Evaluating efficiency in water and sewerage services: An integrated DEA approach with DOE and PCA.

Evaluating the performance of service organizations like Water and Sewerage companies is essential for optimal operations, high-quality service, and cost efficiency. This paper introduces a model using data envelopment analysis (DEA) to assess the efficiency of operational units within such companies. The selection of key performance indicators is complicated by the numerous inputs and outputs, each affecting systems and activities differently.

A decision rule algorithm for the detection of patients with hypertension using claims data.

Objectives: Claims data covers a large population and can be utilized for various epidemiological and economic purposes. However, the diagnosis of prescriptions is not determined in the claims data of many countries. This study aimed to develop a decision rule algorithm using prescriptions to detect patients with hypertension in claims data.

Association of lncRNA ANRIL rs10757278 A>G Variant, Tumor Size, Grading, Tumor Site, and Tumor Stage in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Patients.

Background: Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) is a pressing global health challenge. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as pivotal regulators. Among these, the lncRNA ANRIL (antisense non-coding RNA in the INK4 locus) has a role in cancer progression.

Dimethyl itaconate modulates neuroprotective effect on primary rat astrocytes under inflammatory condition by regulating the expression of neurotrophic factors and TrkA/B-P75 receptors.

Introduction: Astrocytes, specialized glial cells, are essential for maintaining the central nervous system homeostasis. Inflammatory conditions can disrupt neurotrophic factors and receptor expression in astrocytes, leading to potential central nervous system damage. Itaconate, recently identified for its anti-inflammatory properties, was investigated in this study for its effects on neurotrophic factors in LPS-stimulated primary rat astrocytes.

The effects of FeONPs@SiO2 and FeONPs@pectin nanoparticles on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line and the expression of BAX, TPX1 and BCL2 genes.

Breast cancer is a cause of death in women, making it a significant issue in women's health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nanoparticles (NPs) of FeONPs@pectin and FeONPs@SiO on MCF-7 cells. FeONPs@pectin and FeONPs@SiO NPs were prepared using the chemical coprecipitation technique.

Cost-effectiveness of oral versus injectable disease modifying therapies in relapsing multiple sclerosis: a systematic review analysis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive neurological autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. There are two types of drugs used to treat this disease: injectable and oral drugs. The present study aimed at systematically reviewing the cost effectiveness of oral versus injectable drugs.

Cytoreductive Nephrectomy Following Immunotherapy for Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma and IVC Tumor Thrombus Arising from a Horseshoe Kidney.

Introduction: Performing surgery for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in patients with horseshoe kidneys presents unique anatomic challenges. The complexities of clinical decision-making and technical challenges are further compounded by the presence of both IVC tumor thrombus extension and metastatic disease.

Case Presentation: We encountered the unique case of a 66-year-old woman with a horseshoe kidney who presented with a 14cm mass in her right kidney with level II tumor thrombus extension into the IVC, retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy, and pulmonary nodules that were biopsy-proven to be consistent with metastatic clear cell RCC (cT3aN1M1).

The association of radiologic right heart strain indices with the severity of pulmonary parenchymal involvement and prognosis in patients with COVID-19.

Introduction: It has been demonstrated that an increase in the diameter of the right ventricle or pulmonary artery in COVID-19 patients could be associated with the severity of lung involvement and may lead to unfavorable outcomes, particularly in the presence of pulmonary vascular diseases. This study investigated the relationship between these right heart strain features, the extent of lung involvement, and their prognostic values in patients without vascular comorbidities.

Methods: This study selected 154 consecutive patients with positive chest computed tomography (CT) findings and no evidence of concurrent pulmonary disease.

Effect of Ultrahigh Dose Rate on Biomolecular Radiation Damage.

Dose rate is one of the important parameters in radiation-induced biomolecular damage. The effects of dose rate have been known to modify radiation toxicity in biological systems. The rate and extent of sublethal DNA damage (e.

Strategies to Improve Clinical Outcomes and Patient Experience Undergoing Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumor.

Purpose Of Review: To describe patient experiences of transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and review recent advances in enhancing clinical outcomes.

Recent Findings: High rates of recurrence and progression of non-muscle invasive bladder tumors expose patients to multiple TURBT procedures throughout their disease process. Understanding the impact of TURBT on quality of life and patient experiences is crucial for shared decision-making, thus enhanced recovery protocol trials are being explored to improve patient outcomes.

