bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reviewing the availability, efficacy and clinical utility of Telepsychology in dialectical behavior therapy (Tele-DBT)
Authors: van Leeuwen Hanneke , Sinnaeve Roland , Witteveen Ursula , Van Daele Tom , Ossewaarde Lindsey , Egger Jos I. M. , van den Bosch Louisa M. C.
Published: October 2021

Background

Telepsychology is increasingly being implemented in mental health care. We conducted a scoping review on the best available research evidence regarding availability, efficacy and clinical utility of telepsychology in DBT. The review was performed using PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Our aim was to help DBT-therapists make empirically supported decisions about the use of telepsychology during and after the current pandemic and to anticipate the changing digital needs of patients and clinicians.

Methods

A search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, PsycARTICLES and Web of Science. Search terms for telepsychology were included and combined with search terms that relate to DBT.

Results

Our search and selection procedures resulted in 41 articles containing information on phone consultation, smartphone applications, internet delivered skills training, videoconferencing, virtual reality and computer- or video-assisted interventions in DBT.

Conclusions

The majority of research about telepsychology in DBT has focused on the treatment mode of between-session contact. However, more trials using sophisticated empirical methodologies are needed. Quantitative data on the efficacy and utility of online and blended alternatives to standard (i.e. face-to-face) individual therapy, skills training and therapist consultation team were scarce. The studies that we found were designed to evaluate feasibility and usability. A permanent shift to videoconferencing or online training is therefore not warranted as long as face-to-face is an option. In all, there is an urgent need to compare standard DBT to online or blended DBT. Smartphone apps and virtual reality (VR) are experienced as an acceptable facilitator in access and implantation of DBT skills. In addition, we have to move forward on telepsychology applications by consulting our patients, younger peers and experts in adjacent fields if we want DBT to remain effective and relevant in the digital age.
MPFL reconstruction and tibial tuberosity transposition in patients with patellar instability: May it troubleshots also trochlear dysplasia?
Authors: Castelli A. , Jannelli E. , Calderoni E. Ferranti , Galanzino G. , Ivone A. , Caliogna L. , Klersy C. , Pasta G. , Mosconi M. , Benazzo F. , Zanon G.
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to highlight short- and medium-term outcomes of combined medial patello-femoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction and anterior tibial tuberosity (ATT) transposition surgery in patients with recurrent patellar instability and different degrees of trochlear dysplasia.

Methods

Between January 2014 and May 2019, 25 patients with patellar instability underwent a surgical procedure combining the lowering/transposition of the ATT and the MPFL reconstruction. Each patient were preoperative assessed by Kujala score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Tegner activity level scale. The assessment of instability predisposing factors was carried out with patellar height, tibial tuberosity-trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance, trochlear dysplasia, sulcus angle, patellar tilt and MPFL injuries. Functional outcomes were evaluated with Kujala, IKDC and Tegner scores at 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery.

Results

The average age of the patients was 20 years (range 13–43 years). Pre- operative Caton–Deschamps index was pathological in 10 (40%). Sulcus angle was elevated in 13 patients (52%) and TT-TG distance was irregular in 17 patients (68%). Trochlear dysplasia was present in 13 patients (9 type A, 3 type B, 1 type C according to Dejour’s Classification). No re-dislocation occurred during the follow-up. There was a significant increase in the Kujala, IKDC and Lysholm scores after 3, 6 and 12 months, and the results were compared for the different follow-up times and patient’s trochlear dysplasia degree.

Conclusion

This prospective observational longitudinal study identified good clinical outcomes in patients who underwent MPFL reconstruction and ATT transposition for patellar instability. Finally, the different risk factors for patellar instability examined, particularly the presence of trochlear dysplasia, did not significantly influence the final functional results, which range from good to excellent without re-dislocation episodes.
Potential of the non-weight-bearing tunnel view in diagnosing medial meniscus posterior root tear: a pilot study of X-ray characteristics
Authors: Okamura Hiroki , Ishikawa Hiroki , Ohno Takuya , Fujita Shogo , Yamakami Shigeo , Akezuma Hirotaka , Ishikawa Koji , Inagaki Katsunori
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Early detection of medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT) is important in preventing the rapid onset and progression of degenerative knee disease. Diagnosis is facilitated by the availability of non-weight-bearing X-ray view, but information on the X-ray characteristics of MMPRT is scarce. Here, we conducted a pilot study of the X-ray characteristics of MMPRT on non-weight-bearing tunnel view.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 43 consecutive patients treated in the outpatient department for medial knee pain or popliteal pain. Patients were divided into MMPRT (21 knees) and non-MMPRT groups (22 knees). We investigated X-ray characteristics and magnetic resonance imaging findings. Femorotibial angle, posterior tibial slope, medial tibial eminence (MTE)–medial femoral condyle (MFC) distance (contralateral and affected sides, and difference between the two), medial tibiofemoral joint (MTFJ) width (contralateral and affected sides, and difference between the two), and meniscus radial dislocation between the groups were evaluated using the Mann–WhitneyUtest. The association between X-ray characteristics and MMPRT was determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.

Results

A highly significant difference between the affected and contralateral sides was seen in MTFJ width and MTE–MFC distance on non-weight-bearing tunnel view between the MMPRT and non-MMPRT groups. Moreover, a difference in MTFJ width of <−0.575 mm and in MTE–MFC distance of >0.665 mm between the affected and contralateral sides was useful in predicting MMPRT.

