bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Outcome of a single XEN microstent implant for glaucoma patients with different types of glaucoma
Authors: Schargus Marc , Teilig Therese , Rehak Matus , Busch Catharina , Bormann Caroline , Unterlauft Jan Darius
Published: December 2020

Background The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the efficacy and safety profile of a single XEN-microstent in different types of primary and secondary open angle glaucoma. Methods A single XEN microstent was implanted in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), normal-tension glaucoma (NTG), pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX) and secondary glaucoma (Sec.Gl). The intraocular pressure (IOP), the active substances of the applied IOP-lowering drugs, the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the mean deviation (MD) of the perimetry were measured at baseline and at regular follow-ups, scheduled at 2 days and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. Results 153 eyes were included in this analysis. 113 eyes were affected by POAG (74%), 5 eyes by NTG (3%), 22 eyes by PEX (14%) and 13 eyes by Sec.Gl (9%). Mean IOP decreased in all treatment groups during the 12 months of follow-up (complete group: 23.9±7.4 to 15.4±5.1 mmHg (p<0.01); POAG: 22.8±6.5 to 15.1±4.6 mmHg (p<0.01); NTG: 16.6±3.4 to 11.6±2.2 mmHg (p<0.05); PEX: 28.0±7.9 to 17.1±6.6 mmHg (p<0.01); Sec.Gl: 28.9±13.9 to 15.5±6.9 mmHg (p<0.05)). In the 153 eyes the average number of IOP-lowering drugs applied decreased from 2.6±1.2 to 0.8±1.3 12 months after surgery (p<0.01). BCVA and mean deviation of automated standard perimetry remained stable in all groups during follow-up. Conclusion As in eyes suffering from POAG, IOP and number of IOP-lowering drugs applied can be effectively reduced by XEN implantation in eyes suffering from NTG, PEX and secondary glaucoma while leaving BCVA and visual field unchanged. Trial registration Trial was registered at DRKS (registration number: DRKS00020800, Registered 25.February 2020 - Retrospectively registered, https://www.drks.de/drks_web/navigate.do?navigationId=trial.HTML&TRIAL_ID=DRKS00020800)
NEMO-Binding Domain Peptide ameliorates alveolar hypercoagulation and fibrinolytic inhibition in lipopolysaccharide-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome via NF-κB signaling pathway in mice
Authors: Wang Yahui , Wu Yanqi , Liu Bo , Yang Huilin , Qian Hong , Cheng Yumei , Li Xiang , Yang Guixia , Zheng Xinghao , Shen Feng
Published: December 2020

Background It was confirmed that alveolar hypercoagulation and fibrinolytic inhibition were associated with refractory hypoxemia in acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and NF-κB pathway was involved in this process. The purpose of the present study is to explore the effects and relevant mechanisms exerted by NEMO-binding domain peptide (NBDP) to alleviate alveolar hypercoagulation and fibrinolytic inhibition aroused by lipopolysaccharide in ARDS mice.
Materials and Methods Adult male BALB/c mice inhaled lipopolysaccharide (LPS, mg/L) to induce ARDS. 30 minutes before LPS administration, we treated the mice with increasing concentrations of intratracheally inhaled NBDP or saline aerosol. Six hours after LPS treatment, bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) were collected and then all mice were executed. We checked coagulation and fibrinolysis associated factors in lung tissues and in BALF as well. We simultaneously observed the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway as well.
Results NBDP pretreatment dose-dependently inhibited either the expressions of tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) 1 in lung tissues or the secretions of TF, PAI-1, thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) and promoted activated protein C (APC) secretion in BALF induced by LPS. LPS-induced high expression of pulmonary procollagen peptide type Ⅲ (PⅢP) was also declined by NBDP pretreatment in dose-dependent manner. Western blotting showed that NBDP pretreatment obviously attenuated LPS-induced IKKα/β, Iκα and NF-κB p65 activation. LPS-induced p65 DNA binding activity was inhibited by NBDP pretreatment either. We also noticed NBDP protected mice against LPS-induced lung injury in a dose-dependent manner.
Conclusions Our experimental findings demonstrate that NBDP dose-dependently ameliorated LPS-induced alveolar hypercoagulation and fibrinolytic inhibition through inhibiting NF-κB signaling pathway. NBDP is expected to be a new therapeutic target to correct the abnormalities of alveolar coagulation and fibrinolysis in ARDS.
Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in community-dwelling Chinese populations aged over 55 years: a meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Lu Yuan , Liu Chaojie , Yu Dehua , Fawkes Sally , Ma Jia , Zhang Min , Li Chunbo
Published: December 2020

