One of the core challenges to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) is to spatially identify, and strategically prioritise, the areas to implement actions to avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation. To achieve this, a tool for a participatory and data-driven assessment considering both the biophysical, and socio-economic dimensions of land degradation across scales was developed for Ecuador. In this paper, we present the methodology and results obtained, including the spatially explicit interactive tool developed to integrate indicators that support the scaling-up of sustainable land management (SLM). The process involved specialists from various national and international institutions, as well as decision makers from the public sector and other relevant stakeholders. Cloud computing allowed the integration of five main sources of data: (1) the results of a participatory land degradation assessment based on an expert knowledge questionnaire following the Land Degradation Assessment in Drylands (LADA) and World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies (WOCAT) methodology; (2) the Hand-in-Hand Initiative Ecuador typology maps based on poverty maps and estimated agricultural potential and efficiency scores using household surveys on agricultural production; (3) National data sets on land cover and land use, soil properties, and hydro climatic indicators; (4) global satellite-derived LDN indicators, such as Land Productivity Dynamics; and (5) Documented SLM practices from WOCAT Global SLM Database. The tool is based on a Google Earth Engine application and allows decision makers to easily compare results and obtain statistics at different spatial scales and landscapes, including 647 Land Use Systems delimited by experts. It also includes a multi-criteria module to identify areas with specific characteristics to prioritise different types of interventions to achieve the country´s LDN targets. Convergence of local and global evidence allowed the identification of hotspots of degradation as well as areas of false positives/negatives - if only global or remote sensing indicators were considered. The participatory process contributed to strengthening multi-sector cooperation mechanisms and to guaranteeing ownership of the tool and the results. The system will support Ecuador’s efforts to monitor and report progress towards LDN to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. The system´s code is shared as a repository at Earth Engine and can be adapted to and used by other countries and regions.

Desertification threatens food security and human nutrition through its impacts on agricultural productivity. The damage caused by desertification includes both direct, on-site impacts and wide-ranging indirect, off-site effects. In this study, we applied a multi-region input-output framework to estimate the direct and indirect consequences of desertification in China, and associated impacts on macronutrient intake. We found that desertification causes macronutrient loss and significant losses in employment, income, and value added throughout upstream supply chains. Our results indicate that desertification affected around 2.1 million jobs, resulted in income loss of about US$ 17.3 billion, and a loss in value added of about US$ 28.6 billion in year 2017. In terms of sub-national regions within China, macronutrient losses are highest in Inner Mongolia, with the population facing a 24% reduction in energy, 21% reduction in protein, 33% reduction in fat, and 26% in carbohydrates. The findings of our study suggest the importance of combating desertification, which is also indicated as a priority in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 15 of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.

Biofilms can increase pathogenic contamination of drinking water, cause biofilm-related diseases, alter the sediment erosion rate, and degrade contaminants in wastewater. Compared with mature biofilms, biofilms in the early-stage have been shown to be more susceptible to antimicrobials and easier to remove. Mechanistic understanding of physical factors controlling early-stage biofilm growth is critical to predict and control biofilm development, yet such understanding is currently incomplete. Here, we revealed the impacts of hydrodynamic conditions and surface roughness on the development of early-stage Pseudomonas putida biofilm through a combination of microfluidic experiments, numerical simulations, and fluid mechanics theories. We demonstrated that early-stage biofilm growth is suppressed under high flow conditions and that the critical local velocity for early-stage P. putida biofilms to develop is about 50 μm/s. We further illustrated that micron-scale surface roughness promotes the growth of early-stage biofilm by increasing the area of the low-flow region. Furthermore, we showed that the critical average shear stress, above which early-stage biofilms cease to form, is 0.9 Pa for rough surfaces and 0.3 Pa for flat or smooth surfaces. The important control of flow conditions and surface roughness on early-stage biofilm development, characterized in this study, will facilitate future predictions and control of biofilm development on the surfaces of drinking water pipelines, blood vessels, and sediments.