Expandable hESC-derived cardiovascular progenitor cells generate functional cardiac lineage cells for microtissue construction.

Background: Cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are considered valuable cell sources for investigating cardiovascular physiology in vitro. Meeting the diverse needs of this application requires the large-scale production of CPCs in an in vitro environment. This study aimed to use an effective culture system utilizing signaling factors for the large-scale expansion of hESC-derived CPCs with the potential to differentiate into functional cardiac lineage cells.

Cytotoxicity assessment and antimicrobial effects of cell-free supernatants from probiotic lactic acid bacteria and yeast against multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli.

The antibacterial, antibiofilm, and cytotoxicity activity of cell-free supernatants (CFSs) from probiotics, including Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae against multi-drug resistant Escherichia coli evaluated in current research. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the CFSs were determined by analyzing inhibition zone formation using agar disk diffusion for antibacterial activity, microtiter plate for biofilm analysis, and auto-aggregation were done. CFSs substances were analyzed by GC-MS.

An environmentally friendly deep eutectic solvent for CO capture.

A leading cause of global warming is the increase of carbon dioxide (CO) emissions due to anthropogenic activities which prompts an urgent need for substantial reduction. Recently, CO absorption in deep eutectic solvents (DESs) has attracted scientific attention, because of their adaptability compared to traditional ionic liquids and aqueous amine solutions. This study employs the heating method to synthesize DESs using tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPAB) and formic acid (Fa) with molar ratios of TPAB-Fa (1:1) and TPAB-Fa (1:2).

Cross-sectional study of determinants of undernutrition among children aged 6-36 months in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Objectives: The current study aimed to find the distribution and factors associated with undernutrition among children aged 6-36 months in Kabul.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Public Ataturk Children's Hospital, Kabul.

Evaluation of , , , and Expression Levels as Psoriasis Marker in the Imiquimod-Induced Psoriasis Model.

Background: Psoriasis is a noncontagious auto-inflammatory chronic skin disease. So far, some of the inflammatory genes were upregulated in mouse model of psoriasis. This study examined changes in skin mRNA expression of L-kynureninase (), cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide (), beta-defensin 2 (), and proenkephalin () in a mouse model of imiquimod-induced psoriasis.

Insight into the cardioprotective effects of melatonin: shining a spotlight on intercellular Sirt signaling communication.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading causes of death and illness worldwide. While there have been advancements in the treatment of CVDs using medication and medical procedures, these conventional methods have limited effectiveness in halting the progression of heart diseases to complete heart failure. However, in recent years, the hormone melatonin has shown promise as a protective agent for the heart.

Promotion of cardiac microtissue assembly within G-CSF-enriched collagen I-cardiogel hybrid hydrogel.

Tissue engineering as an interdisciplinary field of biomedical sciences has raised many hopes in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases as well as development of three-dimensional (3D) cardiac models. This study aimed to engineer a cardiac microtissue using a natural hybrid hydrogel enriched by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a bone marrow-derived growth factor. Cardiac ECM hydrogel (Cardiogel: CG) was mixed with collagen type I (ColI) to form the hybrid hydrogel, which was tested for mechanical and biological properties.

Biomimetic Scaffolds for Regeneration of Temporomandibular Joint Disc: A Narrative Review.

Defects and dysfunctions of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc are responsible for the majority of TMJ diseases. Current treatments in this matter are usually short-term and only palliative, thus an alternative treatment that offers long-lasting repair is in great demand. In recent years great attempts have been made to prepare an ideal scaffold, which best resembles the native TMJ disc in characteristics such as mechanical, physical and biological properties.

Predictors of pain intensity in carpal tunnel syndrome: Development and validation of a model.

Objective: Pain often accompanies carpal tunnel syndrome and affects patients' health-related quality of life. The aim was to develop and validate a predictive model for the pain intensity of carpal tunnel syndrome using demographic, clinical, electrophysiological, and ultrasound findings.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data from a large sample of patients (May 2017 to December 2022) with carpal tunnel syndrome.

Association of serum omentin levels with microvascular complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background And Aims: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic condition associated with various microvascular complications, including neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. Recent studies have suggested a potential association between serum omentin levels and the risk of developing microvascular complications in patients with T2DM. However, the existing evidence remains inconclusive.