Simulation of magnetization process and Faraday effect of magnetic bilayer films

We described ferromagnetic film and bilayer films composed of two ferromagnetic layers coupled through antiferromagnetic interfacial interaction by classical Heisenberg model and simulated their magnetization state,magnetic permeability,and Faraday effect at zero and finite temperature by using the Landau–Lifshitz–Gilbert(LLG)equation.The results indicate that in a microwave field with positive circular polarization,the ferromagnetic film has one resonance peak while the bilayer film has two resonance peaks.However,the resonance peak disappears in ferromagnetic film,and only one resonance peak emerges in bilayer film in the negative circularly polarized microwave field.When the microwave field’s frequency exceeds the film’s resonance frequency,the Faraday rotation angle of the ferromagnetic film is the greatest,and it decreases when the thickness of the two halves of the bilayer is reduced.When the microwave field’s frequency remains constant,the Faraday rotation angle fluctuates with temperature in the same manner as spontaneous magnetization does.When a DC magnetic field is applied in the direction of the anisotropic axis of the film,the Faraday rotation angle varies with the DC magnetic field and shows a similar shape of the hysteresis loop.

Is economic fitness helpful in achieving environmental sustainability in BRICS economies?A risk exposure perspective

A country’s ability to create complex goods and diversify its lines of products is essential for addressing all types of vulnerabilities.Quantifying a country’s vulnerability to extreme climatic events,such as droughts,superstorms,and other natural disasters,and its capacity for successful adaption,is an essential global need that has been ignored.This study examines the role of economic fitness(EF)in addressing climate change risk ex‐posure in BRICS countries in the context of the environmental Kuznets curve using panel data from 1995 to 2015.Panel threshold methodology is employed to ascertain the nonlinear relationship between EF and climate change risk exposure(i.e.,Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative Country Index(ND-GAIN)).In addition,empirical associations were estimated using panel-corrected standard errors,Driscoll-Kraay standard errors,and feasible generalized least squares estimation techniques.These findings demonstrated an inverted N shaped link between EF and ND-GAIN.Moreover,even after controlling for significant ND-GAIN influencing variables such as gross domestic product per capita,financial development,and urbanization,our robustness checks revealed significant and consistent findings.

The Relationship between Psychological Vulnerability,Aging Attitudes and Life Meaning in Elderly Patients with Comorbidities

Background:With the rapid aging of China’s population and the increasing prevalence of comorbidities in the elderly,psychological crises have become more common.This study aims to investigate the present status of psychological vulnerability,aging attitudes,and life meaning in elderly patients with comorbidities.Methods:A total of 685 elderly inpatients and outpatients at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between July and December 2022 were selected using the simple random sampling method.Social demographic data were collected,and the Attitudes to aging Questionnaire(AAQ),the Chinese Life Meaning Questionnaire(C-MLQ),and the Psychological Vulnerability Scale(C-PVS)were used for the analysis.A total of 685 questionnaires were received,and 602 valid questionnaires were collected,with an effective rate of 87.88%.Data analysis was performed using SPSS V25.0 and AMOS V24.0.Results:The total scores of psychological vulnerability,aging attitudes,and life meaning were 69.4±12.8,80.2±13.5 and 39.2±8.3,respectively.The psychological vulnerability was significantly negatively correlated with life meaning and aging attitudes(r=-0.351,-0.264;p<0.01).There was a significant positive correlation between aging attitudes and life meaning(r=0.515;p<0.01).Life meaning played a partial mediating role between psychological vulnerability and aging attitudes(β=3.070,p<0.05).Conclusion:This study found that the psychological vulnerability in elderly patients with comorbidities was at the lower level,which was related to the elderly patients’aging attitudes and their current status of life meaning.The level of psychological vulnerability in elderly patients with senile-related comorbidities needs to be further improved.Medical workers should pay attention to the psychological vulnerability of elderly patients and improve the identification of psychological crises of such patients.

