The Scientific World Journal最新文献

Purpose: Eucalyptus plantations have increasingly transformed the Ethiopian landscape due to their high economic returns from timber, fuelwood, and household income generation. Their rapid expansion has become particularly prominent in smallholder farming systems and periurban areas. Despite these socioeconomic benefits, Eucalyptus plantations have raised serious environmental concerns, especially in water-scarce and biodiversity-rich regions. A comprehensive evaluation of their environmental trade-offs is therefore essential to support evidence-based and sustainable land-use planning.

Method: This review synthesizes findings from peer-reviewed literature and empirical studies on Eucalyptus cultivation in Ethiopia. The analysis focuses on documented impacts on water resources, soil properties, biodiversity, and ecosystem functioning while also assessing reported mitigation practices.

Results: The review reveals that Eucalyptus plantations exhibit high water consumption, often exacerbating local water scarcity and competing with adjacent agricultural crops. Soil nutrient depletion, increased erosion, and reduced understory vegetation are frequently reported, alongside declines in native plant and faunal diversity. Allelopathic effects further limit the regeneration of indigenous species.

Discussion: Although environmental drawbacks are evident, Eucalyptus plantations contribute to carbon sequestration, fuelwood supply, and rural livelihoods. These benefits indicate the need for improved management rather than complete exclusion of Eucalyptus from farming landscapes.

Conclusion: Sustainable management approaches, particularly agroforestry and mixed-species systems, can reduce negative impacts while maintaining socioeconomic benefits. Integrating Eucalyptus with indigenous and multipurpose species such as Cordia africana, Faidherbia albida, and Acacia abyssinica is recommended to enhance soil fertility, maintain biodiversity, and promote ecosystem resilience.

In Beninese traditional medicine, Khaya senegalensis, Ocimum americanum, and Cassytha filiformis are commonly used to treat urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study aimed to evaluate their phytochemical composition, antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activities, analgesic and diuretic effects, and acute toxicity. Qualitative phytochemical screening was performed using staining and precipitation methods. Plant materials were extracted with 70% ethanol, yielding a hydroethanolic extract. Antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant uropathogenic strains was assessed using disk diffusion and broth microdilution assays. Anti-biofilm effects were evaluated with a colorimetric method. Analgesic and diuretic activities were tested in vivo in Wistar rats. Acute toxicity of hydroethanolic extracts was assessed over 14 days following OECD guidelines. Phytochemical analysis revealed alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponosides, tannins, reducing compounds, and mucilage in various plant parts. All extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococci and uropathogenic Enterobacteria, with inhibition zones of 13.8-21.2 mm and MICs of 3.5-9 mg/mL. Both aqueous and hydroethanolic extracts reduced bacterial biofilm formation to varying degrees. At 200 mg/kg, the hydroethanolic extracts significantly reduced acetic acid-induced pain. K. senegalensis and C. filiformis exhibited diuretic activity comparable to furosemide. No toxic effects were observed at 2000 mg/kg. The antimicrobial, anti-biofilm, analgesic, and diuretic properties of these plants support their use in managing UTIs. Their favorable acute toxicity profile further highlights their therapeutic potential and supports the development of improved traditional medicines.

Objective: The majority of the published literature regarding the septal aperture (SA) dates to the last 200 years. The archeological literature is sparse. The collection from Tombos along the Nile River (1400-656 BCE) provides an opportunity for further study of SA in ancient populations. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and shape of SA in the population as well as the size of the humerus and correlate that with and without SA in the Tombos population.

Methods: Adult humerus specimens from the Tombos skeletal population with intact distal humeri were studied using both photography and caliper measurements. The caliper and photographic methods gave equal results.

Results: There were 164 distal humeri; an SA was present in 40.9%. There were no differences by sex, age group, or laterality. Of the 34 individuals with bilateral intact paired humeri, 47% had SAs. The involvement was bilateral in 13, left in 2, and right in 1. The shapes of the apertures were oval/elliptical in 73%, irregular in 15%, and circular in 12%. Those humeri with an SA had smaller epicondylar breadths, vertical humeral head diameters, humeral shaft diameters, condylar articular width, and trochlear articular width. There were no differences in the coronoid or olecranon fossa width/height. The 41% prevalence of SA in the Tombos population is similar to the 45%-60% in other African archeological studies but higher than the 20%-37% in prehistoric Native Americans. Smaller humeri had a higher prevalence of SA similar to several modern-day studies.

Conclusions: The etiology of SA is not definitively known, with mechanical, structural, and genetic etiologies postulated. A high prevalence of bilaterality is supportive of a genetic etiology; our 81% prevalence of bilaterality suggests a strong genetic component in the etiology of SA in this particular population.

