bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ethnobotanical Kknowledge of Medicinal Plants Used in the Treatment of Male Infertility in Southern Benin
Authors: Agbodjento Eric , KLOTOE Jean Robert , Sacramento Téniola Isabelle , Dougnon Victorien , Tchabi Frontenel Lopez , Déguénon Esther , Atègbo Jean-Marc
Published: April 2020

Background: Infertility is a concern for couples, families and society. In almost half of the cases, it is due to male infertility, which results in the azoospermia and oligospermia. This infertility, in developing countries like Benin, is often care by the use of medicinal medicinal plants. However, very few data exist on plants with spermatogenic benefits at the current stage. Therefore, this work aimed to enlist knowledge about plants used in the treatment of male infertility in southern Benin. Methods : An ethnomedicinal investigation has been conducted by questioning traditional healer and market herbalists using the method of semi-structured interview. A descriptive and quantitative statistical method was used to analyze the socio-demographic data of the informants. ANOVA One-way and Independent Samples T-Test were used to assess the degree of endogenous knowledge of the respondents. Ethnopharmacological data has been analyzed by ethnobotanical indices such as informant consensus factor ( ICF ), frequency of citation ( FC ) for each plant species and contribution of each plant to drug recipes ( Cpr ) to establish indicators on the use values ​​attributed to plants listed.Results: 90 respondents including 34 market herbalists and 54 traditional healers participated in this study. Data collected allowed us, on the basic of 70 recipes provided by the informants, to list 60 plant species belonging to 57 genera and 40 botanical families. Informants had a high degree of consensus (ICF = 0.58) on plants used for treatment of male infertility. The most plants cited were Garcinia kola (10.09%), Cissus populnea (10.09%), Carpolobia lutea (7.40%) among market herbalists and Garcinia kola (10.15%), Cyperus esculentus (06.09%), Citrus aurantifiola (06.09 %) among traditional healers. The recipes composed of 1 to 7 plants prepared mainly in the form of maceration and trituration. Conclusion : Beninese flora has a variety of plants used in the treatment of male infertility. This study provided for the first time a list of medicinal plants used for the treatment of male infertility in southern Benin. Further pharmacological and toxicological studies may be undertaken for the scientific validation of the therapeutic effect of these medicinal plants.
Association between institutional case volume and mortality following thoracic aorta replacement: A nationwide Korean cohort study
Authors: Nam Karam , Jang Eun Jin , Jo Jun Woo , Choi Jae Woong , Lee Minkyoo , Ryu Ho Geol
Published: April 2020

Background The inverse relationship between case volume and postoperative mortality following high-risk surgical procedures have been reported. Thoracic aorta surgery is associated with one of the highest postoperative mortality. The relationship between institutional case volume and postoperative mortality in patients undergoing thoracic aorta replacement surgery was evaluated. Methods All thoracic aorta replacement surgeries performed in Korea between 2009 and 2016 in adult patients were analyzed using an administrative database. Hospitals were divided into low (<30 cases/year), medium (30–60 cases/year), or high (>60 cases/year) volume centers depending on the annual average number of thoracic aorta replacement surgeries performed. The impact of case volume on in-hospital mortality was assessed using the logistic regression. Results Across 83 hospitals, 4867 cases of thoracic aorta replacement were performed. In-hospital mortality was 8.6% (191/2222), 10.7% (77/717), and 21.9% (422/1928) in high, medium, and low volume centers, respectively. The adjusted risk of in-hospital mortality was significantly higher in medium (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.16–2.11, P = 0.004) and low volume centers (OR, 3.12; 95% CI, 2.54–3.85, P <0.001) compared to high volume centers. Conclusions Patients who had underwent thoracic aorta replacement surgery in lower volume centers had increased risk of in-hospital mortality after surgery compared to those in higher volume centers. Our results may provide the basis for minimum case volume requirement or regionalization in thoracic aorta replacement surgery for optimal patient outcome.
Down-regulation of DLG2 predicts an unfavorable prognosis and promotes the proliferation and migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.
Authors: Gu Jiawei , Hong Runqi , Niu Gengming , Hu Zhiqing , Song Tao , Wang Xin , Han Shanliang , Chen Liang , Ren Jun , Xia Jie , Hong Liang , Ke Chongwei
Published: April 2020

Background Discs large MAGUK scaffold protein 2 (DLG2), a member of the MAGUK family, has been associated with certain tumor suppressing processes. In this study, we aim to identify the prognosis value and specific function of DLG2 in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Methods Expression of DLG2 in HCCs and adjacent normal tissues (NTs) was analyzed with transcriptomic datasets from the Integrative Molecular Database of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCCDB) and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of a tissue microarray (TMA). Prognostic roles of DLG2 in HCCs were investigated in the TMA cohort and validated in two cohorts from HCCDB. The in vitro activities of DLG2 were investigated in cultured HCC cells with lentiviruses. The underlying mechanism was explored using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) and gene-gene correlation analyses with The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) dataset. Results The expression of DLG2 was significantly decreased in HCCs compared to that in NTs. Down-regulation of DLG2 in HCCs was associated with unfavorable prognosis. Overexpression of DLG2 inhibited, while knockdown of DLG2 prompted proliferation and migration of cultured HCCs. Mechanistically, DLG2 may inhibited cell growth of HCCs by interacting with key molecules that regulate cell cycles. Conclusion DLG2 inhibited HCC progression and may be a novel prognosis biomarker and therapeutic target for HCC.
The accelerator, the brake, and the terrain: associations of reward-related eating, self-control, and the home food environment with diet quality assessed by 24-hour recalls during pregnancy and postpartum in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study (PEAS) cohort
Authors: Nansel Tonja R. , Lipsky Leah M. , Faith Myles , Liu Aiyi , Siega-Riz Anna Maria
Published: April 2020

