Habitat characteristics of red shrimp (Parhippolyte uveae) in swamp waters around the Koguna Beach area, Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi

Sekitar kawasan Pantai Koguna yang berjarak ±157 meter dari garis pantai terdapat sebuah perairan tertutup semacam rawa. Perairan ini berair payau dan dihuni oleh udang merah (Parhippolyte uveae). Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui karakteristik habitat udang merah. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan pada bulan November–Desember 2021 di Desa Mopaano Kecamatan Lasalimu Selatan Kabupaten Buton.  Lokasi penelitian ditetapkan secara sengaja pada dua zona dengan karakteristik habitat yang berbeda. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa Zona 1 ditemukan udang merah dengan kelimpahan relatif tinggi yang menunjukkan zona tersebut disukai oleh udang merah. Habitat pada zona tersebut memiliki karakteristik berupa bebatuan dan akar mangrove, kerapatan tutupan kanopi mangrove lebih tinggi, serta parameter lingkungan perairan yang sesuai dengan kehidupan udang merah. Habitat udang ini adalah perairan anchialine yang masih mendapat pengaruh pasang surut dari laut namun tidak terhubung secara langsung di bagian permukaannya.Around the Koguna Beach area, which is ± 157 meters from the coastline, there is a closed water like a swamp. These waters are brackish and inhabited by red shrimp (Parhippolyte uveae). The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of the shrimp habitat. This research was conducted in November–December 2021 in Mopaano Village, Lasalimu Selatan District, Buton Regency. The research location was deliberately set in 2 zones with different habitat characteristics. The results showed that in Zone 1 red shrimp were found with a high relative abundance which indicated that the zone was favored by red shrimp. Habitat in this zone has characteristics in the form of rocks and mangrove roots, higher density of mangrove canopy cover, as well as parameters of the aquatic environment that are suitable for the life of red shrimp. This habitat is anchialine waters which are still influenced by the tides from the sea but are not directly connected to the surface

Development of a Novel Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction Assay for the Sensitive Detection of Schistosoma Japonicum in Human Stool

Background Elimination and control of Schistosoma japonicum, the most virulent of the schistosomiasiscausing blood flukes, requires the development of sensitive and specific diagnostic tools capable of providing an accurate measurement of the infection prevalence in endemic areas. Typically, detection of S. japonicum has occurred using the Kato-Katz technique, but this methodology, which requires skilled microscopists, has been shown to radically underestimate levels of infection. With the ever-improving capabilities of next-generation sequencing and bioinformatic analysis tools, identification of satellite sequences and other highly repetitive genomic elements for use as real-time PCR diagnostic targets is becoming increasingly common. Assays developed using these targets have the ability to improve the sensitivity and specificity of results for epidemiological studies that can in turn be used to inform mass drug administration and programmatic decision making. Methodology/Principal findings Utilizing Tandem Repeat Analyzer (TAREAN) and RepeatExplorer2, a cluster-based analysis of the S. japonicum genome was performed and a tandemly arranged genomic repeat, which we named SjTR1 (Schistosoma japonicum Tandem Repeat 1), was selected as the target for a real-time PCR diagnostic assay. Based on these analyses, a primer/probe set was designed and the assay was optimized. The resulting real-time PCR test was shown to reliably detect as little as 200 ag of S. japonicum genomic DNA and as little as 1 egg per gram of human stool. Based on these results, the index assay reported in this manuscript is more sensitive than previously published real-time PCR assays for the detection of S. japonicum. Conclusions/Significance The extremely sensitive and specific diagnostic assay described in this manuscript will facilitate the accurate detection of S. japonicum, particularly in regions with low levels of endemicity. This assay will be useful in providing data to inform programmatic decision makers, aiding disease control and elimination efforts

Long-QT mutations in KCNE1 modulate the 17β-estradiol response of Kv7.1/KCNE1.

Estradiol (17[Formula: see text]-E2) is implicated in higher arrhythmia risk of women with congenital or acquired long-QT syndrome (LQTS) compared to men. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, and little is known about the impact of LQTS-associated mutations. We show that 17[Formula: see text]-E2 inhibits the human cardiac Kv7.1/KCNE1 channel expressed in Xenopus oocytes. We find that the 17[Formula: see text]-E2 effect depends on the Kv7.1 to KCNE1 stoichiometry, and we reveal a critical function of the KCNE1 carboxyl terminus for the effect. LQTS-associated mutations in the KCNE1 carboxyl terminus show a range of responses to 17[Formula: see text]-E2, from a wild-type like response to impaired or abolished response. Together, this study increases our understanding of the mechanistic basis for 17[Formula: see text]-E2 inhibition of Kv7.1/KCNE1 and demonstrates mutation-dependent responses to 17[Formula: see text]-E2. These findings suggest that the 17[Formula: see text]-E2 effect on Kv7.1/KCNE1 might contribute to the higher arrhythmia risk of women, particularly in carriers with specific LQTS-associated mutations

What influence does Tai Chi have on the risk for falling among elder?

Background: 2007 there was 42 000 fall related accidents in Sweden and they are expected to increase the next few years. Fall among elders results in both increasing economically costs and suffering, but they can be prevented. For example has physical exercise shown an increasing effect on the risk for falls. Aim: The aim of this literature review was to investigate what influence Tai Chi has on the risk for falling among elder. Method: A literature review was conducted where eleven scientific articles were analysed with inspiration of the content analysis. Result: Tai Chi shown a positive effect on the number of fallers in two of eight studies, balance in three of six studies, physical function in five of six studies and fear of falling in two of two studies. Discussion: The result differed between the studies but mostly the studies with high methodological quality and an inactive control group indicate on a positive effect of Tai Chi on the risk for falls. Conclusion: The risk for falls could be decreased with Tai Chi-training. But this has to be established by more high-quality studies