bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acrylic and Epoxy-pin External Skeletal Fixation Systems for Fracture Management in Dogs
Authors: Tyagi Surbhi Kuldeep , Aithal Hari Prasad , Kinjavdekar Prakash , . Amarpal , Pawde Abhijit Motiram , Saxena Abhishek Kumar
Published: April 2021

Background: The metallic ESF systems are not easily available in the field and have fixed frames leading to less versatility in size and direction. Free forms of external skeletal fixators (acrylic and epoxy-pin) have advantages as they can be customized. Both acrylic and epoxy-pin ESF systems have been evaluated biomechanically in earlier studies; in the present study both are compared clinically. Methods: Twenty four dogs presented with 27 fractures of long bones, were randomly divided into 4 groups, according to the bones involved, group A was divided into A-I (radius-ulna) and A-II (tibia-fibula) sub-groups and group B was divided into B-I (radius-ulna) and B-II (tibia-fibula) sub-groups. Result: The mean±SE fracture healing time in animals was 48.85±2.56 days with no significant difference between two groups.The early presented cases and the ones with less soft tissue trauma showed better gait scores during the follow up period. Both acrylic and epoxy-pin fixators provided stable fixation and the technique can be practiced at field conditions with minimal facilities. Epoxy-pin ESF owing to better handling characteristics of epoxy resin is easier to construct than the acrylic ESF.
Clinico-pathological Studies on Canine Mammary Tumors in Dachshund Dog
Authors: Sarkar Anindita , Ray Kalyani , Basu Siddhartha , Jha Ajeet Kumar , Mandal Anirban , Mandal Durgadas , Sarkar Pradip , . Keshav Kumar , Datta Sanjoy
Published: April 2021

Background: The study was aimed to find out the epidemiological data of canine mammary tumor in Dachshund breed in relation to age, growth rate, lymph node status, histological type of tumor and to compare hematological alterations of any within the tumor to compare hematological alterations due to different types of tumor. Methods: Mammary neoplasms were clinically evaluated. The measurement of total erythrocyte count (TEC), total leukocyte count (TLC), platelet count and packed cell volume (PCV %) was carried out as per standard methods. Histological observation was performed by staining with Hematoxylin and Eosin stain. Benign and malignant mammary tumors were found highest in the younger age group of 8 to 12 years and lowest thereafter. Result: 79.16% cases of the mammary tumors located in the inguinal region were found. The fast growth rate was observed in 45.83% of tumors. The hematological profile showed no difference. However, the platelet count in the malignant mammary gland tumor dogs showed significant (P less than 0.01) decrease than the normal and benign tumor dogs. Distant metastasis to lung was found only in 8.33% of the total mammary tumor dogs. Mammary tumors with stage I, stage II and stage III were restricted to benign mammary tumors whereas, those with stage IV and stage V were of malignant mammary tumors.
Characterization of Lactation Curve Patterns using Non-linear Models in Crossbred Dairy Cattle
Authors: Ali Tassew Mohammed , Narang Raman , Dubey P.P. , Kaur Simarjeet
Published: April 2021

Background: Lactation curve patterns are currently integrated in dairy cow’s management software. Lactation curve modeling is useful for monitoring individual yields for diet planning, determining optimum strategies for insemination and genetic evaluation. It also helps for predicting expected missing values on field records and gives concise summary of biological efficiency and persistency of dairy cows. Methods: The study was aimed to characterize the lactation curve pattern for crossbred dairy cattle using different non-linear models. During the period 1991 to 2018, daily milk yield (DMY) consisted of 281698 records of 750 crossbred dairy cows maintained at Livestock Farms. GADVASU, Ludhiana, were collected for the study. Different non-linear models viz. exponential decline function (EDF), parabolic exponential model (PEM), inverse polynomial model (IPM), gamma-type function (GTF), mixed log function (MLF) and Ali and Schaeffer model (ASF) were used for the analysis. The model(s) that best fit and describe the curve characteristics was selected on the basis of coefficient of determination (R2), coefficient of variation (CV), Akaike information criterion (AIC) and mean square error (MSE). Result: The study clearly revealed that the PRM gave highest fit to DMY data with R2, MSE, AIC and CV values of 98.10%, 0.087, -743.31 and 2.37%, respectively. The IPM had also best fitted the observed DMY data with highest R2 (98.05%), lower MSE (0.089), low AIC (-735.8972) and lower CV (2.40%) values. The fitting of observed DMY data with predicted DMY were also found to be higher in the MLF (R2= 96.46%, MSE= 0.159, AIC= -558.16 and CV= 3.21%) and GTF (R2= 95.85%, MSE= 0.190, AIC= -505.24 and CV= 3.50%), whilst the EDF and PEM Models depicted relatively low fit to the DMY data when compared with the other non-linear models. However, IPM and GTF models can be used for accurate prediction of daily milk yield in the crossbred cattle population because they were typical standard lactation curves.
Responses of Mungbean to Water Deficit, Water use Efficiency and Drought Resistance
Authors: Sajitha B. , Karthiyayini R. , . Samundeeswari
Published: April 2021

