Tag: pubmed

Braz J Microbiol. 2024 Nov 19. doi: 10.1007/s42770-024-01564-y. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Xylitol is a highly demanded polyol in the food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. However, its current production methods are considered energy-intensive, require the use of hazardous chemical catalysts, and depend on complex and costly equipment. The biotechnological route of xylitol production is proposed as a sustainable alternative, but it still requires process improvements, such as enhanced fermentation capabilities, to be economically competitive. This study examined Candida tropicalis yeast to improve xylose-to-xylitol conversion via glucose: xylose ratio and pH modulation. Key parameters evaluated included xylose consumption rate (r_S), xylose-to-xylitol yield (Y_P/S), and xylitol volumetric productivity (Q_P). Conditions with 50 g/L xylose at pH 3.5 exhibited superior xylitol production: 29.81 g/L, Q_P of 0.52 g/L/h, and Y_P/S of 0.54 g/g at 48 h. The statistical model demonstrated that the maximum Y_P/S and Q_P values have not yet been achieved. This could present an opportunity to be explored through yeast genetic engineering approaches. Additionally, the quantitative expression of the xylose transporter genes (XUT1 and STL2) and the xylose reductase gene (XYL1), previously identified in C. tropicalis, was evaluated under all tested conditions. Upregulation of the XUT1 was correlated with higher xylose concentrations, while STL2 was favored at lower xylose concentrations. The expression of XYL1 showed upregulation over time with higher xylose ratios. The high transcription levels and expression profile suggest that Xut1p-mediated xylose transport occurs through a proton symport mechanism. The results indicate that the pH factor indirectly influences XUT1 gene transcription, possibly as a compensatory response to the reduced transporter efficiency under high pH conditions. The present work underscores the influence of glucose ratios and pH in xylitol production, as well as the gene expression of xylose transporters and the key enzyme xylose reductase. Leveraging these insights can significantly enhance xylitol production from hemicellulosic hydrolysates through biotechnological pathways.

PMID:39562490 | DOI:10.1007/s42770-024-01564-y

Int J Psychol. 2024 Nov 19:e13267. doi: 10.1002/ijop.13267. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

At the beginning of 2020, the entire world was shocked by a global health emergency. According to the literature, fear, high mortality and health restrictions had significant psychological consequences on the population. This study evaluates the French lockdown’s impact on the grieving process and how people worked through their grief. Two semi-structured interviews were conducted with 31 participants who had lost a loved one between March 2020, June, and September 2021 (T0) and 6 months later (T1). Subsequently, they were divided into two groups: those who lost someone during the first lockdown (Group 1) and those who lost someone outside the lockdown periods (Group 2). The interviews were analysed using the ALCESTE software, a statistical analysis tool for textual data based on word co-occurrences. This research significantly advances the understanding of bereavement during crises, providing new perspectives and practical insights for policymakers, healthcare professionals and support organisations. Its methodological innovation and detailed analysis contribute to the ongoing discussion on grief and resilience in challenging circumstances. Ultimately, this study lays the foundation for improved support and intervention strategies tailored to the needs of bereaved individuals during crises.

PMID:39562485 | DOI:10.1002/ijop.13267

J Forensic Sci. 2024 Nov 19. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.15665. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Deepfake videos are growing progressively more competent because of the rapid advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning technology. This has led to substantial problems around propaganda, privacy, and security. This research provides an analytically novel method for detecting deepfake videos using temporal discrepancies of the various statistical features of video at the pixel level, followed by a deep learning algorithm. To detect minute aberrations typical of deepfake manipulations, this study focuses on both spatial information inside individual frames and temporal correlations between subsequent frames. This study primarily provides a novel Euclidean distance variation probability score value for directly commenting on the authenticity of a deepfake video. Next, fine-tuning of InceptionResNetV2 with the addition of a dense layer is trained FaceForensics++ for deepfake detection. The proposed fine-tuned model outperforms the existing techniques as its testing accuracy on unseen data outperforms the existing methods. The propsd method achieved an accuracy of 99.80% for FF++ dataset and 97.60% accuracy for CelebDF dataset.

