Biochemical assessment of evolution and taxonomy of the morphologically poorly diverged geckos, Gekko yakuensis and G. hokouensis (Reptilia: Squamata) in Japan, with special reference to their occasional hybridization

We assessed the validity of two gekkonid species, Gekko yakuensis and G. hokouensis, in southern Japan. We first assigned all 398 specimens into 18 samples merely on the basis of localities. By conducting significance test for deviations of genotype frequencies from Hardy‐Weinberg at 11 allozyme loci, we checked the reproductive unity of constituents in each of those local samples, and where necessary, rearranged them into subsamples on the basis of genetic markers so that we recognized minimum reproductively cohesive units. We then compared allele frequencies among all samples and subsamples examined. Results clearly indicated that all but two can be classified into two groups that can be discriminated from each other by remarkable allele frequency differences at four diagnostic loci, and by large genetic distances even between sympatric subsamples. Observations of morphological features of the samples and subsamples confirmed that the two groups correspond to G. yakuensis and G. hokouensis, supporting validities of these two species. Allele frequency comparisons, however, also revealed that the remaining two samples, both from southern Kyushu, possessed ‘marker alleles' of both G. yakuensis and G. hokouensis at all four diagnostic loci. These samples thus were considered to represent populations that have been derived through hybridization of the two species. Detailed analyses for genetic structures demonstrated that all hybrid genotypes in the two samples are post‐Fi generations with only one individual resulting from the back‐cross with a pure line population of G. yakuensis. This finding negates the possibility that the hybrid populations are maintained by a constant supply of newly produced Fj hybrids, but suggests that the hybrid genotypes constitute stable breeding populations. This implies that the genealogical independence of G. yakuensis and G. hokouensis in several other sympatric areas has been maintained by operations of some isolation mechanisms at a pre‐mating phase. Investigations of the morphological variation in each sample or subsample revealed that although the two species can be externally largely discriminated from each other by slight modifications of the currently used diagnoses, it is difficult to detect their hybrids based solely on the morphological features.     

GABA metabolism in the substantia nigra,cortex, and hippocampus during status epilepticus

The metabolism of GABA and other amino acids was studied in the substantia nigra, the hippocampus and the parietal cortex of rats following microinjections of GAMMA-vinyl-GABA during status epilepticus induced by lithium and pilocarpine. GABA metabolism showed striking regional variations. In controls, both GABA concentration and rate of GABA synthesis were highest in the substantia nigra and lowest in cortex, as expected. In substantia nigra, status epilepticus resulted in a 2 1/2 fold decline in the rate of GABA synthesis and in a 307% increase in the turnover time of the GABA pool. In hippocampus, the rate of GABA synthesis was not altered significantly, but the turnover time of the GABA pool was 284% of controls, and the size of that pool increased to 208% of controls. By contrast, in cortex, where seizure activity is limited in this model, the rate of GABA synthesis increased to 230% of controls while pool size and turnover time did not change. Aspartate concentration decreased in all three brain regions. These data suggest that the observed reduction of the rate of GABA synthesis in substantia nigra could play a key role in seizure spread in this model of status epilepticus.Special Issue dedicated to Claude Baxter.     

Abundance trends for river macroinvertebrates vary across taxa,trophic group and river typology

There is mounting evidence that terrestrial arthropods are declining rapidly in many areas of the world. It is unclear whether freshwater invertebrates, which are key providers of ecosystem services, are also declining. We addressed this question by analysing a long-term dataset of macroinvertebrate abundance collected from 2002 to 2019 across 5009 sampling sites in English rivers. Patterns varied markedly across taxonomic groups. Within trophic groups we detected increases in the abundance of carnivores by 19% and herbivores by 14.8%, while we estimated decomposers have declined by 21.7% in abundance since 2002. We also found heterogeneity in trends across rivers belonging to different typologies based on geological dominance and catchment altitude, with organic lowland rivers having generally higher rates of increase in abundance across taxa and trophic groups, with siliceous lowland rivers having the most declines. Our results reveal a complex picture of change in freshwater macroinvertebrate abundance between taxonomic groups, trophic levels and river typologies. Our analysis helps with identifying priority regions for action on potential environmental stressors where we discover macroinvertebrate abundance declines.     

Monitoring the population status of a secretive lizard,the threatened heath skink Liopholis multiscutata,in south-eastern Australia using surrogate metrics: An update

Our recent study compared monitoring data collected using surrogate metrics during 2014–2018 inclusive with baseline data from 2007 to evaluate the trajectory of the population status of the threatened heath skink Liopholis multiscutata in Victoria. The heath skink is a secretive burrowing species that is a habitat specialist and exists in north-western Victoria as a few small and highly disjunct populations on large dunes in semi-arid heathland or mallee. We re-assessed the trajectories of the Victorian populations with additional monitoring data collected in 2021 and found continuing decline across all four Victorian heath skink populations. Urgent management intervention is required to arrest this decline, likely due to predation, reduced availability of habitat and life history and demographic traits that make this species susceptible to decline.     