Conclusions

The non-weight-bearing tunnel view is useful for the initial diagnosis of MMPRT. Prospective evaluation in a larger population is warranted.
The risks behind the widespread use of siliconized syringes in the healthcare practice
Authors: Melo Gustavo Barreto , Shoenfeld Yehuda , Rodrigues Eduardo Büchele
Published: October 2021

Injections are widely performed in the healthcare practice. Silicone has long been thought to be an inert and harmless material. Although used for decades in medical implants, including heart valves, breast implants, and as a tamponade for retinal detachment surgery, silicone oil might have deleterious effects. Agitation of the syringe to expel air at the moment of drug preparation not only leads to silicone oil release but also to therapeutic protein aggregation. Lab studies have shown that silicone oil microdroplets can act as an adjuvant to promote a break in immunological tolerance and induce antibody response. Similarly, recent studies have suggested a causal link between agitation of siliconized syringes and ocular inflammation after intravitreal injection. Systemically, silicone oil has been reported in association with autoimmune diseases and skin granuloma after either direct injection of dermal fillers or secondary leakage from silicone breast implant. However, it has not been established yet a potential link between the silicone oil released by the syringes and such relevant systemic adverse events. Few professionals are aware that agitation of a siliconized syringe might lead to silicone oil release, which, in turn, acts an adjuvant to an increased immunogenicity. We strongly recommend that every healthcare professional be aware of the use of silicone oil in the syringe manufacturing process, the factors that promote its release and the potential complications to the organism. Ultimately, we recommend that safer syringes be widely available.
On the magnitude, frequency, and nature of marriage dissolution in Italy: insights from vital statistics and life-table analysis
Authors: Guarneri Antonella , Rinesi Francesca , Fraboni Romina , De Rose Alessandra
Published: October 2021

Legal separation is a crucial step in the dissolving of marriages in Italy. Marriage and legal separation data come from administrative data sources and have been part of the civil registration and vital statistics system for a long time. These data make it possible to constantly monitor evolution of marital unions formation and dissolution over time and space. This study highlights the potential of combining administrative data at a macro level, aggregated by selected characteristics of the marriage and of the spouses. Data collection on legal separations is a complex process that brings together records from different administrative sources that have different transmission procedures. The system has rapidly evolved in recent years because of important normative changes. Pooling the two exhaustive data sources on marriages and separations we calculate duration-specific separation rates by selected spouses’ and wedding characteristics and estimate survival curves for 1975 marriage cohorts onward. Although the propensity to separate is increasing across marriage cohorts, the most recent first-marriage cohorts—those celebrated since the beginning of the new millennium—show a decreasing tendency to separate after short marriage durations. The most fragile unions are those celebrated in a civil ceremony in the north of Italy and that choose the separation of property regime. Couples in which the bride is more educated than the groom show a higher risk of separating. Differences by geographical area and celebration rite tend to reduce over time. This study contributes to existing information about the propensity to separate in Italy and the role that some characteristics of weddings and spouses play. It shows the potential for integrating information from marriage and separation registers when dealing with a relatively rare phenomenon at the population level and with information not usually collected in social surveys.
The end of “Catholic” sexuality in Italy?
Authors: Caltabiano Marcantonio , Dalla-Zuanna Gianpiero
Published: October 2021

Studies on sexuality in Italy conducted in recent decades show a significant relationship between adherence to Catholicism and sexual behavior. Yet, the last 20 years has also seen an acceleration in the decline of young practicing Catholics, and more and more young people do not follow Catholic teachings regarding sex. We assess whether and in which direction the association between sex and religion has changed by comparing two identical surveys of national samples of Italian university students carried out in 2000 and 2017. We test two sides of a same hypotheses: a weakening vs. a strengthening of the relationship between religion and several sexual behaviors/opinions on sexuality. We find that the reduced proportion of young Catholics has not been accompanied by a strengthened adherence to Catholic sexual morality: today religious youth are more similar to the non-religious than they were at the beginning of the twenty-first century. However, especially among individuals who are single and women, the differences between more or less religious young people continue to be relevant. Thus, despite a weakening of the relationship between sexuality and religion, it is too early to pronounce an end of “Catholic” sexuality in Italy.
The effect of implicit racial bias on recognition of other-race faces
Authors: Trawiński Tobiasz , Aslanian Araz , Cheung Olivia S.
Published: October 2021

Previous research has established a possible link between recognition performance, individuation experience, and implicit racial bias of other-race faces. However, it remains unclear how implicit racial bias might influence other-race face processing in observers with relatively extensive experience with the other race. Here we examined how recognition of other-race faces might be modulated by observers’ implicit racial bias, in addition to the effects of experience and face recognition ability. Caucasian participants in a culturally diverse city completed a memory task for Asian and Caucasian faces, an implicit association test, a questionnaire assessing experience with Asians and Caucasians, and a face recognition ability test. As expected, recognition performance for Asian faces was positively predicted by increased face recognition ability, and experience with Asians. More importantly, it was also negatively predicted by increased positive bias towards Asians, which was modulated by an interaction between face recognition ability and implicit bias, with the effect of implicit bias observed predominantly in observers with high face recognition ability. Moreover, the positions of the first two fixations when participants learned the other-race faces were affected by different factors, with the first fixation modulated by the effect of experience and the second fixation modulated by the interaction between implicit bias and face recognition ability. Taken together, these findings suggest the complexity in understanding the perceptual and socio-cognitive influences on the other-race effect, and that observers with high face recognition ability may more likely evaluate racial features involuntarily when recognizing other-race faces.
Hepatic schistosomiasis, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and health related quality of life measurements from the Albert Nile Basin
Authors: Opio Christopher K. , Kazibwe Francis , Rejani Lalitha , Kabatereine Narcis B. , Ocama Ponsiano
Published: October 2021

Background

Health related quality of life measurements are vital elements of public health surveillance that uncover unmet health needs and predict the success of health interventions. We described health related quality of life measurements using the EuroQoL 5-dimension (EQ-VAS/EQ-5D) instrument and associated factors among patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) and hepatic schistosomiasis at a rural health facility in the Albert Nile Basin, Uganda.

