Ecological communities are structured by multiple processes operating at multiple scales yet understanding the scale-dependency of these processes remains an open challenge. This might be ...particularly true for parasites, for which biotic rather than abiotic processes may play a primary role in structuring communities. Focusing on vines, a group of structural parasites that gain access to the canopy using different climbing mechanisms, we examined the influence of abiotic factors in tandem with host-parasite and parasite-parasite interactions in the assembly of tropical vine communities. Two synthetic variables, namely Climate1 and landscape Variety, were consistently important in explaining variation in species richness and diversity, as well as species composition, but their importance varied with scale. Whereas Climate1 summarizes the largest variability among climatic variables, landscape Variety expresses landscape heterogeneity within a neighborhood. Significant patterns of species co-occurrences suggest that vine-vine interactions also contribute to vine community assembly. Our results may be critical to understand vine proliferation and help design management strategies for their control.
The health complications experienced by women having undergone female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) are a source of growing concern to healthcare workers globally as forced displacement and ...migration from countries with high rates of this practice increases. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we investigate the association between FGM/C and painful gynecologic and obstetric complications in women affected by the practice.
We performed a comprehensive literature search from inception to December 19, 2019 of Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, The Cochrane Library (Wiley), and POPLINE (prior to its retirement) for studies mentioning FGM/C. Two reviewers independently screened studies reporting prevalences of painful gynecologic and obstetric sequelae resulting from FGM/C. Random effects models were used to estimate pooled odds ratios (ORs) for outcomes obtained from cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control designs. Subgroup analysis was performed to assess and control for effect differences introduced by study design. Validated appraisal tools were utilized to assess quality and risk of bias. Our study was registered with PROSPERO. Two reviewers independently screened 6,666 abstracts. Of 559 full-text studies assessed for eligibility, 116 met eligibility criteria, which included studies describing the incidence or prevalence of painful sequelae associated with FGM/C. Pooled analyses after adjustment for study design found that FGM/C was associated with dyspareunia (6,283 FGM/C and 3,382 non-FGM/C participants; pooled OR: 2.47; 95% confidence interval CI: 1.45-4.21; I2: 79%; p-value < 0.01), perineal tears (4,898 FGM/C and 4,229 non-FGM/C participants; pooled OR: 2.63; 95% CI: 1.35-5.11; I2: 67%; p-value = 0.01), dysuria (3,686 FGM/C and 3,482 non-FGM/C participants; pooled OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.17-1.75; I2: 0%; p-value = 0.01), episiotomy (29,341 FGM/C and 39,260 non-FGM/C participants; pooled OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.26-2.82; I2: 96%; p-value < 0.01), and prolonged labor (7,516 FGM/C and 8,060 non-FGM/C participants; pooled OR: 2.04; 95% CI: 1.27-3.28; I2: 90%; p-value < 0.01). There was insufficient evidence to conclude that there was an association between FGM/C and dysmenorrhea (7,349 FGM/C and 4,411 non-FGM/C participants; pooled OR: 1.66; 95% CI: 0.97-2.84; I2: 86%; p-value = 0.06), urinary tract infection (4,493 FGM/C and 3,776 non-FGM/C participants; pooled OR: 2.11; 95% CI: 0.80-5.54; I2: 90%; p-value = 0.10), instrumental delivery (5,176 FGM/C and 31,923 non-FGM/C participants; pooled OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 0.78-1.79; I2: 63%; p-value = 0.40), or cesarean delivery (34,693 FGM/C and 46,013 non-FGM/C participants; pooled OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 0.99-2.30; I2: 96%; p-value = 0.05). Studies generally met quality assurance criteria. Limitations of this study include the largely suboptimal quality of studies.
In this study, we observed that specific painful outcomes are significantly more common in participants with FGM/C. Women who underwent FGM/C were around twice as likely as non-FGM/C women to experience dyspareunia, perineal tears, prolonged labor, and episiotomy. These data indicate that providers must familiarize themselves with the unique health consequences of FGM/C, including accurate diagnosis, pain management, and obstetric planning.
The review protocol registration in PROSPERO is CRD42018115848.