Backround: Legumes are the second important agricultural crop of great prominence to humans. Among 20000 legume species the mungbean is one of the most important grain cultivated in India. Drought is a major environmental stress that affects mungbean in the sub-humid, dry and intermediate zones of India. The present study records the response of mung bean varieties to water stress during its growth stage. Methods: The impact of drought stress imposed on the crop was evaluated by measuring the water relation parameters and the biochemical progresses like osmolyte accumulation, nitrate assimilation and antioxidant system in Mung bean during 2017-2018 in Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women, Coimbatore. Result: Drought stress altered the water status of the crop by reducing the RWC, which was enhanced in drought susceptible varieties. Increased amount of proline denotes the osmoregulatory mechanism in the crop to bring about resistance and the elevated levels of antioxidant enzymes shows the protective mechanism in the crop at cellular level.
Radical Scavenging Activity of Some Lathyrus Taxa Distributed in Burdur-Isparta Regio
Authors: Eyiiş Esra , Karadeniz Pekgöz Asuman
Published: April 2021

Radical scavenging activity of the extracts of Lathyrus aphaca L. var. pseudoaphaca (Boiss.) Davis, L. aureus (Stev.) Brandza, L. cicera L., L. sphaericus Retz., L. digitatus (Bieb.) Fiori in Fiori & Paol. and L. setifolius L. taxa distributed in Burdur-Isparta regio was determined. Methanol extracts of air dried aerial parts and the seeds of the plants were dissolved in water and chlorophylls and lipophilic compounds were removed from the aqueous extracts. 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl, superoxide and nitric oxide radical scavenging activity of aqueous and methanol extracts of the plants were tested. Gallic acid equivalent total phenolic contents of the plant extracts were also detected using Folin-Ciocalteu reagent. According to the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl hydrazyl radical scavenging activity test, the highest antioxidant activity was found in aerial parts of L. aphaca var. pseudoaphaca and highest total phenolic content was found as gallic acid equivalent in L. sphaericus seed extracts.
A systematic review of antimalarial medicinal plants in Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: RUSAATI Butoto Imani Wa , GENDUSA Arusi Patience , JOO Sung-Hyun , PARK Joo Won , MASUMBUKO Cephas Ndabaga , KABOYI Gentil Iragi , NGBOLUA Koto-te-Nyiwa , FURAHA Astrid Matendo , ROLLY Nkulu Kabange , KANG Jun Won
Published: April 2021

In Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium falciparum. Malaria is one of the country's major public health issues and responsible for the death of tens of thousands of people every year in both rural and urban environments. Antimalarial drugs are commonly used but some recorded cases of drug resistance are a major obstacle to controlling the spread of malaria. It is therefore essential to identify new bioactive molecules as an alternative. Many medicinal plants with different properties have been used as treatments for a variety of diseases in the DRC, including malaria. This study provides a systematic review of antimalarial plant resources in the DRC. From 28 papers on ethnomedicine published between 2001 and 2019, a total of 232 plant species belonging to 67 different plant families and identified in 13 provinces was reported in the treatment of malaria. A large number of these plant species belong to the Fabaceae, Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Rubiaceae, and Apocyanaceae families. Species cited in more than three provinces include Cymbopogon citratus, Vernonia amygdalina, Rauvolfia vomitoria and Catharanthus roseus. Most of the species identified as antimalarial plants were tree species, with phanerophytes predominating. In addition, leaves were identified as the main ingredients for preparing remedies, most commonly by decoction administered orally.
Cartographie des déterminants de l’invasion par le pin maritime, Pinus pinaster Ait., de la subéraie de Haddada dans le nord-est de l’Algérie
Authors: MELIANI Aziz , GANA Mohamed , BENDERRADJI Mohamed El Habib , BEN YAHIA Kaouther , ALATOU Djamel
Published: April 2021

Plusieurs subéraies du Nord-Est algérien sont sujettes à une invasion par le pin maritime. Cette dynamique forestière qui a débuté dans les années 1980 est souvent citée parmi les facteurs de dégradation des subéraies algériennes mais n’a encore jamais fait l’objet de recherche. L’objectif de notre étude, qui porte sur le cas de la subéraie de Haddada (wilaya d’El-Tarf), était d’identifier les déterminants de l’invasion par le pin maritime, Pinus pinaster Ait., en recourant à une cartographie chorologique de facteurs tels que la pente, l’exposition et les surfaces incendiées en 1994, ainsi qu’une cartographie de la subéraie avant et après l’invasion. L’élaboration des cartes a suivi une approche géomatique complétée par des enquêtes sur le terrain. La cartographie montre que les parties envahies par le pin maritime sont celles qui ont été le plus touchées par l’incendie de 1994, ce qui correspond aussi aux pentes fortes et très fortes. La faible résilience du chêne-liège, Quercus suber, dans ces conditions a permis au pin maritime de le supplanter. Cette dynamique illustre bien le paradigme patch dynamics dans une forêt méditerranéenne, et nous renseigne aussi sur le potentiel invasif du pin maritime, s’agissant d’une espèce se révélant également invasive ailleurs dans le monde. Le changement climatique risque d’accentuer ces processus d’invasion.
Descriptif technique de bois d’essence tropicale – L’Azobé
Authors: GÉRARD Jean
Published: April 2021

Extrait de l’Atlas des bois tropicaux – Caractéristiques technologiques et utilisationsJ. Gérard (coord), D. Guibal (au.), J.-C. Cerre (au.), S. Paradis (au.), et 40 auteurs, 2016.Éditions Quæ, 1000 p.
Trattamento della COVID-19 nelle persone che vivono con HIV: una doppia sfida.
Authors: Vito A De , al. et
Published: April 2021

