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Scientifica 2024Arruda (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as umbuzeiro or imbuzeiro, is a fruit tree native to the semiarid region of Brazil. The extractive harvesting of its fruits...
Arruda (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as umbuzeiro or imbuzeiro, is a fruit tree native to the semiarid region of Brazil. The extractive harvesting of its fruits contributes significantly to the economy, generating an annual revenue of approximately $4,2 million. The present study aimed to assess the spatial pattern, allometric variations, fruit measurements, and genetic diversity of trees within a remaining forest of the Caatinga biome, with a focus on intrapopulation analysis. We used intersimple repeated sequence markers and the second-order function density of neighbours to determine the genetic and spatial structure. The density of neighbours was highest within a 10-meter radius. Biometric analyses revealed average fruit lengths of 31.12 mm (±0.22), diameters of 28.68 mm (±0.25), and fresh masses of 15.56 g (±0.33). Diaspores exhibited an average length, diameter, and thickness of 19.27 mm, 13.95 mm, and 11.14 mm, respectively, with a fresh mass of 2.28 g. Notably, the fresh mass demonstrated the highest coefficient of variation. Ten molecular markers were selected, generating 103 highly polymorphic loci (99.03%) with an average informative content of 0.45. Nei's diversity index (0.37) and Shannon's index (0.55) indicated moderate genetic diversity. Furthermore, Bayesian analysis revealed a population structure with two distinct genetic groups. The Infinite Allele and Mutation Step Models suggested a significant historical decline in population size, indicative of a genetic bottleneck. As a result, proactive in situ conservation strategies, including establishing protected natural areas, become essential, considering the socioeconomic significance of the species. Additionally, it is recommended to establish germplasm banks for ex situ conservation and the development of managed cultivation initiatives to reduce the pressure on native populations of caused by extraction.
PubMed: 38938543
DOI: 10.1155/2024/5023974 -
Journal of Chromatography. B,... Jun 2024Hyaluronic acid (HA), a glycosaminoglycan, is comprised of alternating units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine. This compound harbors numerous biomedical...
Hyaluronic acid (HA), a glycosaminoglycan, is comprised of alternating units of D-glucuronic acid and N-acetylglucosamine. This compound harbors numerous biomedical applications, including its use in pharmaceuticals, wound healing, osteoarthritis treatment, and drug delivery. Its unique composition and exceptional features, such as its high water-absorbing and retaining capacity, have also led to its use in the cosmetics industry. The employment of this biopolymer has given rise to an escalation in the request for its manufacture. The present investigation has explored the correlation between hyaluronic acid and chitosan and silica for the purpose of separation. Consequently, Iron oxide magnetic nano particles and micro particles were produced via co-precipitation method and were layered with chitosan and silica to purify the hyaluronic acid from the fermentation broth that was generated by Streptococcus Zooepidemicus. The size distribution and zeta potentials of the two kinds of particles were gauged with the aid of a dynamic laser light scattering apparatus and zeta potential meter (Malvern, Zeta master) respectively. The confirmation of the chemical structure of the FeO nanoparticles and FeO particles conjugated with chitosan and silica was accomplished through the utilization of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR). Protein contamination was thoroughly characterized by means of sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Nanodrop 2000/2000c spectrophotometers protein estimation method. The maximum HA adsorption capacity, under optimal pH conditions of 4, was determined to be 87 mg/g, 112 mg/g, 51 mg/g, and 44 mg/g for FeO -chitosan nanoparticle, FeO -chitosan micro particle, FeO -silica microparticle, and FeO -silica nanoparticle, respectively.
PubMed: 38936266
DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2024.124212 -
American Journal of Physical Medicine &... Jun 2024Assess the effects on spasticity reduction of the association between focal extracorporeal shock wave therapy and botulinum toxin type A, versus the toxin only in brain...
OBJECTIVE
Assess the effects on spasticity reduction of the association between focal extracorporeal shock wave therapy and botulinum toxin type A, versus the toxin only in brain injury patients.
DESIGN
Eighteen patients were included. The study had two phases: the first phase was observational, and botulinum toxin type A was used. The second was a prospective, deliberate intervention phase in which the toxin was injected and focal extracorporeal shock wave treatment was added (1 sessions/week, for three weeks). The patients were followed up in the 1 st , 4 th and 6 th month, the Ashworth Scale criterion was applied and, for those with lower limb involvement and changes in walking the 10-metre walk test was used.
RESULTS
Patients treated with toxin only showed a statistically significant improvement in spasticity, with 1 point on the Ashworth Scale from week 5, which disappeared at week 17. However, the combined therapy reduced spasticity by 2 points from week 1 to week 25 (p < 0.001), with a faster result in the 10-meter gait test (p = 0.004).
CONCLUSION
Combined and simultaneous treatment with botulinum toxin and focal extracorporeal shock wave reduced spasticity in a more effective and prolonged way than treatment with botulinum toxin only.