Background. Neurobehavioral factors, including reward-related eating and self-control, in conjunction with the food environment, may influence dietary behaviors. However, these constructs have not been examined in pregnancy and postpartum, a time of changing appetite and eating behaviors, and when dietary intake has implications for maternal and child health. This study examined associations of reward-related eating, self-control, and the home food environment with pregnancy and postpartum diet quality. Methods. Participants in the Pregnancy Eating Attributes Study observational cohort were enrolled at ≤12 weeks gestation and followed through one-year postpartum. Pregnancy and postpartum Healthy Eating Index-2015 (HEI) was calculated by pooling 24-hour diet recalls during each trimester and during 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum. Participants completed four measures of reward-related eating – Modified Yale Food Addiction Scale (mYFAS), Power of Food Scale (PFS), Multiple Choice Procedure (MCP), and Food Reinforcement Questionnaire (FRQ); two measures of self-control – Barratt Impulsiveness Scale and Delay of Gratification Inventory; and a Home Food Inventory (HFI), yielding obesogenic (OBES) and fruit/vegetables (FV) scores. Linear regression analyses estimated associations of reward-related eating, self-control, and home food environment with diet quality during pregnancy and postpartum, adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics. Results. Pregnancy, HEI was inversely associated with PFS, mYFAS, MCP, and 2 of the 5 FRQ indices, but most associations of postpartum HEI with reward-related eating measures were not statistically significant. Associations of HEI with general self-control measures were not statistically significant. Pregnancy and postpartum HEI were associated inversely with HFI-OBES and positively with HFI-FV. Conclusions. Associations of diet quality with greater reward-related eating during pregnancy but not postpartum suggests the need to better understand differences in the determinants of eating behaviors and approaches to circumvent or moderate reward-related eating to facilitate more optimal diet quality across this critical period.
Dietary Pattern and Nutrient Intakes in Association with Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors among Filipino Adults
Authors: Agdeppa Imelda Angeles , Sun Ye , Tanda Keith V
Published: April 2020

Background: This study evaluated the relationship between dietary quality and food patterns of Filipino adults and the rising prevalence of selected cardiometabolic non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors. Methods: Using data collected in the 2013 National Nutrition Survey, a total of 19,914 adults aged 20 years and above were included in the analyses. The Alternative Healthy Eating Index (AHEI-2010) was used to characterize the dietary quality, and principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify dietary patterns specific to the study population. Logistic regression models were applied to assess the association between the dietary pattern scores and selected cardiometabolic NCD indices including diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and overweight and obesity with adjustment for potential confounders. Results: The mean AHEI-2010 score was 19.7 for women and 18.9 for men out of a total possible score of 100. Three major dietary patterns were identified through PCA: 1) meat and sweetened beverages (MSB); 2) rice and fish (RF) and 3) fruit, vegetables and snack (FVS). After adjustment for potential confounding factors, the AHEI pattern was associated with higher odds of overweight/obesity [extreme-tertile odds ratio (OR) 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-1.21]. Subjects in the highest tertile of the MSB pattern had greater odds for overweight/obesity, diabetes, high total cholesterol, low HDL-cholesterol, high LDL-cholesterol, and high triglycerides (OR ranging 1.20 to 1.70, all p-value <0.001). The RF pattern was associated with higher probability of overweight/obesity (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.08-1.32) high LDL-cholesterol (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.07-1.37), and less likelihood of diabetes (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.77-0.98). The FVS pattern was associated with lower probability of overweight/obesity, diabetes, high triglycerides, and hypertension (OR ranging 0.85 to 0.90, all p-value <0.05). Conclusions: Diet quality of Filipino adults is extremely poor. MSB and RF patterns were associated with a higher risk of cardiometabolic NCD indices, while FVS pattern was a better option to lower the risks. Identifying healthy and detrimental dietary patterns in the local diet could be informative for future local-based dietary recommendation and area-specific intervention programs. Keywords: Dietary pattern; AHEI; NCD; Adult
STAT3 regulates miR93-mediated apoptosis through inhibiting DAPK1 in renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Du Yang , Kong Chuize
Published: April 2020

Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, STAT3, is an essential member of the STAT family. STAT3 regulates diverse genes mediating inflammatory reaction, cell survival, proliferation, and angiogenesis, and it is aberrantly upregulated and activated in various types of malignancies. Meanwhile, STAT3 signaling is involved in multiple feedback loops and pathways. In this study, we demonstrate that in renal cell carcinoma, miR-93-3p act an oncogenesis role in renal cell carcinoma. It enhanced RCC cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis. Besides, STAT3 could regulate the transcription of miR-93 by directly binding with its promoter region. miR-93 can inhibit the protein level of death-associated protein kinase 1, DAPK1. What’s more, STAT3 could block the expression of DAPK1 on the level of RNA. Importantly, we verify that, through over-expression, DAPK1 might, in return, suppress the activated-STAT3 entering cell nucleus. Thus, the study uncovers a potential signaling transduction pathway, STAT3-miR93-DAPK1, which is continuously activated, and may provide a novel clinical therapeutic approach for RCC.
Utilising Benefit-Risk Assessments within Clinical Trials – A Protocol for the BRAINS project
Authors: Totton Nikki , Julious Steven , Hughes Dyfrig , Cook Jonathan , Biggs Katie , Coates Lizzie , Cook Andrew , Hewitt Catherine , Day Simon
Published: April 2020

Background

Depending on the treatment to be investigated, a clinical trial could be designed to assess objectives of: superiority; equivalence or non-inferiority. The design of the study is affected by many different elements including: the control treatment, the primary outcome and associated relationships.

In some studies, there could be more than one outcome of interest. In these situations, benefit-risk methodologies could be used to assess the outcomes simultaneously and consider the trade-off of the benefits against the risks of a treatment.

Benefit-risk is used within the regulatory industry but seldom included within publicly funded clinical trials within the UK. This project aims to gain an expert consensus on how to select the appropriate trial design (e.g. superiority) and when to consider including benefit-risk methods.

Methods

The project will consist of four work packages:

1. A web-based survey to elicit current experiences and opinions,

2. A rapid literature review to assess any current recommendations,

3. A two-day consensus workshop to gain agreement on the recommendations,

4. Production of a guidance document.

Discussion

The aim of the project is to provide a guideline for clinical researchers, grant funding bodies and reviewers for grant bodies for how to select the most appropriate trial design and when it is appropriate to consider using benefit-risk methods. The focus of the guideline will be on publicly funded trials, however, the vision is the work will be applicable across research settings and we will connect with other organisations and committees as appropriate.
Predictors and clinical features of methotrexate (MTX) therapy for ectopic pregnancy
Authors: Zhang Jing , Zhang Yu , Gan Lu , Liu Xiao-ying , Du Shan-ping
Published: April 2020

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is a major life- and fertility-threatening concern in women’s health. As a result of advances in examination technology, an increasing number of ectopic pregnancies can be diagnosed early and treated with medical methods instead of surgery. The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical features and identify the predictors of success of methotrexate (MTX) treatment of ectopic pregnancy.Methods: This was a retrospective study of 238 ectopic pregnancies treated with MTX in the Department of Gynecology of Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2017.Results: Patients were divided into two groups: the successful treatment group (n=166) and the failed treatment group (n=72). The overall success rate of MTX therapy for ectopic pregnancy was 69.75%. The mean initial β-hCG level was significantly lower in the successful treatment group than in the failed treatment group (2538.08 IU/L versus 3533.17 IU/L, P=0.000). The treatment success rate of the group with an initial β-hCG concentration less than 4000 IU/L was significantly higher than that of the group with an initial β-hCG concentration greater than 4000 IU/L. However, the success rate of the group with an initial β-hCG concentration greater than 4000 IU/L was still relatively high (54.55%). β-hCG levels were significantly increased on the 4th day in the failed treatment group (P=0.000). Compared to the initial β-hCG level, the day-4 β-hCG level increased by more than 8.21%, indicating that the treatment was effective. The diagnostic sensitivity was 88.6%, the specificity was 74.5%, and the area under the ROC curve was 0.863 (95% CI: 0.805-0.920).Conclusions: MTX therapy as a treatment option is safe and effective for asymptomatic, hemodynamically stable patients with ectopic pregnancies who are interested in conservative treatment, regardless of the serum β-hCG level or adnexal mass size. The change in the β-hCG level between the initial day and the 4th day is an effective and early predictive tool for the success of MTX therapy of ectopic pregnancy.
The epidemic situation of COVID-19 in Gansu Province, China — a Big Data analysis of the National Health Information Platform
Authors: Yan Xuanchen , Wang Jianjian , Yao Jingwen , Estill Janne , Wu Shouyuan , Lu Jie , Liang Baoping , Li Hongmin , Tao Shengxin , Bai Huanli , Liu Hongliang , Chen Yaolong
Published: April 2020

Objective This study is to explore the patient characteristics and transmission chains of COVID-19 in the population of Gansu province, and support decision-making. Methods We collected data from Gansu National Health Information Platform. We conducted a case-control study, including patients with COVID-19 confirmed between January 23 and February 6, 2020 as cases, and all inpatients, outpatients and emergency patients except those with COVID-19 during the same period as the control group. We compared the gender and age between two groups. We also described the incubation period, consultation time and sources of infection in the cases, and calculated the secondary cases that occurred within Gansu for each imported case. Results We found no differences in gender (P=0.107). COVID-19 cases were more likely to occur among the middle-aged people (P=0.038). Twenty-eight (41.8%) of the 67 cases had a history of direct exposure in Wuhan. Twenty-five (52.2%) cases came from ten families, and we found no clear reports of modes of transmission other than family clusters. The largest number of secondary cases linked to a single source was nine. Conclusion There is no difference in gender between the cases and controls. However, COVID-19 patients were slightly younger than those attending for other reasons. The most common suspected mode of transmission was through family cluster. Gansu and other settings worldwide should continue to strengthen the utilization of big data in epidemic control.
Bilateral-pectoral major muscle advancement flap combined with Vacuum-assisted closure therapy for the treatment of deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery
Authors: Song Feng , Liu Zhenzhong
Published: April 2020

