Central-eastern Region Research Articles

Abstract 887: Clinicopathological and genetic features of breast cancer in Algerian population: A multicenter study

Abstract Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among Algerian women.The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to analyze some clinicopathological and molecular characteristics of breast cancer diagnosed between 2011 and 2019. Here we also report the experience of our research laboratory for the screening of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) patients. Materials and Methods: The population study included 7655 consecutive breast cancer patients. Data were collected from cancer registries of three medical oncology services and two anti-cancer centers located in north central region and eastern region of Algeria, respectively. Breast cancers were diagnosed between 2011 and 2019. Patient and tumor information included: age at diagnosis, menopausal status, receptor status, Ki-67 score, histological type,TNM stage and histological grade. Recurrent germline mutations on BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes previously found in Algerian patients were screened using PCR-Sanger sequencing in 230 HBOC patients. In addition, 18 HBOC patients were analyzed by NGS using a cancer panel of 30 hereditary cancer genes or BRCA1/2 genetic test. Results: The median age at diagnosis of the patients was 49.52 years. Data for age at diagnosis were available for 7389 patients. 55.29% patients were diagnosed under the age of 50 years and 55.83% had a premenopausal status. Data for receptor status were available for a total of 5599 patients. Of these, 55.75% patients were luminal A, 19.79% were TNBC, 17.39% were luminal B and 7.05% were HER2+. Data for Ki-67 score were available for 3357 cases. We noticed that 62.73% patients had a Ki-67 score ≥ 20% and 37.27% had a score <20%. Data for histological tumor type were available for 6145 cases. 84.28% patients had invasive ductal carcinoma followed by 8.84% with invasive lobular carcinoma. Data for TNM stage were available for 3524 cases. We identified 59.3% patients with stage III, 22.3% with stage II and 9.5% with stage IV. Data for histological grade were available for 6693 patients. We found 67.45% patients with grade II and 25.51% with grade III, respectively. 10 distinct BRCA1 germline mutations have been detected in 18 families and 5 distinct BRCA2 germline mutations have been identified in 5 families. The BRCA1 recurrent mutation c.83_84delTG has been detected in 5 unrelated families.The BRCA1 recurrent mutation c.2125_2126insA has been identified in 3 unrelated families. In addition, the BRCA1 c.181T>G has been found in two unrelated families. Interestingly, our results also showed differences in the distribution of the mutation spectrum of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes between the eastern region and the north central region of Algeria. Conclusion: Our current study will contribute in developing optimal clinical trial protocols and personalized management strategies for breast cancer patients. Citation Format: Farid Cherbal, Leticia Ledmila Saada, Massila Nehar, Kamelia Yatta, Lydia Souha Zerrouki, Wafa Abdou, Chiraz Mehemmai, Hadjer Gaceb, Wassila Benbrahim, Hassen Mahfouf, Kada Boualga. Clinicopathological and genetic features of breast cancer in Algerian population: A multicenter study [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 887.

New evidence of pectenotoxins in farmed bivalve molluscs from Sardinia (Italy).

Several planktonic dinoflagellates can produce lipophilic phycotoxins that represent a significant threat to public health as well as to shellfish and fish farming. Poisoning related to some of these toxins is categorised as diarrhetic shellfish poisoning. We analysed 975 shellfish samples from Tortoli in the central-eastern region of Sardinia (Italy) from January 2016 to March 2020, to investigate the prevalence of different lipophilic marine biotoxins in mollusc bivalves. The results highlighted the predominant presence of toxins belonging to the okadaic acid group in all samples with toxin concentrations exceeding legal limits, and revealed the new occurrence of pectenotoxins in oysters and clams with a winter seasonality in recent years. The origin of shellfish toxicity was associated with the same Dinophysis species, mainly D. acuminata. Based on both these results and other precedents, monitoring and recording systems are strongly recommended.

