Perception of Local Populations of Bouba-Ndjidda National Park on Indigenous Knowledge and the Impact of Climate Change on Biodiversity Conservation

This study deals with the perceptions of indigenous knowledge in the field of conservation and the impact of climate change on biodiversity in the peripheral villages of the Bouba-Ndjidda National Park (PNBN), Department of Mayo-Rey, Cameroon. To this end, 23 out of 70 villages in the study area were selected, for a sample of 368 households surveyed through a questionnaire addressed to the heads of households. Data collection took place from August 27 to December 22, 2022. The results reveal that 70.7% of the population living near the PNBN practice agriculture as their main income-generating activity, followed by livestock (23.3%) and trade (6%). Knowledge in the field of the conservation of natural resources is rooted in occultism through rituals and sacrifices (99.50%) offered to the geniuses of nature and prohibitions on the felling of trees and sacred animals (13.00%). The populations perceive climate change through the variation of the seasons (97.60%), the increase in temperature (84.80%), the reduction in the duration of the rainy seasons (54.60%), the drop in agricultural yield (84.80%) and floods (74.70%). The consequence of these changes on wildlife is the disappearance of animal species such as the Rhinoceros, the Wild Dog, the Cheetah and the Ostrich. In order to cope with climate change, the natives have developed strategies such as the adoption of early crop varieties (maize, millet, soybeans, etc.), the reorganization of the agricultural calendar, the practice of reforestation, extension of field surfaces, the cessation of excessive deforestation and uncontrolled bush fires, the construction of fired brick houses, the practice of irrigation, seasonal migration and occultism. This indigenous knowledge is a perfect adaptation to climate change and makes it possible to better take into account the vision of local populations in the conservation of biodiversity.

Therapeutic effects of different durations of acupuncture on rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion

Acupuncture is regarded as an effective therapy for cerebral ischemia. Different acupuncture ma- nipulations and durations may result in different therapeutic effects. In the present study, the Neig uan （PC6） acupoint of rats with occluded middle cerebral arteries was needled at a fixed frequency （3 Hz） with different durations, i.e., 5, 60 and 180 seconds under a twisting-rotating acupuncture method. Results showed that different durations of acupuncture had different therapeutic effects, with 60 seconds yielding a better therapeutic effect than the other two groups. This duration of treatment demonstrated rapid cerebral blood flow, encouraging recovery of neurological function, and small cerebral infarct volume. Experimental findings indicated that under 3 Hz frequency, the treatment of needling Neiguan for 60 seconds is effective for ischemic stroke.

EFFECT OF SODIUM OLEATE ON FLOTATION OF MAGNESITE

Laboratory studies were made on the floatabil-ity of magnesite and dolomite with sodium oieate as the collector. The adsorption mechanism of sodium oieate on the surface of minerals was examined. The results show that the ion-molecule association polymer of oieate in the pulp is a main active component of the collector . In both neutral and basic media , the adsorption type of sodium oieate on the surface of carbonate minerals is mainly chemisorp-tion, forming Mg(Ol)2 and Mg(Ol)2·HOl.

Flavonoid Contents and Antioxidant Activity in Fruit,Vegetables and Other Types of Food

Flavonoids are a class of natural polyphenolic compounds which cannot be synthesized by humans. These substances possess a series of biological properties, acting on biological systems as antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to analyze the properties of certain foods, determining the total flavonoids as well as their antioxidant activity and fat concentration. We evaluated several foods purchased at the local market, with respect to its antioxidant activity, using two experimental models, the discoloration of DPPH˙ radical and ABTS-. Some foods such as pitanga showed antioxidant activity. The lipid content of fatty foods like aaí, cacao and cupuaú was determined. Other foods, including pitanga, aaí, cacao and cupuaú, were evaluated for flavonoid content and antioxidant activity using multivariate statistical analysis (PCA) as a statistical tool to evaluate the correlation between these two parameters. As samples with ED50 up to 500 μg/mL show promising antioxidant activity, several Brazilian fruit and vegetables could be consumed to this end, with a good correlation between flavonoid content and antioxidant activity in most samples. The daily dose of different types of food for antioxidant activity has been calculated based on these results.