Summary Background & aims Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal genetic disease with no cure. Reducing inflammation or increasing utrophin expression can alleviate DMD pathology. Resveratrol ...can reduce inflammation and activate the utrophin promoter. The aims of this study were to identify an active dose of resveratrol in mdx mice and examine if this dose decreased inflammation and increased utrophin expression. Methods 5-week old mdx mice were given 0, 10, 100, or 500 mg/kg of resveratrol everyday for 10 days. Sirt1 was measured by qRT-PCR and used to determine the most active dose. Muscle inflammation was measured by H&E staining, CD45 and F4/80 immunohistochemistry. IL-6, TNFα, PGC-1α, and utrophin gene expression were measured by qRT-PCR. Utrophin, Sirt1, and PGC-1α protein were quantified by western blot. Results The 100 mg/kg dose of resveratrol, the most active dose, increased Sirt1 mRNA 60 ± 10% ( p < 0.01), reduced immune cell infiltration 21 ± 6% (H&E) and 42 ± 8% (CD45 immunohistochemistry ( p < 0.05)), reduced macrophage infiltration 48 ± 10% (F4/80 immunohistochemistry ( p < 0.05)), and increased IL-6, PGC-1α, and utrophin mRNA 247 ± 77%, 27 ± 17%, and 43 ± 23% respectively ( p ≤ 0.05). Utrophin, Sirt1, and PGC-1α protein expression did not change. Conclusions Resveratrol may be a therapy for DMD by reducing inflammation.
The aim of this work was to evaluate the relationship of the maternal mortality ratio due to obstetric haemorrhage (MMROH) with the national blood donations, particularly O RhD negative (Oneg) before ...and during COVID-19 pandemic.
The maternal mortality ratio is increasing in Colombia, yet little is known regarding the relationship between blood donations and maternal mortality due to obstetric haemorrhage.
A retrospective cross-sectional study between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2021, was performed, to assess MMROH compared to the blood donations notified to the Colombian National Haemovigilance System, through non-parametric methods. Because a relationship between blood donations and MMROH was identified, the analysis was expanded from 2009 to 2017.
In 2020, Colombia increased the MMROH by 32% compared to 2019 which coincided with the lockdown period to contain COVID-19. An inversed relationship (SumD
= 631.0; r
= -0.7335; p 0.01) between blood donations, particularly Oneg (SumD
= 652.0; r
= -0.7912; p 0.002) and MMROH was identified. For the years 2015-2019 and 2021, the annual mean MMROH was 8.5 ± 0.5 per 100 000 live births when the annual mean blood donations was 18.2 ± 0.4 donations per 1000 people and the Oneg was 1.0 ± 0.0 donations per 1000 people. In contrast, the years 2009-2014 and 2020 displayed an annual MMROH of 12.6 ± 0.8, when the annual collection of blood was 16.4 ± 0.8 donations and the Oneg was 0.9 ± 0.0, p < 0.001.
There was an inverse relationship between blood donation, mainly Oneg, and maternal mortality from obstetric haemorrhage. However, we recognise these deaths could be related to other reasons, especially when they occurred in rural areas with limited access to medical services.
This text analyzes Hacia (2019) as a critical choreographic device facing the problem of disenchantment of the world derived from the separation between nature and culture inherited from ...Modernity/coloniality. Hacia puts into practice two notions of Amerindian perspectivism: one that recognizes the relational agency of all entities in the world; and another which raises knowledge as a process of subjectivation that implies bodily, sensory and imaginative dimensions. This analysis proposes a dialogue between the areas of anthropology and contemporary performing arts creation in Brazil.
Background Carotid atherosclerosis is responsible for ~20% of ischemic strokes, but it is unclear whether carotid disease is associated with the presence of downstream silent brain infarction (SBI). ...We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to study the relationship between SBI and 2 separate manifestations of carotid atherosclerosis, carotid intima–media thickening (IMT) and luminal stenosis. Methods Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, and the Cochrane Library Database were searched with an additional search of references and citing articles of target studies. Articles were included if they reported an association between carotid IMT or stenosis and magnetic resonance imaging-defined SBI, excluding SBIs found after carotid intervention. Results We pooled 7 studies of carotid IMT reporting on 1469 subjects with SBI and 5102 subjects without SBI. Subjects with SBI had a larger mean IMT than subjects without SBI (pooled standardized mean difference, .37; 95% confidence interval CI, .23-.51; P < .0001). We pooled 11 studies of carotid stenosis reporting on 12,347 subjects (2110 subjects with carotid stenosis and 10,237 subjects without carotid stenosis). We found a higher prevalence of SBI among subjects with carotid stenosis (30.4% versus 17.4%). Our pooled random-effects analysis showed a significant positive relationship between carotid stenosis and SBI (odds ratio, 2.78; 95% CI, 2.19-3.52; P < .0001). Conclusions Two forms of atherosclerotic disease, carotid IMT and stenosis, are both significantly associated with SBI. This review highlights a lack of consistent definitions for carotid disease measures and little evidence evaluating SBI prevalence downstream from carotid stenosis.
There is a need for a readily available, non-invasive source of biomarkers that predict poor asthma control.
We sought to determine if there is an association between the salivary inflammatory ...profile and disease control in children and adults with asthma.
In this cross-sectional study, we collected demographic and clinical information from two independent populations at different sites, resulting in convenience samples of 58 pediatric and 122 adult urban asthmatics. Control was assessed by symptom questionnaire (children) and by Asthma Control Questionnaire and current exacerbation (adults). Saliva was collected in all subjects. We applied principal component analysis to a 10-plex panel of relevant inflammatory markers to characterize marker profiles and determined if profiles were associated with asthma control.
There were similar, strong correlations amongst biologically related markers in both populations: eosinophil-related: eotaxin-1/CCL11, RANTES/CCL5, and IL-5 (p<.001); myeloid/innate: IL-1β, IL-6, MCP-1/CCL2, and IL-8/CXCL8 (p<.001). The first three principal components captured ≥74% of variability across all ten analytes in both populations. In adults, the Principal Component 1 score, broadly reflective of all markers, but with greater weight given to myeloid/innate markers, was associated with Asthma Control Questionnaire score and exacerbation. The Principal Component 3 score, reflective of IP-10/CXCL10, was associated with current exacerbation. In children, the Principal Component 1, 2, and 3 scores were associated with recent asthma symptoms. The Principal Component 2 score, reflective of higher eosinophil markers, was inversely correlated with symptoms. The Principal Component 3 score was positively associated with all symptom outcomes.
The salivary inflammatory profile is associated with disease control in children and adults with asthma.
Home health aides (HHAs) provide necessary hands-on care to older adults and those with chronic conditions in their homes. Despite their integral role, HHAs experience numerous challenges in their ...work, including their ability to communicate with other health care professionals about patient care while caring for patients and access to educational resources. Although technological interventions have the potential to address these challenges, little is known about the technological landscape and existing technology-based interventions designed for and used by this workforce. We conducted a scoping review of the scientific literature to identify existing studies that have described, designed, deployed, or tested technology-based tools and apps intended for use by HHAs to care for patients at home. To complement our literature review, we conducted a landscape analysis of existing mobile apps intended for HHAs providing in-home care. We searched the following databases from their inception to October 2020: Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL (EBSCO). A total of 3 researchers screened the yield using prespecified inclusion and exclusion criteria. In addition, 4 researchers independently reviewed these articles, and a fifth researcher arbitrated when needed. Among studies that met the inclusion criteria, data were extracted and summarized narratively. An analysis of mobile health apps designed for HHAs was performed using a predefined set of terms to search Google Play and Apple App stores. Overall, 2 researchers independently screened the resulting apps, and those that met the inclusion criteria were categorized according to their intended purpose and functionality. Of the 8643 studies retrieved, 182 (2.11%) underwent full-text review, and 4.9% (9/182) met our inclusion criteria. Approximately half (4/9, 44%) of the studies were descriptive in nature, proposing technology-based systems (eg, web portals and dashboards) or prototypes without a technical or user-based evaluation of the technology. In most (7/9, 78%) papers, HHAs were just one of several users and not the sole or primary intended users of the technology. Our review of mobile apps yielded 166 Android and iOS apps, of which 48 (29%) met the inclusion criteria. These apps provided HHAs with one or more of the following functions: electronic visit verification (29/48, 60%), clocking in and out (23/48, 48%), documentation (22/48, 46%), task checklist (19/48, 40%), communication between HHA and agency (14/48, 29%), patient information (6/48, 13%), resources (5/48, 10%), and communication between HHA and patients (4/48, 8%). Of the 48 apps, 25 (52%) performed monitoring functions, 4 (8%) performed supporting functions, and 19 (40%) performed both. A limited number of studies and mobile apps have been designed to support HHAs in their work. Further research and rigorous evaluation of technology-based tools are needed to assess their impact on the work HHAs provide in patient’s homes.
Climate change causes extreme conditions like prolonged drought, which results in yield reductions due to its effects on nutrient balances such as nitrogen uptake and utilization by plants. Nitrogen ...(N) is a crucial nutrient element for plant growth and productivity. Understanding the mechanistic basis of nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) under drought conditions is essential to improve wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield. Here, we evaluated the genetic variation of NUE‐related traits and photosynthesis response in a diversity panel of 200 wheat genotypes under drought and nitrogen stress conditions to uncover the inherent genetic variation and identify quantitative trait loci (QTLs) underlying these traits. The results revealed significant genetic variations among the genotypes in response to drought stress and nitrogen deprivation. Drought impacted plant performance more than N deprivation due to its effect on water and nutrient uptake. GWAS identified a total of 27 QTLs with a significant main effect on the drought‐related traits, while 10 QTLs were strongly associated with the NUE traits. Haplotype analysis revealed two different haplotype blocks within the associated region on chromosomes 1B and 5A. The two haplotypes showed contrasting effects on N uptake and use efficiency traits. The in silico and transcript analyses implicated candidate gene coding for cold shock protein. This gene was the most highly expressed gene under several stress conditions, including drought stress. Upon validation, these QTLs on 1B and 5A could be used as a diagnostic marker for NUE and drought tolerance screening in wheat.
Core Ideas
Drought reduced plants performance for agronomic and NUE‐related traits by more than 50% under medium N (MN) and high N (HN) levels.
Plant agronomic performances were not significantly different between MN and HN levels under drought stress.
Chromosomes 1B and 5A harbor relevant genomic regions with pleiotropic effects on higher NUE under drought stress.
Genotypes with haplotypes TTTTCC on chromosome 1B recorded higher NUpE under drought stress compared to GGCCAA.
Haplotype AAT on chromosome 5A improved GY under double stress of drought and N deprivation conditions.
Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death that affects the female population worldwide. Despite advances in treatments and a greater understanding of the disease, there are still ...difficulties in successfully treating patients. Currently, the main challenge in the field of cancer vaccines is antigenic variability which can reduce antigen-specific T- cell response efficacy. The search for and validation of immunogenic antigen targets increased dramatically over the past few decades and, with the advent of modern sequencing techniques, permitting the fast and accurate identification of the neoantigen landscape of tumor cells, will undoubtedly continue to grow exponentially for years to come. We have previously implemented Variable Epitope Libraries (VEL) as an unconventional vaccine strategy in preclinical models and for identifying and selecting mutant epitope variants. Here, we used an alanine-based sequence to generate a 9-mer VEL-like combinatorial mimotope library G3d as a new class of vaccine immunogen. An in silico analysis of the 16,000 G3d-derived sequences revealed potential MHC-I binders and immunogenic mimotopes. We demonstrated the antitumor effect of treatment with G3d in the 4T1 murine model of breast cancer. Moreover, two different T cell proliferation screening assays against a panel of randomly selected G3d-derived mimotopes allowed the isolation of both stimulatory and inhibitory mimotopes showing differential therapeutic vaccine efficacy. Thus, the mimotope library is a promising vaccine immunogen and a reliable source for isolating molecular cancer vaccine components.
•Antigen-unbiased mimotope library is a new class of cancer vaccine immunogen.•The T cell mimotope library has an anticancer therapeutic effect.•True mimotope library is a source for isolating molecular cancer vaccine components.
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