La Malattie da Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) ha causato migliaia di morti nel mondo. Il virus SARS-COV-2 infetta primariamente le cellule alveolari causando polmonite e sindrome da distress respiratorio acuta (ARDS).
Diversi approcci terapeutici sono stati fin qui proposti e numerosi trials sono in corso. Tuttavia, il corretto approccio al trattamento del COVID-19 nelle persone con HIV deve essere ancora determinato così come al sicurezza della cosomministrazione dei farmaci anti SARS-CoV-2 e anti HIV. Lo specialista in Malattie Infettive dovrebbe essere sempre consultato prima di iniziare un trattamento anti COVID-19 in persone con HIV.
Fattori associati con il ricovero ospedaliero per COVID-19 in 80 pazienti HIV-positivi italiani.
Authors: L Taramasso , al. et
Published: April 2021

Questo studio analizza i ricoveri ospedalieri e l’outcome di 80 pazienti HIV-positivi, con diagnosi di infezione da SARS-CoV-2 effettuata tra febbraio e settembre 2020, in una rete di centri di Malattie Infettive italiani.
Sesso, etnia e durata dell’infezione da HIV e dei trattamenti antiretrovirali (ART) erano simili nei soggetti ricoverati e non, mentre i 45 pazienti ricoverati erano più vecchi, avevano valori più bassi sia per quanto riguarda il nadir dei CD4 che la conta dei linfociti al momento della diagnosi.
Questi due valori erano anche correlati ad un esito peggiore della COVID-19.
Durante il periodo di osservazione, 10 (12.3%) pazienti sono morti. La terapia ART non sembrava associata con la severità della malattia da SARS-CoV-2.
El neoliberalismo en Argentina. Percepciones ciudadanas de una crónica fatalista
Authors: Rodríguez Minor Rebeca , Reich López Christian
Published: April 2021

La impactante crisis económica que vivió Argentina en 2001 fue la dolorosa consecuencia de gobiernos ultraneoliberales, que se dedicaron a privatizar la nación y manipular el valor monetario interno en su juego paritario con el dólar estadunidense, lo cual finalmente los llevó a un callejón sin salida. Hoy, 20 años después, vemos que la lección no fue aprendida. La historia se repite, con una economía volátil, una inflación rampante y una moneda por demás devaluada que llevaron al gobierno de ultraderecha de Mauricio Macri a tomar medidas correctivas impopulares, muy parecidas a las adoptadas en 2001 para evitar la fuga de capitales. Esta dualidad nos lleva a analizar el desempeño gubernamental y la percepción ciudadana a través de los años, con la intención de comprender mejor los resultados electorales, las preferencias poblacionales, sus perspectivas y reacciones políticas, de acuerdo con su experiencia en la historia económica de su país. Un estudio de este tipo nos permite visualizar y comprender de manera mucho más objetiva e integral la realidad que vive esta gran nación sudamericana. El análisis vincula la teoría con la práctica, de tal suerte que nos sea posible detectar tendencias y estrategias a futuro, de beneficio social y económico, principalmente ante el cambio político que representa el regreso de la izquierda al poder, después del fatídico resultado del gobierno de Macri.
Under-Canopy UAV Laser Scanning Providing Canopy Height and Stem Volume Accurately
Authors: Hyyppä Juha , Yu Xiaowei , Hakala Teemu , Kaartinen Harri , Kukko Antero , Hyyti Heikki , Muhojoki Jesse , Hyyppä Eric
Published: April 2021

Automation of forest field reference data collection has been an intensive research objective for laser scanning scientists ever since the invention of terrestrial laser scanning more than two decades ago. Recently, it has been proposed that such automated data collection providing both the tree heights and stem curves would require a combination of above-canopy UAV point clouds and terrestrial point clouds. In this study, we demonstrate that an under-canopy UAV laser scanning system utilizing a rotating laser scanner can alone provide accurate estimates of the canopy height and the stem volume for the majority of the trees in a boreal forest. To this end, we mounted a rotating laser scanner based on a Velodyne VLP-16 sensor onboard a manually piloted UAV. The UAV was commanded with the help of a live video feed from the onboard camera of the UAV. Since the system was based on a rotating laser scanner providing varying view angles, all important elements such as treetops, branches, trunks, and ground could be recorded with laser hits. In an experiment including two different forest structures, namely sparse and obstructed canopy, we showed that our system can measure the heights of individual trees with a bias of -20 cm and a standard error of 40 cm in the sparse forest and with a bias of -65 cm and a standard error of 1 m in the obstructed forest. The accuracy of the obtained tree height estimates was equivalent to airborne above-canopy UAV surveys conducted in similar forest conditions. The higher underestimation and higher inaccuracy in the obstructed site can be attributed to three trees with a height exceeding 25 m and the applied laser scanning system VLP-16 that had a limited height measurement capacity when it comes to trees taller than 25 m. Additionally, we used our system to estimate the stem volumes of individual trees with a standard error at the level of 10%. This level of error is equivalent to the error obtained when merging above-canopy UAV laser scanner data with terrestrial point cloud data. Future research is needed for testing new sensors, for implementing autonomous operation inside canopies through collision avoidance and navigation through canopies, and for developing robust methods that work also with more complex forest structure. The results show that we do not necessarily need a combination of terrestrial point clouds and point clouds collected using above-canopy UAV systems in order to accurately estimate the heights and the volumes of individual trees.
Probiotics as a Treatment for “Metabolic Depression”? A Rationale for Future Studies
Authors: Gawlik-Kotelnicka Oliwia , Strzelecki Dominik
Published: April 2021