Objectives: The median sternotomy is the most common surgical approach for cardiac surgery. Deep sternal wound infection is a fatal complication after median sternotomy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Bilateral-pectoral major muscle advancement flap combined with Vacuum-assisted closure therapy on rehabilitation for the treatment of deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery.Methods: Between January 2016 to January 2018, 21 patients (10 males, 11 females) with deep sternal wound infection after cardiac surgery underwent Bilateral-pectoral major muscle advancement flap combined with Vacuum-assisted closure therapy. These patients were followed-up 12 months postoperative. The patient characteristics, duration of vacuum-assisted closure therapy, the mean hospital stay, postoperative complications, long-term survival of patients were retrospectively analyzed.Results: Most patients undergone 1–3 times vacuum-assisted closure treatment sessions before closure. All patients were cured to discharge, the mean hospital stay was 21.1 days. Most patients’ healing wounds were first-stage healing, only one patient’s wound was second-stage healing, none was third-stage healing. One patient developed pulmonary infection and respiratory failure during the 12-month follow-up. None of the patients died during follow-up.Conclusions: Bilateral-pectoral major muscle advancement flap combined with Vacuum-assisted closure therapy for the treatment of deep sternal wound infections after cardiac surgery can shorten the hospital stays and few complications. However, this is a retrospective case series presentation with no comparison group, the number of inferences is limited, so further large-scale controlled studies are needed.
Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio may Replace Chest Computed Tomography to Reflect the Degree of Lung Injury in Patients with Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Authors: Zhang Yang , Wu Wenjing , Du Mingshan , Luo Wei , Hou Wenjing , Shi Yanshu , Cheng Lin , Ji Bing , Mei Jingling , Chen Fengxi , Li Xiang , Xiang Hongnian , Cao Yang , Xu Ming , Chen Wei , Wang Jian
Published: April 2020

Objectives To investigated the relationship between the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the severity of lung injury in corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.Methods The clinical data, laboratory examination, and chest computed tomography (CT) findings of 167 patients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to 5 hospitals in Chongqing, China from January 2020 to February 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. According to the diagnostic criteria sixth edition of the “Diagnosis and Treatment of New Coronavirus Pneumonitis” published by the China National Health Commission, the patients were stratified by the severity of their illness to 3 groups: mild (n = 17), moderate (n = 119), or severe (n = 31).Results Differences of the NLR among the three groups and between each of the groups were significant (all p < 0.001). The NLR and CT severity score were positively correlated (r = 0.823, p < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis found that NLR had diagnostic and prognostic value in COVID-19 patients with either negative or positive CT results. The area under curve (AUC) was 0.819 (95% CI: 0.729-0.910, p < 0.001), the sensitivity was 61.3%, specificity was 94.1%, and the optimal NLR cutoff value was 3.634.Conclusion NLR reflected the degree of lung injury and predicted the progression of COVID-19. NLR is a low-cost, convenient, bedside alternative to chest CT scanning to indicate the severity of lung injury in patients with COVID-19, especially in relatively underdeveloped areas.
Coronavirus disease 2019 complicated with Bell’s palsy: a case report
Authors: Wan Yue , Cao Shugang , Fang Qi , Wang Mingfu , Huang Yi
Published: April 2020

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease, mainly causing respiratory symptoms. However, a few patients may also have neurological symptoms. Herein, we report a case of COVID-19 infection complicated with Bell’s palsy.Case presentation: A 65-year-old woman was admitted due to left facial drooping. Physical examination showed left peripheral facial paralysis. Brain MRI showed no abnormality. However, the chest CT revealed the ground-glass shadows in the right lower lung. The real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA were positive through throat swabs, while the common influenza virus antigens were tested negative. The symptoms of left facial paralysis relieved after antiviral treatment. She patient was discharged in the context of 3 consecutively negative RT-PCR test results for SARS-CoV-2 RNA and complete absorption of the right lung lesions. Conclusion: This case suggests that COVID-19 may be presented with Bell’s palsy and may be a potential cause of facial paralysis.
Nematicide influence on cotton yield and plant-parasitic nematodes in conventional and sod-based crop rotation
Authors: Schumacher Lesley A. , Grabau Zane J. , Wright David L. , Small Ian M. , Liao Hui-Ling
Published: April 2020

