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Bacteriological quality of drinking water and its associated factors in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Introduction Drinking contaminated water is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in Sub-Saharan Africa, where access to safe drinking water is limited. Although numerous studies have investigated the bacteriological quality of drinking water in Ethiopia, their findings have been inconsistent and varied, hindering the implementation of effective water quality monitoring. Moreover, there is a lack of nationwide assessment of the bacteriological quality of drinking water in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the bacteriological quality of drinking water and its associated factors in Ethiopia. Methods An international electronic database, including PubMed, Science Direct, Global Health, CINAHL, African Journals Online, HINARI, and Google Scholar was employed to retrieve the relevant articles. The study adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA) guidelines. A random-effects model was used to estimate the pooled effect size, and the Egger regression model was employed using STATA 14 software to assess potential publication bias. Results A total of 26 studies involving 7,962 water samples met the eligibility criteria for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of at least one bacteriological contamination of drinking water was 52.26% (95%CI: 39.09–65.43), with extreme heterogeneity (I2 = 99.7%; p-value < 0.001). The pooled prevalence of total and fecal coliform in drinking water was 49.55% (95% CI: 34.88–64.23) and 44.27% (95%CI: 34.36–54.19), respectively. 14.13% of the water source was at a very high sanitary risk level (unfit for drinking), with significant heterogeneity (I2 = 94.1%, p< 0.001). The absence of household-level water treatment (OR = 3.3; 95%CI: 1.28–5.32) and drawing water using dipping methods (OR = 4.52; 95%CI: 1.71–7.34) were determinant factors for bacteriological contamination of drinking water. Conclusion We found that the bacteriological quality of drinking water did not comply with the World Health Organization and Ethiopia’s standard guidelines for drinking water, which call for urgent intervention. One out of seven water sources was at a high sanitary risk level, which could increase the risk of infectious disease in the country. The absence of household-level water treatment and drawing water using dipping was a significant factor in the bacteriological quality of drinking water. Based on these findings, the water supply and sewerage authority should prioritize regular monitoring of the bacteriological quality of drinking water.
Long-term impact of tillage on microbial communities of an Eastern European Chernozem
Incorporating earned value management into income statements to improve project management profitability and elevate application in the business and management
Our goal is to improve Project Management (PM) profitability and reduce discrepancies in information among stakeholders, which can result in conflicts. This will be accomplished by incorporating Earned Value Management (EVM) with the Income Statement and incorporating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) with the work breakdown structure (WBS). These incorporations will streamline information sharing between PM, other management professionals, and the stakeholders, ultimately fostering the application of PM within broader business and management contexts. We drew on theories from Project, Operations, Financial Management, Agency Theory, and the Theory of Performance Frontiers. We conducted multiple case studies in a shipbuilding corporation with 25 projects and an aircraft manufacturing corporation with 20 projects. Our analysis involved both qualitative and quantitative methods, ensuring the accuracy and practicality of our hypotheses and instilling confidence in our research findings. This integration addresses the information gap on profitability for non-project management professionals, empowering stakeholders to enhance project performance. This integration benefits the company by allowing the project manager and stakeholders to gain real-time insights into the project’s profitability, which enables continuous optimization of daily EBITDA by improving efficiency and productivity to achieve the project’s profitability target. This study and its innovative findings originate from the author’s unique approach, which is a significant contribution to the field of Project Management. This research focused on project management using EVM in for-profit organizations. Integrating EVM in the income statement also facilitates PM application in other management systems.
