Niebuhrwestermann4782
Sand seas of Saudi Arabia cover about one-third of the Arabian Peninsula and are still poorly explored in scientific literature. This study aimed to address the floristic structure and association diversity of the inland sand seas in central Saudi Arabia after 20 years of protection. Twenty-three relevés were selected in Nafud Al-Urayq reserve to cover different sandy dune variations. These relevés are subjected to floristic and multivariate analysis of classification with TWINSPAN and ordination with DECORANA & CANOCO techniques. One hundred thirty-five species belonging to 108 genera in 37 families have been recorded. Annual and perennial species are equally represented. Four vegetation groups (i.e., plant associations) are identified as the following VG I (Haloxylon salicornicum-Lycium shawii-Acacia raddiana), VG II (Calligonum comosum-Tetraena propinqua), VG III (Haloxylon persicum-Haloxylon salicornicum-Stipagrostis drarii), and VG IV (Pulicaria undulata-Citrullus colocynthis). The association of VG I inhabited in the wadi and non-dune or shallow sand habitat had the high species diversity indices (i.e., total species, species richness, species evenness and Shannon index). In contrast, the association of VG II inhabited hyper-arid and salinized habitat and had low species diversity indices. These associations are discussed and illustrated in accordance with competition and adaptation. The advantages of inland sand dune vegetation therefore apply specifically to habitat management and the conservation of plants. find more These studies extend the advantages of succession of sand dunes and show that rising vegetative diversity is consistent with the combat of desertification.
The Xisha Islands are composed of the Yongle Islands and the Xuande Islands in Hainan Province, China. It has one of the highest species diversity in the world and is also a typical oceanic distribution area of coral reefs globally. The ichthyofauna of the Xisha Islands were recorded by underwater visual census in May 2019 and July 2020. The survey data were combined with previous records of species into the checklist of the Xisha Islands presented herein. A total of 691 species, belonging to 24 orders and 97 families, was recorded. The major families were Labridae, Pomacentridae, Serranidae, Chaetodontidae, Hexanchidae, Lutjanidae, Scaridae, Gobiidae, Scorpaenidae and Carangidae. In this study, the Coral Fish iversity Index (CFDI) of six families (Chaetodontidae, Pomacanthidae, Pomacentridae, Labridae, Scaridae and Acanthuridae) was 229, indicating 756 coral fishes. In terms of the IUCN Red List, one species is Critically Endangered (
), six species are Endangered (
,
,
,
,
sp. and
), 16 species are Vulnerable, and 13 species are Near Threatened in the Xisha Archipelago, so conservation should be strengthened in this area in the future.
One species is a new record for China (
) and 23 species are newly found in the Xisha Islands.
One species is a new record for China (Dischistodus pseudochrysopoecilus) and 23 species are newly found in the Xisha Islands.
Coronavirus disease-2019 is an emerging disease that threatens the world. With the absence of successful treatment precipitated by the lack of health infrastructures in developing countries including Ethiopia, efforts to enhance the attitudes and practice of people are critical for managing the pandemic. Hence, this study aimed to assess the practice, attitude towards COVID-19, and divine belief among residents in Ethiopia.
A community-based cross-sectional study combining qualitative design was conducted in August 2020. The qualitative design was employed to explore the respondents' divine belief towards the COVID-19 pandemic. Chi-square analysis was computed to identify factors associated with practice against COVID-19 prevention measures. The calculated chi-square greater than the tabulated value at a degree of freedom ((row total-1) * (column total)) and P-value <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
In this study, a total of 508 respondents participated. The mean age of the participants was 38.4 ± 11.2 (SD) years. The overall practice of prevention measures and attitude towards COVID-19 was 53.3% (95% CI 49.0-57.6%) and 49.6% (95% CI 45.3-53.9%), respectively. Age, residency, educational status, monthly income of the household, having a child, and attitude towards COVID-19 were statistically significant predictors of COVID-19 prevention measures (P< 0.05).
As the global threat of COVID-19 continues, it is critical to improving the respondents' practice and attitude towards the precautionary measures, especially some religious followers.
As the global threat of COVID-19 continues, it is critical to improving the respondents' practice and attitude towards the precautionary measures, especially some religious followers.Epilepsies are among the most common neurological problems. The disease burden in patients with epilepsy is significantly high, and epilepsy has a huge negative impact on patients' quality of life with epilepsy and their families. Anti-seizure medications are the mainstay treatment in patients with epilepsy, and around 70% of patients will ultimately control with a combination of at least two appropriately selected anti-seizure medications. However, in one-third of patients, seizures are resistant to drugs, and other measures will be needed. The primary goal in using experimental therapeutic medication strategies in patients with epilepsy is to prevent recurrent seizures and reduce the rate of traumatic events that may occur during seizures. So far, various treatments using medications have been offered for patients with epilepsies, which have been classified according to the type of epilepsy, the effectiveness of the medications, and the adverse effects. Medications such as Levetiracetam, valproic acid, and lamotrigine are at the forefront of these patients' treatment. Epilepsy surgery, neuro-stimulation, and the ketogenic diet are the main measures in patients with medication-resistant epilepsies. In this paper, we will review the therapeutic approach using anti-seizure medications in patients with epilepsy. However, it should be noted that some of these patients still do not respond to existing treatments; therefore, the limited ability of current therapies has fueled research efforts for the development of novel treatment strategies. Thus, it seems that in addition to surgical measures, we should look for more specific agents that have less adverse events and have a greater effect in stopping seizures.Obesity is defined as a chronic, complex, relapsing disease characterized by excessive adipose tissue. Obesity impacts an individual's health by increasing complications such as prediabetes, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), cancers (eg endometrial), and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). With the increase of obesity prevalence and its negative influences on individuals' quality of life, there is a great need for therapy with a purpose to produce sustainable weight loss of more than 10% in order to improve or even reverse the progress of obesity related complications. The GLP-1 analogue, liraglutide reduce food consumption, promote weight reduction and improve metabolic functions. The primary mechanism of GLP-1 effect on food intake, metabolism, and weight reduction is mainly due to its actions on peripheral (vagal) and central pathways and activation of hindbrain and hypothalamus. The average weight reduction induced by liraglutide was significant and the weight loss was maintained as long as the patients on therapy. Liraglutide has advantages on weight loss maintenance and promoting cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk reduction, by decreasing systolic blood pressure and glycemic index. In this review, we aim to explain the mechanism of action of Liraglutide, its pharmacokinetic properties, its clinical impact on obesity and its safety and tolerability.
The objective of this study is to evaluate the preoperative hematological parameters to predict ovarian torsion in patients with ovarian mature cystic teratoma. We also analyzed the diagnostic value of these makers to predict ovarian necrosis in cases of torsion as well as the effect of torsion on ovarian reserve.
This is a retrospective study of 132 patients who received either laparoscopic or laparotomy surgery for OMCT at a single university hospital. Clinical characteristics and preoperative hematological parameters were compared between patients with or without torsion. Patients with torsion were further classified as infarction and non-infarction group. Preoperative parameters were compared between the two groups as well.
White blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil percent, neutrophil count, and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were higher in the torsion group (n=37) than the non-torsion group (n=95) (
<0.05 for all). Although statistically insignificant, the preoperative anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) was lower in the torsion group than the non-torsion group (4.07 ± 3.38 vs 6.1 ± 3.6,
=0.122). In cases of torsion, the infarction group showed higher WBC count and lymphocyte count but lower hemoglobin level and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) than the non-infarction group (
<0.05 for all).
The WBC count, neutrophil percent, neutrophil count, and NLR were higher in the cases of OMCT with torsion, and these parameters may be useful to diagnose OMCT with torsion. Also, adnexal torsion may deteriorate ovarian reserved as indicated by decreased AMH in torsion group.
The WBC count, neutrophil percent, neutrophil count, and NLR were higher in the cases of OMCT with torsion, and these parameters may be useful to diagnose OMCT with torsion. Also, adnexal torsion may deteriorate ovarian reserved as indicated by decreased AMH in torsion group.
To evaluate the effects of the type of ceramic, and the influence of the type of cervical substrate on the microleakage of aged Porcelain laminate veneers (PLVs).
A total of 48 sound human maxillary premolars were divided randomly into two groups (n=24), Group A lithium disilicate PLVs; Group B zirconia reinforced lithium silicate PLVs. The groups were further subdivided into four subgroups (n=12) (A1, B1) finishing line placed in Class V composite filling; (A2, B2) finishing line placed in sound enamel. In subgroups A1 and B1 standardized Class V cavities were prepared and restored with nanocomposite. Standardized PLVs tooth preparation was done for the specimens in all subgroups. Cementation of PLVs was done with a light cured resin cement and specimens were stored in distilled water for 2 weeks. Mechanical load cycling (45,000 cycle, 49 N at 2.5 Hz) and thermocycling procedure (500 cycles, 5-55°C) were done. A microleakage test was done with dye penetration (2% methylene blue) and the microleakage percstrate had a significantly higher microleakage compared to teeth with enamel substrate.
Hypertension and obesity are recognized as modifiable risk factors for stroke, but their combined effects are unknown. This study aimed to explore the combined effects of hypertension and general or central obesity on the risk of ischemic stroke in a middle-aged and elderly population.
The data of 11,731 participants (53.5 ± 10.5 years old) were analyzed from the Northeast China Rural Cardiovascular Health Study, 2012-2013. General obesity (GO) was defined by body mass index (BMI); central obesity (CO) was measured by waist circumference (WC), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and waist-to-hip ratio (WHpR).
The overall prevalence of ischemic stroke was 3.1%. After adjusting for age and sex, the odds ratios for having ischemic stroke were 4.31 (3.14-5.91) among subjects with hypertension, 1.79 (1.40-2.30) with GO, 1.94 (1.54-2.43), 1.98 (1.54-2.53), and 1.65 (1.33-2.06) with CO measured by WC, WHtR and WHpR, respectively. After full adjustment for potential confounders, the combinations of hypertension and obesity indices (including BMI, WC, WHtR and WHpR) were associated with the highest risk of ischemic stroke, especially in women, which were respectively 7.
