<strong>Objective:</strong> The e-waste recycling is increasing worldwide, yet there remain outstanding environmental and occupational health concerns. Most research conducted on e-waste recycling has focu...<strong>Objective:</strong> The e-waste recycling is increasing worldwide, yet there remain outstanding environmental and occupational health concerns. Most research conducted on e-waste recycling has focused on only few countries (e.g., China, Ghana), thus there is a need to increase understanding of e-waste workers’ (recyclers’) knowledge and practices in other locations, that is purpose of this study. <strong>Methods:</strong> In a cross-sectional study conducted in Cotonou, Benin, 45 e-waste recyclers were interviewed from September to November 2018. Survey data was collected concerning their demographics, professional practices, and knowledge of occupational and environmental risks associated with e-waste recycling.<strong> Results:</strong> Most participants reported the following methods of material recovery of electronic items in declining orders: dismantling (97.8%) > sorting (91.1%) > incinerating (88.9%). Only 44.2% of the recyclers reported wearing ≥ 1 piece of personal protective equipment (PPE). More than 90% of e-waste workers noted that they disposed the e-waste in natural sites. About half, 46.7% believed that e-waste can pollute water and 71.1% considered that it can pollute air and soil. Recyclers reported several diseases including respiratory (67.4%), heart (62.8%), eye (65.1%), kidney (41.9%) and cancers (30.2%) could be linked to their work, respectively. Interestingly, we also found associations between the number of electronic items dismantled per month and self-report symptoms from the e-waste recyclers such as finding blood in urine and stool, wounds, dizziness, and itchy skin. Our results also indicated associations between the number of hours worked per day and blood in urine, dizziness, itchy skin and airway obstruction. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>To our knowledge this is the first study to interview e-waste workers in Benin. Doing this increase understanding of their work practices and knowledge to help inform intervention and prevention activities.展开更多
Sericite is mica-based natural clay that is annealed at 800 ℃ for 4 h, followed by acid activation using 3.0 mol L-1HCl at 100℃. The interaction of cesium(I), Cs(I), with sericite could provide useful data for the s...Sericite is mica-based natural clay that is annealed at 800 ℃ for 4 h, followed by acid activation using 3.0 mol L-1HCl at 100℃. The interaction of cesium(I), Cs(I), with sericite could provide useful data for the study of soil erosion or mass water movement utilizing the natural radioactive Cs. In this study sericite and activated sericite were used to assess their suitability in the attenuation of Cs from the aquatic environment under both batch and column experiments. The surface morphological studies indicated that a disordered and heterogeneous surface structure was exhibited by the activated sericite, whereas the native sericite exhibited a compact and layered structure. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET) specific surface area results indicated a significant increase in the surface area due to the activation of sericite. The batch reactor data collected for various parametric studies revealed that an increase in p H(from 2.0 to 8.0) and sorbate concentration(from 10.0 to 100.0 mg L-1) apparently favored the attenuation of Cs(I). The timedependent sorption data revealed that Cs(I) uptake was very rapid, and it achieved its saturation value within just 50 min of contact.The kinetic modeling studies indicated that the uptake of Cs(I) followed a pseudo-second-order rate equation; hence, the attenuation capacity of these solids for Cs(I) was estimated to be 0.858 and 4.353 mg g-1for sericite and activated sericite solids, respectively.The adsorption isotherm modeling data showed a reasonably good applicability of the Freundlich model than the Langmuir model.The effect of background electrolyte concentrations(0.001 to 0.1 mol L-1) of Mg(NO3)2indicated that the presence of this electrolyte could not significantly affect the percent removal of Cs(I) by activated sericite. Furthermore, the fixed-bed column reactor operations were performed to obtain the breakthrough data, which were fitted well to the Thomas non-linear equation. Therefore, the loading capacity of Cs(I) was estimated to be 1.585 mg g-1at the initial influent Cs(I) concentration of 30.0 mg L-1at p H 5.0.展开更多
Background: The Ethiopian flower industry is growing fast with successful diversification of export products under greenhouse structures. Higher temperatures in the greenhouses pose a serious threat to the health of w...Background: The Ethiopian flower industry is growing fast with successful diversification of export products under greenhouse structures. Higher temperatures in the greenhouses pose a serious threat to the health of workers and add to the risk of occupational heat stress. Excessive heat in workplace settings also reduces work capacity and labour productivity. This study aims to investigate the level of heat exposure, and workers’ and managers’ perceptions and behavioural responses towards extreme heat exposure in a warming climate. Methods: We used the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measured in representative greenhouses to capture the heat exposure during hotter and cooler seasons following ISO 7243 (generally risk of heat stress occurs when WBGT exceeds 26°C). A comparative cross-sectional study design with a stratified sampling method was used to assess occupational heat stress and workers’ perceptions of the impact of heat on their health and productivity in six different floriculture greenhouses in Ethiopia representing three different agro-ecologies and products. A questionnaire survey was conducted (30 managers/supervisors and 305 workers;76.1% female) to capture perceptions on heat exposures, symptoms of potential health impacts, productivity losses and coping mechanisms. Results: Heat exposure varied across different agroecologies, product types and greenhouse materials with a median WBGT Index of 25.5°C and a range from 18.1°C to 31.5°C. The impact of heat stress also varied across different employment sectors and geographical regions. Overall, workers in cut-flower greenhouses are exposed to higher than recommended WBGT Index (26°C) for 3 - 6 working hours daily. 65% of the managers reported that heat stress has a significant impact on the workers’ labour productivity, but do not have guidance about working in hot conditions. Workers reported more heat-related health issues and reduced productivity, especially in the mid-altitude greenhouses. About 50% of the workers reported that heat exposure decreased work productivity during hot hours. Sweating, exhaustion, heat-rashes, dehydration, crumps, nausea and headache were self-reported health issues. Labour productivity losses ranged from no loss to 19.5% in the mid- and low-altitudes. Conclusions and Recommendations: Excessive workplace heat in the greenhouses is both an occupational health hazard and detrimental to productivity in the floriculture industry. However, the level of understanding and actions on the ground regarding occupational heat stress are low. The code of conduct in place now does not consider the occupational heat stress issues. Multiple actions (engineering, management, training and policy-related recommendations) have to be implemented by Ethiopian Horticultural Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA) and farm owners to mitigate heat stress and loss of productivity. Designing and implementing these heat prevention strategies and incorporating them into the code of conduct is in the interests of both employers and employees.展开更多
Results of PCR with oligonucleotide primers were designed from the assembled panel of four potential virulence genes (two of internalin gene and two of transcriptional regulator gene). Most of the isolates including r...Results of PCR with oligonucleotide primers were designed from the assembled panel of four potential virulence genes (two of internalin gene and two of transcriptional regulator gene). Most of the isolates including reference strains were reactive by PCR, whereas the other strains (No.80, 81, and 83) isolated from pork, were non-reactive by PCR. In particular, all pork isolates were PCR-negative for two primers (lmo2672 and 2821) sets tested. However, No.82 was positive for lmo1134 primer, and No.84 was positive for lmo2470 of pork isolates. It was observed that all Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) penetrate Vero cells, although the invasion efficiency of each strain varied (between 0.5 and 18.9%). When compared in cell assay with PFGE, the results were shown that the mean invasion efficiency for lineage II isolate (2.6%) was significantly lower (ANOVA-test,展开更多
Cardiorenal syndrome reflects a complex interplay between cardiac and renal dysfunction,often compounded by fragmented management between cardiology and nephrology.Traditional phrases such as“the heart likes it dry a...Cardiorenal syndrome reflects a complex interplay between cardiac and renal dysfunction,often compounded by fragmented management between cardiology and nephrology.Traditional phrases such as“the heart likes it dry and the kidneys like it wet”oversimplify care and perpetuate misconceptions about diuretic use and fluid management.Emerging evidence points to venous congestion rather than reduced cardiac output as a key driver of worsening renal function and adverse outcomes in heart failure.This article blends current evidence with the authors’perspective and clinical experience to explore the role of point-of-care ultrasound(POCUS)in the hemodynamic assessment of cardiorenal dysfunction,highlighting practical frameworks and tools.Conventional bedside assessment tools are limited,and static markers such as serum creatinine and physical signs can be misleading.POCUS provides a dynamic,physiology-based evaluation by integrating focused cardiac imaging,venous Doppler,lung ultrasound,and abdominal views.Frameworks such as“pump,pipes,and leaks”and scoring systems like venous excess ultrasound enable realtime visualization and quantification of congestion,shifting practice from assumption-based to data-driven care and fostering alignment between specialties.As training opportunities expand and supporting evidence grows,POCUS should be regarded as a core clinical skill in the management of cardiorenal dysfunction,with the potential to improve diagnostic precision and guide targeted therapy.展开更多
