Seasonal variations of natural products in European herbs

The present review gives an overview about the status of research on seasonal variation of natural products in herbs growing in or grown in Europe. Due to pronounced differences in weather patterns, papers covering plants from the Mediterranean, the temperate, and the cold climate zones are reviewed separately. Apart from trying to give an overview of the existing newer literature after the year 2000, we try to identify some repeatedly found seasonal trends and discuss some possible explanations for these trends. Moreover, some suggestions, which encompass both research bias and desirable quality standards concerning experimental designs for future studies, are given. The covered investigations are mainly focused on aerial parts and leaves. Some publications are also dealing with flowers and roots. The composition of essential oils of aromatic plants are particularly well investigated. Phenolics are the most often studied compound class, including different types of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and tannins. Additionally, some papers assess the seasonal variation of alkaloids and lipophilic compounds.

Strategies for managing spring frost risks in orchards: effectiveness and conditionality—A systematic review protocol

Background Spring frosts pose an important threat to orchard productivity in temperate zones and predictions of future occurrences do not exclude damaging events. However, there is no up-to-date and systematic comparison of the effectiveness and conditionality of the existing passive and active damage prevention strategies. This review seeks to answer the questions “How do the performances of spring frost damage reduction strategies in temperate fruit orchards compare?” and “How do environmental conditions affect frost damage reduction strategies in temperate fruit orchards?”. Methods and output The review covers on-site frost damage prevention mechanisms and interventions for the most important temperate pome, stone and citrus fruit trees as well as grapevine. Searches include the core collection and regional databases on the Web of Science platform, Scopus, as well as specialized libraries like Agris, Agricola, CAB Abstracts, Groenekennis and selected institutional websites. Included studies report on the effectiveness of at least one intervention in reducing spring frost damage or increasing temperatures in the field. The validity of the studies will be evaluated based on their risk of general research bias and on topic-specific, stakeholder co-designed validity criteria. Data will be extracted regarding the study setup (study design, location, characteristics of frosts) and the resulting temperature increase, crop development alteration and/or damage reductions. The effectiveness of interventions will be evaluated in terms of yields, damage to flowers, ambient temperature and/or crop development. An Evidence Atlas will identify general and geographic research gaps, as well as research trends. Meta-regression of effectiveness on environmental conditions will be attempted.

Racism in medicine: A qualitative study on the impact of discussion among medical students

Background: This study evaluated the impact of the Racism in Medicine Summit on student perceptions of various topics related to racism in medicine. The Summit was organized at the Wayne State University School of Medicine (WSUSOM) to educate students, faculty and staff on how structural racism affects the residents of Detroit and the historical relationship between healthcare and vulnerable populations. The Summit aimed at providing context for what students in Detroit will encounter as physicians-in-training and the skills they will need to master while working within similar communities. Methods: Qualtrics surveys were created and distributed via email to attendees before and after the event. Responses were obtained via Likert scale and open-text questions. Results: A total of 342 out of 445 participants (77%) completed both the pre- and post-survey. Quantitative analysis in post-survey responses revealed more familiarity among participants regarding specific instances of racism in the history of medicine, greater extent of thinking the history of racism impacts present-day Detroit residents, greater extent of thinking that racism influences medical care and/or medical outcomes, and belief that racism is reflected in medical research, compared to pre-survey responses (p < 0.001). Participants also reported more often considering racial or societal influences when studying medicine and more knowledge of what they can do to combat racism as a student and physician (p < 0.001). Qualitative analysis revealed seven themes among participants: the history of racism in medicine, personal reflection, racism in research, bias and microaggression, actions to take against racism, resources for anti-racist education, and racism in medical education. Conclusions: Demonstrable changes in medical student attitude and awareness surrounding topics of racism and healthcare were achieved after the Racism in Medicine Summit. This can serve as a model for other medical schools to raise awareness about racism in medicine.

Research On the Craniofacial Measurement Characteristics and Pollution Identification of Unearthed Human Bones at Shenna Ruins, China

The unearthed human bones are important materials for revealing ancient human food, ancient environment and ancient climate, and the origin of ancient humans, which the chemical composition and biological characteristics of bones have changed to varying degrees in the process of diagenesis, means that they were contaminated. Therefore, judging whether the unearthed ancient human bones are contaminated is a prerequisite for scientific analysis, environmental archaeology, and research on ancient human recipes. This paper is mainly using traditional morphological methods to analyze and study the craniofacial measurement characteristics of the unearthed human bones at the Shenna ruins, and the contamination of the unearthed human bones by burial environment and diagenesis was judged by using pH measurement, Scanning Electrion Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform red external light spectrum (FTIR). The results show that the organic composition of the remains at Shenna ruins is decomposed in a large amount, the inorganic structure is destroyed, which will eventually cause looseness and porosity. However, the composition of inorganic minerals of the human bones has not been changed or contaminated, they could be avoided unnecessary waste of energy and work and research bias in further study of paleoenvironment and paleoclimate in Shenna ruins.