Awareness, Practice and Intention to Practice Testicular Self-Examination among Professional Working Males in Ghana

Background: The aetiology of Testicular Cancer (TC) is still unknown to researchers but many of the associated risk factors have been identified. These include family history, age, racial origin, cryptorchidism, urogenital malformations, testicular atrophy, and infertility. Given the lack of scientific data on the causes of the disease, it has been asserted in previous studies that the promotion of awareness and early detection are prerequisites to mitigating risks of metastasis as well as improving survival. This study is to assess the awareness, practice, and intention to practice testicular self-examination among professional working males in Accra. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional design with a structured research instrument was used to collect data from respondants. The purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used to collect data from 300 men at Accra in Ghana. The study was conducted at two (2) Universities and a Senior High school at Accra in Ghana. The data was then analysed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modeling. Results: From the study findings, 37% of male participants rated their knowledge of testicular self-examination and related symptoms as good, 28% of participants practised testicular self-examination monthly, while 65% of respondents expressed their intention to practice monthly testicular self-examination. The findings from logistic regression demonstrated that level of education, age, and marital status of participants had a significant influence on testicular self-examination. Additionally, the multiple linear regression results revealed knowledge and self-efficacy significantly predict testicular self-examination intention. The path coefficient results from the structural equation model are consistent with results from the regression models. Conclusion: This research is the first to investigate testicular self-examination among men in Ghana. The findings revealed awareness and practice of TSE are low among participants. Therefore, the research findings would improve the expertise of physicians and nurses in providing counsel, intervention, and support for patients at risk of testicular cancer.

Effects of ginkgo flavone aglycone on atherosclerosis based on network pharmacology,molecular docking,and in vitro experiments

Background:Ginkgo flavone aglycones(GA),a Ginkgo(Ginkgo biloba)extract,has been proven to have good biological activity in atherosclerosis(AS)treatment.Moreover,its active compounds and the corresponding mechanism for the treatment of AS remain unclear.Methods:To evaluate and identify the potential pharmacological mechanisms of GA in AS treatment,the program Cytoscape was used to generate network mappings of the GA-AS-potential target gene.GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed to further investigate the potential mechanism of AS and the pharmacological properties of GA.A molecular docking approach was utilized to determine the GA components that interact with Akt.In vitro experiments were carried out to identify the anti-atherosclerotic effects of GA by targeting Akt.Results:Network pharmacological research determined that the active components of GA(quercetin,kaempferol,and isorhamnetin)correlated with AS target genes such as AKT1,EGFR,SRC,ESR1,PTGS2,MMP9,KDR,GSK3B,APP,and MMP2,respectively.GO enrichment and KEGG analysis showed that PI3K-Akt signaling may play an important role in GA treatment.Molecular docking experiments indicated that quercetin,kaempferol,and isorhamnetin integrate into the binding pockets of the most potentially beneficial GA-AS target protein(Akt).Consequently,cell experiments were conducted to support the anti-atherosclerotic activity of GA on AS by inhibiting the phosphorylation of AKT1 and its downstream signaling molecules,which regulated the proliferation of HASMCs.Conclusion:Our results detailed GA's active ingredients,potential targets,and molecular basis against AS.GA may exert anti-atherosclerotic effects by suppressing Akt phosphorylation and inhibiting the proliferation of HASMCs.It also proposed a viable approach to determining the scientific foundation and therapeutic mechanism of Chinese herbal medicine extracts in disease therapy.

Association of Thyroid Nodules with Various Elements in Urine and Blood Serum: A Case-Control Study

Thyroid nodules are a common clinical problem caused by various factors,including environmental and nutritional factors and genetic background.The environment can modulate and influence not only the risk of thyroid nodules but also the severity of disease in humans[1].The environment is awash with elements,and all mineral elements,including heavy metals and trace elements,are considered potentially toxic.A significantly higher incidence of thyroid cancer has been reported in populations exposed to low doses of metallic elements in volcanic areas over a long period[2].As research on thyroid disorders continues,it is becoming clear that abnormalities in trace elements in the body can affect the development of thyroid-related disorders.

Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Healthcare Waste Incinerators’ Bottom Ash from Five County Hospitals in Kenya

