Life Sciences Commons^™

Foreword From Handling Editor - 11th Edition, Ahyahudin Sodri

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

We are delighted to present the 11th edition of JESSD, published in December 2023. We have selected twelve of the best articles for this edition that related with topic of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development.

A Peculiar Natural Wonderland Of South China Sea: A Bird’S Eye View, Mohamad Nor Azra, Mohd Iqbal Mohd Noor, Juneta-Nor Abu Seman, Lee Seong Wei Dr

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

The South China Sea research agenda has increased over the years. However, no scientometric studies have been performed on this topic, which has helped analyze the research on the South China Sea throughout many years. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the global findings of previous research on the South China Sea, development trends, and trending issues surrounding the sea. Literature was extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database, and the CiteSpace software was used to visualize the data analyzed. The survey included 12,755 articles. Overall, the number of publications increased annually. Acta Oceanologica Sinica and the …

Covalent Inhibition Of Enzyme Sortase A As A New Pathway Against Bacterial Resistance Of Staphylococcus Aureus, Umyeena Bashir

Master's Theses

The continued rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), has made the discovery of novel antibiotics critical. While bacteriostatic and bactericidal antibiotics inevitably exert evolutionary pressure on bacteria to develop resistance, small molecules that target mechanisms of bacterial virulence present a promising alternative for treatment. Sortase A (Srt A), a cysteine protease of S. aureus, promotes bacterial virulence by covalently attaching proteins such as pilin to the bacterial surface, enabling bacterial adhesion to mammalian cells. Inhibitory studies of this enzyme have gained prominent interest as a new pathway for drug development since blocking this enzyme's ability to …

Economic Valuation Model Of Vanname Shrimp Culture And Mangrove Rehabilitation, Elrin Meivian Mongi Mongi, Mahawan Karuniasa, Mufti Petala Patria

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

The current climate change is caused by anthropogenic activities involving energy and industry usage that affect the temperature and climate of the Earth. The Paris Agreement on climate change is a commitment by some countries to act to address climate change by developing sustainably and emitting low levels of carbon dioxide (CO2). Changes in the oceans include temperature increases, acidification, and changes in currents, leading to decreased productivity in fishing and aquaculture. Integrated mangrove shrimp farming, known as silvofisheries, has been recognized as environmentally friendly cultivation. The implementation of silvofishery is a form of mangrove ecosystem management that integrates ecology …

Community Structure Of Sea Urchin As An Indicator Of The Ecological Balance Of Coastal Areas, Abdul Wahab Radjab, Intan Rabiyanti, Fiqih Muharby

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Sea urchins, soft-shelled invertebrates (Echinoderms), crucially contribute to cleaning the ocean bottom. However, sea urchins in tropical waters like Indonesia have not yet been fully disclosed. This study was conducted at Hutumuri and Rutong waters, Ambon City. This study assessed physical-chemical parameters, sea urchin species composition, classification, and community structure. Employing the Line Transect method with 5x5 m quadrants and 50m transect spacing, data analysis included density, relative density, frequency of presence, diversity, uniformity, and dominance indices. Results indicated normal temperature and salinity at both stations, supporting sea urchin life, with rocky and sandy substrates deemed suitable. A total of …

Sustainable Transportation In Southeast Asian Countries: Implementation Of Green Transport, Nafrah Maudina, Eko Priyo Purnomo

Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development

Metropolitan cities face escalating reliance on private transportation, exacerbating traffic congestion and air pollution. To address these issues, promoting eco-friendly alternatives like Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), and electric vehicles is crucial. This study aims to explore the integration of green transportation to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), utilizing bibliographical analysis with VOSviewers tools. Scopus-indexed articles (2010-2022) were scrutinized using keywords: "Green Transportation," "Manila," "Bangkok," "Jakarta," and "Sustainable Development Goals."Findings reveal the adoption of green transportation in Manila, featuring electric motorbikes, bicycles, and the transformation of private transport into e-jeepneys. Bangkok showcases electric ships for water transport …

Konsep Diagnosis Dan Penatalaksanaan Fraktur Osteoporosis Terkini, I Gusti Ngurah Wien Aryana, Febyan Febyan

Jurnal Penyakit Dalam Indonesia

Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disease that is caused by a decreased amount of bone mass, and microarchitectural damage to bone tissue that affects the bone to break easily. Osteoporosis can be divided into primary and secondary etiologies. Vertebral, hip, distal radius, and proximal humerus are the most common predilection of fracture complication due to osteoporosis. The diagnosis of osteoporotic fractures is established based on the identification of risk factors, general clinical manifestations, specific manifestation from each fracture predilection, and advanced examinations, including radiology imaging and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. The purpose of osteoporotic fractures management in elderly is a stable …