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is an intermediate phase between normal cognitive ageing and overt dementia, with amnesic MCI (aMCI) being the dominant subtype. This study aims to synthesise the prevalence results of MCI and aMCI in community-dwelling populations in China through a meta-analysis and systematic review.Methods: The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. English and Chinese studies published before 1 March 2020 were searched from ten electronic bibliographic databases. Two reviewers screened for relevance of the studies against the pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria and assessed the quality of the included studies using the Risk of Bias Tool independently. A random-effect model was adopted to estimate the prevalence of MCI and aMCI, followed by sub-group analyses and meta-regression. Sensitivity and publication bias tests were performed to verify the robustness of the meta-analyses.Results: A total of 41 studies with 112,632 participants were included in the meta-analyses. The Chinese community-dwelling populations over 55 years old had a pooled prevalence of 12.2% [95% confidence interval (CI): 10.6%, 14.2%] for MCI and 10.9% [95% CI: 7.7%, 15.4%] for aMCI, respectively. The prevalence of MCI increased with age. The American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic tool (DSM-IV) generated the highest MCI prevalence (13.5%), followed by the Petersen criteria (12.9%), and the National Institute on Aging Alzheimer’s Association (NIA-AA) criteria (10.3%). Women, rural residents, and those who lived alone and had low levels of education had higher MCI prevalence than others. ​Conclusion: Higher MCI prevalence was identified in community-dwelling older adult populations in China compared with some other countries, possibly due to more relaxed criteria being adopted for confirming the diagnosis. The study shows that aMCI accounts for 66.5% of MCI, which is consistent with findings of studies undertaken elsewhere.Systematic review registration number: PROSPERO CRD42019134686
Long-term outcomes of prediction error after combined phacoemulsification and trabeculectomy in glaucoma patients
Authors: Kang Yeon Soo , Sung Mi Sun , Heo Hwan , Ji Yong Sok , Park Sang Woo
Published: December 2020

Background: To investigate long-term outcomes of prediction error after phacotrabeculectomy and to determine risk factors that may cause unstable prediction error after phacotrabeculectomy in glaucoma patients. Methods: A total 120 eyes of 120 patients who had underwent uncomplicated phacotrabeculectomy (combined group) or phacoemulsification (phaco-only group) were included. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured before and after surgery, and anterior segment parameters including anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens vault (LV), and anterior vault (AV) measured using anterior-segment optical coherence tomography were compared between the two groups. The mean absolute error (MAE) at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively were compared. Risk factors associated with unstable prediction error (MAE ≥ 0.5) were investigated in the combined group. Results: In both groups, BCVA was improved and IOP was decreased significantly. MAE at 3, 6, 12, 24 months postoperatively were not significantly different between two groups. The risk factors for unstable prediction error after 12 months of phacotrabeculectomy were old age and LV. Whereas, the only factor predicting unstable prediction error after 24 months of phacotrabeculectomy was LV. The cut-off value of LV for predicting unstable refractive error analyzed by the ROC curve was 0.855 mm. Conclusions: Phacotrabeculectomy may be an effective treatment with stable long-term outcomes of prediction error similar to phacoemulsification in patients with glaucoma. However, elderly patients or patients with large LV may be predisposed to unstable prediction error after phacotrabeculectomy.
Cellular and humoral peritoneal immunity to Mesocestoides vogae metacestodes infection in mice.
Authors: Kubašková Terézia Mačák , Mudroňová Dagmar , Vargová Miroslava , Reiterová Katarína , Hrckova Gabriela
Published: December 2020

Background Here, Mesocestoides (M.) vogae infection in mice is proposed as a suitable experimental model for studying the immunity in the peritoneal cavity of mice. Methods To investigate the kinetics of immune parameters in M. vogae-infected mice, we detected, using flow cytometry, the expression of selected lymphoid and myeloid markers within the peritoneal cell population at day 0, 3, 6, 10, 14, 19, 25, 30 and 35 post-infection. Then, using ELISA, we analyzed the cytokine IFN-γ, TGF-β, IL-4 and IL-10 responses and the levels of anti-M. vogae IgG and IgM antibodies in the peritoneal lavage fluid. Cells isolated from peritoneal cavity were subjected to further molecular analysis. To assess cell activation, peritoneal cells were exposed to LPS, and culture supernatants were collected and assayed for the level of cytokines and production of nitrite. Ly6C+ and Ly6G+ cells were isolated using MACS from the peritoneal cells at day 35 post-infection. Both MACS-isolated subsets were co-cultured with preactivated T cells to measure their suppressive capacity. Next, the role of parasite excretory-secretory antigens on induction of CD11b+ myeloid cells with the suppressive phenotype and the production of IL-10 was examined.Results In the peritoneal cavity an initial increase of CD11b+Gr-1+F4/80highMHCIIhigh cells, NK, NKT cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T cells was observed in the first week of infection. At day 14 post-infection, an increase in the number of myeloid CD11b+Gr-1+ cells was detected, and most of this cell population expressed low levels of F4/80 and MHC II in later stages of infection, suggesting the impairment of antigen-presenting cell functions, probably through the excretory-secretory molecules. Moreover, we confirmed that peritoneal Gr1+ cells (Ly6C+ and Ly6G+ population) are phenotypically and functionally consistent with myeloid-derived suppressor cells. Metacestode infection elicited high levels of IL-10 and up-regulated of STAT-3 in peritoneal cells. A higher level of IgM suggests that this isotype may be predominant and is involved in the host protection.Conclusions M. vogae tetrathyridia induced the recruitment of immunosuppressive cell subsets, which may play a key role in the down-regulation of immune response in long-term parasitic diseases, and excretory-secretory antigens seem to be the main regulatory factor.
Infertility and Pregnancy Loss in Hispanic/Latino Women with Chronic Kidney Disease: Results from the Hispanic Community Health Study/ Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)
Authors: Reynolds Monica , Loehr Laura R , Hogan Susan L , Hu Yichun , Isasi Carmen R , Cordero Christina , Ricardo Ana C , Lash James P , Derebail Vimal K
Published: December 2020

