High Positive Correlation Research Articles

Relationship Of Family Support and Maternal Anxiety With Basic Immunization Compliance During The COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: To protect children from diseases that can be prevented by immunization during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is still serious, immunizations must still be completed on schedule. This study's goal was to determine how basic immunization compliance at the Angalomelai and Petoaha Villages in Kendari City related to maternal anxiety during the pandemic and family support. Methods: Descriptive-analytical research methods using a cross-sectional study design are used. Mothers with 72 children under five make up the population. The samples were determined based on the table by Krejci and Mogan and obtained as many as 63 respondents using the random sampling technique. Results: a p-value of 0.042 < 0.05 and a correlation coefficient value of 0.787, respectively, suggest a high positive correlation in both directions. A positive correlation direction with a very good correlation strength, with a p-value of 0.005 and a correlation coefficient of 0.994. Conclusion: there is a strong correlation between family support, maternal anxiety, and immunization compliance.

Refinement and Validation of the Empowerment Audiology Questionnaire: Rasch Analysis and Traditional Psychometric Evaluation.

Empowerment is the process through which individuals with hearing-related challenges acquire and use knowledge, skills and strategies, and increase self-efficacy, participation, and control of their hearing health care, hearing solutions, and everyday lives. The aim was to refine and validate the Empowerment Audiology Questionnaire (EmpAQ), a hearing-specific measure of empowerment. This was achieved through (1) refinement via Rasch analysis (study 1), and (2) traditional psychometric analysis of the final survey structure (study 2). In study 1, 307 adult hearing aid owners completed the initial empowerment measure (33 items) online. To inform an intended item reduction, Rasch analysis was used to assess a range of psychometric properties for individual items. The psychometric properties included analysis of individual items (e.g., response dependency, fit to the polytomous Rasch model, threshold ordering) and the whole EmpAQ (e.g., dimensionality). Item reduction resulted in a 15-item version (EmpAQ-15) and a short-form 5-item version (EmpAQ-5), validated using modern (Rasch), and traditional (Classical Test Theory) psychometric analysis (study 2). In study 2, 178 adult hearing aid owners completed the EmpAQ-15 and EmpAQ-5, alongside 5 questionnaires to measure related constructs. These included two hearing-specific questionnaires (Social Participation Restrictions Questionnaire and Self-Assessment of Communication), two general health-related questionnaires (Patient Activation Measure and World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0), and a general empowerment questionnaire (Health Care Empowerment Questionnaire). Modern (Rasch) and traditional psychometric analysis techniques (internal consistency, construct validity, and criterion validity) were used to assess the psychometric properties of the EmpAQ-15 and EmpAQ-5. Rasch analysis of the initial 33-item measure of empowerment identified 18 items with high response dependency, poor fit to the Rasch model, and threshold disordering, which were removed, resulting in a long-form (EmpAQ-15) hearing-specific measure of empowerment. A short-form (EmpAQ-5) version was developed for use in the clinic setting. Validation of the two EmpAQ measures using Rasch analysis showed good item fit to the Rasch model, appropriate threshold targeting, and the existence of unidimensionality. Traditional psychometric evaluation showed that both questionnaires had high internal consistency and positive correlations with the hearing-specific questionnaires. However, in contrast with our hypotheses, correlations with general health questionnaires were stronger than with hearing-specific questionnaires; all questionnaires were correlated with the EmpAQ and in the direction hypothesized. Taken together, these findings support the construct validity of the EmpAQ-15 and EmpAQ-5. The EmpAQ-15 and EmpAQ-5 are the first self-report measures to be developed specifically for the measurement of empowerment. The EmpAQ-15 and EmpAQ-5 were found to meet the Rasch model criteria for interval-level measurements. Traditional psychometric evaluation supports the construct validity of both measures. The EmpAQ measures have the potential to be used in both research and clinical practice to evaluate empowerment along the hearing journey. The next stage of this research will be to further validate these measures by assessing their responsiveness, minimal clinically important difference, and clinical interpretability in a clinical population.