Serum miRNA-101 expression signature as non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for Hepatitis C virus—associated hepatocellular carcinoma in Egyptian patients
AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality globally due to HCC late diagnosis and limited treatment options. MiRNAs (miRNAs) emerged as potential biomarkers for various diseases, including HCC. However, the value of miRNA-101 as a serum biomarker for HCV-induced HCC has not been fully investigated. Our study aims to investigate the miRNA-101 differential expression in Egyptian HCV-induced HCC patients’ serum versus HCV liver cirrhosis (LC) as prospective diagnostic biomarkers compared to alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Blood samples were collected for clinical chemistry profile, liver function, and serum AFP investigations. The serum miR-101 expression levels were evaluated using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) in 100 Egyptian subjects: 40 HCV-induced HCC, 40 HCV-induced cirrhosis, and 20 healthy controls. HCC patients showed significantly higher TB, DB, and AFP levels than those cirrhosis and control groups, whereas ALB and Total Protein exhibited significantly reduced levels. AFP sensitivity and specificity in differentiating HCC reported 60 and 67%, respectively, at the cut-off values of 7ng/dl. miR-101 shows fold change upregulation in HCC patients (P < 0.0001) compared to LC and control groups. ROC curve demonstrated miR-101 (AUC) of 0.9556, sensitivity 92.5%, and specificity 97.5%, highlighting the miR-101 diagnostic potential as a biomarker for HCC detection. Elevated miR-101 levels in HCC are significantly correlated with a higher number and larger size of focal lesions, advanced BCLC staging, and Child–Pugh score. These findings highlight the utility of miR-101 as a predictive and diagnostic non-invasive biomarker for HCV-related HCC from cirrhotic populations. More research is warranted to validate the clinical validity of miR-101 and explore underlying mechanisms in HCV-HCC progression.
Disparities in time to treatment initiation of invasive lung cancer among Black and White patients in Tennessee
Background Early initiation of treatment for lung cancer has been shown to improve patient survival. The present study investigates disparities in time to treatment initiation of invasive lung cancer within and between Black and White patients in Tennessee. Methods A population-based registry data of 42,970 individuals (Black = 4,480 and White = 38,490) diagnosed with invasive lung cancer obtained from the Tennessee Cancer Registry, 2005–2015, was analyzed. We conducted bivariate ANOVA tests to examine the difference in time to treatment initiation among independent factors, and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models to identify independent factors that influence median time to treatment initiation after diagnosis. Results When considering the estimate of the proportion of time to treatment initiation based on the combined influence of all independent factors (sex, age, race, marital, county of residence, health insurance, cancer stage, and surgical treatment), Black patients were generally more at risk of delayed treatment compared to Whites. Black patients aged <45 years (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.01–1.94) and married White patients (aHR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.07–1.18) had the highest increased risk of late treatment among their respective racial subgroups. In the general sample, patients with private health insurance had (aHR = 1.08; 95% CI = 1.01–1.16) higher risk of late treatment beyond 2.7 weeks compared to self-pay/uninsured patients. This was consistent among both Black and White subsamples. Patients with localized and regional lung cancer stages had a decreased risk of delayed treatment compared to those diagnosed at the distant stage among both Black and White patients. Conclusions Black patients were often at greater risk of late initiation of treatment for invasive lung cancer in Tennessee. Additional research is needed to understand factors influencing time to treatment initiation for Black patients in Tennessee. Further, cancer care resources are needed in Black communities to ensure timely treatment of invasive lung cancer, reduce disparities, and promote equitable care for all cancer patients.
New thiazole derivative as a potential anticancer and topoisomerase II inhibitor
Abstract To shed light on the significance of thiazole derivatives in the advancement of cancer medication and to contribute to therapeutic innovation, we have designed the synthesis and antiproliferative activity investigation of 5-(1,3-dioxoisoindolin-2-yl)-7-(4-nitrophenyl)-2-thioxo-3,7-dihydro-2H-pyrano[2,3-d] thiazole-6-carbonitrile, the structure of thiazole derivative was confirmed by spectroscopic techniques UV, IR and NMR. The cytotoxic activity (in vitro) of the new hybrid synthesized compound on five human cancer cell lines; human liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2), colorectal carcinoma (HCT-116), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), and epithelioid carcinoma (Hela), and a normal human lung fibroblast (WI-38) was studied using MTT assay. The compound exhibited a strong cytotoxicity effect against HepG-2 and MCF-7. The interaction of the newly synthesized compound with calf-thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was investigated at pH 7.2 by using UV–Vis absorption measurements, also, molecular docking was carried out to investigate the DNA binding affinity of the proposed compound with the prospective target, DNA (PDB ID: 1d12). Finally, molecular docking was carried out to examine the binding patterns with the prospective target, DNA-Topo II complex (PDB-code: 3QX3). Results indicated that the investigated compound strongly binds to CT-DNA via intercalative mode, and correlated with those obtained from molecular docking and in agreement with that of in vitro cytotoxicity activity.