AIM: To evaluate acute cholecystitis, complicated by peritonitis, acute phase response and immunological status in patients treated by laparoscopic or open approach. METHODS: From January 2002 to May 2012, we conducte...AIM: To evaluate acute cholecystitis, complicated by peritonitis, acute phase response and immunological status in patients treated by laparoscopic or open approach. METHODS: From January 2002 to May 2012, we conducted a prospective randomized study on 45 consecutive patients (27 women, 18 men; mean age 58 years). These subjects were taken from a total of 681 patients who were hospitalised presenting similar preoperative findings: acute upper abdominal pain with tenderness, involuntary guarding under the right hypochondrium and/or in the flank; fever higher than 38 ℃, leukocytosis greater than 10 × 10 9 /L or both, and ultrasonographic evidence of calculous cholecystitis possibly complicated by peritonitis. These patients had undergone cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis,complicated by bile peritonitis. Randomly, 23 patients were assigned to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and 22 patients to open cholecystectomy (OC). Blood samples were collected from all patients before operation and at days 1, 3 and 6 after surgery. Serum bacteraemia, endotoxaemia, white blood cells (WBCs), WBC subpopulations, human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR), neutrophil elastase, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min, at 4, 6, 12, 24 h, and then daily (8 A.M.) until post-operative day 6.RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in the severity of peritoneal contamination as indicated by the viable bacterial count (open group = 90% of positive cultures vs laparoscopic group = 87%) and endotoxin level (open group = 33.21 ± 6.32 pg/mL vs laparoscopic group = 35.02 ± 7.23 pg/mL). Four subjects in the OC group (18.1%) and 1 subject (4.3%) in the LC group (P < 0.05) developed intra-abdominal abscess. Severe leukocytosis (range 15.8-19.6/mL) was observed only after OC but not after LC, mostly due to an increase in neutrophils (days 1 and 3, P < 0.05). This value returned to the normal range within 3-4 d after LC and 5-7 d after OC. Other WBC types and lymphocyte subpopulations showed no significant variation. On the first day after surgery, a statistically significant difference was observed in HLA-DR expression between LC (13.0 ± 5.2) and OC (6.0 ± 4.2) (P < 0.05). A statistically significant change in plasma elastase concentration was recorded post-operatively at days 1, 3, and 6 in patients from the OC group when compared to the LC group (P < 0.05). In the OC group, the serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 began to increase considerably from the first to the sixth hour after surgery. In the LC group, the increase of serum IL-1 and IL-6 levels was delayed and the peak values were notably lower than those in the OC group. Significant differences between the groups, for these two cytokines, were observed from the second to the twenty-fourth hour (P < 0.05) after surgery. The mean values of serum CRP in the LC group on post-operative days (1 and 3) were also lower than those in the OC group (P < 0.05). Systemic concentration of endotoxin was higher in the OC group at all intra-operative sampling times, but reached significance only when the gallbladder was removed (OC group = 36.81 ± 6.4 ρg/mLvs LC group = 16.74 ± 4.1 ρg/mL, P < 0.05). One hour after surgery, microbiological analysis of blood cultures detected 7 different bacterial species after laparotomy, and 4 species after laparoscopy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: OC increased the incidence of bacteraemia, endotoxaemia and systemic inflammation compared with LC and caused lower transient immunological defense, leading to enhanced sepsis in the patients examined.展开更多
Bemisia tabaci adults from various host-plant species were collected from 31 regions across India.266 B.tabaci samples were first screened by RAPD-PCR to examine molecular variability and to select individuals with di...Bemisia tabaci adults from various host-plant species were collected from 31 regions across India.266 B.tabaci samples were first screened by RAPD-PCR to examine molecular variability and to select individuals with different fingerprints.Host-plant and region of collection were then used to select 25 individuals for PCR amplification and sequencing of their partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit one（mtCOI）genes.Pairwise comparisons with mtCOI consensus sequences showed that the majority of these samples had 〈3.5% sequence divergence from groups currently termed Asia I,Asia II-5,Asia II-7,and Asia II-8.The biotype-B B.tabaci from India clustered into the Middle East-Asia Minor 1 group.A new group of B.tabaci from Coimbatore,collected from pumpkin,was related most closely to the Asia I group（6.2% sequence divergence from the consensus Asia I sequence）.To increase our understanding of the epidemiology of tomato leaf curl disease（ToLCD）and the key B.tabaci genetic groups involved in virus spread,the indigenous Asia I and the exotic biotype-B population from South India were used to carry out transmission experiments using Tomato leaf curl Bangalore virus（ToLCBV）.The acquisition access periods（AAP）,inoculation access periods（IAP）,latent periods（LP）,and ToLCBV transmission efficiencies of the two populations were compared and the biotype-B had the more efficient transmission characteristics.These results are discussed in relation to recent changes in the epidemiology of tomato leaf curl disease in South India.展开更多
Background : TDCPP is one of the major chemical of organophosphate flame retardants(OPFRs) that has been detected ubiquitously in both the environment and biota. Previously we observed that it influenced the concentra...Background : TDCPP is one of the major chemical of organophosphate flame retardants(OPFRs) that has been detected ubiquitously in both the environment and biota. Previously we observed that it influenced the concentrations of sex and thyroid hormones in a sex-dependent pattern, leading to reproductive impairments after short-term exposure in zebrafish. Here we investigate the consequences of longerterm exposure to TDCPP on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad(HPG), hypothalamicpituitary-i nterrenal(HPI), and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid(HPT) axes of zebrafish( Danio rerio).Methods : A 120-day exposure test to 0.005, 0.05 and 0.5 mg/L TDCPP was initiated with fertilized eggs. Sex steroid hormones in the treated fishes were measured and transcriptional changes were analyzed.Results : In female fish, exposure to TDCPP resulted in increases in plasma cortisol,follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), 17β-estradiol(E2), cortisol, thyroxine(T4), and triiodothyronine(T3). Transcription of most target genes along HPG, HPI and HPT axes were increased by the exposure. While in male fish the exposure led to decreases in cortisol, FSH, LH, T4, T3, testosterone(T), and 11-ketotestosterone(11-KT). Transcription of genes along HPG, HPI and HPT axes,especially steroidogenic genes, were inhibited in male zebrafish. While, E2/T or E2/11-KT ratio was increased in both female and females. The sex-dependent changes in hormones might be due to differential responses to TDCPP induced stresses. An increase in cortisol level coincided with increases in E2 and THs in female fish, while in males decreases in cortisol as well as T, 11-KT and THs were observed. Long-term exposure to TDCPP at very low(μg/L) concentrations could disrupt hormone balances in a sex dependent way.Conclusion : This study revealed that TDCPP could affect endocrine axes – HPG, HPI and HPT – in zebrafish, and impair zebrafish development.展开更多
BACKGROUND Calponin 3(CNN3)is an actin-binding protein expressed in smooth muscle and non-smooth muscle cells.It is required for cytoskeletal rearrangement and wound healing.AIM To dissect the role of CNN3 in carcinog...BACKGROUND Calponin 3(CNN3)is an actin-binding protein expressed in smooth muscle and non-smooth muscle cells.It is required for cytoskeletal rearrangement and wound healing.AIM To dissect the role of CNN3 in carcinogenesis with a focus on colon cancer.METHODS A total of 20 cancer cell lines(8 breast,11 colon,and HeLa cervical cancer cell as a positive control for mesenchymal phenotype)and 57 formalin-fixed,paraffinembedded sections from archived sporadic colorectal carcinomas were included in this study.CNN3 expression analysis by western blot or immunohistochemistry was followed by functional analyses.The CNN3 gene was silenced by specific small interfering RNA(commonly known as siRNA),followed by confirmation of the silencing efficiency by western blotting.Then,the silenced cells and control siRNA-transfected cells were analyzed for changes in epithelial and mesenchymal markers,invasion,and response to 5-fluoruracil treatment.We also performed proteomics analysis using a phospho-kinase array-based panel of 45 proteins.RESULTS CNN3 showed positive expression in 6/8 breast and 9/11 colon cancer lines and in HeLa cells.Interestingly,the colorectal adenocarcinoma line SW480 was negative,while the cell line developed from its matching lymph node metastasis(SW620)was positive for CNN3.CNN3 expression was fairly consistent with the metastatic phenotype in colon cancer because it was absent in one other colon cell line from a primary site and expressed in all others.We selected SW620 for subsequent functional analyses.CNN3-silenced SW620 cells showed a reduction in collagen invasion and loss of mesenchymal markers.CNN3 silencing caused an increase in the SW620 colon cancer cell sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil.Phosphokinase array-based proteomics analysis showed that CNN3 silencing in SW620 reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase,β-Catenin,mutant p53,c-Jun,and heat shock protein 60 activities but increased that of checkpoint kinase 2.CNN3 was expressed in 20/57(35%)colon cancer cases as shown by immunohistochemistry.CNN3 was associated with a decrease in overall survival in colon cancer in silico.CONCLUSION These results show the involvement of CNN3 in lymph node metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy in colon cancer and suggest that significant oncogenic pathways are involved in these CNN3-related actions.展开更多