Background: Hispanic/Latino individuals are less likely to receive optimal treatment for chronic kidney disease (CKD) than non-Hispanic whites. This may be particularly detrimental for women of reproductive age as CKD may increase risk for infertility, menstrual irregularities, and pregnancy loss. While these maternal outcomes have been associated with advanced CKD, their occurrence in mild CKD is unclear. Methods: Using baseline (2008-2011) and second study visit (2014-2017) data from the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), we assessed the association between CKD and self-reported infertility, cessation of menses, hysterectomy, and nonviable pregnancy loss (experienced at less than 24 weeks gestation) in women of reproductive age (18-45 years). Multivariable survey logistic regression analyses were used to compute prevalence odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (OR, 95% CI). Results: Of the 2,589 women included (mean age 31.4 years), 4.6% were considered to have CKD. In adjusted analyses, women with CKD did not have a significantly increased odds of infertility (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.42 - 2.49), cessation of menses (OR 1.25, 95% CI 0.52 - 3.04) or hysterectomy (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.61 - 2.25) compared to those without CKD. In those with CKD, the adjusted odds of a nonviable pregnancy loss was increased when considering pregnancies occurring after baseline visit (OR 2.11, 95% CI 0.63 - 7.02) but not statistically significance. Conclusion: In our Hispanic/Latino cohort, the presence of mild CKD did not confer an additional risk of our outcomes of interest. Examining nonviable pregnancy loss after CKD diagnosis in a larger sample warrants further study.
Effect of spray-dried porcine plasma in peripartum sow feed on subsequent litter size
Authors: Crenshaw Joe David , Río Laura Lafoz del , Sanjoaquin Luis , Tibble Simon , González-Solé Francesc , Solà-Oriol David , Rodriguez Carmen , Campbell Joy , Polo Javier
Published: December 2020

Background: Nutritional strategies for sows designed to reduce peripartum stress are suggested to support postpartum recovery and productivity. Spray-dried plasma (SDP) in sow feed has been reported to benefit sow and litter performance. Stressed animals fed diets with SDP have a more efficient immune response supporting animal recovery and health. The objectives of the present study using 452 sows (147 parity 1 sows, 148 parity 2 sows) were to determine if 0, 0.5 or 2.5% spray-dried porcine plasma (SDPP) in peripartum feed provided from entry in maternity through day 5 of lactation affects sow productivity and serological immune and oxidation status markers around parturition. Post-weaning sow productivity parameters including litter size at the next parturition was evaluated, but peripartum diets were only provided during the first parturition. Results: In the first parturition, total born litter size was lower (P < 0.05) especially for sows allotted to the peripartum diet with 2.5% SDPP. Percentage of stillborn pigs decreased quadratically (P < 0.05) for sows fed 0.5% or 2.5% SDPP compared to 0% SDPP in peripartum feed and this result was not affected by total born litter size. Serum glutathione peroxidase activity linearly increased (P < 0.01) with increased dietary SDPP for both prepartum and postpartum sampling periods. In the next parturition, total born pigs from combined data of parity 1 and 2 sows linearly increased (P < 0.05) and live born pigs tended (P = 0.09) to linearly increase as level of SDPP increased and this result was not affected by total born litter size in the first parturition. The change in total and live born pigs from the first to the next parturition linearly (P < 0.01) increased as dietary SDPP increased for parity 1 and 2 sows. Conclusions: The reduced percentage of stillborn pigs and increased litter size of parity 1 and 2 sows in the next parturition was independent of total born litter size in the first parturition suggesting SDPP in peripartum sow feed may have merit for reducing stillborn pigs and benefit litter size in the next parturition for parity 1 and parity 2 sows.
Evaluating Quality Of Life In Families With Williams Syndrome Patients
Authors: Moraleda-Sepúlveda Esther , Arana-Zumaquero Mario , López-Resa Patricia
Published: December 2020

Background: Williams Syndrome is a developmental disorder characterized by a variable intellectual disability. People with Williams Syndrome need the intervention of several clinical and educational specialists throughout their life. However, little is known about the impact produced by this disability in their immediate environment, especially in families. The purpose was to know the level of quality of life described by families with Williams Syndrome. Methods: The sample was made up of 33 families belong to Spanish Williams Syndrome Association who were evaluated using the Kidslife Scale. Their children and adolescents were between 4 and 20 years old. Eight main quality of life domains were evaluated: emotional well-being, physical well-being, material well-being, personal development, interpersonal relations, social inclusion, self-determination and rightsResults: The obtained data indicated that the degree and presence of intellectual disability did not homogeneously influence people’s quality of life, but many variables could alter their quality of life to a greater or lesser extent. There are no significant differences between quality of life areas but significant differences appeared for level of dependence in the self-determination subarea (p<.05). Conclusions: These results led us to analyse the social and emotional implications for families and their environment.
Following cytotoxic nanoconjugates from injection to halting the cell cycle machinery and its therapeutic implications in oral cancer
Authors: Hamid Hend Mohamed Abdel , Darwish Zeinab El Sayed , Elsheikh Sahar Mohamed , Mourad Ghada , Donia Hanaa , Afifi Marwa
Published: December 2020