Depression and metabolic diseases often coexist having several features in common, e.g., chronic low-grade inflammation and intestinal dysbiosis. Different microbiota interventions have been proposed to be used as a treatment for these disorders. In the paper we review the efficacy of probiotics in depressive disorders, obesity, metabolic syndrome and its liver equivalent based on the published experimental studies, clinical trials and meta-analyses. Probiotics seem to be effective in reducing depressive symptoms when administered in addition to antidepressants. Additionally, probiotics intake may ameliorate some of the clinical components of metabolic diseases. However, standardized methodology regarding probiotics clinical trials has not been established yet. In this narrative review we discuss current knowledge on the recently used methodology with its strengths and limitations and propose criteria that may be implemented to create a new study of the effectiveness of probiotics in depressive disorders comorbid with metabolic abnormalities. We put across our choice on type of study population, probiotics genus, strains, dosages and formulations, intervention period, as well as primary and secondary outcome measures.
Influential Factors of Masticatory Performance in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Kim Hee-Eun
Published: April 2021

While appropriate nutrient intake is important for older adults, various oral problems cause de-creased masticatory function. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify the factors associated with decreased masticatory performance in older adults. Oral examinations were performed on 80 participants (mean age: 75.10 ± 5.64 years) to determine the number of functional tooth units (FTUs). Symptoms of periodontal and temporomandibular diseases were evaluated via a ques-tionnaire. The tone, elasticity, and dynamic stiffness of the masseter muscle were measured using the Myoton® PRO device. The mixing ability test was used to assess the masticatory performance and the mixing ability index (MAI) was calculated. The analysis of covariance test was performed to adjust for confounding factors and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors affecting MAI. A lower MAI was significantly associated with higher tone (p = 0.006) and lower elasticity (p = 0.013). The number of FTUs (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 0.724, p = 0.029), tone (adjusted OR = 1.215, p = 0.016), and elasticity (adjusted OR = 4.789, p = 0.038) were independently associated with the MAI. Muscle function training and prosthetic treatments may help increase masticatory performance in older adults, which will improve overall health.
Combinatorial Models of the Distribution of Prime Numbers
Authors: Barbarani Vito
Published: April 2021

This work is divided into two parts. In the first one the combinatorics of a new class of randomly generated objects, exhibiting the same properties as the distribution of prime numbers, is solved and the probability distribution of the combinatorial counterpart of the n-th prime number is derived, together with an estimate of the prime-counting function π(x). A proposition equivalent to the Prime Number Theorem (PNT) is proved to hold, while the equivalent of the Riemann Hypothesis (RH) is proved to be false with probability 1 (w.p. 1) for this model. Many identities involving Stirling numbers of the second kind and harmonic numbers are found, some of which appear to be new. The second part is dedicated to generalizing the model to investigate the conditions enabling both PNT and RH. A model representing a general class of random integer sequences is found, for which RH holds w.p. 1. The prediction of the number of consecutive prime pairs, as a function of the gap d, is derived from this class of models and the results are in agreement with empirical data for large gaps. A heuristic version of the model, directly related to the sequence of primes, is discussed and new integral lower and upper bounds of π(x) are found.
An Overview on Bioconcrete and the Utilization of Microbes in Civil Engineering
Authors: Bhina Mohammad Rizwan , Wibowo Antoni H , Liu Kuang Yen , Khan Waseem , Salim Mohammad
Published: April 2021

The advancement of bioconcrete over cementitious composites has brought us to the application of microbes in the field of construction materials. Certain microbes like bacteria, algae, and fungi have been discussed in the review. The purpose of applying these microbes in the matrix is mainly to enhance the concrete’s strength and other properties such as durability, resistance, and self-healing ability. As these microbes are able to induce calcite biomineralizations, the process is also known as Microbiologically Induced Calcite Precipitation (MICP). Some known microorganisms with their mentioned ability are Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus cohnii (bacteria), Chlorella vulgaris and Spirulina platensis (algae), and Trichoderma reesei, Aspergillus niger, and Neurospora crassa (fungi). The paper provides a “state-of-the-art” review of research into the effects of bioconcrete and discusses the overall methodologies of every medium with their physiological, physicochemical and bioengineering properties in the light of recent researches done so far in the same field.
Unbiased Screening Identifies Functional Differences in NK Cells After Early Life Psycho-Social Stress
Authors: Fernandes Sara B. , Patil Neha D. , Meriaux Sophie B. , Theresine Maud , Leenen Fleur A.D. , Elwenspoek Martha M.C. , Zimmer Jacques , Turner Jonathan D.
Published: April 2021

