Sign in to use this feature.

Years

Between: -

Subjects

remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline
remove_circle_outline

Journals

Article Types

Countries / Regions

Search Results (34)

Search Parameters:
Keywords = lag death rate

Order results
Result details
Results per page
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
15 pages, 891 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Influence of Brood Deaths on Honeybee Population
by Atanas Z. Atanasov, Slavi G. Georgiev and Lubin G. Vulkov
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(23), 11412; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142311412 - 7 Dec 2024
Viewed by 996
Abstract
Many mathematical models using ordinary differential equations (ODEs) have been used to investigate what type of stressors cause honeybee colonies collapse. We propose a simple model of a delayed differential equation system (DDE) to describe the effect of insecticides over brood death rate [...] Read more.
Many mathematical models using ordinary differential equations (ODEs) have been used to investigate what type of stressors cause honeybee colonies collapse. We propose a simple model of a delayed differential equation system (DDE) to describe the effect of insecticides over brood death rate and its influence over honeybee population dynamics. First, we remember some basic facts for the model with no delay. To analyze our model, we study the equilibria and perform stability and sensitivity analysis of the DDE system. Next, by using the delay time τ as a bifurcation parameter, we find that no Hopf bifurcation could arise as the time lag τ varies within biologically plausible ranges. Numerical simulations with real data are studied for the biological significance of the model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering)
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 2838 KiB  
Article
Understanding Associations between Disasters and Sustainability, Resilience, and Poverty: An Empirical Study of the Last Two Decades
by Dean Kyne and Dominic Kyei
Sustainability 2024, 16(17), 7416; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16177416 - 28 Aug 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2854
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of disasters on sustainability, resilience, and poverty, using data from the “Sustainable Development Report” and the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) from 2000 to 2023. Regression models assessed the effects of disasters, deaths, injuries, affected individuals, and economic damage [...] Read more.
This study investigates the impact of disasters on sustainability, resilience, and poverty, using data from the “Sustainable Development Report” and the Emergency Events Database (EM-DAT) from 2000 to 2023. Regression models assessed the effects of disasters, deaths, injuries, affected individuals, and economic damage on normalized values of the dependent variables with lag periods of one, two, and three years of independent variables. The results reveal that disasters consistently negatively impact sustainability and resilience, highlighting the need for robust disaster risk reduction strategies and resilient infrastructure. Higher mortality rates significantly hindered development, emphasizing the importance of improving early warning systems, emergency preparedness, and healthcare infrastructure. While injuries and the number of affected individuals did not show significant associations, economic damage was positively associated with resilience, suggesting that financial losses might drive recovery investments. Additionally, disasters were found to exacerbate poverty levels over time with significant associations in the two and three-year lag models. This study also uncovered significant regional disparities with lower resilience, sustainability, and higher poverty levels in certain regions compared to others. Higher-income groups demonstrated better resilience and lower poverty levels. These findings underscore the necessity for targeted, region-specific strategies to enhance resilience, reduce poverty, and support sustainable development, leveraging post-disaster recovery phases for long-term improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hazards and Sustainability)
Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 5627 KiB  
Article
Oxidation of Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystins with Peracetic Acid
by Mennatallah Alnahas, Husein Almuhtaram and Ron Hofmann
Toxins 2024, 16(8), 328; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16080328 - 23 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1415
Abstract
Peracetic acid (PAA) shows potential for use in drinking water treatment as an alternative to prechlorination, such as for mussel control and disinfection by-product precursor destruction, though its impact as a preoxidant during cyanobacterial blooms remains underexplored. Here, Microcystis aeruginosa inactivation and microcystin-LR [...] Read more.