PubMed: 38935065
DOI: 10.1097/PHM.0000000000002575 -
Archivio Italiano Di Urologia,... Jun 2024To present state of the art on the management of urinary stones from a panel of globally recognized urolithiasis experts who met during the Experts in Stone Disease... (Review)
Review
AIM
To present state of the art on the management of urinary stones from a panel of globally recognized urolithiasis experts who met during the Experts in Stone Disease Congress in Valencia in January 2024. Options of treatment: The surgical treatment modalities of renal and ureteral stones are well defined by the guidelines of international societies, although for some index cases more alternative options are possible. For 1.5 cm renal stones, both m-PCNL and RIRS have proven to be valid treatment alternatives with comparable stone-free rates. The m-PCNL has proven to be more cost effective and requires a shorter operative time, while the RIRS has demonstrated lower morbidity in terms of blood loss and shorter recovery times. SWL has proven to be less effective at least for lower calyceal stones but has the highest safety profile. For a 6mm obstructing stone of the pelviureteric junction (PUJ) stone, SWL should be the first choice for a stone less than 1 cm, due to less invasiveness and lower risk of complications although it has a lower stone free-rate. RIRS has advantages in certain conditions such as anticoagulant treatment, obesity, or body deformity. Technical issues of the surgical procedures for stone removal: In patients receiving antithrombotic therapy, SWL, PCN and open surgery are at elevated risk of hemorrhage or perinephric hematoma. URS, is associated with less morbidity in these cases. An individualized combined evaluation of risks of bleeding and thromboembolism should determine the perioperative thromboprophylactic strategy. Pre-interventional urine culture and antibiotic therapy are mandatory although UTI treatment is becoming more challenging due to increasing resistance to routinely applied antibiotics. The use of an intrarenal urine culture and stone culture is recommended to adapt antibiotic therapy in case of postoperative infectious complications. Measurements of temperature and pressure during RIRS are vital for ensuring patient safety and optimizing surgical outcomes although techniques of measurements and methods for data analysis are still to be refined. Ureteral stents were improved by the development of new biomaterials, new coatings, and new stent designs. Topics of current research are the development of drug eluting and bioresorbable stents. Complications of endoscopic treatment: PCNL is considered the most invasive surgical option. Fever and sepsis were observed in 11 and 0.5% and need for transfusion and embolization for bleeding in 7 and 0.4%. Major complications, as colonic, splenic, liver, gall bladder and bowel injuries are quite rare but are associated with significant morbidity. Ureteroscopy causes less complications, although some of them can be severe. They depend on high pressure in the urinary tract (sepsis or renal bleeding) or application of excessive force to the urinary tract (ureteral avulsion or stricture). Diagnostic work up: Genetic testing consents the diagnosis of monogenetic conditions causing stones. It should be carried out in children and in selected adults. In adults, monogenetic diseases can be diagnosed by systematic genetic testing in no more than 4%, when cystinuria, APRT deficiency, and xanthinuria are excluded. A reliable stone analysis by infrared spectroscopy or X-ray diffraction is mandatory and should be associated to examination of the stone under a stereomicroscope. The analysis of digital images of stones by deep convolutional neural networks in dry laboratory or during endoscopic examination could allow the classification of stones based on their color and texture. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in association with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) is another fundamental research tool for the study of kidney stones. The combination of metagenomic analysis using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) techniques and the enhanced quantitative urine culture (EQUC) protocol can be used to evaluate the urobiome of renal stone formers. Twenty-four hour urine analysis has a place during patient evaluation together with repeated measurements of urinary pH with a digital pH meter. Urinary supersaturation is the most comprehensive physicochemical risk factor employed in urolithiasis research. Urinary macromolecules can act as both promoters or inhibitors of stone formation depending on the chemical composition of urine in which they are operating. At the moment, there are no clinical applications of macromolecules in stone management or prophylaxis. Patients should be evaluated for the association with systemic pathologies.
PROPHYLAXIS
Personalized medicine and public health interventions are complementary to prevent stone recurrence. Personalized medicine addresses a small part of stone patients with a high risk of recurrence and systemic complications requiring specific dietary and pharmacological treatment to prevent stone recurrence and complications of associated systemic diseases. The more numerous subjects who form one or a few stones during their entire lifespan should be treated by modifications of diet and lifestyle. Primary prevention by public health interventions is advisable to reduce prevalence of stones in the general population. Renal stone formers at "high-risk" for recurrence need early diagnosis to start specific treatment. Stone analysis allows the identification of most "high-risk" patients forming non-calcium stones: infection stones (struvite), uric acid and urates, cystine and other rare stones (dihydroxyadenine, xanthine). Patients at "high-risk" forming calcium stones require a more difficult diagnosis by clinical and laboratory evaluation. Particularly, patients with cystinuria and primary hyperoxaluria should be actively searched.
