Hide-and-seek in a highly human-dominated landscape: insights into movement patterns and selection of resting sites of rehabilitated wolves (Canis lupus) in Northern Italy

Assessing the behavioural responses of floating wolves to human presence is crucial for investigating the chance of wolf populations expanding into urbanised landscapes. We studied the movement ecology of three rehabilitated wolves in a highly human-dominated landscape (Po Plain, Italy) to explore wolf’s plasticity amid widespread human pressure. To reach this aim, we estimated individual 95% utilisation distributions (UD) after the release and inspected both 95% UDs and net squared displacements to identify individual movement patterns; tested for differences in movement patterns during day and night; and analysed the selection of resting sites during dispersal movement in a highly human-altered environment. Both the 95% UDs and step lengths were smaller for wolves settling in suitable areas than for those settling in more urbanised areas. All wolves exhibited strong temporal segregation with humans during all movement phases, particularly while dispersing across highly urbanised areas. Main roads and proximity to built-up areas were shown to limit wolves’ dispersal, whereas small-wooded patches that provide shelter during rest facilitated long-distance movements. This study provides important insights into wolf movement and settling in urban and peri-urban areas, providing critical knowledge to promote human–carnivore coexistenc

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry Identification of Antiangiogenic Phytochemicals in Aframomum danielli K. Schum: An In silico Study

Aframomum danielli is one of the African spices used in folklore medicine for the management of several diseases. This study identified the phytochemical components present in the n-hexane seed extract of the A. danielli by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and also evaluated the antiangiogenic potential of the identified phytochemicals by performing molecular docking against human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) using Molegro Virtual Docker. The GC-MS analysis identified the presence of phytochemical components β-Caryophyllene (RT: 18.479), α-Caryophyllene (RT: 19.189), (4-Hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl methyl ketone (RT: 22.976), N-Acetyl-m-aminobenzoic acid (RT: 31.651) and 3-Pyridineacetic acid (RT: 32.446). (4-Hydroxy- 3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl methyl ketone were the strongest binding ligand (-65.744 kcal/mol for VEGF) and (- 99.7836kcal/mol for MMP) while β-Caryophyllene was the weakest binding ligand. These compounds showed relative strong docking to VEGF with docking energies comparable to an anticancer drug, bevacizumab (-77.883kcal/mol for VEGF) and (-109.021kcal/mol for MMP). This in silico molecular docking study has shown that these phytochemical components could be responsible for antiangiogenic properties of A. danielli

Proteinuria and haematuria in apparently healthy primary school children in Enugu, Nigeria

Background: Mass screening for proteinuria and haematuria is advocated, especially in resource-poor countries with non-existent health insurance policy, to enhance awareness of renal diseases. This screening increases the chance for early detection and treatment, which in turn reduces incidences of resultant kidney failures. Objective: To determine the prevalence of asymptomatic proteinuria and haematuria in apparently healthy primary school children in Enugu. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional descriptive survey involving apparently healthy primary school children in Enugu, aged 6 to 12 years, conducted from January 2018 and March 2018 through a pre-tested, caregiver administered questionnaire. Subjects were clinically examined, and samples of on-the-spot mid-stream urine collected from each participant for dipstick urinalysis. The data obtained were analyzed using the Software Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22 for Windows Results: One thousandchildren comprising, 437 (44%) males and 563 (56%) females were selected with an age range of 6 to 12 years and a mean of 10.13 ± 1.81 years. A total of 190(19%) urinary abnormalities were noted existing as isolated proteinuria, isolated haematuria or as a combination of both. These urinary abnormalities were more in the females, higher among the early adolescents (9-12 years) with proteinuria predominating.Conclusion: Asymptomatic urinary abnormalities can easily be detected early in the course of renal disease development. A urine dipstick is an important tool in the screening program for everybody, including children of school age. It is important that screening programs be organized for these children at regular intervals and those with positive findings referred immediately for appropriate management. Keywords: Proteinuria, Haematuria, Primary school children, Prevalence. Running title: Proteinuria and haematuria in school-aged children in Enugu

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identification of anticancer phytochemicals in Aframomum danielli (LB579)