Peracetic acid (PAA) shows potential for use in drinking water treatment as an alternative to prechlorination, such as for mussel control and disinfection by-product precursor destruction, though its impact as a preoxidant during cyanobacterial blooms remains underexplored. Here, Microcystis aeruginosa inactivation and microcystin-LR and -RR release and degradation using PAA were explored. The toxin degradation rates were found to be higher in alkaline conditions than in neutral and acidic conditions. However, all rates were significantly smaller than comparable rates when using free chlorine. The inactivation of M. aeruginosa cells using PAA was faster at acidic pH, showing immediate cell damage and subsequent cell death after 15–60 min of exposure to 10 mg/L PAA. In neutral and alkaline conditions, cell death occurred after a longer lag phase (3–6 h). During cell inactivation, microcystin-LR was released slowly, with <35% of the initial intracellular toxins measured in solution after 12 h of exposure to 10 mg/L PAA. Overall, PAA appears impractically slow for M. aeruginosa cell inactivation or microcystin-LR and -RR destruction in drinking water treatment, but this slow reactivity may also allow it to continue to be applied as a preoxidant for other purposes during cyanobacterial blooms without the risk of toxin release. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Management of Algal and Cyanobacterial Blooms)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 1804 KiB  
Review
Enhancing Dendritic Cell Cancer Vaccination: The Synergy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Combined Therapies
by Serena Zanotta, Domenico Galati, Rosaria De Filippi and Antonio Pinto
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(14), 7509; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25147509 - 9 Jul 2024
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 4198
Abstract
Dendritic cell (DC) cancer vaccines are a promising therapeutic approach, leveraging the immune system to fight tumors. These vaccines utilize DCs’ ability to present tumor-associated antigens to T cells, triggering a robust immune response. DC vaccine development has progressed through three generations. The [...] Read more.
Dendritic cell (DC) cancer vaccines are a promising therapeutic approach, leveraging the immune system to fight tumors. These vaccines utilize DCs’ ability to present tumor-associated antigens to T cells, triggering a robust immune response. DC vaccine development has progressed through three generations. The first generation involved priming DCs with tumor-associated antigens or messenger RNA outside the body, showing limited clinical success. The second generation improved efficacy by using cytokine mixtures and specialized DC subsets to enhance immunogenicity. The third generation used blood-derived DCs to elicit a stronger immune response. Clinical trials indicate that cancer vaccines have lower toxicity than traditional cytotoxic treatments. However, achieving significant clinical responses with DC immunotherapy remains challenging. Combining DC vaccines with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as anticytotoxic T-lymphocyte Antigen 4 and antiprogrammed death-1 antibodies, has shown promise by enhancing T-cell responses and improving clinical outcomes. These combinations can transform non-inflamed tumors into inflamed ones, boosting ICIs’ efficacy. Current research is exploring new checkpoint targets like LAG-3, TIM-3, and TIGIT, considering their potential with DC vaccines. Additionally, engineering T cells with chimeric antigen receptors or T-cell receptors could further augment the antitumor response. This comprehensive strategy aims to enhance cancer immunotherapy, focusing on increased efficacy and improved patient survival rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 582 KiB  
Article
Distinct Prostate Cancer Survival Outcomes in Firefighters: A Population-Based Study
by Paulo S. Pinheiro, Tulay Koru-Sengul, Wei Zhao, Diana R. Hernandez, Monique N. Hernandez, Erin N. Kobetz, Alberto J. Caban-Martinez and David J. Lee
Cancers 2024, 16(7), 1305; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071305 - 27 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1626
Abstract
Introduction: Survival outcomes for prostate cancer among specific occupational groups prone to regular medical check-ups vis-à-vis the general population have been understudied. For firefighters, a demographic subject to rigorous medical evaluations, possessing above-average medical expertise, and exposed to specific carcinogens of interest, prostate [...] Read more.