Methods and materials

This was a cross-sectional study at Pakwach Health Centre IV. Participants included adult inpatients and outpatients with a history of UGIB and ultrasound evidence of hepatic schistosomiasis. We evaluated and recorded each participant’s medical history, physical examination, laboratory tests results, ultrasound results, and endoscopy findings. We also recorded health related quality of life measurements using the EuroQoL 5-dimension instrument and derived disability weights from EQ-VAS and EQ-5D measurements. These were our dependent variables. Descriptive and inferential statistics were generated summarizing our findings.

Results

We found 103 participants had a history of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatosplenic schistosomiasis. Sixty percent were between the ages of 30–49 years, 59% were females, 74% were farmers, 92% had splenomegaly, 88% had varices at endoscopy, 22% were medical emergencies with acute variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding, and 62% had anemia. Measures of the different dimensions of health from 101 participants with patient reported outcomes revealed 77 (76%) participants experienced problems in self-care, 89 (88%) participants reported anxiety or depression, and 89 (88%) participants experienced pain or discomfort. The median EQ-VAS derived disability weights and median EQ-5D index-derived disability weights were 0.3 and 0.34, respectively. Acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, praziquantel drug treatment, and age by decade predicted higher EQ-VAS derived disability weights (p value < 0.05). Under weight (Body mass index ≤ 18.5), acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding, ascites, age by decade, female gender, and praziquantel drug treatment predicted higher EQ-5D index- derived disability weights (p value < 0.05).

Conclusion

Adult patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding and hepatic schistosomiasis from this primary health facility experience poor health and considerable health loss. Several factors predicted increased health loss. These factors probably represent key areas of health intervention towards mitigating increased health loss in this population.
Toxicity evaluation and chemical composition of Capsicum frutescens for natural control of Asian blue tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)
Authors: Kishore Vijay , Loach Neha , Srivastava C. N. , Mohan Lalit
Published: October 2021

Background

Indiscriminate use of synthetic acaricides in the management of veterinary parasites has led to environmental pollution, acaricidal resistance and their residues in the animal products. These problems are directly demanded an alternative acaricidal source for the ticks control and that should be cost-effective, eco-friendly and target specific. The current study demonstrated the acaricidal effects ofCapsicum frutescens(fruits) against the cattle tickRhipicephalus(Boophilus)microplus. In adult immersion test, the effects of the treatment on engorged females were assessed by measuring egg mass production, estimated reproductive factor, and % inhibition of reproduction.

Results

Methanol extract was observed the most effective against adults with LC50617.54 ppm and LC901040.41 ppm. The other target extracts (petroleum ether and hexane) were less effective to the engorged females ofR. microplus. Chemical analysis of the potent extract was elucidated by Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry analysis and Cis-13-octadecenoic acid was observed as main compound (43.54%). The simultaneous evaluation of the qualitative chemical screening of the methanol extract showed the presence of tannins, saponins, carbohydrates, steroids, terpenoids, flavonoids, and alkaloids.

Conclusion

The study concludes that the methanol extract ofC. frutescensfruits revealed the significant acaricidal properties and may be used as safe alternative for tick management.
Polyphenolic-enriched olive leaf extract attenuated doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity in rats via suppression of oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Hamza Alaaeldin Ahmed , Hassanin Soha Osama , Hamza Salsabil , Abdalla Ali , Amin Amr
Published: October 2021

Background

The therapeutic value of doxorubicin as an effective anti-neoplastic agent is limited by its cardiotoxic side effects. We investigated the effects of ethanolic leaf extracts of olive leaf OL on cardiotoxicity as well as oxidative stress which was induced by doxorubicin (DOX) in Wistar rats. The cardiotoxicity was induced by intraperitoneally injecting a single dose of doxorubicin (10 mg kg−1) after 7 days of OL administration. OL was given by gastric gavage in 250 mg/kg, 500 mg/kg and 1000 mg/kg doses of extract for 10 days.

Results

Cardiac toxicity of DOX was evidenced by histopathological changes in cardiac tissues and an increase in the activities of serum markers of heart damage (AST and CK). DOX caused oxidative stress as evidenced by the elevation of malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl content levels, and catalase activity. That stress was also accompanied by a concurrent depletion of the activity of superoxide dismutase within cardiac tissues. The cardiotoxicity and oxidative stress damages caused by DOX also coincided with an increase of myeloperoxidase activity and iNOS expression. Most of these doxorubicin-induced biochemical and histological alterations were effectively attenuated by prior administration of OL. OL combination with DOX significantly increased its cytotoxicity in HepG2 liver cancer cell line and IC50 dropped from 259.35 to 158.12 μg/ml.