FUTURE RESEARCH
Application of Artificial Intelligence are promising for automated identification of ureteral stones on CT imaging, prediction of stone composition and 24-hour urinary risk factors by demographics and clinical parameters, assessment of stone composition by evaluation of endoscopic images and prediction of outcomes of stone treatments. The synergy between urologists, nephrologists, and scientists in basic kidney stone research will enhance the depth and breadth of investigations, leading to a more comprehensive understanding of kidney stone formation.
Topics: Humans; Urinary Calculi; Forecasting
PubMed: 38934520
DOI: 10.4081/aiua.2024.12703 -
Veterinary Medicine International 2024Anaplasmosis, transmitted biologically and mechanically, is one of the most prevalent diseases responsible for high production costs worldwide. In this research, the...
Anaplasmosis, transmitted biologically and mechanically, is one of the most prevalent diseases responsible for high production costs worldwide. In this research, the prevalence and risk factors of anaplasmosis in Simmental cattle raised in the Peruvian Amazon were evaluated. 266 blood samples were collected from bovines of different categories such as calves male, calves females, heifers <1.3 years, heifers >1.3 years, steers, bulls, and cows from the districts of Omia and Molinopampa. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique was used to detect antibodies against . Of the 266 animals sampled, 67% were positive for A. marginale. A higher prevalence was determined in the district of Omia (99.3%), while in the district of Molinopampa, 28.7% was obtained. A prevalence of was recorded in females (67.7%) and in males (64.8%) ( > 0.05). There is a significant association of the disease with the category of cattle, verifying the highest prevalence of in calves male, heifer >1.3 years, and bull. The multiple correspondence analysis shows that San Mateo, Puma Marca, Mashuyacu, Primavera, and Los Olivos have a higher prevalence of anaplasmosis, associated with altitude of 1701-2000 m, spray baths and paddock rotation. Anaplasmosis is prevalent in Simmental cattle from the Peruvian Amazon, with a higher incidence in Omia and in females, considering May to August the critical months and the altitude less than 2000 meters above sea level.
PubMed: 38933691
DOI: 10.1155/2024/4634440 -
Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic... Jun 2024Multiple mhealth (mobile health) interventions and mobile applications have been developed to support diabetes self-management. However, most of the apps are developed...
BACKGROUND
Multiple mhealth (mobile health) interventions and mobile applications have been developed to support diabetes self-management. However, most of the apps are developed without the need for assessment and evaluation by experts in the field. This study aimed to design and develop a mobile application (app) supporting diabetes self-management for people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) using a systematic approach.
METHODS
In this study mixed method design was used to develop the mobile application. The mhealth intervention was designed and developed in five steps: i) Extensive literature search, ii) Needs assessment of patients with T2D with the help of healthcare providers and patients (Interviews with 15 healthcare providers like clinicians, dietitians, and diabetes educators, and 2 focus group discussions with patients) iii) Ideation and content development of app based on outcomes of needs assessment; iv) content validation (by 10 healthcare providers) and v) App development on a hybrid platform. Evaluation of the app by users i.e., type 2 diabetes patients was done using the users' Mobile App rating scale (uMARS). The app was evaluated by 40 patients and rated on the uMARS questionnaire.
RESULTS
A patient-centric mobile app was developed for the nutritional management of diabetes with three modules: The patient module, the Evaluation module, and the Healthcare provider module. The patient module was the app that was provided to the patients with features like diet, physical activity, blood glucose log, education, etc., in addition to, a symptom checker, Stress meter blog, and FAQ. The evaluation module was integrated with the app it works when a user enters any log, it evaluates the entry against the standard cutoffs and flash prompts on the screen. The Healthcare provider module interacts with the server to provide them with patient data, comments, and feedback.
CONCLUSIONS
The users found the app to be satisfactory. Incorporating additional features to enhance the user interface and streamline navigation could potentially enhance user engagement, thereby aiding in the management of T2D.
PubMed: 38932794
DOI: 10.1007/s40200-023-01339-6 -
Risk Analysis : An Official Publication... Jun 2024Distributed clean, reliable energy resources like solar plus battery storage (solar + storage) can reduce harmful emissions while supporting resilience....
