Women with endometriosis have higher comorbidities: Analysis of domestic data in Taiwan

AbstractEndometriosis, defined by the presence of viable extrauterine endometrial glands and stroma, can grow or bleed cyclically, and possesses characteristics including a destructive, invasive, and metastatic nature. Since endometriosis may result in pelvic inflammation, adhesion, chronic pain, and infertility, and can progress to biologically malignant tumors, it is a long-term major health issue in women of reproductive age. In this review, we analyze the Taiwan domestic research addressing associations between endometriosis and other diseases. Concerning malignant tumors, we identified four studies on the links between endometriosis and ovarian cancer, one on breast cancer, two on endometrial cancer, one on colorectal cancer, and one on other malignancies, as well as one on associations between endometriosis and irritable bowel syndrome, one on links with migraine headache, three on links with pelvic inflammatory diseases, four on links with infertility, four on links with obesity, four on links with chronic liver disease, four on links with rheumatoid arthritis, four on links with chronic renal disease, five on links with diabetes mellitus, and five on links with cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, etc.). The data available to date support that women with endometriosis might be at risk of some chronic illnesses and certain malignancies, although we consider the evidence for some comorbidities to be of low quality, for example, the association between colon cancer and adenomyosis/endometriosis. We still believe that the risk of comorbidity might be higher in women with endometriosis than that we supposed before. More research is needed to determine whether women with endometriosis are really at risk of these comorbidities

Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density

Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data

Discutindo a educação ambiental no cotidiano escolar: desenvolvimento de projetos na escola formação inicial e continuada de professores

A presente pesquisa buscou discutir como a Educação Ambiental (EA) vem sendo trabalhada, no Ensino Fundamental e como os docentes desta escola compreendem e vem inserindo a EA no cotidiano escolar., em uma escola estadual do município de Tangará da Serra/MT, Brasil. Para tanto, realizou-se entrevistas com os professores que fazem parte de um projeto interdisciplinar de EA na escola pesquisada. Verificou-se que o projeto da escola não vem conseguindo alcançar os objetivos propostos por: desconhecimento do mesmo, pelos professores; formação deficiente dos professores, não entendimento da EA como processo de ensino-aprendizagem, falta de recursos didáticos, planejamento inadequado das atividades. A partir dessa constatação, procurou-se debater a impossibilidade de tratar do tema fora do trabalho interdisciplinar, bem como, e principalmente, a importância de um estudo mais aprofundado de EA, vinculando teoria e prática, tanto na formação docente, como em projetos escolares, a fim de fugir do tradicional vínculo “EA e ecologia, lixo e horta”.Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias de la Educació

Cloning of the Major Capsid Protein (MCP) of Grouper Iridovirus of Taiwan (TGIV) and Preliminary Evaluation of a Recombinant MCP Vaccine against TGIV

Fish iridoviruses cause systemic diseases with high mortality in various species of wild and farm-raised fish, resulting in severe economic losses. In 1998, we isolated a new epizootic iridovirus in cultured grouper (Epinephelus sp.) in Taiwan, thus named as grouper iridovirus of Taiwan (TGIV). We report here the cloning of TGIV major capsid protein (MCP). Phylogenetic analysis of the iridoviral MCPs confirmed the classification of TGIV into the Megalocytivirus genus. Recombinant TGIV MCP and GIV MCP were then generated to produce polyclonal antibodies. Western blot analysis revealed that the two antisera were species-specific, indicating no common epitope shared by the MCPs of the two viruses. We further assayed the potency of a subunit vaccine containing recombinant TGIV MCP. The vaccine effectively protected grouper from TGIV infection. The result demonstrated that MCP is a suitable antigen for anti-TGIV vaccines

Occurrence of sul and tet(M) genes in bacterial community in Japanese marine aquaculture environment throughout the year : Profile comparison with Taiwanese and Finnish aquaculture waters

The use of antibiotics in aquaculture causes selection pressure for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) may persist in ARB and the environment for long time even after stopping drug administration. Here we show monthly differences in the occurrences of genes conferring resistance to sulfonamides (i.e. sul1, sul2, sul3), and tetracyclines (tet(M)) in Japanese aquaculture seawater accompanied by records of drug administration. sul2 was found to persist throughout the year, whereas the occurrences of sul1, sul3, and tet(M) changed month-to-month. sul3 and tet(M) were detected in natural bacterial assemblages in May and July, but not in colony-forming bacteria, thus suggesting that the sul3 was harbored by the non-culturable fraction of the bacterial community. Comparison of results from Taiwanese, Japanese, and Finnish aquaculture waters reveals that the profile of sul genes and tet(M) in Taiwan resembles that in Japan, but is distinct from that in Finland. To our knowledge, this work represents the first report to use the same method to compare the dynamics of sul genes and tet(M) in aquaculture seawater in different countries. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer reviewe