Assessing Neurobehavioral Deficits And Neuroinflammation Following Rllb In A Transgenic Mouse Model, Aakaash Gosain

Theses

As global conflicts are escalating, military personnel have long faced the constant threat of explosions, heightening the risk of blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI). The recent increase in war conflicts and combat zones worldwide not only puts the military, service members, and police forces at risk but also innocent civilians who are caught in the crossfire. While moderate to severe bTBIs have been extensively studied, the pathology of repeated low-level blasts (rLLB) remains less understood. This research addresses the gap in knowledge regarding the long-term consequences of rLLB injuries in the neural anatomy. A transgenic mouse model was subjected to …

The Effect Of Walnut Shell Ash On The Properties Of Cement Paste And Mortar: A Study On Partial Replacement Of Cement, Ali Shebli, Jamal Khatib, Adel Elkordi

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

In the pursuit of a more sustainable future, the utilization of agricultural waste in cementitious products has emerged as a popular and effective solution. The current study explores the feasibility of incorporating ash derived from walnut nutshells, considered agro residues, into eco-friendly blended cement paste and mortars to examine its impact on their properties. A range of blended cement mixtures was formulated by incorporating walnut shell ash (WSA) in three varying proportions of 5%, 10%, and 15% relative to the weight of the cement. Tests were conducted to investigate the properties of the blended cement paste and mortar incorporating WSA, …

Optimization Of The Bio-Synthesis Of Magnesium Nanoparticles From Staphylococcus Haemolyticus: A Pilot Study, Mariam Bassam, Malak Mezher, Mahmoud Khalil

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

Nanotechnology is developing rapidly. This field has many influences in humans’ life. Nanoparticles (NPs) have many unique properties including the size, shape, morphology, and surface area. The synthesis of NPs could be achieved by three ways: physical, chemical, and biological. However, the biological synthesis of NPs has a priority on the other domains due to its safety and environmental friendship. In this regard, the main objective of this study was to synthesize magnesium (Mg) NPs from the bacterium S. haemolyticus which was isolated from the Lebanese wastewater. Different parameters were applied to detect the best conditions to produce the highest …

Fungal Empyema Thoracis, A Rare But An Emerging Entity: A Retrospective Case Series From Pakistan, Nousheen Iqbal, Akbar Shoukat Ali, Aqusa Zahid, Kauser Jabeen, Muhammad Irfan

Section of Pulmonary & Critical Care

Background and objective: Fungal empyema is a rare entity which is associated with high mortality. It is mostly seen in immune-compromised hosts. However, there is limited data available on fungal empyema from developing countries regarding risk factors, treatment, and outcome. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors, clinical features, treatment, and outcome of fungal empyema.
Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed on proven fungal empyema cases, admitted at Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan during January 2018 to May 2021. We excluded all those patients with polymicrobial bacterial and fungal empyema or with negative pleural fluid cultures. …

Reducing Food Scarcity: The Benefits Of Urban Farming, S.A. Claudell, Emilio Mejia

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

Urban farming can enhance the lives of communities and help reduce food scarcity. This paper presents a conceptual prototype of an efficient urban farming community that can be scaled for a single apartment building or an entire community across all global geoeconomics regions, including densely populated cities and rural, developing towns and communities. When deployed in coordination with smart crop choices, local farm support, and efficient transportation then the result isn’t just sustainability, but also increasing fresh produce accessibility, optimizing nutritional value, eliminating the use of ‘forever chemicals’, reducing transportation costs, and fostering global environmental benefits.

Imagine Doris, who is …

A Vision For A Food-Secure Future Through Permaculture, Jim Gale

Journal of Nonprofit Innovation

In response to the pressing challenges of food security, sustainability, and resilience, Food Forest Abundance, led by visionary CEO Jim Gale, emerges as a beacon for permaculture-based agriculture and community development. This editorial explores the organization's pivotal role in advocating for a future where individuals, families, and communities thrive through sustainable practices and localized food systems. Central to Food Forest Abundance mission is the conviction that permaculture principles can revolutionize our approach to food security, health, and wellness by uniting agricultural and community leaders.