Background and Purpose: Among different routes of estrogen formulations, the transdermal route has obtained popularity in recent years for endometrial preparation in HRT FET cycles .However, no clear evidence is available regarding safety and efficacy of the transdermal route. This meta-analysis investigated the safety and efficacy of oral (tablets) vs transdermal (gel/patches) estrogen formulations. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed for all published articles before May 30, 2022, in electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, Trip Database, Worldwide Science and Google Scholar. Outcomes, including endometrial thickness, implantation rate (IR), miscarriage rate (MR), clinical pregnancy rate (CPR), and live birth rate (LBR), were measured using pooled Odds/Risk ratios (OR/RR) or standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Eight studies involving a total of 1,198 IVF patients were included in the meta-analysis. In a pooled analysis, a trend for a higher risk of miscarriage was observed in the transdermal group compared to the oral estrogen group (RR=1.18; 95% CI= 0.84 to 1.67). However, no significant association for IR (OR=0.93; 95% CI= 0.67 to 1.29), CPR (OR=0.97; 95% CI= 0.80 to 1.19), LBR (OR=0.77; 95% CI= 0.46 to 1.29) was found between the oral vs. the transdermal estrogen groups. Conclusions: In HRT-FET cycles using oral or transdermal estrogen, no significant difference was seen regarding endometrial thickness, IR, CPR, and LBR rates; however, a trend for a higher MR was noted in the transdermal group.

Coronavirus disease is a viral infection affecting different organs with various morbidities and mortality. Vaccines are used to control the disease. COVID-19 vaccines have brought many benefits but their adverse effects should not be ignored. Here, we report a case of Guillain-Barré Syndrome Following Sinopharm COVID-19 Vaccine.

Many populations of long-distance migrant shorebirds are declining rapidly. Since the 1970s, the Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) has experienced a pronounced reduction in abundance of ~63%. The potential causes of the species’ decline are complex and interrelated yet understanding the timing of migration and seasonal routes used by this species will aid in directing conservation planning to address potential threats. During 2018–2021, we tracked 118 adult Lesser Yellowlegs using GPS satellite tags deployed on birds from five breeding and two migratory stopover locations spanning the boreal forest of North America from Alaska to eastern Canada. Our objectives were to quantify migratory connectivity and identify key stopover and non-breeding locations. Individuals tagged in Alaska and central Canada followed similar southbound migratory routes through the Prairie Pothole Region of North America, whereas birds tagged in eastern Canada completed multi-day transoceanic flights covering distances of >4,000 km across the Atlantic between North and South America. Upon reaching their non-breeding locations, Lesser Yellowlegs populations overlapped, resulting in weak migratory connectivity. Lastly, freshwater and agricultural habitats of the Prairie Pothole region supported the highest proportion of Lesser Yellowlegs during southbound migration. Our findings suggest that while Lesser Yellowlegs travel long distances and traverse numerous political boundaries each year, the breeding population from which an individual originates likely has the greatest influence on which threats birds experience during migration. Further, the species’ dependence on wetlands in agricultural landscapes during migration may make them vulnerable to threats related to agricultural practices, such as pesticide exposure.

Objective: to identify the incidence of perineal wound breakdown, to analyse potential risk factors that may contribute to perineal wound breakdown and review the management of these women in a dedicated pelvic health clinic. Design: retrospective cohort study Setting: NHS foundation trust hospital, pelvic health clinic Population: Women who sustain a perineal wound breakdown following a vaginal birth at our maternity unit Methods: All women attending the clinic between February 2017 – May 2021 with perineal wound breakdown were included. Demographics, management and postnatal symptoms were collected. Data was accessed through electronic patient records and descriptive analysis of the data were undertaken. Main outcome measures: rate of perineal wound breakdown in our unit, success of surgical management of perineal wound breakdown. Results: Over the 4 year period, 231 women attended the dedicated perineal clinic with perineal wound breakdown, a perineal dehiscence rate of 1.5% of all perineal trauma. Of these women, 41 had secondary re-suturing, with the rest managed expectantly. Conclusions: We found a low incidence of perineal wound breakdown in our unit and of those women who were re-sutured, the technique appears appropriate as only one woman had a further perineal wound breakdown. The dedicated perineal clinic is a positive service for women who deliver at our maternity unit, as this facilitates a unit to monitor changes in physical birth trauma and allow timely and patient centred intervention. Funding: no funding for this study Keywords: perineal wound breakdown, perineal clinic

