Tag: nevin manimala

Sci Total Environ. 2021 Jul 17;797:149040. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149040. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The increasing release of nutrients to aquatic environments has led to great concern regarding eutrophication and the risk of unwanted algal blooms. Based on observational data of 20 water quality parameters measured on a monthly basis at 40 stations from 2011 to 2020, this study applied different Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to suggest the best option for algal bloom prediction in the Han River, a large river in South Korea. Eight different ML algorithms were categorized into several groups of statistical learning, regression family, and deep learning, and were then compared for their suitability to predict the chlorophyll-derived trophic index (TSI-Chla). ML algorithms helped identify the most important water quality parameters contributing to algal bloom prediction. The ML results confirmed that eutrophication and algal proliferation were governed by the complex interplay between nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus), organic contaminants, and environmental factors. Of the models tested, the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) exhibited the best performance owing to its consistent and outperforming prediction both quantitatively (i.e., via regression) and qualitatively (i.e., via classification), which was evidenced by the lowest value of mean absolute error (MAE) of 0.09, and the highest F1-score, Recall and Precision of 0.97, 0.98 and 0.96, respectively. In a further step, a representative web application was constructed to assist common users to predict the trophic status of the Han River. This study demonstrated that ML techniques are not only promising for highly accurate water quality modeling of urban rivers, but also reduce time and labor intensity for experiments, which decreases the number of monitored water quality parameters, providing further insights into the driving factors of water quality deterioration. They ultimately help devise proactive strategies for sustainable water management.

PMID:34311376 | DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149040

Lung Cancer. 2021 Jul 20;159:45-55. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.06.024. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to compare the prognostic value of inflammatory biomarkers extracted from pretreatment peripheral blood and [18F]-FDG PET for estimating outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with first-line immunotherapy (IT) or chemotherapy (CT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective multicenter study, we evaluated 111 patients with advanced NSCLC who underwent baseline [18F]-FDG PET/CT before IT or CT between 2016 and 2019. Several blood inflammatory indices were evaluated: derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), C-reactive protein (CRP) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII). FDG-PET inflammatory parameters were extracted from lymphoid tissues (BLR and SLR: bone marrow or spleen-to-Liver SUVmax ratios). Association with survival and relationships between parameters were evaluated using Cox prediction models and Spearman’s correlation respectively.

RESULTS: Overall, 90 patients were included (IT:CT) (51:39pts). Median PFS was 8.6:6.6 months and median OS was not reached:21.2 months. In the IT cohort, high dNLR (>3), high SII (≥1,270) and high SLR (0.77) were independent statistically significant prognostic factors for one-year progression-free survival (1y-PFS) and two-year overall survival (2y-OS) on multivariable analysis. In the CT cohort, high BLR (≥0.80) and high dNLR (>3) were associated with shorter 1y-PFS (HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0-4.9) and 2y-OS (HR 3.4, 95CI 1.1-10.3) respectively, on multivariable analysis. Finally, BLR significantly but moderately correlated with most blood-based inflammatory indices (CRP, PLR and SII) while SLR was only associated with CRP (p < 0.01 for all).

CONCLUSION: In advanced NSCLC patients undergoing first-line IT or CT, pretreatment blood and inflammatory factors evaluating the spleen or bone marrow on [18F]-FDG PET/CT provided prognostic information for 1y-PFS and 2y-OS. These biomarkers should be further evaluated for potential clinical application.

PMID:34311344 | DOI:10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.06.024

Lung Cancer. 2021 Jul 21;159:56-65. doi: 10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.06.028. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Veliparib is a potent poly(ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP) 1 and 2 inhibitor that impedes repair of DNA damage induced by cytotoxic and radiation therapies. This phase 1 study evaluated veliparib in combination with chemoradiotherapy in patients with unresectable stage III non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients received veliparib orally twice daily (BID) in escalating doses (60-240 mg, Day -3 to 1 day after last dose of radiation) combined with weekly carboplatin (area under the curve [AUC] 2 mg/mL/min), paclitaxel (45 mg/m²), and daily radiation therapy (60 Gy in 30 fractions), followed by two cycles of veliparib (120-240 mg BID, Days -2 through 5 of each 21-day cycle), carboplatin (AUC 6 mg/mL/min, Day 1 of each cycle), and paclitaxel (200 mg/m², Day 1 of each cycle) consolidation. Endpoints included veliparib maximum tolerated dose (MTD), recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D), pharmacokinetics, safety, and efficacy.

RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were enrolled. The MTD/RP2D of veliparib was 240 mg BID with chemoradiotherapy followed by 120 mg BID with consolidation. The most common any-grade adverse events (AEs) in this cohort for the whole treatment period were nausea (83%), esophagitis (75%), neutropenia (75%), and thrombocytopenia (75%). Dose-proportional pharmacokinetics of veliparib were observed. Median progression-free survival (mPFS) was 19.6 months (95% CI: 9.7-32.6). Median overall survival was estimated to be 32.6 months (95% CI: 15.0-not reached). In patients treated with the RP2D, mPFS was 19.6 months (95% CI: 3.0-not reached).

CONCLUSIONS: When combined with standard concurrent chemoradiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in patients with stage III NSCLC, veliparib demonstrated an acceptable safety profile and antitumor activity with an mPFS of 19.6 months.

PMID:34311345 | DOI:10.1016/j.lungcan.2021.06.028

J Biomech. 2021 Jul 10;126:110623. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110623. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders disproportionally affect females, with female to male prevalence varying from 3:1 to 8:1. Sexual dimorphisms in masticatory muscle attachment morphometry and association with craniofacial size, critical for understanding sex-differences in TMJ function, have not been reported. The objective of this study was to determine sex-specific differences in three-dimensional (3D) TMJ muscle attachment morphometry and craniofacial sizes and their impact on TMJ mechanics. Human cadaveric TMJ muscle attachment morphometry and craniofacial anthropometry (10Males; 11Females) were determined by previously developed 3D digitization and imaging-based methods. Sex-differences in muscle attachment morphometry and craniofacial anthropometry, and their correlation were determined, respectively using multivariate general linear and linear regression statistical models. Subject-specific musculoskeletal models of the mandible were developed to determine effects of sexual dimorphisms in mandibular size and TMJ muscle attachment morphometry on joint loading during static biting. There were significant sex-differences in craniofacial size (p = 0.024) and TMJ muscle attachment morphometry (p < 0.001). TMJ muscle attachment morphometry was significantly correlated with craniofacial size. TMJ contact forces estimated from biomechanical models were significantly, 23% on average (p < 0.001), greater for females compared to those for males when generating the same bite forces. There were significant linear correlations between TMJ contact force and both 3D mandibular length (R² = 0.48, p < 0.001) and muscle force moment arm ratio (R² = 0.68, p < 0.001). Sexual dimorphisms in masticatory muscle morphology and craniofacial sizes play critical roles in subject-specific TMJ biomechanics. Sex-specific differences in the TMJ mechanical environment should be further investigated concerning mechanical fatigue of TMJ discs associated with TMJ disorders.

PMID:34311291 | DOI:10.1016/j.jbiomech.2021.110623

Midwifery. 2021 Jul 14;103:103093. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103093. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Explore what influenced women’s decision to exclusively formula feed, and their experiences with formula feeding within a maternity hospital environment.

DESIGN: This mixed methods study used a cross-sectional exploratory survey design. Short surveys were administered by telephone in the postpartum period. Content analysis revealed common themes for responses to open-ended questions on what influenced women’s choice and experience with formula feeding. Descriptive statistics were used for demographic characteristics, and frequencies conducted on some themes.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: English-speaking women who chose to exclusively formula feed, and attended a tertiary maternity hospital in Australia were invited to participate; 102 women were interviewed.