Distributed clean, reliable energy resources like solar plus battery storage (solar + storage) can reduce harmful emissions while supporting resilience. Solar + storage-powered resilience hubs provide energy for critical services during disasters while increasing human adaptive capacity year round. We studied where utility rates, local climate, and historical injustice make solar + storage resilience hubs more valuable and more challenging. We modeled the economic and climate impacts of outfitting candidate hub sites across California with solar + storage for everyday operations and identified designs and costs required to withstand a range of outages considering weather impacts on energy needs and availability. We integrated sociodemographic data to prioritize the siting of resilience hubs, to focus potential policy and funding priorities on regions where solar + storage for resilience hubs is hard or expensive, and where populations are most in need. We identified almost 20,000 candidate buildings with more than 8 GW of total rooftop solar potential capable of reducing CO emissions by 5 million tons per year while providing energy for community resilience. Hub capacity for one of the most challenging missions-providing emergency shelter during a power outage and smoke event-could have a statewide average lifetime cost of less than $2000 per seat. We identified regional challenges including insufficient rooftop solar capacity in cities, low sunlight in northern coastal California, and high costs driven by utility rate structures in Sacramento and the Imperial Valley. Results show that rates and net metering rules that incentivize solar + storage during everyday operations decrease resilience costs.
PubMed: 38932600
DOI: 10.1111/risa.14341 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Borehole strain gauges play a crucial role in geophysical, seismological, and crustal dynamics studies. While existing borehole strain gauges are proficient in measuring...
Borehole strain gauges play a crucial role in geophysical, seismological, and crustal dynamics studies. While existing borehole strain gauges are proficient in measuring horizontal strains within vertical boreholes, their effectiveness in capturing vertical and oblique strains is limited due to technical constraints arising from the cylindrical probe's characteristics. However, the accurate measurement of three-dimensional strain is essential for a comprehensive understanding of crustal tectonics, dynamics, and geophysics, particularly considering the diverse geological structures and force sources within the crustal medium. In this study, we present a novel approach to address this challenge by enhancing an existing horizontal-component borehole strain gauge with a bellows structure and line strain measurement technology to enable vertical and borehole oblique strain measurements. Integrating these enhancements with horizontal strain measurement capabilities enables comprehensive three-dimensional borehole strain measurements within the same hole section. The system was deployed and tested at the Gongxian seismic station in Sichuan Province. Clear observations of solid tides were recorded across horizontal, oblique, and vertical measurement units, with the tidal morphology and amplitude being consistent with the theoretical calculations. The achieved measurement sensitivity of 10-10 meets the requirements for borehole strain measurement, enabling the characterization of three-dimensional strain states within boreholes through association methods.
PubMed: 38931738
DOI: 10.3390/s24123954 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This study introduces a flexible and low-cost solution for a source measure unit (SMU), which is presented as an alternative to conventional source meter units and a...
This study introduces a flexible and low-cost solution for a source measure unit (SMU), which is presented as an alternative to conventional source meter units and a blueprint for sensor FET drivers. An SMU collects current-voltage (I-V) curves with an additional variable voltage or current and is commonly used to characterize semiconductors. We present the hardware design, interfacing, and test results of our SMU. Specifically, we present representative I-V curve measurements for graphene-channel FETs to demonstrate the SMU's capability to efficiently characterize these devices with minimal noise and sufficient accuracy. This cost-effective solution presents a promising avenue for researchers and developers seeking reliable tools for sensor development and characterization. We demonstrate, with the example of surface illumination, how the sensing behavior of graphene-channel FETs can be characterized without the need for expensive equipment. Additionally, the SMU was validated with known passive and active components, along with probe station integration for semiconductor die-scale connection. The SMU's focus on collecting I-V curves, coupled with its ability to identify device defects, such as parasitic Schottky junctions or a failed oxide, contributes to its utility in quality testing for semiconductor devices. Its low-cost nature makes it accessible for various research endeavors, enabling efficient data collection and analysis for graphene-based and other nanomaterial-based sensor applications.
PubMed: 38931626
DOI: 10.3390/s24123841 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Existing galvanometer-based laser-scanning systems are challenging to apply in multi-scale 3D reconstruction because of the difficulty in achieving a balance between a...
Existing galvanometer-based laser-scanning systems are challenging to apply in multi-scale 3D reconstruction because of the difficulty in achieving a balance between a high reconstruction accuracy and a wide reconstruction range. This paper presents a novel method that synchronizes laser scanning by switching the field-of-view (FOV) of a camera using multi-galvanometers. Beyond the advanced hardware setup, we establish a comprehensive geometric model of the system by modeling dynamic camera, dynamic laser, and their combined interaction. Furthermore, since existing calibration methods mainly focus on either dynamic lasers or dynamic cameras and have certain limitations, we propose a novel high-precision and flexible calibration method by constructing an error model and minimizing the objective function. The performance of the proposed method was evaluated by scanning standard components. The results show that the proposed 3D reconstruction system achieves an accuracy of 0.3 mm when the measurement range is extended to 1100 mm × 1300 mm × 650 mm. This demonstrates that for meter-scale reconstruction ranges, a sub-millimeter measurement accuracy is achieved, indicating that the proposed method realizes multi-scale 3D reconstruction and simultaneously allows for high-precision and wide-range 3D reconstruction in industrial applications.
PubMed: 38931577
DOI: 10.3390/s24123793