scholarly journals Oil palm and rubber expansion facilitates earthworm invasion in Indonesia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anton Potapov ◽  
Ina Schaefer ◽  
Malte Jochum ◽  
Rahayu Widyastuti ◽  
Nico Eisenhauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oil Palm ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Soil Biodiversity ◽  
Deforestation Rate ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Earthworm Invasion ◽  
Invasive Earthworms ◽  
Native Soil ◽  
Density And Biomass

AbstractDeforestation, plantation expansion and other human activities in tropical ecosystems are often associated with biological invasions. These processes have been studied for above-ground organisms, but associated changes below the ground have received little attention. We surveyed rainforest and plantation systems in Jambi province, Sumatra, Indonesia, to investigate effects of land-use change on the diversity and abundance of earthworms—a major group of soil-ecosystem engineers that often is associated with human activities. Density and biomass of earthworms increased 4—30-fold in oil palm and rubber monoculture plantations compared to rainforest. Despite much higher abundance, earthworm communities in plantations were less diverse and dominated by the peregrine morphospecies Pontoscolex corethrurus, often recorded as invasive. Considering the high deforestation rate in Indonesia, invasive earthworms are expected to dominate soil communities across the region in the near future, in lieu of native soil biodiversity. Ecologically-friendly management approaches, increasing structural habitat complexity and plant diversity, may foster beneficial effects of invasive earthworms on plant growth while mitigating negative effects on below-ground biodiversity and the functioning of the native soil animal community.

scholarly journals Quantitative analyzes of virtual water net exports under the impacts of natural changes and human activities in the last 20 years in Shandong Province, China

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiuxiu Sun ◽  
Weiping Wang ◽  
Shisong Qu ◽  
Wenliang Li ◽  
Weidong Zhao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Human Activities ◽  
Yellow River ◽  
Virtual Water ◽  
Water Diversion ◽  
Management Policy ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Virtual Water Trade ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Net Exports

Abstract Virtual water trade in a region is affected by both nature and humans. To study the contributions of human activities to virtual water trade quantitatively, an innovative method of quantitative comparison and analysis is put forward. At first, the climates are adjusted into a unified standard. Then the impacts of increment and reduction of foreign water are studied. Additionally, the impacts of water management policy are studied according to the comparable water quotas. Results show that with the development of economy, an N-shaped trend and inverted U-shaped trend exist with regard to the net exports of agricultural and industrial virtual water, respectively. The net imports of virtual water have beneficial effects to the water environments of water deficient areas, while the net exports have negative effects. In 1997, the net exports of agricultural and industrial virtual water reduced by 20.13% and 49.67% respectively due to the cut-off of Yellow River channel compared with that under the average Yellow River water diversion. In 2017, they increased by 1.32% and 41.99% respectively because of the South-to-North Water Transfer project and reduced by 10.01% and 20.39% respectively under the effects of the most stringent water management policy.

Effects of marine reserves on predator-prey interactions in central California kelp forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 655 ◽  
pp. 139-155
Author(s):  
DC Yates ◽  
SI Lonhart ◽  
SL Hamilton
Keyword(s):  
Species Interactions ◽  
Size Structure ◽  
Marine Reserves ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Kelp Forests ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Central California ◽  
Invertebrate Predators ◽  
Predatory Fishes ◽  
Density And Biomass

Marine reserves are often designed to increase density, biomass, size structure, and biodiversity by prohibiting extractive activities. However, the recovery of predators following the establishment of marine reserves and the consequent cessation of fishing may have indirect negative effects on prey populations by increasing prey mortality. We coupled field surveys with empirical predation assays (i.e. tethering experiments) inside and outside of 3 no-take marine reserves in kelp forests along the central California coast to quantify the strength of interactions between predatory fishes and their crustacean prey. Results indicated elevated densities and biomass of invertebrate predators inside marine reserves compared to nearby fished sites, but no significant differences in prey densities. The increased abundance of predators inside marine reserves translated to a significant increase in mortality of 2 species of decapod crustaceans, the dock shrimp Pandalus danae and the cryptic kelp crab Pugettia richii, in tethering experiments. Shrimp mortality rates were 4.6 times greater, while crab mortality rates were 7 times greater inside reserves. For both prey species, the time to 50% mortality was negatively associated with the density and biomass of invertebrate predators (i.e. higher mortality rates where predators were more abundant). Video analyses indicated that macro-invertivore fishes arrived 2 times faster to tethering arrays at sites inside marine reserves and began attacking tethered prey more rapidly. The results indicate that marine reserves can have direct and indirect effects on predators and their prey, respectively, and highlight the importance of considering species interactions in making management decisions.

Diabetes and Heart Failure: Is it Hyperglycemia or Hyperinsulinemia?

