Nevin Manimala

Environ Monit Assess. 2024 Aug 14;196(9):810. doi: 10.1007/s10661-024-12960-0.

ABSTRACT

Forest fires pose significant environmental and socioeconomic threats, particularly in regions such as Central India, where forest ecosystems are vital for biodiversity and local livelihoods. Understanding forest fire dynamics and identifying fire risk zones are crucial for effective mitigation. The current study explores the spatiotemporal dynamics of forest fires in the Khandwa and North Betul forest divisions in the Central Indian region over 22 years using Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope tests on MODIS (Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer) fire point data. We found a nonsignificant increase in forest fires in both divisions. Khandwa showed a nonsignificant slope rise of more than three events per year, while North Betul revealed an increase of around one event per year. The lack of statistical significance suggests that upward trends of forest fire events may result from random fluctuations rather than consistent patterns. Spatial autocorrelation analysis revealed significant clustering of fire incidents in both regions. Khandwa confirmed moderate clustering (Moran’s I = 0.043), whereas North Betul showed robust clustering (Moran’s I = 0.096). Kernel density estimation further identified high-risk clusters in both divisions, necessitating zonal-wise targeted fire management strategies. Fire risk zonation was developed using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), combining 10 environmental and socioeconomic factors. The AHP model, validated using MODIS fire data, showed reliable accuracy. The results revealed many of both divisions in the high- to very high-risk categories. Approximately, 45% of the area of the Khandwa and nearly 50% of the area of North Betul fall under high to very high fire risk zones. Khandwa’s high-risk areas mainly lie in the northern and southeastern parts, while North Betul lies in the northwestern and north-eastern regions. The identified fire-prone areas indicate the pressing need for local or region-specific fire prevention and mitigation strategies. Thus, the findings of this study provide valuable insights into forest fire risk management and contribute to more focused research and methodological developments.

PMID:39141225 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-024-12960-0

Neotrop Entomol. 2024 Aug 14. doi: 10.1007/s13744-024-01185-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The study aimed to understand the feeding behavior of Neotropical brown stink bug nymphs Euschistus heros (F.) on soybean plants during vegetative stage through electropenetrography (EPG) technique. Three distinct phases were identified: non-feeding, pathway, and ingestion. Waveforms representing these phases were consistent across nymphal instars and plant structures, and named Np, Eh1, and Eh2, respectively. Biological interpretations of the waveforms were proposed by integrating visual observations, comparisons with adult waveforms, and histological studies. The waveforms Np, Eh1, and Eh2 were associated with resting/walking, initial stylet-plant contact, and xylem sap ingestion, respectively. Notably, nymphs showed a higher number of Eh1 events and longer durations when feeding on petioles compared to leaves, particularly in younger instars. However, differences between instars diminished in older nymphs. Fifth instars consistently exhibited the highest Eh1 values, and displayed longer xylem ingestion durations compared to other instars. Second instars demonstrated increased xylem ingestion events on petioles compared to leaves. Across plant structures, on petioles, nymphs generally showed longer xylem ingestion durations than on leaf surfaces. Fifth instar consistently had the longest ingestion durations overall. Additionally, statistical differences in xylem ingestion duration were observed between instars within each plant structure, with fifth instars displaying the longest durations. These findings offer valuable insights into the feeding behavior of E. heros nymphs, which could inform the development of more effective pest management strategies for soybean crops.

PMID:39141217 | DOI:10.1007/s13744-024-01185-y

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2024 Aug 14. doi: 10.1007/s12010-024-05006-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

