noteworthy relationship identified between the distribution of genetic make-up and live weight, indicating a potential influence of genetics on the live weight of Akkaraman sheep (p < 0.05). In this study, the BMPR-1B gene determined multiple births and it was determined that Akkaraman sheep were monomorphic in terms of this gene. In light of this information, it was concluded that more comprehensive studies should be carried out regarding this gene determining multiple births in the Akkaraman sheep breed.

Beyond Granularity: Enhancing Continuous Sign Language Recognition with Granularity-Aware Feature Fusion and Attention Optimization

The advancement of deep learning techniques has significantly propelled the development of the continuous sign language recognition (cSLR) task. However, the spatial feature extraction of sign language videos in the RGB space tends to focus on the overall image information while neglecting the perception of traits at different granularities, such as eye gaze and lip shape, which are more detailed, or posture and gestures, which are more macroscopic. Exploring the efficient fusion of visual information of different granularities is crucial for accurate sign language recognition. In addition, applying a vanilla Transformer to sequence modeling in cSLR exhibits weak performance because specific video frames could interfere with the attention mechanism. These limitations constrain the capability to understand potential semantic characteristics. We introduce a feature fusion method for integrating visual features of disparate granularities and refine the metric of attention to enhance the Transformer’s comprehension of video content. Specifically, we extract CNN feature maps with varying receptive fields and employ a self-attention mechanism to fuse feature maps of different granularities, thereby obtaining multi-scale spatial features of the sign language framework. As for video modeling, we first analyze why the vanilla Transformer failed in cSLR and observe that the magnitude of the feature vectors of video frames could interfere with the distribution of attention weights. Therefore, we utilize the Euclidean distance among vectors to measure the attention weights instead of scaled-dot to enhance dynamic temporal modeling capabilities. Finally, we integrate the two components to construct the model MSF-ET (Multi-Scaled feature Fusion–Euclidean Transformer) for cSLR and train the model end-to-end. We perform experiments on large-scale cSLR benchmarks—PHOENIX-2014 and Chinese Sign Language (CSL)—to validate the effectiveness.

A Machine Learning Model for Predicting the Propagation Rate Coefficient in Free-Radical Polymerization.

The propagation rate coefficient (kp) is one of the most crucial kinetic parameters in free-radical polymerization (FRP) as it directly governs the rate of polymerization and the resulting molecular weight distribution. The kp in FRP can typically be obtained through experimental measurements or quantum chemical calculations, both of which can be time consuming and resource intensive. Herein, we developed a machine learning model based solely on the structural features of monomers involved in FRP, utilizing molecular embedding and a Lasso regression algorithm to predict kp more efficiently and accurately. The result shows that the model achieves a mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of only 5.49% in the predictions for four new monomers, which indicates that the model exhibits strong generalization capabilities and provides reliable and robust predictions. In addition, this model can accurately predict the influence of the ester side chain length of (meth)acrylates on kp, aligning well with established scientific knowledge. This approach offers a straightforward and practical model for other researchers to rapidly obtain accurate kp values by employing monomer structural information. The model is sufficiently general to apply to a wide range of (meth)acrylate and butadiene FRP monomers, thereby supporting kinetic modeling of polymerization reactions.

AUTOMATIC MACHINE TOOL ALIGNMENT ON ITS FOUNDATION

This article deals with the issue of the automatic setting of machines on their base. The focus is on machines with a self-supporting frame, freestanding, on more than three supports. The alignment uses the previously presented method of precise and repeatable machine placement on the foundation. As a result, the machine has the necessary parameters in terms of its geometry, and at the same time a defined weight distribution on the individual building elements is guaranteed. The paper presents a new method for automatic machine alignment using so-called “smart feet”. Due to this, the process of machine alignment is clearly defined, repeatable and does not depend on the experience of the personnel performing the alignment. The presented algorithm makes it possible to automate the entire machine-setting process. The article includes the presentation of a machine placement on its base, which is used for testing and verification of the functionality of the alignment algorithm.

Trends and inequalities in thinness and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents: evidence from seven national school surveys between 1985 and 2019.