Heatwave intensity on the Iberian Peninsula: Future climate projections

Heatwaves are the most relevant extreme climatic events, particularly in the context of global warming and the related increasing impacts on society and the natural environment. This work presents an analysis of climate change scenarios with simulations from the EURO-CORDEX project using the excess heat factor over the Iberian Peninsula. We focus on climate change projections of the heatwave intensity and spatial distribution, which are evaluated for the near future (2021–2050) relative to a reference past climate (1971–2000). Heatwave projections show a general significant increase in intensity, frequency, duration and spatial extent for the whole region. The average change in heatwave intensity is 104% for the whole Iberian Peninsula for the near future 2021–2050. The largest changes occur in the eastern-central region, rising to 150% for the Mediterranean coast and the Pyrenees. The greater spatial extent of heatwaves strongly suggests increased human exposure, increased energy demand, and implications for fire risk. This spatial trend is predicted to continue in the near future with increases in the maximum spatial heatwave extent ranging from 6% to 8% per decade.

Chronic and non-communicable disease mortality and trends in Chinese elderly, 2004-2018

Objective: To analyze the mortality level and trend of chronic and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among elderly residents aged 65 and over in China from 2004 to 2018, and predict the age-standardized mortality rate of NCDs from 2019 to 2023. Methods: Data on resident death was collected from the National Mortality Surveillance data set and used to analyze the unstandardized mortality rates, age-standardized mortality rates, composition ratios and changing trends of NCDs among different genders, urban and rural areas, and geographical regions in China during 2004 to 2018. The age-standardized mortality rates were calculated based on the Year 2010 Population Census of China. The Joinpoint Regression Models were fitted by the weighted least squares method. The average annual percent change (AAPC) and its 95% confidence interval for the entire time period were calculated. Log-linear models were used to predict age-standardized mortality rates. Results: From 2004 to 2018, the age-standardized mortality rates of NCDs decreased from 4 697.05 per 100 000 to 3 555.35 per 100 000, with an average annual decline of 2.0% (95%CI: -2.7%- -1.3%). The age-standardized mortality rates among different genders, urban and rural areas, and regions showed a downward trend. The age-standardized mortality rates of eastern region (AAPC = -2.1%, 95%CI: -2.8%- -1.3%) and central region (AAPC = -2.8%, 95%CI: -3.4%- -2.1%) fell faster than that of western region (AAPC = -0.8%, 95%CI: -1.8%-0.2%). The proportion of deaths caused by NCDs increased from 89.82% to 91.41%, with an average annual increase of 0.1% (95%CI: 0.1%-0.2%). Expected to 2023, the age-standardized mortality rates for male (3 906.23 per 100 000) will be significantly higher than female's (2 708.43 per 100 000); and that in rural areas (3 283.20 per 100 000) will be approximately equal to that in urban areas (3 250.01 per 100 000); the gap of age-standardized mortality rate between the western (3 782.48 per 100 000), eastern (3 037.01 per 100 000), and central region (3 249.24 per 100 000) will be further increased. Conclusion: From 2004 to 2018, age-standardized mortality rates of NCDs of the elderly residents in China showed a downward trend, and the proportion of deaths of NCDs showed an upward trend. Male and the western region elderly residents should be the key population for prevention and control of chronic diseases in the future.

Biochemical and molecular characterization of yeasts and lactic acid bacteria isolated from Borassus aethiopum Mart. sap in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso, the Palmyra Palm Borassus aethiopum Mart. grows wild and gives natural stands in Central-Eastern and Eastern regions. The sap collected traditionally ferments spontaneously and is a rich medium that allows the growth of different microorganisms. This study aimed to identify yeasts and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Borassus aethiopum Mart. fresh and fermented sap in Burkina Faso. A total of ninety strains including thirty LAB and sixty yeasts were isolated in the fresh and fermented sap. The isolates were characterized using standard biochemical method and sequencing of the V1 to V6 region of 16S rDNA of LAB and 28S rDNA of yeasts. The neighbour-joining method was used for the construction of phylogenetic tree with MEGA X software. After biochemical characterization and sequencing of the V1 to V6 region of 16S rDNA, twenty LAB strains (67%) were identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides, seven (23%) as Enterococcus sp. and three (10%) as Enterococcus gilvus. Sequencing of the yeast 28S rDNA showed that 63% of the strains were Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 37% Pichia kudriavzevii. Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae are commonly isolated from several palm sap or wine of palm trees, but Enterococcus sp. and Pichia kudriavzevii are not commonly detected in palm wine. The LAB species Enterococcus gilvus identified in our study has not yet been isolated previously in palm wine. The yeasts and LAB isolated from Borassus aethiopum sap are the main microorganisms responsible for sap fermentation and could be used for several biotechnological applications.