Research on dead human bodies: African perspectives on moral status

A useful concept that can be invoked to resolve complex bioethical issues is that of moral status (or, human dignity). In this article, we apply this concept to dead human bodies in order to support our view that research on such bodies is permissible. Instead of drawing from salient Western theories of human dignity that account for it by appeals to autonomy or rationality, we will base our investigation on emerging conceptions in African theories of moral status as articulated by Thaddeus Metz and Munamato Chemhuru. Our conclusion is that neither of these theories of moral status, one secular, and the other religious, can accommodate the intuition that we have direct duties of respect towards such bodies because, in relation to Metz's conception, they lack the capacity to enter into social relationships while on Chemhuru's conception, dead bodies appear not to have any meaningful purpose within the hierarchy that captures the ontological systems that determine such status. Consequently, we argue that our analysis provides support for the use of unclaimed cadavers in training and research in medical institutions.     

Early socioeconomic status,social mobility and cognitive trajectories in later life: A life course perspective

Using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) from 2008 to 2018 accompanied by the growth curve model, we examined the association between early socioeconomic status, social mobility, and divergent cognitive trajectories in later life within a society undergoing significant transformation. The study confirmed a positive relationship between socioeconomic status in early life and cognitive ability in later life. However, socioeconomic status in adulthood is associated with better cognitive ability in old age compared to that in childhood. Meanwhile, upward social mobility mitigates the negative correlation between socioeconomic disadvantage in early life and cognitive ability in later life. In addition, the inequality in socioeconomic status at earlier stages resulted in heterogeneous cognitive trajectories, with the double cumulative disadvantage effect resulting from education being particularly noteworthy. Thus, Chinese health policy should focus on the earlier stages of life, actively promoting inclusive family policies and improving the family's role in protecting childhood from an adverse environment. Simultaneously, education and employment fairness should be strengthened to accelerate social mobility and enhance the “Health Repair Mechanism” of the second life course.     

Regional disparities in cancer survival in Iran: Insight from a National Surveillance of Cancer Survival in Iran (IRANCANSURV)

Background and objectivesWe aimed to investigate geographical disparity in cancer survival in 9 provincial population-based cancer registries in Iran from 2015 to 2016.Material and methodIn the current study, data from 90,862 adult patients (aged >15 years) diagnosed with cancer were retrieved from 9 population-based cancer registries across Iran. Five-year survival rates were estimated by applying relative survival approaches. We also applied the international cancer survival standard weights for age standardization. Finally, we calculated the excess hazard ratio (EHR) for each province adjusted for age, sex, and cancer sites to estimate the excess hazard ratio of mortality compared to the capital province (Tehran).ResultsThe largest gap in survival was observed in more curable cancer types, including melanoma (41.4%), ovary (32.3%), cervix (35.0%), prostate (26.7%), and rectum (21.4%), while the observed geographical disparity in lethal cancers such as lung, brain, stomach, and pancreas was less than 15%. Compared to Tehran, we found the highest excess hazard of death in Western Azerbaijan (EHR=1.60, 95% CI 1.51, 1.65), Kermanshah (EHR=1.52, 95% CI=1.44, 1.61), and Kerman (EHR=1.46, 95% CI=1.38, 1.53). The hazard ratio of death was almost identical in Isfahan (EHR=1.04, 95% CI=1.03, 1.06) and Tehran provinces.ConclusionProvinces with higher HDI had better survival rates. IRANCANSURV study showed regional disparities in cancer survival in Iran. Cancer patients in provinces with a higher Human Development Index (HDI) had a higher survival rate and lived longer compared to the patients in provinces with medium and low HDI regions.     

