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The key role of statistical modeling in epidemiology and public health is unquestionable [...].The aim of this systematic review is to investigate the effects of the use of a medium cut-off membrane (MCO) and dietary fiber on the concentration of protein-bound uremic toxins (PBUTs) and inflammatory markers in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Of 11,397 papers originally found, eight met the criteria of randomized controlled trial design. No study examined the effects of MCO membranes on PBUTs. Three studies examined the reduction in inflammatory markers with MCO membranes compared to high-flux HD membranes and showed no significant differences. Five studies of dietary fiber supplementation showed an inconclusive positive effect on PBUT levels and a significant positive effect on the reduction in inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 reduction standardized difference in means -1.18; 95% confidence interval -1.45 to -0.9 for dietary fiber supplementation vs. control; p less then 0.001). To date, no study has combined the use of an MCO membrane and fiber supplementation to reduce PBUT levels and inflammation with online hemodiafiltration as a comparator. A rationale and protocol for an interventional trial using a combination of MCO membrane dialysis and fiber supplementation to lower inflammatory markers and PBUT concentrations are presented.A series of troxerutin-based macromolecules with ten poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) or poly(2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) homopolymer side chains were synthesized by a supplemental activator and reducing agent atom transfer radical polymerization (SARA ATRP) approach. The prepared precisely-defined structures with low dispersity (Mw/Mn less then 1.09 for PAA-based, and Mw/Mn less then 1.71 for PDMAEMA-based macromolecules) exhibited pH-responsive behavior depending on the length of the polymer grafts. The properties of the received polyelectrolytes were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurement to determine the hydrodynamic diameter and zeta potential upon pH changes. Additionally, PDMAEMA-based polymers showed thermoresponsive properties and exhibited phase transfer at a lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Thanks to polyelectrolyte characteristics, the prepared polymers were investigated as smart materials for controlled release of quercetin. The influence of the length of the polymer grafts for the quercetin release profile was examined by UV-VIS spectroscopy. The results suggest the strong correlation between the length of the polymer chains and the efficiency of active substance release, thus, the adjustment of the composition of the macromolecules characterized by branched architecture can precisely control the properties of smart delivery systems.This study investigated smoking behaviors by disability type among people with disabilities in Korea and identified factors associated with attempted smoking cessation and successful four-week smoking abstinence. Data were collected between 1 January 2018 and 31 December 2019. Predictors of attempted smoking cessation and successful four-week smoking abstinence were analyzed by disability type in 557 participants. Compared to people with mental health disorders, people with physical disabilities or brain lesions were more likely to attempt smoking cessation, and people with physical or internal disabilities were more likely to successfully abstain for four weeks. Common predictors of smoking cessation attempts and four-week abstinence were education level and CO level. Employment status predicted attempted cessation, while confidence in smoking cessation predicted four-week abstinence. To provide effective smoking cessation services for people with disabilities, disability type should be considered, and comprehensive and sustainable community-based programs need to be developed. Furthermore, a standardized survey of people with disabilities should be conducted to examine socioeconomic factors, including health status, employment, and education level, and to explore fundamental measures needed to address the problem of smoking among people with disabilities.Plastics have found widespread use in the fields of cosmetic, engineering, and medical sciences due to their wide-ranging mechanical and physical properties, as well as suitability in biomedical applications. However, in the light of the environmental cost of further upscaling current methods of synthesizing many plastics, work has recently focused on the manufacture of these polymers using biological methods (often bacterial fermentation), which brings with them the advantages of both low temperature synthesis and a reduced reliance on potentially toxic and non-eco-friendly compounds. This can be seen as a boon in the biomaterials industry, where there is a need for highly bespoke, biocompatible, processable polymers with unique biological properties, for the regeneration and replacement of a large number of tissue types, following disease. However, barriers still remain to the mass-production of some of these polymers, necessitating new research. This review attempts a critical analysis of the contemporary literature concerning the use of a number of bacteria-derived polymers in the context of biomedical applications, including the biosynthetic pathways and organisms involved, as well as the challenges surrounding their mass production. This review will also consider the unique properties of these bacteria-derived polymers, contributing to bioactivity, including antibacterial properties, oxygen permittivity, and properties pertaining to cell adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. Finally, the review will select notable examples in literature