Low-Hemoglobin Levels During Pregnancy with Low-Birth Weight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Low birth weight (LBW) is one of the main risk factors for neonatal morbidity and mortality. Anemia in developing countries is still quite high compared to developed countries. Low hemoglobin levels in pregnancy can affect the birth of low birth weight babies.Methods: This study used a systematic review method. Studies published between 2015 and 2019. Search for articles was reviewed systematically through Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cochrane, and PubMed databases. The final results obtained 10 articles following the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Calculation result using Meta-Analysis with help of Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software.Results: Compare the odds ratio and confidence interval of hemoglobin levels compared to low birth weight events. The results obtained OR 1.449 (95% CI 0.964 – 2.177) and p-Value 0.074 so that there is no relationship of hemoglobin levels in pregnant women ≤ 11gr / dL with the incidence of low birth weight babies. In the heterogeneity test results, I-Squared results obtained by 79.191%, which indicates the value of I-squared heterogeneity> 50% so that the sample used is heterogeneous. Maternal age less than 20 years or more than 35 years, number of parity, pregnancy spacing, and number of problems in the assessment of pregnancy and previous labor.Conclusion: There is no correlation between low maternal hemoglobin levels with the incidence of low birth weight because there are other factors that can affect outcomes such as different respondent characteristics, number of samples, different research countries, different trimester of pregnancy and other factors that can cause research bias.

Evolutionary puzzle: discussing the evolution of sentience in Metazoa through a phylogenetic perspective

Sentience is the capacity of organisms to feel and experience through subjective states. During the last years, several investigations have indicated that response mechanisms to harmful stimuli can be highly conserved among the Metazoa. However, there is a research bias towards vertebrates in the available studies. Here we discuss the evolution of the nervous and sensory system, pain and nociception in animals through a phylogenetic perspective testing the hypothesis of common ancestry of sentience. Our results indicate that characteristics related to sentience - morphological and molecular and behavioural -, were already present in the common ancestors of Metazoa, Eumetazoa and Bilateria. Our phylogenetic hypotheses positioned Porifera as the sister-group to all the other Metazoa, corroborating the hypothesis of a single origin of the nervous system. Our results also depict Urbilateria as the ancestor of the metazoan toolkit related to the sentience. These scenarios suggest that some attributes of the sensory system may have appeared even before the emergence of the nervous system, through possible cooptations of sensory modules of the first Metazoa.

Effects of psychosocial support interventions on survival in inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings: A meta-analysis of 106 randomized controlled trials

Background Hospitals, clinics, and health organizations have provided psychosocial support interventions for medical patients to supplement curative care. Prior reviews of interventions augmenting psychosocial support in medical settings have reported mixed outcomes. This meta-analysis addresses the questions of how effective are psychosocial support interventions in improving patient survival and which potential moderating features are associated with greater effectiveness. Methods and findings We evaluated randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of psychosocial support interventions in inpatient and outpatient healthcare settings reporting survival data, including studies reporting disease-related or all-cause mortality. Literature searches included studies reported January 1980 through October 2020 accessed from Embase, Medline, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Alt HealthWatch, PsycINFO, Social Work Abstracts, and Google Scholar databases. At least 2 reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and assessed study quality, with at least 2 independent reviewers also extracting data and assessing study quality. Odds ratio (OR) and hazard ratio (HR) data were analyzed separately using random effects weighted models. Of 42,054 studies searched, 106 RCTs including 40,280 patients met inclusion criteria. Patient average age was 57.2 years, with 52% females and 48% males; 42% had cardiovascular disease (CVD), 36% had cancer, and 22% had other conditions. Across 87 RCTs reporting data for discrete time periods, the average was OR = 1.20 (95% CI = 1.09 to 1.31, p < 0.001), indicating a 20% increased likelihood of survival among patients receiving psychosocial support compared to control groups receiving standard medical care. Among those studies, psychosocial interventions explicitly promoting health behaviors yielded improved likelihood of survival, whereas interventions without that primary focus did not. Across 22 RCTs reporting survival time, the average was HR = 1.29 (95% CI = 1.12 to 1.49, p < 0.001), indicating a 29% increased probability of survival over time among intervention recipients compared to controls. Among those studies, meta-regressions identified 3 moderating variables: control group type, patient disease severity, and risk of research bias. Studies in which control groups received health information/classes in addition to treatment as usual (TAU) averaged weaker effects than those in which control groups received only TAU. Studies with patients having relatively greater disease severity tended to yield smaller gains in survival time relative to control groups. In one of 3 analyses, studies with higher risk of research bias tended to report better outcomes. The main limitation of the data is that interventions very rarely blinded personnel and participants to study arm, such that expectations for improvement were not controlled. Conclusions In this meta-analysis, OR data indicated that psychosocial behavioral support interventions promoting patient motivation/coping to engage in health behaviors improved patient survival, but interventions focusing primarily on patients’ social or emotional outcomes did not prolong life. HR data indicated that psychosocial interventions, predominantly focused on social or emotional outcomes, improved survival but yielded similar effects to health information/classes and were less effective among patients with apparently greater disease severity. Risk of research bias remains a plausible threat to data interpretation.