Conclusion

OL potentiated the cytotoxicity of DOX in liver cancer cell line and may play a role in the protection against its cardiotoxicity and thus can be a useful adjuvant therapy where doxorubicin is the common liver cancer-treating drug.
The green potential of occupations in Switzerland
Authors: Lobsiger Michael , Rutzer Christian
Published: October 2021

We use a data-driven methodology to quantify the importance of different skills in performing green tasks, aiming to estimate the green potential of occupations in Switzerland. By this we mean the potential of an occupation to be able to perform green tasks on the basis of the skills attributed to it, whereby it is irrelevant whether the occupation already bundles green tasks or not. The results show that occupations with a high green potential are predominantly those with an engineering and technical background. In order to substantiate our green potential measure, we provide evidence of a positive association between demand of employment in occupations with high green potential and an increase in the implicit tax rate on greenhouse gas emissions. The share of employment in occupations with a green potential above a reasonable threshold in the total Swiss labour force is 16.7% (number of persons employed) and 18.8% (full-time equivalents). These employed persons are, on average, younger, more often men, have a higher level of educational attainment and a higher probability of having immigrated than employed persons in occupations with low green potential.
The effect of bilateral tDCS over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex on the cognitive abilities of men with opioid use disorder under methadone therapy: A sham-controlled clinical trial
Authors: Mostafavi Hossein , Dadashi Mohsen , Armani Kia Alireza , Ahmadi Davod , Pirzeh Reza , Eskandari Zakaria
Published: October 2021

Background/aim

Opioid use disorder (OUD) can have negative impact on cognitive functions. This study aims to evaluate the effect of bilateral transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) over the right/left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) on the cognitive abilities of OUD men.

Methods

This study is a double-blind sham-controlled randomized clinical trial with a pretest/posttest design. Participants were 31 men with OUD living in Zanjan, Iran, assigned to three groups of left anode/right cathode tDCS, right anode/left cathode tDCS, and sham tDCS. The two active groups received tDCS (2 mA) at 10 sessions each for 10–20 min. The Cognitive Abilities Questionnaire (CAQ) in Persian was used to measure their cognitive abilities before and after intervention. Collected data were analyzed in SPSS v.22 software.

Results

Bilateral DLPFC stimulation resulted in a significant improvement in cognitive flexibility, planning, decision making, inhibitory control/selective attention, and memory of patients in the two active tDCS groups, while the sham tDCS had no significant effect on their cognitive abilities.

Conclusion

Bilateral tDCS over DLPFC, as an effective and complementary treatment, can improve the cognitive abilities of men with OUD.

Trial registration:This study is a double-blind sham-controlled clinical trial (Parallel, IRCT20170513033946N5. Registered 19 Jan 2019,https://en.irct.ir/trial/36081).
Time to diabetic neuropathy and its predictors among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Northwest Ethiopia
Authors: Kebede Sewnet Adem , Tusa Biruk Shalmeno , Weldesenbet Adisu Birhanu , Tessema Zemenu Tadesse , Ayele Tadesse Awoke
Published: October 2021

Introduction

Despite the high number of patients suffering from the negative impact of diabetic neuropathy (DN) in Ethiopia, evidence regarding the time to DN and its predictors are not well document in Ethiopia. Therefore, the current study aimed to determine time to DN and its predictors among newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients (T2DM) in North West Ethiopia.

Methods

Institutional based retrospective cohort study was conducted among 463 T2DM. Cox proportional hazard model was fitted to identify predictors of time to DN. The adjusted hazard ratio (AHR) with its 95% confidence interval was used to declare the presence and strength of association.

Results

From a total 463 study participants, 77 (16.63%), (95% CI 13.23%, 20.03%) had developed diabetic neuropathy. The median time to develop DN was 233.77 months. About 40 (51.95%) diabetic neuropathy cases occurred within 6 years of diagnosis of diabetic mellitus. The incidence density was 2.01/100 PY with 95% CI of [1.60, 2.53]. In the multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis; being aged 65–69 [AHR = 2.78; 95% CI 1.20, 6.46], living with diabetes for less than 4 years [AHR = 3.77; 95% CI 1.82, 7.76], having anaemia [AHR = 3.82; 95% CI 1.66, 8.82] and having other complications [AHR = 1.68; 95% CI 1.03, 2.76 were significant predictors of DN.

Conclusion

More than half of diabetic neuropathy cases occurred within a short period of diagnosed with T2DM. Significant predictors for the time to DN were age, duration, having anaemia and other DM complication. Therefore, we recommend that early screening for DM and its complication for risky groups. While doing that due consideration should be assumed for old and anemic patients.
Efficacy of some Egyptian native plant extracts against Haemonchus contortus in vitro and in experimentally infected sheep along with the associated haematological and biochemical alterations
Authors: Hassan Noha M. F. , Zaghawa Ahmed A. , Abu-Elezz Nadia M. T. , Nayel Mohamed A. , Salama Akram A.
Published: October 2021