Quantification of Flavonoids in Brazilian Orange Peels and Industrial Orange Juice Processing Wastes

The flavonoid content in orange peels of different Brazilian citrus varieties such as bahia, lima, lima-of-persian, morcote, pera, ponkan, seleta, cravo, kinkan and pomelo was assessed. Industry processing juice wastes such as bagasse, bagasse residues, animal feeding bagasse, pulp WEUE and CORE-wash were also analyzed. The HPLC analysis indicates that the most abundant flavonoids found in these Brazilian citrus peels are hesperidin and naringin. The solvents used are selective for flavonoid extraction, and depending on their polarity, glycoside or aglycone flavonoids are extracted. The use of multivariate analysis shows that DMSO is the best solvent to extract glycosides flavanones while hexane displays high selectivity in the extraction of polymethoxylated flavones. The flavonoids present in the orange wastes, obtained at different stages of the industrial processing, are qualitative and quantitatively different. The identification and quantification of the flavonoid composition in each Brazilian citrus variety were evaluated and allowed the selection of the best solvent for the extraction of each specific class of flavonoids. These compounds were found to be more abundant in the fruit peels than in their juices, revealing their great industrial potential. The residual portion of the processing juices is also rich in flavonoids, depending on the processing step.

A Novel Assay for Measuring Total Antioxidant Capacity in Whole Blood and Other Biological Samples

A new method for rapidly determining total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in a biological sample has been devised and evaluated. A surfactant present in the reagent causes the lysis of cells in the sample. Glutathione, ascorbic acid, protein thiols and other main reducing substances in the sample react with a specific redox chromogen (2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol) and produce a change in the color of the reagent, which is determined photometrically at 630 nm. This new method quantifies the overall capacity of the sample to reduce a redox chromogen and it requires the minimum volumes and time. The assay can be used on a wide variety of biological samples including whole blood, serum, plasma, tissue extracts and homogenates, food, wine, fruit juice and other beverages. Results are expressed in terms of mmol/L glutathione equivalents. TAC can be assayed manually, on automatic analyzers or micro-plate readers.

Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Childhood

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus remains one of the most complex chronic diseases in childhood. Although advances in knowledge and technology, as the use of insulin pumps or glucose sensors, have improved the quality of life of patients, the onset of the disease, as well as long-term treatment and diet, are pitfalls for families and clinicians. It is important to bear in mind that acute, life-threatening consequences of uncontrolled diabetes are hyperglycemia with ketoacidosis, both in new diagnosis and in patients already on treatment, and may be hidden by other symptoms. Moreover, treatment with insulin and diet should always be tailored on lifestyle habits and age of the patient. Aim of this work is to briefly summarise and comment what are the worst insidious aspects of Diabetes and what are the best strategies to improve the management of the disease in childhood.

Proliferative Brenner Tumor with Borderline Mucinous Cystadenocarcinoma of the Ovary in a 75-Year-Old Woman

We report here an extremely rare case of proliferative Brenner tumor with borderline mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary, metastasizing to the pleura in a 75-year-old woman. Massive pleural effusion were present due to metastasis and pseudo-Meigs’ syndrome. The cytological findings from pleural effusion, ascites and tumor imprint were similar, suggesting mucus-producing malignant tumors. After receiving a thoracic drainage for pleural effusion, the patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy to remove the left-ovarian tumor. Histopathological examination revealed proliferative Brenner ovarian tumor with borderline mucinous cystadenocarcinoma, and immunohistochemical examinations for the tumors, even mucus-rich tumor cells were positive for CK 7 and negative for CK 20, suggesting the tumor arising from transitional cells, not from mucus-producing ovarian surface epithelial tumor cells. She underwent four courses of chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin. The patient showed no signs of recurrence 16 months after the surgery.

