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Before 2022, the primary mode for monkeypox virus (MPXV) transmission was known to be zoonotic, and only limited human-to-human transmission was documented (2,2). Human MPXV infections resulting in mpox disease [...]

Monkeypox virus (MPXV) is the etiologic agent of zoonotic mpox disease. Although the virus was first discovered in colonies of monkeys kept for research in 1958, MPXV is mainly transmitted [...]

Echinostomes are zoonotic intestinal flukes infecting birds and mammals worldwide (1,2). Adult echinostomes generally inhabit the small intestines of the definitive host and attach to the mucosal surface, causing pathological [...]

In 1926, A.C. Chandler described "a new schistosome infection of man" based on the presence of distinctive terminal spined schistosome eggs from 2 human fecal samples collected in Krishnanagar, West [...]

Oropouche fever is an emerging arboviral disease caused by Oropouche virus (OROV) and primarily transmitted by Culicoides paraensis biting midges. OROV is endemic to the Americas, predominantly the Amazon region [...]

Monitoring the impact of anthropogenic and naturogenic threats on orchid community through diversity, taxonomy and conservation studies is necessary. Reintroduction of these species to their natural habitat associates with their resilience, selection of suitable trees and sites for regeneration and restoration efforts, drives the conservation initiative. Upon obtaining an accurate estimate of the diversity for genetic resource conservation, integrative methods of classical morphological taxonomy, anatomy (micromorphology), and molecular genetics are crucial to solve the taxonomic uncertainty. Changes in microclimatic conditions and habitat structures are the key determinants of both epiphytic and terrestrial orchids assemblages following disturbance. Any assessments of biodiversity and ecosystem service must include variable forest types and management regimes to provide impartial views on the effect of forest and ecological disturbance on the orchid community. Accordingly, a plant-microbial ecology study should be included to study the extent of human-induced climatic variability towards the orchid diversification. Keywords Orchid * Primary forest * Logging * Diversity and abundance * Ecology * Host plant, Introduction Orchids belong to the family Orchidaceae is the most valuable group of flowering plants that advanced in the floral variation with visually stunning blooms among the monocotyledons. Orchids are [...]

The volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying or volume-regulated anion channel, VSOR/VRAC, which was discovered in 1988, is expressed in most vertebrate cell types, and is essentially involved in cell volume regulation after swelling and in the induction of cell death. This series of review articles describes what is already known and what remains to be uncovered about the functional and molecular properties as well as the physiological and pathophysiological roles of VSOR/VRAC. This Part 2 review article describes, from the physiological and pathophysiological standpoints, first the pivotal roles of VSOR/VRAC in the release of autocrine/paracrine organic signal molecules, such as glutamate, ATP, glutathione, cGAMP, and itaconate, as well as second the swelling-independent and -dependent activation mechanisms of VSOR/VRAC. Since the pore size of VSOR/VRAC has now well been evaluated by electrophysiological and 3D-structural methods, the signal-releasing activity of VSOR/VRAC is here discussed by comparing the molecular sizes of these organic signals to the channel pore size. Swelling-independent activation mechanisms include a physicochemical one caused by the reduction of intracellular ionic strength and a biochemical one caused by oxidation due to stimulation by receptor agonists or apoptosis inducers. Because some organic substances released via VSOR/VRAC upon cell swelling can trigger or augment VSOR/VRAC activation in an autocrine fashion, swelling-dependent activation mechanisms are to be divided into two phases: the first phase induced by cell swelling per se and the second phase caused by receptor stimulation by released organic signals. Keywords: Volume-sensitive anion channel, LRRC8, Pore size, Organic signal, ROS, ATP, Author(s): Yasunobu Okada[sup.1,2,3,4] Introduction Mammalian anion channels are known to be classified into six major groups: ligand-gated receptor-coupled, voltage-gated ClC-type, cyclic AMP/PKA-activated cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), Ca[sup.2+]-activated TMEM16/ANO, [...]

