Climate warming profoundly affects plant biodiversity, community productivity, and soil properties in alpine and subalpine grassland ecosystems. However, these effects are poorly understood across elevational gradient...Climate warming profoundly affects plant biodiversity, community productivity, and soil properties in alpine and subalpine grassland ecosystems. However, these effects are poorly understood across elevational gradients in subalpine meadow ecosystems. To reveal the elevational patterns of warming effects on plant biodiversity, community structure, productivity, and soil properties, we conducted a warming experiment using open-top chambers from August 2019 to August 2022 at high(2764 m a. s. l.), medium(2631 m a. s. l.), and low(2544 m a. s. l.) elevational gradients on a subalpine meadow slope of Mount Wutai, Northern China. Our results showed that three years of warming significantly increased topsoil temperature but significantly decreased topsoil moisture at all elevations(P<0.05), and the percentage of increasing temperature and decreasing moisture both gradually raised with elevation lifting. Warming-induced decreasing proportions of soil organic carbon(SOC, by 19.24%), and total nitrogen(TN, by 24.56%) were the greatest at high elevational gradients. Experimental warming did not affect topsoil C: N, p H, NO_(3)^(-)-N, or NH_(4)^(+)-N at the three elevational gradients. Warming significantly increased species richness(P<0.01) and Shannon-Weiner index(P<0.05) at low elevational gradients but significantly decreased belowground biomass(P<0.05) at a depth of 0–10 cm at three elevational gradients. Warming caused significant increases in the aboveground biomass in the three elevational plots. Warming significantly increased the aboveground biomass of graminoids in medium(by 92.47%) and low(by 98.25%) elevational gradients, that of sedges in high(by 72.44%) and medium(by 57.16%) elevational plots, and that of forbs in high(by 75.88%), medium(by 34.38%), and low(by 74.95%) elevational plots. Species richness had significant linear correlations with SOC, TN, and C: N(P<0.05), but significant nonlinear responses to soil temperature and soil moisture in the warmed treatment(P<0.05). The warmed aboveground biomass had a significant nonlinear response to soil temperature and significant linear responses to soil moisture(P<0.05). This study provided evidence that altitude is a factor in sensitivity to climate warming, and these different parameters(e.g., plant species richness, Shannon-Weiner index, soil temperature, soil moisture, SOC, and TN) can be used to measure this sensitivity.展开更多
Objective:To assess the epidemiology of urinary schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among women of reproductive age in Mwaluphamba,Kwale County,Kenya.Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study desi...Objective:To assess the epidemiology of urinary schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among women of reproductive age in Mwaluphamba,Kwale County,Kenya.Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed to randomly sample 422 women of reproductive age(15-<50 years)from four villages in Mwaluphamba location.Stool specimens were collected and examined using the Kato-Katz method,while filtration technique was used to analyze urine specimens.Participants’sociodemographic details were obtained using a standardized questionnaire.Results:Urinary schistosomiasis prevalence was at 4.7%(20/422,95%CI 2.8%-6.9%)while the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis infection was 4.5%(19/422,95%CI 2.6%-6.7%).The infection intensities of urinary schistosomiasis among the study participants ranged from 1 to 120 eggs/10 mL of urine with median egg count of 18.45 eggs/10 mL.The patients were diagnosed with light infection,of 56.16 egg/gram and 48.48 egg/gram for Trichuris trichiura and hookworms,respectively.Women without latrines had 15.7 times higher risk of having urinary schistosomiasis compared to those with a latrine.Similarly,use of surface water(aOR=1.0,95%CI 0.2-1.4,P=0.010)and crossing the river to go to a place(aOR=1.1,95%CI 0.3-1.6,P=0.009)were statistically significant risk factors for getting urinary schistosomiasis.In bivariable regression analysis,defecating around the water source(OR=4.3,95%CI 1.5-12.9)had a statistically significant association with the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis(P=0.008).Conclusions:This study has given an insight on the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Mwaluphamba location that form a basis for strengthening the control and elimination programmes for these neglected tropical diseases.展开更多
Epigenetic regulation of aging:Aging is defined as the gradual decline of physiological function and cellular integrity,causing o rganismal vulnerability to age-onset diseases and morbidity.Studies in different animal...Epigenetic regulation of aging:Aging is defined as the gradual decline of physiological function and cellular integrity,causing o rganismal vulnerability to age-onset diseases and morbidity.Studies in different animal models have led to the identification of twelve aging hallmarks that shared several features:its age-associated manifestation.展开更多
Objective:To explore the impact of Ficus carica fruit aqueous extract on fertility parameters in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced male rats.Methods:Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four different grou...Objective:To explore the impact of Ficus carica fruit aqueous extract on fertility parameters in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced male rats.Methods:Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four different groups.All groups except a normal control group were induced with 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin(STZ)intravenously to induce diabetes.A positive control group was treated with an antidiabetic drug,metformin(500 mg/kg)whereas a negative control group remained untreated throughout the experiment.Meanwhile,another diabetic rat group received treatment with 400 mg/kg of aqueous Ficus carica fruit extract.Rats in the treatment group were administered Ficus carica fruit aqueous extract daily through forcefeeding via oral gavage for a 21-day period.Assessments included the sperm quality(count,motility and morphology),histology of the testes,serum testosterone and fasting blood glucose(FBG)level.Results:The FBG level of the Ficus carica-treated rats exhibited a significant decrease compared to the negative control group(P<0.05).Sperm quality analysis also indicated that the aqueous Ficus carica extract had significant positive effects on sperm count and motility(P<0.05).The histology of the testes in Ficus caricatreated rats revealed an improved cell arrangement in the germinal cell layer.Furthermore,serum testosterone level showed an increment in the Ficus carica treatment group in comparison to the negative control group.Conclusions:Our findings provide compelling evidence for the profertility and anti-hyperglycemic properties of aqueous Ficus carica fruit extract in diabetic-induced male rats.展开更多
Introduction: Haemolytic anaemia (HA) is defined as a decrease in haemoglobin (Hb) levels below baseline due to excessive and premature destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) in the periphery resulting in a shortened l...Introduction: Haemolytic anaemia (HA) is defined as a decrease in haemoglobin (Hb) levels below baseline due to excessive and premature destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) in the periphery resulting in a shortened life span of less than 120 days. Haemolysis can be corpuscular or extra-corpuscular. The aim of our study was to investigate the factors associated with it for optimal management of patients hospitalised in internal medicine at the Douala General Hospital (DGH). Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, including all patients admitted to the internal medicine department of the DGH from 11 February to 20 May 2022, and excluding patients with non-compliant samples. The search for haemolytic anaemia was carried out by means of blood count, reticulocyte count, blood smear, unconjugated bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase and direct Coombs test. Sociodemographic, clinical and biological parameters were collected and analysed. Correlation was defined for a p value 0.05. Results: This study included 147 patients, 50.34% of whom were men, for a sex ratio of 1.01. The mean age was 52 ± 17.9 years. The most represented age group was 56 - 70 years (n = 49;33%) with extremes from 15 to 90 years. We counted 29.3% cases of haemolytic anaemia (HA) and 13.9% cases of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). Haemolytic anaemia (HA) was present in 54.14% of men for a sex ratio of 1.38;the most represented age group was 40 - 55 years, 37.2%. HA was associated with jaundice (OR: 3.74, CI: [1.70 - 8.22], p = 0.001), HIV - AIDS (OR: 2.72, CI: [0.98 - 7.53], p = 0.05), thrombocytopaenia (OR: 3.53, CI: [1.58 - 7.89], p = 0.02). LDH was elevated (OR: 2.86, CI: [1.30 - 6.26], p = 0.00) as well as elevated reticulocyte count (OR: 3.84, CI: [1.75 - 8.44], p = 0.01). Unconjugated bilirubin was elevated in all these patients. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with HA were a history of HIV/AIDS, jaundice, thrombocytopaenia and elevated reticulocyte count. Conclusion: Hemolytic anaemia is common in internal medicine and is significantly associated with thrombocytopenia, HIV/AIDS infection and jaundice.展开更多