The Combined Effects of SST and the North Atlantic Subtropical High-Pressure System on the Atlantic Basin Tropical Cyclone Interannual Variability

The combined effect of the sea surface temperature (SST) and the North Atlantic subtropical high-pressure system (NASH) in the interannual variability of the genesis of tropical cyclones (TCs) and landfalling in the period 1980–2019 is explored in this study. The SST was extracted from the Centennial Time Scale dataset from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and TC records were obtained from the Atlantic Hurricane Database of the NOAA/National Hurricane Center. The genesis and landfalling regions were objectively clustered for this analysis. Seven regions of TC genesis and five for landfalling were identified. Intercluster differences were observed in the monthly frequency distribution and annual variability, both for genesis and landfalling. From the generalized least square multiple regression model, SST and NASH (intensity and position) covariates can explain 22.7% of the variance of the frequency of TC genesis, but it is only statistically significant (p < 0.1) for the NASH center latitude. The SST mostly modulates the frequency of TCs formed near the West African coast, and the NASH latitudinal variation affects those originated in the Lesser Antilles arc. For landfalling, both covariates explain 38.7% of the variance; however, significant differences are observed in the comparison between each region. With a statistical significance higher than 90%, SST and NASH explain 33.4% of the landfalling variability in the archipelago of the Bahamas and central–eastern region of Cuba. Besides, landfalls in the Gulf of Mexico and Central America seem to be modulated by SST. It was also found there was no statistically significant relationship between the frequency of genesis and landfalling with the NASH intensity. However, the NASH structure modulates the probability density of the TCs trajectory that make landfall once or several times in their lifetime. Thus, the NASH variability throughout a hurricane season affects the TCs trajectory in the North Atlantic basin. Moreover, we found that the landfalling frequency of TCs formed near the West Africa coast and the central North Atlantic is relatively low. Furthermore, the SST and NASH longitude center explains 31.6% (p < 0.05) of the variance of the landfalling intensity in the archipelago of the Bahamas, while the SST explains 26.4% (p < 0.05) in Central America. Furthermore, the 5-year moving average filter revealed decadal and multidecadal variability in both genesis and landfalling by region. Our findings confirm the complexity of the atmospheric processes involved in the TC genesis and landfalling.

The effect of central bank communication on sovereign bond yields: The case of Hungary.

In this article we investigate how the public communication of the Hungarian Central Bank’s Monetary Council (MC) affects Hungarian sovereign bond yields. This research ties into the advances made in the financial and political economy literature which rely on extensive textual data and quantitative text analysis tools. While prior research demonstrated that forward guidance, in the form of council meeting minutes or press releases can be used as predictors of rate decisions, we are interested in whether they are able to directly influence asset returns as well. In order to capture the effect of central bank communication, we measure the latent hawkish or dovish sentiment of MC press releases from 2005 to 2019 by applying a sentiment dictionary, a staple in the text mining toolkit. Our results show that central bank forward guidance has an intra-year effect on bond yields. However, the hawkish or dovish sentiment of press releases has no impact on maturities of one year or longer where the policy rate proves to be the most important explanatory variable. Our research also contributes to the literature by applying a specialized dictionary to monetary policy as well as broadening the discussion by analyzing a case from the non-eurozone Central-Eastern region of the European Union.

