Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Malaria
Measurement of the development level of tea tourism integration, spatiotemporal evolution and obstacle factors in China
Based on panel data from 18 major tea-producing provinces in China from 2013 to 2022, this study constructs an evaluation index system for tea tourism integration. it employs the entropy method, kernel density estimation, Markov chain, and obstacle model to analyze integration levels, spatiotemporal evolution patterns, and obstacle factors. The results show that: (1) China tea tourism integration shows an upward trend nationally, with four tea regions exhibiting a “Jiangnan> South China> Southwest> Jiangbei” developmental hierarchy, where the Southwest region demonstrates the fastest growth. (2) Interregional development disparities are widening, coupled with intraregional imbalances. Provincial development displays “club convergence” characteristics, with low-level areas exhibiting significant spatial spillover effects from neighboring high-level regions. (3) Common obstacle factors prevail across provinces, particularly industrial economic conversion efficiency, constituting the key constraint for integration development.
Enhanced CAR T-Cell Therapy for Relapsed Lymphoma
Equivalence and endothelial safety of temporary intracoronary shunt device: Insights from preclinical porcine and rabbit models
Background This preclinical investigation evaluated the operational equivalence of a temporary intracoronary shunt (TICS) device while documenting patterns of endothelial repair during the perioperative period. Methods Porcine coronary bypass models were established using off-pump (OPCAB) and on-pump beating-heart surgical approaches. Through a triple randomization design, test devices and predicate counterparts were deployed in left/right coronary arteries. Equivalence was determined at postoperative day 7 through tripartite analysis: 1) sequential laboratory measurements (preoperative to 7-day follow-up), 2) histopathological evaluation of vascular specimens, and 3) angiographic assessment. Extreme-sized device validation employed rabbit carotid arteries (small-caliber vascular bed) and abdominal aortae (large-caliber model), with equivalence criteria encompassing hemodynamic stability (flow velocity, trans-device pressure differentials) and microarchitectural preservation (endothelial integrity, internal elastic lamina continuity). Results In the conventional device cohort (12 target vessels), no perioperative type 5 myocardial infarction occurred. Postoperative CTA confirmed patent lumens and unobstructed distal flow in all vessels. Cardiac biomarkers (troponin, CK-MB, myoglobin) showed no significant differences at preoperative, 4h, 8h, 24h, 72h, or 7-day timepoints (P ≥ 0.05). For extreme-sized devices, hemodynamic parameters (mean proximal/distal pressure: test vs. predicate, P ≥ 0.05) and endothelial outcomes, including elastic lamina injury scores, demonstrated equivalence between test and predicate devices. Conclusion Functional parity between TICS and predicate devices was established in both porcine and lagomorph models, with observed endothelial alterations demonstrating transient characteristics limited to the acute perioperative window.
Ciprofloxacin versus Aminoglycoside–Ciprofloxacin for Bubonic Plague
Kinetic turbulence drives MHD equilibrium change via 3D reconnection
Spatiotemporal, environmental, and behavioral predictors of Varroa mite intensity in managed honey bee apiaries
Honey bees contribute substantially to the world economy through pollination services and honey production. In the U.S. alone, honey bee pollination is estimated to contribute at least $11 billion annually, primarily through the pollination of specialty crops. However, beekeepers lose about half of their hives every season due to disease, insecticides, and other environmental factors. Here, we explore and validate a spatiotemporal statistical model of Varroa destructor mite burden (in mites/300 bees) in managed honey bee colonies, exploring the impact of both environmental factors and beekeeper behaviors. We examine risk factors for Varroa infestation using apiary inspection data collected across the state of Illinois over 2018–2019, and we test the models using inspection data from 2020–2021. After accounting for spatial and temporal trends, we find that most environmental factors (e.g., floral quality, insecticide load) are not predictive of Varroa intensity, while lower numbers of nearby apiaries and several beekeeper behaviors (e.g., supplemental feeding and mite monitoring/treatment) are protective against Varroa. Interestingly, while monitoring and treating for Varroa is protective, treating without monitoring is no more effective than not treating at all. This is an important result supporting Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches.