There are little recent data in China regarding contemporary nutritional inequities among children and adolescents, particularly in relation to urban-rural residence and regional socioeconomic status (SES). We aim to assess inequalities in thinness and obesity in Chinese children and adolescents. Weight and height measurements for 1 677 261 children and adolescents aged 7-18 years were obtained from seven cycles of the Chinese National Surveys on Students Constitution and Health (1985, 1995, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2014, and 2019). Sex-specific BMI-for-age Z scores were applied to define thinness (Z scores <-2SD) and obesity (Z scores >+2SD). Urban-rural classification came from the Statistical Urban and Rural Division Code, and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in the province in which the school was situated was used as a proxy for SES. T1 represented the provinces with the most disadvantaged SES and T3 represented the provinces with the most advantaged SES. General linear regression models assessed correlations between prevalence and GDP per capita, with projections to 2030 derived from best-fitting models. The mean prevalence of obesity rose from 0·10% (95% CI 0·09 to 0·11) in 1985 to 8·25% (8·13 to 8·37) in 2019, whereas thinness prevalence decreased from 8·49% (8·41 to 8·58) to 3·37% (3·29 to 3·45). High SES provinces exhibited a significant drop in obesity prevalence from 2014 (8·42% [8·19 to 8·65]) to 2019 (7·73% [7·52 to 7·95]). Nationally, the prevalence of obesity was consistently higher in urban areas than in rural areas for both sexes from 1985 to 2019; however, a greater prevalence of obesity was observed in rural than urban girls residing in T3 regions in 2019 (urban-rural gap: -0·37% [-0·07 to -0·80]). Rural boys had a higher prevalence of thinness than their urban counterparts across all survey waves, with the exceptions of 1985 and 1995. For girls, no significant urban-rural gap in thinness was observed in the most recent survey in 2019 (-0·10% [-0·24 to 0·04]). From 1985 to 2014, boys and girls from high SES regions had a higher risk of obesity and a lower risk of thinness than those from low SES regions. However, in 2019, a nationwide shift occurred, and the T3-T1 difference in obesity approached or went below zero for boys (-0·49% [-1·02 to 0·04]) and girls (-0·68% [-1·00 to -0·35]). T3-T1 differences in thinness also approached zero for boys (-0·46% [-0·77 to -0·14]) and girls (-0·14% [-0·43 to 0·15]). The projected estimates to 2030 for urban-rural obesity gaps (boys: -1·00% [-2·65 to 0·65]; girls: -2·88% [-6·91 to 1·15]) and T3-T1 obesity differences (boys: -8·88% [-13·76 to -4·01]; girls: -8·82% [-12·78 to -4·85]) were both negative, with forecasted estimates for urban-rural gaps and T3-T1 differences in thinness prevalence in 2030 close to zero for both boys and girls. China's socioeconomic development continues to influence within-country inequities regarding the regional distribution of child and adolescent weight according to urban-rural location and regional SES. Contemporary Chinese children and adolescents in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions and rural areas constitute a vulnerable population facing nutritional risk, but from obesity rather than thinness. Disrupting projected inequities in obesity will require extensive preventive investments. National Natural Science Foundation of China, Beijing Natural Science Foundation, Peking University Talent Introduction Program Project, and Clinical Medicine Plus X-Young Scholars Project of Peking University. For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

A new discrepancy for sample generation in stochastic response analyses of aerospace problems with uncertain parameters

Good distribution of samples and weights can improve the computational accuracy and efficiency in the stochastic response analyses of aerospace problems with uncertain parameters. This work proposes a new generalized L2 discrepancy based on a general point (GL2D-GP) for generating samples and their corresponding weights. The proposed GL2D-GP is an extension of the existing discrepancy by introducing the non-same weights and a smaller box to measure probability errors. Minimizing the GL2D-GP can yield a weight optimization formula that generates a set of optimal non-identical weights for a given sample set. Through minimizing the GL2D-GP assigned to the set of optimal non-same weights, a new sample and weight generation method is developed. In the proposed method, the samples can be easily generated in terms of the generalized Halton formula with a series of optimal permutation vectors which are found by the intelligent evolutionary algorithm. Once the sample set is obtained, the optimal weights can be generated in terms of the weight optimization formula. Five numerical examples are presented to verify the high accuracy, efficiency, and strong robustness of the proposed sample generation method based on GL2D-GP.