Background Gut microbiota dysbiosis involved in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). The characteristics of enterotypes in CRC development have not been determined. Objective To characterize the gut microbiota of healthy, adenoma, and CRC subjects based on enterotype. Methods The 16 S rRNA sequencing data from 315 newly sequenced individuals and three previously published datasets were collected, providing total data for 367 healthy, 320 adenomas, and 415 CRC subjects. Enterotypes were analyzed for all samples, and differences in microbiota composition across subjects with different disease states in each enterotype were determined. The predictive values of a random forest classifier based on enterotype in distinguishing healthy, adenoma, and CRC subjects were evaluated and validated. Results Subjects were classified into one of three enterotypes, namely, Bacteroide- (BA_E), Blautia- (BL_E), and Streptococcus- (S_E) dominated clusters. The taxonomic profiles of these three enterotypes differed among the healthy, adenoma, and CRC cohorts. BA_E group was enriched with Bacteroides and Blautia; BL_E group was enriched by Blautia and Coprococcus; S_E was enriched by Streptococcus and Ruminococcus. Relative abundances of these genera varying among the three human cohorts. In training and validation sets, the S_E cluster showed better performance in distinguishing among CRC patients, adenoma patients, and healthy controls, as well as between CRC and non-CRC individuals, than the other two clusters. Conclusion This study provides the first evidence to indicate that changes in the microbial composition of enterotypes are associated with disease status, thereby highlighting the diagnostic potential of enterotypes in the treatment of adenoma and CRC. Keywords: Enterotype, Adenoma, Colorectal cancer, Gut microbiota, Random forest model, Author(s): Li Qingbo[sup.1], Zhuang Jing[sup.1,2,3], Qu Zhanbo[sup.1,2,3], Chu Jian[sup.1,2,3], Song Yifei[sup.1], Wu Yinhang[sup.1,2,3] and Han Shuwen[sup.1,2,3] Introduction The human gastrointestinal tract is inhabited by a community of approximately 100 trillion [...]

The volume-sensitive outwardly rectifying or volume-regulated anion channel, VSOR/VRAC, which was discovered in 1988, is expressed in most vertebrate cell types and is essentially involved in cell volume regulation after swelling and in the induction of cell death. This series of review articles describes what is already known and what remains to be uncovered about the functional and molecular properties as well as the physiological and pathophysiological roles of VSOR/VRAC. This Part 1 review article describes, from the physiological standpoint, first its discovery and significance in cell volume regulation, second its phenotypical properties, and third its molecular identification. Although the pore-forming core molecules and the volume-sensing subcomponent of VSOR/VRAC were identified as LRRC8 members and TRPM7 in 2014 and 2021, respectively, it is stressed that the identification of the molecular entity of VSOR/VRAC is still not complete enough to explain the full set of phenotypical properties. Keywords: Volume-sensitive anion channel, Regulatory volume decrease, Phenotypical properties, Molecular entities, LRRC8, TRPM7, Author(s): Yasunobu Okada[sup.1,2,3,4,5,6] Background In animal cells, on which the rigid cell wall is lacking, cell volume regulation is essential for their survival and functions. Even under extracellular hypoosmotic or [...]

Monkeypox, caused by monkeypox virus (MPXV), a member of the Orthopoxvirus genus, was considered a rare emerging disease before a multinational outbreak was identified in May 2022 (1). After global [...]