FINDINGS: Themes that influenced women to choose exclusive formula feeding were: ‘Previous breastfeeding challenges’, ‘social and societal issues’ including convenience, comfort, and trust in formula, and ‘maternal health’ including medical issues and medications, breast physiology and mental health. Themes from the formula feeding experience in hospital were: ‘Supportive’ elements such as midwifery care, convenience, and resources, and ‘hindering’ elements such as a perceived breastfeeding agenda and systemic barriers.

KEY CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Previous breastfeeding difficulties were a common influence on exclusive formula feeding in subsequent pregnancies, highlighting the importance of adequate support during the primary lactation/infant feeding experience. Greater comfort and confidence levels with formula feeding and a sense of trust in formula were also influential. Some maternal medications, conditions, or physiological circumstances were perceived by women as impacting breastfeeding or breastmilk, signposting the importance of antenatal screening and assessment to support women’s options and decisions regarding infant feeding. A perception of professional and organisational preferences for breastfeeding over formula feeding contributed to some women feeling judged for their choice. This reminds midwives to consider the complex intersection of factors that influence infant feeding decisions and ensure all mothers are respected and fully supported.

PMID:34311337 | DOI:10.1016/j.midw.2021.103093

J Environ Manage. 2021 Jul 23;297:113327. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113327. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The significant increase in illegal use of the synthetic opioid fentanyl is leading to unintentional overdose fatalities. Spills of fentanyl where it is abused or prepared for illegal distribution can result in persistent contamination of areas. Remediation can be attempted through physical removal but may benefit greatly from application of decontamination solutions that provide in-situ degradation of fentanyl. This work investigates the efficacy of decontamination technologies for degradation of fentanyl-HCl on indoor surfaces. Decontamination studies were conducted to evaluate the oxidative degradation of fentanyl based on percarbonate, hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid, and chlorine (bleach) chemistries. This study utilized an experimental design relevant to field operations to provide direct information to first or hazardous materials responders and providers of environmental fentanyl remediation services, who may otherwise rely on unverified approaches. Across a range of nonporous indoor surfaces, results suggest that water (with or without detergent) spraying alone can physically remove 70-90% of fentanyl (with all fentanyl recovered in runoff). In nearly all cases, the spray application of peracetic acid or acetified bleach oxidants resulted in statistically significant degradation of fentanyl (>95% reduction), with noticeably lower efficacy for other oxidants (e.g., pH neutral bleach and OxiClean™). The decontamination efficacy was significantly reduced upon the addition of cutting agents that competed for oxidant demand.

PMID:34311256 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113327

Food Chem. 2021 Jun 21;365:130430. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130430. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Liquid-liquid microextraction (LLME) combined with gas chromatography-olfactometry-mass spectrometry (GC-O-MS) was used to detect the variations in volatile compounds during the distillation process (head, heart, and tail) of raw Baijiu produced by different layers of fermented grains; 47 aroma compounds were sniffed and identified. Moreover, temperature-programmed headspace gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (TP-HS-GC-IMS) was applied to characterize the Baijiu distillation process for the first time. The 3D fingerprint spectrum clearly showed a variation in volatile compounds from different distillation stages, and most compounds showed a downward trend. In addition, multivariate statistical analysis, including principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), etc., confirmed ten aroma active markers related to classification, indicating that these markers had a great influence on the flavor of raw Baijiu.

PMID:34311281 | DOI:10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.130430

Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2021 Jul 21;15(5):102227. doi: 10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102227. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIMS: The aim is to assess the association and population attributable fraction (PAF) of multiple risk factors combination for diabetes and hypertension among adults in the Northeast region of India.

METHODS: Data used is from the Indian Demographic Health Survey conducted in 2015-16. The study comprised 107, 766 respondents (95,153 females and 12, 613 males) aged 15-49 years. We examined four modifiable risk factors: smoking, alcohol consumption, aerated drinks consumption, and overweight or obesity. PAF was calculated using the relative risk from the multivariable logistic regression models.