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-157 ◽  
Author(s):  
Triantafyllos Didangelos ◽  
Konstantinos Kantartzis
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Insulin Treatment ◽  
Close Association ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Appropriate Treatment ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Treatment Of Diabetes

The cardiac effects of exogenously administered insulin for the treatment of diabetes (DM) have recently attracted much attention. In particular, it has been questioned whether insulin is the appropriate treatment for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and heart failure. While several old and some new studies suggested that insulin treatment has beneficial effects on the heart, recent observational studies indicate associations of insulin treatment with an increased risk of developing or worsening of pre-existing heart failure and higher mortality rates. However, there is actually little evidence that the associations of insulin administration with any adverse outcomes are causal. On the other hand, insulin clearly causes weight gain and may also cause serious episodes of hypoglycemia. Moreover, excess of insulin (hyperinsulinemia), as often seen with the use of injected insulin, seems to predispose to inflammation, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, heart failure, and arrhythmias. Nevertheless, it should be stressed that most of the data concerning the effects of insulin on cardiac function derive from in vitro studies with isolated animal hearts. Therefore, the relevance of the findings of such studies for humans should be considered with caution. In the present review, we summarize the existing data about the potential positive and negative effects of insulin on the heart and attempt to answer the question whether any adverse effects of insulin or the consequences of hyperglycemia are more important and may provide a better explanation of the close association of DM with heart failure.

scholarly journals Can Ultrasound Therapy Be an Environmental-Friendly Alternative to Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment?

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 2715
Author(s):  
Rodica Ana Ungur ◽  
Viorela Mihaela Ciortea ◽  
Laszlo Irsay ◽  
Alina Deniza Ciubean ◽  
Bogdana Adriana Năsui ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ultrasound Therapy ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Environmental Friendly ◽  
Chemical Pollutants ◽  
Osteoarthritis Treatment ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
Anti Inflammatory ◽  
And Function

The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most used drugs in knee OA (osteoarthritis) treatment. Despite their efficiency in pain and inflammation alleviation, NSAIDs accumulate in the environment as chemical pollutants and have numerous genetic, morphologic, and functional negative effects on plants and animals. Ultrasound (US) therapy can improve pain, inflammation, and function in knee OA, without impact on environment, and with supplementary metabolic beneficial effects on cartilage compared to NSAIDs. These features recommend US therapy as alternative for NSAIDs use in knee OA treatment.

scholarly journals CeO2 Nanoparticle-Containing Polymers for Biomedical Applications: A Review

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 924
Author(s):  
Alexander B. Shcherbakov ◽  
Vladimir V. Reukov ◽  
Alexander V. Yakimansky ◽  
Elena L. Krasnopeeva ◽  
Olga S. Ivanova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Metal Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Polymeric Materials ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
New Horizons ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Advanced Composite ◽  
Unique Material ◽  
Biomedical Polymers ◽  
Biomedical Potential

The development of advanced composite biomaterials combining the versatility and biodegradability of polymers and the unique characteristics of metal oxide nanoparticles unveils new horizons in emerging biomedical applications, including tissue regeneration, drug delivery and gene therapy, theranostics and medical imaging. Nanocrystalline cerium(IV) oxide, or nanoceria, stands out from a crowd of other metal oxides as being a truly unique material, showing great potential in biomedicine due to its low systemic toxicity and numerous beneficial effects on living systems. The combination of nanoceria with new generations of biomedical polymers, such as PolyHEMA (poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-based hydrogels, electrospun nanofibrous polycaprolactone or natural-based chitosan or cellulose, helps to expand the prospective area of applications by facilitating their bioavailability and averting potential negative effects. This review describes recent advances in biomedical polymeric material practices, highlights up-to-the-minute cerium oxide nanoparticle applications, as well as polymer-nanoceria composites, and aims to address the question: how can nanoceria enhance the biomedical potential of modern polymeric materials?

scholarly journals Beyond the Pandemic: COVID-19 Pandemic Changed the Face of Life

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5645
Author(s):  
Shaden A. M. Khalifa ◽  
Mahmoud M. Swilam ◽  
Aida A. Abd El-Wahed ◽  
Ming Du ◽  
Haged H. R. El-Seedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Activities ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Population Movements ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Face ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Positive Impacts

The COVID-19 pandemic is a serious challenge for societies around the globe as entire populations have fallen victim to the infectious spread and have taken up social distancing. In many countries, people have had to self-isolate and to be confined to their homes for several weeks to months to prevent the spread of the virus. Social distancing measures have had both negative and positive impacts on various aspects of economies, lifestyles, education, transportation, food supply, health, social life, and mental wellbeing. On other hands, due to reduced population movements and the decline in human activities, gas emissions decreased and the ozone layer improved; this had a positive impact on Earth’s weather and environment. Overall, the COVID-19 pandemic has negative effects on human activities and positive impacts on nature. This study discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on different life aspects including the economy, social life, health, education, and the environment.