Introduction: Survival outcomes for prostate cancer among specific occupational groups prone to regular medical check-ups vis-à-vis the general population have been understudied. For firefighters, a demographic subject to rigorous medical evaluations, possessing above-average medical expertise, and exposed to specific carcinogens of interest, prostate cancer survival in the US has never been studied. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study, utilizing data from the Florida Cancer Data System spanning 2004 to 2014, coupled with firefighter certification records from the Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office. Our study cohort consisted of 1058 prostate cancer cases among firefighters as well as prostate cases for the Florida general population (n = 150,623). We compared cause-specific survival between the two using Cox regression models adjusted for demographics and clinical characteristics, including PSA levels, Gleason scores, and treatment modalities. Results: Firefighters demonstrated a higher five-year cause-specific survival rate (96.1%, 95% CI: 94.7–97.1%) than the general population (94.2%, 95%CI: 94.1–94.3%). Overall, firefighters’ diagnoses were established at younger ages (median age 63 vs. 67 in the general population), exhibited a higher proportion of localized stage cancers (84.7% vs. 81.1%), and had a greater utilization of surgery (46.4% vs. 37.6%), a treatment modality with a high success rate but potential side effects. In multivariable analysis, firefighters displayed a survival advantage for localized stage (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.53; 95%CI: 0.34–0.82). However, for regional or distant stages, firefighters aged 65 and above exhibited a higher risk of death (aHR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.18–2.86) than the general population. Conclusion: Firefighters experience enhanced prostate cancer survival, primarily in cases diagnosed at localized stages, likely due to increased PSA testing. Nonetheless, for regional or distant stage, survival among older firefighters’ lags behind that of the general population. Further investigations are warranted to unravel factors influencing the development of aggressive disease beyond PSA and Gleason scores in this population, as well as to assess the impact of a higher rate of surgical treatment on firefighters’ quality of life. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prostate Cancer Epidemiology and Lifestyle Factors)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 2111 KiB  
Article
Epidermolysis-Bullosa-Associated Squamous Cell Carcinomas Support an Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment: Prospects for Immunotherapy
by David Rafei-Shamsabadi, Lena Scholten, Sisi Lu, Daniele Castiglia, Giovanna Zambruno, Andreas Volz, Andreas Arnold, Mina Saleva, Ludovic Martin, Kristin Technau-Hafsi, Frank Meiss, Dagmar von Bubnoff and Cristina Has
Cancers 2024, 16(2), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16020471 - 22 Jan 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3377
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are a major complication of some subtypes of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), with high morbidity and mortality rates and unmet therapeutic needs. The high rate of endogenous mutations and the fibrotic stroma are considered to contribute to the pathogenesis. [...] Read more.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) are a major complication of some subtypes of epidermolysis bullosa (EB), with high morbidity and mortality rates and unmet therapeutic needs. The high rate of endogenous mutations and the fibrotic stroma are considered to contribute to the pathogenesis. Patients with dystrophic EB (DEB) and Kindler EB (KEB) have the highest propensity for developing SCCs. Another patient group that develops high-risk SCCs is immunosuppressed (IS) patients, especially after organ transplantation. Herein, we interrogate whether immune checkpoint proteins and immunosuppressive enzymes are dysregulated in EB-associated SCCs as an immune resistance mechanism and compare the expression patterns with those in SCCs from IS patients, who frequently develop high-risk tumors and sporadic SCCs, and immunocompetent (IC) individuals. The expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin-domain-containing protein-3 (TIM-3), lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), and inflammatory infiltrates (CD4, CD8, and CD68) was assessed via immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative analysis in 30 DEB-SCCs, 22 KEB-SCCs, 106 IS-SCCs, and 100 sporadic IC-SCCs. DEB-SCCs expressed significantly higher levels of IDO and PD-L1 in tumor cells and PD-1 in the tumor microenvironment (TME) compared with SCCs from IC and IS individuals. The number of CD4-positive T cells per mm2 was significantly lower in DEB-SCCs compared with IC-SCCs. KEB-SCCs showed the lowest expression of the exhaustion markers TIM-3 and LAG-3 compared with all other groups. These findings identify IDO, PD-1, and PD-L1 to be increased in EB-SCCs and candidate targets for combinatory treatments, especially in DEB-SCCs. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