Health-care waste contains potentially harmful microorganisms and compounds which can infect and affect hospital patients, healthcare workers, the general public and environment. Therefore, management of health care waste requires safe handling, treatment and disposal procedures. While incineration reduces the volume and quantity of waste for final disposal, it leads to the production of fly and bottom ashes laden with toxic incomplete combustion products such as Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs), dioxins, furans and heavy metals. This exposes workers who handle and dispose the bottom ashes, hospital patients, the general public and environment. The goal of this study was to determine the total and individual levels of 16 most prevalent and toxic PAHs. Bottom ash samples were collected from incinerators in five county hospitals in Kenya, namely;Moi-Voi, Narok, Kitale, Makindu and Isiolo. Bottom ash samples were collected over a period of six months from the five hospitals. The samples were then sieved, homogenised and stored at 4°C in amber coloured glass containers. The PAHs were extracted using 30 ml of a hexane-acetone solvent (1:1) mixture by ultrasonication at room temperature (23°C) for 45 minutes. The PAHs were then analyzed with a GC-MS spectrophotometer model (Shimadzu GCMS-QP2010 SE) connected to a computer work station was used for the PAHs analysis. The GC-MS was equipped with an SGE BPX5 GC capillary column (30 m × 0.25 mm × 0.25 μm) for the separation of compounds. Helium was used as the carrier gas at a flow rate of 15.5 ml/minute and 14.5 psi. 1 μl of the sample was injected at 280°C, split mode (10:1). The oven programming was set for a total runtime of 40 minutes, which included: 100°C (2-minute hold);10°C /min rise to 200°C;7°C /min rise to 249°C;3°C /min rise to 300°C (2-minute hold). The interface temperature was set at 290°C. Analysis was done in Selected Ion Monitoring (SIM) mode and the peak areas of each of the PAHs were collected from the chromatograph and used for quantification of the 16 PAHs listed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which included, BaA (benz[a]anthracene: 4 rings), BaP (benzo[a]pyrene: 5 rings), BbF (benzo [b]fluoranthene: 5 rings), BkF (benzo[k]fluoranthene: 5 rings), Chr (chrysene: 4 rings), DbA (dibenz[a,h]anthracene: 5 rings), InP (indeno[1,2,3 - cd] pyrene: 6 rings) and Acp (acenaphthene: 3 rings), Acpy (acenaphthylene: 3 rings), Ant (anthracene: 3 rings), BghiP (benzo[g,h,i]perylene: 6 rings), Flu (fluorene: 3 rings), FluA (fluoranthene: 4 rings), Nap (naphthalene: 2 rings), PhA (phenanthrene: 3 rings) and Pyr (pyrene: 4 rings). Ion source-interface temperature was set at 200°C - 250°C. Internal standards from Sigma Aldrich were used in the analysis and the acquired mass spectra data were then matched against the NIST 2014 library [1] [2]. The mean PAHs concentration in the bottom ashes of each hospital varied broadly from 0.001 mg/kg to 0.4845 mg/kg, and the mean total concentration levels of individual PAHs ranged from 0.0072 mg/kg to 1.171 mg/kg. Low molecular weight PAHs (Phenanthrene, Naphthalene and Fluorene) were predominant in all the hospital wastes whereas Kitale and Narok presented the lowest PAHs concentrations and the lowest number of individual PAHs. Moi/Voi recorded the highest total PAHs concentration at 1.3129 ± 0.0023 mg/kg from a total of 11 PAHs being detected from the bottom ash samples. Narok had only three PAHs being detected at very low concentrations of 0.0041 ± 0.00 mg/kg, 0.0076 ± 0.00 mg/kg and 0.012 ± 0.00 mg/kg for phenanthrene, anthracene and chrysene respectively. This study presents hospital incinerator bottom ash as containing detectable levels of both carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic PAHs. Continued unprotected exposure of hospital workers (waste handlers) to the bottom ash PAHs could be hazardous to their health because of their cumulative effect. Preventive measures e.g. the use of Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be prioritised to minimise direct contact with the bottom ash. The study recommends an upgrade on incinerator technology for efficient combustion processes thus for better pollution control.

Concentration of Copper, Zinc, Lead, Cadmium, and Nickel in the Incinerator Bottom Ash in Five County Hospitals in Kenya