Aging reveals a sex-dependent susceptibility of sarcospan-deficient mice to cardiometabolic disease.

Numerous genes including sarcospan (SSPN) have been designated as obesity-susceptibility genes by human genome-wide association studies. Variants in the SSPN locus have been linked with sex-dependent obesity-associated traits; however, this association has not been investigated in vivo. To delineate the role SSPN plays in regulating metabolism with potential to impact cardiac function, we subjected young and aged global SSPN-deficient (SSPN-/-) male and female mice to obesogenic conditions (60% fat diet). We hypothesized that loss of SSPN combined with metabolic stress would increase susceptibility of mice to cardiometabolic disease. Baseline and end-point assessments of several anthropometric parameters were performed including weight, glucose tolerance, and fat distribution of mice fed control (CD) and high-fat (HFD) diet. Doppler echocardiography was used to monitor cardiac function. White adipose and cardiac tissues were assessed for inflammation by histological, gene expression, and cytokine analysis. Overall, SSPN deficiency protected both sexes and ages from diet-induced obesity, with a greater effect in females. SSPN-/- HFD mice gained less weight than wild-type (WT) cohorts, while SSPN-/- CD groups increased weight. Furthermore, aged SSPN-/- mice developed glucose intolerance regardless of diet. Echocardiography showed preserved systolic function for all groups; however, aged SSPN-/- males exhibited significant increases in left ventricular mass (CD) and signs of diastolic dysfunction (HFD). Cytokine analysis revealed significantly increased IL-1α and IL-17Α in white adipose tissue from young SSPN-/- male mice, which may be protective from diet-induced obesity. Overall, these studies suggest that several sex-dependent mechanisms influence the role SSPN plays in metabolic responses that become evident with age.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Young and aged sarcospan (SSPN)-deficient mice were examined to assess the role of SSPN in obesity and cardiometabolic disease. Both sexes displayed a "leaner" phenotype in response to high-fat diet (HFD). Notably, several sex differences were identified in aged SSPN-deficient mice: 1) females developed glucose intolerance (control and HFD) and 2) males exhibited increased left ventricular mass (control) and diastolic dysfunction (HFD). Therefore, we conclude that SSPN exerts a sex-dependent influence on obesity-associated diseases.

Comparison of the characteristics of small intestinal fluid from white-feathered and yellow-feathered broilers

The objective of this study was to compare the properties of small intestinal fluid (SIF) from white- and yellow-feathered broilers fed variable dietary CP to test the hypothesis that digestive enzymes sourced from the SIF of yellow-feathered broilers could serve as a viable alternative for preparing in vitro SIF specifically for white-feathered broilers. Ten Arbor Acres Plus broilers (32 days of age) and 20 Chinese yellow chickens (51 days of age) were fitted with jejunal cannulas and assigned to dietary treatments as follows: 1) white-feathered broilers (BW of 4.08 ± 0.39 kg) fed diet 1 with CP of 19.88 %, 2) yellow-feathered broilers (BW of 2.89 ± 0.27 kg) fed diet 1, and 3) yellow-feathered broilers (BW of 2.84 ± 0.20 kg) fed diet 2 with CP of 16.32 %. Each treatment contained 10 replicates with 1 broiler in each replicate. Digestive enzyme activities, ion concentrations, pH, 16 amino acid (AA, excluding Tyr and Trp) contents, molecular weight distribution (MWD) of protein, hydrolysis rates on wheat starch, corn starch, casein, and soybean protein concentrate, and in vitro digestible energy of corn, soybean meal, and corn gluten meal were evaluated for SIF. Activities of chymotrypsin and amylase, pH, concentrations (mg/mL) of total amino acid (TAA) and 13 AA (excluding Pro, Cys, and Glu), and hydrolysis rates in casein or soybean protein concentrate were greater (P < 0.05), whereas MWD of protein from 19 to 23 kDa was lower (P < 0.05) in the SIF of yellow compared to white-feathered broilers fed diet 1. Furthermore, activities of chymotrypsin and amylase, concentrations of Na+, and Cl−, MWD of protein from 15 to 18 kDa were greater, while concentrations of K+ were lower in the SIF of yellow-feathered broilers fed diet 2 compared to white feathered broilers fed diet 1. Activities of chymotrypsin and amylase, K+ concentration, pH, TAA and 13 AA (excluding Pro, Cys, and Glu), hydrolysis rates in casein or soybean protein concentrate increased (P < 0.05), while concentrations of Na+ and Cl− (P < 0.05) decreased with dietary CP in SIF from yellow-feathered broilers. This experiment demonstrated diet composition and breed modulate digestive enzyme activities, ions (Na+, K+, Cl−), pH, and AA concentrations in the SIF. Our findings revealed no substantial difference in the hydrolytic characteristics of SIF from white-feathered broilers fed diet 1 and yellow-feathered broilers fed diet 2. Consequently, it is feasible to use digestive enzymes extracted from the SIF of yellow-feathered broilers to prepare simulated SIF for in vitro digestion of white-feathered broilers.