Background: The concept of personalized therapy has been proven to be a promising approach. A popular technique is to utilize gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as drug delivery vectors for cytotoxic drugs and small molecule inhibitors to target and eradicate oral cancer cells in vitro and in vivo . Both drug and nanocarrier designs play important roles in the treatment efficacy. In our study, we standardized the nanosystem regarding NPs type, size, surface ligands and coverage percentage leaving only the drugs mode of action as the confounding variable. We propose that similarly constructed nanoparticles (NPs) can selectively leverage different conjugated drugs irrelevant to their original mode of action. If proven, AuNPs may have a secondary role beyond bypassing cancer cell membrane and delivering their loaded drugs.
Methods: We conjugated 5- fluorouracil (5Fu), camptothecin (CPT), and a fibroblast growth factor receptor1-inhibitor (FGFR1i) to gold nanospheres (AuNSs). We followed their trajectories in Syrian hamsters with chemically induced buccal carcinomas.
Results: Flow cytometry and cell cycle data shows that 5Fu- and CPT- induced a similar ratio of S-phase cell cycle arrest as nanoconjugates and in their free forms. On the other hand, FGFR1i-AuNSs induced significant sub-G1 cell population compared with its free form. Despite cell cycle dynamics variability, there was no significant difference in tumor cells’ proliferation rate between CPT-, 5Fu- and FGFR1i- AuNSs treated groups. In our in vivo model, FGFR1i-AuNSs induced the highest tumor reduction rates followed by 5Fu- AuNSs. CPT-AuNSs induced significantly lower tumor reduction rates compared with the 5Fu- and FGFR1i- AuNSs despite showing similar proliferative rates in tumor cells.
Conclusions: Our data indicates that the cellular biological events do not predict the outcome seen in our in vivo model. Furthermore, our results suggest that AuNSs selectively enhance the therapeutic effect of small molecule inhibitors such as FGFR1i than potent anticancer drugs. Future studies are required to better understand the underlying mechanism.
Perception and Experiences of Sexual Harassment among Women Working in Hospitality Workplaces of Bahir Dar city, Northwest Ethiopia: A qualitative study
Authors: Worke Mulugeta Dile , Koricha Zewdie Birhanu , Debelew Gurmesa Tura
Published: December 2020

Background: Workplace sexual harassment is a public health problem that depends on gender, context, and perceivers ideology. Though studies documented the prevalence and consequences worldwide, the perception, experience, risk, and effects on victims are still at an earlier stage and not well understood in low and middle-income countries, particularly Ethiopia. The issue is worsened among women employees in the hospitality workplace that comprises hotels, bars, restaurants, fast-food establishments, and cafeterias. Hence, this study aimed to explore workplace sexual harassment perception and experience among women in these workplaces.Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted from January 1 to August 30, 2019. Data were collected from women employees, managers, cashiers, and customers from several hospitality workplaces in the Bahir Dar City. The data were collected through focus group discussions, in-depth interviews, and key-informant interviews. Women who experienced sexual harassment were selected using the snowball method, and the key informants were recruited purposefully until the data theoretically saturated. Key informants who were supposed to give adequate information to study objectives were selected. The selection process was based on their responsibility concerning women working in hospitality workplaces. Data were analyzed via the thematic analysis approach using the ATLAS ti version 8.4.24 software package. Results: In this study, six focus group discussions, ten in-depth interviews, and thirteen key informant interviews were conducted. The majority of the participants perceived that sexual harassment is pressuring, threatening, touching, abducting for sexual advances; and experienced verbal, physical, and non-verbal forms. Similarly, the perceived risk factors were organization related, customer-related, victim-related; and the consequences were work-related, health-related, finance-related, and family undermining.Conclusions: Workplace sexual harassment in hospitality workplaces was poorly understood but widely experienced by women. It was also caused by multiple factors and affected both organizational and individual-level factors. Awareness creation campaigns, pre-service education, and in-service training, prevention, and rehabilitation are needed. Likewise, organizational policies and strategies should have to be developed and implemented.
Magnetotelluric study in the Los Lagos Region (Chile) to investigate volcano-tectonic processes in the Southern Andes
Authors: Segovia Maria Jose , Diaz Daniel , Slezak Katarzyna , Zuñiga Felipe
Published: December 2020

In order to analyze the process of subduction of the Nazca and South American plates in the area of the Southern Andes, and its relationship with the tectonic and volcanic regime of the place, magnetotelluric measurements were made through a transversal profile of the Chilean continental margin. The data processing stage included the analysis of dimensional parameters, which as first results showed a three-dimensional environment for periods less than 1s and two-dimensional for periods greater than 10s. In addition, through the geomagnetic transfer function (tipper), the presence of structural electrical anisotropy was identified in the data. After the dimensional analysis, a deep electrical resistivity image was obtained by inverting a 2D and a 3D model. Surface conductive anomalies were obtained beneath the central depression related to the early dehydration of the slab and the serpentinization process of the mantle that coincides in location with a discontinuity in the electrical resistivity of a regional body that we identified as the Nazca plate. A shallow conductive body was located around the Calbuco volcano and was correlated with a magmatic chamber or reservoir which in turn appears to be connected to the Liquiñe Ofqui fault system and the Andean Transverse Fault system. In addition to the serpentinization process, when the oceanic crust reaches a depth of 80 - 100km, the ascending fluids produced by the dehydration and phase changes of the minerals present in the oceanic plate produce basaltic melts in the wedge of the subcontinental mantle that give rise to an eclogitization process and this explains a large conductivity anomaly present beneath the main mountain range.
Transposable Element Subfamily Annotation has a reproducibility problem
Authors: Carey Kaitlin M , Patterson Gilia , Wheeler Travis J
Published: December 2020