The catalyst for this movement was the World Farmers Market Coalition report, revealing the tangible economic, …

Suledo Community-Based Forest Reserve: A Contested Terrain Between Peasants And Pastoralists In Kiteto District, 1990–2016, Juma Marmo

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This paper examines how the establishment of the SULEDO community forest reserve caused land use conflicts between peasants and pastoralists in Kiteto District from 1990 to 2016. The peasants complained that the government had deliberately made it possible for pastoralists to get more benefits from the reserve since they were allowed to graze their livestock in the reserve, which took large parts of their former agricultural land. Conversely, the grabbing of land by peasants in the forest reserve caused complaints from the pastoralists who claimed that the peasants were grabbing their grazing land in the reserve. Using archival sources, fieldwork …

The Role Of Cooperatives And Farmer-Industry Linkages In The Evolution Of Tanga’S Dairy Innovation System, Hezron Makundi, Heric Thomas

Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences

This study investigated the development of Tanga’s dairy innovation system and its role in promoting and maintaining relationships between farmers, the industry, and cooperative unions; employing a case study approach. The main objective was to assess the role of cooperatives in forging farmer-industry linkages and in improving dairy industry innovations. 100 dairy producers in Tanga participated in the survey that led to the paper. A questionnaire was used to collect data from randomly selected farmers. Furthermore, 20 key informant interviews were conducted with various participants, including the Tanga Dairy Cooperative Union livestock extension service providers. Also, one Focus Group Discussion …

Genome-Wide Search Algorithms For Identifying Dynamic Gene Co-Expression Via Bayesian Variable Selection, Wenda Zhang, Zichen Ma, Lianming Wang, Daping Fan, Yen Yi Ho

Faculty Publications

A wealth of gene expression data generated by high-throughput techniques provides exciting opportunities for studying gene-gene interactions systematically. Gene-gene interactions in a biological system are tightly regulated and are often highly dynamic. The interactions can change flexibly under various internal cellular signals or external stimuli. Previous studies have developed statistical methods to examine these dynamic changes in gene-gene interactions. However, due to the massive number of possible gene combinations that need to be considered in a typical genomic dataset, intensive computation is a common challenge for exploring gene-gene interactions. On the other hand, oftentimes only a small proportion of gene …

Genetic Inactivation Of Β-Catenin Is Salubrious, Whereas Its Activation Is Deleterious In Desmoplakin Cardiomyopathy, Melis Olcum, Siyang Fan, Leila Rouhi, Sirisha Cheedipudi, Benjamin Cathcart, Hyun-Hwan Jeong, Zhongming Zhao, Priyatansh Gurha, Ali J Marian

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

AIMS: Mutations in the DSP gene encoding desmoplakin, a constituent of the desmosomes at the intercalated discs (IDs), cause a phenotype that spans arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) and dilated cardiomyopathy. It is typically characterized by biventricular enlargement and dysfunction, myocardial fibrosis, cell death, and arrhythmias. The canonical wingless-related integration (cWNT)/β-catenin pathway is implicated in the pathogenesis of ACM. The β-catenin is an indispensable co-transcriptional regulator of the cWNT pathway and a member of the IDs. We genetically inactivated or activated β-catenin to determine its role in the pathogenesis of desmoplakin cardiomyopathy.

METHODS AND RESULTS: The Dsp gene was conditionally deleted in …

Mir-142: A Master Regulator In Hematological Malignancies And Therapeutic Opportunities, Wilson Huang, Doru Paul, George A Calin, Recep Bayraktar

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a type of non-coding RNA whose dysregulation is frequently associated with the onset and progression of human cancers. miR-142, an ultra-conserved miRNA with both active -3p and -5p mature strands and wide-ranging physiological targets, has been the subject of countless studies over the years. Due to its preferential expression in hematopoietic cells, miR-142 has been found to be associated with numerous types of lymphomas and leukemias. This review elucidates the multifaceted role of miR-142 in human physiology, its influence on hematopoiesis and hematopoietic cells, and its intriguing involvement in exosome-mediated miR-142 transport. Moreover, we offer a comprehensive …

Melittological Notes From Guatemala (Hymenoptera: Anthophila), 1. New Country Records For Centris Fabricius (Apidae) And Zikanapis Moure (Colletidae), Silas Bossert, José Monzón-Sierra, Richard S. Zack, Ana Cristina García, Elizabeth A. Murray

Insecta Mundi

Abstract

Three species of bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae, Colletidae) are newly recorded for Guatemala: Centris obscurior Michener, Centris vidua Mocsáry, and Zikanapis inbio (Michener, Engel and Ayala). We discuss aspects of their biology and circumstances of the collecting events and provide information on their presently known distribution.