The impact of entrepreneurship on regional economic growth: a perspective of spatial heterogeneity

ABSTRACT The relationship between entrepreneurship and regional economic growth has always been a hot topic for scholars. However, the conclusions of existing studies mostly believe that the spatial variable relationship between the two is a fixed positive relationship and does not change with the change of spatial position, which is obviously contrary to the law of heterogeneity or non-stationarity in the spatial relationship of the real geographic world. This paper proposes a new spatial variable coefficient model, called Mixed Geographically Weighted Panel Regression with Spatial Autoregression (MGWPR-SAR), to study the spatial heterogeneity of the impact of entrepreneurship on the economic growth of 31 provinces and cities in China. Unlike the conclusions of mainstream research, the results of this paper show that the role of entrepreneurship in China’s regional economic growth is not necessarily positive, and it has significant spatial heterogeneity. Entrepreneurship has a positive role in promoting economic growth in the relatively developed regions of the eastern coastal and central regions, while it has a negative effect on economic growth in the relatively backward regions of the west.

Investigating the Spatiotemporal Disparity and Influencing Factors of Urban Construction Land Utilization Efficiency: Empirical Evidence from Panel Data of China

This paper corrected the long-term misunderstanding of the land utilization efficiency concept. The Undesirable-Window-DEA model, Dagum Gini coefficient, and spatial panel autoregressive model with fixed effect were used to explore the spatial heterogeneity and influencing factors of urban construction land utilization efficiency in China from 2004 to 2016. The results show the following: (1) China’s overall utilization of urban construction land is still at a low level. It decreased first and then rose, with a “flat V-shaped” evolution pattern. (2) During the study period, the Gini coefficient of urban construction land utilization efficiency for all provinces decreased first, then rose, and decreased again. The utilization efficiency Gini coefficients within provincial grouping were eastern region (0.063), central region (0.101), and western region (0.128). The Gini coefficients within provincial grouping were central versus western (0.121), eastern versus western (0.161), and eastern versus central (0.168). For the contribution to overall inequality of land utilization efficiency, the inequality within groups contributes the most (57.57%), and the inequality between groups accounts for about 25.62%. The overall efficiency is improved, with an evolution pattern of “difference narrowed–differences expanded–difference narrowed.” (3) “economic development,” “industrial structure,” “research development investment,” and “land urbanization level” have significantly positive effect on urban construction land utilization efficiency, while other factors have a negative effect, including “urbanization level of population,” “urban population density,” “cultivated field resources level,” “government influence level,” “land urbanization level,” and “financial dependence level.” This study could provide theoretical support for the implementation of cross-provincial/regional urban construction land quotes reallocation and differential construction land management policies.

Measurement and spatial convergence analysis of China’s agricultural green development index

Based on the comprehensive evaluation system of agricultural green development index (AGDI), this paper uses entropy weight method and linear weighted sum method to measure the agricultural green development level of 31 provinces in China from 2013 to 2018. We then incorporate spatial correlation into the traditional convergence test model, study the spatial convergence of AGDI, and explore the reasons for regional differences in AGDI. The results show that the level of AGDI in China showed an overall growth trend during the sample survey period, but there were significant differences in the rate of AGDI among different regions, mainly manifested as "eastern > western > central." The AGDI shows a significant positive spatial correlation on the whole, and its overall spatial distribution is characterized by high-high agglomeration and low-low agglomeration. The provinces with higher and lower level of AGDI still maintain the original relatively concentrated distribution in geographical space. On this basis, the study examines the regional differences of AGDI and its evolution by Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition and spatial convergence. The results showed that the overall difference of AGDI showed a fluctuating downward trend. The intra-regional difference of AGDI in the western region was the largest, and that in the eastern region was the smallest. The contribution rate of intensity of transvariation among regions was the main source of the relative difference of AGDI. Meanwhile, the AGDI of the overall, eastern, central, and western regions present significant σ convergence and conditional β convergence. Except for the central region, the overall, eastern, and western regions present significant absolute β convergence. The low-level areas of AGDI have significant "catch-up effect" on the areas with high-level AGDI. Based on the above results, this paper also puts forward some policy suggestions from the perspective of cross-regional collaborative governance to improve China's agricultural green development mode and narrow the regional differences of China's agricultural green development.