Background: Transposable element (TE) sequences are classified into families based on the reconstructed history of replication, and into subfamilies based on more ne-grained features that are often intended to capture family history. We evaluate the reliability of annotation with common subfamilies by assessing the extent to which subfamily annotation is reproducible in replicate copies created by segmental duplications in the human genome, and in homologous copies shared by human and chimpanzee.Results: We find that standard methods annotate over 10% of replicates as belonging to different subfamilies, despite the fact that they are expected to be annotated as belonging to the same subfamily. Point mutations and homologous recombination appear to be responsible for some of this discordant annotation (particularly in the young Alu family), but are unlikely to fully explain the annotation unreliability.Conclusions: The surprisingly high level of disagreement in subfamily annotation of homologous sequences highlights a need for further research into definition of TE subfamilies, methods for representing subfamily annotation confidence of TE instances, and approaches to better utilizing such nuanced annotation data indownstream analysis.
Chamberless Healing for Small-scale Production of Grafted Tomato Transplants
Authors: Gong Tian , Zhao Xin , Sharma Ashwin , Brecht Jeffrey K. , Colee James
Published: December 2020

Interest is growing among small-scale growers in grafting tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) for improved crop productivity. Healing of newly grafted plants is often considered to be a critical process requiring a highly controlled environment. Setting up healing chambers and managing healing conditions can be major challenges for small-scale producers that limit graft survival and discourage further attempts at using grafting technology. Here, we demonstrate a simple “chamberless healing” strategy for grafted tomato plants using regular indoor conditions without the need to install and manage a sophisticated healing chamber. We hypothesize that tomato can form a high-quality graft in a healing environment with relative humidity below 70% and ambient temperatures between 22 and 25 °C. ‘Tribute’ beefsteak tomato as the scion was grafted onto ‘Estamino’ rootstock in the 2018 experiment, whereas ‘Multifort’ and ‘Shield RZ F1 (61-802)’ were used as the rootstocks in the 2019 experiment. After grafting, the seedlings for the chamberless healing treatment were kept in uncovered seedling trays and misted with water two or three times per day. Seedlings in other treatments were placed in a humidity dome or wrapped chamber to maintain high humidity during the first few days after grafting. In the 2018 experiment, chamberless healing was compared with covered treatments with different ventilation times during the first few days after grafting. In the 2019 experiment, chamberless healing was compared with a standard graft healing chamber treatment to further validate its feasibility. In both 2018 and 2019, all treatments showed high graft survival rates (>85%) at 21 days after grafting (DAG), and plants from the chamberless healing treatment had a lower incidence of adventitious root growth than plants from other healing treatments (0% to 7% vs. 33% to 78%). In the 2019 experiment, no differences in graft union strength, photosynthetic rate, biomass accumulation, or flowering time were observed between the chamberless and standard healing treatments. Plants with chamberless healing were slightly (8%) shorter than the standard treatment at 21 DAG, but no difference was observed at 27 DAG. Although some additional management is required during healing to prevent water loss, the alternative chamberless system assessed in this study exhibited great potential to facilitate small-scale graft healing for producing grafted tomato transplants under standard indoor conditions without any sophisticated healing environment and management.
Morphological, morphometrical, and molecular characterization of Metarhabditis amsactae (Ali, Pervez, Andrabi, Sharma and Verma, 2011) Sudhaus, 2011 (Rhabditida, Rhabditidae) from India and proposal of Metarhabditis longicaudata as a junior synonym of M. amsactae
Authors: Bhat Aashaq Hussain , Srivastava Shreyansh , Rana Aasha , Chaubey Ashok Kumar , Machado Ricardo A. R. , Abolafia Joaquín
Published: December 2020

A new population of Metarhabditis amsactae from India is morphologically, morphometrically, and molecularly characterized. This material is characterized by having 0.65 to 1.14 mm length, lips rounded, and grouped in pairs, stoma with metastegostoma bearing setose denticles, pharynx with metacorpus slightly swollen and fusiform, nerve ring, and excretory pore located at isthmus level, female reproductive system didelphic-amphidelphic with vulva equatorial, female tail conical-elongate with acute tip, male tail conical with large and robust posterior filiform part, spicules free with hooked manubrium slightly bent ventrad, gubernaculum with narrow corpus, bursa open leptoderan with eight genital papillae and phasmids posterior to the GP8. Molecular studies based on 18S and 28S rDNA genes are provided for the first time for the species. In addition, integrated morphological, morphometrical, and molecular characters are compared with other previous records of the species. According to our analysis, Metarhabditis longicaudata and other material described as different species are proposed as new junior synonyms of M. amsactae.
Impactos sobre a conservação de recursos naturais em áreas de exploração mineral
Authors: Silva Fredson Pereira da , Santos Carlos Alberto Batista
Published: December 2020