IGFLR1 is a novel biomarker, and some evidences suggested that is involved in the immune microenvironment of CRC. Here, we explored the expression of IGFLR1 and its association with the prognosis as well as immune cell infiltration in CRC, with the aim to provide a basis for further studies on IGFLR1. Immunohistochemical staining for IGFLR1, TIM-3, FOXP3, CD4, CD8, and PD-1 was performed in eligible tissues to analyze the expression of IGFLR1 and its association with prognosis and immune cell infiltration. Then, we screened colon cancer samples from TCGA and grouped patients according to IGFLR1-related genes. We also evaluated the co-expression and immune-related pathways of IGFLR1 to identify the potential mechanism of it in CRC. When P < 0.05, the results were considered statistically significant. IGFLR1 and IGFLR1-related genes were associated with the prognosis and immune cell infiltration (P < 0.05). In stage II and III CRC tissue and normal tissue, we found (1) IGFLR1 was expressed in both the cell membrane and cytoplasm and which was differentially expressed between cancer tissue and normal tissue. IGFLR1 expression was associated with the expression of FOXP3, CD8, and gender but was not associated with microsatellite instability. (2) IGFLR1 was an independent prognostic factor and patients with high IGFLR1 had a better prognosis. (3) A model including IGFLR1, FOXP3, PD-1, and CD4 showed good prognostic stratification ability. (4) There was a significant interaction between IGFLR1 and GATA3, and IGFLR1 had a significant co-expression with related factors in the INFR pathway. IGFLR1 has emerged as a new molecule related to disease prognosis and immune cell infiltration in CRC patients and showed a good ability to predict the prognosis of patients.

PMID:39141178 | DOI:10.1007/s12010-024-05006-1

Radiol Phys Technol. 2024 Aug 14. doi: 10.1007/s12194-024-00833-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of using a commercially available boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) dose calculation program (NeuCure^® Dose Engine) in terms of calculation accuracy and computation time. Treatment planning was simulated under the following calculation parameters: 1.5-5.0 mm grid sizes and 1-10% statistical uncertainties. The calculated monitor units (MUs) and computation times were evaluated. The MUs calculated on grid sizes larger than 2 mm were overestimated by 2% compared with the result of 1.5 mm grid. We established the two-step method for the routine administration of BNCT: multiple calculations involved in beam optimization should be done at a 5 mm grid and a 10% statistical uncertainty (the shortest computation time: 10.3 ± 2.1 min) in the first-step, and final dose calculations should be performed at a 2 mm grid and a 10% statistical uncertainty (satisfied clinical accuracy: 6.9 ± 0.3 h) in the second-step.

PMID:39141174 | DOI:10.1007/s12194-024-00833-7

Laryngoscope. 2024 Aug 14. doi: 10.1002/lary.31699. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To characterize incidence of mandibular anomalies (MAs) and compare gestational age, airway interventions, and complications among individuals with MA phenotypes (isolated retrognathia, isolated micrognathia, syndromic micrognathia, micrognathia plus cleft palate/cleft lip and palate, agnathia/micrognathia plus cervical auricle/otocephaly, and agnathia/micrognathia plus microstomia) and unaffected individuals.

METHODS: The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Kids’ Inpatient Database was used to collect data over a 20-year period beginning in 2000. Interventions were classified as perinatal when performed on day of life (DOL) 0 or 1 and subsequent when performed during the birth hospitalization after DOL 1. Hypoxic complications included cardiac arrest, birth asphyxia, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, anoxic brain damage, intraventricular hemorrhage or cerebral infarction. Descriptive statistics are reported, and the Rao-Scott chi-square test compared groups.

RESULTS: MAs affected 119 per 100,000 birth visits. Preterm delivery was more frequent for all MA phenotypes. Individuals with MA phenotypes are more likely to require medical attention (airway intervention on DOL 0 or 1 OR no airway intervention received but patient sustained hypoxic complication/mortality): 16.2%-70.7% vs. 3.8%, p < 0.01. Despite receipt of airway interventions at a higher rate, collectively individuals with MAs who received an airway intervention on DOL 0 or 1 have a mildly elevated risk of hypoxic complication or mortality (32.4% vs. 26.4%, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Preterm birth is more common, however, does not account for the elevated rate of airway intervention. Individuals with MAs require higher rates of medical attention, and current airway management paradigms are insufficient to prevent complications and mortality.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III Laryngoscope, 2024.