Healthcare wastes contain potentially harmful microorganisms, inorganic and organic compounds that pose a risk to human health and the environment. Incineration is a common method employed in healthcare waste management to reduce volume, quantity, toxicity as well as elimination of microorganisms. However, some of the substances remain unchanged during incineration and become part of bottom ash, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Monitoring of pollution by heavy metals is important since their concentrations in the environment affect public health. The goal of this study was to determine the levels of Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn) Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd) and Nickel (Ni) in the incinerator bottom ash in five selected County hospitals in Kenya. Bottom ash samples were collected over a period of six months. Sample preparation and treatment were done using standard methods. Analysis of the heavy metals were done using atomic absorption spectrophotometer, model AA-6200. One-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to determine whether there were significant differences on the mean levels of Cu, Zn, Pd, Cd and Ni in incinerator bottom ash from the five sampling locations. A post-hoc Tukey’s Test (HSD) was used to determine if there were significant differences between and within samples. The significant differences were accepted at p ≤ 0.05. To standardize the results, overall mean of each metal from each site was calculated. The metal mean concentration values were compared with existing permissible levels set by the WHO. The concentrations (mg/kg) were in the range of 102.27 - 192.53 for Cu, Zn (131.68 - 2840.85), Pb (41.06 - 303.96), Cd (1.92 - 20.49) whereas Ni was (13.83 - 38.27) with a mean of 150.76 ± 77.88 for Copper, 131.66 ± 1598.95 for Zinc, 234.60 ± 262.76 for Lead, 12.256 ± 10.86 for Cadmium and 29.45 ± 18.24 for Nickel across the five sampling locations. There were significant differences between levels determined by one-way ANOVA of Zn (F (4, 25) = 6.893, p = 0.001, p ≤ 0.05) and Cd (F (4, 25) = 5.641, p = 0.02) and none with Cu (F (4, 25) = 1.405, p = 0.261, p ≤ 0.05), Pb (F (4, 25) = 1.073, p = 0.391, p ≤ 0.05) and Ni (F (4, 25) = 2.492, p = 0.069). Results reveal that metal content in all samples exceed the WHO permissible levels for Cu (100 mg/kg), while those for Ni were below the WHO set standards of 50 mg/kg. Levels of Zn in three hospitals exceeded permissible level of 300 mg/kg while level of Pb exceeded WHO set standards of 100 mg/kg in two hospitals. Samples from four hospitals exceeded permissible level for Cd of 3 mg/kg. This study provides evidence that incinerator bottom ash is contaminated with toxic heavy metals to human health and the environment. This study recommends that hospitals should handle the bottom ash as hazardous wastes and there is need to train and provide appropriate personal protective equipment to healthcare workers, waste handlers, and incinerator operators and enforce compliance to existing regulation and guidelines on healthcare waste management to safeguard the environment and human health.

Development and Application of Integrated Indicators for Assessing Healthcare Waste Management Systems in Kenyan Hospitals

Healthcare waste management (HCWM) is an important aspect of healthcare delivery globally because of its hazardous and infectious components that have potential for adverse health and environmental impacts. The paper introduces a set of indicators for assessing HCWM systems in hospitals. These indicators are: HCWM policies and standard operating procedures, management and oversight, logistics and budget support, training and occupational health and safety, and treatment, disposal and waste treatment equipment housing. By plotting a mark on a continuum which is defined as good and poor on the extremes and is connected with all other marks in a spoke arrangement, it’s possible to describe a baseline for HCWM in any specific hospital. This baseline can be used to improve awareness of the actors and policy-makers, compare the same hospital at a different point in time, to compare observations by different evaluators and to track improvements. Results suggest that in Kenya, the application of such indicators is useful for evaluating which priorities should be addressed to improve outcomes in HCWM systems. Systematic sampling technique was used to identify and collect data by use of observational checklist, interviews, visual verification and review of documents and a HCWM assessment tool. The objective is to suggest an integrated management tool as a method to identify prevailing problems with a HCWM system. The method can be replicated in other contexts worldwide, with a focus on the developing world. The integrated indicators focus on management of HCW and not its potential impact on human health and environment, an area recognized to be critical for future research.

Intraoperative single administration of neutrophil peptide 1 accelerates the early functional recovery of peripheral nerves after crush injury

Neutrophil peptide 1 belongs to a family of peptides involved in innate immunity. Continuous intramuscular injection of neutrophil peptide 1 can promote the regeneration of peripheral nerves, but clinical application in this manner is not convenient. To this end, the effects of a single intraoperative administration of neutrophil peptide 1 on peripheral nerve regeneration were experimentally observed. A rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury was established using the clamp method. After model establishment, a normal saline group and a neutrophil peptide 1 group were injected with a single dose of normal saline or 10 μg/mL neutrophil peptide 1, respectively. A sham group, without sciatic nerve crush was also prepared as a control. Sciatic nerve function tests, neuroelectrophysiological tests, and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the nerve conduction velocity, sciatic functional index, and tibialis anterior muscle fiber cross-sectional area were better in the neutrophil peptide 1 group than in the normal saline group at 4 weeks after surgery. At 4 and 8 weeks after surgery, there were no differences in the wet weight of the tibialis anterior muscle between the neutrophil peptide 1 and saline groups. Histological staining of the sciatic nerve showed no significant differences in the number of myelinated nerve fibers or the axon cross-sectional area between the neutrophil peptide 1 and normal saline groups. The above data confirmed that a single dose of neutrophil peptide 1 during surgery can promote the recovery of neurological function 4 weeks after sciatic nerve injury. All the experiments were approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Peking University People's Hospital, China(approval No. 2015-50) on December 9, 2015.