Resumen

Se registran por primera vez tres especies de abejas (HymenopteraN: Apidae, Colletidae) para Guatemala: Centris obscurior Michener, Centris vidua Mocsáry, y Zikanapis inbio (Michener, Engel y Ayala). Discutimos aspectos de su biología, circunstancias bajo las cuáles fueron colectadas y se provee información en la distribución conocida actualmente.

Fungicide Data, Amber Johnson

ScholarsArchive Data

This dataset contains emergence, biomass, and fungal biomass data collected during a laboratory study examining the effects of soil fungal level and seed coating treatment on the growth of bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata). Pathogenesis from soil and seed-borne fungus can limit success when restoring native species. Fungicides can combat fungal pathogens, but in some studies, fungicides treatments are ineffective at improving seedling emergence over untreated, control seed. These studies suggest low fungal presence due to dry conditions may be the cause of the ineffectiveness of fungicide treatments for some years and sites. This study tested if fungicide treatment …

Food Additive Evidence In Food Supplements Most Commonly Consumed By Cancer Patients, Safa Mazouzi, Samira Djekoun Bensoltane, Sabiha Bouzbid, Nesrine Adjabi

Journal of Bioresource Management

The goal of this research is to highlight food additives in the formulations of food supplements consumed by cancer patients. It is a survey conducted at the Cancer treatment center in Annaba to collect a list of food supplements used by these patients. Following a screening of their ingredients for incorporated food additives, which we then classified according to the degree of toxicity, these supplements were classified according to their origin (local or imported). Our findings show that these various groups of dietary supplements contain a variety of food additives with varying degrees of toxicity, such as colorants (E422), acidity …

Comparative Histological Study On The Algerian Thymus Ciliatus At Different Phenological Stages, Nina Sadou, Ratiba Seridi, Hamdi Bendif

Journal of Bioresource Management

The aim of the current study was to compare the histological observations of stems, leaves, and different secretory structures of Thymus ciliatus at three phenological stages. The anatomical observations of stems, leaves, and glandular trichomes were carried out by light microscopy. The results showed that phenological stages do not affect significantly the anatomical, whereas there was a significant increase in secretory trichomes. The glandular trichomes are distributed on the surface of the stems and the leaves. There are only two distinct types of secretory trichomes, Peltate consisting of a basal cell, a stalk cell, and an 8-celled head type, which …

Utilizing An Extract From Endophytic Fungus, Alternaria Alternata, Isolated From Ricinus Communis L. Leaves As A Biological Agent For Controlling The Migratory Locust In Algeria, Laib Djamel Eddine, Benzehra Abdelmadjid, Laib Imen, Aouzal Badis, Akkal Salah

Journal of Bioresource Management

In this research, we aimed to explore the insecticidal potential of Alternaria alternata, an endophytic fungus derived from the leaves of castor oil plant. To test its insecticidal efficacy, various doses of A. alternata mycoextract were administered to Locusta migratoria L. through both topical and oral pathways. The findings revealed that the insects displayed the highest susceptibility to a concentration of 2 g/L, leading to an impressive mortality rate of 87.5 % and 93.75 % for topical and oral administrations, in the same order. The extract displayed remarkable insecticidal properties, demonstrating LC50 values of 1.09 g/L for the topical …

P53r245w Mutation Fuels Cancer Initiation And Metastases In Nash-Driven Liver Tumorigenesis, Denada Dibra, Mihai Gagea, Yuan Qi, Gilda P Chau, Xiaoping Su, Guillermina Lozano

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Obesity is a significant global health concern. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are common risk factors for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and are closely associated with metabolic comorbidities, including obesity and diabetes. The TP53 tumor suppressor is the most frequently mutated gene in liver cancers, with half of these alterations being missense mutations. These mutations produce highly abundant proteins in cancer cells which have both inhibitory effects on wildtype (WT) p53, and gain-of-function (GOF) activities that contribute to tumor progression. A Western diet increases p53 activity in the liver. To elucidate the functional consequences of Trp53 mutations in …

A Revision Of Dyscolotaxia Horn, 1890 (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae: Macraulacinae: Macraulacini), With The Description Of Amazotaxia New Genus From South America, Robert L. Otto