PMID:39140255 | DOI:10.1002/lary.31699

Clin Respir J. 2024 Aug;18(8):e13821. doi: 10.1111/crj.13821.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the predictive effect of the lymphocyte-to-neutrophil ratio (LNR) and the platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR) on the expression of programmed death receptor ligand 1 (PD-L1) in patients diagnosed with lung cancer.

METHODS: The clinical records of 86 patients diagnosed with lung cancer between January 2020 and February 2022 at Fu Yang People’s Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The records included information on age, gender, smoking history, hematological indices at the time of admission, staging of the lung malignancy, histopathological subtype, comorbidities, and the expression levels of PD-L1. Patients were stratified into two distinct cohorts based on their PD-L1 expression levels: Those with an expression level greater than or equal to 1% were classified into the PD-L1 positive expression group, while the remainder were categorized as the PD-L1 negative expression group. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to identify the influencing factors of PD-L1, and the diagnostic efficacy was calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

RESULTS: Upon analysis, the PD-L1 positive expression group manifested notably lower values as compared to their counterparts in the PD-L1 negative expression group (LNR: 0.262 ± 0.105 vs. 0.390 ± 0.201; PNR: 41.03 [29.64, 50.11] vs. 49.50 [37.38, 73.83]), and these differences were statistically significant. There was a notable disparity in PD-L1 expression based on gender, with males exhibiting a statistically significant higher positivity rate compared to females. Furthermore, patients in Stages I-III of the disease demonstrated a markedly elevated PD-L1 positivity rate compared to those in Stage IV (p < 0.05). Incorporating univariates with statistical differences into multivariate logistic regression analysis suggests that stage and LNR are independent risk factors for PD-L1 negative expression. ROC curve analyses revealed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) for LNR as an indicator for PD-L1 positive expression stood at 0.706, while the AUC for PNR was calculated at 0.687.

CONCLUSION: PD-L1 expression is correlated with gender and lung cancer staging, and LNR and PNR have a predictive value for PD-L1 expression.

PMID:39140242 | DOI:10.1111/crj.13821

Am J Health Promot. 2024 Aug 14:8901171241271402. doi: 10.1177/08901171241271402. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Many universities maintain pouring rights contracts (PRCs) with beverage companies wherein one company exchanges sponsorship payments for exclusive beverage marketing rights. Separately, universities may have healthy beverage initiatives (HBIs) to encourage healthier choices on campus. This study aimed to assess how and how frequently PRCs included provisions related to health and nutrition to examine how PRCs may support or undermine HBIs.

DESIGN: Cross-sectional.

SETTING: U.S. public universities with >20,000 students.

SAMPLE: 131 PRCs obtained from 124 of 143 universities in 2019-2020.

MEASURES: Primary outcomes were the presence of provisions that could encourage or discourage promotion of healthy beverages (water, diet soda, unsweetened coffee or tea, and 100% juice), and any other provisions explicitly or implicitly referencing health or nutrition.

ANALYSIS: Descriptive statistics.

RESULTS: Twelve contracts (9%) had explicit commitments from the company or university to promote healthy beverages or adhere to nutrition standards, including five committing to support HBIs, four committing to healthy vending policies, and three describing activities to promote healthy beverage brands. Ten (8%) had provisions explicitly inhibiting water promotion and 55 (42%) had provisions that could be interpreted that way. Eleven (8%) included other health and nutrition provisions, such as funding for unspecified wellness activities.

CONCLUSION: Most university beverage contracts did not expressly aim to support healthy choices, and more than half had provisions potentially limiting universities’ ability to implement HBIs. When present, nutrition standards were weak.

PMID:39140236 | DOI:10.1177/08901171241271402

Int J Urol. 2024 Aug 14. doi: 10.1111/iju.15560. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We investigated preoperative patient factors associated with prognosis in 263 bladder cancer (BC) patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). We also developed new risk stratification models for prognosis.