Background

Haemonchosis is a serious disease affecting ruminants’ productivity worldwide. Medicinal plants are deemed one of the most natural bio-products safely used as alternatives to the synthetic anthelmintics. In the present study, comparative efficacy of crude ethanolic extracts (CEEs) ofArtemisia herba-alba(A. herba-alba),Balanites aegyptiaca(B. aegyptiaca) andAllium sativum(A. sativum) as alternative treatments was tested onHaemonchus contortus(H. contortus). An in vitro test to evaluate the anthelmintic efficacy of various concentrations of extracts at 25, 30 and 50 mg/ml was accomplished on motility and viability of adult worms in comparison with albendazole, reference drug at 10 μg/ml at various time intervals. An in vivo test was carried out in lambs experimentally infected withH. contortusto detect anthelmintic activity of CEEs ofA. herba-albaandB. aegyptiacacompared to albendazole. Fifteen parasite-free Baladi Egyptian lambs aged 4–8 months old were categorized into five groups, each of three lambs as follows: G1 was kept as uninfected untreated one, G2 was utilized as infected untreated group, G3 was given CEE ofA. herba-alba, G4 was received CEE ofB. aegyptiaca, and G 5 was treated with albendazole.

Results

The in vitro test revealed that CEE ofB. aegyptiacahad the most significant anthelmintic activity on adultH. contortusfollowed byA. herba-alba,whileA. sativumwas of the lowest effect. The in vivo test showed that the CEE ofB. aegyptiacaachieved an excellent faecal egg reduction (100%) at the 7th day post-treatment. The most efficient treatments that improved the haematological parameters and regained the level of serum total protein, albumin and A/G ratio, serum globulin, SGoT, SGPT, urea and creatinine to the almost normal levels were CEE ofB. aegyptiaca, albendazole and CEE ofA. herba-alba, respectively.

Conclusions

This study highlighted the marked anthelmintic potency of the CEEs ofB. aegyptiacaandA. herba-albaonH. contortusand the superiority of CEE ofB. aegyptiacaas a talented anti-parasitic medicinal plant for sheep.
Oscillation of nonlinear neutral dynamic equations on time scales
Authors: Chhatria G. N. , Grace Said R. , Graef John R.
Published: October 2021

The authors present necessary and sufficient conditions for the oscillation of a class of second order non-linear neutral dynamic equations with non-positive neutral coefficients by using Krasnosel’skii’s fixed point theorem on time scales. The nonlinear function may be strongly sublinear or strongly superlinear.
Evaluation of vegetable pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp] genotypes for yield stability
Authors: Ojwang J. D. , Nyankanga R. , Rao N. V. P. R. G. Ganga , Imungi J.
Published: October 2021

Background

Vegetable pigeonpea is an important food security crop in the marginal dry areas of the Eastern region of Kenya. The adaptation and stability of vegetable pigeonpea genotypes across different agro-ecological zones in Kenya are not adequately determined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the yield stability and adaptability of genotypes: KAT 60/8, MZ 2/9, ICEAP 00554, ICEAP 00557 and KIONZA based on additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) and Genotype plus genotype by environment (GGE biplot) analysis.

Methods

Evaluation of vegetable pigeonpea Genotypes was conducted at Kiboko, Katumani and Kambi ya Mawe research stations located in Eastern region and University of Nairobi Field station in central region of Kenya. The genotypes were planted in a Randomized Complete Block design (RCBD), replicated three times at all sites. Rainfall at Kiboko and Kabete were supplemented with irrigation, using sprinklers, for a total of 38 times, providing 832 mm of water. The crop was protected from pests by the application of broad-spectrum, non-systemic, pyrethroid alpha-cypermethrin and dimethoate, after field scouting. All other agronomic and cultural practices were done as recommended for each location.

Results

Combined analysis of variance (ANOVA) at six environments revealed highly significant (P  < 0.01) variations in G × E interactions for yield (Kg/ha), 100 Seed mass (g/100 seed), days to flower and maturity (P  < 0.05). AMMI model for grain yield interaction principal components analysis (IPCA), explained 96.5% of the total yield variation. The cultivar MZ 2/9 and KAT 60/8 recorded a lower IPCA1, indicating a wider adaptation and stability. Kambi ya Mawe, Katumani and Kiboko had higher IPCA1, indicating greatest interactive environments and adapted genotypes. Kambi ya Mawe, was the most ideal location for evaluating pigeonpea genotypes. While KIONZA was the most ideal genotype for yield performance, MZ 2/9 and KAT 60/8 were most stable with a wider adaptation.

Conclusion

KIONZA should be used as a reference genotype, while Kambi ya Mawe would be the most ideal location for testing the vegetable pigeonpea genotypes in breeding research. Increased deployment of stable pigeon pea cultivars, MZ 2/9 and KAT 60/8 would enhance food security in the dry areas of Eastern regions of Kenya. These genotypes need to be promoted with farmers for wider adoption in the Eastern region of Kenya.
Psychometric assessment of the Polish Translation of the Transgender Positive Identity Measure (T-PIM)
Authors: Koziara Karolina , Mijas Magdalena , Pliczko Mateusz , Wycisk Jowita , Grabski Bartosz
Published: October 2021

Cel pracy

Badania realizowane wśród osób transpłciowych i różnorodnych płciowo koncentrują się przede wszystkim na trudnościach i rozbieżnościach w zdrowiu charakteryzujących tę populację. Jednym z powodów tego stanu rzeczy jest brak narzędzi kwestionariuszowych umożliwiających badanie pozytywnych aspektów i doświadczeń związanych z transpłciowością. Transgender Positive Identity Measure (T-PIM; Kwestionariusz Pozytywnej Tożsamości Transpłciowej) jest jednym z niewielu narzędzi stworzonych z myślą o eksploracji tych doświadczeń. Celem naszej analizy była ocena struktury, rzetelności oraz trafności polskiego tłumaczenia kwestionariusza T-PIM.