University-based mentoring program for School-going gifted students

ABSTRACT Academically gifted students or high potential learners don’t feel challenged in regular classrooms. Teachers in schools are also note quipped with pedagogical interventions to meet the advanced learning needs of gifted students. Mentoring is considered an effective method to guide, motivate and optimize learning abilities of gifted students. The present paper discusses the process of developing a mentoring program for 32 gifted students in Science and Math who were selected through a two-tier identification process. Students were selected from three different locations in India and were invited to attend residential mentoring program in University of Delhi, Delhi. Students were administered Wechsler Intelligence Test (WISC) IV, Test of Intelligence and were closely observed during the mentoring session. Statistic alanalysis of WISC IV composite score and composite observation score indicated high positive correlation between the two scores and 93.75% students scored in top three categories of intelligence as specified in WISC IV score interpretation norm. Detailed qualitative analysis also helped to develop both learning profiles and a specific mentoring program for individual students.

The effect of the social support perceived by the women receiving chemotherapy on functional and psychosocial conditions: A cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study.

Today, cancer is one of the most important health problems with fatal results. Individuals with cancer have to cope with many functional and psychosocial problems in the course of the disease besides physical impairments. The effect of social support of women receiving chemotherapy on their functional and psychosocial conditions was determined. This study had a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational design. The study was conducted with 330 women patients in a state hospital located in Istanbul, Turkey, which has an outpatient chemotherapy unit and is one of the hospitals where outpatient chemotherapy is applied most. In the study, it was determined that there was a very high positive correlation between the social support perceived by the women with cancer and self-esteem and a very high negative correlation of self-esteem with fatigue and depression ( P < 0.001). In contrast, there was a very high negative correlation between social support and self-esteem with many of the functional symptoms and a very high positive correlation between social support and self-esteem with fatigue and depression ( P < 0.001). Education, number of children, economic situation, family structure, self-esteem, fatigue, and depression variables explained 33% of cancer patients' social support. The management of the functional and psychosocial symptoms of women with cancer is closely related to the perceived social support. In the management of the functional and psychosocial symptoms of women with cancer, it is important to provide and maintain psychological support by involving the patients' families in the treatment process.

Correlation of PD-1 and PD-L1 expression in oral leukoplakia and oral squamous cell carcinoma: an immunohistochemical study

The programmed cell death protein (PD-1)/programmed cell death protein ligand (PD-L1) pathway and cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen are the most important co-stimulatory molecules that play a key role in the negative regulation of T cells during carcinogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of PD-1 and PD-L1 in oral leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma compared with normal oral mucosa. Twenty-five cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma, oral leukoplakia and normal oral mucosa tissue specimens were immunohistochemically stained to assess PD-1 and PD-L1 expression. The PD-L1 positivity of subepithelial TAFs (p < 0.001) increased with increasing grades of oral leukoplakia. Pearson’s correlation indicated a high positive correlation between the PD-L1 labelling index of epithelial tumour cells and the PD-1 labelling index of tumour infiltrating lymphocytes (p value: 0.005) in OSCC. A high positive correlation was noted between the H-score of PD-L1 positive tumour epithelial cells and the H-score of PD-1 positive tumour infiltrating lymphocytes in OSCC (p value: 0.001). PD-L1 positivity increased in dysplastic epithelial cells from premalignant lesions to malignancy. The sub-epithelial PD-L1 positive TAFs were higher in oral leukoplakia compared to OSCC inferring that PD-L1 positivity in TAFs decreased with malignant transformation. The PD-1 positivity in TILs was higher in oral leukoplakia than in OSCC.

Effect of extraction solvents on polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) leaves

Carob tree (Ceratonia siliqua L.) is widely used in traditional medicine and food. The aim of this study was to determine the most appropriate extraction solvent to optimize the extraction of polyphenols and flavonoids from the leaves, in order to obtain the highest antioxidant activity. In this context, the effects of six different solvents (100% methanol, 100% ethanol, 100% acetone, 50% (v/v) aqueous methanol, 50% (v/v) aqueous ethanol and 50% (v/v) aqueous acetone) with different polarities on the polyphenol content and antioxidant activity of carob tree leaf extracts were investigated. The total polyphenol and total flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidant activity determined by the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method of the extracts were evaluated. The results showed that carob tree leaves extracted with 100% methanol presented the highest values in terms of total polyphenol content (11.33± 0.08 mg EAG/g DM), total flavonoid content (8.55± 0.34 mg EC/g DM) and DPPH inhibition percentage (79.29 ± 3.75%). High positive correlations between total polyphenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity of carob tree leaf extracts were also observed. These results indicate that carob tree leaf extract obtained using an appropriate extraction solvent was able to enhance the protective effect against oxidative damage associated with free radicals.