For COVID-19 survivors, defeating the virus is just the beginning of a long road to recovery. The inducibility and catastrophic effects of the virus are distributed across multiple organs. The induction of cytokine storms in COVID-19 patients is due to the interaction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the host receptor, leading to various immunopathological consequences that may eventually lead to death. So far, COVID-19 has affected tons of people across the world, but there is still no effective treatment. Patients facing complications of COVID-19 after recovery have shown extensive clinical symptoms similar to that of patients recovering from previously circulating coronaviruses. Previous knowledge and literature have opened up ways to treat this disease and manage post-COVID-19 complications, which pose a severe challenge to the health system globally and may exacerbate the fragmentation of diseases. The use of steroids as a treatment has resulted in various health problems and side-effects in COVID-19 patients. This review discusses various post-COVID-19 complications observed and adjunctive therapies used along with common COVID-19 treatment and spotlights their side effects and consequences. This review provides the latest literature on COVID-19, which emphasizes the subsequent complications in various organs, side effects of drugs, and alternative regimens used to treat COVID-19. Key words: COVID-19, cytokine storm, post-COVID-19 complications, corticosteroids, immunotherapy. Pour les survivants de la COVID-19, vaincre le virus n'est que le debut d'un long chemin vers la guerison. L'inductibilite virale et les effets catastrophiques qui en decoulent sont dissemines dans plusieurs organes. L'induction de tempetes de cytokines chez les patients atteints de COVID-19 est due a l'interaction entre le virus SRAS-CoV-2 et le recepteur de l'hote, entrainant diverses consequences immunopathologiques, susceptibles de mener ultimement a la mort. Jusqu'a present, le virus a frappe des millions de personnes partout dans le monde, mais il n'existe toujours pas de traitement efficace. Les patients qui presentent des complications de la COVID-19 apres leur convalescence ont manifeste de nombreux symptomes cliniques semblables a ceux provoques par d'autres coronavirus ayant circule auparavant. Les connaissances anterieures et la litterature ont ouvert une fenetre sur des moyens de traiter la COVID-19 et de prendre en charge les complications qui surviennent apres l'infection, lesquelles posent un grave probleme pour le systeme de sante mondial et ont le potentiel de multiplier les declinaisons de la maladie. L'utilisation de stero'ides comme traitement a revele divers problemes de sante et effets secondaires chez les patients atteints de la COVID-19. Cette revue de litterature dresse un portrait detaille des diverses complications post-COVID-19 observees et des traitements adjuvants utilises en association avec les medicaments couramment employes pour traiter la COVID-19, et met en evidence leurs effets secondaires et leurs consequences. L'article offre une synthese de la plus recente litterature sur la COVID-19, qui se concentre sur les complications subsequentes touchant divers organes, les effets secondaires des medicaments et les autres traitements qui ont ete utilises contre cette maladie. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: COVID-19, tempete de cytokines, complications post-COVID-19, corticostero'ides, immunotherapie., 1. Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the cause of the pandemic due to its transmissibility and lethality worldwide. It has drastically impacted the world's healthcare system and economies. [...]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors affecting the ability and willingness of dentists to work during the COVID-19 pandemic and the effect of this situation on occupational burnout. A 51-question survey, including demographic and pandemic questions and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), was used as a data collection method and administered to dentists in Turkey via the internet in two stages. A link to the survey (onlineanketler.com) was sent to the participants by e-mail or social media (WhatsApp©). A total of 442 dentists in the first stage and 264 dentists in the second stage answered the questionnaire. The second stage of the survey only applied to dentists who are assigned within the scope of COVID-19 measures in Turkey. Standard descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, independent samples t test and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used for statistical analysis. Most of the participants showed higher stress levels. Occupational burnout levels of participants according to filiation service (serve/FP, did not serve/FN) were 34.4% and 17.6%, respectively. The FP group showed significantly higher stress levels than the FN group. It is important to consider how these results, collected during an infectious disease epidemic, reflect the effects of psychological distress and burnout on dental staff. Trial Registration Number and Date of Registration: NCT04605692-10/27/2020., Author(s): Merve Özarslan [sup.1] , Secil Caliskan [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.29906.34, 0000 0001 0428 6825, Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Akdeniz University, , Antalya, Turkey (2) grid.164274.2, [...]

Stress resilience studies focus on resilience operationalised within the context of stressors. Currently, there is no clear operationalisation of stress resilience in humans. To identify and critically examine measures used to assess stress resilience. A systematic review of English and non-English articles using PubMed (including MEDLINE), Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, and CINAHL was conducted. No date limits were set. Search terms included stress resilience, resilience to stress, stress resilient, and humans. Studies were selected based on pre-determined eligibility criteria. Empirical, quantitative research studies that measured individual stress resilience in humans were eligible for inclusion in this review. Two researchers conducted independent extraction of articles based on predefined fields, focusing on types of measures used. A narrative synthesis was used to present the findings, structured around the types of instruments used and conceptual focuses of these measures. We identified a number of measures, both self-report and performance based. We highlight the heterogeneity in operationalisation of stress resilience and suggest that, in future, researchers' state operationalised definitions of stress resilience overtly to decrease confusion., Author(s): Josephine S. O'Donohue [sup.1] , Christopher Mesagno [sup.1] , Brendan O'Brien [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.1040.5, 0000 0001 1091 4859, Federation University Australia, , P.O. Box 663, 3353, Ballarat, [...]