Comparative Assessment of the Proximate and Mineral Composition of <i>Cucumis sativus</i> L. and <i>Solanum aethiopicum</i> L. Fruit Samples Grown in South Eastern and North Central Regions of Nigeria Respectively

Studies were carried out to comparatively assess the proximate and mineral composition of Solanum aethiopicum L. and Cucumis sativus L. fruit samples grown in the South Eastern and North Central regions of Nigeria respectively, following standard analytical procedures and instrumentation. The mineral elements (Na, K, Zn and Ca) were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometer after wet digestion of the samples while the proximate parameters (ash content, moisture content, crude fibre content, crude protein content, crude fat content and carbohydrate content) were determined in accordance with standard analytical procedures. The mean range of the moisture, crude fibre, crude protein, crude fat, ash and carbohydrate contents in the S. aethiopicum L. fruit samples grown in the North Central and South Eastern regions of Nigeria were 72.49 - 88.23, 2.15 - 3.67, 1.31 - 1.85, 0.43 - 0.76, 0.51 - 0.84 and 3.18% - 5.72% respectively. Additionally, the moisture, crude fibre, crude protein, crude fat, ash and carbohydrate contents in the Cucumis sativus L. fruit samples grown in the South Eastern and North Central regions of Nigeria, had mean range of values of 93.60 - 98.76, 0.53 - 0.77, 2.14 - 2.84, 0.29 - 0.46, 0.90 - 1.14 and 3.88% - 4.66% respectively. The range of mean values of Na, K, Zn and Ca in the S. aethiopicum L. fruit samples from the South Eastern and North Central regions of Nigeria were 0.36 - 0.57, 1.92 - 2.80, 0.84 - 1.01 and 0.43 - 0.61 μg/g respectively. Also, Na, K, Zn and Ca had mean range of values of 1.36 - 4.08, 10.16 - 13.09, 0.45 - 0.66 and 5.85 - 9.3 μg/g respectively in the C. sativus L. fruit samples grown in the South Eastern and North Central regions in Nigeria. The levels of the determined proximate of parameters and mineral elements in the studied fruit samples from the investigated regions of Nigeria were statistically significant. This therefore indicates that the geographical locations where these fruit samples grew could have significantly impacted on their nutrient content levels. The levels of the determined proximate parameters from the selected regions of Nigeria shows that consumption of the fruit samples (S aethiopicum L. and C. sativus L.) especially regularly, would help supply the essential nutrients and minerals required for a healthy living.

Comparative Assessment of the Phytochemical and Selected Heavy Metal Levels in <i>Cucumis sativus</i> L. and <i>Solanum aethiopicum</i> L. Fruit Sample Grown in South Eastern and North Central Regions of Nigeria Respectively

Studies were carried out to comparatively assess the phytochemical and heavy metal levels in Solanum aethiopicum L. and Cucumis sativus L. fruit samples grown in the South Eastern and North Central regions of Nigeria respectively using standard analytical procedures and instrumentation. The fruit samples were assayed for selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd and Cu) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer after wet digestion of the samples. The five detected phytochemicals (flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides) were present at varying amounts in the investigated fruit samples from the South Eastern and North Central regions of Nigeria. The range of mean values of flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides in the S. aethiopicum L. fruit samples from the two studied regions were 0.50 - 0.57, 0.53 - 1.26, 0.44 - 0.78, 1.12 - 1.93 and 0.40 - 0.50 mg/g respectively. The range of mean values of flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, saponins and glycosides in the C. sativus L. fruit samples from the two studied regions of Nigeria were 1.27 - 1.69, 0.53 - 0.55, 0.96 - 1.51, 0.41 - 0.83 and 0.90 - 1.74 mg/g respectively. The range of mean vales of Pb, Cd, and Cu in the S. aethiopicum L. fruit samples from the two studied regions were 0.15 - 0.24, 0 - 0.01, 0.78 - 1.12 μg/g respectively. 0.31 - 0.40, 0.02 - 0.05 and 0.62 - 0.96 μg/g were the range of mean values of Pb, Cd and Cu respectively in the C. sativus L. fruit samples from the two studied regions of Nigeria. Of the three investigated heavy metals, only Cd was at toxic levels in the C. sativus L. fruit samples from the South Eastern and North Central regions of Nigeria. This is therefore a health concern to the fruit consumers that includes these fruits in their habitual daily fruit diets. Although the therapeutic and pharmaceutical benefits that would be derived from consuming, the investigated fruit samples has been shown in this study, there is therefore a possible risk of undue exposure to environmental pollutants such as heavy metal, especially through growing these fruits in polluted soils resulting from unwholesome anthropogenic practices. For fruit consumers to derive maximum health benefits from consuming these fruits, pollutants like heavy metals must be at non-toxic levels and this can only be achieved by ensuring that these fruits samples are grown and harvested in environments with less anthropogenic activities.