METHODS: This retrospective study included patients treated at Tottori University Hospital and affiliated hospitals between January 2010 and December 2019. The relationship between preoperative patient factors and overall recurrence-free and cancer-specific survival (CSS) was analyzed. The modified Glasgow prognosis score (mGPS) was calculated using serum albumin and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Statistical analyses included the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS: Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG-PS), mGPS, and clinical tumor stage independently predicted CSS in multivariate analysis. A new risk stratification model included ECOG-PS ≥2, clinical tumor stage ≥3, serum albumin <3.5 g/dL, and serum CRP >0.5 mg/dL. Risk groups were defined as 0 factors (low risk), 1-2 factors (intermediate risk), and 3-4 factors (high risk). High-risk patients showed significantly poorer 3-year cancer-free survival: 86.9% (low risk), 76.7% (intermediate risk), and 50.0% (high risk).

CONCLUSIONS: ECOG-PS, clinical tumor stage, and mGPS are predictive of poor cancer-free survival post-RC for BC. Our model offers the potential for prognostic prediction in these patients.

PMID:39140229 | DOI:10.1111/iju.15560

Laryngoscope. 2024 Aug 14. doi: 10.1002/lary.31686. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of methotrexate and rituximab therapy on highly recurrent idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) patients with a negative antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody titer cANCA(-).

METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of highly recurrent iSGS patients who recurred within 1 year or less and were treated with methotrexate (MTX), and rituximab (RTX), or a combination of both at different time points (MTX/RTX). Average surgical durations before and after drug treatment were summarized, and the differences were calculated.

RESULTS: A total of 21 female patients with median age of 62 years were included. Fifteen patients were treated with MTX, three were treated with RTX, and five treated with both. Patients treated with immunosuppressants showed a trend toward longer intervals between operations (mean pre-drug interval: 338; mean post-drug interval: 697 days) (p-value = 0.25). Three patients did not recur following drug initiation with median follow-up of 1265 days. All three treatment groups demonstrated a trend toward increased post-drug recurrence intervals (MTX: 444 days, RTX: 374 days, MTX/RTX: 55 days), that was not statistically significant. Patients with prior dilations demonstrated longer post-drug recurrence intervals (mean pre-drug interval: 341 days, mean post-drug interval 978 days) (p-value = 0.17). Four patients in the cohort with the highest recurring disease improved from mean 129 days between operations to 509 days with drug therapy. The most common drug side effect was nausea (16%).

CONCLUSION: MTX and RTX may be treatment options for some highly recurrent iSGS patients. Initial results are variable and demonstrate a need for further research on drug candidacy.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.

PMID:39140225 | DOI:10.1002/lary.31686

Hum Vaccin Immunother. 2024 Dec 31;20(1):2388347. doi: 10.1080/21645515.2024.2388347. Epub 2024 Aug 14.

ABSTRACT

Cervical cancer remains a significant health burden in China, characterized by high incidence and mortality rates, which are exacerbated by low Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination coverage, leading to substantial loss of productivity, emotional suffering, and family strain. Understanding factors that influence HPV awareness and knowledge is crucial for developing effective educational strategies. This cross-sectional study, conducted from September to October 2022, involved 2,679 college students from various educational institutions in Jiangsu Province, China. Data were collected via an online questionnaire covering demographics, HPV knowledge, and vaccination behaviors. Statistical analyses, including Chi-square tests and multifactorial logistic regression, were used to identify factors influencing HPV knowledge. The study revealed that while over 90% of students correctly identified HPV’s transmission and risks, significant knowledge gaps and misconceptions persist, particularly regarding HPV’s association with HIV/AIDS and its treatment. Factors significantly associated with better HPV knowledge included age (22-24 years), female gender, being a medical major, being in a relationship, familiarity with HPV, and participation in sexual education programs. Despite a high willingness to receive the HPV vaccine (91.64%), actual vaccination rates remained low. These findings suggest that while Chinese college students were generally aware of HPV, targeted educational interventions are essential to address knowledge gaps and promote HPV vaccination effectively.

PMID:39140222 | DOI:10.1080/21645515.2024.2388347