Effects of cooking and market classes on nutritional and antioxidant properties of dry bean flours and soluble dietary fiber-rich fractions

Dry beans are a rich source of proteins, starch, dietary fiber, and phenolic compounds, thus exhibiting potential health benefits. Fractionating dry beans, especially soluble dietary fiber (SDF), could be considered a valuable functional food ingredient. This study investigated the effects of pinto and black dry bean market classes and atmospheric pressure cooking on the physicochemical attributes of dry bean flours and the extraction and characterization of SDF-rich fractions. Cooking significantly (p < 0.05) increased the dietary fiber content, altering the macronutrient profile. Raw flours exhibited higher levels of extractable phenols and antioxidant capacity, while cooked flours had more hydrolyzable phenols and associated antioxidant activities. Pinto beans were found to have higher levels of slowly digestible starch (23.76%) and resistant starch (5.24%) compared to black beans (20.63% and 3.22%, respectively). The SDF-rich fraction from cooked flours showed a reduced residual protein content and included pectic polysaccharides, hemicelluloses, and raffinose family oligosaccharides (RFOs), with cooking affecting their molecular weight distribution. These fractions demonstrated shear-thinning behavior and temperature-dependent viscosity. The study highlights the significant influence of market class and cooking process on the nutritional and antioxidant properties of dry beans, suggesting their potential contributions to dietary health.

Effect of ultrasound and enzymatic pre-treatments on the profile of bioactive peptides of beef liver hydrolysates

The use of meat by-products as a potential source of protein hydrolysates rich in bioactive peptides is of growing interest to valorise these products and improve their sustainable use. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different pre-treatments (hydrolysis with pepsin, ultrasounds, and ultrasounds-assisted pepsin hydrolysis) on the peptide profile and bioactivity of beef liver hydrolysed with flavourzyme. The pre-treatments with pepsin increased the degree of hydrolysis and generation of free amino acids in the liver hydrolysates, whereas the subsequent hydrolysis with flavourzyme influenced the molecular weight distribution of the peptides. Samples pre-treated with pepsin and ultrasounds-assisted pepsin hydrolysates showed the highest values of antioxidant and inhibitory activity of ACE-I, ECE-I, DPP-IV, and neprilysin enzymes, and therefore these hydrolysates were characterised to obtain the bioactive peptide profiles. A total of 995 peptides were identified by tandem mass spectrometry in the most active fractions separated by reversed-phase liquid chromatography, and 20 of them were predicted as potentially responsible for the observed bioactivities and subsequently characterised by in silico tools. These results evidenced the potential of hydrolysis pre-treatments with pepsin and ultrasounds-assisted pepsin to obtain beef liver hydrolysates rich in bioactive peptides that could exert multifunctional bioactivities such as antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic, while giving added value to this meat by-product.

Polysaccharides from Gaultheria leucocarpa var. yunnanensis (DBZP) alleviates rheumatoid arthritis through ameliorating gut microbiota.