This study sought to investigate the antibacterial activity and mode of action of two antimicrobial peptides, Os and Os-C, derived from a soft tick defensin against Staphylococcus epidermidis. The antibacterial activity of both peptides was investigated in 1% tryptic soy broth medium and Os and Os-C had a minimum inhibitory concentration of 3.43 µM and 10 µM, respectively. Both peptides were able to cause 99.5% killing at 10 µM following three hours of treatment. The mode of action of the two peptides was also investigated using the Live/Dead membrane permeability kit in addition to a membrane potential sensitive dye, DiBAC4(3). It was shown that both melittin and Os caused membrane permeabilisation at 0.4 µM and 7 µM, respectively, whereas Os-C did not cause permeabilisation at 20 µM. Os and Os-C were further shown to affect membrane potential by causing membrane depolarisation. Further visualisation of the cells using scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed that both Os and Os-C including melittin adversely affected the S. epidermidis membrane causing membrane blebbing, indentation with Os and melittin inducing ghost cell formation. Transmission electron microscopy further revealed that Os was lytic whereas Os-C induced mesosome formation, a possible consequence of reactive oxygen species production. Both peptides were thus active against the pathogen with further development necessary for increased activity and stability of Os and Os-C against S. epidermidis.

Several rare mutations associated with familial lone atrial fibrillation (AF) have been identified; however, the phenotypes are varied and poorly elucidated.Here, we report a 29-year-old woman with AF refractory to anti-arrhythmic drugs. Her family history revealed early-onset and persistent AF in her father and brother as well. Genetic analysis subsequently demonstrated a c.421G>A mutation in the KCNQ1 gene. Unique phenotypes including absence of both atrial appendages, extremely high atrial frequencies, and refractoriness to both ablative and pharmacological therapy were observed. Our study suggests the need for further exploration of the function of KCNQ1 and the mechanism of AF.

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of serological biomarkers (white blood cell count [WBC], neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [NLR], prealbumin [PA], platelet distribution width [PDW], mean platelet volume [MPV], CA125,and D-dimer) to diagnose ruptured ovarian endometrioma and construct a prediction model. Design: Case-control study Setting:Single-center Population:Seven hundred and eighty-five women diagnosed with ruptured (n=181) and unruptured ovarian endometrioma (n=604) between January 2011 and December 2021. Methods:The differences in serological biomarkers (WBC, NLR, PA, PDW, MPV, CA125, and D-dimer) between the two groups were analyzed using logistic univariate analysis to select independent variables. Biomarkers with statistically significant differences were included in a logistic multivariate analysis to construct a regression model and thereby predict ruptured ovarian endometrioma. Operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the predictive model. Main outcome measures:serological biomarkers (WBC, NLR, PA, PDW, MPV, CA125,and D-dimer in ruptured ovarian endometrioma. Results: Univariate analysis revealed that WBC, NLR, PA, PDW, MPV, CA125,and D-dimer levels were correlated with ovarian endometrioma rupture (P<0.05). The optimal cut-off values were determined using the ROC curves,and multivariate analysis showed that WBC>7.81×109/L, NLR>2.65, PDW>15.55fL,MPV<9.50fL, PA<0.189g/L,CA125>94.63U/mL, and D-dimer>195.5ug/L were independent predictors of ovarian endometrioma rupture. The area under the curve(AUC) of the model was 0.983.The sensitivity and specificity of the predictive model were high (93.4% and 96.4%,respectively). Conclusion:WBC,NLR, PA, PDW, MPV,CA125,and D-dimer can be used to facilitate early identification of ruptured ovarian endometrioma and early intervention. The diagnostic model established in this study is of great importance for diagnosing ruptured endometriotic cysts.

Van Wyk Grumbach (VWG) syndrome is defined as pituitary hyperplasia, puberty precosis, giant ovarian cysts and hyperprolactinemia due to untreated long-term severe primary hypothyroidism.We wanted to present our case because very few cases with VWG syndrome have been reported in the literatüre.

We describe ortho-surgical management of Arhinia syndrome underlining some key role. A Moroccan male infant, 7-year-old presented a typical appearance of BAMS, clinically observed and genetically confirmed. He was treated by a 3-step protocol with a multidisciplinary team. An acceptable and stable results wase obtained.

A document by Hubert Blain. Click on the document to view its contents.