Background To inform policy and implementation that can enhance prevention and improve tuberculosis (TB) care cascade outcomes, this review aimed to summarize the impact of various interventions on care cascade outcomes for active TB. Methods and findings In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we retrieved English articles with comparator arms (like randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and before and after intervention studies) that evaluated TB interventions published from January 1970 to September 30, 2022, from Embase, CINAHL, PubMed, and the Cochrane library. Commentaries, qualitative studies, conference abstracts, studies without standard of care comparator arms, and studies that did not report quantitative results for TB care cascade outcomes were excluded. Data from studies with similar comparator arms were pooled in a random effects model, and outcomes were reported as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and number of studies (k). The quality of evidence was appraised using GRADE, and the study was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42018103331). Of 21,548 deduplicated studies, 144 eligible studies were included. Of 144 studies, 128 were from low/middle-income countries, 84 were RCTs, and 25 integrated TB and HIV care. Counselling and education was significantly associated with testing (OR = 8.82, 95% CI:1.71 to 45.43; I.sup.2 = 99.9%, k = 7), diagnosis (OR = 1.44, 95% CI:1.08 to 1.92; I.sup.2 = 97.6%, k = 9), linkage to care (OR = 3.10, 95% CI = 1.97 to 4.86; I.sup.2 = 0%, k = 1), cure (OR = 2.08, 95% CI:1.11 to 3.88; I.sup.2 = 76.7%, k = 4), treatment completion (OR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.07 to 2.03; I.sup.2 = 73.1%, k = 8), and treatment success (OR = 3.24, 95% CI: 1.88 to 5.55; I.sup.2 = 75.9%, k = 5) outcomes compared to standard-of-care. Incentives, multisector collaborations, and community-based interventions were associated with at least three TB care cascade outcomes; digital interventions and mixed interventions were associated with an increased likelihood of two cascade outcomes each. These findings remained salient when studies were limited to RCTs only. Also, our study does not cover the entire care cascade as we did not measure gaps in pre-testing, pretreatment, and post-treatment outcomes (like loss to follow-up and TB recurrence). Conclusions Among TB interventions, education and counseling, incentives, community-based interventions, and mixed interventions were associated with multiple active TB care cascade outcomes. However, cost-effectiveness and local-setting contexts should be considered when choosing such strategies due to their high heterogeneity., Author(s): Gifty Marley 1,2, Xia Zou 3, Juan Nie 4, Weibin Cheng 5,6, Yewei Xie 2, Huipeng Liao 2, Yehua Wang 2, Yusha Tao 2, Joseph D. Tucker 2,7, Sean [...]

This study aimed to investigate the role of leptin, ghrelin, neuropeptide Y, and nesfatin-1 in young children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 44 children with ASD and 44 healthy controls aged 18-60 months were included. Plasma levels of hormones were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Plasma leptin and ghrelin levels were significantly higher in the ASD group than in the control group. However, no significant difference for plasma neuropeptide Y and nesfatin-1 levels was detected between the groups. No relation was found between the severity of ASD symptoms, severity of eating problems, and plasma levels of hormones. Leptin and ghrelin may play a potential role in the pathogenesis of ASD., Author(s): Çagla Çelikkol Sadiç [sup.1] [sup.4] , Ayhan Bilgiç [sup.1] , Ibrahim Kilinç [sup.2] , Mehmet Burhan Oflaz [sup.3] , Tamer Baysal [sup.3] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.17242.32, 0000 0001 2308 [...]

Byline: Niraj. Niraj, Sonia. Mahajan, Ajay. Prakash, Phulen. Sarma, Bikash. Medhi Coronavirus infection is a pandemic threat and the most dangerous disease of the 21st century. Despite the rigorous exertion [...]

Given the rapidly changing nature of COVID-19, clinicians and policy makers require urgent review and summary of the literature, and synthesis of evidence-based guidelines to inform practice. The WHO advocates for rapid reviews in these circumstances. The purpose of this rapid guideline is to provide recommendations on the organizational management of intensive care units caring for patients with COVID-19 including: planning a crisis surge response; crisis surge response strategies; triage, supporting families, and staff., Author(s): Shadman Aziz [sup.1], Yaseen M. Arabi [sup.2], Waleed Alhazzani [sup.3], Laura Evans [sup.4], Giuseppe Citerio [sup.5], Katherine Fischkoff [sup.6], Jorge Salluh [sup.7], Geert Meyfroidt [sup.8], Fayez Alshamsi [sup.9], Simon [...]