Comprehensive Linear Epitope Prediction System for Host Specificity in Nodaviridae

Background: Nodaviridae infection is one of the leading causes of death in commercial fish. Although many vaccines against this virus family have been developed, their efficacies are relatively low. Nodaviridae are categorized into three subfamilies: alphanodavirus (infects insects), betanodavirus (infects fish), and gammanodavirus (infects prawns). These three subfamilies possess host-specific characteristics that could be used to identify effective linear epitopes (LEs). Methodology: A multi-expert system using five existing LE prediction servers was established to obtain initial LE candidates. Based on the different clustered pathogen groups, both conserved and exclusive LEs among the Nodaviridae family could be identified. The advantages of undocumented cross infection among the different host species for the Nodaviridae family were applied to re-evaluate the impact of LE prediction. The surface structural characteristics of the identified conserved and unique LEs were confirmed through 3D structural analysis, and concepts of surface patches to analyze the spatial characteristics and physicochemical propensities of the predicted segments were proposed. In addition, an intelligent classifier based on the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) dataset was utilized to review the predicted segments, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were performed to identify host-specific LEs. Principal findings: We predicted 29 LEs for Nodaviridae. The analysis of the surface patches showed common tendencies regarding shape, curvedness, and PH features for the predicted LEs. Among them, five predicted exclusive LEs for fish species were selected and synthesized, and the corresponding ELISAs for antigenic feature analysis were examined. Conclusion: Five identified LEs possessed antigenicity and host specificity for grouper fish. We demonstrate that the proposed method provides an effective approach for in silico LE prediction prior to vaccine development and is especially powerful for analyzing antigen sequences with exclusive features among clustered antigen groups

Complete Genome Sequence of Streptococcus iniae 89353, a Virulent Strain Isolated from Diseased Tilapia in Taiwan