Intestinal ischemic manifestations of SARS-CoV-2:Results from the ABDOCOVID multicentre study

BACKGROUND Intestinal ischemia has been described in case reports of patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)disease(coronavirus disease 19,COVID-19).AIM To define the clinical and histological,characteristics,as well as the outcome of ischemic gastrointestinal manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 infection.METHODS A structured retrospective collection was promoted among three tertiary referral centres during the first wave of the pandemic in northern Italy.Clinical,radiological,endoscopic and histological data of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 between March 1st and May 30th were reviewed.The diagnosis was established by consecutive analysis of all abdominal computed tomography(CT)scans performed.RESULTS Among 2929 patients,21(0.7%)showed gastrointestinal ischemic manifestations either as presenting symptom or during hospitalization.Abdominal CT showed bowel distention in 6 patients while signs of colitis/enteritis in 12.Three patients presented thrombosis of main abdominal veins.Endoscopy,when feasible,confirmed the diagnosis(6 patients).Surgical resection was necessary in 4/21 patients.Histological tissue examination showed distinctive features of endothelial inflammation in the small bowel and colon.Median hospital stay was 9 d with a mortality rate of 39%.CONCLUSION Gastrointestinal ischemia represents a rare manifestation of COVID-19.A high index of suspicion should lead to investigate this complication by CT scan,in the attempt to reduce its high mortality rate.Histology shows atypical feature of ischemia with important endotheliitis,probably linked to thrombotic microangiopathies.

Three-Dimensional Stress Concentration Factor in Finite Width Plates with a Circular Hole

The three-dimensional stress concentration factor (SCF) at the edge of elliptical and circular holes in infinite plates under remote tension has been extensively investigated considering the variations of plate thickness, hole dimensions and material properties, such as the Poisson’s coefficient. This study employs three dimensional finite element modeling to numerically investigate the effect of plate width on the behavior of the SCF across the thickness of linear elastic isotropic plates with a through-the-thickness circular hole under remote tension. The problem is governed by two geometric non-dimensional parameters, i.e., the plate half-width to hole radius (W/r) and the plate thickness to hole radius (B/r) ratios. It is shown that for thin plates the value of the SCF is nearly constant throughout the thickness for any plate width. As the plate thickness increases, the point of maximum SCF shifts from the plate middle plane and approaches the free surface. When the ratio of plate half-width to hole radius (W/r) is greater than four, the maximum SCF was observed to approximate the theoretical value determined for infinite plates. When the plate width is reduced, the maximum SCF values significantly increase. A polynomial curve fitting was employed on the numerical results to generate empirical formulas for the maximum and surface SCFs as a function of W/r and B/r. These equations can be applied, with reasonable accuracy, to practical problems of structural strength and fatigue, for instance.

Chinese Medicine as Supporting Therapy for Psoriasis:Past,Present,and Future

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease and an important health concern.Western medicine and therapies are the main treatment strategies for psoriasis vulgaris(PV);however,the overall prognosis of patients with PV is still poor.Therefore,PV prevention is especially crucial.Chinese medicine(CM)has a long history of treating psoriasis,and it has unique wisdom in different cognitive angles and treatment modes from modern medicine.In this review,we first summarized the herbs and ancient CM formulas that have therapeutic effects on PV.Second,the research status and obstacles to the current development of CM in modern medicine were reviewed.Finally,the future of CM in the context of precision medicine and integrated medicine was discussed.After a detailed reading of the abundant literature,we believe that CM,through thousands of years of continuous development and clinical practice,has achieved high effectiveness and safety for PV treatment,despite its surrounding controversy.Moreover,precise analyses and systematic research methods have provided new approaches for the modernization of CM in the future.The treatment of PV with CM is worth popularizing,and we hope it can benefit more patients.

Is it worth already in the first step exceeding the 3-g protein limit for the oral food challenge for food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome?