to indicate future directions, should the aforementioned barriers be addressed, as well as improvements to current bacterial fermentation methods that could help to address these barriers.The overheating of buildings and their need for mechanical cooling is a growing issue as a result of climate change. The main aim of this paper is to examine the impact of surface texture on heat loss capabilities of concrete panels through evaporative cooling. Organisms maintain their body temperature in very narrow ranges in order to survive, where they employ morphological and behavioral means to complement physiological strategies for adaptation. This research follows a biomimetic approach to develop a design solution. The skin morphology of elephants was identified as a successful example that utilizes evaporative cooling and has, therefore, informed the realization of a textured façade panel. A systematic process has been undertaken to examine the impact of different variables on the cooling ability of the panels, bringing in new morphological considerations for surface texture. The results showed that the morphological variables of assembly and depth of texture have impact on heat loss, and the impact of surface area to volume (SAV) ratios on heat loss capabilities varies for different surface roughness. This study demonstrates the potential exploitation of morphological adaptation to buildings, that could contribute to them cooling passively and reduce the need for expensive and energy consuming mechanical systems. Furthermore, it suggests areas for further investigation and opens new avenues for novel thermal solutions inspired by nature for the built environment.Development of polypropylene (PP) films incorporating antioxidant-antimicrobial agents can inhibit microbial growth and reduce undesirable deteriorating reactions and can preserve the quality of food. This study was aimed to use a combination of sorbic acid (SA), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) to provide a synergistic effect at their reduced concentrations. A Combination of the additives was more effective in enhancing mechanical properties compared to their single state in film composition. The PP-2%SA-3%BHA film (T3) had the highest tensile strength (17.9 MPa) and the lowest elongation at break (7.1%) than other films. The fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) proposed physical mixing of active additives within PP-matrix. Scanning electron microscopy showed uniform dispersion of the additives in PP-2%SA-1%BHT-1%BHA film (T4) compared to others. BHT containing films decreased the storage and loss moduli leading to weakening of film viscoelastic behaviour and reducing film melting point. The prepared active films showed higher antioxidant activity than control PP-film following an order of T4 > T2 > T3 corresponding to DPPH radical scavenging values of 89.1, 83.4 and 79.1%, respectively. All active films inhibited gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria growth. The results of this study indicated that the prepared active films possess desirable mechanical, thermal, antioxidant and antimicrobial properties enabling their use in food packaging.Human milk represents a cornerstone for growth and development of infants, with extensive array of benefits. In addition to exceptionally nutritive and bioactive components, human milk encompasses a complex community of signature bacteria that helps establish infant gut microbiota, contributes to maturation of infant immune system, and competitively interferes with pathogens. Among bioactive constituents of milk, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are particularly significant. These are non-digestible carbohydrates forming the third largest solid component in human milk. Valuable effects of HMOs include shaping intestinal microbiota, imparting antimicrobial effects, developing intestinal barrier, and modulating immune response. Moreover, recent investigations suggest correlations between HMOs and milk microbiota, with complex links possibly existing with environmental factors, genetics, geographical location, and other factors. In this review, and from a physiological and health implications perspective, milk benefits for newborns and mothers are highlighted. From a microbiological perspective, a focused insight into milk microbiota, including origins, diversity, benefits, and effect of maternal diet is presented. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/bay-985.html From a metabolic perspective, biochemical, physiological, and genetic significance of HMOs, and their probable relations to milk microbiota, are addressed. Ongoing research into mechanistic processes through which the rich biological assets of milk promote development, shaping of microbiota, and immunity is tackled.Women consuming a strictly vegan/plant-based diet may be at increased risk of low iodine intake due to avoidance of animal products containing iodine. The aim of this pilot study was to determine the iodine excretion and intake in women consuming vegan/plant based diets compared with women consuming omnivore diets. Fifty-seven women (n = 31 plant-based, n = 26 omnivores), provided two spot urine samples to assess urinary iodine concentration (UIC). Two days of dietary intake were also recorded by participants. As the data were not normally distributed results are reported as median (IQR). UIC was significantly different between groups, 44 (26-66) µg/L in the vegan/plant-based group versus 64 (40-88) µg/L in omnivores (p 100 µg/L level recommended by the World Health Organization. Iodine intake was also significantly different, 78 (62-91) µg/day in the vegan/plant-based group and 125 (86-175) µg/day in the omnivores (p = 0.000). Iodine intake and bread intake were correlated with iodine excretion (CC 0.410-4.11, p = 0.