Changes in proteins related to early nerve repair in a rat model of sciatic nerve injury

Peripheral nerves have a limited capacity for self-repair and those that are severely damaged or have significant defects are challenging to repair. Investigating the pathophysiology of peripheral nerve repair is important for the clinical treatment of peripheral nerve repair and regeneration. In this study, rat models of right sciatic nerve injury were established by a clamping method. Protein chip assay was performed to quantify the levels of neurotrophic, inflammation-related, chemotaxis-related and cell generation-related factors in the sciatic nerve within 7 days after injury. The results revealed that the expression levels of neurotrophic factors(ciliary neurotrophic factor) and inflammationrelated factors(intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1, interferon γ, interleukin-1α, interleukin-2, interleukin-4, interleukin-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, prolactin R, receptor of advanced glycation end products and tumor necrosis factor-α), chemotaxis-related factors(cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant-1, L-selectin and platelet-derived growth factor-AA) and cell generation-related factors(granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor) followed different trajectories. These findings will help clarify the pathophysiology of sciatic nerve injury repair and develop clinical treatments of peripheral nerve injury. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Peking University People's Hospital of China(approval No. 2015-50) on December 9, 2015.

Inflammatory bowel disease: A descriptive study of 716 local Chilean patients

AIM: To demographically and clinically characterize inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) from the local registry and update data previously published by our group.METHODS: A descriptive study of a cohort based on a registry of patients aged 15 years or older who were diagnosed with IBD and attended the IBD program at Cl&#x000ed;nica Las Condes in Santiago, Chile. The registry was created in April 2012 and includes patients registered up to October 2015. The information was anonymously downloaded in a monthly report, and the information on patients with more than one visit was updated. The registry includes demographic, clinical and disease characteristics, including the Montreal Classification, medical treatment, surgeries and hospitalizations for crisis. Data regarding infection with Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) were incorporated in the registry in 2014. Data for patients who received consultations as second opinions and continued treatment at this institution were also analyzed.RESULTS: The study included 716 patients with IBD: 508 patients (71%) were diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC), 196 patients (27%) were diagnosed with Crohn&#x02019;s disease (CD) and 12 patients (2%) were diagnosed with unclassifiable IBD. The UC/CD ratio was 2.6/1. The median age was 36 years (range 16-88), and 58% of the patients were female, with a median age at diagnosis of 29 years (range 5-76). In the past 15 years, a sustained increase in the number of patients diagnosed with IBD was observed, where 87% of the patients were diagnosed between the years 2001 and 2015. In the cohort examined in the present study, extensive colitis (50%) and colonic involvement (44%) predominated in the patients with UC and CD, respectively. In CD patients, non-stricturing/non-penetrating behavior was more frequent (80%), and perianal disease was observed in 28% of the patients. There were significant differences in treatment between UC and CD, with a higher use of corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive and biological therapies was observed in the patients with CD (P &#x0003c; 0.05 and P &#x0003c; 0.01). Significant surgical differences were also observed: 5% of the UC patients underwent surgery, whereas 38% of the CD patients required at least one surgery (P &#x0003c; 0.01). The patients with CD were hospitalized more often during their disease course than the patients with UC (55% and 35% of the patients, respectively; P &#x0003c; 0.01). C. difficile infection was acquired by 5% of the patients in each group at some point during the disease course. Nearly half of the patients consulted at the institution for a second opinion, and 32% of these individuals continued treatment at the institution.CONCLUSION: IBD has continued to increase in the study cohort, slowly approaching the level reported in developed countries.

Identification of four differentially expressed genes associated with acute and chronic spinal cord injury based on bioinformatics data