Metoda

W badaniu wzięło udział 89 osób transpłciowych oraz różnorodnych płciowo. Oprócz kwestionariusza T-PIM wykorzystano w nim także Skalę Pomiaru Prężności (SPP-25) i kwestionariusz CESD-R. Do zbadania struktury kwestionariusza zastosowano metodę hierarchicznej analizy skupień (ICLUST), analizę równoległą Horna oraz test częściowy minimalnej średniej Velicera (MAP).

Wyniki

Polskie tłumaczenie T-PIM charakteryzowało się strukturą zgodną z oryginalnym narzędziem obejmującym pięć czynników (Autentyczność, Intymność, Wspólnota, Sprawiedliwość społeczna oraz Wgląd). Współczynniki rzetelności – α Cronbacha i lambda-6 Guttmana – osiągnęły satysfakcjonujące poziomy zarówno dla wszystkich pięciu czynników, jak i całego kwestionariusza.

Wnioski

Polskie tłumaczenie kwestionariusza T-PIM charakteryzuje się dobrymi właściwościami psychometrycznymi i może być wykorzystywane w badaniach z udziałem osób transpłciowych i różnorodnych płciowo.
Polar decompositions of quaternion matrices in indefinite inner product spaces
Authors: Groenewald Gilbert J. , Janse van Rensburg Dawie B. , Ran André C.M. , Theron Frieda , Van Straaten Madelein
Published: October 2021

Polar decompositions of quaternion matrices with respect to a given indefinite inner product are studied. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of an $H$-polar decomposition are found. In the process, an equivalent to Witt's theorem on extending $H$-isometries to $H$-unitary matrices is given for quaternion matrices.
Notes on the distribution of Brasenia schreberi (Cabombaceae) in the Neotropics, with a new country record for Costa Rica
Authors: Acuña-Castillo Rafael , Jiménez José E. , Bezerra-Silva Luiz E. , San Gil-León Jorge , Blanco Mario A.
Published: October 2021

We studied herbarium specimens of Brasenia schreberi from the Neotropics in order to describe the distribution pattern of the species across the region. Also, we report the first records of B. schreberi for Costa Rica. We confirm that B. schreberi has a sporadic pattern of distribution in the region and also in most neotropical countries where it has been collected. For this reason and because of its apparent disappearance from some localities, we recommend B. schreberi to be considered Vulnerable in the Neotropics.
Intra- and inter-cycle variability of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels in healthy women during non-consecutive menstrual cycles: the BICYCLE study
Authors: Biniasch Marieke , Laubender Ruediger Paul , Hund Martin , Buck Katharina , De Geyter Christian
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Determine variability of serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels during ovulatory menstrual cycles between different women (inter-participant), between non-consecutive cycles (inter-cycle) and within a single cycle (intra-cycle) in healthy women.

Methods

Eligible participants were women aged 18–40 years with regular ovulatory menstrual cycles. Serum samples were collected every second day during two non-consecutive menstrual cycles. AMH levels were measured in triplicate using the Elecsys® AMH Plus immunoassay (Roche Diagnostics). AMH level variability was evaluated using mixed-effects periodic regression models based on Fourier series. The mesor was calculated to evaluate inter-participant and inter-cycle variability. Inter- and intra-cycle variability was evaluated using peak-to-peak amplitudes. Separation of biological and analytical coefficients of variation (CVs) was determined by analysing two remeasured AMH levels (with and without original AMH levels).

Results

A total of 47 women were included in the analysis (42 assessed over two cycles; five one cycle only). CV of unexplained biological variability was 9.61%; analytical variability was 3.46%. Inter-participant variability, given by time-series plots of AMH levels, was greater than inter-cycle variability. Between individual participants, both mesor and peak-to-peak amplitudes proved variable. In addition, for each participant, intra-cycle variability was higher than inter-cycle variability.

Conclusions

Inter-participant and intra-cycle variability of AMH levels were greater than inter-cycle variability. Unexplained biological variability was higher than analytical variability using the Elecsys AMH Plus immunoassay. Understanding variability in AMH levels may aid in understanding differences in availability of antral ovarian follicles during the menstrual cycle, which may be beneficial in designing gonadotropin dosage for assisted reproductive technology.
Productivity and profitability of organic and conventional potato (Solanum tuberosumL.) production in West-Central Bhutan
Authors: Lepcha Norden , Mankeb Panya , Suwanmaneepong Suneeporn
Published: October 2021