37 pages, 4320 KiB  
Article
Influence of Seasonality and Public-Health Interventions on the COVID-19 Pandemic in Northern Europe
by Gerry A. Quinn, Michael Connolly, Norman E. Fenton, Steven J. Hatfill, Paul Hynds, Coilín ÓhAiseadha, Karol Sikora, Willie Soon and Ronan Connolly
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(2), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13020334 - 6 Jan 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 28219
Abstract
Background: Most government efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic revolved around non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccination. However, many respiratory diseases show distinctive seasonal trends. In this manuscript, we examined the contribution of these three factors to the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Most government efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic revolved around non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccination. However, many respiratory diseases show distinctive seasonal trends. In this manuscript, we examined the contribution of these three factors to the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Pearson correlation coefficients and time-lagged analysis were used to examine the relationship between NPIs, vaccinations and seasonality (using the average incidence of endemic human beta-coronaviruses in Sweden over a 10-year period as a proxy) and the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic as tracked by deaths; cases; hospitalisations; intensive care unit occupancy and testing positivity rates in six Northern European countries (population 99.12 million) using a population-based, observational, ecological study method. Findings: The waves of the pandemic correlated well with the seasonality of human beta-coronaviruses (HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1). In contrast, we could not find clear or consistent evidence that the stringency of NPIs or vaccination reduced the progression of the pandemic. However, these results are correlations and not causations. Implications: We hypothesise that the apparent influence of NPIs and vaccines might instead be an effect of coronavirus seasonality. We suggest that policymakers consider these results when assessing policy options for future pandemics. Limitations: The study is limited to six temperate Northern European countries with spatial and temporal variations in metrics used to track the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic. Caution should be exercised when extrapolating these findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Infectious Diseases)
Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 5882 KiB  
Review
Role of Next Generation Immune Checkpoint Inhibitor (ICI) Therapy in Philadelphia Negative Classic Myeloproliferative Neoplasm (MPN): Review of the Literature
by Ruchi Yadav, Narek Hakobyan and Jen-Chin Wang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2023, 24(15), 12502; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms241512502 - 7 Aug 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 4383
Abstract
The Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph−) myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), which include essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and myelofibrosis (MF), are enduring and well-known conditions. These disorders are characterized by the abnormal growth of one or more hematopoietic cell lineages in the body’s stem cells, [...] Read more.
The Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph−) myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs), which include essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and myelofibrosis (MF), are enduring and well-known conditions. These disorders are characterized by the abnormal growth of one or more hematopoietic cell lineages in the body’s stem cells, leading to the enlargement of organs and the manifestation of constitutional symptoms. Numerous studies have provided evidence indicating that the pathogenesis of these diseases involves the dysregulation of the immune system and the presence of chronic inflammation, both of which are significant factors. Lately, the treatment of cancer including hematological malignancy has progressed on the agents aiming for the immune system, cytokine environment, immunotherapy agents, and targeted immune therapy. Immune checkpoints are the molecules that regulate T cell function in the tumor microenvironment (TME). The first line of primary immune checkpoints are programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1), and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4). Immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy (ICIT) exerts its anti-tumor actions by blocking the inhibitory pathways in T cells and has reformed cancer treatment. Despite the impressive clinical success of ICIT, tumor internal resistance poses a challenge for oncologists leading to a low response rate in solid tumors and hematological malignancies. A Phase II trial on nivolumab for patients with post-essential thrombocythemia myelofibrosis, primary myelofibrosis, or post-polycythemia myelofibrosis was performed (Identifier: NCT02421354). This trial tested the efficacy of a PD-1 blockade agent, namely nivolumab, but was terminated prematurely due to adverse events and lack of efficacy. A multicenter, Phase II, single-arm open-label study was conducted including pembrolizumab in patients with primary thrombocythemia, post-essential thrombocythemia or post-polycythemia vera myelofibrosis that were ineligible for or were previously treated with ruxolitinib. This study showed that pembrolizumab treatment did not have many adverse events, but there were no pertinent clinical responses hence it was terminated after the first stage was completed. To