Complex pathological changes occur during the development of spinal cord injury(SCI),and determining the underlying molecular events that occur during SCI is necessary for the development of promising molecular targets and therapeutic strategies.This study was designed to explore differentially expressed genes(DEGs)associated with the acute and chronic stages of SCI using bioinformatics analysis.Gene expression profiles(GSE45006,GSE93249,and GSE45550)were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.SCI-associated DEGs from rat samples were identified,and Gene Ontology and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed.In addition,a protein-protein interaction network was constructed.Approximately 66 DEGs were identified in GSE45550 between 3–14 days after SCI,whereas 2418 DEGs were identified in GSE450061–56 days after SCI.Moreover,1263,195,and 75 overlapping DEGs were identified between these two expression profiles,3,7/8,and 14 days after SCI,respectively.Additionally,16 overlapping DEGs were obtained in GSE450061–14 days after SCI,including Pank1,Hn1,Tmem150c,Rgd1309676,Lpl,Mdh1,Nnt,Loc100912219,Large1,Baiap2,Slc24a2,Fundc2,Mrps14,Slc16a7,Obfc1,and Alpk3.Importantly,3882 overlapping DEGs were identified in GSE932491–6 months after SCI,including 3316 protein-coding genes and 567 long non-coding RNA genes.A comparative analysis between GSE93249 and GSE45006 resulted in the enrichment of 1135 overlapping DEGs.The significant functions of these 1135 genes were correlated with the response to the immune effector process,the innate immune response,and cytokine production.Moreover,the biological processes and KEGG pathways of the overlapping DEGs were significantly enriched in immune system-related pathways,osteoclast differentiation,the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway,and the chemokine signaling pathway.Finally,an analysis of the overlapping DEGs associated with both acute and chronic SCI,assessed using the expression profiles GSE93249 and GSE45006,identified four overlapping DEGs:Slc16a7,Alpk3,Lpl and Nnt.These findings may be useful for revealing the biological processes associated with SCI and the development of targeted intervention strategies.

Efficacy and Tolerability of Long-Acting Injectable Formulation of Nalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg) for Opioid Relapse Prevention: A Multicentre, Open-Label, Randomised Controlled Trial

Objective: To determine the efficacy and tolerability of a long-acting intramuscular formulation of Nalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg) for the treatment of opioid-dependent patients. Design, Setting, and Participants: A 12 weeks, open-label, randomised controlled trial conducted between June 2009-July 2011, at 14 Hospital-based drug clinics, in the 12 countries. Participants were 18 years or older, had Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-5 opioid use disorder. Of the 3200 individuals screened, 3000 (93.7%) adults were randomized 1500 participants to receive injections of Long-acting depot formulations ofNalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg) given intramuscularly once in 12 weeks and 1500participants to receive extended-release Naltrexone (Vivitrol 380 mg), administered intramuscularly every fourth week for 12 weeks. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary endpoints (protocol) were: Confirmed Opioid abstinence (percentage i.e. the number of patients who achieved complete abstinence during week 12). Confirmed abstinence or “opioid-free” was defined as a negative urine drug test for opioids and no self-reported opioid use. Weeks 1 - 4 were omitted from this endpoint to allow for stabilization of abstinence. Secondary end points included a number of days in treatment, treatment retention and craving. The study also investigated, on 275 participants, degree and time course of mu-opioid receptor occupancy following single doses of Nalmefene extended-release injection (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg) as well as the plasma concentration of Nalmefene and Nalmefene-3-O-glucuronide. Safety was assessed by adverse event reporting. Results: Of 3000 participants, mean (SD) age was 27.1 (±4.8) years and 831 (27.7%) were women. 1500 individuals were randomized to receive injections of Long-acting depot formulations of Nalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg) and 1500 to receive injections of extended-release Naltrexone (Vivitrol 380 mg);2088 participants (69.6.0%) completed the trial. Primary endpoints: Confirmed Opioid Abstinence: Complete abstinence was sustained by 86% (n = 1290) of Nalmefene patients (patients treated with Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg, long-acting depot formulations) compared with 43% (n = 645) of patients treated with extended-release Naltrexone 380 mg (Vivitrol), during weeks 5 - 12 (χ2 = 672.34, P Secondary Endpoint: Craving: A statistically and clinically significant reduction in opioid craving was observed with Nalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg, long-acting depot formulations) vs. Naltrexone (extended-release Naltrexone, Vivitrol 380 mg) by week 4 (P =0.0048), which persisted every week through 12 (P < 0.0001). Patients given Nalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg, long-acting depot formulations) had a 75% decrease in craving from baseline to week 12. Patients given a Naltrexone (extended-release Naltrexone, Vivitrol 380 mg) had a 3% increase in craving from baseline to week 12 (Mean change in self-reporting craving). Secondary Endpoint: Treatment Retention: Long-acting intramuscular formulation of Nalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg) helped significantly more patients complete 12 weeks treatment (n = 1245, 83%) compared with extended-release Naltrexone (Vivitrol 380 mg) (n = 570, 38%) (χ2 = 635.53, P < 0.0001). Patients on long-acting intramuscular formulation of Nalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg) had longer treatment retention than patients on extended-release Naltrexone (Vivitrol 380 mg). Concentrations of Nalmefene and Nalmefene-3-O-Glucuronide in Plasma: Analyses were made of 275 study sample. There was no statistically significant difference for plasma nalmefene concentrations between days 2 and 84 (p = 0.416). The plasma concentration of Nalmefene were 20.3 and 28.5 ng/ml and concentrations of nalmefene-3-O-glucuronide were 2.1 and 4.1 ng/ml, respectively. Plasma levels of Nalmefene remained above 20 ng/ml for approximately 12 weeks after administration of Nalmefene, long-acting depot formulations (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg). PET Assessments: Very high mu-opioid receptor occupancy by Nalmefene was detected 1 day after treatments at which time point the occupancy was 100.0% after Nalmefene injection (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg). Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg injection (long-acting intramuscular formulation of Nalmefene) led to a very high occupancy ofmu-opioid receptors in all brain areas examined;the thalamus, caudate nucleus, and frontal cortex. Depending on the brain area mu-opioid receptor occupancy varied between 83.0% and 85.8% 84 days after dosing. Adverse Reactions: Adverse events were similar in opioid-dependent patients treated with long-acting intramuscular formulation of Nalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg) vs. patients treated with extended-release Naltrexone (Vivitrol 380 mg). Conclusions and Relevance: Long-acting depot formulations of Nalmefene (Nalmefene Consta 393.1 mg) was more effective then extended-release Naltrexone (Vivitrol 380 mg) in maintaining short-term abstinence from heroin and should be considered as a treatment option for opioid-dependent individuals.