微生态制剂联合免疫增强型肠内营养治疗重症肺炎患者的临床研究

摘要 目的：探讨微生态制剂联合免疫增强型肠内营养治疗重症肺炎患者的临床疗效及对患者营养状态、肠道菌群、T淋巴细胞亚群水平及炎症反应指标的影响。方法：选取2018年10月～2022年1月邯郸市中心医院收治的126例重症肺炎患者,以随机数字表法分为观察组、对照组各63例。对照组采用免疫增强型肠内营养治疗,观察组在对照组基础上加用微生态制剂治疗。比较两组临床疗效、症状变化情况、治疗前后营养指标[血红蛋白（HGB）、白蛋白（ALB）、前白蛋白（PA）]、肠道菌群（双歧杆菌、乳酸杆菌、肠球菌、大肠埃希菌、弯曲杆菌）、T淋巴细胞亚群（CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD8⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺）、炎症因子水平[白介素-6（IL-6）、可溶性血管细胞黏附分子1（sVCAM-1）、C反应蛋白（CRP）]。结果：观察组总有效率（93.65%）高于对照组（80.95%）（P＜0.05）;观察组体温恢复正常时间、肺部阴影消失时间、咳嗽改善时间、住院时间较对照组短（P＜0.05）;治疗后观察组HGB、ALB、PA水平较对照组升高（P＜0.05）;治疗后观察组双歧杆菌较对照组高,乳酸杆菌、肠球菌、大肠埃希菌、弯曲杆菌较对照组降低（P＜0.05）;治疗后观察组CD8⁺较对照组降低,CD3⁺、CD4⁺、CD4⁺/CD8⁺较对照组高高（P＜0.05）;治疗后观察组血清IL-6、sVCAM-1、CRP水平较对照组降低（P＜0.05）。结论：微生态制剂联合免疫增强型肠内营养治疗重症肺炎效果显著,可有效促使症状改善,调节肠道菌群、增强机体免疫功能、改善营养状态、减轻机体炎症反应,值得临床借鉴应用。     

益生菌早期肠内营养对重型颅脑损伤机械通气患者营养状况和炎症因子的影响及呼吸机相关性肺炎的相关因素分析

摘要 目的：探讨益生菌早期肠内营养对重型颅脑损伤（SCCI）机械通气患者营养状况和炎症因子的影响,并分析呼吸机相关性肺炎（VAP）的影响因素。方法：选取我院2021年2月~2022年4月期间收治的SCCI患者102例,根据随机数字表法将患者分为对照组（n=51）和研究组（n=51）,在常规治疗的基础上,对照组给予早期肠内营养支持治疗,研究组给予益生菌结合早期肠内营养支持治疗。对比两组机械通气时间和住院时间、营养状况及炎症因子变化情况,记录两组治疗期间VAP的发生情况。根据是否发生VAP将所有患者分为VAP组和无VAP组,应用单因素及多因素Logistic回归分析SCCI机械通气患者VAP发生的影响因素。结果：研究组的机械通气时间和住院时间短于对照组,VAP发生率低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后白蛋白（ALB）、转铁蛋白（TF）、血红蛋白（Hb）升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组治疗后白介素-6（IL-6）、 C反应蛋白（CRP）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、降钙素原（PCT）下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。单因素分析结果显示：VAP发生与年龄、建立人工气道方式、日均吸痰次数、口腔护理次数、日均气道湿化次数、手术次数、合并复合伤、误吸、术前GCS评分、机械通气时间有关（P<0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析结果显示：年龄≥60岁、术前GCS评分偏高、建立人工气道方式为气管切开、手术次数为2次、日均气道湿化次数<3次、误吸、机械通气时间偏长均是SCCI机械通气患者VAP发生的危险因素（P<0.05）。结论：益生菌早期肠内营养可缩短SCCI患者机械通气时间和住院时间,促进营养状况改善,降低炎症因子水平。同时,SCCI患者术后VAP的发生率较高,年龄、术前GCS评分、建立人工气道方式、手术次数、日均气道湿化次数、误吸、机械通气时间均是SCCI机械通气患者VAP发生的影响因素。     

腹式呼吸训练法对COPD伴Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭患者肺通气状态、血气指标及运动耐力的影响

摘要 目的：探讨腹式呼吸训练法对慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）伴Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭患者肺通气状态、血气指标及运动耐力的影响。方法：选择我院2020年07月2022年12月期间收治的100例COPD伴Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭患者,根据随机数字表法将患者分为对照组[常规治疗基础上接受双水平气道正压（BIPAP）辅助通气,n=50]和研究组（对照组的基础上接受腹式呼吸训练法干预,n=50）。对比两组临床相关指标、肺通气状态、血气指标及运动耐力指标。结果：研究组的喘憋消失时间、体温恢复正常时间、住院时间、肺部啰音消失时间短于对照组（P<0.05）。两组干预1周后第1秒呼气的最大容积（FEV₁）、最大自主分钟通气量（MVV）、用力肺活量（FVC）均升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。两组干预1周后氧分压（PaO2₂）、血氧饱和度（SpO₂）均升高,且研究组高于对照组;二氧化碳分压（PaCO₂）下降,且研究组低于对照组（P<0.05）。两组干预1周后6 min步行距离（6MWT）升高,且研究组高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论：腹式呼吸训练法有助于改善COPD伴Ⅱ型呼吸衰竭患者的临床症状,调节肺通气状态、血气指标,提高运动耐力。