Background The novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the cause of a rapidly spreading illness, Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), affecting thousands of people around the world. Urgent guidance for clinicians caring for the sickest of these patients is needed. Methods We formed a panel of 36 experts from 12 countries. All panel members completed the World Health Organization conflict of interest disclosure form. The panel proposed 53 questions that are relevant to the management of COVID-19 in the ICU. We searched the literature for direct and indirect evidence on the management of COVID-19 in critically ill patients in the ICU. We identified relevant and recent systematic reviews on most questions relating to supportive care. We assessed the certainty in the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach, then generated recommendations based on the balance between benefit and harm, resource and cost implications, equity, and feasibility. Recommendations were either strong or weak, or in the form of best practice recommendations. Results The Surviving Sepsis Campaign COVID-19 panel issued 54 statements, of which 4 are best practice statements, 9 are strong recommendations, and 35 are weak recommendations. No recommendation was provided for 6 questions. The topics were: (1) infection control, (2) laboratory diagnosis and specimens, (3) hemodynamic support, (4) ventilatory support, and (5) COVID-19 therapy. Conclusion The Surviving Sepsis Campaign COVID-19 panel issued several recommendations to help support healthcare workers caring for critically ill ICU patients with COVID-19. When available, we will provide new recommendations in further releases of these guidelines., Author(s): Waleed Alhazzani [sup.1] [sup.2], Morten Hylander Møller [sup.3] [sup.4], Yaseen M. Arabi [sup.5], Mark Loeb [sup.1] [sup.2], Michelle Ng Gong [sup.6], Eddy Fan [sup.7], Simon Oczkowski [sup.1] [sup.2], Mitchell [...]

Background Prostate cancer is the most prevalent cancer in men worldwide. It is a polygenic disease with a substantial proportion of heritability. Identification of novel candidate biomarkers is crucial for clinical cancer prevention and the development of therapeutic strategies. Here, we describe the analysis of rare and common genetic variants that can predispose to the development of prostate cancer. Methods Whole-genome sequencing was performed on germline DNA of five Swedish siblings which were diagnosed with prostate cancer. The high-risk variants were identified setting the minor allele frequency < 0.01, CADD > 10 and if tested in PRACTICAL, OR > 1.5, while the low-risk variants were identified minor allele frequency > 0.01, CADD > 10 and if tested in PRACTICAL, OR > 1.1. Results We identified 38 candidate high-risk gene variants and 332 candidate low-risk gene variants, where 2 and 14 variants were in coding regions, respectively, that were shared by the brothers with prostate cancer. Conclusions This study expanded the knowledge of potential risk factor candidates involved in hereditary and familial prostate cancer. Our findings can be beneficial when applying targeted screening in families with a high risk of developing the disease. Keywords: Prostate cancer, Hereditary, Germline, Whole-genome sequencing, Author(s): Serena Barilla[sup.1], Annika Lindblom[sup.1,2] and Hafdis T. Helgadottir[sup.1,2] Background Prostate cancer (PrCa) is the second most frequent cancer in men worldwide and the most common diagnosed cancer among men [...]