Aim:This study aims to establish an artificial intelligence model,ThyroidNet,to diagnose thyroid nodules using deep learning techniques accurately.Methods:A novel method,ThyroidNet,is introduced and evaluated based on...Aim:This study aims to establish an artificial intelligence model,ThyroidNet,to diagnose thyroid nodules using deep learning techniques accurately.Methods:A novel method,ThyroidNet,is introduced and evaluated based on deep learning for the localization and classification of thyroid nodules.First,we propose the multitask TransUnet,which combines the TransUnet encoder and decoder with multitask learning.Second,we propose the DualLoss function,tailored to the thyroid nodule localization and classification tasks.It balances the learning of the localization and classification tasks to help improve the model’s generalization ability.Third,we introduce strategies for augmenting the data.Finally,we submit a novel deep learning model,ThyroidNet,to accurately detect thyroid nodules.Results:ThyroidNet was evaluated on private datasets and was comparable to other existing methods,including U-Net and TransUnet.Experimental results show that ThyroidNet outperformed these methods in localizing and classifying thyroid nodules.It achieved improved accuracy of 3.9%and 1.5%,respectively.Conclusion:ThyroidNet significantly improves the clinical diagnosis of thyroid nodules and supports medical image analysis tasks.Future research directions include optimization of the model structure,expansion of the dataset size,reduction of computational complexity and memory requirements,and exploration of additional applications of ThyroidNet in medical image analysis.展开更多
The world will benefit from more effective antimicrobial agents against oral conditions arising from the actions of biofilm forming bacteria. Also, information is lacking on the oral biofilm-forming bacterial diversit...The world will benefit from more effective antimicrobial agents against oral conditions arising from the actions of biofilm forming bacteria. Also, information is lacking on the oral biofilm-forming bacterial diversity in Southwestern Nigeria. In this study, we isolate and characterize oral biofilm producing bacteria in the oral cavities of schoolchildren in Southwestern Nigeria. We also investigate the antimicrobial properties of Macrosphyra longistyla extracts against the biofilm-formers and the toxicity of potent extracts. Samples were obtained from 109 schoolchildren aged 4 - 14 years from Lagos, Oyo and Osun States. Agar well diffusion technique was used in the antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Toxicity testing was done using brine shrimps (Artemia salina). Biofilm-formers in this study are Klebsiella sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Micrococcus sp. Ethanol leaf extracts had the highest activity against all biofilm-producing bacteria. Ethanol stem bark extract, which elicited activity against Klebsiella only, was found to be less toxic than the ethanol leaf extract. Staphylococcus showed >10 mm susceptibility to the ethanol and aqueous extracts of Macrosphyra longistyla. Streptococcus and Micrococcus were susceptible to the antimicrobial actions of the ethanolic leaf extracts. Although the ethanol extracts of the leaves had lower minimum inhibitory concentrations than the ethanol extracts of the stem bark, toxicity studies showed ethanol extracts of the stem-bark to be more toxic than the ethanol extracts of the leaves. In conclusion, ethanolic extracts of Macrosphyra longistyla show potential as sources of antimicrobials against gram-positive, oral biofilm-forming bacteria.展开更多
The objective of this work was to carry out a morphological characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott plants. The plant material used was the white and r...The objective of this work was to carry out a morphological characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott plants. The plant material used was the white and red cultivars of X. sagittifolium, belonging to age intervals of 3 - 6, 6 - 9, and 9 - 12 months. Three harvest sites were chosen in the Central Region of Cameroon. In each site, soil from the rhizosphere and plant roots was collected in a randomized manner. In the field, the agronomic parameters were evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics of the soils, the mycorrhization index, and the morphological characterization of the mycorrhizal types of each site were carried out. The results obtained show that the agronomic growth parameters varied significantly using the Student Newman and Keuls Test depending on the harvest sites. The soils’ pH in all sites was acidic and ranged between 4.6 and 5.8. The Nkometou site has a loamy texture while the Olembe and Soa sites have loam-clay-sandy and loam-clay textures respectively. The highest mycorrhization frequencies appeared at the Nkometou site, with 75 and 87.33% of the white and red cultivars plant roots at 6 - 9 and 3 - 6 months. The relative abundance of AMF arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores in the rhizosphere of X. sagittifolium plants varied with age and cultivar. There were 673 spores between 9 - 12 months in Nkometou in the red cultivar. Six AMF genera were identified in all the different soils collected: Acaulospora sp., Funneliformis sp., Gigaspora sp., Glomus sp., Scutellospora sp., and Septoglomus sp. The genus Glomus sp. was the most present at all age intervals in both cultivars.展开更多
The use of antibiotics in humans and animals has been marked as a significant step in health due to their effectiveness in controlling and treating bacterial infections. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have been...The use of antibiotics in humans and animals has been marked as a significant step in health due to their effectiveness in controlling and treating bacterial infections. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have been identified as risk factors for bacterial resistance since microorganisms adapt and develop mechanisms to defend against antibiotics. According to the Centers for Disease Protection and Control (CDC), around 23,000 individuals die every year in the United States due to antibiotic resistance complications. As a result, a demand for alternative treatments has been a goal for scientists as the microbes adapt to selective pressure. The aim of this study is to test the antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of Peganum harmala and Haloxylon salicornicum on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria on various mediums. The results of the study showed that both P. harmala and H. salicornicum inhibited the bacterial growth in two different media. The results were also compared with different common antibiotics used in both human’s and animal’s fields and showed a promising outcome as alternative antibiotics.展开更多