Dengue and SARS-CoV-2 Co-Circulation Early Warning according to Climate Variations in Cuba

Dengue and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndromes Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) co-circulation is a reality resulting to be more dangerous in regions that are endemic for arboviruses. Circulation of both viruses continue spreading, mainly in tropical settings causing a high impact on the health systems of the countries. Therefore, forecasting the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 virus and dengue from the climatic variability a temporal and spatial scale allows to perfect the warning system and provides a tool for decision makers in the health system to take the necessary control measures. Methods: Ecological study with retrospective-prospective analysis of the series of the SARS- CoV-2 viruses, dengue, as well as, Aedes focus with their index and the climatic anomalies described by the complex climatic Index of Bulto (BI1, r, t). Interpolation method for the spatial structure with continuous information of 1200 nodes (Raster format) was generated. Kriging method combined with the method of the inverse distance (IDM) was implemented with a resolution of 10 km2 . The Multivariate Moran Index was used to determine the spatial correlation. For the prediction, the Simultaneous Autoregressive Models and the Spatial Autoregressive Conditional Models were used. Temporal modeling was carried out by using the Heteroscedastic Conditional Autoregressive and Autoregressive Models, both with exogenous variables. To obtain the co-circulation risk forecast maps, a stratification of the circulation of both viruses is carried out and map algebra is applied. Results: The moments of greatest risk Dengue and SARS-CoV-2 co-circulation are the months corresponding to the second quarter of the rainy period August-October with very humid conditions, very high temperatures, high volume of precipitation, high cloudiness, being potential predictors. All these results led to the creation of the dengue alert system and co-circulation with SARS-CoV-2 based on the observation and forecast of climatic factors. The areas with major viral co-circulation were the Central-Eastern region. Conclusions: It is evident that the climate is an important determinant for the health sector, and in particular to understand the Dengue and SARS-CoV-2 behavior and co-circulation, which strengthens the active health surveillance system.

3D seismic discontinuity attributes analyses for low – permeability reservoir sand fractures characterisation: an onshore example from Niger delta, Nigeria

ABSTRACT In hydrocarbon exploration, fractures act as possible pathways for hydrocarbon flow especially in low-permeable siliciclastic reservoirs and carbonate reservoir layers. These fractures on typical seismic section are designatesub-seismic scale structures, occur below seismic resolution and thus difficult to detect on seismic section. This study aims to predict and characterise sub-seismic scale fractures within low-permeability siliciclastic reservoirs of Agbada Formation in “Kin” Field onshore Niger Delta basin by using discontinuity attributes i.e. similarity and curvature. The input seismic data of the study field was initially conditioned using the dip steering algorithm to improve the image quality of fractures in the data. Time-slices were extracted within the horizons of interest for seismic attribute analysis. Conventional log from porosity density was used to validate the interpreted fractures within the borehole environment. The attribute analyses result at time-slices 2024 ms, 2100 ms and 2197 ms show subtle features i.e. fractures with predominant trends NW – SE and NE – SW. A multi-attribute analysis was performed to optimise fractures prediction. Further results show relatively high fracture density at the western central and south eastern regions of the study area. Therefore, these regions could be inferred as potential hydrocarbon zones and locations for future wells placement.

An abortion storm in dairy cattle associated with neosporosis in southern Brazil.