Melon (Cucumis melo L. var. Cantaloupe) is classified as a climacteric fruit, which means its quality deteriorates quickly after harvest. Early-harvested melons often exhibit inferior color quality and lower sugar content but have a longer shelf life than those harvested later. This study aims to improve the postharvest quality of early-harvested cantaloupe melons by evaluating the effect of Ethrel treatment on their sweetness and overall quality throughout the storage period. The melons were immersed in an Ethrel solution at 0 (control), 25, 50, and 100 ppm concentrations. After treatment, the melons were air-dried and stored in a controlled environment at 28^°C ± 1^°C with 80% ± 5% relative humidity for 21 days. The results indicated that treating the melons with Ethrel at a concentration of 25 ppm significantly enhanced their quality and shelf life. This concentration increased sweetness levels and sugar content (sucrose), which measured 2% higher than the other treatments after 7 days of storage. Additionally, the 25 ppm Ethrel treatment improved the melons' color to a vibrant orange and helped retain their hardness, titratable acidity, and vitamin C content. Furthermore, this treatment resulted in minimal fruit damage and extended the melons' shelf life for up to 21 days during storage. In conclusion, Ethrel at a concentration of 25 ppm is considered the optimal treatment for improving sugar content and maintaining the quality of early-harvested cantaloupe melons.

Background: Hip surgery is a critical medical procedure that necessitates specialized postoperative care. The knowledge, attitudes, and practice of family caregivers are pivotal in ensuring patient recovery and minimizing complications. This study is aimed at exploring these three key aspects among caregivers.

Methods: This descriptive-analytical study included 215 family caregivers selected through convenience sampling from Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Kashan. The data collection tool was a researcher-developed questionnaire consisting of four sections: demographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP). Data analysis was performed using SPSS Version 26, employing descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation, independent t-test, ANOVA, and linear regression).

Results: Among the caregivers, 69.8% were female and 30.2% were male, with the majority (41.9%) aged between 42 and 51 years, and 33.5% holding a diploma. The mean attitude score (84.82 ± 5.22) was higher than both the practice score (78.65 ± 5.14) and the knowledge score (74.68 ± 6.29). The strongest and most direct correlation was found between practice and knowledge (p < 0.001, R = 0.422). The variables of knowledge, Iranian nationality, and caregiving history had the most significant impact on improving caregiving behavior, collectively accounting for 31% of the behavioral changes (R ² = 0.312).

Conclusion: Enhancing caregiver knowledge, along with factors such as Iranian nationality and caregiving history, plays a crucial role in improving patient care behavior. It is recommended to develop targeted training programs for inexperienced and non-Iranian caregivers to enhance the quality of care provided.

The Lesotho Merino sheep is a native Merino strain formed from the indigenous fat-tailed sheep through crossbreeding over many generations. This study is aimed at phenotypically characterizing Merino sheep locally bred in four agro-ecological zones of Lesotho, facilitating easy selection based on morphological traits. Body weight (BW), body length (BL), withers height (WH), rump height (RH), chest girth (CG), rump length (RL) and rump width (RW) were measured in 2515 mature shorn Merino ewes from four agro-ecological zones: mountains (n = 1554), the Senqu River Valley (n = 350), lowlands (n = 395) and foothills (n = 216). A multivariate discriminant analysis procedure identified and quantified the traits that differentiate the Merino sheep across these agro-ecological zones. The structure matrix indicated that RL had the highest loading (0.82) in Function 1, whereas WH (0.6) and head width (0.36) exhibited the highest loadings in Functions 2 and 3, respectively. The standardized canonical discriminant coefficients showed that RL (1.02) and RW (0.60) were the highest in Function 1, whereas CG (0.65) and RH (0.41) were in Function 2, and WH (1.61) and RW (0.41) were in Function 3. The Mahalanobis distance was highest between the lowlands and the Senqu River Valley (3.46) and lowest between the mountains and foothills (0.61). Principal component analysis (PCA) extracted three components per agro-ecological zone. Morphological traits differentiate Merino sheep across the agro-ecological zones, suggesting the presence of two strains: one suited for the mountains, the Senqu River Valley, and foothills and another suited for the lowlands.

Background: Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading is a conventional radiography (CR)-based system commonly used to assess osteoarthritis (OA). Knee OA is characterized by damage to the femoral cartilage (FC); however, CR cannot directly visualize cartilage integrity. Ultrasound (US) may be superior in detecting FC damage. This study is aimed at evaluating the US-based knee OA severity assessment and analyze its association with KL grading.