Tropospheric ozone (O 3) significantly reduces rice yield. Koshihikari, a leading Japanese rice cultivar, has been recognized as an O 3 tolerant cultivar; however, the mechanisms underlying its high O 3 tolerance remain unknown. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the genetic and physiological mechanisms underlying high O 3 tolerance in Koshihikari. A series of chamber experiments were conducted to examine photosynthesis, growth, yield-related traits, and gene expression profiles under chronic O 3 conditions in Koshihikari and Takanari, with contrasting O 3 tolerance. Koshihikari showed no reduction in unhulled-grain weights due to higher total dry weight under chronic O 3 conditions, whereas Takanari showed significantly lower grain weights. The high O 3 tolerance in Koshihikari was attributed to its highly stable photosynthetic performance and increased biomass allocation to its leaf blades. RNA-seq and gene co-expression network analyses revealed that the genes involved in photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism are associated with contrasting O 3 tolerance. OsRbcS3, encoding the RuBisCO small subunit, showed contrasting expression profiles between the two cultivars. In Koshihikari, OsRbcS3 was identified as a hub gene candidate in the gene co-expression network, which was highly correlated with photosynthetic performance. These results suggest that OsRbcS3 plays a key role in the genetic mechanisms underlying the high O 3 tolerance of Koshihikari.

In this paper, we divide allotropes into two categories,  one is the zero-oxidation state allotrope and the other is the ionic form allotrope.  So far, many main group complexes L→Mn←L( L, Lewis base  ligands; M, main group element) have been found, which can be  regarded as zero-oxidation state allotrope of the main group elements stabilized by Lewis base  ligands. However, few compounds L→Mn+Mn-←L containing ionic form allotropes of the main group elements have been reported. This class of compounds L→Mn+Mn-←L is found only in  s-block alkalide salts.  In this work, we have theoretically confirmed that this class of compound L→Mn+Mn-←L can be extended to P-block boron. Rigorous thermodynamic calculations based on  Born–Haber cycle confirm that (NHC)3→B+ and (CO)2→B-are a compatible pair of positive and negative ions, which can form stable [(NHC)3→B+][(CO)2→B-] crystalline salt. More importantly, the bonding analysis of (NHC)3→B+ and (CO)2→B- based on frontier orbital analysis and NBO show that (NHC)3→B+ and (CO)2→B- can be regarded as positive monovalent boron B(1) and negative monovalent boron B(-1) complexes stabilized by Lewis base, respectively. So [(NHC)3→B+][(CO)2→B-] crystalline salt can be viewed as“B+B-”ionic salts stabilized by Lewis base ligands: an allotrope of boron in ionic form through asymmetric coordination of Lewis base.

In this paper we build the fractional hybrid function of block-pulse functions and Fibonacci polynomials (FHBPF) to numerically solve a class of multiterm variable-order fractional differential equations. We consider fractional derivatives in the Caputo sense and fractional integrals in the Riemann-Liouville sense. We construct an exact integral operator attached to the FHBPF, based on the incomplete beta functions. With the help of the Newton-Cotes collocation procedure, we transform differential equations into systems of algebraic equations, which can be solved by traditional methods such as Newton’s iterative method. We also propose an error investigation method. We conclude the paper with some numerical examples to demonstrate the applicability of the method, but also its simplicity and accuracy.

The understanding of the structural and functional complexity of multi-contacts discrete interfaces is an important issue in many industrial applications. To suggest new research tracks, we studied new and used catenary/carbon collection strip contacts at both the real operating scale and the reduced laboratory scale (reduced force and current ranges). With a view to compare the effects observed at both scales, we collected both surface topography data, microstructural properties of these materials completed with I-V characteristics and voltage creep curves of new and used contact interfaces catenary/carbon stripes obtained in a wide range of temperatures. The discussion of the results highlights the importance of the knowledge of the structure of the contact interface. We show how to use surface topography data to reach the structure of the contact interface through a new numerical method. We use a numerical code allowing the reconstruction of the spots distribution through the simulated compression of the actual surface charts of the contacting solids. The features of the numerically reconstructed interfaces are discussed and compared to our experimental data to establish the relevance of the method.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) affects one in every 23 men and 25 women, making it the third most common cancer. CRC accounts for 8% of all cancer-related deaths, making it the second most common cause of death due to cancer. Standard and conventional CRC treatments include surgical expurgation for resectable CRC and radiotherapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and their combinational regimen for non-resectable CRC. Despite these tactics, nearly half of patients develop incurable recurring CRC. These constraints necessitate the development of new target-specific therapeutic strategies such as targeted immune boosting therapies, non-coding RNAs based therapies, natural products, oncolytic viral therapies, have shown promising results in preclinical and clinical studies. We have tethered the entire evolutionary trends in the development of CRC treatments and have gone over the potential of new therapies and how they might be used in conjunction with conventional treatments, as well as their advantages and drawbacks as future medicines