Gaultheria leucocarpa var. yunnanensis (Dianbaizhu) is a traditional Chinese herb for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, its macromolecular components have always been overlooked. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition and effect on improving RA of polysaccharides from Dianbaizhu (DBZP). The results showed the yield of DBZP was 4.07%±0.03%, and it was composed of Mannose (6.63%), ribose (1.33%), rhamnose (4.53%), glucuronic acid (2.95%), galacturonic acid (32.29%), glucose (13.78%), galactose (22.97%), xylose (3.94%) and arabinose (11.59%), with a large molecular weight distribution range. DBZP treatment could reduce the paws thickness and arthritis scores of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice, and improve inflammatory cell infiltration, synovial hyperplasia, bone erosion, and deterioration. The abundance of several specific bacteria, such as Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Alistipes, Mucispirillum, and Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and some metabolites in feces or urine, such as 11beta-hydroxytestosterone, pregnanediol 3-O-glucuronide, p-cresol sulfate and several amino acids and peptides, was also altered. The process of DBZP alleviating RA through gut microbiota involves affecting the digestion and metabolism of carbohydrates and protein, altering sex hormones levels, and regulating intestinal immune function, such as the differentiation and signaling of Th17 cells. These findings suggest that DBZP possesses a protective effect on CIA in mice via modulating gut microbiota.

Multidisciplinary structural optimization of polysaccharides preventing alcohol-induced liver disease with computer-aided molecular design.

Here, we optimized the active units of polysaccharides and investigated the conformational relationship between the polysaccharides and alcoholic liver disease (ALD) at the molecular level. We used data mining to screen polysaccharide structural parameters for ALD (PSP-ALD). Most ALD-resistant polysaccharides against ALD comprised glucose (Glc), mannose (Man), galactose (Gal), arabinose (Ara), and rhamnose (Rha). Additionally, (1 → 6)-, (1 → 3)-, and (1 → 4)- glycosidic linkages were mainly contained. Polysaccharides against ALD have a wide molecular weight distribution (2.1 × 103 Da - 9.6 × 107 Da). Based on the PSP-ALD analysis, six commercially available oligosaccharides were selected and their structures were built. After molecular docking, the binding affinities between stachyose and the key ALD targets were stronger, indicating that stachyose may be a polysaccharide-active unit against ALD (PAU-ALD). Furthermore, histological examination of liver tissue combined with serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and triglycerides (TG) showed that stachyose had a significant protective effect against ALD in mice. In summary, we optimized a PAU-ALD and developed a method for studying the structure-activity relationship between polysaccharides and ALD at the molecular level, which provides a new research direction for the development and utilization of polysaccharides and their clinical applications in ALD.

Synthesis of well-defined poly(p-alkoxystyrene) by anionic polymerization in the presence of di-n-butylmagnesium

This study demonstrates the necessity of introducing di-n-butylmagnesium (n-Bu2Mg) additives to synthesize precisely controlled polymers through anionic polymerization of p-alkoxystyrene monomers at -40°C. Without additives, 4-tert-butoxystyrene (BSt) and 4-(1-ethoxy ethoxy)styrene (EESt) are polymerized using sec-butyllithium (s-BuLi) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solvent, yielding a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of 1.36. However, the MWD is strictly controlled to 1.05–1.06 after adding n-Bu2Mg in more than 30 times the amount of s-BuLi, resulting in an accurately designed molecular weight. Therefore, n-Bu2Mg effectively suppresses side reactions that could occur at the polymerization temperature of -40°C in the Schlenk reactor. Interestingly, the polymerization reaction of styrene monomer proceeds when n-Bu2Mg is mixed in THF solvent at -40°C for an extended period, even without s-BuLi. This result suggests that, despite being a weak anionic initiator, n-Bu2Mg can initiate polymerization due to the lower electron density of the styrene double bond compared to BSt or EESt. Based on these results, a precise copolymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution can be synthesized by initiating polymerization with s-BuLi within 20 seconds of adding n-Bu2Mg to the mixed monomers of styrene and EESt.