Being “resilient” and achieving “resilience”: From governmental discourses to the national research agenda in the contexts of food insecurity and cost of living
The concept of ‘resilience’ is pervasive, permeating academic disciplines and political discourses. This paper considers (i) the construal of ‘resilience’ in the contexts of food insecurity and cost-of-living in governmental discourses in the United Kingdom (UK); (ii) to what extent the political representations are reflected in research funding calls of UK national funding bodies, thus showing possibility of shaping research agendas; and (iii) to what extent official uses of ‘resilience’ reflect lay understandings. We are combining a corpus-based discourse analysis of UK governmental discourses and research funding calls with a study of focus group discussions. Representations of ‘resilience’ are further compared with those available in general English corpora. We are observing a shift in the use of ‘resilience’: from an individual psychological attribute to a primarily socioeconomic and environmental characteristic. Funding calls construe resilience in relation to communities, reflecting economy and environment adaptability, whereas governmental discourses frame references to individuals in terms of ‘vulnerability’. Focus groups reveal divergent conceptions of ‘resilience’, which may lead to potential misunderstandings. While this variety of uses may be productive in political discourses for rhetorical purposes, there is a need for specificity in shaping research and in public-facing communications.
Key features and guidelines for the application of microbial alpha diversity metrics
AbstractStudies of microbial communities vary widely in terms of analysis methods. In this growing field, the wide variety of diversity measures and lack of consistency make it harder to compare different studies. Most existing alpha diversity metrics are inherited from other disciplines and their assumptions are not always directly meaningful or true for microbiome data. Many existing microbiome studies apply one or some alpha diversity metrics with no fundamentals but also an unclear results interpretation. This work focuses on a theoretical, empirical, and comparative analysis of 19 frequently and less-frequently used microbial alpha diversity metrics grouped into 4 proposed categories, including key features of every analyzed metric with their mathematical assumptions, to provide a deeper understanding of the existing metrics and a practical implementation guide for future studies. Key metrics that should be required in microbiome analysis include richness, phylogenetic diversity, entropy, dominance of a few microbes over others, and an estimate of unobserved microbes. Collectively, these metrics contribute to a comprehensive set of analyses characterizing samples, allowing the determination of key aspects that might be otherwise obscured by partial or biased information. These guidelines enable further detailed analysis by each author according to their specific interests and clinical trials. Several practical examples are provided to illustrate how these recommendations improve the quality and depth of information obtained, facilitating better interpretation when working with microbiome data. These guidelines can be applied to both existing and future research studies, enhancing the standardization, consistency, and robustness of the analyses conducted. This approach aims to improve the capture of biological diversity, leading to better interpretations and insights.
Age-related disparities in national maternal mortality trends: A population-based study
Objective An upward trend in maternal age has been observed in the United States (US) over the last twenty years. The study objective was to examine the association of maternal age with maternal mortality in the US and examine temporal trends in mortality by maternal age. Methods A retrospective population-based analysis in the US between 2000–2019 was conducted using records from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “Mortality Multiple Cause” and “Birth Data” files. Annual incidence and period trends in maternal deaths were calculated using the annual maternal deaths over annual live births across age groups. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between maternal age and risk of maternal mortality and calculate temporal changes in risk of mortality over the study period. Results Between 2000–2019, 21,241 deaths were observed in women during pregnancy and childbirth for an average incidence of 26.3 maternal deaths/100,000 births (95% CI 21.8–31.2). Of all deaths, 6,870 (32.3%) were in women ≥35 years, while only 15.1% of live births were attributed to women ≥35 years. Compared with women 25–29 years of age, there was a significantly greater risk of maternal mortality among women 35–39 (OR 1.60, 1.53–1.67), 40–44 (3.78, 3.60–3.99), 45–49 (28.49, 26.49–30.65) and 50–54 (343.50, 319.44–369.37). Risk of mortality increased over time, with the greatest rise in women ≥35 years. Conclusion In the US, maternal mortality increased during the past two decades, especially in women ≥35 years. Given these findings, targeted strategies to reduce the increasing maternal mortality should become a priority.