Bhutan aspires to be an entirely organic nation. Food self-sufficiency and increasing farm household income are critical priorities in the country. Realising these priorities necessitates assessing the country’s current organic agriculture performance. The objectives of this study were to investigate the productivity and profitability of organic and conventional potato and farmers’ constraints in producing organic potato in West-Central Bhutan. Multistage and purposive sampling techniques were used to select the study sample. A semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews were employed to gather primary data for the 2019 cropping cycle from 93 potato farmers: 43 organic farmers in the Gasa District and 50 conventional farmers in Wangdue Phodrang District. Descriptive statistics, cost and return analysis, and independent samplet-test were applied for data analysis. The results revealed that the conventional potato’s productivity (tuber yield) and profitability were significantly higher (p< 0.001) than organic potatoes. The average productivities for organic and conventional potatoes were 7.48 and 19.22 t/ha, respectively. Organic potato farmers incurred a loss of −202,708.47 Ngultrum (Nu)/ha, while conventional potato farmers incurred a profit of 83,832.85 Nu/ha. The benefit-cost ratios of organic and conventional potato stood at 0.40 and 1.27, respectively. Lack of premium price, pest and disease problems, low crop productivity, and climate change were the constraints faced by organic potato farmers. The study found that the productivity and profitability of the conventional potatoes were higher than the organic potatoes in West-Central Bhutan in the current scenario. Further, the critical information will contribute to guiding Bhutan’s vision for its organic agriculture development.
Hippocampal Cb2 receptors: an untold story
Authors: Visvanathar Robin , Papanikolaou Maria , Nôga Diana Aline , Pádua-Reis Marina , Tort Adriano Bretanha Lopes , Blunder Martina
Published: October 2021

The field of cannabinoid research has been receiving ever-growing interest. Ongoing debates worldwide about the legislation of medical cannabis further motivates research into cannabinoid function within the central nervous system (CNS). To date, two well-characterized cannabinoid receptors exist. While most research has investigated Cb1 receptors (Cb1Rs), Cb2 receptors (Cb2Rs) in the brain have started to attract considerable interest in recent years. With indisputable evidence showing the wide-distribution of Cb2Rs in the brain of different species, they are no longer considered just peripheral receptors. However, in contrast to Cb1Rs, the functionality of central Cb2Rs remains largely unexplored. Here we review recent studies on hippocampal Cb2Rs. While conflicting results about their function have been reported, we have made significant progress in understanding the involvement of Cb2Rs in modulating cellular properties and network excitability. Moreover, Cb2Rs have been shown to be expressed in different subregions of the hippocampus, challenging our prior understanding of the endocannabinoid system. Although more insight into their functional roles is necessary, we propose that targeting hippocampal Cb2Rs may offer novel therapies for diseases related to memory and adult neurogenesis deficits.
Bioaktywne fitozwiązki w chemoprewencji przewlekłych chorób niezakaźnych – owoce i warzywa czy suplementy diety?
Authors: Koss-Mikołajczyk Izabela , Bartoszek Agnieszka
Published: October 2021

Z raportu Światowej Organizacji Zdrowia (WHO) z 2014 r wynika, że przewlekłe choroby niezakaźne (NCDs), czyli tzw. choroby cywilizacyjne, do których zalicza się m.in. choroby układu krążenia, przewlekłe choroby układu oddechowego, nowotwory, czy cukrzycę typu 2, stanowią obecnie bezpośrednią przyczynę ponad 50 % przedwczesnych zgonów na świecie. W badaniach ostatnich 20 lat dowiedziono, że sposób odżywiania jest głównym czynnikiem wpływającym na zagrożenie tymi chorobami. Z drugiej strony rosnąca wiedza konsumentów na temat właściwości chemoprewencyjnych pewnych składników żywności, przede wszystkim pochodzenia roślinnego, umożliwiła wykorzystanie niektórych roślin jadalnych w profilaktyce chorób przewlekłych. Prozdrowotne działanie tych produktów najczęściej związane jest z obecnością przeciwutleniaczy, które mogą wpływać na wiele istotnych mechanizmów biologicznych o kluczowym znaczeniu dla prawidłowego funkcjonowania organizmu ludzkiego. W licznych badaniach wykazano silne działanie fizjologiczne m.in. bioaktywnych fenoli roślinnych. Obserwacje te doczekały się komercjalizacji w postaci masowej produkcji suplementów diety wzbogaconych w substancje określane mianem przeciwutleniaczy, mimo że ich właściwości chemiczne nie zawsze uzasadniały użycie tego terminu. W badaniach epidemiologicznych dowiedziono, że nadmierne oczekiwania przedsiębiorców nie były w pełni uzasadnione. Okazało się, że wyizolowane bioaktywne fitozwiązki mogą nie być już tak skutecznymi czynnikami chemoprewencyjnymi, jak zawierające je owoce lub warzywa. W niniejszej pracy podjęto próbę krytycznej oceny takiego stanu rzeczy.
Wybrane aspekty biotechnologicznej produkcji karotenoidów
Authors: Duliński Robert
Published: October 2021