Boscia aqueous extract. senegalensis on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress induced in rats. The aqueous extract was prepared from B. senegalensis seed powders under the extraction conditions: time (10 ...Boscia aqueous extract. senegalensis on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress induced in rats. The aqueous extract was prepared from B. senegalensis seed powders under the extraction conditions: time (10 min), temperature (55˚C) and the ratio of mass of flour/volume of water (3/10 g/mL). Male wistar rats aged 6 to 8 weeks were acclimated and divided into 8 groups of 5 rats each: two normal control groups which received a normal standard diet (3810 kcal/kg), and six test groups which were subjected to a hyperlipidemic diet (5310 Kcal/kg). All groups of animals were fed in this manner for 8 weeks to induce hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. After induction the animals were treated either with distilled water for the normal and negative control groups or with atorvastatin for the positive control group or with the extract of B. senegalensis. (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) for the test groups. Fasting blood glucose was taken every 7 days during induction. After sacrifice, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were measured. The aqueous extract of B. senegalensis significantly decreased (p B. senegalensis at a dose of 500 mg/kg has the capacity to reduce blood sugar, improve the quality of the lipid profile and reduce oxidative stress. Thus, the results reveal that the aqueous extract of B. senegalensis has powerful hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties.展开更多
This study aims to investigate the abundance of AMF according to soil properties and altitudes in different cacao plantations of Cameroon. Physico-chemical analyses were made on soil samples collected from three agro-...This study aims to investigate the abundance of AMF according to soil properties and altitudes in different cacao plantations of Cameroon. Physico-chemical analyses were made on soil samples collected from three agro-ecological zones. Soil samples were also used to evaluate directly the AMF abundance following the various altitudes and after trapping by sorghum plant. The results showed that soil properties, AMF spore abundances and colonization fluctuated significantly at different altitudes. The most represented texture was sandy loam. The bimodal zone presented a homogeneous texture (sandy loam) in all its localities. Cacao soil chemical characteristics showed that, the highest nitrogen rate (0.47%;p 0.05, Scott-Knott test) was recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone while Tonga in the Western highlands displayed the lowest rate (0.13%). Soil P concentration was significantly high in monomodal zones (Mbanga and Melong). Soil pH level indicated that the soil from Tonga in the Western highlands was neutral (pH = 6.67), and soils of other localities under study were acidic with the lowest (4.75) pH level recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone. In soil samples, the highest spore density (1.03 spores/g soil) was observed at Ntui in Bimodal zone, while the lowest spore density (0.26 spores/g soil) was observed at Bafang in the Western highlands. Root colonization showed that the sample from Bokito in a bimodal zone displayed the best frequency of mycorrhization (86.11%) while the sample from Bafang in the Western highlands recorded the lowest (27.11%). The PCA analysis highlighted that available phosphorus, pH and altitude all strongly correlated with AMF root colonization ability and can be used as a predictor of AMF colonization ability in cacao rhizosphere.展开更多
In Africa, the prevalence of diabetes is escalating and remains a concern due to the numerous complications it causes. Vascular damage associated with diabetes leads to a prothrombotic state observed in diabetic indiv...In Africa, the prevalence of diabetes is escalating and remains a concern due to the numerous complications it causes. Vascular damage associated with diabetes leads to a prothrombotic state observed in diabetic individuals. Diabetes is a complex and multifactorial disease involving genetic components. With the aim of preventing complications and contributing to an efficient management of diabetes, we investigated genes likely to lead to a risk of thrombosis, in particular the C677T of MTHFR, G20210A of prothrombin, and R506Q of factor V Leiden in type 2 diabetics in Abidjan receiving ambulatory care. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on consenting type 2 diabetic patients. Mutation detection was carried out using the PCR-RFLP method employing restriction enzymes. Hemostasis tests (fibrinogen, D-dimers, fibrin monomers, and von Willebrand factor) were performed using citrate tubes on the Stage? Star Max automated system. Plasminogen activator inhibitor was assayed by ELISA method, and biochemical parameters were determined using the COBAS C311. The study population consisted of 45 diabetic patients, 51.1% of whom presented vascular complications, mainly neuropathy. Disturbances in hemostasis parameters were observed, with 15.5% of patients showing an increase in fibrin monomers. Mutation analysis revealed an absence of factor V mutation (factor V Leiden) and of G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene. However, 15.6% of subjects had a heterozygous C677T mutation of MTHFR, with 57% of them being anemic. The exploration of biological and genetic factors associated with thrombotic risk is of significant interest in the optimal management of African type 2 diabetics.展开更多
Osteoporosis,a metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone microarchitecture,has led to a high risk of fatal osteoporotic fractures worldwide.Accumulating evidence has re...Osteoporosis,a metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone microarchitecture,has led to a high risk of fatal osteoporotic fractures worldwide.Accumulating evidence has revealed that sexual dimorphism is a notable feature of osteoporosis,with sex-specific differences in epidemiology and pathogenesis.Specifically,females are more susceptible than males to osteoporosis,while males are more prone to disability or death from the disease.To date,sex chromosome abnormalities and steroid hormones have been proven to contribute greatly to sexual dimorphism in osteoporosis by regulating the functions of bone cells.Understanding the sex-specific differences in osteoporosis and its related complications is essential for improving treatment strategies tailored to women and men.This literature review focuses on the mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism in osteoporosis,mainly in a population of aging patients,chronic glucocorticoid administration,and diabetes.Moreover,we highlight the implications of sexual dimorphism for developing therapeutics and preventive strategies and screening approaches tailored to women and men.Additionally,the challenges in translating bench research to bedside treatments and future directions to overcome these obstacles will be discussed.展开更多
Bone regeneration is a critical area in regenerative medicine,particularly in orthopedics,demanding effective biomedical materials for treating bone defects.45S5 bioactive glass(45S5 BG)is a promising material because...Bone regeneration is a critical area in regenerative medicine,particularly in orthopedics,demanding effective biomedical materials for treating bone defects.45S5 bioactive glass(45S5 BG)is a promising material because of its osteoconductive and bioactive properties.As research in this field continues to advance,keeping up-to-date on the latest and most successful applications of this material is imperative.To achieve this,we conducted a comprehensive search on Pub-Med/MEDLINE,focusing on English articles published in the last decade.Our search used the keywords“bioglass 45S5 AND bone defect”in combination.We found 27 articles,and after applying the inclusion criteria,we selected 15 studies for detailed examination.Most of these studies compared 45S5 BG with other cement or scaffold materials.These comparisons demonstrate that the addition of various composites enhances cellular biocompatibility,as evidenced by the cells and their osteogenic potential.Moreover,the use of 45S5 BG is enhanced by its antimicrobial properties,opening avenues for additional investigations and applications of this biomaterial.展开更多