Association between Leukocyte Cell-Derived Chemotaxin 2 and Metabolic and Renal Diseases in a Geriatric Population: A Pilot Study.

LECT2 is not a routine diagnostic marker for any disease, but it has been associated with many pathologies, including systemic amyloidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and metabolic syndrome. With human aortic sections (n = 22) and sera from geriatric subjects (n = 79), we analyzed the relationships that could be observed between this protein and other parameters related to metabolic diseases. As a result, we observed a relatively high (r~0.8, p < 0.05) positive correlation between SRA and LECT2 and a negative correlation between EGFR and LECT2 (r~-0.4, p < 0.05). We observed LECT2 expression in macrophages, myocytes, and other aortic cells, with a tendency to be overexpressed in developed atherosclerotic plaques. We conclude that LECT2 exerts its chemotactic effects not only as a protein synthesized in the liver and secreted and circulating in the blood but also as a locally expressed protein within atherosclerotic plaque development. The LECT2-EGFR correlation suggests an association of this protein with loss of normal renal function. This fact can be associated with LECT2 amyloidosis, although it should be verified whether in the geriatric population there is indeed a widespread accumulation of LECT2 with the progression of aging or whether it is rather a marker of general deterioration of renal function.

Elevation determines the productivity of large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) cultivars in Sikkim Himalaya

Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.) is an economically important cash crop that provides a livelihood option for the rural communities in Sikkim Himalaya. However, its production has declined drastically over the past few decades due to climate change and other factors affecting the livelihood of marginal cardamom-dependent farmers in the region. Climate change causes a shift in elevational distributions of mountain species, and it is pivotal to understand its effect on yield and yield-related traits for economically important plant species like large cardamom. For this, we randomly studied 41 large cardamom cultivation sites in Sikkim (India) with elevations ranging between 975 and 2069 m asl and evaluated the yield-related traits (number of capsules per spike, capsule length, capsule width, fresh capsule weight, dry capsule weight, number of seeds per locule, fresh seed weight, and dry seed weight) in five cultivars (Dzongu Golsey, Sawney, Seremna, Ramsey, and Varlangey). We observed a significant variability (P < 0.05) for morphometric traits in each of the five cultivars cultivated in different elevations. The cultivation of low-elevation cultivars like Seremna and Dzongu Golsey (suitable in elevation < 975 m) has shifted upward to mid (975–1515 m) and high-elevation (> 1515 m), while cultivation of high-elevation Ramsey cultivar (suitable in elevation > 1515 m) has shifted downward (< 1515 m). The Dzongu Golsey, Sawney, and Seremna cultivated in mid-elevation (975–1515 m) performed better in terms of yield-related traits than the same cultivars cultivated in high-elevation (> 1515 m) and showed moderate to high negative correlation between elevation and yield-related traits, indicating the negative effect of elevation on their yield. Likewise, Ramsey and Varlangey cultivated in high elevation (> 1515 m) performed better than the one cultivated in mid-elevation (975–1515 m) and depicted moderate to high positive correlation between elevation and yield-related traits, suggesting a positive influence of elevation on their yield. Although there is an elevational shift in the cultivation of large cardamom cultivars, the elevation influences the performance of the large cardamom cultivars, and it also suggests cultivating the cultivars in their suitable elevation range for better productivity.

English

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic parasitic disease which is caused by Toxoplasma gondii that infects all warm-blooded mammals including human beings. In the current study, it was explored to Toxoplasma-specific IgG titer while comparing quantitative ELISA and WB. Ten human sera samples labelled as 53, 217, 28, 277, 229, 07, 204, 275, 241 and 04, (known positive as a result of earlier testing in a commercial ELISA kit. were analysed through quantitative ELISA and WB. The WB analysis revealed antibody titers ranging from 800 to12800 with one sample (28) possessing a titer of 1:800, two samples (07, 241) at 1:1600, five samples (53, 277, 204, 275, 04) at 1:3200, one sample (217) at 1:6400 and one sample (229) at 1:12800. The same dilutions of these samples were subjected to our indigenous quantitative ELISA (coated with recombinant SAG1) to determine and antibody (IgG) titer that ranged from 200 to 1600 with two samples (28, 277) at a titer of 1:200, with four samples (53, 07, 204, 241) at a titer of 1:400, with three samples (217, 275, 04) at a titer of 1:800 and with one sample (229) at a titer of 1:1600. In our study, the titers of T. gondii-specific-IgG antibodies revealed in WB were found much higher as compared to those in ELISA but there is a high positive correlation (rs = 0.714) analysed by spearman’s rho test

Linguistic Validation, Adaptation, and Reliability of the Liverpool Elbow Score’s Patient-Answered Questionnaire in Bulgarian the Bulgarian Les-Paq Questionnaire

Abstract Background There is a lack of upper-limb organ specific patient-reported questionnaires that are linguistically validated and culturally adapted for the Bulgarian population. The Liverpool Elbow Score (LES) is a mixed elbow-specific score with excellent psychometric properties of the patient-answered questionnaire (PAQ). There is no Bulgarian version. The aim of this study was to perform a linguistic validation and cultural adaptation of the LES−PAQ in Bulgarian, and to test the validity and reliability of the Bulgarian version. Materials and Methods The study was conducted in a single institution. Participant selection criteria were defined – included were mentally healthy adult patients with a diagnosis of osteochondritis dissecans of the radiocapitellar joint, elbow arthritis, lateral epicondylitis and elbow contracture. Excluded were patients with coexisting upper limb conditions, illiterate and non-native Bulgarian speakers. The Bulgarian LES−PAQ was created. The process consisted of forward translation, reconciliation and backward translation. An expert committee agreed upon a pre-final Bulgarian version. A final version was decided after cultural adaptation. The psychometric properties and reliability of the Bulgarian LES−PAQ was tested. Results 101 patients were included in this study. We did not observe a ceiling or floor effect. Cronbach’s α coefficient was 0.858. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.864 (95% CI 0.77 to 0.92; p &lt; 0.05). A moderate negative correlation was revealed between the LES-PAQ and the DASH (r = -0.591, p &lt; 0.05), and a high positive correlation with SF-12 (r = 0.867, p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion The Bulgarian LES−PAQ is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing elbow conditions such as osteochondritis dissecans of the radiocapitellar joint, elbow arthritis, lateral epicondylitis and elbow contracture. It may assist Bulgarian healthcare professionals in both research and daily work.

Development of new colloid osmotic pressure measurement method using ultrafiltration membrane during cardiopulmonary bypass

Background: Clinical practice of measuring colloid osmotic pressure (COP) was abandoned after correcting hypoosmolarity did not improve overall patient outcomes. However, the use of albumin and colloidal solutions has contributed to maintaining intraoperative and postoperative fluid balance at lower levels. Reduced perioperative fluid balance is consistently reported to have positive effects on clinical outcomes. Priming solutions for cardiopulmonary bypass typically include colloids; however, the optimal type of priming solution has not yet been determined. Stricter COP management may further improve postoperative courses. To achieve this, the widespread adoption of a measurement method suitable for COP monitoring during cardiopulmonary bypass is required. Methods: A test circuit was made which measured COP using an ultrafiltration membrane method based on the changes in hydrostatic pressure that occurs across a semipermeable membrane. We then compared the measurements obtained using this method with colloidal osmometer measurements. Results: COP measurements were obtained for a total of 100 tests (10 times each for 10 test solutions). The evaluation parameters included simultaneous reproducibility, correlation with the colloid osmometer, and measurement time. The results demonstrated high accuracy of the ultrafiltration membrane method, simultaneous reproducibility within 3%, a high positive correlation with the colloid osmometer (correlation coefficient: R2 = 0.99; p &lt; 0.01), and equal time required for measurement. Conclusion: Measuring COP using ultrafiltration membranes solves problems within existing measurement methods. Although further improvements in the method are necessary, it has implications for future research and clinical applications.

PHTALATES IN SEDIMENTS OF BAIKAL REGION LAKES

Phthalates are one of the most common pollutants, the concentrations of which in the environment in the near future, according to scientists, will only grow. High concentrations of these substances pose a serious threat to water bodies, especially for lake ecosystems, which are characterized by slow water exchange and accumulate pollutants faster, thereby reflecting anthropogenic load and environmental changes. The paper presents for the first time the results of determining the phthalate content in the bottom sediments of lakes Arangatui, Bormashovoe, Dukhovoe, Kotokel, Shchuchye. The total content of 6 phthalates varied from 51 to 2222 mkg/kg of dry weight, while the highest concentrations were noted for central stations. The distribution profile of phthalates in the bottom sediments of lakes is basically quite similar – DBP (average content of 213 mkg/kg) and DEHP (189 mkg/kg) prevailed. It is noted that the accumulation of the studied substances occurs mainly in silty sediments, which is indicated by medium and high positive correlations between phthalates, granulometric composition, the content of organic carbon and heavy metals. The high levels of individual phthalates in the sediments of the studied lakes indicate the need to study in detail the sources and distribution mechanisms in the system of “water-bottom sediments”.

Urbanization in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area 1900–2020: Urban Dynamics and Driving Factors

The variability of urban growth in the Mexico City conurbation reflects the complexity of changes and uncertainty experienced in many urban areas. The goal of this project is to identify how the urban expansion of the Mexico City conurbation reflects the changes in socioeconomic variables of the region over recent decades. The authors first spatially quantified the rate of urban growth from 1990 to 2020 using Landsat data and then identified the socioeconomic variables associated with this urban expansion. Results showed a progressive loss in vegetated land and an increase in urban land. The population’s access to roads and the marginalization index had the highest positive correlation with the observed urban growth. Although these variables were highly correlated with each other, access to roads was not found to be a variable of importance for projecting urban growth. Finally, two distinct zones of urban growth were determined using cluster statistics; the first showed no growth, which corresponded with more established, older municipalities closer to the city centre, and the second zone had significant growth, which corresponded to municipalities away from the centre, coinciding with urban decentralization and new lifestyle patterns. The identification of urban growth zones and socioeconomic variables associated with that growth will assist with effective planning, infrastructure development, and resource management.

An Engel–Kollat–Blackwell model application on restaurant clientele purchase decision-making processes in commercial eateries in Kakamega County, Kenya

ABSTRACT Restaurant clientele have a task of making critical decisions concerning their choices of food and drinks. The decision-making process involves, firstly, the selection of the restaurant in which to have a meal and, secondly, the selection of food items from the menu to constitute their meals. Thus, it requires cognitive and physical effort for restaurant clientele to make decisions concerning their restaurant choices and ultimately a final purchase decision. This study applied the Engel–Kollat–Blackwell-consumer purchase decision model to investigate restaurant clientele’s purchase decision-making process among commercial eateries in Kakamega County in Kenya. For the purpose of this study, a five-stage customised EKB model was applied. The study employed a descriptive research survey design, while Fisher’s formula was utilised, giving a sample size of 384 respondents. The study results show a high positive correlation (R = 0.892) between the study variables. The study results indicate that 79.6% of the total variation in consumer ratings was because of the restaurant customer purchase decision-making process, in addition to the overall regression model predicting the outcome variable (p < 0.05). In relation to the contribution of studied predictor variables, a manual search gave the greatest contribution (B = 0.545, p < 0.001, t = 9.105), while sense of belonging/ class of the eatery gave the least contribution (B = −0.584, p < 0.001, t = −12.505). To yield positive results, eatery managers will be required to adjust these predictor variables depending on the contribution of each on the outcome variables, given the predictor variables to be tested account for the most variance in the outcome variable.

Стан тривожності у військових із різною стресостійкістю

This article analyzes the state of anxiety in military personnel with different levels of stress resistance. It was found that in servicemen with good stress resistance, a week after returning from the battlefield, a low form of situational and personal anxiety prevailed, and with medium stress resistance, high anxiety prevailed. 3 months after returning from combat, among servicemen with good stress resistance, the number of persons with low situational anxiety increased by 12%, and personal anxiety – by 4%, while high anxiety dominated with average stress resistance. High and medium positive correlations were established in persons with good and medium stress resistance and anxiety in the military. The purpose of the work is to assess the state of anxiety in military personnel with different levels of stress resistance. Materials and methods. We tested 637 servicemen who returned from the combat zone. We determined stress resistance using the test method «Stresses and stress resistance», according to which the examinees were asked to answer twenty-three questions, each of which was offered four options for answers. Anxiety (personal and situational) was examined using the Spielberger-Hanin anxiety scale (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory – STAI). The methodology consisted of 40 statements (20 to determine the level of situational anxiety and 20 – personal). The statistical processing of the obtained results was carried out by the methods of variational analysis using the licensed statistical software package «Analyst Soft Stat Plus 6» (license number 11895400) and the «Microsoft Excel» software. Results and discussion. Based on the obtained results, we can talk about the positive and reliable dynamics of reducing the level of anxiety in people with different stress resistance, however, people with good stress resistance experienced a faster and better recovery than military personnel with average stress resistance. This article analyzes the state of anxiety in military personnel with different levels of stress resistance. It was found that in servicemen with good stress resistance, a week after returning from the battlefield, a low form of situational and personal anxiety prevailed, and with medium stress resistance, high anxiety prevailed. 3 months after returning from combat, among servicemen with good stress resistance, the number of persons with low situational anxiety increased by 12%, and personal anxiety – by 4%, while high anxiety dominated with average stress resistance. High and medium positive correlations were established in persons with good and medium stress resistance and anxiety in the military.

A simulation-based assessment of the efficiency of QTL mapping under environment and genotype x environment interaction effects.

The objective of this simulation-based study was to assess how genes, environments, and genotype x environment (GxE) interaction affect the quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping efficiency. The simulation software performed 50 samplings of 300 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from a F2, which were assessed in six environments. The RILs were genotyped for 977 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and phenotyped for grain yield. The average SNP density was 2 cM. We defined six QTLs and 190 minor genes. The trait heritability ranged from 30 to 80%. We fitted the single QTL model and the multiple QTL model on multiple phenotypes. The environment and complex GxE interaction effects led to a low correlation between the QTL heritability and power. The single- and across-environment analyses allowed all QTLs be declared, with an average power of 28 to 100%. In the across-environment analysis, five QTLs showed average power in the range 46 to 82%. Both models provided a good control of the false positive rate (6%, on average) and a precise localization of the QTLs (bias of 2 cM, on average). The QTL power in each environment has a high positive correlation with the range between QTL genotypes for the sum of the additive, environment, and GxE interaction effects (0.76 to 0.96). The uncertainty about the magnitude and sign of the environment and GxE interaction effects makes QTL mapping in multi-environment trials unpredictable. Unfortunately, this uncertainty has no solution because the geneticist has no control over the magnitude and sign of the environment and GxE interaction effects. However, the single- and across-environment analyses are efficient even under a low correlation between QTL heritability and power.

Correlación entre pérdida auditiva y deterioro cognitivo en el adulto mayor

Introduction: Hearing loss or hearing loss in the elderly is generally caused by degenerative changes typical of aging and can influence the cognitive deterioration of the person, which is manifested by different changes in memory as age increases. Objective: To determine the relationship between hearing loss and cognitive impairment in the elderly. Method: Descriptive, correlational and cross-sectional study. Otoscopy, audiometry and the Pfeiffer questionnaire were performed in 104 adults over 65 years of age, who attended the Otorhinolaryngology service of the Arzobispo Loayza National Hospital. The otoscope, the audiometer and the Pfeiffer questionnaire were used as instruments. Analyzing the relationship using Spearman's Rho correlation coefficient. Results: Hearing loss was found in 58 cases (55.8%) and normal hearing in 46 cases (44.2%). When applying the Pfeiffer questionnaire to determine cognitive status, an average global score of 8.5 was obtained, determining that values less than 8 are considered mild cognitive impairment. Evidencing mild cognitive impairment in 7% of normoacusics and in 26% of hypoacusics. When performing Spearman's Rho correlation, a high positive correlation was found between hearing loss and cognitive impairment (0.864), significant (0.000&lt;0.05). Conclusions: There is a high positive relationship between hearing loss and cognitive impairment in the elderly.

Spatial Relationships between Topographic Variables and Their Interactions with Natural and Climatic Zonalization in Mongolia

The main objective of this investigation is to examine the spatial relationship between the topographic variables in Mongolia, which is important in the pattern of regional relief, geomorphological regionalization, and natural zonalization. For the analysis, we used seven different terrain parameters such as elevation, slope, aspect, topographic position index (TPI), topographic wetness index (TWI), latitude, and longitude. Five of seven variables were obtained from a digital elevation model (DEM) of the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) at a spatial resolution of 30 m. The location of the latitude and longitude were extracted from the central point of the gridded vector data. The correlation analysis of seven topographic variables showed that the highest positive correlation (r=0.55) was detected between elevation and slope. In contrast, the highest negative correlation (r=-0.63) was detected between elevation and longitude. The lowest correlations were detected between the aspect and the remaining six variables. The significance levels of elevation, slope, latitude, longitude, and TWI noted p &lt; 0.0001 for each pair of variables. The correlation between aspect and TPI ranged p &lt; 0.01 while elevation and aspect, latitude and TPI, and longitude and TPI ranged p &lt; 0.1, respectively. The corresponding frequency distributions are characterized by three left skew, two bimodal, and two normal distributions, respectively. We also examined the contribution of the topographic variables to natural and climatic zonalization in Mongolia. The result confirmed that topographic variables were key indicators for identifying regional differences in physical geographic regionalization, and natural and climatic zonalization. The examination of topographic variables allowed more knowledge of geographic characteristics. At the same time, the result is of great value in the investigation of natural geographic divisions, and regional nature conservation research.

Multivariate analysis for various agro-morphological traits of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)

Turmeric is one of the potential spice crops having importance in culinary, colouring in textiles and therapeutic in pharmaceutical industries. The present investigation was carried out to estimate the genetic diversity of 21 turmeric genotypes representing different geographical locations of India. The principal component (PC) analysis indicated that the most of the variation among the genotypes was contributed by the first two principal components (61.38%), which were largely governed by plant height, number of leaves per plant, leaf lamina length, leaf area, total leaf area, collar girth and weight of the mother rhizomes per clump. These traits showed high positive correlation with first two PCs and influenced significantly for grouping. Based on PC correlation analysis, it is evident that morphological and yield attributing traits of PC1 and PC2 are influenced and contributed for most of the variation among the genotypes. The cluster analysis revealed that the 21 genotypes fall into five clusters, and among them most divergent with distinct genotypes were cluster I, III and cluster IV. However, IISR Pragati, Rajendra Sonali and NDH 8 were found superior for fresh rhizome yield and Acc. 849 was found unique with robust mother rhizome. The present study contributes to the knowledge of genetic diversity and defining strategies for yield improvement in turmeric.

Spatial Mapping Reveals Distinct Erythroid Niches in Mice and Humans during Development and Stress

Like hematopoiesis, erythropoiesis requires erythroid niche nurturing and support. While extensive studies have revealed various components and functions of the HSC niches, the erythroid niche is less characterized. The most studied erythroid niche is the bone marrow erythroblastic island (EBI), which comprises a central macrophage surrounded by developing erythroblasts. However, most of the reported studies of EBI involve in vitro reconstitution of mixed cell populations that do not recapitulate in vivo niches. Here, we utilized multiple spatial mapping technologies, including spatial transcriptomics and whole-mount imaging studies, to characterize erythropoiesis in mouse and human hematopoietic tissues during development and under stress. We first utilized the Visium platform from 10x Genomics to study the spatial transcriptomic profiles of the E14.5 mouse fetal liver, which is the major organ for murine fetal definitive erythropoiesis. The Visium platform contains barcoded spots with a diameter of 55 µm, which is suboptimal for single-cell analyses but ideal for the investigation of cell-cell interactions within their microenvironment. We found that each hepatic lobe exhibited different cluster distributions, indicating distinct cell compositions among different anatomic loci. Further deconvolution of the clusters and co-analysis with corresponding single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed that there was a higher positive correlation between erythroid cells and C1q+ macrophages compared to other macrophages, suggesting that C1q+ macrophages are more likely to be EBI macrophages in mouse. C1q+ macrophages exhibited high expression of known genes involved in EBI macrophage function and erythropoiesis. Cyclic immunofluorescence (CyCIF) and whole-mount immunofluorescence analyses further demonstrated the co-localization of C1q+ macrophages with erythroid cells in the E14.5 fetal liver. This strong positive correlation between C1q+ macrophages and erythroid cells was also observed across different stages of fetal liver development, newborn bone marrow, and adult spleen under physiologic and stress conditions. These findings demonstrate that C1q+ macrophages as EBI macrophages are conserved across different hematopoietic organs in mice. We next applied the same technologies to human hematopoietic tissues during development and stress. In contrast to the mouse, we did not observe a strong positive correlation between erythroid cells and C1q+ macrophages or other macrophages in the human fetal liver. Instead, there is a strong association between erythroid progenitor and maturing erythroid cells. This strong association is also found in different developmental stages of the human fetal liver as well as the bone marrow, which becomes even stronger in regenerating human bone marrow after chemotherapy. We also recapitulated these findings in a human bone marrow organoid model. These results demonstrate the erythroid cell self-sustaining capacities in human erythropoiesis. Taken together, our findings reveal the distinct erythroid niches in mice and humans during development and stress, which provides a comprehensive understanding of erythropoiesis during evolution.