Aframomum danielli is one of the African spices used in folklore medicine for the management of several diseases. This study identified the phytochemical components present in the n-hexane seed extract of the A. danielli by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis and also evaluated the anti-cancer potential of the identified phytochemicals by performing molecular docking against human Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) using Molegro Virtual Docker. The GC-MS analysis identified the presence of phytochemical components caryophyllene (RT: 18.479), humulene (RT: 19.189), 2-butanone (RT: 22.976), benzenesulfonamide (RT: 31.651) and 2-pyridine acetic acid (RT: 32.446). 2-Butanone was the strongest binding ligand (-65.744 kcal/mol) while caryophyllene was the weakest bind lingand (-56.311 kcal/mol). These compounds showed relative strong docking to VEGF with docking energies comparable to an anticancer drug, bevacizumab (-77.883 kcal/mol). This in silico molecular docking study has shown that these phytochemical components could be responsible for anti-cancer properties of A. danielli

Cardioprotective effects and antioxidant status of Andrographis paniculata in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

Background: Myocardial infarction has been regarded as one of the fastest killer diseases of modern-day man. Aim: The protective effect of Andrographis paniculata on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats was investigated. Setting: The study was carried out in a laboratory setting. Methods: Animals were randomly divided into six groups of seven animals per group, and the treatment was as follows: normal control received normal saline for 9 days, isoproterenol group; three extract-treated groups in pre-treatment phase and an extract-treated group in post-treatment phase. The doses were given at 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg body weight for pre-treatment phase respectively while 200 mg/kg dose was given to the post-treatment phase group. Blood and heart tissues were collected for biochemical assays, haematological and histological analyses. Results: Myocardial infarction was recorded in ISO group but was corrected by the extracts in both pre-treatment and post-treatment phases. The ISO group experienced a significant decrease in antioxidant parameters, whereas the extract at all doses caused a significant increase in the activities of in these parameters. The extract caused a significant decrease in malondialdehyde content and hydrogen peroxide generation, whereas reverse was the case for the ISO group. Although no significant histopathological changes were recorded for the extract, the ISO group showed marked histopathological changes. ISO caused higher expressions of cardiac C-reactive protein (CRP) and CTnI and decreased the expressions of IL-10β; but this was the opposite for the extract. Conclusion: The ethanol leaf extract of A. paniculata significantly exhibits cardioprotective effects

Brazilian dietary patterns and the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet-relationship with metabolic syndrome and newly diagnosed diabetes in the ELSA-Brasil study

Background: Studies evaluating dietary patterns, including the DASH diet, and their relationship with the metabolic syndrome and diabetes may help to understand the role of dairy products (low fat or full fat) in these conditions. Our aim is to identify dietary patterns in Brazilian adults and compare them with the (DASH) diet quality score in terms of their associations with metabolic syndrome and newly diagnosed diabetes in the Brazilian Longitudinal Study of Adult Health-the ELSA-Brasil study. Methods: The ELSA-Brasil is a multicenter cohort study comprising 15,105 civil servants, aged 35–74 years at baseline (2008–2010). Standardized interviews and exams were carried out, including an OGTT. We analyzed baseline data for 10,010 subjects. Dietary patterns were derived by principal component analysis. Multivariable logistic regression investigated associations of dietary patterns with metabolic syndrome and newly diagnosed diabetes and multivariable linear regression with components of metabolic syndrome. Results: After controlling for potential confounders, we observed that greater adherence to the Common Brazilian meal pattern (white rice, beans, beer, processed and fresh meats), was associated with higher frequencies of newly diagnosed diabetes, metabolic syndrome and all of its components, except HDL-C. Participants with greater intake of a Common Brazilian fast foods/full fat dairy/milk based desserts pattern presented less newly diagnosed diabetes. An inverse association was also seen between the DASH Diet pattern and the metabolic syndrome, blood pressure and waist circumference. Diet, light foods and beverages/low fat dairy pattern was associated with more prevalence of both outcomes, and higher fasting glucose, HDL-C, waist circumference (among men) and lower blood pressure. Vegetables/fruit dietary pattern did not protect against metabolic syndrome and newly diagnosed diabetes but was associated with lower waist circumference. Conclusions: The inverse associations found for the dietary pattern characterizing Brazilian fast foods and desserts, typically containing dairy products, with newly diagnosed diabetes, and for the DASH diet with metabolic syndrome, support previously demonstrated beneficial effects of dairy products in metabolism. The positive association with metabolic syndrome and newly diagnosed diabetes found for the pattern characterizing a typical Brazilian meal deserves further investigation, particularly since it is frequently accompanied by processed meat

LOFAR tied-array imaging of Type III solar radio bursts

Context. The Sun is an active source of radio emission which is often associated with energetic phenomena such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs). At low radio frequencies (< 100 MHz), the Sun has not been imaged extensively because of