Lead Contamination in Milwaukee Schools — The Latest Episode in an Ongoing Toxic Pandemic
Triethylamine inhibits influenza A virus infection and growth via mechanisms independent of viral neuraminidase and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase
Triethylamine (Et3N) is a proton (H⁺) acceptor that is widely used in various industrial organic synthesis processes, including the production of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and polymers. Inhalation of high Et3N concentrations can damage human respiratory tract and lungs. Given the compound’s known reactivity and membrane-penetrating properties, we hypothesized that non-toxic concentrations of Et₃N may exert modulatory effects on virus–host interactions in epithelial cells. We thus investigated the anti-influenza activity of Et3N and found that it enhanced the viability of influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 virus-infected Madin–Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Non-cytotoxic Et3N concentrations reduced the number of infected cells and suppressed influenza A virus nucleoprotein expression as well as viral gene and antiviral host gene upregulation in infected MDCK cells. Selectivity index values of Et₃N against influenza A virus infection, ranging from approximately 10 to over 50. These findings indicated that Et3N inhibited influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 viral infections. Additionally, Et3N suppressed influenza A H1N1 and H3N2 virus titers in the infected MDCK cell culture supernatant, suggesting that it inhibited viral growth in infected cells. This implies that Et3N may suppress influenza A virus release and/or replication by targeting viral or host cell factors. However, Et3N did not inhibit influenza A viral neuraminidase or RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity, which are involved in viral release and replication, respectively. These results suggest that Et3N targets other viral proteins or host cell factors essential for influenza A virus growth. Our findings demonstrate that Et3N exerts anti-influenza activity, providing new insights into the development of antiviral agents based on Et3N skeleton.
<i>ER</i> and Me
The effect of macroeconomic shocks on non-performing loans and credit risk in the iranian banking system using time-varying parameter vector autoregressions
The increase in macroeconomic uncertainty leads to inefficiency in the financial and banking sectors, resulting in a rise in Non-Performing Loans (NPLs). When macroeconomic uncertainty increases, financial institutions experience higher inefficiencies, reflected in increased NPLs, and with proper management solutions, the economy can move toward sustainability. This research analyzes the effect of severe macroeconomic shocks on the NPLs of the Iranian banking system using the Time-Varying Parameter Vector Autoregressions (TVP-VAR) model and a Panel Data Model. The study utilizes data from 2007 to 2021 on key macroeconomic indicators such as economic growth rate, inflation rate, interest rate, unemployment rate, and exchange rate, along with the ratio of Non-Current Claims to Total Facilities as an index of credit risk and the ratio of loans to total assets as a risk-taking index for banks. Our innovation lies in analyzing these variables dynamically, accounting for their correlation and mutual impact. The findings indicate that a 1% increase in inflation leads to a 0.0061% increase in NPLs, while a 1% rise in the unemployment rate results in a 0.0182% increase in NPLs. Conversely, a 1% increase in GDP growth reduces NPLs by 0.0036%. Furthermore, shocks to interest rates, exchange rates, and economic growth increase credit risk, with a 1% interest rate shock raising the default rate from 7.8% to 9.2% over time.
First-Line Camizestrant for Emerging <i>ESR1</i> -Mutated Advanced Breast Cancer
Risk factors for contracting malaria in six wards of Mudzi District, Zimbabwe: A case control-study
Despite a significant decline in burden in the last two decades, malaria remains a significant global public health threat. Vector behaviour, climate, ecology, human economic and social behaviour, and quality of housing are some of the established predictors for contracting malaria. Zimbabwe has recorded a significant decline in malaria burden, however, districts like Mudzi continue to experience persistent malaria transmission despite well-performing indoor residual spraying programs. Persistent malaria transmission despite high IRS coverages point to human socio-economic behavior and health system factors, which have not been fully investigated. We therefore conducted this unmatched case-control study to identify human socio-economic, behavioural, and health system primary factors responsible for persistent malaria transmission in the district. We recruited 94 cases and 91 controls into the study. Cases were randomly recruited from health facility malaria treatment registers, whilst controls were neighbors of a case randomly recruited from a village household register. A case was defined as an individual residing in a selected village with a positive RDT test result. A control was an individual with no recorded positive RDT result recruited from the same village as a case. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics of participants, behavior, perception of quality of health services, and knowledge on malaria causes, symptoms, and prevention. A key information guide was used to acquire perceptions of health managers on primary factors driving malaria in the district, as well as the performance of malaria control and treatment services. Kobo Collect was used for real-time data collection. Quantitative data were analyzed using STATA 13 (StataCorp LLC) to generate frequencies and odds ratios. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify independent risk factors for malaria. Independent risk factors for contracting malaria were: engaging in night outdoor social and religious activities (AOR = 8.13; 95% CI,1.74–37.90), and having a garden (AOR = 4.51; 95% CI,1.55–13.12). Wearing full body clothing at night (AOR = 0.13;95% CI,0.03–0.0.53), and sleeping in a sprayed room (AOR = 0.04; 95% CI,0.01–0.31) were protective for contracting malaria. The majority of cases (96.74%) and controls (92.22%) had good knowledge of malaria transmission and preventative measures. Despite high knowledge, outdoor religious activities and outdoor socialization were significantly associated with contracting malaria. Increased night outdoor activity increases the likelihood of vector-human contact away from IRS-protected spaces. Sustaining IRS and intensifying integrated, targeted community engagement and malaria awareness programs will be key in eliminating malaria in Mudzi.
