Population structure and quantitative characteristics of Tetracentron sinense (Trochodendraceae) in Leigong Mountain Nature Reserve, China

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-100
Author(s):  
Huan Zhang ◽  
Fan Duan ◽  
Yang Li ◽  
Qinqin Wang ◽  
Xueheng Lu ◽  
...  

Background: Knowledge of plant population structure facilitates conservation, management, and utilization of endangered plants. Research question: What is the current status of the natural populations of Tetracentron sinense in Leigong Mountain Nature Reserve (LMNR) and what future population development trends can be predicted? Studied species: Tetracentron sinense  Study site and period of research: T. sinense populations in LMNR in China in 2018. Methods: The population structure and quantity dynamics of four typical patches were studied using static life tables, survival curves, survival analyses, and time series analyses.  Results: The age structures of the T. sinense populations were spindle-shaped, with few seedlings and saplings, and Deevey type II and Ⅲ survival curves. The mortality rate (qx) of each patch increased quickly, and then plateaued, finally increasing again. Survival rate (Sx) showed a contrary trend to qx. Trends in cumulative mortality rate (F(i)), killing power (Kx), mortality density (f(ti)), and hazard rate (λ(ti)) with increasing age class were similar: increasing at a younger age, gradually stabilizing in middle age, and then increasing slightly in older age. The number of individuals in these T. sinense populations was predicted to decrease sharply in future, with younger individuals being seriously deficient. The results showed that the natural populations of T. sinense in the LMNR were relatively stable but were in an early stage of decline.  Conclusions: The lack of younger individuals might reflect a bottleneck for regeneration of T. sinense populations, leading to a decline in population size.

Author(s):  
Ting Wan Tan ◽  
Han Ling Tan ◽  
Man Na Chang ◽  
Wen Shu Lin ◽  
Chih Ming Chang

(1) Background: The implementation of effective control measures in a timely fashion is crucial to control the epidemic outbreak of COVID-19. In this study, we aimed to analyze the control measures implemented during the COVID-19 outbreak, as well as evaluating the responses and outcomes at different phases for epidemic control in Taiwan. (2) Methods: This case study reviewed responses to COVID-19 and the effectiveness of a range of control measures implemented for epidemic control in Taiwan and assessed all laboratory-confirmed cases between 11 January until 20 December 2020, inclusive of these dates. The confirmation of COVID-19 infection was defined as the positive result of a reverse-transcriptase–polymerase-chain-reaction test taken from a nasopharyngeal swab. Test results were reported by the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. The incidence rate, mortality rate, and testing rate were compiled, and the risk ratio was provided to gain insights into the effectiveness of prevention measures. (3) Results and Discussion: This study presents retrospective data on the COVID-19 incidence rate in Taiwan, combined with the vital preventive control measures, in a timeline of the early stage of the epidemic that occurred in Taiwan. The implementation of multiple strategy control measures and the assistance of technologies to control the COVID-19 epidemic in Taiwan led to a relatively slower trend in the outbreak compared to the neighboring countries. In Taiwan, 766 confirmed patients were included, comprised of 88.1% imported cases and 7.2% local transmission cases, within the studied period. The incidence rate of COVID-19 in Taiwan during the studied period was 32 per million people, with a mortality rate of 0.3 per million people. Our analysis showed a significantly raised incidence risk ratio in the countries of interest in comparison to Taiwan during the study period; in the range of 1.9 to 947.5. The outbreak was brought under control through epidemic policies and hospital strategies implemented by the Taiwan Government. (4) Conclusion: Taiwan’s preventive strategies resulted in a drastically lower risk for Taiwan nationals of contracting COVID-19 when new pharmaceutical drug or vaccines were not yet available. The preventive strategies employed by Taiwan could serve as a guide and reference for future epidemic control strategies.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 2571-2580
Author(s):  
Filip Valjak ◽  
Angelica Lindwall

AbstractThe advent of additive manufacturing (AM) in recent years have had a significant impact on the design process. Because of new manufacturing technology, a new area of research emerged – Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM) with newly developed design support methods and tools. This paper looks into the current status of the field regarding the conceptual design of AM products, with the focus on how literature sources treat design heuristics and design principles in the context of DfAM. To answer the research question, a systematic literature review was conducted. The results are analysed, compared and discussed on three main points: the definition of the design heuristics and the design principles, level of support they provide, as well as where and how they are used inside the design process. The paper highlights the similarities and differences between design heuristics and design principles in the context of DfAM.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brittany Umer ◽  
David Good ◽  
Jozef Anné ◽  
Wei Duan ◽  
Ming Q. Wei