RESULTS: Overweight or obesity in conjunction with smoking was associated with 43.9 % of patients with diabetes. Smoking in conjunction with alcohol and overweight or obesity contributed to 53% of patients with diabetes (PAF = 53 %). The three risk factors combination (i.e., smoking, alcohol, and overweight or obesity) is associated with the most hypertension cases (PAF = 50.7 %). Experiencing all four risk factors is associated with 50.3 % of patients with hypertension. In women, the four-risk combination contributed the most hypertension cases (PAF = 46.8 %).

CONCLUSIONS: Overweight or obesity was the single most significant factor leading to hypertension and diabetes among the study population. Also, smoking, alcohol, and overweight or obesity together are prominent risk factors for hypertension and diabetes.

PMID:34311195 | DOI:10.1016/j.dsx.2021.102227

Appl Radiat Isot. 2021 Jul 21;176:109868. doi: 10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109868. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The process of differentiation between source and reservoir rocks requires the presence of many geological, physical, and geochemical data. The scope of this research is to evaluate a new approach to separate source rocks from reservoir rocks by calculating the heat that results from the decaying of radioactive materials in the rocks. The average value of radiogenic heat production produced (RHP) for studied formation is calculated as 0.97 μW/m³, while the standard deviation value is 0.67 μW/m³. The zones with average values of more than (0.97) are referred to be the zones that have higher amounts of total organic carbon materials (TOC) with an agreement coefficient of 95%. The RHP value ranging from an average value (0.97) to the sum of this value plus one standard deviation (1.66) are recorded in low shale content zones which are considered as reservoir rocks. The RHP values of more than 1.66 were recorded in the zones of moderate and high volume of shale content, which can be considered as source rocks.

PMID:34311217 | DOI:10.1016/j.apradiso.2021.109868

Animal. 2021 Jul 23;15(8):100318. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100318. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Identifying animals that are superior in terms of feed efficiency may improve the profitability and sustainability of the beef cattle sector. However, measuring feed efficiency is costly and time-consuming. Biomarkers should thus be explored and validated to predict between-animal variation of feed efficiency for both genetic selection and precision feeding. In this work, we aimed to assess and validate two previously identified biomarkers of nitrogen (N) use efficiency in ruminants, plasma urea concentrations and the ¹⁵N natural abundance in plasma proteins (plasma δ¹⁵N), to predict the between-animal variation in feed efficiency when animals were fed two contrasted diets (high-starch vs high-fibre diets). We used an experimental network design with a total of 588 young bulls tested for feed efficiency through two different traits (feed conversion efficiency [FCE] and residual feed intake [RFI]) during at least 6 months in 12 cohorts (farm × period combination). Animals reared in the same cohort, receiving the same diet and housed in the same pen, were considered as a contemporary group (CG). To analyse between-animal variations and explore relationships between biomarkers and feed efficiency, two statistical approaches, based either on mixed-effect models or regressions from residuals, were conducted to remove the between-CG variability. Between-animal variation of plasma δ¹⁵N was significantly correlated with feed efficiency measured through the two criteria traits and regardless of the statistical approach. Conversely, plasma urea was not correlated to FCE and showed only a weak, although significant, correlation with RFI. The response of plasma δ¹⁵N to FCE variations was higher when animals were fed a high-starch compared to a high-fibre diet. In addition, we identified two dietary factors, the metabolisable protein to net energy ratio and the rumen protein balance that influenced the relation between plasma δ¹⁵N and FCE variations. Concerning the genetic evaluation, and despite the moderate heritability of the two biomarkers (0.28), the size of our experimental setup was insufficient to detect significant genetic correlations between feed efficiency and the biomarkers. However, we validated the potential of plasma δ¹⁵N to phenotypically discriminate two animals reared in identical conditions in terms of feed efficiency as long as they differ by at least 0.049 g/g for FCE and 1.67 kg/d for RFI. Altogether, the study showed phenotypic, but non-genetic, relationships between plasma proteins δ¹⁵N and feed efficiency that varied according to the efficiency index and the diet utilised.

PMID:34311194 | DOI:10.1016/j.animal.2021.100318