As questões que envolvem a conservação da diversidade de seres vivos no mundo vem sendo abordados frequentemente em todos os níveis de organização social, entre os temas está a extinção das espécies, como consequência das agressões ao meio ambiente, ás áreas de exploração mineral, são áreas susceptíveis a causarem dados não só ao solo, mas também a toda a diversidade de vida no local, com repercussões no seu entorno, que provoca redução ou destruição de hábitat, afugentamento da fauna, promovendo a morte de espécies da fauna e da flora terrestres e aquáticas. O objetivo deste estudo é apresentar uma lista de espécies da fauna e flora encontradas na Região da Vila Renascer, Petrolina, Estado de Pernambuco, e discutir os impactos na região, que ameaçam essa diversidade. Este estudo foi realizado a partir de entrevistas com a população local residente no entorno de uma mineradora de gnaisse, acerca dos impactos e importância da mineração. A amostragem foi aleatória, sendo selecionados 87 informantes, como critério para inclusão dos participantes na pesquisa foi adotado a idade > 18 anos e escolaridade, optando-se pelos alfabetizados. Os resultados registra que a exploração da rocha, é apontada pelos moradores como redução de espécies da fauna está o Galea spixii, o tatu Euphractus sexcinctus e cascavel Crotalus durissus terrificus pelas mudanças climáticas e pela atividade de caça desses animais e da flora Caesalpinia pyramidalis e o Spondias tuberosa devido ao desmatamento para retirada da rocha, queimadas e abertura de novas vias de acesso para mineração. Diante do exposto, a paisagem como também toda a dinâmica do meio ambiente é alterada, levando extinção de espécies da caatinga, transtornos na saúde da população e também depredação do patrimônio particular, diante disso, não se vislumbra compatibilidade entre a extração de minérios e os objetivos de proteção da fauna e da flora.
Levantamento etnobotânico na Comunidade Rural de Santa Marta, Município de Corrente, Estado do Piauí, Nordeste do Brasil
Authors: Carvalho Cecília de Souza , Gomes Patrine Nunes , Lopes Luzirrany Soares , Aragão Miria Cassia Oliveira , Abreu Lizandro Pereira de , Silva Marcília Martins da
Published: December 2020

O Brasil é um país bastante rico em biodiversidade e com isso as comunidades tradicionais e agricultores fazem o cultivo dessa ampla diversidade de espécies e de variedades vegetais. Este fator agrega grande relevância aos estudos etnobotânicos, onde busca-se resgatar o conhecimento sobre as plantas nas comunidades rurais, visando manter a interrelação entre a utilização de plantas medicinais e o conhecimento das pessoas. O presente estudo teve como objetivo verificar o perfil socioeconômico e a percepção das pessoas sobre o conhecimento botânico do uso e apropriação das plantas medicinais utilizadas na comunidade rural de Santa Marta, Município de Corrente, Estado do Piauí. A pesquisa foi realizada no período de julho de 2018 a março de 2019, na Comunidade Rural de Santa Marta, sendo ela destinada às pessoas com idade igual ou superior a 40 anos, em virtude de possuírem mais conhecimento sobre o uso de plantas medicinais. Para isso, foi realizada uma caminhada transversal com alguns moradores e a aplicação de um questionário semiestruturado de caráter quali-quantitavo. Foi registrado um total de 90 espécies de plantas medicinais utilizadas pelos moradores da Comunidade Rural de Santa Marta. Após identificar as espécies juntamente com os moradores e ainda com a realização de levantamentos bibliográficos, verificou-se que muitas destas espécies são típicas do Cerrado, mas existem a ocorrência de algumas predominantes da Caatinga e Mata Atlântica. As espécies mais usadas pelos entrevistados são a erva-doce Pimpinella anisum L. e o hortelã Mentha crispa L., mencionadas por cerca de 36,36% dos entrevistados, a melancia-da-praia Solanum agrarium Sendtn. (27,27%), a erva-cidreira Lippia alba Mill. N.E.Br. (18,18%), seguido do alecrim Rosmarinus officinalis L., do gengibre Zingiber officinale Roscoe, da imburana Amburana cearensis A.C. Smith e do limão Citrus limon L. Burm. (13,64%) e do pequi Caryocar coriaceum Wittm (4,54%). Dentre as espécies identificadas muitas delas são utilizadas para o tratamento de enfermidades que acometem a vida das pessoas como, diarreia, hipertensão, infecção no sistema urinário, colesterol, entre outros. Quanto à parte vegetal utilizada nas preparações dos remédios caseiros, observou-se uma frequência maior de uso das folhas, seguido de caule e fruta, raízes, flores e óleo. Por meio das informações obtidas foi possível realizar o levantamento etnobotânico das plantas medicinais utilizadas na Comunidade Rural de Santa Marta e, além disso, do uso e do conhecimento que as pessoas possuem. Ao construir essa relação entre comunidade e o conhecimento sobre uso das plantas medicinais, torna-se de grande valia para a vida das pessoas, propiciando a contribuição para a conservação da cultura regional, contribuindo assim na sua valorização.
Dinâmica do aporte e decomposição de serapilheira e influência das variáveis meteorológicas em um fragmento de Mata Atlântica (floresta ombrófila) em Alagoas, Brasil
Authors: Andrade Antonio Marcos Delfino de , Carneiro Rayonil Gomes , Lopes Júnior José Marcelo , Querino Carlos Alexandre Santos , Moura Marcos Antonio Lima
Published: December 2020

O presente estudo foi desenvolvido em uma fragmento de Floresta Ombrófila Aberta que se desenvolve com uma transição para a Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Município de Coruripe, Alagoas, no período de novembro/2009 a fevereiro/2015, cujo objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos das alterações climáticas sobre os processos de produção e decomposição de serapilheira. Os aportes de serapilheira total e acumulada foram mensurados utilizando-se 10 coletores cada, todos instalados aleatoriamente, sendo um coletado mensalmente e outro trimestralmente. Também foram realizadas medições no local de precipitação, radiação solar global e velocidade do vento em uma torre micrometeorológicas de 26 m de altura (Latitude 10o 00' 37" S; Longitude 36o 17' 60" W; alt. 160 m). Observou-se que as variáveis meteorológicas apresentaram uma variação sazonal bastante forte associadas às estações seca e chuvosa. A produção média mensal de serapilheira durante o período observado foi de 0,618 Mg ha-1, sendo novembro e julho os meses de maior e menor aporte. As variáveis precipitação, radiação solar e velocidade do vento indicaram correlação moderada e inversamente proporcional com a produção de serapilheira. A serapilheira acumulada mostrou padrão sazonal, com maior acúmulo na estação seca, mas o aproveitamento da serapilheira bem como o tempo de meia-vida é relativamente muito abaixo do esperado para ecossistemas tropicais similares.
Qualidade da água como instrumento para a gestão hídrica da Bacia Hidrográfica Piranhas-Açu (Rio Grande do Norte, Brasil)
Authors: Morais Maria Alcilene , Gomes Francisco Bruno Monte , Lemos Filho Luis César de Aquino , Freire George Satander Sá , Silva Gleydson de Freitas , Facundo André Leone
Published: December 2020

O monitoramento contínuo de qualidade das águas existentes nos recursos hídricos torna-se uma ferramenta poderosa para gerenciar antecipadamente problemas ambientais que venham a surgir quando os resultados apontam por não conformidades com a legislação nacional competente. Os gestores e tomadores de decisão ficarão munidos de ferramentas detalhadas que darão possibilidade de potencializar ações de preservação e conservação. Diante disso, a pesquisa teve como objetivo analisar a qualidade das águas no Rio Pataxó, do qual, está localizado na Bacia Hidrográfica Piranhas-Açu, Rio Grande do Norte. A metodologia consistiu em análises documentais, análises de campo, sendo demarcadas 10 estações amostrais ao longo do espelho d'água, culminando na coleta de amostras de água avaliando assim sua qualidade, para as variáveis físicas, químicas e microbiológicas, no período de abril/2018, julho/2018, fevereiro/2019 e julho/2019. Como resultados, notou-se que o Rio Pataxó atendeu em praticamente todos os parâmetros físicos, químicos e biológicos investigados, quando comparados com a Resolução CONAMA no. 357/2005. Como o marco temporal abrangeu o período chuvoso e de estiagem na região, tal condição também foi observada, porém, conclui-se que apenas no período chuvoso é que houve uma pequena oscilação, mesmo assim atendeu ao exigido. Para estudos futuros sugere-se aumentar o número de variáveis e estender a avaliação para outras condicionantes, tais como, planos de monitoramento existentes na cidade, percepção dos usuários de água, dentre outros.
OS ODENTOIDEUM: A PROPOS DUN CAS ET REVUE DE LA LITTERATURE
Authors:   ijar, Elallouchi Yassine , Chtira Kamal , Aniba Khalid
Published: December 2020

Description Los odontoideum ou apophyse odontoide mobile est une malformation rare de la charniere cervicooccipitale interessant la deuxieme vertebre cervicale Methode: Nous rapportons le cas dune patiente qui presente une malformation de la charniere cervico-occipitale diagnostiquee et traitee au service de neurochirurgie ibn tofail du CHU Mohamed VI de Marrakech Resultats: Il sagissait dune patiente de 45 ans, chez qui on a diagnostique un os odentoideum. Apres bilan radiologique complet, la patiente a ete traitee chirurgicalement.Nous avions privilegie la voie dabord posterieure avec fixation C1C2. Conclusion: Lindication chirurgicale de los odontoideum est basee sur la symptomatologie clinique, la technique, quant a elle, depend de la reductibilite par les manÃ…Â“uvres de traction et dextension.
COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF FACTORS LEADING TO CLASS III SUBDIVISION MALOCCLUSION USING 3-D CBCT
Authors:   Ex-Post Graduate Student, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Government College of Dentistry,Indore., Jain Vaibhav , Jain Sandhya ,   Prof. and Head Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Government College of Dentistry,Indore., Kuriakose Merin ,   Post Graduate Student Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Government College of Dentistry,Indore.
Published: December 2020

Introduction:Several studies have been conducted to assess skeletal and dental asymmetry on Class II subdivision cases but no studies have yet been published to assess such asymmetries for patients with Class III subdivision malocclusion. The purpose of the study was to assess the maxilla-mandibular dimensional and positional asymmetry along with asymmetry at glenoid fossa level and to find out true dental asymmetry at molar and canine level in class III subdivision malocclusion. Materials and Methods: A split mouth prospective study was conducted on Angles Class III subdivision malocclusions (n=15) and CBCT scans were analyzed with 3-D Dolphin software. 3-D and 2-D measurements were recorded to assess asymmetry between class I and class III sides. 2-D measurements were recorded to assess the position of glenoid fossa, joint spaces and condyle dimension, position and their angulation. Results: Statistically significant differences were found in glenoid fossa depth, position of the maxilla, mandible, as well as in gonial angle. Statistically significant dental differences were also found for the position of the mandibular first molars and canines along with total asymmetry (combined skeletal and dental) in maxilla and mandible. Conclusions: The components contributing to Class III subdivision malocclusion were multifactorial involving glenoid fossa asymmetry, positional asymmetry in maxilla and mandible. Mandibular dimensions were more on class III side but it was not statistically significant. True dental asymmetry was also foundin mandible along with total asymmetry in maxilla and mandible.
INDIA-RUSSIA ENERGY COOPERATION BLOOMING TIES BEYOND THE HORIZON
Authors:   Assistant Professor, KISS, Bhubaneswar, Odisha., Sethy Bhagyadhar
Published: December 2020