Our aim is to study the early maladaptive schemas and the memory span abilities and to evaluate the relationship between these schemas and the memory in one side and academic performance in the other side among Morocc...Our aim is to study the early maladaptive schemas and the memory span abilities and to evaluate the relationship between these schemas and the memory in one side and academic performance in the other side among Moroccan students. A cross-sectional study is conducted among 212 students, randomly selected from different institutions of the IBN TOFAIL University, located in the city of Kenitra (NW of Morocco). Three neurocognitive tests are used: the short version of the Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire to evaluate the early maladaptive schemas (EMS), the sub-test of the Wechsler to evaluate the working memory among these subjects, and a general questionnaire about socio-economic data, nutritional and mental health status and also, academic performances of each student. The obtained results showed some significant negative correlations between forward memory span and activated schema, and significant negative correlations are registered between backward memory span and activated schema. More, thirty-three percent of students passed the exams of the autumn term against 67% who failed it. Moreover, significant negative correlations are registered between the schemas and the number of Units validated in the autumn term. In addition, fifty-three percent of students had a normal forward memory, 47% had an excellent forward memory and no one had pathological one. However, 63% had a pathological backward memory span, 28% had normal memory and 9% had an excellent backward memory. The EMS appeared in connection with the student’s working memory and the academic performance. Deeper investigations are needed to understand this relationship and also to study other possible factors that could affect this important neurocognitive function.展开更多
Growing demand for high-performance materials is driving the development of composites with nano material reinforcement. The use of nano reinforcement can provide a distinct advantage due to high surface area of the m...Growing demand for high-performance materials is driving the development of composites with nano material reinforcement. The use of nano reinforcement can provide a distinct advantage due to high surface area of the material. There are still many challenges in achieving the full potential of nanocomposites. In this paper, we investigate the performance of epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with short polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanofibers. PMMA nanofibers were chopped and mixed with the epoxy resin and then the mixture was poured into a mould. Samples were cut to an appropriate size after cure and mechanical testing was carried out. Tensile and flexural strength and modulus were evaluated for samples with various fiber volume fractions to determine changes in mechanical performance. Also Scanning Electron Microscopy was utilized to investigate fracture surface and fiber-matrix interface. Results indicated that mechanical performance dropped as volume fraction of fibers increased, namely poor fiber-matrix adhesion and presence of porosity resulted in deterioration in strength and modulus. Further research is required to develop fiber coating system to enhance performance of the nanocomposite by improving fiber-matrix adhesion and fiber wet-out.展开更多
Objective:To examine the antioxidant and antihemolytic activities of the aqueous extract,total polyphenols and total flavonoids of Thymus satureioides(T.satureioides).Methods:This plant was collected from Tafilalet Re...Objective:To examine the antioxidant and antihemolytic activities of the aqueous extract,total polyphenols and total flavonoids of Thymus satureioides(T.satureioides).Methods:This plant was collected from Tafilalet Region of Morocco.The aqueous extract was obtained by cold maceration,and the components were obtained by Soxhlel extraction using solvents of varying polarity.The identification and quantification of phenol(caffeic and rosmarinic acids) and llavones(luteolin 7-glycoside and hesperetin) were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography analysis.Results:Total polyphenol and flavonoids contents in the aqueous extract of T.satureioides were(456.73±6.94) mg caffeic acid equivalent/g of dry plant and(172.79±2.12) mg rutin equivalent/g of dry plant,respectively.Different extracts showed good antioxidant activity.IC_(50)for 1.1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil radical scavenging activity was(0.480±0.010),(0.418±0.005),(43.S91 ±2.467) and(0.510±0.010) mg/niL for the aqueous extract,total polyphenol,flavonoids and trolox,respectively.Also,the extracts showed ferric reducing antioxidant power and the values were(50.79±2.02),(117.51±6.46).(7.03±0.29) and(44.33±7.55) mmol trolox/g for the aqueous extract,total polyphenol,flavonoids and trolox.respectively.Serum levels of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased in comparison with the oxidized control(P<0.00l).They showed good activity against 2.2.-azobis 2-amidinopropane dihydrochloridc induced hemolysis in erythrocytes of rabbit blood.In addition,they ameliorate the half time of hemolysis.Conclusions:Our results provide evidence that aqueous extract,total polyphenols and total flavonoids of T.satureioides exhibit marked antioxidant and antihemolytic activities,thus confirming and justifying the popular uses of this plant to relieve some pains.展开更多
Many efforts have been devoted to studying the inhibitory effect of Salvadora persica (Miswak) on oral microorganisms. However, information regarding its antibacterial activity against other human pathogens is rare. P...Many efforts have been devoted to studying the inhibitory effect of Salvadora persica (Miswak) on oral microorganisms. However, information regarding its antibacterial activity against other human pathogens is rare. Particularly, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacter cloacae. The purpose of this piece of work was to evaluate the antioxidant power and in vitro antibacterial activities of Salvadora persica extract against the three bacterial clinical isolates mentioned above. Therefore, the action of Salvadora persica extract on the three germs, studied via the aromatograms method, has given an inhibition zone 20, 18 and 14 respectively on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacter cloacae. The methanol extract of Salvadora persica using Soxhlet has given an output of 19%. The antioxidant evaluation, which was performed using the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl), free radical scavenging method, indicated that the methanol extract showed good antioxidant efficiency (IC50 = 15.47 mg/ml) compared to ascorbic acid with (IC50 = 0.097 mg/ml).展开更多
Phytoplankton is all cyanobacteria and microalgae (microscopic plants) present in surface water that may be carried by water currents. The study was conducted at two oceanic sites Mehdia and Moulay Bousselham, Rabat s...Phytoplankton is all cyanobacteria and microalgae (microscopic plants) present in surface water that may be carried by water currents. The study was conducted at two oceanic sites Mehdia and Moulay Bousselham, Rabat sale Kenitra region, Morocco, between 2017 and 2018. The objective of this study is to compare the spatiotemporal evolution of certain toxic planktonic species between the two sites. The planktonic species identified all have toxic potency but to varying degrees such as Alexandrium, Dinophysis, Gymnodinum, Pseudonitzschia and Proocentrum. The comparison of the abundance of these taxa in the two sites confirms that the Moulay Bousselham site is characterized by the presence of the most toxic planktonic species represented mainly by Pseudonitzschia in contrast the Mehdia site experienced an abundance of the Proocentrum kind. This situation requires a more detailed study of the essential causes of the proliferation of these species.展开更多
The diversity of phytoplankton communities in marine waters depends on the environmental, physical, chemical and biological factors in which they occur. The aim of our work is to determine the effect of certain physic...The diversity of phytoplankton communities in marine waters depends on the environmental, physical, chemical and biological factors in which they occur. The aim of our work is to determine the effect of certain physicochemical parameters on the proliferation of five planktonic taxa (1: Alexandrium 2: Dinophysis 3: Gymnodinum;4: Pseudonitzschia;5: Proocentrum) identified on the sites of Mehdia and Moulay Bousselham, Gharb of Moroccobetween 2017 and 2018. The results confirm the presence of these toxic taxa in both sites but with different densities. The ACP has allowed separating two distinct groups with coefficients of determination of more than 70%. Indeed, the first group concerning the site of Mehdia, it is characterized by an abundance of the taxa of Gymnodium and Pseudoni, which prefers salt water and oxygenated, thus important phosphate and nitrate levels. Moreover, unlike the temperature factor. However, the second group concerning the Moulay Bousselham site is located on the positive side of the axis, essentially characterized by moderately high temperatures. These conditions are favorable for the Dinophysis, Alexandrum and Proocentrum taxa. This trend makes it possible to classify the Moulay Bousselham site as a risk zone. In light of these results, the authorities of all stakeholders in the sector must increase efforts to overcome this constraint.展开更多