Methods: This was an analytical observational study with a cross-sectional design which included knee OA patients. All participants underwent knee US scanning by two independent raters. The severity of knee OA was assessed based on three parameters: the contour of the femoral cartilage, the presence of osteophytes, and meniscus protrusion. The results were accumulated and interpreted into grades from 0 to 4. Association between US-based knee OA assessment and KL grading was analyzed statistically.

Results: A total of 112 knee OA patients were included in this study. The average age of participants was 61.4 years, with a higher female prevalence. Grade 3 was the most frequently recorded in both US and KL grades. The US interpretation from both raters showed a perfect agreement based on weighted kappa analysis (κ = 1.00). A chi-square test showed a significant association between the US and KL grade (p < 0.001), with a very strong association based on the Cramér's V test of 0.742 (95% CI: 0.599-0.824).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates the US-based knee OA severity assessment and was associated with KL grade.

Introduction: The success of endodontic treatment depends on the effective chemomechanical preparation of the root canal system, ensuring proper shaping, cleaning, and disinfection. Additionally, preserving pericervical dentin may improve the long-term prognosis of the tooth. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of two nickel-titanium rotary systems, ProTaper Gold (PTG) (Dentsply Sirona, Ballaigues, Switzerland) and VDW.Rotate (VDWR) (VDW GmbH, Munich, Germany), in preparing mandibular incisors, focusing on pericervical dentin preservation.

Methods and materials: A total of 20 mandibular incisors with oval-shaped root canals (Vertucci Type I) were selected, disinfected, and scanned by micro-CT. After randomization, the PTG and VDWR systems were used for canal preparation (n = 10). Preoperative and postoperative images were processed to measure volume, surface area, structure model index, and untouched walls. Irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl and 17% EDTA was standardized. Data were analyzed using the Student t-test, Welch t-test, or Mann-Whitney U test, with α = 5%.

Results: Both systems exerted similar effects on proximal wall diameter reduction. The PTG system promoted significantly greater increases in volume (PTG: 5.50%; VDWR: 3.57%) and surface area (PTG: 34.79%; VDWR: 26.93%) compared with that of VDWR (p < 0.05). The percentage of unprepared areas was (PTG: 1.57%; VDWR: 2.33%).

Conclusion: VDWR was associated with reduced dentin removal versus PTG in vitro, but clinical superiority still needs to be proven.

Cyberchondria, defined as heightened health anxiety and distress arising from excessive online searches about medical symptoms or risks, is an emerging mental health concern in the digital era. However, less synthesized evidence exists on its prevalence, associated factors, and their impact on health. This scoping review synthesized evidence on its prevalence, associated factors, and impacts. Following Arksey and O'Malley's framework, four databases (PubMed, Scopus, JSTOR, Dimensions), alongside Google Scholar and reference lists, were systematically searched. A total of 42 studies were included. Prevalence estimates ranged from 30.7% to 55.6%, with consistent links to health anxiety, internet addiction, and anxiety sensitivity. Demographic variations were observed by age, gender, and occupation. Significant predictors included health anxiety, depression, stress, and maladaptive metacognitive beliefs. Reported consequences included self-diagnosis, self-medication, and reliance on safety behaviors highlighting risks for inappropriate healthcare use and adverse mental health outcomes. Addressing these findings requires targeted interventions that promote digital health literacy, responsible online health information-seeking, and early identification of individuals at risk of excessive health-related internet use. Future longitudinal and cross-cultural research should build on these correlates and predictors to clarify causal pathways and inform evidence-based prevention and treatment strategies.

Background: Abnormal hemoglobin phenotypes are prevalent genetic alterations in Ghana. Testing medical laboratory science students for these variants provides personal health information while enhancing their professional education as future healthcare providers. Thus, this study explored the hemoglobin phenotypes of medical laboratory science students at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Ho, Ghana.

Methods: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted among medical laboratory science students at the UHAS from July 2024 to August 2024. A data collection sheet was used to collate the sociodemographic characteristics such as ethnicity, town or place of origin, age, and gender of the participants. Venous blood samples of the study participants were drawn into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) anticoagulated tubes. Hemoglobin variants of the samples were determined using the sickling test and alkaline hemoglobin electrophoresis method. Data was entered into a Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet and cleaned, then exported to IBM-SPSS Version 27.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, Illinois, United States) for statistical analysis. A p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Hemoglobin A was the most common phenotype, comprising 80.6% of the study population, followed by hemoglobin AS (10.9%) and hemoglobin AC (7.5%). No significant association was observed between hemoglobin phenotypes and participants' regional origin, age, and sex.

Conclusion: Hemoglobin A was the most prevalent phenotype among participants, with no significant links to age, sex, or region. The findings offer valuable baseline data and emphasize the need for future research exploring genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors shaping variant patterns.