Between December 2016 and April 2017, a spate of abortions occurred in a closed dairy herd from the central eastern region of Paraná, Brazil, in which 75 cows aborted. To identify its cause, organ fragments were collected from an aborted fetus for histopathology, and the blood samples from a stillborn, 4 aborted fetuses, and 9 farm dogs for indirect fluorescent antibody technique (IFAT). These tests found multifocal non-suppurative encephalitis, periportal hepatitis, and multifocal lymphoplasmacytic myocarditis, and detected anti-Neospora antibodies in all aborted fetuses, and in 5 of the 9 dogs. DNA of Neospora caninum was detected in the brain tissue of an aborted fetus. Blood samples of 340 cows and 146 heifers showed 33.5% and 30.8% seropositivity, respectively. In this closed herd, the parasite was probably introduced by infected domesticated or wild carnivores inhabiting the farm, through the infective oocysts present in their stool.

A qualitative study of diphenhydramine injection in Kyrgyz prisons and implications for harm reduction

BackgroundTo reduce opioid dependence and HIV transmission, Kyrgyzstan has introduced methadone maintenance therapy and needle/syringe programs into prisons. Illicit injection of diphenhydramine, an antihistamine branded as Dimedrol®, has been anecdotally reported as a potential challenge to harm reduction efforts in prisons but has not been studied systematically.MethodsWe conducted qualitative interviews in Kyrgyz or Russian with prisoners (n = 49), former prisoners (n = 19), and stakeholders (n = 18), including prison administrators and prisoner advocates near Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan from October 2016 to September 2018. Interviews explored social–contextual factors influencing methadone utilization in prisons. Transcripts were coded by five researchers using content analysis. Dimedrol injection emerged as an important topic, prompting a dedicated analysis.ResultsAfter drinking methadone, some people in prison inject crushed Dimedrol tablets, a non-prescription antihistamine that is banned but obtainable in prison, to achieve a state of euphoria. From the perspectives of the study participants, Dimedrol injection was associated with devastating physical and mental health consequences, including psychosis and skin infections. Moreover, the visible wounds of Dimedrol injecting contributed to the perception of methadone as a harmful drug and supporting preference for heroin over methadone.ConclusionDimedrol injecting is a potentially serious threat to harm reduction and HIV prevention efforts in Kyrgyzstan and elsewhere in the Eastern European and Central Asian region and requires further investigation.

Estimation of internal solitary wave propagation speed in the Andaman Sea using multi–satellite images

Different image pairs of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) from tandem satellites (i.e. ERS2 and EnviSat) and sunglint optical images of Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) and Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) between December 2002 and May 2016 are investigated and used to estimate the propagation speed of Internal Solitary Waves (ISWs) in the Andaman Sea. 426 ISWs are identified during this period and are found to be concentrated in four regions of the Andaman Sea namely, (a) southeastern region near Sumatra, (b) central eastern region, (c) around Nicobar Islands, and (d) northern region. However, to estimate the phase speed of ISWs, 11 image pairs are found suitable, which captured 24 ISWs. Two methods, (i) Multiple Images Comparison (MIC), and (ii) Tidal Time Period (TTP) are used to estimate the phase speed of ISWs. The estimated phase speeds are well agreed with theoretical results derived from Sturm–Liouville equation using monthly climatology stratification data and local bathymetry. A maximum phase speed of 3.02 m/s was estimated at 3740 m depth in the western side of Nicobar Islands and minimum speed of 0.83 m/s at 100 m in the southeastern region of the Andaman Sea. It is found that the ISW phase speed decreases as they propagate from deep to shallow water. From the analysis of monthly variation of ISW phase speed, we found higher phase speed in December and January than March in the southeastern region of the Andaman Sea, which is attributed to monthly variation of environmental parameters such as mixed layer depth (MLD), thermocline depth, etc. over the region. It is found that water depth and monthly stratification play a vital role in controlling the phase speed of the ISWs in the Andaman Sea.