scholarly journals Effect of 12 Months of Exercise with Stachys Lavandulifolia Consumption on anxiety, Metabolic Syndrome Profiles and Antioxidant Defense and Lipid Peroxidation in Women with Syndrome Metabolic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali osali ◽  
Alireza Rostami
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Syndrome ◽  
Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Aerobic Exercise ◽  
Antioxidant Defense ◽  
Training Group ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Before And After

Abstract BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 12 months of aerobic exercise combining stachys lavandulifolia (S. lavandulifolia) consumption on anxiety, Metabolic Syndrome profiles and antioxidant defense (Glutathione) and lipid peroxidation (Malondialdehyde) in 50-65 years old women with syndrome metabolic.Methods48 women with syndrome Metabolic were randomly divided into four groups: exercise (n=12), exercise+S. lavandulifolia (n=12), S. lavandulifolia (n=12) and control group (n=12). S. lavandulifolia groups consumed 3 g aerial parts of S. lavandulifolia daily. Training groups performed an exercise protocol of aerobic exercise for 12 months (three sessions per week). Blood samples were obtained before and after training period for antioxidant indicators and lipid degradation measurement. Also, Beck anxiety questionnaire used for evaluating levels of anxiety. T-test and one-way analysis of variance were used for the evaluation of within-group and between-group differences, respectively.ResultsA significant increase was observed in serum levels of Malondialdehyde (P =0.004), Catalase indexes (Pvalue= 0.01), and Glutathione (P=0.001) in the training group and S. lavandulifolia groups after 12 months. Body weight, BMI, and SBP and Anexiety was decreased significantly greater in exercise +S. lavandulifolia group compared to control, exercise and S. lavandulifolia groups (P=0.001)ConclusionAnxiolytic effect and Anti-Oxidative Stress Activity was seen, so taking S. lavandulifolia along with exercises may have beneficial effects on reinforcement the antioxidant system and prevention of anxiety and The negative effects of indicators related to cardiovascular disease in women with metabolic syndrome.

scholarly journals Aboveground impacts of a belowground invader: how invasive earthworms alter aboveground arthropod communities in a northern North American forest

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malte Jochum ◽  
Lise Thouvenot ◽  
Olga Ferlian ◽  
Romy Zeiss ◽  
Bernhard Klarner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Structural Equation ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Arthropod Community ◽  
Arthropod Communities ◽  
Earthworm Invasion ◽  
Invasive Earthworms ◽  
Invasion Impacts ◽  
Arthropod Abundance

AbstractDeclining arthropod communities have recently gained a lot of attention with climate and land-use change among the most-frequently discussed drivers. Here, we focus on a seemingly underrepresented driver of arthropod-community decline: biological invasions. For ∼12,000 years, earthworms have been absent from wide parts of northern North America, but they have been re-introduced with dramatic consequences. Most studies investigating earthworm-invasion impacts focus on the belowground world, resulting in limited knowledge on aboveground-community changes. We present observational data on earthworm, plant, and aboveground-arthropod communities in 60 plots, distributed across areas with increasing invasion status (low, medium, high) in a Canadian forest. We analyzed how earthworm-invasion status and biomass impact aboveground arthropod community abundance, biomass, and species richness, and how earthworm impacts cascade across trophic levels. We sampled ∼13,000 arthropods, dominated by Hemiptera, Diptera, Araneae, Thysanoptera, and Hymenoptera. Total arthropod abundance, biomass, and species richness declined significantly from areas of low to those with high invasion status with reductions of 61, 27, and 18%, respectively. Structural Equation Models unraveled that earthworms directly and indirectly impact arthropods across trophic levels. We show that earthworm invasion can alter aboveground multitrophic arthropod communities and suggest that belowground invasions can be important drivers of aboveground-arthropod decline.

scholarly journals Beginning to See the Light: Lessons Learned From the Development of the Circadian System for Optimizing Light Conditions in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esther M. Hazelhoff ◽  
Jeroen Dudink ◽  
Johanna H. Meijer ◽  
Laura Kervezee
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Circadian System ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Preterm Neonates ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Beneficial Effects

The circadian timing system optimizes health by temporally coordinating behavior and physiology. During mammalian gestation, fetal circadian rhythms are synchronized by the daily fluctuations in maternal body temperature, hormones and nutrients. Circadian disruption during pregnancy is associated with negative effects on developmental outcomes in the offspring, highlighting the importance of regular and robust 24-h rhythms over gestation. In the case of preterm birth (before 37 weeks of gestation), maternal cues no longer synchronize the neonate’s circadian system, which may adversely affect the neonate. There is increasing evidence that introducing robust light-dark cycles in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has beneficial effects on clinical outcomes in preterm infants, such as weight gain and hospitalization time, compared to infants exposed to constant light or constant near-darkness. However, the biological basis for these effects and the relationship with the functional and anatomical development of the circadian system is not fully understood. In this review, we provide a concise overview of the effects of light-dark cycles on clinical outcomes of preterm neonates in the NICU and its alignment with the development of the circadian system.

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