Prevalence of inappropriateness of elemene injection for hospitalized cancer patients: a multicenter retrospective study

Background: Elemene injection could provide clinical benefit for the treatment of various cancers, but the clinical evidence is weak. Thus, its wide use in China has raised concerns about the appropriateness of its use.Methods: This was a multicenter retrospective study to evaluate the prevalence of inappropriateness of elemene injection for hospitalized cancer patients. Patients who met the inclusion criteria were retrospectively included, and demographic characteristics were extracted from the hospital information systems. The inappropriateness of elemene injection use was assessed using the preset criteria, and the prevalence was calculated. Multivariate logistic analysis was applied to identify any factors associated with inappropriate use.Results: A total of 275 patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 62 years, and 30.9% were females. The most common cancer was lung cancer (24.0%), and 68.2% of the patients were receiving chemotherapy. The overall prevalence of inappropriateness was 61.8%. The most common reason for inappropriateness was inappropriate indications, and the second was inappropriate doses. Age and oncological department were significant risk factors associated with inappropriate use, while lung cancer, liver cancer and admission to cardiothoracic surgery were associated with a low risk of inappropriate use.Conclusion: The prevalence of inappropriateness among hospitalized elemene injection users was high. More efforts, especially those to improve the appropriateness of indications, should be made to improve the rational use of elemene, as well as other complementary medicines. Physicians should take caution to avoid inappropriate use when prescribing drugs with limited clinical evidence

A review on the heat and mass transfer phenomena in nanofluid coolants with special focus on automotive applications

Engineered suspensions of nanosized particles (nanofluids) are characterized by superior thermal properties. Due to the increasing need for ultrahigh performance cooling in many industries, nanofluids have been widely investigated as next-generation coolants. However, the multiscale nature of nanofluids implies nontrivial relations between their design characteristics and the resulting thermo-physical properties, which are far from being fully understood. This pronounced sensitivity is the main reason for some contradictory results among both experimental evidence and theoretical considerations presented in the literature. In this Review, the role of fundamental heat and mass transfer mechanisms governing thermo-physical properties of nanofluids is assessed, from both experimental and theoretical point of view. Starting from the characteristic nanoscale transport phenomena occurring at the particle-fluid interface, a comprehensive review of the influence of geometrical (particle shape, size and volume concentration), physical (temperature) and chemical (particle material, pH and surfactant concentration in the base fluid) parameters on the nanofluid properties was carried out. Particular focus was devoted to highlight the advantages of using nanofluids as coolants for automotive heat exchangers, and a number of design guidelines was suggested for balancing thermal conductivity and viscosity enhancement in nanofluids. This Review may contribute to a more rational design of the thermo-physical properties of particle suspensions, therefore easing the translation of nanofluid technology from small-scale research laboratories to large-scale industrial applications

Data envelopment analysis on the efficiency of vaccination services and its influencing factors in Beijing, China

Abstract Objectives Vaccination is an important part of public health services. We aim to assess the efficiency of vaccination services in Beijing, the capital of China, and to further study the influencing factors of efficiency. Methods Using the immunization service data of Beijing, China in 2020, we firstly developed a data envelopment analysis (DEA) model to calculate the score of vaccination efficiency. Secondly, we used DEA model scenario simulations with different combinations of input–output factors to derive the magnitude of the effect of each input factor on the efficiency. Finally, combined with the data from the Beijing Regional Statistical Yearbook 2021, we developed the Tobit model to examine the effect of external social environmental factors on efficiency. Results The average scores of efficiency of POVs (Point of Vaccination) in different areas of Beijing vary greatly. Different input factors had different degrees of positive effects on the efficiency score. In addition, the number of populations served by POV was positively associated with efficiency, the GDP and financial allocation of the POVs’ district was also positively associated with efficiency score, while the total dependency ratio of the POVs’ district was negatively associated with efficiency score. Conclusion The efficiency of vaccination services varied considerably across POVs. Constrained by limited resources, efficiency scores can be increased by increasing input factors that have a larger impact on efficiency score and reducing those that have a smaller impact on efficiency. In addition, the social environment should be considered in allocating vaccination resources, and more resources should be invested in areas with low levels of economic development, low financial allocation, and high population

Nanocrystalline Cellulose Cures Constipation <i>via</i> Gut Microbiota Metabolism

Constipation can seriously affect the quality of life and increase the risk of colorectal cancer. The present strategies for constipation therapy have adverse effects, such as causing irreversible intestinal damage and affecting the absorption of nutrients. Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), which is from natural plants, has good biocompatibility and high safety. Herein, we used NCC to treat constipation assessed by the black stool, intestinal tissue sections, and serum biomarkers. We studied the effect of NCC on gut microbiota and discussed the correlation of gut microbiota and metabolites. We evaluated the long-term biosafety of NCC. NCC could effectively treat constipation through gut microbiota metabolism, which required a small dosage and did not affect the organs and intestines. NCC could be used as an alternative to medications and dietary fiber for constipation therapy

The Inhibitory Effects of Ficin on Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Formation

To investigate the effects of ficin on biofilm formation of conditionally cariogenic Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans). Biomass and metabolic activity of biofilm were assessed using crystal violet assay, colony-forming unit (CFU) counting, and MTT assay. Extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) synthesis was displayed by SEM imaging, bacteria/EPS staining, and anthrone method while acid production was revealed by lactic acid assay. Growth curve and live/dead bacterial staining were conducted to monitor bacterial growth state in both planktonic and biofilm form. Total protein and extracellular proteins of S. mutans biofilm were analyzed by protein/bacterial staining and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), severally. qRT-PCR was conducted to detect acid production, acid tolerance, and biofilm formation associated genes. Crystal violet assay, CFU counting, and MTT assay showed that the suppression effect of ficin on S. mutans biofilm formation was concentration dependent. 4 mg/mL ficin had significant inhibitory effect on S. mutans biofilm formation including biomass, metabolic activity, EPS synthesis, and lactic acid production (p0.05). Protein/bacterial staining outcome indicated that ficin inhibit both total protein and biofilm formation during the biofilm development. There were more relatively small molecular weight protein bands in extracellular proteins of 4 mg/mL ficin group when compared with the control. Generally, ficin could inhibit biofilm formation and reduce cariogenic virulence of S. mutans effectively in vitro; thus, it could be a potential anticaries agent

Additional file 7 of Analysis of the ethanol stress response mechanism in Wickerhamomyces anomalus based on transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches

Additional file 7: Table S6

Additional file 2 of Analysis of the ethanol stress response mechanism in Wickerhamomyces anomalus based on transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches

Additional file 2: Table S1

Additional file 5 of Analysis of the ethanol stress response mechanism in Wickerhamomyces anomalus based on transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches

Additional file 5: Table S4

Additional file 6 of Analysis of the ethanol stress response mechanism in Wickerhamomyces anomalus based on transcriptomics and metabolomics approaches

Additional file 6: Table S5