Testosterone Treatment in Middle-Aged and Older Men with Hypogonadism
Diagnostic accuracy evaluation of a point-of-care antigen test for SARS-CoV-2 and influenza in UK primary care (RAPTOR-C19)
Objectives To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the Roche SARS-CoV-2 & Flu A/B Rapid Antigen Test at the point of care. Design Prospective diagnostic accuracy study. Setting 17 primary care practices in England. Participants 500 individuals with symptoms consistent with possible SARS-CoV-2 or influenza infection identified upon presentation to primary care or via medical note review. Primary and secondary outcome measures Sensitivity, specificity and predictive values, compared to a laboratory reference standard of real-time reverse transcription PCR, using samples collected using a combined nasal and oropharyngeal swab. Results Of 481 participants with available index and reference test results, 5.6% (27/481) were reference standard-positive for SARS-CoV-2, 11.4% (55/481) for Influenza A and 1.9% (9/481) for Influenza B. The sensitivity of the antigen test to detect SARS-CoV-2 was 70.4% (19/27, 95% CI 49.6–86.2%) and specificity was 99.3% (451/454, 95%CI 98.1–99.9%). For Influenza A, sensitivity was 29.1% (16/55, 95% CI 17.6–42.9%) and specificity 98.6% (420/426, 97.0–99.5%), and for Influenza B, sensitivity was 22.2% (2/9, 2.8–60.0%) and specificity 98.1% (463/472, 96.4–99.1%). Conclusions In a primary care population of symptomatic individuals, the assay was highly specific and had moderate sensitivity to detect SARS-CoV-2, but did not detect the majority of influenza infections. Registration ISRCTN14226970.
Xenon — Propelling Climbers to the Summits of the World’s Highest Mountains?
Higher fall rates and broader kinematic diversity in bilateral versus unilateral unconstrained slips
Identifying and categorizing slip types by their risk level is essential for developing effective training protocols to prevent slip-induced falls. While previous research has thoroughly examined various slip types in sagittally constrained and unconstrained unilateral slips, little is known about the broader range of unconstrained unilateral or bilateral slips that closely mirror real-world conditions. In this study, we addressed three primary questions: (1) Do bilateral slips produce higher fall rates than unilateral slips? (2) Do bilateral slips exhibit greater slip diversity? (3) Does separating diverse slips by slip type reveal differences in severity, such as whole-body angular momentum and foot velocities? We administered three sudden, unconstrained unilateral or bilateral slips, using a wearable perturbation device, during over-ground walking to 20 younger adults (age: 27 ± 4.71 years in the unilateral group, 26.5 ± 4.03 years in the bilateral group), with whole-body kinematics and ground reaction forces recorded. Probabilistic Graphical Models assessed slip diversity and severity for each group, while multivariate general linear models examined whole-body angular momentum and average foot velocities after trailing leg touchdown across slip types. Six falls (21.42% fall rate) occurred in the bilateral slip group, whereas no falls were observed in the unilateral group, indicating that bilateral slips are more severe. Entropy analyses showed that bilateral slips had 21.44% greater outcome diversity compared to unilateral slips. We identified three slip types, high, medium, and low severity, based on frontal and sagittal foot movements following trailing foot touchdown. These categories differed significantly in whole-body angular momentum and foot velocities, suggesting distinct severities and underlying biomechanics. Future studies should examine whether different slip contexts (unilateral vs. bilateral) and slip types demand unique coordination strategies for fall prevention.