Early Life Adversity (ELA) is closely associated with the risk for developing diseases later in life, such as autoimmune diseases, type-2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. In humans, early parental separation, physical and sexual abuse or low social-economic status during childhood are known to have great impact on brain development, in the hormonal system and immune responses. Maternal deprivation (MD), the closest animal model available to the human situation, is known to similarly induce long lasting behavioural effects, to cause changes in the HPA axis and to have an impact in the immune system. Even though the immune responses to potential pathogens after early stress have been somehow documented, the mechanisms by which they occur are still not fully understood. Here, we have demonstrated that maternal separation, in both humans and rats, significantly affects the sensitivity of the immune system in adulthood. Particularly, NK cells’ profile and response to target cell lines are significantly changed after childhood adversity. These immune cells in rats are not only less cytotoxic towards YAC-1 cells, but also show a clear increase in the expression of maturation markers after 3h of maternal separation. Similarly, individuals who suffered from ELA display significant changes in the cytotoxic profile of NK cells together with decreased degranulation capacity. Altogether, these results lead us to conclude that one of the key mechanisms by which the immune system becomes impaired after ELA might be due to a shift on the senescent state of the cells, specifically NK cells. Elucidation of such a mechanism highlights the importance of ELA prevention and how NK targeted immunotherapy might help attenuating ELA consequences.
Novel Therapeutic Trends in Pneumonia: Antibiotics and Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Ly Jennifer , Chu Qi , Zhong Li
Published: April 2021

Pneumonia remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, especially during COVID-19 pandemic. With the significant global health burden that pneumonia poses, it is es-sential to improve therapeutic and management strategies. The increasing emergence of antibiotic resistant bacterial strains limits options for effective antibiotic use. New antibiotics for treatment of pneumonia may address deficits in current antimicrobial drugs, with an ability to cover both typical, atypical, and resistance pathogen. Several of these newer drugs also have structural characteristics that allow for a decreased propensity in development of bacterial resistance. Po-tential use of stem cell therapies in place of corticosteroid treatments may also offer an im-provement in patient outcomes. Human mesenchymal stem cell treatments have shown efficacy and safety in treating COVID-19 induced pneumonia. Combined treatment with both stem cells and antibiotics in pneumonia in a rabbit model has also shown significantly increased efficacy in comparison to antibiotic treatment alone, presenting yet another possible route for a novel strategy in treating pneumonia, though additional future studies are necessary before clinical implementation. While pneumonia remains a major disease of concern, having newer approved antibiotics as well as novel therapies such as stem cell treatments in the pipeline offers clinicians more options in effectively treating pneumonia.
Gender Reversals in Social Networks Based on Prevailing Kinship Norms in the Mosuo of China
Authors: Mattison Siobhán , Liu Ruizhe , Reynolds Adam , Wander Katherine , Baca Gabrielle D. , Zhang Meng , Sum Chun-Yi , Shenk Mary K. , Blumenfield Tami
Published: April 2021

Although cooperative social networks are considered key to human evolution, emphasis has most often been placed on the functions of male cooperative networks. As a result, gender differences in social networks are under-studied and remain incompletely theorized. Variation in kinship systems may be leveraged to test and generate hypotheses that explain the causes and effects of variation in gendered social networks. Specifically, by linking socio-ecological drivers to variation in kinship systems, human behavioral ecology provides a framework to anticipate and explain divergent patterns in gendered social networks within different kinship ecologies. In this paper, we test the ‘universal gender differences’ hypothesis positing gender-specific network structures against the ‘gender reversal’ hypothesis that women’s social networks in matriliny will more closely resemble those of men’s in patriliny. We compare these hypotheses using tools from social network analyses and data on men’s and women’s social networks in matrilineal and patrilineal Mosuo communities. In support of the gender reversal hypothesis, we find that women’s networks in matriliny are more similar to men’s in patriliny. Specifically, women in matriliny have higher edge density than do men, and women have higher measures of degree centralization than do men in matriliny whereas patrilineal men have higher measures of centrality than do women. Additionally, we find that geographic proximity and relatedness together predict women’s friendships in patriliny whereas relatedness predominates in matriliny. Finally, we find that friendship predicts ties in other domains of cooperation and social support. These results support the idea that the socio-ecological factors that result in different kinship systems also impact the ways that men and women operate within these systems, underscoring the importance of human flexibility in family making, and challenging the predominant narrative of universal gender differences.
Amyloidogenic proteins and occurrence of different amyloidosis in different animal species
Authors:   Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland, Florczuk-Kołomyja Patrycja , Kołomyja Paweł ,   Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland, Świderek Wiesław ,   Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland, Gruszczyńska Joanna ,   Department of Animal Genetics and Conservation, Institute of Animal Sciences Warsaw University of Life Sciences – SGGW, Ciszewskiego 8, 02-786 Warsaw, Poland
Published: April 2021

Amyloidosis is a poly-systemic disease caused by extracellular deposition of biologically inactive amyloid proteins, most often in kidneys, liver, nervous system, thyroid, spleen and heart. Depending on the site of production and deposition they can be classified into causing localised (organ-limited) and systemic amyloidosis. Disturbances in functioning of individual organs occur with an increase of the amount of accumulated protein what in turn may lead to the death of the affected individual. The occurrence of amyloidosis has been reported in human, but in animals, the most common form is AA amyloidosis, while AL amyloidosis is the least common. Due to the fact that symptoms of amyloidosis vary and often resemble those occurring in the course of other diseases, it is difficult to diagnose. Treatment of amyloidosis is aimed at improving functioning of the affected organs, yet the disease is incurable.
Report on the incidence of hereditary disorders (BLAD, DUMPS) in the Polish population of Holstein-Friesian cattle
Authors:   Polish Federation of Cattle Breeders and Dairy Farmers in Warsaw, Poland, Gozdek Marta , Kolenda Magdalena ,   Department of Biotechnology and Animal Genetics, University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz, Poland, Kamola Dariusz ,   Department of Physiological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (SGGW), Sitkowska Beata ,   Department of Biotechnology and Animal Genetics, University of Technology and Life Sciences in Bydgoszcz, Poland
Published: April 2021