The Extent and Impact of Variation in ADME Genes in Sub-Saharan African Populations

Introduction: Investigating variation in genes involved in the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs are key to characterizing pharmacogenomic (PGx) relationships. ADME gene variation is relatively well characterized in European and Asian populations, but data from African populations are under-studied—which has implications for drug safety and effective use in Africa.Results: We identified significant ADME gene variation in African populations using data from 458 high-coverage whole genome sequences, 412 of which are novel, and from previously available African sequences from the 1,000 Genomes Project. ADME variation was not uniform across African populations, particularly within high impact coding variation. Copy number variation was detected in 116 ADME genes, with equal ratios of duplications/deletions. We identified 930 potential high impact coding variants, of which most are discrete to a single African population cluster. Large frequency differences (i.e., &gt;10%) were seen in common high impact variants between clusters. Several novel variants are predicted to have a significant impact on protein structure, but additional functional work is needed to confirm the outcome of these for PGx use. Most variants of known clinical outcome are rare in Africa compared to European populations, potentially reflecting a clinical PGx research bias to European populations.Discussion: The genetic diversity of ADME genes across sub-Saharan African populations is large. The Southern African population cluster is most distinct from that of far West Africa. PGx strategies based on European variants will be of limited use in African populations. Although established variants are important, PGx must take into account the full range of African variation. This work urges further characterization of variants in African populations including in vitro and in silico studies, and to consider the unique African ADME landscape when developing precision medicine guidelines and tools for African populations.

Mapping Research Evidence on Children Living With Autism Spectrum Disorders in Africa: a Scoping Review Protocol.

Background: Early detection and intervention of children living with Autism Spectrum Disorders have shown a great improvement of the child's behaviour, predominantly in language and motor skills development. We are proposing to conduct a systematic scoping review that will map all evidence available on children living with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Africa.Methods and analysis: This study will be guided by Arksey and O’Malley’s framework of scoping reviews. A comprehensive literature search will be done in the following electronic databases. Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Science Direct, EBSCOhost, MEDLINE, Health Sources, and Google Scholar. Primary studies, published in peer-reviewed journals and grey literature such as unpublished studies, studies in press and Theses that address our research question will be included. To reduce research bias two independent reviewers will perform title, abstract, and full article screening in parallel. Data extraction from the selected studies will be conducted by two independent reviewers. NVivo version 12 software will be used to assist with the extraction of relevant answers to the study questions from selected studies using content thematic analysis. The results for this planned study will be presented following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Review (PRISMA-ScR). Mixed Methods Assessment Tool version 2018 will be used for quality appraisal of included studies.Discussion: We anticipate that the proposed mapped evidence on Children living with Autism Spectrum Disorders in Africa will reveal indicators for early detection that would facilitate strategies for intervention. We are also anticipating that this systematic scoping review will reveal gaps that can be addressed to ensure context-sensitive interventions and identify caregiver burdens of children living with Autism. This will contribute to the reduction of a scarcity of literature on children living with Autism in Africa.

Stigma and Discrimination on People Living with HIV (PLHIV): a Systematic Review

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a global health problem that is almost recorded in every country. The long-term and long-term negative impacts of HIV cases are stigma and discrimination in people with HIV (PLHIV). The purpose of this study is to find out the stigma and discrimination felt by PLHIV.Method:This study design of systematic review from 4 electronic databases namely Scopus ScienceDirect, Sage and ProQuest by using keywords tailored to Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) including "Stress", "covid", "nursing", "hospital". This study uses PICOS framework to prevent research bias and analysed using descriptive analysis.Results:The results of the analysis of the article showed from 761 articles have been identified title, abstract and full-text so that recorded 15 articles that can be reviewed. The article consists of various designs, namely RCT, cross sectional and qualitative studies. Analysis shows that stigma and discrimination are social phenomena that manifest in several social areas.Conclusion:Stigma and discrimination in people with HIV (PLHIV) is still common, stigma is carried out by the wider community to their own families. The family approach is necessary to improve well-being as well as improve the social community of the family.