To the editor:Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome(FPIES)is a non-immunoglobulin E-mediated food allergy that is characterized by repetitive vomiting within 1-4 h of eating the trigger food and may be associated with lethargy,pallor,and diarrhea.The diagnosis is in most cases anamnestic.1 In a few cases,it is necessary to perform the oral food challenge(OFC).

Ping-tang Recipe(平糖方) Improves Insulin Resistance and Attenuates Hepatic Steatosis in High-Fat Diet-Induced Obese Rats

Objective： To investigate the therapeutic effects of Ping-tang Recipe （平糖方, PTR） on highfat diet （HFD）-induced insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）, and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Methods： Forty male SD rats were included in the study. Ten rats were fed on normal diet as normal control, and thirty rats were fed on HFD for 8 weeks to induce obesity, followed with low dose （0.42 g/kg） or high dose （0.84 g/kg） of PTR or vehicle for 8 weeks with 10 animals for each group. Glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity were evaluated by oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test. Hepatic steatosis was measured by immunohistochemistry. Liver lipid metabolic genes were analyzed by quantitative real-time polyrnerase chain reaction, while AMP-activated protein kinase （AMPK） expression was examined by Western blot. Results： Rats fed on HFD developed abdominal obesity, insulin resistance and NAFLD. PTR treatment reduced visceral fat （peri-epididymal and peri-renal） accumulation, improved glucose metabolism, and attenuated hepatic steatosis. The expressions of the key lipolytic regulating genes, including peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ co-activator 1 α （PGC-1 α）, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ, （PRAR-γ） and γ （PRAR-α）, were up-regulated （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）, while the expressions of lipogenic genes such as sterol regulatory element-binding protein lc （SREBP-lc）, fatty acid synthase （FAS） and liver fatty acid-binding protein （L-FABP） were down-regulated （P〈0.05 or P〈0.01）. In addition, PTR activated AMPK and promoted acetyI-CoA carboxylase phosphorylation in the liver. Conclusions： PTR improves insulin resistance and reverse hepatic steatosis in the rat model of HFD-induced obesity through promotion of lipolysis and reduction of lipogenesis, which involves the AMPK signaling pathway, thus representing a new therapeutic intervention for obesity related insulin resistance and NAFLD.

Structural Strains during the Process of Social Change

The structural readjustments and innovations accompanying institutional change have brought about contradictions and conflicts among different interest groups. The many problems thus touched off can be attributed to the tensions resulting from ＂structural strain,＂ with ＂anomie＂ a typical structural problem. We have used survey data as a basis for analyzing and examining the relationship between structural strain and anomie. We find that differences and differentiation in social status, organization, role and power structures and in income and educational level structures have indeed led to the birth of a sense of anomie. To a large extent, such negative feelings as individual anomie, dissatisfaction, a sense of relative deprivation, status inconsistency, etc., are nothing other than the result of the imbalances and tensions brought about by an objective structural differentiation that is proceeding faster than institutional integration.

Adherence to dietary prescriptions in patients with acute food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome

Food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome(FPIES)is a non-Immunoglobulin(non-IgE)-mediated food allergy.The elimination diet is the only therapy,the culprit food will be reintroduced if tolerance is acquired.However,it is possible that patients do not follow the recommendations given by the healthcare professional.We investigated if our advice to avoid the trigger food in patients with active FPIES and to reintroduce it in the diet in patients who achieved tolerance had been implemented.We interviewed by telephone the parents of children who were diagnosed with acute FPIES.About 23.2%of our patients disregarded our dietary recommendations:6/42(14.3%)of patients who passed a tolerance oral food challenge(OFC)did not eat the trigger food,4/22(18.2%)of patients who failed OFC ate the trigger food,and 9/18(50.0%)of patients who did not perform a tolerance OFC ate the trigger food.We have analyzed some possible influencing factors and no difference was found to be statistically significant.Our results are in line with those reported for IgE-mediated food allergies.As has already been proposed by others,we suggest reassessing food consumption in all patients after a food challenge.