PMID:39562484 | DOI:10.1111/1556-4029.15665

Eur Geriatr Med. 2024 Nov 19. doi: 10.1007/s41999-024-01097-5. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: During the aging process, a decrease in irisin levels is associated with numerous bone and muscle diseases. This study aims to provide evidence of circulating irisin levels in patients with sarcopenia.

METHODS: This systematic review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standard and the recommendations of the Cochrane Collaboration. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science databases, and other sources from their establishment until August 2023. The Review Manager software version 5.4 was used to calculate the standard mean difference (SMD). I² statistics measured heterogeneity.

RESULTS: 12 studies involving 2133 participants who met the inclusion criteria were analyzed. We found that irisin levels were significantly lower in patients with sarcopenia (SMD: – 1.28; 95% CI – 1.65, – 0.90; I² = 92% P < 0.001). Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of this result. The correlation results showed that there was a positive correlation between the levels of circulating irisin and muscle mass (r value 0.62, 95% CI 0.31, 0.81; P < 0.001) and strength (r value 0.47, 95% CI 0.23, 0.66; P < 0.001), but no statistical correlation between irisin and muscle function (The P-values for gait speed and chair test time are 0.5523 and 0.1467, respectively).

CONCLUSION: No matter the study area, study design, blood samples, or diagnostic criteria, the concentration of circulating irisin in patients with sarcopenia was lower than that in the control group.

PMID:39562482 | DOI:10.1007/s41999-024-01097-5

J Cancer Educ. 2024 Nov 20. doi: 10.1007/s13187-024-02541-7. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

In Morocco, cancer is a disease with a concerning incidence to the point that patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. As a result, patient care requires a holistic approach, integrating medical treatment and appropriate psychosocial support to improve their well-being. This study aimed to evaluate the psychosocial care competencies of oncology healthcare professionals at the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center (CHU) in Marrakech. This was a cross-sectional descriptive study of doctors and nurses in the oncology department of the Mohammed VI University Hospital Center, Marrakech. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic variables was drawn up, together with the Psychosocial Care Competency Self-Assessment Scale (PCCSAS), which measures psychosocial care competencies. A descriptive and analytical analysis was performed via SPSS software (V.26). The overall PCCSAS score was moderate (54.99 ± 13.96), with similar scores for the subscales of symptom diagnosis, intervention, information use and psychosocial care assessment. Professionals working in day hospitals scored significantly higher than those in inpatient settings did (p < 0.05), although the differences between nurses and oncologists were not statistically significant. Seniority showed no significant association with the PCCSAS score, although professionals with 15 or more years of experience obtained the highest scores (61.71 ± 11.22). A significant correlation was observed between the PCCSAS scale and its subscales (p < 0.005). This study revealed a moderate level of psychosocial care skills among healthcare professionals in oncology, compounded by a lack of specialized training. In the Moroccan context, developing a profile of nurses specializing in psychosocial care, introducing continuing education programs adapted to the specific needs of different departments, and promoting experience sharing between professionals to strengthen practical skills and improve the quality of patient care are recommended.

PMID:39562468 | DOI:10.1007/s13187-024-02541-7

Can J Anaesth. 2024 Nov 19. doi: 10.1007/s12630-024-02878-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Family members of critically ill patients spend significant periods of time in the intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital environment. We aimed to identify what services, resources, and conveniences are important to adult ICU visitors.

METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study including visitors in four adult ICUs in the province of Ontario, Canada. In the survey, we asked visitors to rate the importance of 58 items relating to the environment of patient rooms, the waiting room, and hospital facilities. For each item, we gave respondents five categorical response options, from “not at all important” to “extremely important.” We used descriptive statistics to analyze the survey results.

RESULTS: We analyzed 224 surveys completed by ICU visitors (60% female, ages 14-87 yr). Respondents were predominantly children (41%) or the spouse/partner (23%) of adult ICU patients. Nearly half (51%) lived more than 30 km from the hospital, and 30% spent at least one night in the ICU waiting room, with a median of 2 nights (range, 1-20) spent in hospital. Within the hospital environment, the top four items rated as “extremely important” or “very important” were directional signage (82%), convenient parking (80%), discounted parking (80%), and healthy and affordable food (78%). Regarding ICU waiting rooms, 24/7 visitation (92%), convenient restrooms (87%), a water dispenser (83%), and Wi-Fi (80%) were priorities. Features of ICU patient rooms identified as most important included seating for visitors (92%), access to natural light (78%), and access to fresh air (74%).

CONCLUSIONS: Intensive care unit visitors prioritized pragmatic environmental elements. Many of these modifications are simple and inexpensive but may significantly improve visitors’ comfort and experience.

PMID:39562429 | DOI:10.1007/s12630-024-02878-z

J Assist Reprod Genet. 2024 Nov 19. doi: 10.1007/s10815-024-03329-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate any correlation between the outcomes of the first euploid frozen-thawed blastocyst embryo transfer (FBT) and the subsequent euploid FBT derived from sibling oocytes.

METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed data from 1051 women who underwent preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy and had a euploid FBT. Of these patients, 159 underwent a second transfer. The primary outcome was the live birth rate.

RESULTS: Overall, 159 women who underwent a second euploid FBT were categorized into two subgroups depending on the implantation success of the first FBT. Of these patients, 94 (59.1%) belonged to the nonclinical group, signifying a negative result or a biochemical pregnancy. The remaining 65 (40.9%) patients belonged to the clinical group, indicating either a miscarriage or a live birth. In the binary logistic regression analysis, the live birth outcome during the first euploid FBT was a statistically significant and independent predictor of live birth in the subsequent FBT [odds ratio 4.14, 95% confidence interval (1.184-14.531), p < 0.026). Miscarriages, including those that occurred before intracytoplasmic sperm injection and in the first euploid FBT, reduced the live birth rate by approximately 34% (p < 0.027). No significant difference in the miscarriage rate was found between the two subgroups (19.2% (10/52) vs. 25.4% (14/55), p = 0.38).

CONCLUSION: The live birth outcome of the second euploid FBT is mainly determined by the live birth outcome of the first. Miscarriages that occurred before in vitro fertilization negatively affect the live birth outcome.

PMID:39562396 | DOI:10.1007/s10815-024-03329-w

Neurocrit Care. 2024 Nov 19. doi: 10.1007/s12028-024-02165-1. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroids are prescribed for refractory headache in patients with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) despite limited supporting evidence. We hypothesized that a short course of corticosteroids would reduce pain.

METHODS: We reviewed all patients who received corticosteroids for refractory headache following spontaneous SAH within our institutional database. Pain was measured by a numeric rating scale (NRS) every 2 h. The primary outcome was maximum daily NRS score; secondary outcomes were the mean daily NRS score and daily opioid consumption. Propensity scores were developed using potential predictors of corticosteroid use, including age, sex, pretreatment 24-h pain burden, and the number of analgesics being used to control pain. Inverse probability treatment weighting (IPTW) was used to balance baseline covariate distributions between patients receiving corticosteroids and control patients. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze longitudinal NRS scores and oral morphine equivalents based on the weighted cohort.

RESULTS: A total of 213 patients were included. The mean age was 55 (SD 13) years, and 141 of 213 (66%) were female. Of 213 patients, 195 (92%) had a low clinical grade (i.e., Hunt-Hess grades 1-3). Seventy patients were prescribed corticosteroids on postbleed day 5 (SD 3.3) on average, with an average of 26 (SD 10) mg of dexamethasone over 48 h. Patients receiving corticosteroids and controls were well balanced on baseline predictors of treatment status. After IPTW, we found that corticosteroid therapy reduced the daily maximum pain NRS score by 0.59 (SE = 0.39, p = 0.12), 0.96 (SE = 0.42, p = 0.02), and 0.91 (SE = 0.46, p = 0.048) on days 1-3, respectively, after adjusting for control effects. The mean daily pain NRS score and daily opioid use were nonsignificantly reduced in the 3 days following corticosteroid initiation after adjusting for control effects.

CONCLUSIONS: Short-term corticosteroids only slightly reduced maximum pain severity after spontaneous SAH. Other analgesic strategies are required to manage refractory pain in this population.

PMID:39562388 | DOI:10.1007/s12028-024-02165-1

Neurocrit Care. 2024 Nov 19. doi: 10.1007/s12028-024-02148-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Delirium occurs frequently in patients with stroke, but the role of preexisting neural substrates in delirium pathogenesis remains unclear. We sought to explore associations between acute and chronic neural substrates of delirium in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

METHODS: Using data from a single-center ICH registry, we identified consecutive patients with acute nontraumatic ICH and available magnetic resonance imaging scans. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria were used to classify each patient as delirious or nondelirious during their hospitalization. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were processed and analyzed using semiautomated software, with volumetric measurement of acute ICH volume as well as white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) and gray and white matter volumes from the contralateral hemisphere. We tested associations between WMHV and incident delirium using multivariable regression models, and then determined the predictive accuracy of these neuroimaging models via area under the curve (AUC) analysis.

RESULTS: Of 139 patients in our cohort (mean [standard deviation] age 67.3 [17.3] years, 53% male), 58 (42%) patients experienced delirium. In our primary analyses, WMHV was significantly associated with delirium after adjusting for ICH features (odds ratio 1.56 per 10 cm³, 95% confidence interval 1.13-2.13), and this association was strengthened after further adjustment for segmented brain volume in patients with high-resolution scans (odds ratio 1.89 per 10 cm³, 95% confidence interval 1.24-2.86). Neuroimaging-based models predicted delirium with high accuracy (AUC 0.81), especially in patients with Glasgow Coma Scale score > 13 (AUC 0.85) and smaller ICH (AUC 0.91).

CONCLUSIONS: Chronic white matter disease is independently associated with delirium in patients with acute ICH, and neuroimaging biomarkers may have utility in predicting delirium occurrence.

PMID:39562387 | DOI:10.1007/s12028-024-02148-2

Environ Monit Assess. 2024 Nov 19;196(12):1222. doi: 10.1007/s10661-024-13359-7.

ABSTRACT

The investigation of groundwater quality and hydrochemical assessment holds immense significance in safeguarding and ensuring the rational utilization of groundwater resources. This study utilizes groundwater sampling and testing data from the Laiwu region (LWR), encompassing both dry and wet seasons, to delve into the hydrochemical characteristics, ion sources, and overall groundwater quality. The research findings indicate that the groundwater in LWR exhibits weak alkalinity, with the dominant ions being Ca²⁺ followed by Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺, and HCO₃^–, SO₄^2-, NO₃^–, Cl^–, and F^–. The average total dissolved solids (TDS) concentrations during the dry and wet seasons are recorded as 683 mg/L and 679 mg/L, respectively, classifying LWR’s groundwater primarily as hard-fresh water. The spatial pattern of TDS concentration in LWR displays consistency throughout both the dry and wet seasons, with relatively low TDS levels observed in the northern and southeastern regions and higher concentrations in the lower reaches of the Dawen River and nearby Gangcheng. Predominantly, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and HCO₃^– ions in groundwater originate from the dissolution of calcite and dolomite, with the hydrogeochemical process of carbonate rock weathering involving the presence of sulfuric acid. It is noteworthy that human activities significantly impact the chemical composition of groundwater in LWR. Notably, during the dry and wet seasons, the average concentration of NO₃^– in groundwater is 102.81 and 106.61 mg/L respectively, and the analysis shows that agricultural practice is the main source. Furthermore, the calculated average values of the entropy water quality index (EWQI) during those seasons are 58.44 and 57.24, respectively. The EWQI shows good to moderate water quality in most areas, except for a few poor-quality spots in the west. It is worth mentioning that LWR’s groundwater is deemed suitable for agricultural irrigation. These research findings provide valuable insights and serve as a significant reference for the rational development and sustainable utilization of groundwater resources in the LWR region.

PMID:39562385 | DOI:10.1007/s10661-024-13359-7