In this study, Ti[O.sub.2] nanocrystals, 1 mol% Ag-doped Ti[O.sub.2], and 1 mol% Ag and 0.6 mol% Zn co-doped Ti[O.sub.2] powders were synthesized by the sol--gel route. Their photocatalytic activities on methyl orange dye under visible irradiation were investigated. The powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV--visible spectroscopy (UV--vis), Brunauer--Emmett--Teller (BET), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The XRD results revealed the presence of a rutile phase with an average crystallite size of 9 and 11 nm. The UV--vis spectra showed a red-shift towards a longer wavelength with the corresponding decrease in band gap from 2.9 to 2.5 eV. The BET surface areas ofthe nanoparticles ranged from 4.7 to 11.8 [m.sup.2] [g.sup.-1] with an average pore size between 18.9 and 56.6 nm. The Ag-doped Ti[O.sub.2] has the largest surface area of 11.8 [m.sup.2] [g.sup.-1], whereas the Ag--Zn co-doped Ti[O.sub.2] was found to have the highest pore size and volume. The absorption bands at 750-500 [cm.sup.-1] were attributed to the--O--Ti--O--bond in the Ti[O.sub.2] lattice. The photocatalytic efficiency was highest at an optimum pH of 4.1 for Ag--Zn co-doped Ti[O.sub.2]. The results confirmed that Ag-doped and Ag--Zn co-doped Ti[O.sub.2] were more effective than pure Ti[O.sub.2]. The kinetic data werefitted intoa pseudo first-order equation using a Langmuir--Hinshelwood kinetic model. Key words: photocatalyst, nanoparticles, photodegradation, titanium (IV) oxide, visible light. Dans le cadre de la presente etude, nous avons synthetise des nanocristaux de Ti[O.sub.2], et des poudres de Ti[O.sub.2] dopees a 1 % mol d'Ag et codopees a 1 % mol d'Ag et 0,6 % mol de Zn par la methode sol--gel. Nous avons etudie leur activite photocatalytique sur le methylorange en conditions d'irradiation par la lumiere visible. Nous avons caracterise les poudres par diffraction des rayons X (DRX), spectroscopie UV--visible (UV--vis), analyse par la methode Brunauer--Emmett--Teller (BET) et spectroscopie infrarouge a transformee de Fourier (FTIR). Les resultats de DRX ont revele la presence d'une phase a structure de rutile dont la taille moyenne respective des cristallites se situait entre 9 et 11 nm. Les spectres UV-vis ont montre un deplacement vers le rouge (vers des longueurs d'onde plus longues) correspondant a une diminution de la largeur de la bande interdite, qui passe de 2,9 a 2,5 eV. L'analyse par la methode BET indique une surface specifique des nanoparticules variant de 4,7 a 11,8 [m.sup.2] [g.sup.-1] et une taille des pores moyenne se situant entre 18,9 et 56,6 nm. Nous avons observe que le Ti[O.sub.2] dope a l'Ag presentait la plus grande surface specifique, soit 11,8 [m.sup.2] [g.sup.-1], tandis que le Ti[O.sub.2] codope a l'Ag--Zn presentait les pores de plus grande taille et de plus grand volume. Les bandes d'absorption a750-500 [cm.sup.-1] ont ete attribuees ala liaison--O--Ti--O--du reseau de Ti[O.sub.2]. À unpHoptimalde 4,1,leTi[O.sub.2] codope a l'Ag--Zn presentait l'efficacite photocatalytique la plus elevee. Les resultats ont confirme que les poudres de Ti[O.sub.2] dopees a l'Ag et codopees a l'Ag--Zn etaient plus efficaces que le Ti[O.sub.2] pur. À l'aide du modele cinetique de Langmuir-Hinshelwood, nous avons montre que les donnees cinetiques etaient decrites par une equation de pseudo-premier ordre. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : photocatalyseur, nanoparticules, photodegradation, oxyde de titane(IV), lumiere visible., Introduction The recent development in nanotechnology has addressed fundamental issues of the environment and water sectors. In water treatment applications, it has been used for treatment, remediation, sensing, detection, and [...]

Nepal has one of the highest child marriage rates in the world; the prevalence is even higher in Terai region. There has been an observable correlation between marriage and education leading to the general assumption that girls attending school are less likely to be married at an early age compared with counterparts that have either dropped out of school or have not been in school. This paper assesses the causality between school attendance and likelihood of marriage. The study relies on a qualitative assessment conducted at 5 schools in Dhanusha, a district in Province 2 of Nepal. Participants in the assessment included 60 schoolgirls from grade 9 to 10. Interviews were conducted where participants were familiarized with previous research reports on marital age and education, national statistics and legal documents on child marriages. From the outcomes of the interviews, the girls noted that their society, neighbors, senior citizens in their community, relatives and religious leaders were the primary agents of solicitations for marriage proposals to a family and that the activity began when a girl reached the age of thirteen. There was significant indication from the interviews that schoolgirls were not immune from early marriage. Keywords: School drop-out, Early Marriage, Girls' Education, Nepal, Introduction The globally accepted minimum age for marriage is 18 years for both males and females (UNICEF, 2007). In Nepal, the Criminal (Code) Act (2017) has formally adopted 20 years [...]