Loop gravity-assisted heat pipe (LGHP) has the characteristics of passive heat dissipation and wide application prospect. Different working fluids lead to great differences in their working performance (Critical heat flux (CHF)). Therefore, it is of great significance to evaluate the performance of LGHP working fluid for its design. Based on the basic theories of CHF and hydrodynamics, the pressure drop models of laminar, smooth turbulence, and completely rough turbulence flows were established, and an extensible two-phase composite property parameter was obtained. Based on it, the physical property parameter of transitional rough turbulent flow was also derived. Finally, experiments were conducted and showed that there was almost a linear relationship between CHFs and the derived physical parameter. Therefore, the physical parameters derived in this paper can be used as good criteria for the selection of LGHP working fluid.

The vapor/liquid interface plays an important role in the distillation of azeotropic mixture. The understanding of interfacial structure will allow us to improve the separation of azeotropic mixture in a rational way. Herein, we use sum-frequency generation vibrational spectroscopy (SFG-VS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to study how the interfacial molecular structure of the mixture of 1,2-butanediol and ethylene glycol depends on concentration and temperature. At 64 ℃, an obvious decline is observed in the SFG-VS intensity of this system contrast to the strong signal yield by 1,2-butanediol at 22 ℃. MD simulation results show that bulk concentration would not significantly affect the molecular orientation. But a temperature rise would make 1,2-butanediol gradually twist around its C2-O2 bond and turn to a lying orientation. This work explores the structure of azeotrope from molecular level and carves the path for the further study on the vapor/liquid interface affected by temperature.

The discovery of natural product with therapeutics effect is widely growing interest, especially for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia or alzheimer's disease (AD). As there are no effective treatment is available to prevent the development of these disease, dietary intake of foods or plant-based extracts with antioxidant properties might have beneficial effects on human health and improve brain functions. AD or dementia is a neurodegenerative disease thatcauses neuron cell death, brain to shrink impaired cognitive function and leads to memory loss. It induces alterations in the central nervous system with psychological and physiological negative effects.In the present commentary we discuss whether natural productcould be a novel treatment for AD on the basis current clinical trials conducted, there is evidence to suggest that single herbal drugs formulations may offer certain benefits to the approved drugs. In the last decades, attention to herbal or natural drugs increased, they have become a major focus in the quest for AD remedies and may represent a real promise for curing the disease.

Lupus vulgaris is a paucibacillary form of cutaneous tuberculosis occurring in those with high immunity. Given the high degree of immunity that underlies this chronic disease, lesion is usually localized and disseminated forms are uncommon. our case of disseminated disease without underlying active pulmonary tubercular foci was an interesting finding

A document by Pengyue Tang. Click on the document to view its contents.

Hook snout carp Opsariichthys bidens is an important farmed fish in East Asia that shows sexual dimorphism in growth, with males growing faster and larger than females. To understand these complex traits and improve molecular breeding, chromosome-level genome assembly of male O. bidens was performed using Illumina, Nanopore, and Hi-C sequencing. The 992.9 Mb genome sequences with a contig N50 of 5.2 Mb were anchored to 38 chromosomes corresponding to male karyotypes. Of 30,922 functionally annotated genes, 97.5% of BUSCO genes were completely detected. Genome evolution analysis showed that the expanded and contracted gene families in male o.bedins genome were enriched in 76 KEGG pathways, and 78 expanded genes were involved in the GnRH signaling pathway that regulates the synthesis and secretion of luteinizing hormone and glycoprotein hormones, further acting on male growth by inducing growth hormone. Compared to the released female O. bidens genome, the number of annotated genes in males was much higher than in females (23,992). The male chromosome LG06 exhibited over 97% of identity with the female’s GH14/GH38. Male-specific genes were identified for LG06, where structural variety, including deletions and insertions, occurred at a lower rate, suggesting a centric fusion of acrocentric chromosomes GH14 and GH38. The genome-synteny analysis uncovered significant inter-chromosome conservation between male O. bidens and grass carp, and the former originating from ancestral chromosome breakage to increase the chromosome number. Our results provide a valuable genetic resource for studying the regulation of sexual dimorphism, sex-determining mechanisms and molecular-guided breeding of O. bidens.