Insecta Mundi

Abstract

The Neotropical eucnemid genus, Dyscolotaxia Horn, is revised following the examination of specimens from five collections, examination of the published original description of Plesiofornax tetratoma Chassain, and from images provided by Fernanda Salazar-Buenaño (QCAZI). Dyscolotaxia championi Horn is redescribed with included descriptions of the male genitalia and a female specimen. Three new species of false click beetles (Coleoptera: Eucnemidae) are described from the Neotropical region. These new species are: Dyscolotaxia chiriquiensis (Panama), Dyscolotaxia hispaniolensis (Dominican Republic), and Dyscolotaxia picea (Ecuador). Amazotaxia new genus is described from South America for Plesiofornax tetratoma Chassain, creating Amazotaxia tetratoma (Chassain) new combination. Morphology …

Anti-Apostatic Feeding Behavior In Two Species Of Assassin Bug, The White-Spotted Assassin Bug Platymeris Biguttatus And Red-Spotted Assassin Bug Platymeris Rhadamanthus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), Julia H. Potocnjak, Christopher Vitek

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences Faculty Publications

Predator-prey relationships are a driving force when examining community ecology. One question in predator-prey interactions is how a predator may respond to novel prey phenotypes, a form of frequency dependent prey selection. A predator may selectively target or avoid the novel prey, a behavior referred to as anti-apostatic or apostatic selection respectively. We examined apostatic prey selection by observing feeding behavior in two species of assassin bugs (Hemiptera: Reduviidae), the white-spotted assassin bug (Platymeris biguttatus) and the red-spotted assassin bug (Platymeris rhadamanthus) which were fed unmodified and modified (novel) phenotypes of Turkistan cockroaches, Blatta lateralis (Blattodea: …

Smokejumper Obituary: Cordova, Horace M. (Idaho City 1961), National Smokejumper Association

Smokejumper Obituaries

No abstract provided.

Evolution Of Primate Vocal Repertoires: Vocal Systems As Embodied Capital For Mediating Within-Group Conflict, Eric Schniter, Mateo Peñaherrera-Aguirre

ESI Working Papers

Life history traits constrain investments in costly neural and somatic embodied capital, potentially shaping the evolution of primate vocal communication systems. This study integrates life history theory with the social complexity hypothesis to test a sequential pathway from longevity to social dynamics to vocal repertoire size, using updated vocal repertoire data for McComb & Semple’s (2005) set of 42 non-human primate species, alongside measures of group size and within-group conflict. We compiled data on vocal repertoire size, within-group conflict, group size, endocranial volume, and maximum longevity, analysing these via Phylogenetic Sequential Canonical Cascade Model and ancestral character reconstructions. …

Classification Of Colon Cancer Patients Into Consensus Molecular Subtypes Using Support Vector Machines, Necla Koçhan, Baris Emre Dayanc

Turkish Journal of Biology

Background/aim: The molecular heterogeneity of colon cancer has made classification of tumors a requirement for effective treatment. One of the approaches for molecular subtyping of colon cancer patients is the Consensus Molecular Subtypes (CMS) developed by the Colorectal Cancer Subtyping Consortium (CRCSC). CMS-specific RNA-Seq dependent classification approaches are recent with relatively low sensitivity and specificity. In this study, we aimed to classify patients into CMS groups using RNA-seq profiles. Materials and methods: We first identified subtype specific and survival associated genes using Fuzzy C-Means (FCM) algorithm and log-rank test. Then we classified patients using Support Vector Machines with Backward Elimination …

Genital Tract Infections, The Vaginal Microbiome And Gestational Age At Birth Among Pregnant Women In South Africa: A Cohort Study Protocol, Ranjana M.S. Gigi, Mandisa M. Mdingi, Hyunsul Jung, Shantelle Claassen-Weitz, Lukas Bütikofer, Jeffrey D. Klausner, Christina A. Muzny, Christopher M. Taylor, Janneke H.H.M. Van De Wijgert, Remco P.H. Peters, Nicola Low

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Introduction Preterm birth complications are the most common cause of death in children under 5 years. The presence of multiple microorganisms and genital tract inflammation could be the common mechanism driving early onset of labour. South Africa has high levels of preterm birth, genital tract infections and HIV infection among pregnant women. We plan to investigate associations between the presence of multiple lower genital tract microorganisms in pregnancy and gestational age at birth. Methods and analysis This cohort study enrols around 600 pregnant women at one public healthcare facility in East London, South Africa. Eligible women are ≥18 years and …