Plant-parasitic nematodes (Rotylenchulus reniformis (reniform, RN), Helicotylenchus dihystera (spiral), and Mesocriconema ornatum (ring)) and yield were investigated in cotton phases of conventional (peanut–cotton–cotton) and sod-based (bahiagrass–bahiagrass–peanut–cotton) rotations with or without irrigation and fluopyram nematicide at a long-term research site, established in 2000, in Quincy, Florida, USA. Objectives were to determine impacts of nematicide application on cotton yield and evaluate effects of nematicide on plant-parasitic nematodes in these rotations in 2017 and 2018. Reniform nematode population densities were greater in conventional cotton than sod-based cotton. Ring and spiral nematode population densities were greater in sod-based cotton than conventional cotton. Plots receiving nematicide had increased RN population densities in preplant 2018 soil samples and spiral nematode population densities in preplant 2017, harvest 2017, preplant 2018, and harvest 2018 soil samples compared to untreated plots. Cotton seed yield in conventional rotation was increased by 18% following nematicide application in 2017 but decreased by 10% in sod-based rotation in 2018, relative to the untreated control. Sod-based rotation had greater cotton yield than conventional rotation in 2017 and 2018. Nematicide application did not improve cotton yield in sod-based rotation and was inconsistent in conventional rotation.
De novo transcriptome sequencing and analysis of Anisakis pegreffii (Nematoda: Anisakidae) third-stage and fourth stage larvae
Authors: Nam U-Hwa , Kim Jong-Oh , Kim Jeong-Ho
Published: April 2020

Anisakis pegreffii is known as one of the causes of a fish-borne zoonosis, anisakidosis. Despite its significant public health and food hygiene impacts, little is known of the pathogenesis, genetic background of this parasite, at least partly due to the lack of genome and transcriptome information. In this study, RNA-seq and de novo assembly were conducted to obtain transcriptome profiles of the A. pegreffii third and fourth larvae. The third stage larvae (APL3) were collected from chub mackerel and the fourth stage larvae (APL4) were obtained by in vitro culture. In total, 47,243 and 43,660 unigenes were expressed in APL3 and APL4 transcriptomes. Of them, 18,753 were known and 28,490 were novel for APL3, while 18,996 were known and 24,664 were novel for APL4. The most abundantly expressed genes in APL3 were mitochondrial enzymes (COI, COII, COIII) and polyubiquitins (UBB, UBIQP_XENLA). Collagen-related genes (col-145, col-34, col-138, Bm1_54705, col-40) were the most abundantly expressed in APL4. Mitochondrial enzyme genes (COIII, COI) were also highly expressed in APL4. Among the transcripts, 614 were up-regulated in APL3, while 1,309 were up-regulated in APL4. Several protease and protein biosynthesis-related genes were highly expressed in APL3, all of which are thought to be crucial for invading host tissues. Collagen synthesis-related genes were highly expressed in APL4, reflecting active biosynthesis of collagens occurs during moulting process of APL4. Of these differentially expressed genes, several genes (SI, nas-13, EF-TSMT, SFXN2, dhs-27) were validated to highly transcribed in APL3, while other genes (col-40, F09E10.7, pept-1, col-34, VIT) in APL4. The biological roles of these genes in vivo will be deciphered when the reference genome sequences are available, together with in vitro experiments.
A new stunt nematode, Geocenamus chengi n. sp. (Nematoda: Merliniinae) in the rhizosphere of tea (Camellia sinensis) from Zhejiang Province, China
Authors: Maria Munawar , Miao Wentao , Castillo Pablo , Zheng Jingwu
Published: April 2020

The tea plant is native to China; the country has the greatest tea production areas in the world. In an attempt to investigate the nematode biodiversity associated with the tea plantations of Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, a population of stunt nematode was detected. This group of nematodes is comprised of migratory ecto-parasites of roots and can subsist on a variety of host plants. Therefore, the detected population was studied carefully using the integrative taxonomy approach and identified as a new species of genus Geocenamus. Geocenamus chengi n. sp. can be characterized by females having six incisures in the lateral field; labial region is dome shaped and slightly offset from the rest of the body having four to five annuli; head framework is weakly developed; deirids are absent; excretory pore is located at the anterior region of basal pharyngeal bulb. Under SEM, the vulva is a transverse slit, vulval lips are elongated and ellipsoidal with epiptygma. The tail is annulated, elongated, and conical having bluntly pointed tip and a terminal hyaline region that forms 21 to 33% of the tail length. Spicule is 22 to 25 μm long, gubernaculum is saucer shaped; bursa is crenated covering the tail until the hyaline tail region. Morphologically, the species is close to G. circellus, G. joctus, G. loofi, G. ordinarius, G. processus, G. tetyllus, and G. tortilis. Phylogenetic relationships of the new species based on D2-D3 expansion domains of 28 S, ITS, and 18 S rRNA genes indicated that G. chengi n. sp. clustered in a separate clade with G. vietnamensis.
A conjecture on the minimal size of bound states
Authors: Freivogel Ben , Gasenzer Thomas , Hebecker Arthur , Leonhardt Sascha
Published: April 2020