The diversity of oceanic phytoplankton communities depends in part on environmental, physical, chemical and biological factors where they are. The study that we conducted in cape 7 (Aftissat) zone, south of Morocco, l...The diversity of oceanic phytoplankton communities depends in part on environmental, physical, chemical and biological factors where they are. The study that we conducted in cape 7 (Aftissat) zone, south of Morocco, located 232 km south of Laayoune city and 62 km south of Boujdour city, aims at the identification of planktonic genera/species and determination of the physicochemical factors favoring the growth of these species. The study was carried out on 427 samples, distributed, therefore, as follows, 57.2% (n = 245) of the samples during the year 2016 and 42.5% (n = 182) in the year 2017. In addition, 32.8% and 27.6% of the samples were taken, respectively, in winter and autumn, 24.4% of the samples in summer and 15.2% of all samples taken in the spring. We have identified 30 phytoplankton species, of which 70% (n = 21) are diatoms, 26.67% are dinoflagellates and one species is silicoflagellates. Moreover, the most abundant species in the diatoms are Navicula sp. (69), Licmophora (47), Nitzschia sp. (35), Pseudo nitzschia spp. (31) and in the class Dinoflagellates, Scrippsiella spp. (24), Protoperidinium spp. (11). The physicochemical parameters show very significant associations with density, so they favor a very high abundance species, especially those belonging to the diatom class. Some toxic species have also been identified, but with very low frequencies, below the norm. The cape d’Afissat has a very important role in the economic life of the region, so we must increase efforts to preserve it and if it is possible to improve the quality of water.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant potential and pancreatic lipase inhibitory action of optimized hydroethanolic extracts of Solanum nigrum.Methods:Optimized extraction for maximum recovery of metabolites was perfo...Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant potential and pancreatic lipase inhibitory action of optimized hydroethanolic extracts of Solanum nigrum.Methods:Optimized extraction for maximum recovery of metabolites was performed using a combination of freeze-drying and ultrasonication followed by determination of antioxidant and antiobesity properties.The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry was used to analyze metabolite profiling of Solanum nigrum.Computational studies were performed using molecular docking and electrostatic potential analysis for individual compounds.The hypolipidemic potential of the most potent extract was assessed in the obese mice fed on fat rich diet.Results:The 80%hydroethanolic extract exhibited the highest extract yield,total phenolic contents,total flavonoid contents along with the strongest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity,total antioxidant power,and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties.The 80%hydroethanolic extract not only regulated the lipid profile of obese mice but also restricted the weight gain in the liver,kidney,and heart.The 80%hydroethanolic extract also reduced alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase concentrations in serum.The effects of plant extract at 300 mg/kg body weight were quite comparable with the standard drug orlistat.Conclusions:Solanum nigrum is proved as an excellent and potent source of secondary metabolites that might be responsible for obesity mitigation.展开更多
Introduction: Red beet juice is increasingly used in sports to enhance the endurance of athletes. To increase the specific efficiency of red beet juice, the method of its fractionation by ultrafiltration was used for ...Introduction: Red beet juice is increasingly used in sports to enhance the endurance of athletes. To increase the specific efficiency of red beet juice, the method of its fractionation by ultrafiltration was used for the first time. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of fractionated beetroot juice on the strength and endurance of laboratory rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (6 groups;n = 10) were used in the study. In addition to the standard chow, some groups of rats 2 h before the exercises received 0.5 ml of native (RBJ) or fractionated (FRBJ) per os. Three groups of animals were trained using a motorized wheel with a gradual speed increase over four weeks: 20 min/day for five days a week. Muscle strength of animals in all groups was measured by electronic dynamometry and the endurance of rats was evaluated once a week using electrical stimulation on a racetrack which moved at a speed of 15 m/min. The test was performed an hour after the ingestion of RBJ or FRBJ. At the end of the experiment, biochemical blood indices were determined. FRBJ was prepared by the original method. Results: Most significant differences in the chemical composition of RBJ and FRBJ were found for glutamic acid, of which the content was 67.2% higher than in native juice. The greatest changes during the experiment were in the mass of the rats’ calf muscles. Regular running exercise caused a 29% increase in muscle mass. The additional increase in m. gastrocnemius was also provided y FRBJ – 12%. The combination of physical activity and the introduction of red beet derivate led to the increase of the calf muscle mass by 121% within a month. Assessing the endurance of animals by frequency of falling from the treadmill, we can conclude that compared with untrained animals, trained rats receiving FRBJ had three times higher levels of endurance. Conclusion: Consumption of FRBJ led to increased muscle strength in rats and the ergogenic effect of the product was significantly higher in combination with physical activity.展开更多
Measurement of externalizing disorders such as antisocial disorders,attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline disorder have relevant implications for the daily lives of people with these disorders.While th...Measurement of externalizing disorders such as antisocial disorders,attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline disorder have relevant implications for the daily lives of people with these disorders.While the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM)and the International Classification of Diseases(ICD)have provided the diagnostic framework for decades,recent dimensional frameworks question the categorical approach of psychopathology,inherent in traditional nosotaxies.Tests and instruments develop under the DSM or ICD framework preferentially adopt this categorical approach,providing diagnostic labels.In contrast,dimensional measurement instruments provide an individualized profile for the domains that comprise the externalizing spectrum,but are less widely used in practice.Current paper aims to review the operational definitions of externalizing disorders defined under these different frameworks,revise the different measurement alternatives existing,and provide an integrative operational definition.First,an analysis of the operational definition of externalizing disorders among the DSM/ICD diagnostic systems and the recent Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology(HiTOP)model is carried out.Then,in order to analyze the coverage of operational definitions found,a description of measurement instruments among each conceptualization is provided.Three phases in the development of the ICD and DSM diagnosis systems can be observed with direct implications for measurement.ICD and DSM versions have progressively introduced systematicity,providing more detailed descriptions of diagnostic criteria and categories that ease the measurement instrument development.However,it is questioned whether the DSM/ICD systems adequately modelize externalizing disorders,and therefore their measurement.More recent theoretical approaches,such as the HiTOP model seek to overcome some of the criticism raised towards the classification systems.Nevertheless,several issues concerning this model raise mesasurement challenges.A revision of the instruments underneath each approach shows incomplete coverage of externalizing disorders among the existing instruments.Efforts to bring nosotaxies together with other theoretical models of psychopathology and personality are still needed.The integrative operational definition of externalizing disorders provided may help to gather clinical practice and research.展开更多
The microbial contamination of fish is the most important factor in assurance of food safety. The microflora on the surface of skin, gills and gut of fish is constantly under the influence of the water environment and...The microbial contamination of fish is the most important factor in assurance of food safety. The microflora on the surface of skin, gills and gut of fish is constantly under the influence of the water environment and this may cause colonization of microorganisms on fish. The goal of this study was to evaluate the bacterial contamination level on the skin, gills and gut of the European eel （Anguilla anguilla）, i.e., detecting total bacteria count （TBC） and Enterobacteriaceae counts, as well as Listeria spp, and Salmonella spp. in freshly caught fish. Among the three lakes, TBC on skin, gills and gut varied from 0.66 CFU/cm2 to 4.93 CFU/cm~, from 0.40 CFU/cm2 to 5.51 CFU/cm2 and from 0.30 CFU/cm2 to 6.37 CFU/cm2, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae count on skin, gills and gut was from 0 CFU/cm2 to 4.30 CFU/cm2, from 0 CFU/cm2 to 2.47 CFU/cm2 and from 0 CFU/cm2 to 1.72 CFU/cm2, respectively. The highest mean count of TBC on gills, skin and gut was found in samples from Sivers lake, while the lowest was in samples from Aluksne lake. Values among the lakes were significanty （P 〈 0.05） different. Also the highest mean counts of Enterobacteriaceae were found on gills and skin of eels from Sivers lake, but the highest count on gut was found in Usma lake. All tested samples were Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. negative. TBC and Enterobacteriaceae counts of skin, gills and gut were typical for wild fish in fresh water. Foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes, have not been found in the present study, indicating that fish are safe for human consumption.展开更多