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is associated with an increased risk of sudden death, activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), and reductions in multiple cardiac ion channels. When activated, the protein kinase-like ER kinase (PERK) branch of the UPR reduces protein translation and abundance. We hypothesized that PERK inhibition could prevent ion channel downregulation and reduce arrhythmia risk after myocardial infarct (MI). MI induced in mice by coronary artery ligation resulted in reduced ion channel levels, ventricular tachycardia (VT), and prolonged corrected intervals between the Q and T waves on the ECGs (QTc). Protein levels of major cardiac ion channels were decreased. MI cardiomyocytes showed significantly prolonged action potential duration and decreased maximum upstroke velocity. Cardiac-specific PERK KO reduced electrical remodeling in response to MI, with shortened QTc intervals, fewer VT episodes, and higher survival rates. Pharmacological PERK inhibition had similar effects. In conclusion, we found that activated PERK during MI contributed to arrhythmia risk by the downregulation of select cardiac ion channels. PERK inhibition prevented these changes and reduced arrhythmia risk. These results suggest that ion channel downregulation during MI is a fundamental arrhythmia mechanism and that maintenance of ion channel levels is antiarrhythmic., Introduction Human ischemic cardiomyopathy is associated with an increased risk of sudden death and changes in multiple cardiac ion channels and transporters (1-4). The cardiac [Na.sup.+] channel (Nav1.5) governs action [...]

This paper examines the influence of the environmental enforcement approach on the effects of government interventions on corporate environmental management. The paper contrasts a potentially innovative cooperative approach with the standard coercive approach. Empirical results show that the effectiveness of enforcement at inducing better environmental management depends on the overall regulatory enforcement approach. For example, greater cooperation undermines the effectiveness of more severe enforcement forms. Specifically, as the environmental enforcement approach becomes more cooperative, the effectiveness of federal inspections and monetary penalties decreases. These results generally demonstrate that a cooperative enforcement approach proves less effective than a coercive approach. (JEL D22, K32, Q52, Q58), I. INTRODUCTION Inspections of polluting facilities and fines levied on violating facilities have been the norm for inducing compliance with environmental laws since the early 1970s. The literature is rife [...]

Inequitable distribution and access to vaccines for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have compounded the pandemic and caused excess deaths as well as additional economic, social and political disruption. (1) [...]

TRPM7, a member of the melastatin subfamily of transient receptor potential channels, is suggested to be a potential candidate for a physiological Mg.sup.2+ channel. However, there is no direct evidence of Mg.sup.2+ permeation through endogenous TRPM7. To determine the physiological roles of TRPM7 in intracellular Mg.sup.2+ homeostasis, we measured the cytoplasmic free Mg.sup.2+ concentration ([Mg.sup.2+].sub.i) in TRPM7-silenced H9c2 cells. [Mg.sup.2+].sub.i was measured in a cluster of 8-10 cells using the fluorescent indicator, furaptra. TRPM7 silencing did not change [Mg.sup.2+].sub.i in Ca.sup.2+-free Tyrode's solution containing 1 mM Mg.sup.2+. Increasing the extracellular Mg.sup.2+ to 92.5 mM raised [Mg.sup.2+].sub.i in control cells (1.56 [+ or -] 0.19 mM) at 30 min, while this effect was significantly attenuated in TRPM7-silenced cells (1.12 [+ or -] 0.07 mM). The Mg.sup.2+ efflux driven by Na.sup.+ gradient was unaffected by TRPM7 silencing. These results suggest that TRPM7 regulates the rate of Mg.sup.2+ influx in H9c2 cells, although cytoplasmic Mg.sup.2+ homeostasis at basal conditions is unaffected by TRPM7 silencing. Keywords: Magnesium, TRPM7, Cardiac myoblast, H9c2, Mag-fura-2, Author(s): Michiko Tashiro[sup.1], Masato Konishi[sup.1], Ryo Kobayashi[sup.2], Hana Inoue[sup.1] and Utako Yokoyama[sup.1] Background The importance of intracellular Mg[sup.2+] has been widely recognized. Mg[sup.2+] is essential for protein synthesis, the regulation [...]