BLAD (bovine leukocyte adhesion deficiency) and DUMPS (deficiency of uridine monophosphate synthase) are hereditary lethal autosomal recessive disorders that may affect Holstein cattle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of BLAD and DUMPS genotypes in the Polish population of dairy cows. In the study 5 732 Polish Holstein-Friesian females were genetically tested for BLAD and DUMPS. Results of the present study indicate that the Polish population of dairy cattle is free from DUMPS as there were not carriers nor sick animals. For BLAD the study confirmed the present of carriers in the population to be at a low value (0.21%). Both BLAD and DUMPS may strongly affect the profitability of a dairy farm, therefore, in order to avoid the economic losses caused by the presence of these genetic disorders in the herd it is important to screen the population and detect carriers as soon as possible.
Evaluation of utility and biological traits of a Carniolan honeybee line
Authors:   Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Agrobioengineering and Animal Husbandry, Bolesława Prusa 12/14, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland, Kołodziejczyk Dorota , Socha Stanisław ,   Siedlce University of Natural Sciences and Humanities, Faculty of Agrobioengineering and Animal Husbandry, Bolesława Prusa 12/14, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
Published: April 2021

The aim of the study was to analyze the functional and biological characteristics of the Carniolian breed of the Bielka 1 line. The research material consisted of queens subjected to stationary evaluation in ten consecutive feed seasons (2009–2018). The analysis covered such features as: honey yield, winter hardiness, spring development, swarming behavior and the behavior of bees indicating their mildness or malignancy. A statistically significant or highly significant influence of the year of evaluation was found on all the analyzed functional traits of the Bielka 1 line Carniolian bees. The bees of this line were characterized by a very good honey yield. There were positive and significant correlations between this feature and the others. No significant relationships were observed between the behavior of the Bielka 1 bees and their tendency to swarm and spring development. The bees were characterized by good winter hardiness, creating strong colonies and dynamic spring development. The good qualities of the bee colonies of this line are calm and gentleness. Moreover, they are characterized by low swarming behavior and usually received maximum scores for this feature. The Bielka 1 line can be useful in large apiaries focused on intensive production, but also in home, amateur apiaries.
The state of breeding and use of Caspian horses in Europe and around the world
Authors:   Department of Horse Breeding and Use, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland, Pluta Michał , Bańka Katarzyna ,   Department of Horse Breeding and Use, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland, Cieśla Angelika ,   Department of Monogastric Animal Sciences, Laboratory of Horse Breeding and Animal Assisted Therapy, West Pomeranian University of Technology Szczecin, Janickiego 29, 71-270 Szczecin, Poland, Rogala Łukasz ,   Department of Horse Breeding and Use, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland
Published: April 2021

The Caspian horse is one of the oldest horse breeds in the world and probably the first oriental domesticated horse. For centuries thought the breed had been considered extinct, until it was "rediscovered" in 1965 in Iran. The breed is quite important in the history of horse breeding, however, it is still little known. The aim of the work was to present the characteristics of the breed (conformation, characteristics and usage) and to assess the current state of the population in Europe and around the World. A survey was conduct among 18 breeders and included 120 horses. The population size was estimated based on the analysis of two breed registries. This study confirms and supplies information about Caspian horses available in the literature. Caspian horses can be very useful in refining small breeds of horses and could bring many profits in Polish breeding of sport ponies.
Congenital Fibular Deficiency: Total Knee Arthroplasty with Extraarticular Deformity
Authors: Vedoya Santiago P. , Viale Germán , Gessara Alan , del Sel Hernán
Published: April 2021

Case:

A total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was performed on a 35-year-old man with congenital fibular deficiency and a 20° varus and 28° antecurvatum tibial deformity of the left lower limb.

Conclusion:

One-stage TKA and correction of the extraarticular deformity by means of intraarticular bone resections and a standard soft tissue release were performed to restore the limb's mechanical axis. Patients with congenital fibular deficiency present a wide range of limb deformities because of bone deficiencies or treatment sequels, which might require a specific surgical technique and small-sized implants to obtain good results during a TKA.
Meralgia Paresthetica Caused by Melorheostosis Affecting the Ipsilateral Ilium
Authors: Miyoshi Hideaki , Nishisho Takehiko
Published: April 2021

Case:

A 51-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of pain in the right thigh. Radiography and computed tomography of the pelvis showed cortical hyperostosis of the right ilium. She was diagnosed with meralgia paresthetica (MP) caused by melorheostosis involving the right ilium. After 6 weeks of conservative management, an operation was performed for the persisting pain. At the 1-year follow-up, no findings of recurrence were observed clinically and radiographically.

Conclusion:

MP, caused by proximal irritation of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, can occur because of melorheostosis, which is a rare condition.
Understanding Local Water Collaboration for the Potential to Enhance Community Source Water Protection at Chippewas of the Thames First Name
Authors: Garrod Natalya
Published: April 2021

First Nations in Canada are disproportionately affected by chronic drinking water insecurity (Bakker, 2012). Aboriginal Affair and Northern Development Canada conducted an assessment of First Nations water and wastewater systems in 2001 and found significant risk to the quality and safety of drinking water on three- quarters of all systems (Johns and Rasmussen, 2008). Neegan Burnside (2011) classified four differentrisks that affect drinking water systems for First Nations, which include, no source water protection plan,deterioration of water quality over time, risk of contamination, and insufficient capacity to meet futurerequirements. This study found that the two highest risks were risk of source water contamination and thelack of a community source water protection plan (Neegan Burnside, 2011). Water security, sustainableaccess on a watershed basis to adequate quantities of water of acceptable quality to ensure human andecosystem health (Bakker, 2012), therefore requires source water protection and collaboration amongwater actors. Collaboration is defined as the pooling of resources by multiple stakeholders to solveproblems, which includes a balance of power among actors, mutually agreed upon objectives, is perceived as legitimate, and includes a wide variety of stakeholders (Ashlie, 2019; Van Der Porten, 2013; Spencer etal., 2016; Black & McBean, 2017).
Comparison of soil biological properties and soil bacterial diversity in sugarcane, soybean, mung bean and peanut intercropping systems
Authors: Yang Shangdong , Xiao Jian , Huang Ziyue , Qin Renliu , He Weizhong , Liu Limin , Li Aomei , Tan Hong-Wei
Published: April 2021

Aims Sugarcane intercropping with soybean (Glycine max (Linn.) Merr.), mung bean (Vignaradiata (Linn.) Wilczek) and peanut (Arachishypogaea Linn.) as well as a sugarcane monoculture were conducted to study the impacts of intercropping on soil biological characteristics and bacterial diversity. Methods The soil samples were collected from twelve random sites and mixed well at the experimental farm of the Guangxi South Sub-tropical Agricultural Science Research Institute, Longzhou, China. Traditional analysis methods and modern high-throughput sequencing technology was used to compare and analyze the soil enzyme activity, microbial biomass, soil cultivable microorganisms and other biological traits and bacterial diversity.Results The results showed that soil cultivable microorganisms, the activities of soil enzymes and microbial biomass carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus were all significantly improved by intercropping with soybean and mung bean. Additionally, soil bacterial diversity and richness in sugarcane fields were also significantly enhanced by intercropping with soybean and mung bean. In addition, soil bacterial community structures in sugarcane fields can be altered by intercropping with different legumes. Proteobacteria, a high-nutrient-tolerant bacterial assemblage, became the dominant bacteria in the sugarcane-soybean and sugarcane-mung bean intercropped soils. Twenty four, 28, 26 and 27 dominant soil bacterial genera were found after the sugarcane-soybean, sugarcane-mung bean, sugarcane-peanut and sugarcane monoculture treatments, respectively.Conclusions Sugarcane-mung bean intercropping suggested to be the most promising system for regaining and improving soil fertility and soil heath and facilitate agriculture intensification of sugarcane.
Flat-surface-assisted and self-regulated oxidation resistance of Cu(111)
Authors: Kim Su Jae , Kim Yong In , Lamichhane Bipin , Kim Young-Hoon , Lee Yousil , Cho Chae Ryong , Cheon Miyeon , Kim Jong , Jeong Hu Young , Ha Taewoo , Kim Jungdae , Lee Young Hee , Kim Seong-Gon , Kim Young-Min , Jeong Se-Young
Published: April 2021

The formation of an ultraflat surface on copper thin films is important for suppressing the oxidation process, but the formation of multi-atomic steps and terraces is a result of the basic atomic stacking process and difficult to avoid. Here, we develop an innovative strategy for fabricating copper thin films with a semi-permanently oxidation-resistant surface. Comprehensive atomic-resolution microscopy reveals that our thin film consists mostly of flat surfaces and occasional mono-atomic steps. Our first principles calculations show that a mono-atomic step edge is as impervious as a flat surface to oxygen consistent with our experimental observations. Furthermore, the first principles calculations exhibit self-regulated oxidation resistance at the top surface layer: when the oxygen coverage of fcc sites of the surface exceeds 50%, the adsorbed oxygens on the top layer suppresses further adsorption of additional O atoms and renders the ultraflat Cu surface to be more oxidation resistant.
Polycentric or monocentric, which kind of spatial structure is better for promoting the green economy? Evidence from Chinese urban agglomerations
Authors: Huang Yue , Liao Ruiwen
Published: April 2021

The green economy has gained worldwide attention, especially in the urban agglomerations where population and economic activities are highly concentrated. However, what kind of urban agglomeration spatial structure is more conducive to promoting the green economy? No clear conclusions have been made. Here, we study the impact of urban agglomeration spatial structure on the green economy, and also reveal how urban agglomeration spatial structure influences the three subsystems of green economy. We find that: (1) urban agglomeration spatial structural evolution is closely related to green economy, while in the research period, most urban agglomerations are not located in the optimal range of the spatial structure that drives the green economy. (2) Towards polycentric spatial structure is contributive to green economic growth, however, the excessively polycentric could not benefit green economy. (3) The evolution of urban agglomeration spatial structure exerts heterogenous impacts on the three subsystems when green economy is decomposed into economic subsystem, resources subsystem, and environmental subsystem. Towards polycentric is more conducive to the improvement of economic subsystem and resource subsystem, while, the tendency to monocentric drives the environmental subsystem development. (4) Lastly, our conclusions enlighten the urban agglomeration development planning and spatial mode for approaching a better performance in green economy.
Supplementation of green-synthesized nickel oxide nanoparticles enhances biohydrogen production of Klebsilla sp. using lignocellulosic hydrolysate and elucidation of the regulatory mechanism
Authors: Zhang Qin , Xu Siyuan , Li Yanbin , Ding Pengfei , Zhang Yonggui , Zhao Pei
Published: April 2021

Background

In recent years, adding nanoparticles to fermentative hydrogen production system has become an effective way to increase the biohydrogen yield, however, the application of green synthesized nanoparticles to hydrogen production system is rarely studied, even to the interpretation of the regulatory mechanism, there are few reports on the regulation of hydrogen production pathway and related gene expression by addition of nanoparticles. Thus, we herein reported the green synthesis of nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO-NPs) from Eichhornia crassipes (Ec) extract for the first time, and evaluated the regulatory effect of these NPs on fermentative hydrogen production.
Results

Characterization of the Ec-NiO-NPs revealed their spherical shape, small diameter (9.1 ± 2.6 nm) and high purity. The maximum cumulative hydrogen production and hydrogen yield Y(H2/S) reached 4842.19 ± 23.43 mL/L and 101.45 ± 3.32 mL/gsubstrate, respectively, in the presence of 20 mg/L Ec-NiO-NP, which were 47.29% and 37.78% higher than the control without NPs addition. Evaluation of glucose and xylose utilization efficiency as well as key node metabolites further established the potential of Ec-NiO-NP to improve the reducing sugar utilization and metabolic flux distribution in hydrogen synthesis pathway. Furthermore, addition of 20 mg/L Ec-NiO-NP resulted in enhanced hydrogenase activity with a maximum increase of 623% comparing to the control, and led to changes in the gene expression of both hydrogenase and formate-hydrogen lyase, which play important roles in promoting hydrogen production at different stages of fermentation.
Conclusions

The results prove that supplementation with green-synthesized Ec-NiO-NP effectively improves fermentative hydrogen production and regulates key node metabolites alteration and functional gene expression. This study provides a cheap and eco-friendly method to enhance fermentative hydrogen production and new insights to reveal the regulatory mechanism underlying NP mediated increases in biohydrogen synthesis.
Investigations into the effects and related upstream/downstream regulatory mechanisms of long non-coding RNA WT1-AS in the maintenance and development of gastric cancer stem cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhang Xiaobei , Jin Meng , Liu Shiqi , Zang Mingde , Hu Lei , Du Tao , Zhang Baogui
Published: April 2021

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are proposed to be responsible for almost all malignant phenotypes (e.g. heterogeneity, uncontrolled growth, metastasis, recurrence, chemoresistance) of tumors. Long non-coding RNA WT1 antisense RNA (WT1-AS) has been found to be involved in the regulation of lung cancer cell stemness. However, the roles and molecular mechanisms of WT1-AS in the maintenance and development of gastric cancer stem cells (GSCs) have not been investigated.
Methods

mRNA and protein expression was measured by RT-qPCR and western blot. CCK8 and Soft agar colony formation assays were performed to assess cell viability and colony clone formation ability. Cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by flow cytometry analysis. Cell transwell and wound healing analyses were carried out to assess cell migration ability. In vitro angiogenesis and 3D spheroid cultures assays were also performed. Moreover, in vitro experiments were carried out to explore the function of WT1-AS on tumor growth, metastasis and cell stemness. The upstream transcription factors or downstream genes of WT1-AS were screened through Bioinformatics, dual-luciferase assays and RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) technology.
Results

Our present study demonstrated that WT1-AS knockdown or wilms tumor 1 (WT1) overexpression improved GSC proliferative and migratory capacities, promoted GSC EMT, enhanced GSC stemness, inhibited GSC apoptosis, potentiated the resistance of GSCs to 5-FU and induced HUVEC angiogenesis in vitro. WT1-AS loss or WT1 increase facilitated the formation of in-vitro 3D GSC aggregates. WT1-AS ameliorated the malignant phenotypes of GSCs by down-regulating WT in vitro. Additionally, WT1-AS inhibited tumor growth and metastasis, and reduced tumor stemness in GSCs-derived xenografts (s.c., i.p., and i.v.) in vivo. Furthermore, XBP1 was identified as an upstream regulator of WT1-AS in GSCs. RNA-seq and RT-qPCR data suggested that PSPH, GSTO2, FYN, and PHGDH might be the downstream targets of WT1-AS in GSCs.
Conclusions

Our data demonstrated that WT1-AS weakened the stem-cell like behaviors and characteristics of GSCs in vitro and in vivo by down-regulating WT1. Also, some upstream regulators and downstream targets of WT1-AS were identified in GSCs. Investigations on the molecular mechanisms underlying the complex phenotypes of GSCs might contribute to the better management of headaches in cancers.