Posture and vision: How different distances of viewing target affect postural stability and plantar pressure parameters in healthy population

BackgroundPostural stability is maintained by the Postural Control System (PCS), consisting of anatomical structures of Central Nervous System and peripheral receptors, interacting with each other, in order to keep whole-body balance by modulating the myofascial chains against gravity. The vision is one of the most important peripheral receptors for postural control. Previous studies analyzed the changes of body sway during viewing nearby (VNT) and distant (VDT) targets in healthy population without considering the feet adaptations related to the body weight distribution. Aim of this study was to investigate how different distances of viewing target affect the variability of postural stability and plantar pressure parameters in healthy subjects. Methods31 stabilometric and plantar pressure parameters were acquired in 20 young healthy subjects by baropodometry performed in bipedal standing during VNT and VDT (0.70 m and 3 m from the heels, respectively). Variability and statistical differences between VDT and VNT were implemented. ResultsResults showed the highest repeatability for plantar pressure parameters, a slightly high for CP speed and a lowest for CoPsa and Length Surface Function during both VNT and VDT. Moreover, a significant increase of load percentage on left-foot and right-Forefoot, of mean and maximum pressures on left-Forefoot, of CoPsa and CPspeed and a decrease of LSF were found during VDT. DiscussionThis study revealed how a greater distance of viewing target affects body-weight distribution and increases body oscillations. These findings highlighted the importance of visual target distance for the correct interpretation of postural stability and plantar pressure parameters, and the need to standardize target distance during stabilometric exam.

Enhanced probabilistic damage localization for composite plate based on joint recurrence plots

Localizing damage is a key aspect of monitoring composite laminate structural health. To address the problem of generating the damage index (DI) of composite laminates using Lamb waves, a reconstruction approach for probabilistic damage inspection (RAPID) based on joint recurrence plots (JRP) was proposed. First, the dynamics of the Lamb wave signals are analyzed using phase space reconstruction. Second, the damage information in each sensing path is represented using JRP, and the DI based on the JRP is built with variational auto-encoder (VAE). Finally, the relative magnitude of the DI was employed to modify RAPID’s weight distribution function, allowing for composite plate damage localization detection. The findings of finite element modeling and experiment data reveal that the approach can achieve accurate localization imaging of the composite plate’s interior damage while also properly identifying the damage under 20 dB and 10 dB noise interference. The approach does not require an understanding of Lamb wave dispersion characteristics and involve the extraction of complicated wave packet signals, making it promising for structural health monitoring based on damage index.

Asymmetry in strength training: Investigating the Impact of offset training on the deep stabilisation system, strength/performance, and maximal power in Female Softball Players

PurposeThis study aims to fill a significant gap in sports science research by examining the underexplored effects of asymmetric load training on the deep stabilisation system (DSS), strength, and maximal power in female softball players.MethodsFourteen participants were divided into two groups: a control group (CON), which exercised with a symmetrically weighted bar, and an experimental group (EXP), which used a bar with asymmetrically distributed weight. The asymmetric load with a distribution of weight that was gradually increased during the 8-week intervention program. The assessment included a 1 repetition maximum (1RM) test for deadlift, flat bench press, front squat, and 4RM tests for single-leg leg press for both legs, along with evaluations of DSS and strength/performance, before and after a resistance training program. A two-way ANOVA was used to compare pre- and post-intervention performance on the DSS and 1RM strength tests.ResultsThe results showed significant improvements in all 1RM and 4RM tests for both groups in all exercises (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &gt; 0.001), with no significant differences between the groups (&lt;i&gt;p&lt;/i&gt; &lt; 0.05). However, a dependent &lt;i&gt;t&lt;/i&gt;-test in the EXP group revealed significant improvements in DSS strength/performance from pre- to post-measurements in all tests, with large effect sizes. In contrast, the CON group showed significant improvements only in trunk extension, side plank, and prone tests.ConclusionsThese findings indicate that asymmetric training may provide superior benefits in strengthening the DSS, while still achieving comparable gains in maximal strength.

An Exploratory Study on Integrative Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome with Constipation (IBS-C)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) was complicated disorder that results in pain and change in bowel habits. The major contributing factors to the onset and detoriation include stress and gastrointestinal problem. The women between 20 to 40 years were most commonly involved. The prevalence varies among countries that was affected by diet and diagnostic criteria. Objective: Compairing the efficacy of Mebeverine, Polyethylene Glycol with the combination therapy of Mebeverine and Polyethylene Glycol in Irritable Bowel Syndrome associated with Constipation. Methods: The comparative analytical study was conducted at the National Medical Centre, Karachi, and approved by the Ethical Review Committee of Bahria University Health Science Campus. Participants aged 15-50 with IBS were selected to reflect the target population. Observational data were collected based on the treatments they naturally received: Mebeverine, Polyethylene glycol, or a combination. Pain and constipation status were recorded at baseline (day 0) and after 24 days, analyzing the effectiveness of the treatments as they were administered in routine care settings. Results: The demographic data mentioned comparable age, weight, height, and gender distribution across the three groups. Constipation and pain status before and after varied considerably across the investigation time. There was substantial improvements by day 24 from the baseline in the combination therapy. Conclusions: The combination of Mebeverine and Polyethylene glycol reveals in managing IBS, with prominent improvements in constipation severity over the research duration. This highlights the importance of multimodal treatment methods in addressing the varied symptoms of IBS and enhancing the quality of life.

Quality of biological night-time regeneration and socioeconomic factors, health behaviors and body composition among middle-aged women: a cross-sectional pilot study

Background: Sleep has both immediate and long-term impacts on health. Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the quality of biological night-time regeneration, socio-economic status, health behaviors, nutritional status, and fat tissue distribution among adult women (n=46, aged 45-65 years). Material and methods: Socio-economic and lifestyle data were collected through a questionnaire, while anthropometric measurements were obtained using standard instruments. Statistical analyses were performed using the STATISTICA software package. Results: The study found no significant associations between socio-economic status, and the frequency of well-slept (participants satisfied with night-time regeneration) or sleep-deprived (respondents dissatisfied with night-time regeneration) individuals. However, an increased frequency of beer consumption was associated with dissatisfaction with night-time regeneration. There was no significant relationship between BMI categories and fat distribution types in relation to self-reported sleep sufficiency. Nonetheless, the analysis indicated that both BMI and WHR were higher in women who reported dissatisfaction with night-time regeneration compared to those who reported satisfaction. The trends suggest that women with higher education, white-collar occupations, residing in large cities, and consuming weak alcoholic beverages reported poorer sleep quality more frequently. This pattern is associated with a higher risk of excessive weight and central fat distribution, potentially due to increased psychosocial stress. Conclusions: Further research is necessary to verify these trends and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Metabolic and Hormonal Parameters in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Cross-sectional, Multicenter Study in Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder affecting women globally, characterized by metabolic, hormonal, and reproductive disturbances. This study aims to elucidate the specific metabolic and hormonal intricacies of PCOS within the Bangladeshi demographic, addressing a noticeable dearth of comprehensive investigations in this population. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Endocrine Department of Ibn Sina Medical College Hospital and the National Healthcare Network Uttara Executive Center from January 2022 to March 2023. The study included 237 participants diagnosed with PCOS based on the modified Rotterdam criteria. Data collection encompassed demographic details, clinical parameters, and laboratory investigations recorded systematically through history taking, physical examinations, and laboratory analyses. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Analysis Software Studio Version. Results: The study revealed a mean age of 25.1 years among 237 participants, with 70.5% married and 33.5% having children. Hormonal assessments uncovered intriguing patterns, including elevated luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and an increased LH:follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio. Weight distribution highlighted a significant association between obesity and fatty liver. Despite an elevation in thyroid-stimulating hormone levels among obese PCOS individuals, FSH, LH, and testosterone levels showed no significant differences between obese and nonobese groups. Conclusion: In-depth analysis of metabolic and hormonal parameters in Bangladeshi PCOS patients contributes to the global understanding of PCOS, while offering insights specific to this demographic. The study has implications for tailored therapeutic interventions and refined diagnostic criteria, potentially improving clinical outcomes for individuals affected by PCOS in Bangladesh and beyond.