文摘<strong>Objective:</strong> The e-waste recycling is increasing worldwide, yet there remain outstanding environmental and occupational health concerns. Most research conducted on e-waste recycling has focused on only few countries (e.g., China, Ghana), thus there is a need to increase understanding of e-waste workers’ (recyclers’) knowledge and practices in other locations, that is purpose of this study. <strong>Methods:</strong> In a cross-sectional study conducted in Cotonou, Benin, 45 e-waste recyclers were interviewed from September to November 2018. Survey data was collected concerning their demographics, professional practices, and knowledge of occupational and environmental risks associated with e-waste recycling.<strong> Results:</strong> Most participants reported the following methods of material recovery of electronic items in declining orders: dismantling (97.8%) > sorting (91.1%) > incinerating (88.9%). Only 44.2% of the recyclers reported wearing ≥ 1 piece of personal protective equipment (PPE). More than 90% of e-waste workers noted that they disposed the e-waste in natural sites. About half, 46.7% believed that e-waste can pollute water and 71.1% considered that it can pollute air and soil. Recyclers reported several diseases including respiratory (67.4%), heart (62.8%), eye (65.1%), kidney (41.9%) and cancers (30.2%) could be linked to their work, respectively. Interestingly, we also found associations between the number of electronic items dismantled per month and self-report symptoms from the e-waste recyclers such as finding blood in urine and stool, wounds, dizziness, and itchy skin. Our results also indicated associations between the number of hours worked per day and blood in urine, dizziness, itchy skin and airway obstruction. <strong>Conclusion: </strong>To our knowledge this is the first study to interview e-waste workers in Benin. Doing this increase understanding of their work practices and knowledge to help inform intervention and prevention activities.
基金Supported by the National Research Foundation(NRF)of MEST,Korea(No.2012R1A2A4A01001539)the Converging Technology Project of the Ministry of Environment,Korea(No.2013001450001)
文摘Sericite is mica-based natural clay that is annealed at 800 ℃ for 4 h, followed by acid activation using 3.0 mol L-1HCl at 100℃. The interaction of cesium(I), Cs(I), with sericite could provide useful data for the study of soil erosion or mass water movement utilizing the natural radioactive Cs. In this study sericite and activated sericite were used to assess their suitability in the attenuation of Cs from the aquatic environment under both batch and column experiments. The surface morphological studies indicated that a disordered and heterogeneous surface structure was exhibited by the activated sericite, whereas the native sericite exhibited a compact and layered structure. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET) specific surface area results indicated a significant increase in the surface area due to the activation of sericite. The batch reactor data collected for various parametric studies revealed that an increase in p H(from 2.0 to 8.0) and sorbate concentration(from 10.0 to 100.0 mg L-1) apparently favored the attenuation of Cs(I). The timedependent sorption data revealed that Cs(I) uptake was very rapid, and it achieved its saturation value within just 50 min of contact.The kinetic modeling studies indicated that the uptake of Cs(I) followed a pseudo-second-order rate equation; hence, the attenuation capacity of these solids for Cs(I) was estimated to be 0.858 and 4.353 mg g-1for sericite and activated sericite solids, respectively.The adsorption isotherm modeling data showed a reasonably good applicability of the Freundlich model than the Langmuir model.The effect of background electrolyte concentrations(0.001 to 0.1 mol L-1) of Mg(NO3)2indicated that the presence of this electrolyte could not significantly affect the percent removal of Cs(I) by activated sericite. Furthermore, the fixed-bed column reactor operations were performed to obtain the breakthrough data, which were fitted well to the Thomas non-linear equation. Therefore, the loading capacity of Cs(I) was estimated to be 1.585 mg g-1at the initial influent Cs(I) concentration of 30.0 mg L-1at p H 5.0.
文摘Background: The Ethiopian flower industry is growing fast with successful diversification of export products under greenhouse structures. Higher temperatures in the greenhouses pose a serious threat to the health of workers and add to the risk of occupational heat stress. Excessive heat in workplace settings also reduces work capacity and labour productivity. This study aims to investigate the level of heat exposure, and workers’ and managers’ perceptions and behavioural responses towards extreme heat exposure in a warming climate. Methods: We used the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) measured in representative greenhouses to capture the heat exposure during hotter and cooler seasons following ISO 7243 (generally risk of heat stress occurs when WBGT exceeds 26°C). A comparative cross-sectional study design with a stratified sampling method was used to assess occupational heat stress and workers’ perceptions of the impact of heat on their health and productivity in six different floriculture greenhouses in Ethiopia representing three different agro-ecologies and products. A questionnaire survey was conducted (30 managers/supervisors and 305 workers;76.1% female) to capture perceptions on heat exposures, symptoms of potential health impacts, productivity losses and coping mechanisms. Results: Heat exposure varied across different agroecologies, product types and greenhouse materials with a median WBGT Index of 25.5°C and a range from 18.1°C to 31.5°C. The impact of heat stress also varied across different employment sectors and geographical regions. Overall, workers in cut-flower greenhouses are exposed to higher than recommended WBGT Index (26°C) for 3 - 6 working hours daily. 65% of the managers reported that heat stress has a significant impact on the workers’ labour productivity, but do not have guidance about working in hot conditions. Workers reported more heat-related health issues and reduced productivity, especially in the mid-altitude greenhouses. About 50% of the workers reported that heat exposure decreased work productivity during hot hours. Sweating, exhaustion, heat-rashes, dehydration, crumps, nausea and headache were self-reported health issues. Labour productivity losses ranged from no loss to 19.5% in the mid- and low-altitudes. Conclusions and Recommendations: Excessive workplace heat in the greenhouses is both an occupational health hazard and detrimental to productivity in the floriculture industry. However, the level of understanding and actions on the ground regarding occupational heat stress are low. The code of conduct in place now does not consider the occupational heat stress issues. Multiple actions (engineering, management, training and policy-related recommendations) have to be implemented by Ethiopian Horticultural Producers and Exporters Association (EHPEA) and farm owners to mitigate heat stress and loss of productivity. Designing and implementing these heat prevention strategies and incorporating them into the code of conduct is in the interests of both employers and employees.
文摘Results of PCR with oligonucleotide primers were designed from the assembled panel of four potential virulence genes (two of internalin gene and two of transcriptional regulator gene). Most of the isolates including reference strains were reactive by PCR, whereas the other strains (No.80, 81, and 83) isolated from pork, were non-reactive by PCR. In particular, all pork isolates were PCR-negative for two primers (lmo2672 and 2821) sets tested. However, No.82 was positive for lmo1134 primer, and No.84 was positive for lmo2470 of pork isolates. It was observed that all Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) penetrate Vero cells, although the invasion efficiency of each strain varied (between 0.5 and 18.9%). When compared in cell assay with PFGE, the results were shown that the mean invasion efficiency for lineage II isolate (2.6%) was significantly lower (ANOVA-test,
文摘Cardiorenal syndrome reflects a complex interplay between cardiac and renal dysfunction,often compounded by fragmented management between cardiology and nephrology.Traditional phrases such as“the heart likes it dry and the kidneys like it wet”oversimplify care and perpetuate misconceptions about diuretic use and fluid management.Emerging evidence points to venous congestion rather than reduced cardiac output as a key driver of worsening renal function and adverse outcomes in heart failure.This article blends current evidence with the authors’perspective and clinical experience to explore the role of point-of-care ultrasound(POCUS)in the hemodynamic assessment of cardiorenal dysfunction,highlighting practical frameworks and tools.Conventional bedside assessment tools are limited,and static markers such as serum creatinine and physical signs can be misleading.POCUS provides a dynamic,physiology-based evaluation by integrating focused cardiac imaging,venous Doppler,lung ultrasound,and abdominal views.Frameworks such as“pump,pipes,and leaks”and scoring systems like venous excess ultrasound enable realtime visualization and quantification of congestion,shifting practice from assumption-based to data-driven care and fostering alignment between specialties.As training opportunities expand and supporting evidence grows,POCUS should be regarded as a core clinical skill in the management of cardiorenal dysfunction,with the potential to improve diagnostic precision and guide targeted therapy.