exterior, steps leading up to terrace with mosque portal and minaret, 1981minaret is unusually tapered, almost conical Two kilometers east of the Silk Road town of Turfan stands the Amin Mosque with its monumental minaret, the tallest in China. The mosque was built in 1779 during the Qing Dynasty in memory of the Uygur King Amin Khoja (also known as Imin Khoja, Emin Hejo, or Emin Hedro) by his son King Suleiman. The mosque was alternately known as the Su Gong Ta Mosque, or the Mosque of the Su Minaret with reference to Prince Su. His father, King Amin, who died in 1777, had collaborated with Emperors Yongzheng (1723-1736) and Qianlong (1736-1796) to unify Xinjiang and annexed it to the Chinese between 1756-1759 putting an end to local rebellions. The large fortified mosque, raised on a platform, stands alone outside the city, devoid of any auxiliary buildings. It combines the local Xinjiang hypostyle prayer hall (built of mud brick, with brick patterning and arched niches) with influences from Persia and Central Asia, seen mainly in the domineering pishtaq, or tall projecting portal, and the minaret. The imposing pishtaq stands at the center of the mosque's eastern elevation and has a large, arched portal niche, similar to portals of mosques, madrasas and tombs stretching from Persia across Central Asia. It is preceded by a protected terrace that is accessed by a single set of stairs from the street. The pishtaq is decorated on its main façade, and on its sides with rectangular panels containing arched niches similar to the portal of the Aitika Mosque in Kashi. The top tier of the panels are pierced with arched windows on all sides creating a narrow, partially enclosed, gallery atop the pishtaq. A domed octagonal vestibule leads from the portal to the prayer hall. To the right of this vestibule is a rectangular hall with a stairway giving access to the roof. To its left, is a narrow corridor flanked by two rooms that give access to the minaret steps. The prayer hall mostly borrows from the building traditions of the immediate Turfan region. Poplar beams and stone-based poplar columns support the low, flat roof of the large, covered court, which is enveloped by stone galleries on three sides. Two small apertures in the woven vegetal roof of the court allow light into the dimly lit main prayer hall, creating a somber atmosphere. The mihrab is set in a domed room at the center of the qibla wall, with doors to the side galleries and to the main court. The two-bay deep stone galleries surrounding the court recall the structure of Abbasid mosques. Their domes are carried on pointed arches falling on heavy piers. Some bays along the outer ring of the galleries are enclosed into rooms. Unlike the mosques and mausoleums of Kashi, there is minimal sculptural and chromatic decoration inside the King Amin Mosque, which is simply adorned with arched niches carved into the plain mud brick walls. The floor is paved with square cut stone and partially covered with woven mats. The mihrab chamber is covered with a large conical dome, the drum of which is encircled with windows. The drum sits upon an octagonal base bearing blind arches gracefully aligned with the doorways, corners and the mihrab niche. This western qibla dome is balanced at the eastern end of the prayer hall by the rounded dome of the entry vestibule. A mausoleum in the cemetery adjoining the qibla wall is said to be that of a foreign saint, and is a popular pilgrimage site. Located at the southeast corner of the mosque, the minaret is the tallest in China at forty-four meters. Its circular shaft measures fourteen meters across and tapers down to 2.8 meters in diameter at the top. The spiraling internal support also serves as a stairway with seventy-two steps for the imam to perform the call to prayer from a room with latticed windows at the top. The ornamental brickwork of the tower consists of fifteen bands of various widths and patterns. The fine precision of the bricklaying creates a rich texture that is reminiscent of the fine brickwork of the world renowned Kalyan, or Poi Minaret in Bukhara. A Uygur architect named Ibrahim is said to have designed the minaret of the Great Mosque of King Amin. The Great Mosque of King Amin, like other Uygur mosques of the Xinjiang Province, is closer in style and decoration to Uzbek and other Central Asian building traditions than to those of the Hui. The mosque has been closed to prayer since 1992, when it was placed under protection by the Chinese government.Sources: Chang, Jing Qi. 1982. Islamic Architecture in China. In The Changing Rural Habitat; Volume 2 : Background Papers. Brian Brace Taylor (ed). Singapore: Concept Media/The Aga Khan Award for Architecture, 74. http://archnet.org/library/documents/one-document.tcl?document_id=4279 [Accessed October 22, 2004] Dazhang, Sun. 2003. Ancient Chinese Architecture: Islamic Buildings. New York: Springer-Verlag/Wien, 146, 166. Fiala, Robert D. 2004. "Emin Minaret". Asian Historical Architecture Website. http://www.orientalarchitecture.com/turpan/eminminaretindex.htm [Accessed October 22, 2004] Loubes, Jean-Paul. 1998. Architecture et Urbanisme de Turfan: Une Oasis du Turkestan Chinois. Paris: L'Harmattan, 169. Martin Frishman and Hasan-Uddin Khan, eds. 1994. The Mosque: History, Architectural Development and Regional Diversity. London: Thames and Hudson, 128. Petersen, Andrew. 1996. "China". In Dictionary of Islamic Architecture. London: Routledge, 52-54. http://archnet.org/library/dictionary/entry.tcl?entry_id=DIA0074 [Accessed October 22, 2004] Zhang, Jing-qui. 1982. "Mosques of Northern China". In MIMAR 3: Architecture in Development. Singapore: Concept Media Ltd, 58, 67. http://archnet.org/library/documents/one-document.tcl?document_id=4433 [Accessed October 22, 2004

Applying Modified VP53A Recombinant Protein as an Anti-White Spot Syndrome Virus Biological Agent in Litopenaeus vannamei Farming

Shrimp farming is an important economic activity. However, due to the spread of pathogens, shrimp aquaculture is becoming increasingly difficult. Many studies have confirmed that white spot syndrome virus (WSSV) recombinant proteins can inhibit viral infection. Among them, VP53 recombinant protein has been found to reduce mortality upon WSSV challenge. This study was conducted in Kaohsiung, Taiwan and reports the first field feeding trial to demonstrate that WSSV recombinant proteins can improve shrimp survival rates at a farming scale. Prior to the feeding trial, the shrimp were confirmed to be slightly infected with WSSV, Vibrio parahaemolyticus strains causing acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND), non-AHPND V. parahaemolyticus strains, and Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP), which are common pathogens that shrimp farmers often face. The shrimp were then divided into two groups: a control group (C group) fed with a commercial diet and a protein group (P group) fed with the same commercial feed with VP53 recombinant protein. Our findings indicated that the survival rate and expression of immune genes of the P group were higher than those of the C group. The intestinal microbiota of the two groups were also analysed. Collectively, our results confirmed that the recombinant WSSV envelope protein derivative can be used as an effective anti-virus biological agent in shrimp farms