avail the benefits from immunotherapy, the paradigm has shifted to new immune checkpoints in the TME such as lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3), T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (TIM-3), T cell immunoglobulin and ITIM domain (TIGIT), V-domain immunoglobulin-containing suppressor of T cell activation (VISTA), and human endogenous retrovirus-H long terminal repeat-associating protein 2 (HHLA2) forming the basis of next-generation ICIT. The primary aim of this article is to underscore and elucidate the significance of next-generation ICIT in the context of MPN. Specifically, we aim to explore the potential of monoclonal antibodies as targeted immunotherapy and the development of vaccines targeting specific MPN epitopes, with the intent of augmenting tumor-related immune responses. It is anticipated that these therapeutic modalities rooted in immunotherapy will not only expand but also enhance the existing treatment regimens for patients afflicted with MPN. Preliminary studies from our laboratory showed over-expressed MDSC and over-expressed VISTA in MDSC, and in progenitor and immune cells directing the need for more clinical trials using next-generation ICI in the treatment of MPN. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1908 KiB  
Article
Modelling and Predicting the Growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in Co-Culture with Geotrichum candidum and Lactic Acid Bacteria in Milk
by Pavel Ačai, Martina Koňuchová and Ľubomír Valík
Appl. Sci. 2023, 13(15), 8713; https://doi.org/10.3390/app13158713 - 28 Jul 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2168
Abstract
The growth of two pairs of co-cultures (Escherichia coli/Geotrichum candidum and Staphylococcus aureus/Geotrichum candidum) with a starter culture of lactic acid bacteria was studied in milk at temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 21 °C, related to the ripening of artisanal [...] Read more.
The growth of two pairs of co-cultures (Escherichia coli/Geotrichum candidum and Staphylococcus aureus/Geotrichum candidum) with a starter culture of lactic acid bacteria was studied in milk at temperatures ranging from 15 °C to 21 °C, related to the ripening of artisanal cheese. For an inoculum of approximately 106 CFU/mL, LAB not only induced an early stationary phase of E. coli (two isolates BR and PS2) and S. aureus (isolates 2064 and 14733) but also affected their death phase. In co-cultures with LAB and G. candidum, the numbers of E. coli and S. aureus increased in 2 logs and 1 log, respectively, reaching maximum population densities (MPDs) of less than 5 and 4 logs, respectively. After that, the populations of both bacteria represented with two isolates decreased in more than 2 logs and 3 logs within 2 days compared to their MPDs, respectively. G. candidum was found to be the subject of interactions with LAB within a given temperature range only partially. To develop a tertiary model for the growth curves of the populations, a one-step approach was used, combining the Huang-Gimenez and Dalgaard primary model with secondary square-root models for growth rate and lag time. Furthermore, the reparametrized Gompertz-inspired function with the Bigelow secondary model was used to describe the death phase of the E. coli and S. aureus isolates. The prediction ability of the growth of the H-GD tertiary model for co-cultures was cross-validated within the isolates and datasets in milk and milk medium with 1% NaCl. The study can be used as knowledge support for the hygiene guidelines of short-ripened raw milk cheeses, as was our case in Slovakia. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Microbiology: Foodborne Pathogens and Diseases)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 929 KiB  
Review
Diagnostic Bioliquid Markers for Pancreatic Cancer: What We Have vs. What We Need
by Geou-Yarh Liou and Crystal J. Byrd
Cancers 2023, 15(9), 2446; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15092446 - 25 Apr 2023
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2875
Abstract
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer, currently has a dismal five-year survival rate of approximately 10% due to late diagnosis and a lack of efficient treatment options such as surgery. Furthermore, the majority of PDAC patients have surgically [...] Read more.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common type of pancreatic cancer, currently has a dismal five-year survival rate of approximately 10% due to late diagnosis and a lack of efficient treatment options such as surgery. Furthermore, the majority of PDAC patients have surgically unresectable cancer, meaning cancer cells have either reached the surrounding blood vessels or metastasized to other organs distant from the pancreas area, resulting in low survival rates as compared to other types of cancers. In contrast, the five-year survival rate of surgically resectable PDAC patients is currently 44%. The late diagnosis of PDAC is a result of little or no symptoms in its early stage of development and a lack of specific biomarkers that may be utilized in routine examinations in the clinic. Although healthcare professionals understand the importance of early detection of PDAC, the research on the subject has lagged and no significant changes in the death toll of PDAC patients has been observed. This review is focused on understanding potential biomarkers that may increase the early diagnosis of PDAC patients at its surgically resectable stage. Here, we summarize the currently available biomarkers used in the clinic as well as those being developed with the hope of providing insight into the future of liquid biomarkers to be used in routine examinations for the early diagnosis of PDAC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Biomarkers in Pancreatic Cancer)
Show Figures