We estimate the deterrence effects of European Commission (EC) merger policy instruments over the 1990-2009 period. Our empirical results suggest phase-1 remedies uniquely generate robust deterrence as-unlike phase-1 withdrawals, phase-2 remedies, and preventions--phase-1 remedies lead to fewer merger notifications in subsequent years. Furthermore, the deterrence effects of phase-1 remedies work best in high-concentration industries, that is, industries where the Herfindahl Hirschman Index is above the 0.2 cut-off level employed by the EC. Additionally, we find phase-1 remedies do not deter clearly pro-competitive mergers, but do deter potentially anti-competitive mergers in high-concentration industries. (JEL K21, K40, L40), I. INTRODUCTION The design and enforcement of competition rules is one of the cornerstones of European Union (EU) policy to support the European integration process and stimulate sustainable growth. In [...]

We introduce a method for identifying, analyzing, and visualizing submarkets in product categories. We give an overview of the market structure and competitive submarket literature and then describe a classic [...]

With soaring food prices in recent years has come alarm about rising poverty in the developing world. Less appreciated, however, is that many of the poor in agricultural economies may benefit from higher wages. This study finds that wages for manual labor in rural India, both within and outside agriculture, rose faster in districts growing more of those crops with large producer price run-ups over the 2004-2009 period. Based on a general equilibrium framework that accounts for such wage gains, rural households across the income spectrum are found, contrary to more conventional welfare analysis, to benefit from higher agricultural prices. (JEL Q17, Q18, F14), I. INTRODUCTION Elevated food prices over the last half decade have provoked a rash of government interventions in agricultural markets across the globe, often in the name of protecting the [...]

Intraplatform competition has received scant attention in prior studies, which predominantly study interplatform competition. We develop a middle-range theory of hozv complementarity between input control and a platform extension's modularization--by [...]

Dietary deficiencies of zinc and iron are a substantial global public health problem. An estimated two billion people suffer these deficiencies (1), causing a loss of 63 million life-years annually (2,3). Most of these people depend on [C.sub.3] grains and legumes as their primary dietary source of zinc and iron. Here we report that [C.sub.3] grains and legumes have lower concentrations of zinc and iron when grown under field conditions at the elevated atmospheric C[O.sub.2] concentration predicted for the middle of this century. [C.sub.3] crops other than legumes also have lower concentrations of protein, whereas [C.sub.4] crops seem to be less affected. Differences between cultivars of a single crop suggest that breeding for decreased sensitivity to atmospheric C[O.sub.2] concentration could partly address these new challenges to global health., In the 1990s, several investigators found that elevated atmospheric C[O.sub.2] concentration (hereafter abbreviated to [C[O.sub.2]]) decreased the concentrations of zinc, iron and protein in grains of wheat (4-7), barley (5) [...]

Background Seasonal fluctuations in outdoor temperature have been shown to affect blood pressure in adults. The aim of our study was to determine whether blood pressure measurements in children and adolescents in Central Europe undergo seasonal variation or are influenced by outdoor temperature. Methods The blood pressure of 6,714 subjects (3,497 boys, 3,237 girls) aged 3 to 21 (median age 10.6) years was routinely measured. The study cohort comprised both healthy and sick children and adolescents visiting outpatient clinics and during hospitalisation. Results Cross-sectional analysis showed a significant seasonal variation in blood pressure measurements. The mean increase of systolic/diastolic blood pressure was 4.45/2.42-mmHg during the winter. A significant correlation between average outdoor temperature and systolic blood pressure was found (p=-0.074 p < 0.001). However, the effect was only detectable at an average temperature below 0°C/32°F and above 10°C/50°F. For each 1°C increase in average outdoor temperature, the systolic blood pressure fell by 0.12 mmHg. Conclusions Blood pressure measurements in children and adolescents, even in a temperate climate, are influenced by temperature and subject to seasonal variation. Considering seasonal variations in blood pressure could be of clinical interest. Keywords High potential * Seasonal variation * Climate * Temperature * Paediatrics * Middle Europe, Introduction The influence of seasonal variation on blood pressure in adults is often disregarded despite extensive evidence in the literature for this phenomenon. Various surveys and studies have documented higher [...]