Russia and India have a long history of cooperation in the energy sector. The prospects for the development of the energy dialogue are as promising now as they were during the period of friendship between the Soviet Union and India. Since the late 2000s, the RussiaÃ¢Â€Â“India energy partnership has been enjoying a renaissance. So why is now the time for Russia to think seriously about giving a new impetus to the energy dialogue with India? India is the worlds third largest energy consumer and a major energy importer with steadily growing demand. Russia is a key global producer and exporter of petroleum and natural gas. The two countries needs naturally complement each other. The current energy bilateral cooperation, already strong, can significantly extend to new sources such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Building on these can be an industry in natural gas vehicles and renewable energy, enabling economic instruments, such as energy benchmarks, and a policy framework, including labour mobility, to develop a skills corridor in energy. This paper examines the current state of Energy and economic relations between India and Russia. It flags the major issues that hinder development of economic ties between the two countries and discusses future prospects for growth. India and Russia have a long-standing relationship and securing an economic and energy partnership is important from both the diplomatic and geopolitical perspectives. Russia has a vital role in ensuring Indias energy security in the coming decade. India imports oil, mostly from the volatile region of the Middle East. However, to sustain current high rates of growth, India needs to secure and diversify its energy sources. How Russia is an obvious choice in this respect?
A mikrobiom és a test szimbiózisának szerepe, megújulása
Authors: Fritz Péter , Bóday Ádám János
Published: December 2020

Az emberi szervezet egészségét, biológiai folyamatait a mikrobiommal való együttélés minősége határozza meg. A szimbionta mikrobák elősegítik az alkalmazkodást a környezeti feltételekhez, közreműködnek a természetes immunitásunk kialakításában és fenntartásában, és legnagyobb immuno-endokrin szervrendszerünk – az emésztőrendszer működésében. A mikrobiom és ember ökoszisztémája kölcsönös egymásrautaltságának jelentőségét az utóbbi évtzedben fokozódó tudományos érdeklődés kíséri, a mikróbák mesterséges pótlásának lehetőségét számos kiváló tudományos munka támasztja alá. A mikrobiom természetes forrásainak, a szimbiózis helyreállításának – rebiózisnak – megértéséhez azonban egy átfogó kép felvázolása szükséges.
A nyújtási technikák elemzése a rekreációs sporttevékenységek szempontjából
Authors: Laki Ádám , Nagyváradi Katalin , Ihász Ferenc
Published: December 2020

A nyújtási technikák vizsgálata, folyamatosan kutatott területe a sporttudománynak, időről időre változik a nyújtás aktuális trendje, mely épp teret hódít az élsportban. Ezeket az irányzatokat előszeretettel alkalmazzák a rekreációs sporttevékenység területén is. Az élsport és a rekreációs sport célrendszere alapvetően különbözik, így érdemes megvizsgálni, hogy mely nyújtási technikák a legalkalmasabbak a rekreációs sporttevékenység területén, annak érdekében, hogy az egészség megőrzését tartsuk szem előtt. A két fő nyújtási technika (statikus-dinamikus nyújtás), az edzés két különböző részében alkalmazható (bemelegítés, levezetés), és néhány esetben ezek felhasználása ellentétesek az élsportban és a rekreációban. A jövőben érdemes az elérni kívánt cél szerint választani a nyújtási technikák közül, és ennek megfelelően differenciálni a széles körű tudományos eredmények között.
Gerincvédelem gyermekcipőben
Authors: Szigethy Mónika , Nagyváradi Katalin
Published: December 2020

Az utóbbi évtizedekben jelentős mértékben megváltozott, átalakult az emberek életformája. A technika gyors fejlődése, a digitalizálódás, az urbanizáció következtében az egész társadalom életmódjára egyre inkább jellemző az inaktivitás. A mozgásszegény életvitel nincs jó hatással az emberek mozgásszervrendszerére, valamint növeli a belgyógyászat elváltozások kialakulásának kockázatát is. Ez a jelenség már a gyermekek körében is egyre gyakoribb.
How efficient are public sector banks in India? A non-parametric approach
Authors: R Sangeetha
Published: December 2020

This study examines the efficiency of Public Sector Banks (PSBs) in India using Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA). Analysis is carried out on a sample of 19 PSBs that are existed during the study period from 2005 to 2018. There are two different aspects deliberated, namely technical efficiency of PSBs and the growth in their productivity. Input variables envisaged for the study are deposits, borrowings, fixed assets, and the number of employees. Loans and advances along with investments act as output variables to measure technical efficiency and productivity. The results indicate that the technical efficiency of PSBs ranges between 97% and 100%. Corporation Bank, Indian Bank, and Oriental Bank of Commerce outperformed their peers with 100% technical efficiency. Productivity growth among the sampled banks during the study period stood between 0.8% and 20%. However, Corporation Bank, Indian Bank, and Oriental Bank of Commerce registered 9.1%, 5.4% and 6.4% productivity growth, respectively. The results reveal that PSBs are working hard to optimize resource utilization. Researchers around the world can use DEA as a tool to measure the efficiency of banks with different input and output variables related to financial, marketing and managerial performance.
AcknowledgmentI like to express my profound thanks to Dr Kishore Selva Babu for rendering his language expertise. I also thank all the anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments and feedback that greatly improved the manuscript.