Figure 1

10 pages, 1309 KiB  
Article
An Ecologic Study of the Association between 1,3-Dichloropropene and Pancreatic Cancer
by Gerald McGwin and Russell L Griffin
Cancers 2023, 15(1), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15010150 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2245
Abstract
Background: 1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) is a soil fumigant that is used to protect fruit, vegetable, field, tree, and vine crops from nematode infestation and soil borne diseases. It is a commonly use pesticide, is applied by either direct injection into the soil or drip [...] Read more.
Background: 1,3-Dichloropropene (1,3-D) is a soil fumigant that is used to protect fruit, vegetable, field, tree, and vine crops from nematode infestation and soil borne diseases. It is a commonly use pesticide, is applied by either direct injection into the soil or drip irrigation and is highlight volatile. Though currently classified as “Suggestive Evidence of Carcinogenic Potential”, the literature in animal-based studies has inconsistent results and there is limited research among a human population with one study only among the California population. The purpose of the current analysis is to conduct a state-level analysis of the association between 1,3-D and pancreatic cancer mortality. Methods: Data for this ecological study were derived from death certificate data (for pancreatic mortality) from 1999 to 2020 and United States Geologic Survey National Water-Quality Assessment project for years 1992–2016 (1,3-D use). A negative binomial regression adjusted for selected lifestyle risk factors of pancreatic cancer (i.e., obesity, alcohol use, and smoking prevalence) estimated rate ratios (RRs) and associated 95% confidence intervals (CIs)for the association between 1,3-D quartiles and pancreatic cancer mortality rate. Models lagged in five-year increments to account for the induction period of pancreatic cancer. Results: Overall, there was no association between 1,3-D quartile and pancreatic cancer mortality rate; however, limiting the analyses to states reporting 1,3-D use for at least 20 years, the highest quartile of 1,3-D use was associated with an 11% increase in the pancreatic cancer mortality rate in the five-year lagged model (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.06–1.16). This association was consistent across the other lag periods. Conclusions: Accounting for lifestyle factors associated with pancreatic cancer risk, there is a significantly increase rate of pancreatic cancer mortality among states that have the highest quartile of 1,3-D use and have been using 1,3-D for a long-term period. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 386 KiB  
Article
Infant Death Clustering in the Quarter of a Century in India: A Decomposition Analysis
by Mukesh Ranjan, Laxmi Kant Dwivedi and Shivalingappa Halli
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14384; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114384 - 3 Nov 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2267
Abstract
The study aims to examine the clustering of infant deaths in India and the relative contribution of infant death clustering after accounting for the socio-economic and biodemographic factors that explain the decline in infant deaths. The study utilized 10 years of birth history [...] Read more.
The study aims to examine the clustering of infant deaths in India and the relative contribution of infant death clustering after accounting for the socio-economic and biodemographic factors that explain the decline in infant deaths. The study utilized 10 years of birth history data from three rounds of the National Family Health Survey (NFHS). The random effects dynamic probit model was used to decompose the decline in infant deaths into the contributions by the socio-economic and demographic factors, including the lagged independent variable, the previous infant death measuring the clustering of infant deaths in families. The study found that there has been a decline in the clustering of infant deaths among families during the past two and half decades. The simulation result shows that if the clustering of infant deaths in families in India was completely removed, there would be a decline of nearly 30 percent in the infant mortality rate (IMR). A decomposition analysis based on the dynamic probit model shows that for NFHS-1 and NFHS-3, in the total change of the probability of infant deaths, the rate of change for a given population composition contributed around 45 percent, and about 44 percent was explained by a compositional shift. Between NFHS-3 and NFHS-4, the rate of change for a given population composition contributed 86%, and the population composition for a given rate contributed 10% to the total change in the probability of infant deaths. Within this rate, the contribution of a previous infant was 0.8% and the mother’s age was 10%; nearly 31% was contributed by the region of residence, 69% by the mother’s education, and around 20% was contributed by the wealth index and around 8.7% by the sex of the child. The mother’s unobserved factors contributed more than 50 percent to the variability of infant deaths in all the survey rounds and was also statistically significant (p < 0.01). Bivariate analysis suggests that women with two or more infant losses were much less likely to have full immunization (10%) than women with no infant loss (62%), although institutional delivery was high among both groups of women. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Maternal, New-Born and Child Health)
17 pages, 4116 KiB  
Article
Verbascoside: An Efficient and Safe Natural Antibacterial Adjuvant for Preventing Bacterial Contamination of Fresh Meat
by Chunyang Shi, Yangmin Ma, Lei Tian, Jingyi Li, Guaiping Qiao, Chang Liu, Wenqiang Cao and Chengyuan Liang
Molecules 2022, 27(15), 4943; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27154943 - 3 Aug 2022
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 2745
Abstract
Inappropriate and disproportionate antibiotic use contributes immensely to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacterial species associated with food contamination. Therefore, alternative strategies to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections are urgently needed. In this study, verbascoside was shown to exhibit excellent antibacterial activity [...] Read more.
Inappropriate and disproportionate antibiotic use contributes immensely to the development of antibiotic resistance in bacterial species associated with food contamination. Therefore, alternative strategies to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections are urgently needed. In this study, verbascoside was shown to exhibit excellent antibacterial activity and synergistic effects in combination with cell wall synthesis-inhibiting antibiotics, indicating that it can be used as an adjuvant to restore or increase the activity of antibiotics against resistant pathogens. In a mechanistic study, higher concentrations of verbascoside resulted in a longer lag phase and a lower specific exponential-phase growth rate of bacteria. Furthermore, verbascoside exerted its antimicrobial activity through multiple mechanisms, including cell membrane dysfunction, biofilm eradication and changes in cell morphology. The promising antibacterial activity and in vitro safety assessment results suggested that verbascoside can be used as a food additive for fresh meat preservation. Treatment with medium and high doses of verbascoside caused significant bacterial death in meat samples, slowed the spoilage rate, and extended the shelf life. Collectively, verbascoside is expected to be useful as an antibiotic adjuvant to prevent or treat resistant bacteria-related infections and an alternative novel antimicrobial additive in the food industry. Full article
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