文摘AIM: To evaluate acute cholecystitis, complicated by peritonitis, acute phase response and immunological status in patients treated by laparoscopic or open approach. METHODS: From January 2002 to May 2012, we conducted a prospective randomized study on 45 consecutive patients (27 women, 18 men; mean age 58 years). These subjects were taken from a total of 681 patients who were hospitalised presenting similar preoperative findings: acute upper abdominal pain with tenderness, involuntary guarding under the right hypochondrium and/or in the flank; fever higher than 38 ℃, leukocytosis greater than 10 × 10 9 /L or both, and ultrasonographic evidence of calculous cholecystitis possibly complicated by peritonitis. These patients had undergone cholecystectomy for acute calculous cholecystitis,complicated by bile peritonitis. Randomly, 23 patients were assigned to laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), and 22 patients to open cholecystectomy (OC). Blood samples were collected from all patients before operation and at days 1, 3 and 6 after surgery. Serum bacteraemia, endotoxaemia, white blood cells (WBCs), WBC subpopulations, human leukocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR), neutrophil elastase, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-6, and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured at 0, 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min, at 4, 6, 12, 24 h, and then daily (8 A.M.) until post-operative day 6.RESULTS: The two groups were comparable in the severity of peritoneal contamination as indicated by the viable bacterial count (open group = 90% of positive cultures vs laparoscopic group = 87%) and endotoxin level (open group = 33.21 ± 6.32 pg/mL vs laparoscopic group = 35.02 ± 7.23 pg/mL). Four subjects in the OC group (18.1%) and 1 subject (4.3%) in the LC group (P < 0.05) developed intra-abdominal abscess. Severe leukocytosis (range 15.8-19.6/mL) was observed only after OC but not after LC, mostly due to an increase in neutrophils (days 1 and 3, P < 0.05). This value returned to the normal range within 3-4 d after LC and 5-7 d after OC. Other WBC types and lymphocyte subpopulations showed no significant variation. On the first day after surgery, a statistically significant difference was observed in HLA-DR expression between LC (13.0 ± 5.2) and OC (6.0 ± 4.2) (P < 0.05). A statistically significant change in plasma elastase concentration was recorded post-operatively at days 1, 3, and 6 in patients from the OC group when compared to the LC group (P < 0.05). In the OC group, the serum levels of IL-1 and IL-6 began to increase considerably from the first to the sixth hour after surgery. In the LC group, the increase of serum IL-1 and IL-6 levels was delayed and the peak values were notably lower than those in the OC group. Significant differences between the groups, for these two cytokines, were observed from the second to the twenty-fourth hour (P < 0.05) after surgery. The mean values of serum CRP in the LC group on post-operative days (1 and 3) were also lower than those in the OC group (P < 0.05). Systemic concentration of endotoxin was higher in the OC group at all intra-operative sampling times, but reached significance only when the gallbladder was removed (OC group = 36.81 ± 6.4 ρg/mLvs LC group = 16.74 ± 4.1 ρg/mL, P < 0.05). One hour after surgery, microbiological analysis of blood cultures detected 7 different bacterial species after laparotomy, and 4 species after laparoscopy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: OC increased the incidence of bacteraemia, endotoxaemia and systemic inflammation compared with LC and caused lower transient immunological defense, leading to enhanced sepsis in the patients examined.
基金R.V.Chowda-Reddy(HEFCE fellowship)and Kiran Kumar,from the research projects funded by the University of Greenwich,together with the Department for International Development,UK(DFID project code R8247,Crop Protection Programme)
文摘Bemisia tabaci adults from various host-plant species were collected from 31 regions across India.266 B.tabaci samples were first screened by RAPD-PCR to examine molecular variability and to select individuals with different fingerprints.Host-plant and region of collection were then used to select 25 individuals for PCR amplification and sequencing of their partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit one（mtCOI）genes.Pairwise comparisons with mtCOI consensus sequences showed that the majority of these samples had 〈3.5% sequence divergence from groups currently termed Asia I,Asia II-5,Asia II-7,and Asia II-8.The biotype-B B.tabaci from India clustered into the Middle East-Asia Minor 1 group.A new group of B.tabaci from Coimbatore,collected from pumpkin,was related most closely to the Asia I group（6.2% sequence divergence from the consensus Asia I sequence）.To increase our understanding of the epidemiology of tomato leaf curl disease（ToLCD）and the key B.tabaci genetic groups involved in virus spread,the indigenous Asia I and the exotic biotype-B population from South India were used to carry out transmission experiments using Tomato leaf curl Bangalore virus（ToLCBV）.The acquisition access periods（AAP）,inoculation access periods（IAP）,latent periods（LP）,and ToLCBV transmission efficiencies of the two populations were compared and the biotype-B had the more efficient transmission characteristics.These results are discussed in relation to recent changes in the epidemiology of tomato leaf curl disease in South India.
基金National Key R&D Program of China(2018YFA0801000)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2021B1515140037)+2 种基金Talents Recruitment Program of Guangdong Medical University(4SG19003Gd)Discipline Construction Project of Guangdong Medical University(4SG21173G,4SG21003G)Talents Recruitment Program of Guangdong Province“Yangfan Plan”(4YF16004G)。
文摘Background : TDCPP is one of the major chemical of organophosphate flame retardants(OPFRs) that has been detected ubiquitously in both the environment and biota. Previously we observed that it influenced the concentrations of sex and thyroid hormones in a sex-dependent pattern, leading to reproductive impairments after short-term exposure in zebrafish. Here we investigate the consequences of longerterm exposure to TDCPP on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad(HPG), hypothalamicpituitary-i nterrenal(HPI), and hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid(HPT) axes of zebrafish( Danio rerio).Methods : A 120-day exposure test to 0.005, 0.05 and 0.5 mg/L TDCPP was initiated with fertilized eggs. Sex steroid hormones in the treated fishes were measured and transcriptional changes were analyzed.Results : In female fish, exposure to TDCPP resulted in increases in plasma cortisol,follicle stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), 17β-estradiol(E2), cortisol, thyroxine(T4), and triiodothyronine(T3). Transcription of most target genes along HPG, HPI and HPT axes were increased by the exposure. While in male fish the exposure led to decreases in cortisol, FSH, LH, T4, T3, testosterone(T), and 11-ketotestosterone(11-KT). Transcription of genes along HPG, HPI and HPT axes,especially steroidogenic genes, were inhibited in male zebrafish. While, E2/T or E2/11-KT ratio was increased in both female and females. The sex-dependent changes in hormones might be due to differential responses to TDCPP induced stresses. An increase in cortisol level coincided with increases in E2 and THs in female fish, while in males decreases in cortisol as well as T, 11-KT and THs were observed. Long-term exposure to TDCPP at very low(μg/L) concentrations could disrupt hormone balances in a sex dependent way.Conclusion : This study revealed that TDCPP could affect endocrine axes – HPG, HPI and HPT – in zebrafish, and impair zebrafish development.