Biomechanical coordination and variability alters following repetitive movement fatigue in overhead athletes with painful shoulder
Navigating technological innovation and rising costs: Assessing economic performance in Chinese manufacturing
Economic performance is an important indicator of the efficiency and quality of a company’s production, which is closely related to the profitability of the company and is crucial for the development of the manufacturing industry.This paper aims to develop a theoretical framework for assessing economic performance within the Chinese manufacturing industry. It achieves this by incorporating inputs, outputs, and energy consumption costs into the production function. By analyzing manufacturing data from 2000 to 2021, it quantifies the impact of various factors, including labor costs and technological advancements, on economic performance. The findings highlight technological progress as the primary driver of economic growth within the Chinese manufacturing sector. Notably, there exists a U-shaped relationship between technical progress and economic performance, suggesting nuanced dynamics at play. Contrary to expectations, the rate of change in per capita wages shows no significant positive impact on economic performance. However, technical progress in the eastern and central regions exhibits a capital bias and positively influences economic performance. Similarly, a U-shaped relationship characterizes the relationship between the western region and manufacturing industry performance. These results underscore the crucial role of technological innovation in sustaining economic performance amid challenges such as rising labor and environmental costs. Emphasizing the reliance on scientific and technological progress emerges as imperative for enhancing the industry’s economic resilience and growth.
A reduction in effective population size has not relaxed purifying selection in the human population of Eivissa (Balearic Islands)
Exploring LGBTQ+ youth well-being: Utilizing a mixed-method approach to uncover insights, needs, and strategies of LGBTQ+ youth in Northwest Arkansas
Objective This study investigates the well-being and needs of LGBTQ+ youth in Northwest Arkansas, aiming to understand factors influencing their quality of life and inform supportive policies and practices. Methods This exploratory, descriptive evaluation used a sequential explanatory mixed methods design to explore LGBTQ+ youth well-being and needs in Northwest Arkansas. 218 online survey respondents and six interviewees under 21 who self-identified as LGBTQ+ participated. Adult stakeholders (n = 16) also completed complementary interviews providing their perceptions of the needs and well-being of LGBTQ+ youth in the area. Results The findings highlight the crucial need for confidantes (82.5% of respondents) and a sense of safety within homes (80.3%). Notably, 51.8% sought mental health care. The qualitative interviews uncovered five themes regarding LGBTQ+ youth’s perceived quality of life, echoed in additional perspectives from adult stakeholders. Conclusions While many of the participating youth felt safe and supported at the time of data collection, enhancing well-being for LGBTQ+ youth beyond the study’s context requires strategies such as promoting community acceptance, creating supportive spaces, and enhancing empathetic engagement among adults. Adult stakeholders were keenly aware of the roles that politics and education played along with the importance of access to resources and safe spaces. These findings support inclusive policies and programs to foster a more equitable environment in the state and beyond.
Topological analysis and predictive modeling of amino acid structures with implications for bioinformatics and structural biology
Prevalence and associations of anisometropia with spherical ametropia, cylindrical power, age, and sex, based on 134,603 refractive surgery candidates
Purpose To examine the prevalence and associations of anisometropia with spherical ametropia, cylindrical power, age, and sex. Methods Anisometropia was analyzed for subjective refraction. In total, 134,603 refractive surgery candidates were included in the period from 2010 to 2020 at the CARE Vision Refractive Centers in Germany. Our study was approved by the local ethics committee at the University in Duesseldorf (approval date: February 9, 2021) and conducted according to the tenets of the Declaration of Helsinki and Good Clinical Practices Guidelines. The treatment contract included explicit patient consent to use medical data for scientific purposes. Correlations between anisometropia and explanatory variables were analyzed using the chi-squared test (χ2 test), nonparametric Kruskal–Wallis or Mann–Whitney U-tests, and binomial logistic regression. Power vector analysis was applied for further analysis of cylindrical power. Results The median level of anisometropia (Asubj) in the whole population was 0.38 D. The prevalence of Asubj was 17.9%. In hyperopes, all explanatory variables (spherical ametropia, cylindrical power, age, sex) were independently associated with anisometropia. Asubj decreased with increasing cylindrical ametropia: an increase in cylindrical power by 7.8 D reduced the chance of observing anisometropia by half. It was also associated with male sex. Asubj decreased by half with a 16.7 D increase in spherical power and an increase in age by 22.7 years. In myopes, cylindrical power was most strongly associated with anisometropia: an increase in (negative) cylindrical power by 2.15 D doubled the chances of observing anisometropia in myopes. In addition, advancing age (double chance with an increase of 38.3 years), increasing spherical power (double chance with an increase of 8.15 D), and female sex correlated positively with increasing anisometropia in myopes. Conclusions This retrospective analysis gives evidence for the independent association between anisometropia and spherical power, cylindrical power, age, and sex in myopic refractive surgery candidates. The relation of anisometropia with age was positive in myopes but negative in hyperopes. The analysis of sex revealed a positive relation of female sex and anisometropia in myopes and furthermore revealed a positive relation of male sex and anisometropia in hyperopes. Further clinical research into the underlying mechanisms behind our findings is indicated.