Przez ostatnie kilkanaście lat obserwuje się rosnące zainteresowanie alternatywnymi metodami pozyskiwania witamin. Jest to odpowiedź na produkcję żywności wysoko przetworzonej, często pozbawionej tych niezbędnych dla funkcjonowania organizmu składników, jak również poszukiwanie możliwości rozwiązania problemu niedoborów żywności w krajach rozwijających się. Zagadnienie dotyczy szczególnie witaminy A oraz jej prekursorów, których deficyt w diecie może skutkować wadami wzroku, a nawet prowadzić do śmierci. Celem pracy było przybliżenie strategii związanych z mikrobiologiczną syntezą karotenoidów m.in. w komórkach Escherichia coli oraz wybranych gatunkach mikroalg i grzybów. Zastosowanie metod mikrobiologicznej produkcji tych nutraceutyków powoduje obniżenie kosztów; zmniejszenie ilości odpadów, wydatkowanej energii, jak również pozwala na wykorzystanie nowych surowców, takich jak nietypowe cukry pochodzące z odpadów przemysłu owocowo-warzywnego czy oleje roślinne. W artykule przedstawiono też strategie inżynierii genetycznej stosowane w modyfikacji ścieżki biosyntezy karotenoidów w tkankach roślinnych zmierzające do akumulacji wybranych związków oraz zagadnienia związane z ich biodostępnością w uzyskanych produktach. Omówienie procesów produkcji karotenoidów poprzedzono charakterystyką najważniejszych właściwości i walorów żywieniowych witaminy A oraz jej karotenoidowych prekursorów. Szczególną uwagę zwrócono na zagadnienia dotyczące selekcji szczepów oraz warunków hodowli mikroalg jako nadproducentów karotenoidów, jak również procesów transformacji komórek roślinnych w celu uzyskania bogatych w prowitaminę A odmian roślin, na przykładzie projektu „Złoty ryż” oraz perspektyw jego rozwoju.
Wpływ zabiegów wstępnych na zawartość wybranych składników w zamrożonym szpinaku zwyczajnym (Spinacia oleracea L.) odmiany ‘Geant d’hiver’
Authors: Wójcik-Stopczyńska Barbara , Kiedos Paweł
Published: October 2021

W pracy oceniono zawartość wybranych składników w zamrażalniczo przechowywanym szpinaku w zależności od zastosowania przed zamrożeniem procesu blanszowania oraz rozdrabniania. W badaniach wykorzystano szpinak zwyczajny ‘Geant d’hiver’ ze zbioru jesiennego, zakupiony u producenta warzyw. Zamrożeniu i zamrażalniczemu przechowywaniu (6 miesięcy, temp. -25 ºC) poddano cztery warianty szpinaku: liście nieblanszowane – całe i pokrojone (odcinki o szerokości ok. 3 cm) oraz blanszowane (temp. 95 - 96 ºC, 120 s) – całe i pokrojone po blanszowaniu. W szpinaku surowym i zblanszowanym oraz przechowywanym zamrażalniczo przez 6 miesięcy oznaczono zawartość: suchej masy, witaminy C, błonnika surowego, polifenoli ogółem, chlorofilu ogółem, karotenoidów oraz azotanów(V). Wykazano, że w odniesieniu do szpinaku surowego blanszowanie spowodowało istotne zmniejszenie zawartości suchej masy – o 8,4 %, karotenoidów – o 11,2 %, chlorofilu – o 17,0 %, witaminy C – o 29,2 % i azotanów(V) – o 46,0 %. Zawartość składników w szpinaku ocenianym po sześciu miesiącach zamrażalniczego przechowywania była uzależniona głównie od procesu blanszowania, natomiast zastosowany sposób rozdrabniania na ogół nie wpływał istotnie na ich koncentrację. Mrożonki sporządzone ze szpinaku blanszowanego (całego i krojonego) zachowały istotnie więcej składników bioaktywnych – witaminy C, chlorofilu ogółem i karotenoidów oraz więcej polifenoli niż mrożonki ze szpinaku nieblanszowanego, które z kolei odznaczały się istotnie większą zawartością potencjalnie szkodliwych azotanów(V). W stosunku do składu szpinaku surowego średnie straty składników w mrożonkach ze szpinaku blanszowanego wynosiły od 5,9 % – błonnik surowy do 50,4 % – azotany(V), a w mrożonkach ze szpinaku nieblanszowanego od 3,5 % – azotany(V) do 72,3 % – witamina C.
Rodzaj kultury starterowej a wybrane cechy fizykochemiczne sera twarogowego w czasie przechowywania
Authors: Mulawka Elżbieta , Dmytrów Izabela , Mituniewicz-Małek Anna , Godula Krzysztof
Published: October 2021

Analizowano cechy fizykochemiczne, reologiczne (twardość) oraz sensoryczne serów twarogowych kwasowych z mleka krowiego z dodatkiem szczepionki MSO oraz MSO-11 podczas 21 dni chłodniczego przechowywania w temp. 5 ± 1 ºC. Wyprodukowane w warunkach laboratoryjnych próbki doświadczalne zapakowano próżniowo w folię PE/PA o grubości 40 µm. Analizę serów twarogowych wykonano bezpośrednio po wyprodukowaniu oraz po 3, 7, 14 i 21 dniach przechowywania w warunkach chłodniczych. Badane twarogi każdorazowo poddawano ocenie sensorycznej z zastosowaniem skali porządkowej – pięciopunktowej oraz oznaczono w nich zawartość wody i tłuszczu, aktywność wody, kwasowość miareczkową i czynną, wielkość synerezy serwatki oraz twardość. Badane twarogi charakteryzowały się normatywnymi wartościami: zawartości wody i tłuszczu, kwasowości miareczkowej i czynnej oraz twardości. Stwierdzono, że sery twarogowe nie różniły się podstawowym składem chemicznym w czasie przechowywania. Rodzaj kultury starterowej statystycznie istotnie różnicował sery twarogowe pod względem aktywności wody, synerezy serwatki, pH, kwasowości miareczkowej i twardości. Lepszymi cechami sensorycznymi cechował się twaróg wyprodukowany przy użyciu szczepionki MSO. W czasie przechowywania stwierdzono zmniejszenie zawartości wody, przyrost zawartości tłuszczu, zwiększenie ilości serwatki pojawiającej się w opakowaniu próbek doświadczalnych, wzrost kwasowości miareczkowej, zmniejszenie pH oraz przyrost twardości badanych twarogów.