U–Pb geochronology, Nd–Hf isotopes, and geochemistry of Rhyacian granitoids from the Paleoproterozoic Lourenço domain (Brazil), southeastern Guiana Shield

The southern sector of the Paleoproterozoic Lourenço domain in the central-eastern region of the Amapá state, northern Brazil, consists mainly of Rhyacian granite-greenstone terranes with some Archean fragments. It is located at the transition with the Archean Amapá block, a Meso-Neoarchean continental landmass (2.85–2.60 Ga), strongly reworked during the Transamazonian orogeny (2.26–1.95 Ga). Geochemical and petrographic data together with combined zircon U–Pb and Lu–Hf (LA-ICP-MS) as well as whole-rock Sm–Nd (TIMS) dating, establish the chronology and petrogenesis of the granitoids and record the crustal growth and reworking at the transition between the Archean and Paleoproterozoic domains in the southeastern Guiana Shield. Two episodes, dated at ~2.18–2.16 Ga and 2.14–2.13 Ga, respectively, include medium-to high-K calc-alkaline and metaluminous to peraluminous rocks of the Flexal and Papa-Vento intrusive suites, emplaced in a magmatic arc environment. A third episode, dated at ~2.08 Ga, encompasses mostly peraluminous granites with a medium-to high-K calc-alkaline signature, of the syn-to late-collisional Vila Bom Jesus Suite. The zircon ƐHf (−3.5 to −4.3) and whole-rock ƐNd (−2.7 to −4.3) signatures with respective Hf-TDMC (2.9–3.1 Ga) and Nd-TDM (2.6–2.7 Ga) model ages indicate a mixture of Rhyacian juvenile material with a Mesoarchean crustal component for the magma sources of the Flexal and Papa-Vento intrusive suites. The geochemical characteristics, zircon ƐHf (−6.6 to −12.5) and whole rock ƐNd (−3.7 to −5.4) signatures, and Hf-TDMC (2.9–3.6 Ga) and Nd-TDM (2.7–2.9 Ga) model ages, together with the presence of Rhyacian (2.19 Ga) and Mesoarchean (2.82 Ga) inherited zircon crystals in the Vila Bom Jesus Suite, indicate dominant crustal reworking of Rhyacian magmatic arc rocks and Archean rocks from the adjacent Amapá Block during the arc-continent collision. The geochemical and isotopic signatures of the magmatic arc granitoids (Flexal and Papa-Vento intrusive suites) may be attributed to the incorporation in the juvenile magmatic sources of Archean continental sediments or hidden crustal fragments from the Amapá Block during the subduction processes. Geochemical affinities with continental magmatic arc and subchrondritic Hf–Nd isotopic signatures are consistent with a scenario of a long-lived Mesorhyacian (~2.20–2.13 Ga), Cordilleran-type magmatic arc setting, which evolved to a collisional setting with the amalgamation of the Archean Amapá block and the Rhyacian Lourenço domain during the Neorhyacian (2.11–2.08 Ga).

Advancements of thermal analysis and calorimetry in Central-Eastern Europe and Mediterranean region

Advancements of thermal analysis and calorimetry in Central-Eastern Europe and Mediterranean region

Isolation of endophytic bacteria from the medicinal, forestal and ornamental tree Handroanthus impetiginosus

ABSTRACT Plant interactions with endophytic bacteria produce mutual benefits and contribute to environmental sustainability. Handroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos ‘pink lapacho’ (syn. Tabebuia impetiginosa, Bignoniaceae) is a medicinal, ornamental and forestal native tree from South and Mesoamerica. Plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) isolated from pink lapacho are scarcely described. The aim of this work was to isolate and characterize native endophytic bacteria from pink lapacho. Ten bacterial strains were isolated from leaves and six from roots of naturally growing trees in Luján (Central-Eastern region of Argentina). Endophytes were identified as Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Rummeliibacillus and Methylobacterium genera, according to 16S rRNA gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In the present study, a strain of the Rummelibacillus genus (L14) has been first ever reported as endophyte. This strain was capable of growing in Nfb medium and exhibited zinc solubilization ability. A high percentage of strains showed PGPB traits; namely 88% fixed nitrogen, 63% solubilized zinc, 69% solubilized phosphate and 63% produced indole compounds such as IAA. Most strains were salt tolerant that confer them a potential competitive advantage to survive in saline conditions. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting an approach to assess the diversity of cultivable endophytic bacteria of H. impetiginosus tree and its plant growth promoting capacity. The knowledge about this kind of associations could contribute to environmental sustainability by developing effective biofertilizers that minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides.