South Research Articles

Biosystematic Studies, Distribution and Conservation Status of Guaiacum officinale L. in Karnataka State

Guaiacum L. is an evergreen tree indigenous to South America, West Indies and USA. It was introduced during British period. The stem is hard, abundant resin wood, ash- grey-green bark and paripinnate leaves. The flowers are blue-purple in colour and occur in axillary clusters. The fruit is a capsule. Anomocytic, Paracytic and tertacytic types of stomata present only on abaxial surface of the leaf, trichomes absent on both surface. Pollen monad, radialy sysmmetric, tricolporate. The secondary veins are joined to form a loop at the margin. Phenolic test, alkaloid test etc. gave positive results. This plant is having commercial as well as medicinal value. In Karnataka state this plant found only in two places, one in Lalbagh, Bangalore and another in Karnataka College, Dharwad. Silviculture experiments were conducted but not succeeded. In both the places flowers are many, but fruit setting is negligible. It inhibits the spreading of the species in Karnataka.

Correct Identity of some Folk Medicines of South Western Maharashtra

Sixty nine samples folk medicines produced from local market have been characterized botanically and pharmacognostically. Botanical characterization has been done by actual comparison of authentic samples with that of market samples. The present paper deals with enumeration of these species used in folk medicine and gives correct botanical identity of plant materials, their common names, local names, parts used and botanical diagnostic characters.

Health Facility-Based Maternal Mortality in Nigeria: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Nigeria has been reaffirming its commitment to reducing maternal death at national and international levels. Multiple strategies have therefore been formulated at different levels of the maternal healthcare delivery chain including health facilities. However, varying rates of maternal death are still being reported from health facilities in Nigeria. This study aimed at exploring the trend in maternal death across health facilities in Nigeria to guide policy making and/ or implementation. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies conducted in Nigeria was undertaken according to standard protocol. Random and fixed effects model procedures were used to pool estimates from the studies that satisfied the inclusion criteria. Derived estimates were examined for heterogeneity, publication bias and quality using I-squared statistic, Egger's/Begg's tests and modified Downs/Black checklist respectively. The pooled maternal mortality ratio for Nigeria derived from 24 studies that reported data for 96 health facilities was 1470 per 100,000 live births. In restricted analysis, estimates for geopolitical zones were: South East (SE) 1449; South South (SS) 1825; South West (SW) 1564; North Central (NC) 1769; North East (NE) 1670 and North West 1530(NW). There was no publication bias in all analyses even though small sample size in restricted analysis and differing study duration may influence pooled estimates. Health facility-derived maternal mortality in Nigeria is unprecedentedly high and appropriate measures need to be put in place to reduce the MMR in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa as a whole.

Effects of COVID-19 Mandates on College Students’ Exercise Experiences and Psychosocial Health

Based on the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been a 25% increase in anxiety and depression worldwide, especially among young adults and women who were hit the worst, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Exercise participation has several health benefits, including improved mental health and well-being during covid-19. Additionally, the highest levels of health and well-being are observed among those with the highest levels of autonomy. Given that autonomy and free will were significantly limited during the Covid-19 pandemic, the purpose of this study was to examine how covid-19 mandates influenced college students’ exercise experiences and psychosocial health. The participants included 13 ethnically diverse undergraduate students (females = 10; males = 3; Asian = 5; Latino/Hispanic = 4; Caucasian = 3; Native American = 1) of varied educational backgrounds. This was a phronetic, qualitative study within two university (U) settings: one on the West Coast (WU) and the other in the South (SU). Based on the phronetic analysis, three themes emerged regarding the effects of lockdowns, heavy screen use, and mask mandates. In the first theme, most students, especially those with longer stay-at-home mandates (WU), expressed decrements in or complete cease of exercise participation. In the second theme, a few students found more time to socialize and reflect on their well-being. In the third theme, negative psychosocial experiences (especially in WU) were reported like depression, anxiety, and challenges in social relationships. Kinesiology experts and public health officials should reconsider covid-19 mitigation measures by respecting human agency.

Social-Demographic and Cultural Determinants of Nigerian Women's Age at First Birth Using the Log Logistics Accelerated Failure Time Model

Early age at first birth has many negative effects on women which includes but are not limited to truncation in education, maternal mortality, sexually transmitted infections, difficulties resulting from pregnancy before a woman is physically mature, cervical cancer, and missing life opportunities in general. In this study, we determined the factors that influence the age at first birth so as to promote child and maternal health in Nigeria. Secondary data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Surveys (NDHS) and the Accelerated Failure Time (AFT) model were used in this study to establish the determinants of a woman’s age at first birth in Nigeria. The Log logistics AFT model was used after the dataset failed to satisfy the Cox Proportional Hazard (CPH) model’s assumption. The results show that women from the North Central (NC) will give birth before the women in the North West (NW) and South South (SS). Those with no education will give birth earlier than those with secondary education. Women who do not know their husband’s status will give birth earlier than those that want the same thing as their husband. The women that are more exposed to early first birth as discovered from this study should be empowered and educated so as to discourage early marriage. Policy makers should take decisions to help promote the health of the mother and her child. This will reduce the number of school dropout of women and more opportunities for women over the course of life.

Estimated prevalence of human papillomavirus among Nigerian women: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

HPV prevalence in Nigeria has been challenging to quantify given regional population heterogeneity and differences in diagnostic methodology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 17 studies, each of which summarized HPV prevalence in women residing in six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The estimated pooled prevalence (effect size) of HPV in Nigeria was 32% (CI: 23-41%). HPV prevalence was 29% (CI: 20-39%) among studies that detected HPV by genotype. HPV prevalence among studies that used serologic detection was 38% (CI: 12-65%). When stratified by region, a study in the South East (SE) geopolitical zone reported the highest prevalence of 71% (CI: 61-80%) while a study in the South South (SS) geopolitical zone reported the lowest prevalence of 4.9% (CI: 3-9%). HPV prevalence in Nigeria was high. Heterogeneity between study regions and differing HPV detection methods both contribute to variation in estimates. Using pooled estimates serves to inform future strategies for epidemiologic surveillance and future design of HPV and cervical cancer prevention initiatives.

Roaming in the South: Devin Lunsford’s Photographs from the Roadside

Roaming in the South: Devin Lunsford’s Photographs from the Roadside

Racial differences in outcomes and utilization after cardiac arrest in the USA: A longitudinal study comparing different geographical regions in the USA from 2006–2018

AimHealthcare disparities can affect access and quality of care among many in the United States (US). In addition to race, we sought to assess if geography affected rates of cardiac arrest, and the subsequent outcomes. MethodsUsing the National Inpatient Sample database from 2006–2018, we assessed rates of cardiac arrest (out of hospital that survived to admission and in-hospital) and cardiac catheterization, and length of stay (LOS) in four regions: Northeast (NE), South (SO) West (W) and Midwest (MW). ResultsCardiac arrest increased from 27,611 (2006) to 43,333 (2018). The proportion of African American (AA) patients experiencing cardiac arrest significantly increased from 11.9% to 18.8%. The mortality decreased from 65.4% to 60.8% in all patients and 70.2% to 61.4% in AA. Mortality in AA remained higher than non-AA (OR, 1.09 [1.08–1.11], p < 0.001). When regions were compared for mortality, MW had a lower risk than NE 0.94[0.92–9.96]; SO 1.05[1.04–1.07] and W 1.11[1.09–1.13] were higher compared to NE. LOS decreased slightly from 9.0 days to 8.7 in all patients. LOS for AA was longer than non-AA (11.3 vs 8.6 days) with the NE having the longest LOS. AA were less likely to receive cardiac catheterization than non-AA (9.5% vs 15%) with the largest racial gap in the MW region. ConclusionThe proportion of AA with cardiac arrests increased over the study period. Mortality and LOS improved significantly in AA from 2006 to 2018 but remain significantly higher than non-AA patients. Future research should identify contributors to these concerning trends.

Analysis Of Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma (PTCL) Subtype By Race and Geography Using The Comprehensive Oncology Measures For Peripheral T-Cell Lymphoma Treatment (COMPLETE) Dataset

Background COMPLETE is a national registry of PTCL patients designed to describe patient characteristics, treatments and outcomes in a ‘real world’ setting. Previous work has suggested that there may be geographic and/or racial differences in the incidence of PTCL subtypes. Using the COMPLETE dataset, we explored the influence of race and geography in the United States on the incidence of PTCL subtypes and examined for interactions between these two variables. Methods We identified patients with locked baseline records and performed univariate analyses comparing disease subtype, stratified by race and geography. A multivariable, multinomial response regression model was used to predict the classification of PTCL subtype based upon race and geographic region. An interaction term for race and region was assessed via a likelihood ratio test and found to be not significant (p = 0.43), thus was removed from the model. Results A total of 247 patients had locked baseline records. Given the small numbers of Asian (7 patients, 3%) and other/race unknown patients (6, 3%), only Black (43, 17%) and White (191, 77%) patients were included in the analyses. Results of the univariate analyses can be found in [Table 1][1]. PTCL-not otherwise specified (NOS) accounted for the largest histologic subtype (35% of patients), consistent with SEER (31%) and other data sources. A trend was noted in distribution of subtype by race and significant differences were seen in histologic distribution by region, with a higher proportion of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) patients diagnosed in the West and a smaller proportion in the South. A higher proportion of patients diagnosed with PTCL-NOS were in the South compared to other regions while a higher proportion of patients in the Northeast were diagnosed with other histologic subtypes. The multinomial regression model suggests there was a relatively high likelihood of being diagnosed with PTCL-NOS for both races in the Midwest, South and West and a relatively high likelihood of being diagnosed with other subtypes of PTCL for patients in the Northeast. White patients in the West have the highest likelihood of being diagnosed with AITL. View this table: Table 1 Results of Univariate Analyses of PTCL Subtype by Race and Region Conclusions These results suggest there is a modest, independent influence of both race and region in the United States on histologic subtype of PTCL. Whether geographic differences are due to patient selection bias or potentially due to environmental factors cannot be determined in this study. As the sample size grows, further analyses are warranted to examine if the effect of race and region is enhanced or diminished while controlling for factors not measured in the current model. Disclosures: Carson: Allos: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau; Celgene: Consultancy, Speakers Bureau. Foss: merck: Research Funding; spectrum: Research Funding; eisai: Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; millenium: Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees; celgene: Honoraria, Research Funding; seattle genetics: Research Funding. Pinter-Brown: Allos: Consultancy, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Horwitz: Spectrum (Allos): Consultancy, Research Funding. Rosen: Allos: Consultancy, Honoraria. Gisselbrecht: Allos: Consultancy, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Hsi: Allos: Research Funding; Seattle Genetics: Speakers Bureau; Eli Lilly: Research Funding; Abbott: Research Funding; Cellerant Therapeutics: Research Funding; BD Biosciences: Research Funding; Millennium: Research Funding. [1]: #T1

Making Things Economic: Theory and Government in New South Wales, 1788–1863

Making Things Economic: Theory and Government in New South Wales, 1788–1863

Manifest destiny and foreign relations: Examining the Nigeria-South Africa contradiction

This article analyses the dichotomy between potentials and capabilities with respect to Nigeria-South Africa relations and how this impinges on the leadership contest majorly involving the two countries. It observed that the international recognition accorded South Africa pitched it against Nigeria though, there are other contenders including Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Rwanda to mention a few for the leadership slot. To determine the leadership contest, this illustrative paper adopts descriptive and comparative methods to match the potentials vis-a-vis capabilities of Nigeria with South Africa in resolving the leadership contest. After a review of the foregoing issues, the study found out that though Nigeria was traditionally acknowledged as the giant of Africa, certain internal contradictions were not in tandem with Nigeria’s leadership status as it remained a country of potentials lacking the edge to provide leadership for the rest of the continent. It concludes that South Africa appeared to meet the criteria for leadership to a greater extent and as such should be considered as the leader of the continent though competition cannot be ruled out by other contenders. Key words: Manifest potentials, strengths, leadership, foreign relations, leadership contest.

Prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in diarrhoea samples from patients in New South Wales, Australia.

Campylobacteriosis is a leading cause of bacterial foodborne disease in many industrialized countries including Australia. New South Wales (NSW) is the most populous state in Australia yet the lack of any Campylobacter species surveillance programs has led to a knowledge gap in the importance of these pathogens as causes of diarrhoea. The data collected in this study demonstrated a need for such programs. In this study, 400 human clinical fecal samples were collected from two NSW locations, Western Sydney and Wagga Wagga, and tested for the presence of Campylobacter spp. Patients were clustered by location, age and gender to assess Campylobacter spp. prevalence within these groups between the two regions. The frequency of Campylobacter spp. was higher in males compared to females in the age groups 0-4 and 5-14 years; 6.4% and 1.0%, and 8.2% and none, respectively. A second peak was noted in elderly adults compared with those in younger age groups. Based on the findings of the quantitative PCR analysis it was estimated that the age-adjusted prevalence of Campylobacter spp. associated diarrhoea was 159 cases per 100,000 persons. [Int Microbiol 2016; 19(1):33-37].

137 Cs contaminations in wild-growing medicinal plants of Zhytomyr polissya forests: A 34 years after Chernobyl accident

The contamination of 137Cs in wild-growing medicinal plants was studied with regards to the species, type of forest vegetation conditions and soil specific activity of 137Cs in Zhytomyr polissya forest phytocenoses (Ukraine). The research was carried out in two plots planted in the most region typical edatopes - fresh and wet subor (Querceto-Pinetum). Species composition of phytocenoses was analyzed and the plants that can be harvested for pharmaceutical industry were identified on these test plots,. The herbal substance samples were tested to determine the specific activity of 137Cs. The studies have shown significant variability in the content of radionuclides due to differences in the level of radioactive contamination in the soil and accumulative capacity of plant species. For European blueberry, the peculiarities of 137Cs accumulation in vegetative and generative organs were studied. Comparison of the content of 137Cs in pants of different edatopes showed more higher intensity of radionuclide accumulation in wet suborbs compared to fresh suborbs. The average values of concentration factors were calculated and their rankings were built according to the intensity of 137Cs accumulation for the plants in each edatope. All studied medicinal plants were divided into four groups according to the contration factor: with weak accumulation, moderate accumulation, strong accumulation, and very strong accumulation. Based on the permissible content of 137Cs in wild-growing medicinal plants (600 Bq/kg), the maximum permissible level of soil contamination with radionuclides was determined for each medicinal plant species.

Characteristics and Paleoceanographic Implications of Grain-size Distributions of Biogenic Components in Sediments from the South Korea Plateau (East Sea)

Characteristics and Paleoceanographic Implications of Grain-size Distributions of Biogenic Components in Sediments from the South Korea Plateau (East Sea)

A Study on Teachers’ Rights to Education in South Korea

A Study on Teachers’ Rights to Education in South Korea

Effects of Light and Temperature on Germination of Eggert's Sunflower (Helianthus eggertii)

Helianthus eggertii is a rare perennial sunflower of barrens and open habitats in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, and South Carolina in the United States (U.S.). Despite its delisting in the U.S. Endangered Species Act in 2005, little is known about the germination biology of H. eggertii other than seeds require cold stratification for optimal germination. Knowledge about the germination biology of rare species can aid in the management of natural populations and inform strategies for ex situ seed conservation and propagation. We examined how cold stratification, light, and temperature interact to affect seed germination in H. eggertii, and whether germination proportions varied among populations. At the time of maturity in October, seeds have primary physiological dormancy and require cold stratification or prolonged (> 8 wk) incubation in light at cool (15/6 C) temperatures to germinate. Seeds maintained a light requirement for germination when cold stratified in darkness, but not after cold stratification in light. However, seeds germinated to lower proportions after cold stratification in light relative to darkness, and when incubated at temperatures that mimic summer (35/20 C) compared to late spring (25/15 C). Germination varied widely among populations (23-58%), with plants from more open sites exhibiting lower germination proportions than those from partially shaded sites. Our results indicate seeds most likely germinate in early- to mid-spring, and light promotes germination of H. eggertii. Our results highlight the interactive role of light and temperature in determining seed dormancy break and germination in H. eggertii.

On 1987: South Korean Cinema in the Era of Re-democratization

On 1987: South Korean Cinema in the Era of Re-democratization

Advances in South American Micropaleontology. Selected Papers of the 11th Argentine Paleontological Congress

Advances in South American Micropaleontology. Selected Papers of the 11th Argentine Paleontological Congress

Purified Bighead protein efficiently promotes head development in the South African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis.

Vertebrate embryonic development is regulated by a few families of extracellular signaling molecules. Xenopus laevis embryos offer an excellent system to study the cell-cell communication signals that govern embryonic patterning. In the frog embryos, Wnt/β-catenin plays a pivotal role in regulating embryonic axis development, and modulation of the Wnt pathway is required for proper antero-posterior patterning. Recently, a novel secreted, organizer-specific Wnt inhibitor, Bighead, was identified that acts by downregulating Lrp6 plasma membrane levels. Here, I describe a method to purify biologically active Bighead protein and confirm that Bighead promotes Xenopus head development.

Protestantisms and the Design of South Korea

The blueprint for the Republic of Korea was drawn up in large part by northern Protestants who moved south following the division of the Korean Peninsula. This paper elucidates the profoundly important role they played in nation-building, highlighting the existence of multiple, functionally distinct Protestantisms. Far from constituting a uniform field, Christianity in Korea was shaped by tensions among three different Protestantisms originating in three different locations: the conservative Protestantism of the Northern Presbyterian Church in the United States, the progressivism of Canadian Protestantism, later nurtured by the Germans, and Japanese Protestantism, which entered Korea in the 1920s and left behind a deep imprint despite its relatively limited reach. While the most recognizable form of Protestantism has become inseparable from America itself, a significantly less conservative Protestantism hailing from Hamgyeong-do province and eastern Manchuria served as the core of anti-government dissidence in the 1960s and 1970s. Yet another Protestantism, concealing the word “Japan” from its genealogy in the charged atmosphere of post-liberation Korean society, survived as a powerful rival to and opponent of conservative American Protestantism in presenting a coherent vision of social reform. The existence of such different Protestantisms also reveals the presence of different modernities in postwar South Korea.