We conjecture that, in a renormalizable effective quantum field
theory where the heaviest stable particle has mass
mm,
there are no bound states with radius below
1/m1/m
(Bound State Conjecture). We are motivated by the (scalar) Weak Gravity
Conjecture, which can be read as a statement forbidding certain bound
states. As we discuss, versions for uncharged particles and their
generalizations have shortcomings. This leads us to the suggestion that
one should only constrain rather than exclude bound objects. In the
gravitational case, the resulting conjecture takes the sharp form of
forbidding the adiabatic construction of black holes smaller than
1/m1/m.
But this minimal bound-state radius remains non-trivial as
M_\mathrm{P}\to \inftyMP→∞,
leading us to suspect a feature of QFT rather than a quantum gravity
constraint. We find support in a number of examples which we analyze at
a parametric level.
Indigenous knowledge and community-based risk assessment of climate change among the Fulani Herder Community of Kpongu, North-Western Ghana
Authors: Napogbong Lambert Abatanie , Domapielle Maximillian Kolbe , Derbile Emmanuel Kanchebe
Published: April 2020

Given rising concerns about climate change and development in Africa, this paper draws on Community Risk Assessment for mapping the risks of Fulani Herders to climate change in North-Western Ghana. Herder communities are seldom explored in climate change related studies although their livelihoods largely depend on the natural environment. Thus, a case study of the Fulani Herder Community of Kpongu in the Wa Municipality was conducted. The design employed Participatory Rural Appraisal instruments for data collection and analysis. The results reveal multiple indicators of climate change, including longer dry seasons and dry spells, shrinking sizes of water bodies, formation of iron pans on top soils, stunted growth of grass species, smaller grass stalks and less concentration of grasses. These have culminated into scarcity of fodder and water and increased distances of cattle herding under excruciating sunshine and temperatures in search of feed and water as an adaptive mechanism. The paper underscores that herder knowledge of climate change reveals a drying trend in climate and de-concentration in vegetation, especially grass species. The paper advocates climate change adaptation planning and policy attention to providing supplementary sources of water and feed in support of cattle herding and herder communities for climate change adaptation.
Correlating sludge constituents with digester foaming risk using sludge foam potential and rheology
Authors: Nishiguchi Kota , Winkler Mari K. H.
Published: April 2020

Foam potential and viscometer ramp tests (VRTs) were conducted for three municipal wastewater treatment plants to determine if these methods can relate to mechanisms of foaming to physical and biological constituents in sludge. At all plants, digester volatile solids (VS) concentration correlated (R2 > 0.41) with increases in plastic viscosity, a VRT parameter corresponding to foaming risk. Plastic viscosity also correlated with foam-causing bacteria Gordonia (R2 = 0.38). Foam potential test values increased with Microthrix parvicella (R2> 0.28). For one plant, suspected foam-causing bacteria Mycobacterium negatively correlated with parameters representing foam risk. Microscopic filament counting correlated (R2 = 0.97) with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) for Gordonia, suggesting that the more accessible counting method can reliably quantify foam-causing bacteria. Foam potential tests and VRTs resulted in plant-specific correlations with foam-related constituents. Therefore, these tests may provide useful evidence when investigating causes of digester foam events.
La conformación histórica del mercado de trabajo agrícola en el valle de Mexicali
Authors: Moreno Mena José Ascensión
Published: April 2020

En el presente trabajo, se pretende dar un breve bosquejo sobre algunos elementos que nos permitan entender el proceso de conformación del mercado laboral en el valle de Mexicali, desde su surgimiento hasta la actualidad. Para ello, se parte de reconstruir el proceso histórico que permitió sentar las bases materiales que posibilitaron la producción agrícola en escala ampliada y por ende, la reproducción de la fuerza de trabajo. Por último, se da una breve caracterización de la mano de obra que utilizó el capital extranjero durante los diferentes periodos.
Kwestie przyrodnicze w Encyklice Laudato si’ Ojca Świętego Franciszka
Authors: Żarska Barbara
Published: April 2020

Encyklika Laudato si’ Ojca Świętego Franciszka jest nowym dokumentem rangi światowej dotyczącym globalnego kryzysu środowiska i relacji „człowiek – środowisko”. W artykule przedstawiono analizę treści encykliki pod względem sposobu ujęcia, argumentów i proponowanych działań na rzecz przyrody i przezwyciężenia kryzysu środowiska. Tezy zawarte w encyklice są spójne ze strategicznymi dokumentami, programami i prawem na poziomie krajowym, Unii Europejskiej i międzynarodowym. Ojciec Święty nadał jednak nieco inny kierunek podejmowanym działaniom w zakresie ochrony przyrody i doskonalenia relacji „człowiek – środowisko”. Papież Franciszek wskazał na głębokie powiązanie kryzysu ekologicznego z kryzysem społecznym. Nazwał kryzys społeczno-ekologicznym. Encyklika Laudato si’ jest dokumentem o znaczeniu światowym w walce z tym kryzysem.
Prymat techniki nad moralnością? Aspekty etyczno-prawne macierzyństwa zastępczego
Authors: Kobyliński Andrzej
Published: April 2020

Głównym celem tego artykułu jest analiza zjawiska macierzyństwa zastępczego w wymiarze globalnym oraz przedstawienie najważniejszych etycznych i prawnych aspektów tej procedury medycznej. W niektórych krajach można mówić o prawdziwej branży surogacji. Tylko w Indiach możemy znaleźć obecnie około 3000 klinik oferujących tę procedurę medyczną. W kontekście zastępczego macierzyństwa potrzebujemy przede wszystkim nowego humanizmu, nowej wrażliwości moralnej i odpowiednich przepisów prawnych. Konieczne jest stworzenie prawa międzynarodowego, które będzie traktować surogat jako formę nowoczesnego niewolnictwa, utowarowienia życia ludzkiego i łamania praw człowieka.
Tikkun Olam. Judaistyczna wizja „naprawy świata” i jej ekologiczne eksplikacje
Authors: Nowicka Barbara
Published: April 2020

W żydowskiej teologii i filozofii problem natury wydaje się być ukryty, natura znajduje się niejako w cieniu człowieka. Jednak fakt degradacji środowiska naturalnego posiada niewątpliwie ogromny wpływ na ludzkość. Stąd zagadnienie ekologii i środowiska naturalnego są tematami coraz częściej pojawiającymi się również w myśli żydowskiej. Judaistyczna wizja ochrony środowiska bardzo często wiązana jest z konceptem Tikkun Olam co oznacza naprawę świata lub „odrestaurowanie” świata. Biblijne korzenie Tikkun Olam zachęcają nas do zbadania znaczenia środowiska naturalnego i człowieka w nim. Pojęcie Tikkun Olam zobowiązuje nas do nieustannej działalności wobec natury, którą powinniśmy poprawiać i otaczać ochroną. Przesłanie biblijne i jej transcendentne źródło mogą być znacznie silniejsze niż prawo ludzkie. Dlatego wizja judaistyczna ekologii może być również ciekawą propozycją w podejściu do opieki nad środowiskiem.
Lingwistyczne trudności podczas nauki obcych języków
Authors: Uvarova Maria A.
Published: April 2020

W pracy opisane zostały lingwistyczne i kulturowo-lingwistyczne trudności, które trzeba pokonać w trakcie nauki języków obcych. Trudności te powstają nie tylko z powodu różnic w wymowie, gramatyce albo składni, ale także z powodu różnic w kulturze, historii i sposobie życia między uczącym się a nauczycielem. Niektóre różnice są oczywiste, inne nie. Jednakże podstawowym sposobem osiągniecia mistrzostwa w opanowaniu obcego języka jest dokładne i wymagające wiele wysiłku studiowanie nie tylko samego języka , ale także wszystkich aspektów kultury i historii ludzi mówiących w tym języku.
Climate protection as an ethical challenge
Authors: Karaczun Zbigniew M.
Published: April 2020

Mitigation of the global climate change is one of the most important challenges facing humanity in the 21st century. It will require significant changes in the economy, consumption, the style of life. However, the climate protection is also an ethical problem. It is a problem of responsibility for the climate – the common good of all creatures. This article discusses selected ethical issues that are related to the implementation of climate policy. It was indicated that the acceptance of research results indicating human responsibility for climate change is a prerequisite for active climate action. It has also been found that the common but differentiated responsibility of individual countries is primarily due to their historical greenhouse gas emissions. It also results from the fact that most of the significant negative impacts of climate change will occur in the poorest countries, whose share of greenhouse gas emissions is very small. The rejection of human responsibility for climate change and the responsibility of rich societies for already occurring changes and their effects in developing countries means that climate mitigation actions are not being sufficiently addressed. Behind the Pope Francis repeated that without changing ethical attitudes towards the natural environment and accepting responsibility for the whole world around us, effective climate protection would not be possible.
Thymoquinone, an Active Compound of Nigella sativa: Role in Prevention and Treatment of Cancer
Authors: Almatroodi Saleh A. , Almatroudi Ahmad , Alsahli Mohammed A. , Khan Amjad A. , Rahmani Arshad H.
Published: April 2020

Background:

Cancer is the leading cause of death worldwide and the current mode of cancer treatment causes side effects on normal cells and are still the key challenges in its’ treatment. However, natural products or active compounds of medicinal plants have shown to be safe, affordable, and effective in diseases cure.

Methods:

In this context, scientific studies evidence the health-promoting effects of natural products, which work through its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer activity. Thymoquinone (TM), a predominant active compound of Nigella sativa, has confirmed anti-neoplastic activity through its ability to regulate various genetic pathways. In addition, thymoquinone has established anti-cancerous effects through killing of various cancerous cells,and inhibiting the initiation, migration, invasion, and progression of the cancer. The anti-cancer effects of TM are chiefly mediated via regulating various cell signaling pathways such as VEGF, bcl2/bax ratio, p53, NF-kB, and oncogenes.

Results:

The anti-cancer drugs have limitations in efficacy and also causes adverse side effects on normal cells. The combination of anti-cancer drugs and thymoquinone improves the efficacy of drugs which is evident by decrease resistance to drugs and regulation of various cell signaling pathways. Moreover, combination of anti-cancer drugs as well as thymoquinone shows synergistic effect on killing of cancer cells and cells viability. Thus, TM, in combination with anti-cancer drugs, can be a good strategy in the management of various types of cancer.

Conclusion:

In this review article, we deliver an outline of thymoquinone role in cancer inhibition and prevention of cancer-based on in vivo and in vitro studies. Further studies on thymoquinone based on clinical trials are highly required to explore the benefits of thymoquinone in cancer management.
Differences in the Expression Pattern of mRNA Protein SEMA3F in Endometrial Cancer in vitro under Cisplatin Treatment
Authors: Kieszkowski Przemysław , Dąbruś Dariusz , Grabarek Beniamin O. , Boroń Dariusz
Published: April 2020

Background:

Semaphorin 3F (SEMA3F) plays a substantial role in carcinogenesis, because
of its role in inducing angiogenesis, and creating a microenvironment for the developing tumor.

Objective:

The purpose of this work was to assess the impact of cisplatin, depending on the concentration
and exposure time on the expression pattern of SEMA3F in an endometrial cancer cell line.

Materials and Methods:

Cultures of the Ishikawa endometrial cancer cells were incubated with cisplatin
with the following concentrations: 2.5μM; 5μM; and 10μM and for the following periods of time:
12; 24; and 48 hours. Cells not incubated with the drug constituted the control in the experiment. To
determine the effect of cisplatin on the expression of SEMA3F, the real-time quantitative reverse transcription
reaction (RtqPCR; mRNA) was used, as well as the ELISA assay (protein). The statistical
analysis was done with the admission of p<0.05.

Results:

The silencing of SEMA3F expression on the transcriptome and proteome levels in a culture
unexposed to the effects of cisplatin in comparison to endometrial cancer cells under the influence of
cisplatin (p<0.05) were noted. Along with an increase in the concentration of the drug used, the number
of copies of the gene transcript, during the shortest incubation period had a gradual increase. Only
for the highest concentration of the drug, substantial statistical differences in the expression of the
SEMA3F protein between 24 and 48 hour incubation periods (p<0.05) were determined.

Conclusions:

Using cisplatin in an endometrial cancer cell culture results in an increased expression of
SEMA3F, which advantageously affects the normalization of the neoplastic angiogenic process and
lowers the proliferation of the cells making up the mass of the tumor.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: The Effectiveness of Probiotics for Viral Gastroenteritis
Authors: Ansari Fereshteh , Pashazadeh Fariba , Nourollahi Elaheh , Hajebrahimi Sakineh , Munn Zachary , Pourjafar Hadi
Published: April 2020

Background:

Probiotics can be used for the treatment of viral gastroenteritis.

Objective:

This systematic review is to evaluate the evidence regarding the effect of probiotics on human
cases of viral gastroenteritis.

Methods:

The objective of this review is to evaluate the effectiveness of probiotics against placebo or
standard treatment for viral gastroenteritis. A comprehensive search of Cochrane Library, EMBASE,
MEDLINE via PubMed and Ovid databases, and unpublished studies (till 27 January 2018) was conducted
followed by a process of study selection and critical appraisal by two independent reviewers.
Randomized controlled trials assessing probiotic administration in human subjects infected with any
species of gastroenteritis viruses were considered for inclusion. Only studies with a confirmed viral
cause of infection were included. This study was developed using the JBI methodology for systematic
reviews, which is in accordance with the PRISMA guideline. Meta-analysis was conducted where feasible.
Data were pooled using the inverse variance method with random effects models and expressed
as Mean Differences (MDs) with 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed by
Cochran Q statistic and quantified by the I2 statistic. We included 17 RCTs, containing 3,082 patients.

Results:

Probiotics can improve symptoms of viral gastroenteritis, including the duration of diarrhea
(mean difference 0.7 days, 95% CI 0.31 to 1.09 days, n = 740, ten trials) and duration of hospitalization
(mean difference 0.76 days, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.92 days, n = 329, four trials).

Conclusion:

The results of this review show that the administration of probiotics in patients with viral
gastroenteritis should be considered.
Diminished Returns of Educational Attainment on Heart Disease among Black Americans
Authors: Assari Shervin , Cobb Sharon , Saqib Mohammed , Bazargan Mohsen
Published: April 2020

Background:

Socioeconomic Status (SES) indicators, such as educational attainment, are social determinants of heart disease. Marginalization related Diminished Returns (MDRs) refer to smaller health benefits of high SES for racial and ethnic minorities compared to the majority group. It is still unknown, however, if MDRs also apply to the effects of education on heart disease.

Purpose:

Using a nationally representative sample, we explored racial/ethnic variation in the link between educational attainment and heart disease among American adults.

Methods:

We analyzed data (n=25,659) from a nationally representative survey of American adults in 2013. The first wave of the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health - Adult (PATH-Adult) study was used. The independent variable was education (college graduate, high school graduate, less than a high school diploma). The dependent variable was any heart disease. Age and gender were the covariates. Race, as well as ethnicity, were the moderators. Logistic regressions were used to analyze the data.

Results:

Individuals with higher educational attainment had lower odds of heart disease. Race and ethnicity showed statistically significant interactions with education, suggesting that the protective effect of higher education on reducing odds of heart disease was smaller for Hispanic and Black people than for non-Hispanic and White individuals.

Conclusion:

Education reduces the risk of heart disease better among non-Hispanic Whites than for Hispanics and Blacks. Therefore, we may expect a disproportionately higher than expected risk of heart disease in Hispanics and Blacks with high educational attainment. Future research should test if the presence of high levels of environmental and behavioral risk factors contribute to the high risk of heart disease in highly educated Black and Hispanic Americans. Policymakers should not reduce health inequalities to just gaps in SES because disparities are present across SES levels, with high SES Blacks and Hispanics remaining at risk of health problems.