10 pages, 1425 KiB  
Article
Temperature Change between Neighboring Days Contributes to Years of Life Lost per Death from Respiratory Disease: A Multicounty Analysis in Central China
by Chun-Liang Zhou, Ling-Shuang Lv, Dong-Hui Jin, Yi-Jun Xie, Wen-Jun Ma, Jian-Xiong Hu, Chun-E Wang, Yi-Qing Xu, Xing-E Zhang and Chan Lu
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(10), 5871; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19105871 - 12 May 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2455
Abstract
Background: Many epidemiological studies have recently assessed respiratory mortality attributable to ambient temperatures. However, the associations between temperature change between neighboring days and years of life lost are insufficiently studied. Therefore, we assessed the attributable risk of temperature change between neighboring days on [...] Read more.
Background: Many epidemiological studies have recently assessed respiratory mortality attributable to ambient temperatures. However, the associations between temperature change between neighboring days and years of life lost are insufficiently studied. Therefore, we assessed the attributable risk of temperature change between neighboring days on life loss due to respiratory disease. Methods: We obtained daily mortality and weather data and calculated crude rates of years of life lost for 70 counties in Hunan Province, Central China, from 2013 to 2017. A time-series design with distributed lag nonlinear model and multivariate meta-regression was used to pool the relationships between temperature change between neighboring days and rates of years of life lost. Then, we calculated the temperature change between neighboring days related to average life loss per death from respiratory disease. Results: The total respiratory disease death was 173,252 during the study period. The association between temperature change and years of life lost rates showed a w-shape. The life loss per death attributable to temperature change between neighboring days was 2.29 (95% CI: 0.46–4.11) years, out of which 1.16 (95% CI: 0.31–2.01) years were attributable to moderately high-temperature change between neighboring days, and 0.99 (95% CI: 0.19–1.79) years were attributable to moderately low-temperature change between neighboring days. The temperature change between neighboring days related to life loss per respiratory disease death for females (2.58 years, 95% CI: 0.22–4.93) and the younger group (2.97 years, 95% CI: −1.51–7.44) was higher than that for males (2.21 years, 95% CI: 0.26–4.16) and the elderly group (1.96 years, 95% CI: 0.85–3.08). An average of 1.79 (95% CI: 0.18–3.41) life loss per respiratory disease death was related to non-optimal ambient temperature. Conclusions: The results indicated that more attention should be given to temperature change, and more public health policies should be implemented to protect public health. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 1251 KiB  
Article
Towards an Accurate Estimation of COVID-19 Cases in Kazakhstan: Back-Casting and Capture–Recapture Approaches
by Antonio Sarría-Santamera, Nurlan Abdukadyrov, Natalya Glushkova, David Russell Peck, Paolo Colet, Alua Yeskendir, Angel Asúnsolo and Miguel A. Ortega
Medicina 2022, 58(2), 253; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina58020253 - 8 Feb 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2797
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has emerged as the most devastating syndemic of the 21st century, with worrisome and sustained consequences for the entire society. Despite the relative success of vaccination programs, the global threat of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has emerged as the most devastating syndemic of the 21st century, with worrisome and sustained consequences for the entire society. Despite the relative success of vaccination programs, the global threat of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 is still present and further efforts are needed for its containment and control. Essential for its control and containment is getting closer to understanding the actual extent of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Material and Methods: We present a model based on the mortality data of Kazakhstan for the estimation of the underlying epidemic dynamic—with both the lag time from infection to death and the infection fatality rate. For the estimation of the actual number of infected individuals in Kazakhstan, we used both back-casting and capture–recapture methods. Results: Our results suggest that despite the increased testing capabilities in Kazakhstan, official case reporting undercounts the number of infections by at least 60%. Even though our count of deaths may be either over or underestimated, our methodology could be a more accurate approach for the following: the estimation of the actual magnitude of the pandemic; aiding the identification of different epidemiological values; and reducing data bias. Conclusions: For optimal epidemiological surveillance and control efforts, our study may lead to an increased awareness of the effect of COVID-19 in this region and globally, and aid in the implementation of more effective screening and diagnostic measures. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop