Tag: pubmed

Mar Pollut Bull. 2023 Sep 6;195:115459. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115459. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oil spill is the main cause of marine pollution in the waterbodies with rich oil resources. In this study, we developed and compared the performance of variable-complexity machine-learning models to detect oil spill origin, extent, and movement over large scales. To this end, we trained Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) models by using the statistical, geometrical, and textural features of Sentinel-1 SAR data. Our results in the Persian Gulf showed that CNN is superior to RF and SVM classifiers in oil spill detection, as evidenced by the testing accuracy of 95.8 %, 86.0 %, and 78.9 %, respectively. The results suggested utilizing both ascending and descending orbit pass directions to track the movement of oil spill and the underlying transport rate. The proposed methodology enables the detection of probable leaking tankers and platforms, which aids in identifying other sources of oil pollution than tankers and platforms.

PMID:37683396 | DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115459

J Environ Manage. 2023 Sep 6;345:118872. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118872. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The health of agroecosystems is subsiding unremittingly, and the over-use of chemical fertilizers is one of the key reasons. It is hypothesized that integrating biochar, a carbon (C)-rich product, would be an effective approach to reducing the uses of synthetic fertilizers and securing crop productivity through improving soil properties and nutrient cycling. The bamboo biochar at different quantities (4-12 Mg ha^-1) and combinations with chemical fertilizers were tested in stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) farming in silty clay acidic soil. The integration of biochar at 8 Mg ha^-1 with 100% nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) produced statistically (p ≤ 0.05) higher leaf area index, dry leaf yield, and steviol glycosides yield by about 18.0-33.0, 25.8-44.9, and 20.5-59.4%, respectively, compared with the 100% NPK via improving soil physicochemical properties. Soil bulk density was reduced by 5-8% with biochar at ≥ 8 Mg ha^-1, indicating the soil porosity was increased by altering the soil macrostructure. The soil pH was significantly (p ≤ 0.05) augmented with the addition of biochar alone or in the combination of N because of the alkaline nature of the used biochar (pH = 9.65). Furthermore, integrating biochar at 8 Mg ha^-1 with 100% NPK increased 22.7% soil organic C compared with the sole 100% NPK. The priming effect of applied N activates soil microorganisms to mineralize the stable C. Our results satisfy the hypothesis that adding bamboo biochar would be a novel strategy for sustaining productivity by altering soil physicochemical properties.

PMID:37683384 | DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118872

J Geriatr Oncol. 2023 Sep 6;14(8):101621. doi: 10.1016/j.jgo.2023.101621. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer (PC) is the second commonest malignancy and fifth leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. Older men are more likely to develop PC but are underrepresented in pivotal clinical trials, leading to challenges in treatment selection in the real-world setting. We aimed to examine treatment patterns and outcomes in older Australians with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We identified 753 men with mCRPC within the electronic CRPC Australian Database (ePAD). Clinical data were analysed retrospectively to assess outcomes including time to treatment failure (TTF), overall survival (OS), PSA doubling time (PSADT), PSA₅₀ response rate, and pre-defined adverse events of special interest (AESIs). Descriptive statistics were used to report baseline characteristics, stratified by age groups (<75y, 75-85y and >85y). Groups were compared using Kruskal-Wallis and Chi-square analyses. Time-to-event analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier methods and compared through log-rank tests. Cox proportional hazards univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to evaluate the influence of variables on OS.

RESULTS: Fifty-seven percent of men were aged <75y, 31% 75-85y, and 12% >85y. Patients ≥75y more frequently received only one line of systemic therapy (40% of <75y vs 66% 75-85y vs 68% >85y; P < 0.01). With increasing age, patients were more likely to receive androgen receptor signalling inhibitors (ARSIs) as initial therapy (42% of <75y vs 70% of 75-85y vs 84% of >85y; p < 0.01). PSA₅₀ response rates or TTF did not significantly differ between age groups for chemotherapy or ARSIs. Patients >85y receiving enzalutamide had poorer OS but this was not an independent prognostic variable on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 0.93(0.09-9.35); p = 0.95). PSADT >3 months was an independent positive prognostic factor for patients receiving any systemic therapy. Older patients who received docetaxel were more likely to experience AESIs (18% in <75y vs 37% 75-85y vs 33% >85y, p = 0.038) and to stop treatment as a result (21% in <75y vs 39% in 75-85y; p = 0.011).

DISCUSSION: In our mCRPC cohort, older men received fewer lines of systemic therapy and were more likely to cease docetaxel due to adverse events. However, treatment outcomes were similar in most subgroups, highlighting the importance of individualised assessment regardless of age.

PMID:37683368 | DOI:10.1016/j.jgo.2023.101621

Eur J Med Chem. 2023 Sep 4;260:115791. doi: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115791. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Natural products have been utilized for medicinal purposes for millennia, endowing them with a rich source of chemical scaffolds and pharmacological leads for drug discovery. Among the vast array of natural products, flavonoids represent a prominent class, renowned for their diverse biological activities and promising therapeutic advantages. Notably, their anti-inflammatory properties have positioned them as promising lead compounds for developing novel drugs combating various inflammatory diseases. This review presents a comprehensive overview of flavonoids, highlighting their manifold anti-inflammatory activities and elucidating the underlying pathways in mediating inflammation. Furthermore, this review encompasses systematical classification of flavonoids, related anti-inflammatory targets, involved in vitro and in vivo test models, and detailed statistical analysis. We hope this review will provide researchers engaged in active natural products and anti-inflammatory drug discovery with practical information and potential leads.

PMID:37683361 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejmech.2023.115791

Eur J Radiol. 2023 Sep 4;167:111080. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111080. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to assess the inappropriateness rate of oncological follow-up CT examinations.

METHODS: Out of 7.000 oncology patients referred for follow-up CT examinations between March and October 2022, a random sample of 10 % was included. Radiology residents assessed the appropriateness using the Italian Society of Medical Oncology (AIOM) guidelines, supervised by senior radiologists. Association between inappropriateness and clinical variables was investigated and variables influencing inappropriateness were analyzed through a binary logistic regression.

RESULTS: Three-hundred-eighty-eight examinations (56.1 %) were consistent with AIOM guidelines. An additional 100 (14.5 %) examinations did not follow the recommended schedule but were nevertheless considered appropriate because of suspected recurrence/progression (10.7 %) or adverse event requiring imaging assessment (3.8 %). Two-hundred-four (29.4 %) examinations were rated as inappropriate. Inappropriateness causes were as follows: CT not included in the relevant guideline (n = 47); CT extended to additional anatomical regions (n = 59); CT requested at a shorter time-interval (n = 98). No statistically significant difference was found in age, sex, scan region, and primary cancer between appropriate and inappropriate examinations. The only variable significantly associated with inappropriateness was being referred by a specific hospital unit named “unit 2” in the study (p = 0.009), which was demonstrated to be the only appropriateness independent predictor (OR 1.952).

CONCLUSION: This study shows that majority of oncological patients referred for follow-up CT follows standard guidelines. However, a non-negligible proportion was rated as inappropriate, mainly due to the shorter time-interval. No clinical variable was associated with inappropriateness, except for referral by a specific hospital unit.

PMID:37683331 | DOI:10.1016/j.ejrad.2023.111080

J Pediatr Nurs. 2023 Sep 6;73:130-136. doi: 10.1016/j.pedn.2023.09.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore relationships among psychological safety, the principles of high reliability, and safety reporting intentions in pediatric nursing. Patient safety events are underreported and costly. To promote reporting, many healthcare organizations have adopted the high reliability framework with strategies to foster team psychological safety.

DESIGN: A web-based survey was distributed through the Society of Pediatric Nurses and the National Pediatric Nurse Scientist Collaborative. Data were collected from 244 pediatric nurses using a demographic form, Safety Organizing Scale, Team Psychological Safety Scale, and Intention to Report Safety Events Scale. Data were analyzed using logistic and linear regression.

RESULTS: Psychological safety and perception of working in a high reliability organization (HRO) showed positive statistically significant relationships with reporting intentions (p = 0.034). Odds of nurses achieving highest reporting intention scores increased by a factor of 0.3 with each practice year.

CONCLUSIONS: Psychological safety was found to be a predictor for intention to report safety events among pediatric nurses. Findings also demonstrated that nurses’ perceptions of whether they worked in a high reliability setting also profoundly affect their attitude towards reporting.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Focusing organizational efforts on cultivating psychological safety and embedding the high reliability framework into professional practice may significantly affect attitudes towards safety event reporting.

PMID:37683304 | DOI:10.1016/j.pedn.2023.09.001

J Neuroimmunol. 2023 Aug 30;383:578194. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578194. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Altered immune response during pregnancy has been associated with ASD susceptibility. HLA-G is expressed by the trophoblast at the maternal/fetal interface and induces allogenic tolerance toward the fetus. A 14-bp insertion in the HLA-G 3’UTR (rs371194629) was associated with reduced levels of HLA-G. We aimed to assess the influence of the HLA-G*14 bp indel variant in ASD susceptibility and symptomatology in a Brazilian admixed sample. The insertion genotype (14 bp+/14 bp+) was firstly associated with hetero aggression, but statistical significance was lost after correction (p = 0.035, p_corrected = 0.35). No association between the HLA-G variant and susceptibility to ASD or differential clinical manifestations were observed.

PMID:37683302 | DOI:10.1016/j.jneuroim.2023.578194

Cancer Prev Res (Phila). 2023 Sep 8. doi: 10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-23-0219. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Tobacco use is implicated in the carcinogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which is associated with poor survival if not diagnosed early. Identification of novel non-invasive, highly sensitive, and cost-effective diagnostic and risk assessment methods for OSCC would improve early detection. Here, we report a pilot study assessing salivary and serum miRNAs associated with OSCC and stratified by smoking status. Saliva and paired serum samples were collected from 23 OSCC patients and 21 healthy volunteers, with an equal number of smokers and non-smokers in each group. Twenty head and neck cancer-related miRNAs were quantified by qPCR (dual-labeled LNA probes) and analyzed by Welch’s t-test (95% confidence interval). Four saliva miRNAs, miR-21, miR-136, miR-3928, and miR-29B, showed statistically significant overexpression in OSCC versus healthy controls (p<0.05). MicorRNA-21 was statistically significantly overexpressed in OSCC smokers versus non-smokers (p=0.006). Salivary miR-21, miR-136, and miR-3928, and serum miR-21 and miR-136, showed statistically significant differential expression in early-stage tumors versus controls (p<0.05), particularly miR-21 in smokers (p<0.005). This pilot study provides a novel panel of saliva and serum miRNAs associated with oral cancer. Further validation as a potential useful index of oral cancer, particularly miR-21 in smokers and early-stage OSCC is warranted.

PMID:37683274 | DOI:10.1158/1940-6207.CAPR-23-0219

AIDS Care. 2023 Sep 8:1-9. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2254548. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Indicator condition (IC)-guided HIV testing, i.e., testing when diagnosing a condition associated with HIV, is a feasible and cost-effective testing strategy to identify undiagnosed individuals. Assessing determinants for IC-guided testing may identify opportunities for improvement. A survey study based on the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) was conducted among 163 hospital physicians from five specialties in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Structural equation models were used to determine the association between the TPB domains (i.e., attitude, belief, norms, self-efficacy and behavioural control) and (1) the intention to test as a mediator for HIV testing behaviour (intentional model) and (2) actual HIV testing behaviour (direct model). Both models accounted for the effect of guideline recommendations. Behaviour scored lower than intention on a five-point scale (mean score of 2.8, SD = 1.6 versus 3.8, SD = 1.1; p<0.0001). The direct model had a better fit than the intentional model based on fit statistics. Discrepancies between the determinants most important for intention versus those for behaviour led to the following recommendations: interventions to improve IC-guided testing in hospitals should primarily focus on implementation of guideline recommendations, followed by improving physicians’ attitude towards IC-guided HIV testing and self-efficacy, as these were the most important correlates of actual HIV testing behaviour.

PMID:37683267 | DOI:10.1080/09540121.2023.2254548

AIDS Care. 2023 Sep 8:1-7. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2254547. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a critical intervention for HIV prevention among key populations (KP) in Nigeria. However, little is known about its coverage among adolescent and young key populations (AYKP). Using the 2020 Integrated Biological & Behavioural Surveillance Survey conducted among KP, including female sex workers (FSW), men who have sex with men (MSM), people who inject drugs (PWID), and transgender people (TG), we assessed the awareness and uptake of PrEP among AYKP (15-24 years) in Nigeria. We performed weighted descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses. Of the 6882 AYKP included in this study, 36.1% were aware of PrEP, ranging from 47.9% in MSM to 19.8% in FSW. Compared with FSW, MSM (aOR = 3.7, 95%CI = 3.22-4.35) and TG (aOR = 2.6, 95%CI = 2.18-2.98) had significant higher odds of PrEP awareness. Among those aware of PrEP, 24.5% had ever taken PrEP. The uptake of PrEP varied by KP group: TG (28.1%), MSM (25.3%), PWID (18.0%), and FSW (14.4%). MSM (aOR = 2.6, 95%CI = 1.72-4.07) and TG (aOR = 2.7, 95%CI = 1.71-4.14) had significant higher odds of PrEP uptake relative to FSW. The awareness and uptake of PrEP among AYKP in Nigeria is low. This calls for more awareness creation about PrEP addressing the barriers that limit its uptake.

PMID:37683258 | DOI:10.1080/09540121.2023.2254547