Double layers optimal scheduling of distribution networks and photovoltaic charging and storage station cluster based on leader follower game theory
Molecular dynamics simulation based prediction of T-cell epitopes for the production of effector molecules for liver cancer immunotherapy
Liver cancer is the sixth most frequent malignancy and the fourth major cause of deaths worldwide. The current treatments are only effective in early stages of cancer. To overcome the therapeutic challenges and exploration of immunotherapeutic options, broad spectral therapeutic vaccines could have significant impact. Based on immunoinformatic and integrated machine learning tools, we predicted the potential therapeutic vaccine candidates of liver cancer. In this study, machine learning and MD simulation-based approach are effectively used to design T-cell epitopes that aid the immune system against liver cancer. Antigenicity, molecular weight, subcellular localization and expression site predictions were used to shortlist liver cancer associated proteins including AMBP, CFB, CDHR5, VTN, APOBR, AFP, SERPINA1 and APOE. We predicted CD8+ T-cell epitopes of these proteins containing LGEGATEAE, LLYIGKDRK, EDIGTEADV, QVDAAMAGR, HLEARKKSK, HLCIRHEMT, LKLSKAVHK, EQGRVRAAT and CD4+ T-cell epitopes of VLGEGATEA, WVTKQLNEI, VEEDTKVNS, FTRINCQGK, WGILGREEA, LQDGEKIMS, VKFNKPFVF, VRAATVGSL. We observed the substantial physicochemical properties of these epitopes with a significant binding affinity with MHC molecules. A polyvalent construct of these epitopes was designed using suitable linkers and adjuvant indicated significant binding energy (>-10.5 kcal/mol) with MHC class-I and II molecule. Based on in silico cloning, we found the considerable compatibility of this polyvalent construct with the E. coli expression system and the efficiency of its translation in host. The system-level and machine learning based cross validations showed the possible effect of these T-cell epitopes as potential vaccine candidates for the treatment of liver cancer.
Design and optimization of hollow microneedle spacing for three materials using finite element methods
Creating a culture, not just a space—A qualitative investigation into reflective practice groups in inpatient mental health settings from the perspectives of facilitators and attendees
Background Working in inpatient mental health settings is often characterised by highly emotive work and staff shortages. Despite the suggested benefits of reflective practice groups on staff well-being and clinical practice across healthcare settings, to date, there have been limited empirical studies on reflective practice groups in inpatient mental health settings, especially on group engagement and improvement. Methods We interviewed fifteen participants, including both facilitators and attendees of reflective practice groups. Participants were from eight inpatient mental health wards across two National Health Service settings in the UK. We analysed interview transcripts using thematic analysis. Result We deductively organised the data into themes and subthemes under three overarching domains–“Impact”, “Factors on Engagement”, and “Improvement”. Theme development was generated inductively from the data. For impacts, we found reflective practice groups may bolster staff reflective capacity and team cohesion. The groups may help attendees create appropriate distance from their emotions and overcome power hierarchies. We discovered that the availability of reflective practice, sense of containment in groups, and team composition may influence group facilitation and engagement. For improvements, different measures could be adopted to improve access and engagement of staff with difficulties attending. Facilitators may benefit from more support to establish a reflective culture and experiment with new ways of facilitating. Discussion Our findings add to the growing evidence base of the potential value of reflective practice groups in inpatient settings and elaborate on novel mechanisms of their potential impact. This study highlights changeable factors for engagement, concrete recommendations for improvements, and opportunities for further research.