Solid tumour accounts for 90% of all cancers. The current treatment approach for most solid tumours is surgery, however it is limited to early stage tumours. Other treatment options such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy are non-selective, thus causing damage to both healthy and cancerous tissue. Past research has focused on understanding tumour cells themselves, and conventional wisdom has aimed at targeting these cells directly. Recent research has shifted towards understanding the tumour microenvironment and it’s differences from that of healthy cells/tissues in the body and then to exploit these differences for treatmeat of the tumour. One such approach is utilizing anaerobic bacteria. Several strains of bacteria have been shown to selectively colonize in solid tumours, making them valuable tools for selective tumour targeting and destruction. Amongst them, the anaerobicClostridiumhas shown great potential in penetration and colonization of the hypoxic and necrotic areas of the tumour microenvironment, causing significant oncolysis as well as enabling the delivery of therapeutics directly to the tumourin situ. Various strategies utilizingClostridiumare currently being investigated, and represent a novel area of emerging cancer therapy. This review provides an update review of tumour microenvironment as well as summary of the progresses and current status of Clostridial spore-based cancer therapies.


2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 419-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiao-Bing Wu ◽  
Yun Hu

AbstractPaternity testing was determined in Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) clutches during a reproductive season at Xuanzhou Nature Reserve, using five microsatellite loci. DNA from ten mother and offspring clutches was analysed to identify paternal alleles. Three or four paternal alleles were observed among three of ten clutches. These clutches were sired by at least two different males. This present study confirmed the effectiveness of microsatellite DNA markers in detecting multiple paternity within natural populations of Chinese alligator. However, to reduce the confounding effects of mutations and null alleles on allele assignment and to increase power to monitor individual's genetic contribution, we need additional variable genetic markers.


2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonas Gebara ◽  
Antenor Pereira Barbosa ◽  
Isabel Maria Gonçalves Azevedo ◽  
Bruno Oliva Gimenez

ABSTRACT We aimed in this work to study natural populations of copaiba (Copaifera multijuga Hayne) on the Monte Branco mountain at Porto Trombetas-PA, in order to support sustainable management and the exploitation of oleoresin from copaiba. We studied the population structure of copaiba on hillsides and valleys of the south face of Monte Branco, within Saracá Taquera National Forest, where bauxite ore was extracted in the biennium 2013-2014 by Mineração Rio do Norte (MRN). We produced a 100% forest inventory of the specie and of oleoresin extraction in order to quantify the potential production of the remaining area. The density of copaiba individuals with DBH > 30 cm was 0.33 individuals per hectare in the hillside and 0.25 individuals per hectare in the valley. Both environments presented a density of 0.28 individuals per hectare. The average copaiba oleoresin yield was 0.661±0.334 liters in the hillside and 0.765±0.280 liters in the valley. The average value of both environments together (hillside and valley) was 0.714±0.218 liters. From all individuals with DBH over 30 cm, 38 (58%) produced some amount of oleoresin, averaging 1.113±0.562 liters in the hillside, 1.329±0.448 liters in the valley and 1.190±0.355 liters in both environments together. The results show the need for planning the use of the surroundings of the study area in order to reach the required volume of copaiba to make feasible the sustainable management of oleoresin extraction in the region.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maja Boczkowska ◽  
Katarzyna Bączek ◽  
Olga Kosakowska ◽  
Anna Rucińska ◽  
Wiesław Podyma ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Valeriana officinalis L. is one of the most important medicinal plant with a mild sedative, nervine, antispasmodic and relaxant effect. Despite a substantial number of studies on this species, population genomics has not yet been analyzed. The main aim of this study was: characterization of genetic variation of natural populations of V. officinalis in Poland and comparison of variation of wild populations and the cultivated form using Next Generation Sequencing based DArTseq technique. We also would like to establish foundations for genetic monitoring of the species in the future and to develop genetic fingerprint profile for samples deposited in gene bank and in natural sites in order to assess the degree of their genetic integrity and population structure preservation in the future.Results: The major and also the most astounding result of our work is the low level of observed heterozygosity of individual plants from natural populations despite the fact that the species is widespread in the studied area. Inbreeding, in naturally outcrossing species such as valerian, decreases the reproductive success. The analysis of the population structure indicated the potential presence of metapopulation in a broad area of Poland and the formation of a distinct gene pool in Bieszczady Mountains. The results also indicate the presence of individuals of the cultivated form in natural populations in the region where the species is cultivated for the needs of the pharmaceutical industry and this could lead to structural and genetic imbalance in wild populations.Conclusions: The DArTseq technology can be applied effectively in genetic studies of V. officinalis. The genetic variability of wild populations is in fact significantly lower than assumed. Individuals from the cultivated population are found in the natural environment and their impact on wild populations should be monitored.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 74-81
Author(s):  
Ayushi Rajkumar Jain ◽  
Doss Prakash ◽  
Sheetal Swamy

The alarming statistics of COVID-19 surges up in 2021 throwing an enormous burden on the healthcare system across the world. According to WHO reports on 14th April 2021, globally 136,996,364 confirmed COVID-19 cases are reported across the continents, including 2,951,832 deaths. The state of Maharashtra reported the maximum number of cases of India including high mortality rate. This study was conducted to identify and describe the relation of different predictors (Age, gender, duration of hospital stay, presence of co morbidities) of mortality among the COVID-19 deceased patients by retrospectively analyzing the medical case records of 121 patients from a dedicated COVID hospital at Aurangabad from July 2020 to December 2020. Chi-square test was performed to assess the association between causes of death with different cluster of variables and their significance. This study helps us to identify risk factors that show association between various predictors and mortality rate in COVID-19 patients. Out of 121 deaths, 96 (79%) were male, 61 (49.6%) were in age group between 60-79 years, ARDS was one of the major complication in the deceased patients accounting 29.8% and cardio respiratory arrest was the common cause of death among the deceased patients with 85%. It was also observed that mortality rate was very higher in the initial five days of hospitalization with critical care support. Our result findings provide clinical inferences for physicians to identify high-risk factors with COVID-19 at a very early stage. Key words: COVID-19, Mortality rate, Demographic predictors, Co-morbidities, Cardio respiratory arrest.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 64800
Author(s):  
Bahana Aditya Adnan ◽  
Suwarno Hadisusanto ◽  
Purnomo Purnomo

Rafflesia patma is an endemic plant of Pangandaran, West Java which is protected because of its rare status. The purpose of this research is to study the population structure, distribution patterns, and the effect of the physical environment of abundance R. patma in Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve, West Java. The method used in this research was a survey method with a purposive sampling technique. Sampling was conducted using quadrat plots. The population pattern distribution was defined by a standardized Morisita index, and the analysis of abiotic environmental factors was determined by Principal Component Analysis (PCA) using PAST3. The results showed that there were 114 R. patma individuals scattered in several research areas in Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve, they were Gua Parat (3 individuals), Cilegon (13 individuals), Pasir Putih (12 individuals), Badeto (48 individuals), and Curug Leutik (38 individuals). The distribution pattern of R. patma in Pananjung Pangandaran Nature Reserve was clustered with the Morisita index value (Id) > 1. Based on the PCA analysis, results that support the classification of the cluster analysis were obtained. Based on four abiotic environmental conditions analyzed, the most dominant character in influencing the distribution patterns and population structure of R. patma is light intensity. 


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-39
Author(s):  
B. G. Isayeva ◽  
M. M. Saparbayeva ◽  
S. M. Isayeva ◽  
M. M. Kulshymanova ◽  
Sh. M. Kaiyrgali ◽  
...  

Objective: to analyze the provision of medical, including rheumatology, care in Kazakhstan, to study the incidence of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and to develop a registry of patients with this condition.Material and methods. The investigators analyzed the guidelines for the organization of medical, including rheumatology, care in the republic and the official statistical materials of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the period 2012 to 2017. Articles were searched to select activity indices, organ damages and to assess the quality of life and treatment programs in order to create a registry of patients with SLE.Results and discussion. The paper presents the basic principles of providing medical, including rheumatology, care in the republic. It gives data on the issues of providing SLE patients with medicines in outpatient and inpatient settings. It also analyzes trends in the incidence of SLE in the population of Kazakhstan in 2012 to 2017. There were 4,448 SLE patients, including 3,986 women; a comparative analysis of indicators demonstrated a 62.8% increase in the incidence of SLE from 2012 to 2017. The purpose and objectives of the registry of patients with SLE were substantiated.Conclusion. An analysis of morbidity rates suggests that SLE remains to be significant in the republic. The incidence of SLE has been noted to increase in the period from 2012 to 2017; there is a female preponderance (89.6%). The application of the SLE registry in clinical practice will be able to improve the diagnosis of the disease in the early stage and to prevent possible complications. 


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