文摘BACKGROUND Calponin 3(CNN3)is an actin-binding protein expressed in smooth muscle and non-smooth muscle cells.It is required for cytoskeletal rearrangement and wound healing.AIM To dissect the role of CNN3 in carcinogenesis with a focus on colon cancer.METHODS A total of 20 cancer cell lines(8 breast,11 colon,and HeLa cervical cancer cell as a positive control for mesenchymal phenotype)and 57 formalin-fixed,paraffinembedded sections from archived sporadic colorectal carcinomas were included in this study.CNN3 expression analysis by western blot or immunohistochemistry was followed by functional analyses.The CNN3 gene was silenced by specific small interfering RNA(commonly known as siRNA),followed by confirmation of the silencing efficiency by western blotting.Then,the silenced cells and control siRNA-transfected cells were analyzed for changes in epithelial and mesenchymal markers,invasion,and response to 5-fluoruracil treatment.We also performed proteomics analysis using a phospho-kinase array-based panel of 45 proteins.RESULTS CNN3 showed positive expression in 6/8 breast and 9/11 colon cancer lines and in HeLa cells.Interestingly,the colorectal adenocarcinoma line SW480 was negative,while the cell line developed from its matching lymph node metastasis(SW620)was positive for CNN3.CNN3 expression was fairly consistent with the metastatic phenotype in colon cancer because it was absent in one other colon cell line from a primary site and expressed in all others.We selected SW620 for subsequent functional analyses.CNN3-silenced SW620 cells showed a reduction in collagen invasion and loss of mesenchymal markers.CNN3 silencing caused an increase in the SW620 colon cancer cell sensitivity to 5-fluorouracil.Phosphokinase array-based proteomics analysis showed that CNN3 silencing in SW620 reduced extracellular signal-regulated kinase,β-Catenin,mutant p53,c-Jun,and heat shock protein 60 activities but increased that of checkpoint kinase 2.CNN3 was expressed in 20/57(35%)colon cancer cases as shown by immunohistochemistry.CNN3 was associated with a decrease in overall survival in colon cancer in silico.CONCLUSION These results show the involvement of CNN3 in lymph node metastasis and resistance to chemotherapy in colon cancer and suggest that significant oncogenic pathways are involved in these CNN3-related actions.
文摘Our aim is to study the early maladaptive schemas and the memory span abilities and to evaluate the relationship between these schemas and the memory in one side and academic performance in the other side among Moroccan students. A cross-sectional study is conducted among 212 students, randomly selected from different institutions of the IBN TOFAIL University, located in the city of Kenitra (NW of Morocco). Three neurocognitive tests are used: the short version of the Early Maladaptive Schemas Questionnaire to evaluate the early maladaptive schemas (EMS), the sub-test of the Wechsler to evaluate the working memory among these subjects, and a general questionnaire about socio-economic data, nutritional and mental health status and also, academic performances of each student. The obtained results showed some significant negative correlations between forward memory span and activated schema, and significant negative correlations are registered between backward memory span and activated schema. More, thirty-three percent of students passed the exams of the autumn term against 67% who failed it. Moreover, significant negative correlations are registered between the schemas and the number of Units validated in the autumn term. In addition, fifty-three percent of students had a normal forward memory, 47% had an excellent forward memory and no one had pathological one. However, 63% had a pathological backward memory span, 28% had normal memory and 9% had an excellent backward memory. The EMS appeared in connection with the student’s working memory and the academic performance. Deeper investigations are needed to understand this relationship and also to study other possible factors that could affect this important neurocognitive function.
文摘Growing demand for high-performance materials is driving the development of composites with nano material reinforcement. The use of nano reinforcement can provide a distinct advantage due to high surface area of the material. There are still many challenges in achieving the full potential of nanocomposites. In this paper, we investigate the performance of epoxy nanocomposites reinforced with short polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) nanofibers. PMMA nanofibers were chopped and mixed with the epoxy resin and then the mixture was poured into a mould. Samples were cut to an appropriate size after cure and mechanical testing was carried out. Tensile and flexural strength and modulus were evaluated for samples with various fiber volume fractions to determine changes in mechanical performance. Also Scanning Electron Microscopy was utilized to investigate fracture surface and fiber-matrix interface. Results indicated that mechanical performance dropped as volume fraction of fibers increased, namely poor fiber-matrix adhesion and presence of porosity resulted in deterioration in strength and modulus. Further research is required to develop fiber coating system to enhance performance of the nanocomposite by improving fiber-matrix adhesion and fiber wet-out.
文摘Objective:To examine the antioxidant and antihemolytic activities of the aqueous extract,total polyphenols and total flavonoids of Thymus satureioides(T.satureioides).Methods:This plant was collected from Tafilalet Region of Morocco.The aqueous extract was obtained by cold maceration,and the components were obtained by Soxhlel extraction using solvents of varying polarity.The identification and quantification of phenol(caffeic and rosmarinic acids) and llavones(luteolin 7-glycoside and hesperetin) were carried out by high performance liquid chromatography analysis.Results:Total polyphenol and flavonoids contents in the aqueous extract of T.satureioides were(456.73±6.94) mg caffeic acid equivalent/g of dry plant and(172.79±2.12) mg rutin equivalent/g of dry plant,respectively.Different extracts showed good antioxidant activity.IC_(50)for 1.1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazil radical scavenging activity was(0.480±0.010),(0.418±0.005),(43.S91 ±2.467) and(0.510±0.010) mg/niL for the aqueous extract,total polyphenol,flavonoids and trolox,respectively.Also,the extracts showed ferric reducing antioxidant power and the values were(50.79±2.02),(117.51±6.46).(7.03±0.29) and(44.33±7.55) mmol trolox/g for the aqueous extract,total polyphenol,flavonoids and trolox.respectively.Serum levels of malondialdehyde was significantly decreased in comparison with the oxidized control(P<0.00l).They showed good activity against 2.2.-azobis 2-amidinopropane dihydrochloridc induced hemolysis in erythrocytes of rabbit blood.In addition,they ameliorate the half time of hemolysis.Conclusions:Our results provide evidence that aqueous extract,total polyphenols and total flavonoids of T.satureioides exhibit marked antioxidant and antihemolytic activities,thus confirming and justifying the popular uses of this plant to relieve some pains.
文摘Many efforts have been devoted to studying the inhibitory effect of Salvadora persica (Miswak) on oral microorganisms. However, information regarding its antibacterial activity against other human pathogens is rare. Particularly, against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacter cloacae. The purpose of this piece of work was to evaluate the antioxidant power and in vitro antibacterial activities of Salvadora persica extract against the three bacterial clinical isolates mentioned above. Therefore, the action of Salvadora persica extract on the three germs, studied via the aromatograms method, has given an inhibition zone 20, 18 and 14 respectively on Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacter cloacae. The methanol extract of Salvadora persica using Soxhlet has given an output of 19%. The antioxidant evaluation, which was performed using the DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl), free radical scavenging method, indicated that the methanol extract showed good antioxidant efficiency (IC50 = 15.47 mg/ml) compared to ascorbic acid with (IC50 = 0.097 mg/ml).
文摘Phytoplankton is all cyanobacteria and microalgae (microscopic plants) present in surface water that may be carried by water currents. The study was conducted at two oceanic sites Mehdia and Moulay Bousselham, Rabat sale Kenitra region, Morocco, between 2017 and 2018. The objective of this study is to compare the spatiotemporal evolution of certain toxic planktonic species between the two sites. The planktonic species identified all have toxic potency but to varying degrees such as Alexandrium, Dinophysis, Gymnodinum, Pseudonitzschia and Proocentrum. The comparison of the abundance of these taxa in the two sites confirms that the Moulay Bousselham site is characterized by the presence of the most toxic planktonic species represented mainly by Pseudonitzschia in contrast the Mehdia site experienced an abundance of the Proocentrum kind. This situation requires a more detailed study of the essential causes of the proliferation of these species.
文摘The diversity of phytoplankton communities in marine waters depends on the environmental, physical, chemical and biological factors in which they occur. The aim of our work is to determine the effect of certain physicochemical parameters on the proliferation of five planktonic taxa (1: Alexandrium 2: Dinophysis 3: Gymnodinum;4: Pseudonitzschia;5: Proocentrum) identified on the sites of Mehdia and Moulay Bousselham, Gharb of Moroccobetween 2017 and 2018. The results confirm the presence of these toxic taxa in both sites but with different densities. The ACP has allowed separating two distinct groups with coefficients of determination of more than 70%. Indeed, the first group concerning the site of Mehdia, it is characterized by an abundance of the taxa of Gymnodium and Pseudoni, which prefers salt water and oxygenated, thus important phosphate and nitrate levels. Moreover, unlike the temperature factor. However, the second group concerning the Moulay Bousselham site is located on the positive side of the axis, essentially characterized by moderately high temperatures. These conditions are favorable for the Dinophysis, Alexandrum and Proocentrum taxa. This trend makes it possible to classify the Moulay Bousselham site as a risk zone. In light of these results, the authorities of all stakeholders in the sector must increase efforts to overcome this constraint.