Background: Several conducted studies have reported a higher and more frequent Helicobacter pylori infection rate in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to estimation the prevalence of H. pylori...Background: Several conducted studies have reported a higher and more frequent Helicobacter pylori infection rate in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to estimation the prevalence of H. pylori and its association between H. pylori infection and T2DM. Materials and Methods: A sectional-cross study was conducted based on 200 patients studded with socioeconomic characteristics through a questionnaire & H. pylori was diagnosed by serum anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA. Furthermore, patients were investigated for fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum cholesterol, and other biochemistry parameters. Results: The findings showed The prevalence of Hp positive infection was significantly higher in the total sample was 134 with (67%). While 66 out of 200 patients with (33%) was H. pylori negative infection. of H. pylori. Further, the mean values were statistically significant for diabetes with H. pylori infection for IgG > 300 titer and IgA > 250 titer, regarding, HbA1C (7.52 ± 0.41) (P Conclusions: The current study revealed that H. pylori prevalence infections were significantly higher in diabetic patients studied compared to non-diabetic patients. Furthermore, T2DM patients infected with H. pylori positive reported a higher prevalence rate of symptoms than H. pylori negative.展开更多
Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators of flowering plants and agricultural crops contributing annually to billions of dollars in revenues to crop production. Honeybees have an average lifespan between 8...Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators of flowering plants and agricultural crops contributing annually to billions of dollars in revenues to crop production. Honeybees have an average lifespan between 8 weeks to 5 years. Dead honeybees are abundantly available in beehives and can be utilized as an alternative source to synthesize nanoparticles. In recent years, biologically synthesized nanoparticles have been preferred over their chemical counterparts. However, honeybee-based-green synthesis of nanoparticles has not been explored yet. Herein, we report the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from honeybees and its antibacterial activity. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was monitored visually through a gradual change in color. Furthermore, the biosynthesized nanoparticles were confirmed and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy. Scanning Electron Microscope was utilized to analyze the average size and morphologies of the biosynthesized nanoparticles. Subsequently, the antibacterial potential of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. It was found that a distinct color change from yellow to brown in the reaction solution suggested the formation of silver nanoparticles. The biosynthesized nanoparticles exhibited absorption maxima at 430 nm. The SEM analysis confirmed the spherical and cuboidal shape of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles with a size range between 10 - 40 nm. Furthermore, the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited strong antimicrobial potential against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains by aggregating on the cell surface. This study showcases the biomedical and agricultural applications of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from honeybee wings. .展开更多
Cancer occurs when the body’s cells grow beyond the usual control. Normal body cells multiply in a controlled manner and undergo apoptosis when the body no longer needs them. Different types of cancers exist, and the...Cancer occurs when the body’s cells grow beyond the usual control. Normal body cells multiply in a controlled manner and undergo apoptosis when the body no longer needs them. Different types of cancers exist, and the common ones include breast, cervical, prostate, lung, colon, and skin cancers. Several factors have been associated with cancers, and these factors include poor dieting, exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation, weak immune system, and genetics. Cancer presents an enormous health threat in the modern world and thus the need to identify an effective treatment. The conventional treatments used in the management of cancer include chemotherapy and physiotherapy. These forms of cancer treatments usually have enormous side effects on the subjects. In this respect, an alternative form of treatment would be effective in managing cancer patients. A substantial number of natural products have been observed to be effective in the management of cancer. These natural products include plants and other natural substances such as honey. This study focuses on the efficiency of natural products in the treatment of cancer. Also, the anticancer effects of Peganum harmala, Manuka honey, and Saudi honey will be analyzed. Bee honey and Peganum harmala have been traditionally used in the treatment of cancer. The extracts from Peganum harmala plant have also been shown to exhibit divers’ antitumor effects similar to the mode of action of a vast number of anticancer agents. These established hypotheses thus give the rationale for this study. In this experiment, extracts were obtained from Peganum harmala leaves and exposed to cervical, lung, and prostate cancer cells. Similarly, solutions of Manuka honey and Saudi honey were exposed to the cervical, lung, and prostate cancer cells. The experiment duration was 24 hours, which obtained results were recorded and analyzed. Peganum harmala extracts inhibit cancer cell growth at different and achievable concentrations. Manuka honey highly inhibits the growth of HeLa cancer cells while Saudi honey highly inhibits the growth of A549 cells. Peganum harmala can form an effective treatment for managing several types of cancers. Manuka Honey can be applied as an effective treatment for managing cervical cancer while Saudi honey can form an effective treatment for managing lung cancers.展开更多
We applied adaptive dynamics to double slit interference phenomenon using particle model and obtained partial successful results in our previous report. The patterns qualitatively corresponded well with experiments. S...We applied adaptive dynamics to double slit interference phenomenon using particle model and obtained partial successful results in our previous report. The patterns qualitatively corresponded well with experiments. Several properties such as concave single slit pattern and large influence of slight displacement of the emission position were different from the experimental results. In this study we tried other slit conditions and obtained consistent patterns with experiments. We do not claim that the adaptive dynamics is the principle of quantum mechanics, but the present results support the probability of adaptive dynamics as the candidate of the basis of quantum mechanics. We discuss the advantages of the adaptive dynamical view for foundations of quantum mechanics.展开更多
The conservation of plant biodiversity has become one of the most important objectives in the sustainable management of Guinean-Congolese ecosystems. However, in the south-east zone of Cameroon, there is a lack of rig...The conservation of plant biodiversity has become one of the most important objectives in the sustainable management of Guinean-Congolese ecosystems. However, in the south-east zone of Cameroon, there is a lack of rigor in the management of these forests, which can result in the loss of species of high conservation value. The study was carried out in communal forests in the south-east zone of Cameroon. Its aim was to carry out a floristic inventory and then compare the list of species with the IUCN catalog. Twenty-four plots, each with a surface area of 0.2 ha, were set up in the Gari-Gombo communal forest. All timbers with a DBH ≥ 5 cm were systematically counted. A total of 176 species, belonging to 144 genera and 45 families, were surveyed. Fabaceae (42.08%), Malvaceae (39%), Euphorbiaceae (24.64%), Moraceae (20.92%), Apocynaceae (18.64%), Cecropiaceae (16.60%), Ulmaceae (14.76%), Meliaceae (14.61%), Violaceae (14.08%), Combretaceae (12.67%), Theobroma cacao (21.17%), Baphia leptobotrys (18.06%), Rinorea sp. (14.09%), Musanga cecropioides (12.18%), Terminalia superba (10.32%), Neosloetiopsis kamerunensis (10.14%), Celtis zenkeri (8.29%) and Alstonia boonei (7.77%) were the most important taxa. Nearly 90% of the species in this forest are Guinean species, with a dominance of Guinean-Congolese species (66%). Fourteen (14) threatened species have been identified in the FCGG. This study, which highlights the rich biodiversity of communal forests, is important for guiding biodiversity conservation policies in ecosystems used for production.展开更多
Field trials on the management of soil biological fertility with aim to increasing corn production were conducted in a savannah region of the DR-Congo. Three organic matters including fresh biomass of Entada abyssinic...Field trials on the management of soil biological fertility with aim to increasing corn production were conducted in a savannah region of the DR-Congo. Three organic matters including fresh biomass of Entada abyssinica, Tithonia diversifolia, Stylosanthes gracilis and a mineral combination of nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) (115-63-0) along with a control (without fertilization) were evaluated for corn crop growth and production. The field trial was a completely randomized design with four replicates. Plant height, basal stem diameter, and yield components were assessed. Irrespective of fertilization treatments and variety, maize showed a similar growth up to 20 days after sowing (DAS), and then two distinct trends were observed. At 60 DAS, plant height and basal diameter were significantly bigger in plots treated with NP, T. diversifolia and E. abyssinica compared to S. gracilis treatment and control (NoF). This pattern was also confirmed with agronomic traits such as cob length, number of kernel per cob, and net grain yield. The local variety was the least productive under any treatment. In general, the response of corn crop to organic and inorganic fertilization showed that the mineral combination (NP) increased the most grain yield and other yield components compared to unfertilized trial, followed by T. divessifolia and E. abyssinica. NP and T. diversifolia treatments increased significantly and equally soil potassium content compared to control and other treatments. Application of T. diversifolia appears a more cost effective approach for small farmers to improving fertility of the oxisol prevailing in Central Africa compared to mineral fertilizers.展开更多
基金carried out in the framework of the 1331 Project of Cultural Ecology Collaborative Innovation Center in Wutai Mountain (00000342)co-financed by Program for the Philosophy and Social Sciences Research of Higher Learning Institutions of Shanxi (2022J027)+1 种基金Applied Basic Research Project of Shanxi Province (202203021221225)Basic Research Project of Xinzhou Science and Technology Bureau (20230501)。
文摘Climate warming profoundly affects plant biodiversity, community productivity, and soil properties in alpine and subalpine grassland ecosystems. However, these effects are poorly understood across elevational gradients in subalpine meadow ecosystems. To reveal the elevational patterns of warming effects on plant biodiversity, community structure, productivity, and soil properties, we conducted a warming experiment using open-top chambers from August 2019 to August 2022 at high(2764 m a. s. l.), medium(2631 m a. s. l.), and low(2544 m a. s. l.) elevational gradients on a subalpine meadow slope of Mount Wutai, Northern China. Our results showed that three years of warming significantly increased topsoil temperature but significantly decreased topsoil moisture at all elevations(P<0.05), and the percentage of increasing temperature and decreasing moisture both gradually raised with elevation lifting. Warming-induced decreasing proportions of soil organic carbon(SOC, by 19.24%), and total nitrogen(TN, by 24.56%) were the greatest at high elevational gradients. Experimental warming did not affect topsoil C: N, p H, NO_(3)^(-)-N, or NH_(4)^(+)-N at the three elevational gradients. Warming significantly increased species richness(P<0.01) and Shannon-Weiner index(P<0.05) at low elevational gradients but significantly decreased belowground biomass(P<0.05) at a depth of 0–10 cm at three elevational gradients. Warming caused significant increases in the aboveground biomass in the three elevational plots. Warming significantly increased the aboveground biomass of graminoids in medium(by 92.47%) and low(by 98.25%) elevational gradients, that of sedges in high(by 72.44%) and medium(by 57.16%) elevational plots, and that of forbs in high(by 75.88%), medium(by 34.38%), and low(by 74.95%) elevational plots. Species richness had significant linear correlations with SOC, TN, and C: N(P<0.05), but significant nonlinear responses to soil temperature and soil moisture in the warmed treatment(P<0.05). The warmed aboveground biomass had a significant nonlinear response to soil temperature and significant linear responses to soil moisture(P<0.05). This study provided evidence that altitude is a factor in sensitivity to climate warming, and these different parameters(e.g., plant species richness, Shannon-Weiner index, soil temperature, soil moisture, SOC, and TN) can be used to measure this sensitivity.
文摘Objective:To assess the epidemiology of urinary schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis among women of reproductive age in Mwaluphamba,Kwale County,Kenya.Methods:A community-based cross-sectional study design was employed to randomly sample 422 women of reproductive age(15-<50 years)from four villages in Mwaluphamba location.Stool specimens were collected and examined using the Kato-Katz method,while filtration technique was used to analyze urine specimens.Participants’sociodemographic details were obtained using a standardized questionnaire.Results:Urinary schistosomiasis prevalence was at 4.7%(20/422,95%CI 2.8%-6.9%)while the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis infection was 4.5%(19/422,95%CI 2.6%-6.7%).The infection intensities of urinary schistosomiasis among the study participants ranged from 1 to 120 eggs/10 mL of urine with median egg count of 18.45 eggs/10 mL.The patients were diagnosed with light infection,of 56.16 egg/gram and 48.48 egg/gram for Trichuris trichiura and hookworms,respectively.Women without latrines had 15.7 times higher risk of having urinary schistosomiasis compared to those with a latrine.Similarly,use of surface water(aOR=1.0,95%CI 0.2-1.4,P=0.010)and crossing the river to go to a place(aOR=1.1,95%CI 0.3-1.6,P=0.009)were statistically significant risk factors for getting urinary schistosomiasis.In bivariable regression analysis,defecating around the water source(OR=4.3,95%CI 1.5-12.9)had a statistically significant association with the prevalence of soil-transmitted helminthiasis(P=0.008).Conclusions:This study has given an insight on the prevalence and intensity of urinary schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Mwaluphamba location that form a basis for strengthening the control and elimination programmes for these neglected tropical diseases.
基金supported by core funding provided by Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory (to CTO)。
文摘Epigenetic regulation of aging:Aging is defined as the gradual decline of physiological function and cellular integrity,causing o rganismal vulnerability to age-onset diseases and morbidity.Studies in different animal models have led to the identification of twelve aging hallmarks that shared several features:its age-associated manifestation.
文摘Objective:To explore the impact of Ficus carica fruit aqueous extract on fertility parameters in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced male rats.Methods:Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four different groups.All groups except a normal control group were induced with 50 mg/kg of streptozotocin(STZ)intravenously to induce diabetes.A positive control group was treated with an antidiabetic drug,metformin(500 mg/kg)whereas a negative control group remained untreated throughout the experiment.Meanwhile,another diabetic rat group received treatment with 400 mg/kg of aqueous Ficus carica fruit extract.Rats in the treatment group were administered Ficus carica fruit aqueous extract daily through forcefeeding via oral gavage for a 21-day period.Assessments included the sperm quality(count,motility and morphology),histology of the testes,serum testosterone and fasting blood glucose(FBG)level.Results:The FBG level of the Ficus carica-treated rats exhibited a significant decrease compared to the negative control group(P<0.05).Sperm quality analysis also indicated that the aqueous Ficus carica extract had significant positive effects on sperm count and motility(P<0.05).The histology of the testes in Ficus caricatreated rats revealed an improved cell arrangement in the germinal cell layer.Furthermore,serum testosterone level showed an increment in the Ficus carica treatment group in comparison to the negative control group.Conclusions:Our findings provide compelling evidence for the profertility and anti-hyperglycemic properties of aqueous Ficus carica fruit extract in diabetic-induced male rats.
文摘Introduction: Haemolytic anaemia (HA) is defined as a decrease in haemoglobin (Hb) levels below baseline due to excessive and premature destruction of red blood cells (RBCs) in the periphery resulting in a shortened life span of less than 120 days. Haemolysis can be corpuscular or extra-corpuscular. The aim of our study was to investigate the factors associated with it for optimal management of patients hospitalised in internal medicine at the Douala General Hospital (DGH). Methodology: We conducted an analytical cross-sectional study, including all patients admitted to the internal medicine department of the DGH from 11 February to 20 May 2022, and excluding patients with non-compliant samples. The search for haemolytic anaemia was carried out by means of blood count, reticulocyte count, blood smear, unconjugated bilirubin, lactate dehydrogenase and direct Coombs test. Sociodemographic, clinical and biological parameters were collected and analysed. Correlation was defined for a p value 0.05. Results: This study included 147 patients, 50.34% of whom were men, for a sex ratio of 1.01. The mean age was 52 ± 17.9 years. The most represented age group was 56 - 70 years (n = 49;33%) with extremes from 15 to 90 years. We counted 29.3% cases of haemolytic anaemia (HA) and 13.9% cases of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA). Haemolytic anaemia (HA) was present in 54.14% of men for a sex ratio of 1.38;the most represented age group was 40 - 55 years, 37.2%. HA was associated with jaundice (OR: 3.74, CI: [1.70 - 8.22], p = 0.001), HIV - AIDS (OR: 2.72, CI: [0.98 - 7.53], p = 0.05), thrombocytopaenia (OR: 3.53, CI: [1.58 - 7.89], p = 0.02). LDH was elevated (OR: 2.86, CI: [1.30 - 6.26], p = 0.00) as well as elevated reticulocyte count (OR: 3.84, CI: [1.75 - 8.44], p = 0.01). Unconjugated bilirubin was elevated in all these patients. In multivariate analysis, factors associated with HA were a history of HIV/AIDS, jaundice, thrombocytopaenia and elevated reticulocyte count. Conclusion: Hemolytic anaemia is common in internal medicine and is significantly associated with thrombocytopenia, HIV/AIDS infection and jaundice.
基金supported by MRC,UK (MC_PC_17171)Royal Society,UK (RP202G0230)+8 种基金BHF,UK (AA/18/3/34220)Hope Foundation for Cancer Research,UK (RM60G0680)GCRF,UK (P202PF11)Sino-UK Industrial Fund,UK (RP202G0289)LIAS,UK (P202ED10,P202RE969)Data Science Enhancement Fund,UK (P202RE237)Fight for Sight,UK (24NN201)Sino-UK Education Fund,UK (OP202006)BBSRC,UK (RM32G0178B8).
文摘Aim:This study aims to establish an artificial intelligence model,ThyroidNet,to diagnose thyroid nodules using deep learning techniques accurately.Methods:A novel method,ThyroidNet,is introduced and evaluated based on deep learning for the localization and classification of thyroid nodules.First,we propose the multitask TransUnet,which combines the TransUnet encoder and decoder with multitask learning.Second,we propose the DualLoss function,tailored to the thyroid nodule localization and classification tasks.It balances the learning of the localization and classification tasks to help improve the model’s generalization ability.Third,we introduce strategies for augmenting the data.Finally,we submit a novel deep learning model,ThyroidNet,to accurately detect thyroid nodules.Results:ThyroidNet was evaluated on private datasets and was comparable to other existing methods,including U-Net and TransUnet.Experimental results show that ThyroidNet outperformed these methods in localizing and classifying thyroid nodules.It achieved improved accuracy of 3.9%and 1.5%,respectively.Conclusion:ThyroidNet significantly improves the clinical diagnosis of thyroid nodules and supports medical image analysis tasks.Future research directions include optimization of the model structure,expansion of the dataset size,reduction of computational complexity and memory requirements,and exploration of additional applications of ThyroidNet in medical image analysis.
文摘The world will benefit from more effective antimicrobial agents against oral conditions arising from the actions of biofilm forming bacteria. Also, information is lacking on the oral biofilm-forming bacterial diversity in Southwestern Nigeria. In this study, we isolate and characterize oral biofilm producing bacteria in the oral cavities of schoolchildren in Southwestern Nigeria. We also investigate the antimicrobial properties of Macrosphyra longistyla extracts against the biofilm-formers and the toxicity of potent extracts. Samples were obtained from 109 schoolchildren aged 4 - 14 years from Lagos, Oyo and Osun States. Agar well diffusion technique was used in the antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Toxicity testing was done using brine shrimps (Artemia salina). Biofilm-formers in this study are Klebsiella sp., Streptococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp., and Micrococcus sp. Ethanol leaf extracts had the highest activity against all biofilm-producing bacteria. Ethanol stem bark extract, which elicited activity against Klebsiella only, was found to be less toxic than the ethanol leaf extract. Staphylococcus showed >10 mm susceptibility to the ethanol and aqueous extracts of Macrosphyra longistyla. Streptococcus and Micrococcus were susceptible to the antimicrobial actions of the ethanolic leaf extracts. Although the ethanol extracts of the leaves had lower minimum inhibitory concentrations than the ethanol extracts of the stem bark, toxicity studies showed ethanol extracts of the stem-bark to be more toxic than the ethanol extracts of the leaves. In conclusion, ethanolic extracts of Macrosphyra longistyla show potential as sources of antimicrobials against gram-positive, oral biofilm-forming bacteria.
文摘The objective of this work was to carry out a morphological characterization of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in the rhizosphere of Xanthosoma sagittifolium L. Schott plants. The plant material used was the white and red cultivars of X. sagittifolium, belonging to age intervals of 3 - 6, 6 - 9, and 9 - 12 months. Three harvest sites were chosen in the Central Region of Cameroon. In each site, soil from the rhizosphere and plant roots was collected in a randomized manner. In the field, the agronomic parameters were evaluated. The physicochemical characteristics of the soils, the mycorrhization index, and the morphological characterization of the mycorrhizal types of each site were carried out. The results obtained show that the agronomic growth parameters varied significantly using the Student Newman and Keuls Test depending on the harvest sites. The soils’ pH in all sites was acidic and ranged between 4.6 and 5.8. The Nkometou site has a loamy texture while the Olembe and Soa sites have loam-clay-sandy and loam-clay textures respectively. The highest mycorrhization frequencies appeared at the Nkometou site, with 75 and 87.33% of the white and red cultivars plant roots at 6 - 9 and 3 - 6 months. The relative abundance of AMF arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores in the rhizosphere of X. sagittifolium plants varied with age and cultivar. There were 673 spores between 9 - 12 months in Nkometou in the red cultivar. Six AMF genera were identified in all the different soils collected: Acaulospora sp., Funneliformis sp., Gigaspora sp., Glomus sp., Scutellospora sp., and Septoglomus sp. The genus Glomus sp. was the most present at all age intervals in both cultivars.
文摘The use of antibiotics in humans and animals has been marked as a significant step in health due to their effectiveness in controlling and treating bacterial infections. The misuse and overuse of antibiotics have been identified as risk factors for bacterial resistance since microorganisms adapt and develop mechanisms to defend against antibiotics. According to the Centers for Disease Protection and Control (CDC), around 23,000 individuals die every year in the United States due to antibiotic resistance complications. As a result, a demand for alternative treatments has been a goal for scientists as the microbes adapt to selective pressure. The aim of this study is to test the antibacterial activity of leaf extracts of Peganum harmala and Haloxylon salicornicum on both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria on various mediums. The results of the study showed that both P. harmala and H. salicornicum inhibited the bacterial growth in two different media. The results were also compared with different common antibiotics used in both human’s and animal’s fields and showed a promising outcome as alternative antibiotics.
文摘Boscia aqueous extract. senegalensis on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress induced in rats. The aqueous extract was prepared from B. senegalensis seed powders under the extraction conditions: time (10 min), temperature (55˚C) and the ratio of mass of flour/volume of water (3/10 g/mL). Male wistar rats aged 6 to 8 weeks were acclimated and divided into 8 groups of 5 rats each: two normal control groups which received a normal standard diet (3810 kcal/kg), and six test groups which were subjected to a hyperlipidemic diet (5310 Kcal/kg). All groups of animals were fed in this manner for 8 weeks to induce hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress. After induction the animals were treated either with distilled water for the normal and negative control groups or with atorvastatin for the positive control group or with the extract of B. senegalensis. (125, 250 and 500 mg/kg) for the test groups. Fasting blood glucose was taken every 7 days during induction. After sacrifice, biochemical and oxidative stress parameters were measured. The aqueous extract of B. senegalensis significantly decreased (p B. senegalensis at a dose of 500 mg/kg has the capacity to reduce blood sugar, improve the quality of the lipid profile and reduce oxidative stress. Thus, the results reveal that the aqueous extract of B. senegalensis has powerful hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties.
文摘This study aims to investigate the abundance of AMF according to soil properties and altitudes in different cacao plantations of Cameroon. Physico-chemical analyses were made on soil samples collected from three agro-ecological zones. Soil samples were also used to evaluate directly the AMF abundance following the various altitudes and after trapping by sorghum plant. The results showed that soil properties, AMF spore abundances and colonization fluctuated significantly at different altitudes. The most represented texture was sandy loam. The bimodal zone presented a homogeneous texture (sandy loam) in all its localities. Cacao soil chemical characteristics showed that, the highest nitrogen rate (0.47%;p 0.05, Scott-Knott test) was recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone while Tonga in the Western highlands displayed the lowest rate (0.13%). Soil P concentration was significantly high in monomodal zones (Mbanga and Melong). Soil pH level indicated that the soil from Tonga in the Western highlands was neutral (pH = 6.67), and soils of other localities under study were acidic with the lowest (4.75) pH level recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone. In soil samples, the highest spore density (1.03 spores/g soil) was observed at Ntui in Bimodal zone, while the lowest spore density (0.26 spores/g soil) was observed at Bafang in the Western highlands. Root colonization showed that the sample from Bokito in a bimodal zone displayed the best frequency of mycorrhization (86.11%) while the sample from Bafang in the Western highlands recorded the lowest (27.11%). The PCA analysis highlighted that available phosphorus, pH and altitude all strongly correlated with AMF root colonization ability and can be used as a predictor of AMF colonization ability in cacao rhizosphere.
文摘In Africa, the prevalence of diabetes is escalating and remains a concern due to the numerous complications it causes. Vascular damage associated with diabetes leads to a prothrombotic state observed in diabetic individuals. Diabetes is a complex and multifactorial disease involving genetic components. With the aim of preventing complications and contributing to an efficient management of diabetes, we investigated genes likely to lead to a risk of thrombosis, in particular the C677T of MTHFR, G20210A of prothrombin, and R506Q of factor V Leiden in type 2 diabetics in Abidjan receiving ambulatory care. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on consenting type 2 diabetic patients. Mutation detection was carried out using the PCR-RFLP method employing restriction enzymes. Hemostasis tests (fibrinogen, D-dimers, fibrin monomers, and von Willebrand factor) were performed using citrate tubes on the Stage? Star Max automated system. Plasminogen activator inhibitor was assayed by ELISA method, and biochemical parameters were determined using the COBAS C311. The study population consisted of 45 diabetic patients, 51.1% of whom presented vascular complications, mainly neuropathy. Disturbances in hemostasis parameters were observed, with 15.5% of patients showing an increase in fibrin monomers. Mutation analysis revealed an absence of factor V mutation (factor V Leiden) and of G20210A mutation of the prothrombin gene. However, 15.6% of subjects had a heterozygous C677T mutation of MTHFR, with 57% of them being anemic. The exploration of biological and genetic factors associated with thrombotic risk is of significant interest in the optimal management of African type 2 diabetics.
基金This work received support from the following sources:the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grants 82170844 and 82270613)the Sichuan Science and Technology Program(Grants 2022YFH0045 and 2022YFH0102)+4 种基金the 111 Project(Grant B18035),the 1·3·5 project for Disciplines of Excellence at West China Hospital,Sichuan University(Grant ZYGD22007 and ZYJC21004)Ningbo Top Medical and Health Research Program(No.2023030514)Ningbo Medical and Health Brand Discipline(Grant No.PPXK2018-02)Ningbo Clinical Research Center for Otolaryngology Head and Neck Disease(Grant No.2022L005)the Ministry of Education,Singapore,(Grant MOE-000395-00)to LYC.
文摘Osteoporosis,a metabolic bone disease characterized by low bone mineral density and deterioration of bone microarchitecture,has led to a high risk of fatal osteoporotic fractures worldwide.Accumulating evidence has revealed that sexual dimorphism is a notable feature of osteoporosis,with sex-specific differences in epidemiology and pathogenesis.Specifically,females are more susceptible than males to osteoporosis,while males are more prone to disability or death from the disease.To date,sex chromosome abnormalities and steroid hormones have been proven to contribute greatly to sexual dimorphism in osteoporosis by regulating the functions of bone cells.Understanding the sex-specific differences in osteoporosis and its related complications is essential for improving treatment strategies tailored to women and men.This literature review focuses on the mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism in osteoporosis,mainly in a population of aging patients,chronic glucocorticoid administration,and diabetes.Moreover,we highlight the implications of sexual dimorphism for developing therapeutics and preventive strategies and screening approaches tailored to women and men.Additionally,the challenges in translating bench research to bedside treatments and future directions to overcome these obstacles will be discussed.
文摘Bone regeneration is a critical area in regenerative medicine,particularly in orthopedics,demanding effective biomedical materials for treating bone defects.45S5 bioactive glass(45S5 BG)is a promising material because of its osteoconductive and bioactive properties.As research in this field continues to advance,keeping up-to-date on the latest and most successful applications of this material is imperative.To achieve this,we conducted a comprehensive search on Pub-Med/MEDLINE,focusing on English articles published in the last decade.Our search used the keywords“bioglass 45S5 AND bone defect”in combination.We found 27 articles,and after applying the inclusion criteria,we selected 15 studies for detailed examination.Most of these studies compared 45S5 BG with other cement or scaffold materials.These comparisons demonstrate that the addition of various composites enhances cellular biocompatibility,as evidenced by the cells and their osteogenic potential.Moreover,the use of 45S5 BG is enhanced by its antimicrobial properties,opening avenues for additional investigations and applications of this biomaterial.
文摘Background: Several conducted studies have reported a higher and more frequent Helicobacter pylori infection rate in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The aim of this study was to estimation the prevalence of H. pylori and its association between H. pylori infection and T2DM. Materials and Methods: A sectional-cross study was conducted based on 200 patients studded with socioeconomic characteristics through a questionnaire & H. pylori was diagnosed by serum anti-H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA. Furthermore, patients were investigated for fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), serum cholesterol, and other biochemistry parameters. Results: The findings showed The prevalence of Hp positive infection was significantly higher in the total sample was 134 with (67%). While 66 out of 200 patients with (33%) was H. pylori negative infection. of H. pylori. Further, the mean values were statistically significant for diabetes with H. pylori infection for IgG > 300 titer and IgA > 250 titer, regarding, HbA1C (7.52 ± 0.41) (P Conclusions: The current study revealed that H. pylori prevalence infections were significantly higher in diabetic patients studied compared to non-diabetic patients. Furthermore, T2DM patients infected with H. pylori positive reported a higher prevalence rate of symptoms than H. pylori negative.