Operating Experience of Country’s Agricultural Science and Technological Park

Through the analysis of the operation of China’s agricultural science technological and development process, the paper summed up the basic experience of agricultural science technological park and operation mode, in order to run at all levels of agricultural science technological park of science and regional some beneficial references for the development of agricultural economy.

Pien Tze Huang alleviates Concanavalin A-induced autoimmune hepatitis by regulating intestinal microbiota and memory regulatory T cells

BACKGROUND Traditional Chinese medicine has used the drug Pien Tze Huang(PTH),a classic prescription,to treat autoimmune hepatitis(AIH).However,the precise mode of action is still unknown.AIM To investigate the mechanism of PTH in an AIH mouse model by determining the changes in gut microbiota structure and memory regulatory T(mTreg)cells functional levels.METHODS Following induction of the AIH mouse model induced by Concanavalin A(Con A),prophylactic administration of PTH was given for 10 d.The levels of mTreg cells were measured by flow cytometry,and intestinal microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA analysis,while western blotting was used to identify activation of the toll-like receptor(TLR)2,TLR4/nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),and CXCL16/CXCR6 signaling pathways.RESULTS In the liver of mice with AIH,PTH relieved the pathological damage and reduced the numbers of T helper type 17 cells and interferon-γ,tumor necrosis factor-alpha,interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-2,IL-6,and IL-21 expression.Simultaneously,PTH stimulated the abundance of helpful bacteria,promoted activation of the TLR2 signal,which may enhance Treg/mTreg cells quantity to produce IL-10,and suppressed activation of the TLR4/NF-κB and CXCL16/CXCR6 signaling pathways.CONCLUSION PTH regulates intestinal microbiota balance and restores mTreg cells to alleviate experimental AIH,which is closely related to the TLR/CXCL16/CXCR6/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Prevalence of Self-Reported Respiratory Symptoms, Asthma and Chronic Bronchitis in Slum Area of a Rapidly Developing Indian City

Background: Poverty is an important surrogate marker for obstructive airway diseases (OAD). Slum constitutes a habitat wherein various poverty related parameters are perpetually prevalent in the ambience. 1/6th of world population lives in slums yet there is no information regarding their health status in context to asthma and COPD. Aims: We investigated the prevalence of asthma and chronic-bronchitis symptoms and associated risk-factors in slum habitats of Pune city. Methodology: 7062 adult slum-dwellers living in 12 slums of Pune city were cross-sectionally interviewed by local healthcare workers with respiratory health questionnaire which was designed using respiratory symptoms of validated European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS II) questionnaire and International Union against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease (IUATLD) bronchial symptoms questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence of selfreported asthma symptoms was 10% (18 - 40 years: 6.5%;>40 years: 13.5%). The overall prevalence of chronic bronchitis was 8.5% [18 - 40 years: 7% (males: 7%, females: 7%);>40 years: 10% (males: 10%, females: 10%)]. Increasing age (p = 0.00), female gender (p = 0.001), unemployment (0.00) current smoking (p = 0.00) and ex-smoking (p = 0.004) emerged as significant risk factor for asthma. While, ex-smoking (p = 0.004) and low-education status (p = 0.00) emerged as significant risk factors for chronic bronchitis. Conclusion: In slums reporting of asthma and chronic-bronchitis symptoms was much higher than what has been reported earlier from India. Asthma was commonly seen in females, old age, unemployed and ever-smokers. While chronic bronchitis was commonly seen in ex-smokers and illiterate subjects. Chronic bronchitis was equally distributed amongst male and females, despite 0% prevalence of smoking in females.