文摘The diversity of oceanic phytoplankton communities depends in part on environmental, physical, chemical and biological factors where they are. The study that we conducted in cape 7 (Aftissat) zone, south of Morocco, located 232 km south of Laayoune city and 62 km south of Boujdour city, aims at the identification of planktonic genera/species and determination of the physicochemical factors favoring the growth of these species. The study was carried out on 427 samples, distributed, therefore, as follows, 57.2% (n = 245) of the samples during the year 2016 and 42.5% (n = 182) in the year 2017. In addition, 32.8% and 27.6% of the samples were taken, respectively, in winter and autumn, 24.4% of the samples in summer and 15.2% of all samples taken in the spring. We have identified 30 phytoplankton species, of which 70% (n = 21) are diatoms, 26.67% are dinoflagellates and one species is silicoflagellates. Moreover, the most abundant species in the diatoms are Navicula sp. (69), Licmophora (47), Nitzschia sp. (35), Pseudo nitzschia spp. (31) and in the class Dinoflagellates, Scrippsiella spp. (24), Protoperidinium spp. (11). The physicochemical parameters show very significant associations with density, so they favor a very high abundance species, especially those belonging to the diatom class. Some toxic species have also been identified, but with very low frequencies, below the norm. The cape d’Afissat has a very important role in the economic life of the region, so we must increase efforts to preserve it and if it is possible to improve the quality of water.
文摘Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant potential and pancreatic lipase inhibitory action of optimized hydroethanolic extracts of Solanum nigrum.Methods:Optimized extraction for maximum recovery of metabolites was performed using a combination of freeze-drying and ultrasonication followed by determination of antioxidant and antiobesity properties.The ultra-high performance liquid chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry was used to analyze metabolite profiling of Solanum nigrum.Computational studies were performed using molecular docking and electrostatic potential analysis for individual compounds.The hypolipidemic potential of the most potent extract was assessed in the obese mice fed on fat rich diet.Results:The 80%hydroethanolic extract exhibited the highest extract yield,total phenolic contents,total flavonoid contents along with the strongest 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl scavenging activity,total antioxidant power,and pancreatic lipase inhibitory properties.The 80%hydroethanolic extract not only regulated the lipid profile of obese mice but also restricted the weight gain in the liver,kidney,and heart.The 80%hydroethanolic extract also reduced alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase concentrations in serum.The effects of plant extract at 300 mg/kg body weight were quite comparable with the standard drug orlistat.Conclusions:Solanum nigrum is proved as an excellent and potent source of secondary metabolites that might be responsible for obesity mitigation.
文摘Introduction: Red beet juice is increasingly used in sports to enhance the endurance of athletes. To increase the specific efficiency of red beet juice, the method of its fractionation by ultrafiltration was used for the first time. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of fractionated beetroot juice on the strength and endurance of laboratory rats. Methods: Male Wistar rats (6 groups;n = 10) were used in the study. In addition to the standard chow, some groups of rats 2 h before the exercises received 0.5 ml of native (RBJ) or fractionated (FRBJ) per os. Three groups of animals were trained using a motorized wheel with a gradual speed increase over four weeks: 20 min/day for five days a week. Muscle strength of animals in all groups was measured by electronic dynamometry and the endurance of rats was evaluated once a week using electrical stimulation on a racetrack which moved at a speed of 15 m/min. The test was performed an hour after the ingestion of RBJ or FRBJ. At the end of the experiment, biochemical blood indices were determined. FRBJ was prepared by the original method. Results: Most significant differences in the chemical composition of RBJ and FRBJ were found for glutamic acid, of which the content was 67.2% higher than in native juice. The greatest changes during the experiment were in the mass of the rats’ calf muscles. Regular running exercise caused a 29% increase in muscle mass. The additional increase in m. gastrocnemius was also provided y FRBJ – 12%. The combination of physical activity and the introduction of red beet derivate led to the increase of the calf muscle mass by 121% within a month. Assessing the endurance of animals by frequency of falling from the treadmill, we can conclude that compared with untrained animals, trained rats receiving FRBJ had three times higher levels of endurance. Conclusion: Consumption of FRBJ led to increased muscle strength in rats and the ergogenic effect of the product was significantly higher in combination with physical activity.
基金Supported by the “Reliable and clinical relevant change of Inventory of Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Ⅱ-IDAS Ⅱ:a longitudinal clinical utility study (RELY-IDAS-Ⅱ)”,project PID2020-116187RB-I00 on Proyectos I+D+i 2020 “Retos del Conocimiento” provided by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (Spain)by the grant FPU20/06606
文摘Measurement of externalizing disorders such as antisocial disorders,attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder or borderline disorder have relevant implications for the daily lives of people with these disorders.While the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders(DSM)and the International Classification of Diseases(ICD)have provided the diagnostic framework for decades,recent dimensional frameworks question the categorical approach of psychopathology,inherent in traditional nosotaxies.Tests and instruments develop under the DSM or ICD framework preferentially adopt this categorical approach,providing diagnostic labels.In contrast,dimensional measurement instruments provide an individualized profile for the domains that comprise the externalizing spectrum,but are less widely used in practice.Current paper aims to review the operational definitions of externalizing disorders defined under these different frameworks,revise the different measurement alternatives existing,and provide an integrative operational definition.First,an analysis of the operational definition of externalizing disorders among the DSM/ICD diagnostic systems and the recent Hierarchical Taxonomy of Psychopathology(HiTOP)model is carried out.Then,in order to analyze the coverage of operational definitions found,a description of measurement instruments among each conceptualization is provided.Three phases in the development of the ICD and DSM diagnosis systems can be observed with direct implications for measurement.ICD and DSM versions have progressively introduced systematicity,providing more detailed descriptions of diagnostic criteria and categories that ease the measurement instrument development.However,it is questioned whether the DSM/ICD systems adequately modelize externalizing disorders,and therefore their measurement.More recent theoretical approaches,such as the HiTOP model seek to overcome some of the criticism raised towards the classification systems.Nevertheless,several issues concerning this model raise mesasurement challenges.A revision of the instruments underneath each approach shows incomplete coverage of externalizing disorders among the existing instruments.Efforts to bring nosotaxies together with other theoretical models of psychopathology and personality are still needed.The integrative operational definition of externalizing disorders provided may help to gather clinical practice and research.
文摘The microbial contamination of fish is the most important factor in assurance of food safety. The microflora on the surface of skin, gills and gut of fish is constantly under the influence of the water environment and this may cause colonization of microorganisms on fish. The goal of this study was to evaluate the bacterial contamination level on the skin, gills and gut of the European eel （Anguilla anguilla）, i.e., detecting total bacteria count （TBC） and Enterobacteriaceae counts, as well as Listeria spp, and Salmonella spp. in freshly caught fish. Among the three lakes, TBC on skin, gills and gut varied from 0.66 CFU/cm2 to 4.93 CFU/cm~, from 0.40 CFU/cm2 to 5.51 CFU/cm2 and from 0.30 CFU/cm2 to 6.37 CFU/cm2, respectively. Enterobacteriaceae count on skin, gills and gut was from 0 CFU/cm2 to 4.30 CFU/cm2, from 0 CFU/cm2 to 2.47 CFU/cm2 and from 0 CFU/cm2 to 1.72 CFU/cm2, respectively. The highest mean count of TBC on gills, skin and gut was found in samples from Sivers lake, while the lowest was in samples from Aluksne lake. Values among the lakes were significanty （P 〈 0.05） different. Also the highest mean counts of Enterobacteriaceae were found on gills and skin of eels from Sivers lake, but the highest count on gut was found in Usma lake. All tested samples were Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. negative. TBC and Enterobacteriaceae counts of skin, gills and gut were typical for wild fish in fresh water. Foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes, have not been found in the present study, indicating that fish are safe for human consumption.