文摘Honeybees (Apis mellifera) are important pollinators of flowering plants and agricultural crops contributing annually to billions of dollars in revenues to crop production. Honeybees have an average lifespan between 8 weeks to 5 years. Dead honeybees are abundantly available in beehives and can be utilized as an alternative source to synthesize nanoparticles. In recent years, biologically synthesized nanoparticles have been preferred over their chemical counterparts. However, honeybee-based-green synthesis of nanoparticles has not been explored yet. Herein, we report the biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from honeybees and its antibacterial activity. The synthesis of silver nanoparticles was monitored visually through a gradual change in color. Furthermore, the biosynthesized nanoparticles were confirmed and characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy. Scanning Electron Microscope was utilized to analyze the average size and morphologies of the biosynthesized nanoparticles. Subsequently, the antibacterial potential of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles was tested against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. It was found that a distinct color change from yellow to brown in the reaction solution suggested the formation of silver nanoparticles. The biosynthesized nanoparticles exhibited absorption maxima at 430 nm. The SEM analysis confirmed the spherical and cuboidal shape of the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles with a size range between 10 - 40 nm. Furthermore, the biosynthesized silver nanoparticles exhibited strong antimicrobial potential against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria strains by aggregating on the cell surface. This study showcases the biomedical and agricultural applications of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from honeybee wings. .
文摘Cancer occurs when the body’s cells grow beyond the usual control. Normal body cells multiply in a controlled manner and undergo apoptosis when the body no longer needs them. Different types of cancers exist, and the common ones include breast, cervical, prostate, lung, colon, and skin cancers. Several factors have been associated with cancers, and these factors include poor dieting, exposure to harmful chemicals and radiation, weak immune system, and genetics. Cancer presents an enormous health threat in the modern world and thus the need to identify an effective treatment. The conventional treatments used in the management of cancer include chemotherapy and physiotherapy. These forms of cancer treatments usually have enormous side effects on the subjects. In this respect, an alternative form of treatment would be effective in managing cancer patients. A substantial number of natural products have been observed to be effective in the management of cancer. These natural products include plants and other natural substances such as honey. This study focuses on the efficiency of natural products in the treatment of cancer. Also, the anticancer effects of Peganum harmala, Manuka honey, and Saudi honey will be analyzed. Bee honey and Peganum harmala have been traditionally used in the treatment of cancer. The extracts from Peganum harmala plant have also been shown to exhibit divers’ antitumor effects similar to the mode of action of a vast number of anticancer agents. These established hypotheses thus give the rationale for this study. In this experiment, extracts were obtained from Peganum harmala leaves and exposed to cervical, lung, and prostate cancer cells. Similarly, solutions of Manuka honey and Saudi honey were exposed to the cervical, lung, and prostate cancer cells. The experiment duration was 24 hours, which obtained results were recorded and analyzed. Peganum harmala extracts inhibit cancer cell growth at different and achievable concentrations. Manuka honey highly inhibits the growth of HeLa cancer cells while Saudi honey highly inhibits the growth of A549 cells. Peganum harmala can form an effective treatment for managing several types of cancers. Manuka Honey can be applied as an effective treatment for managing cervical cancer while Saudi honey can form an effective treatment for managing lung cancers.
文摘We applied adaptive dynamics to double slit interference phenomenon using particle model and obtained partial successful results in our previous report. The patterns qualitatively corresponded well with experiments. Several properties such as concave single slit pattern and large influence of slight displacement of the emission position were different from the experimental results. In this study we tried other slit conditions and obtained consistent patterns with experiments. We do not claim that the adaptive dynamics is the principle of quantum mechanics, but the present results support the probability of adaptive dynamics as the candidate of the basis of quantum mechanics. We discuss the advantages of the adaptive dynamical view for foundations of quantum mechanics.
文摘The conservation of plant biodiversity has become one of the most important objectives in the sustainable management of Guinean-Congolese ecosystems. However, in the south-east zone of Cameroon, there is a lack of rigor in the management of these forests, which can result in the loss of species of high conservation value. The study was carried out in communal forests in the south-east zone of Cameroon. Its aim was to carry out a floristic inventory and then compare the list of species with the IUCN catalog. Twenty-four plots, each with a surface area of 0.2 ha, were set up in the Gari-Gombo communal forest. All timbers with a DBH ≥ 5 cm were systematically counted. A total of 176 species, belonging to 144 genera and 45 families, were surveyed. Fabaceae (42.08%), Malvaceae (39%), Euphorbiaceae (24.64%), Moraceae (20.92%), Apocynaceae (18.64%), Cecropiaceae (16.60%), Ulmaceae (14.76%), Meliaceae (14.61%), Violaceae (14.08%), Combretaceae (12.67%), Theobroma cacao (21.17%), Baphia leptobotrys (18.06%), Rinorea sp. (14.09%), Musanga cecropioides (12.18%), Terminalia superba (10.32%), Neosloetiopsis kamerunensis (10.14%), Celtis zenkeri (8.29%) and Alstonia boonei (7.77%) were the most important taxa. Nearly 90% of the species in this forest are Guinean species, with a dominance of Guinean-Congolese species (66%). Fourteen (14) threatened species have been identified in the FCGG. This study, which highlights the rich biodiversity of communal forests, is important for guiding biodiversity conservation policies in ecosystems used for production.
文摘Field trials on the management of soil biological fertility with aim to increasing corn production were conducted in a savannah region of the DR-Congo. Three organic matters including fresh biomass of Entada abyssinica, Tithonia diversifolia, Stylosanthes gracilis and a mineral combination of nitrogen and phosphorus (NP) (115-63-0) along with a control (without fertilization) were evaluated for corn crop growth and production. The field trial was a completely randomized design with four replicates. Plant height, basal stem diameter, and yield components were assessed. Irrespective of fertilization treatments and variety, maize showed a similar growth up to 20 days after sowing (DAS), and then two distinct trends were observed. At 60 DAS, plant height and basal diameter were significantly bigger in plots treated with NP, T. diversifolia and E. abyssinica compared to S. gracilis treatment and control (NoF). This pattern was also confirmed with agronomic traits such as cob length, number of kernel per cob, and net grain yield. The local variety was the least productive under any treatment. In general, the response of corn crop to organic and inorganic fertilization showed that the mineral combination (NP) increased the most grain yield and other yield components compared to unfertilized trial, followed by T. divessifolia and E. abyssinica. NP and T. diversifolia treatments increased significantly and equally soil potassium content compared to control and other treatments. Application of T. diversifolia appears a more cost effective approach for small farmers to improving fertility of the oxisol prevailing in Central Africa compared to mineral fertilizers.