Liver kidney crosstalk:Hepatorenal syndrome

The dying liver causes the suffocation of the kidneys,which is a simplified way of describing the pathophysiology of hepatorenal syndrome(HRS).HRS is characterized by reversible functional renal impairment due to reduced blood supply and glomerular filtration rate,secondary to increased vasodilators.Over the years,HRS has gained much attention and focus among hepatologists and nephrologists.HRS is a diagnosis of exclusion,and in some cases,it carries a poor prognosis.Different classifications have emerged to better understand,diagnose,and promptly treat this condition.This targeted review aims to provide substantial insight into the epidemiology,pathophysiology,diagnosis,and management of HRS,shed light on the various milestones of this condition,and add to our current understanding.

Adsorption of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) onto Kaolin/Zeolite Based- Geopolymers

This work deals with geopolymers based on local Jordanian resources, namely, kaolin and zeoltitic (phillipsite) tuff. The geopolymers were prepared from these two materials by a reaction with an alkali solution at 80oC. The research group of the present work has demonstrated in previous work that addition of zeolitic tuff to kaolin based-geopolymers increases the adsorption capacity toward Cu(II) metal ion compared to zeolite-free geopolymers, while retaining high mechanical strength. The aim of the present work is to extend our work and to study the effect of changing geopolymers components (zeolitic tuff and kaolin) on their adsorption properties toward Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) metal ions. Both isothermal and kinetic studies revealed that increasing the zeolitic tuff: kaolin ratio improves the adsorption capacity of geopolymer toward metal ions. The adsorption capacity of the geopolymers of 150: 50 zeolites: kaolin content was found to be higher than that of the raw materials themselves. The rate of adsorption of geopolymers was found to be lower than that of raw materials due to kinetic limitations imposed by the formation of geopolymerization network. The selectivity of geopolymers toward adsorption of? metal ions was found to be distinct from raw zeolite and kaolin where the adsorption onto geopolymers was found to be more preferential for small size metal ions (Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II)) than for large size metal ions (Pb(II), Cd(II)). The adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) onto geopolymers did not decrease with competition with other metal ions, which indicates cooperative adsorption. The adsorption process of metal ions onto geopolymers was found to be reversible that indicates that metal ions are bound by physical cation exchange to the exchangeable sites of unreacted phillipsite and new amorphous geopolymer sites. Leaching of metal ions from raw kaolin was much more effective than geopolymers and zeolite because of compact structure of geopolymers.

The associations between resilience and socio-demographic factors in parents who care for their children with congenital heart disease

Objective To examine the resilience of parents of children with congenital heart disease and to investigate socio-demographic factors that may influence parents’resilience.Methods This is a web-based survey study using a cross-sectional design.A purposive sampling method was utilized to recruit 515 parents who care for children with congenital heart disease.Resilience was assessed using the Dispositional Resilience Scale-Ⅱ.Based on expert-interviews,a questionnaire was designed to collect socio-demographic data.Descriptive statistics,factor analysis,and linear regressions were used to analyze data.Results A total of 413 parents completed the survey study.The mean resilience score was 3.75(SD=0.61;range=1.89–4.89)with higher scores indicating higher resilience.The linear regression models demonstrated that parents who had lower education levels and lower gross household income had lower resilience(P<0.05).Conclusions Parents reported resilience that reflected their ability to cope with stressful events and mitigate stressors associated with having and caring for children with congenital heart disease.Lower education levels and lower gross household income are associated with lower resilience.To increase parents’resilience,nursing practice and nurse-led interventions should target screening and providing support for parents at-risk for lower resilience.As lower education level and financial hardship are factors that are difficult to modify through personal efforts,charitable foundations,federal and state governments should consider programs that would provide financial and health literacy support for parents at-risk for lower resilience.