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Sovereignty, society and human rights: Theorising society and human survival in times of global crisis
No full textThe coronavirus pandemic and climate crisis have highlighted the power of governments in relation to people and the societies in which they live. This article looks at two sociological approaches that together capture the core features of the relationship between sovereignty, society and individual safety. Sociologists of human rights point to the importance of sovereignty for the enforcement of human rights and draw on the work of Arendt, who argues all rights are lost to those who find themselves outside the protection of the state. Wickham’s Hobbesian sociology adds an important social dimension to these ideas. He adopts Hobbes’ argument that sovereignty secures both society and the protection of people. The article recovers additional ideas in Hobbes’ theory of rights that further link these two approaches. For Hobbes, governments hold a responsibility to protect their citizens’ right to survive. The article discusses the relevance of these ideas to the coronavirus pandemic and climate crisis. It argues sociology is well-placed to explore ways in which the continued exercise of sovereign power in relation to society and human survival is shaping humanity’s response to these global crises
Marine microbial bioprospecting: Exploitation of marine biodiversity towards biotechnological applications—a review
Get PDFWhat have we learned about the allergenicity and adverse reactions associated with the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine
No full textObjective
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to the most rapid response and scale-up in vaccine and therapeutic development in history. We highlight the history of these amazing achievements with a focus on the description of the classification and mechanisms of allergic reactions and adverse events relevant to the allergist and immunologist that have been associated with the SARS-CoV-2 vaccines. Finally, we offer a detailed management approach in the context of a possible allergic reaction.
Data Sources
Using defined search strategy, we identified peer-reviewed articles within PubMed that were published between January 1, 2019, and December 4, 2021.
Study Selections
All recent articles on COVID-19 published in English were reviewed with focus on the immunogenicity and allergenicity of the current existing COVID-19 vaccines.
Results
Following a detailed literature review, we discuss the evolution and development of the new vaccines for SARS-CoV-2. Furthermore, we provide evidence regarding the significance and mechanisms of allergic reactions associated with the vaccines and offer a management approach for those with an increased risk of presenting an allergic or other relevant vaccine reaction.
Conclusion
The international rollout of COVID-19 vaccination started with reports of immediate allergic reactions. Although we still need to understand the mechanisms of these reactions, we can be reassured that patients with underlying allergic disease will not need to avoid SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. In addition, the vast majority of those with a first-dose reaction will tolerate subsequent doses
Gut Microbiota-Testis Axis: FMT Mitigates High-Fat Diet-Diminished Male Fertility via Improving Systemic and Testicular Metabolome
Get PDFHigh-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity is known to be associated with reduced male fertility and decreased semen quality in humans. HFD-related male infertility is a growing issue worldwide, and it is crucial to overcome this problem to ameliorate the distress of infertile couples. For the first time, we discovered that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) of alginate oligosaccharide (AOS)-improved gut microbiota (A10-FMT) ameliorated HFD-decreased semen quality (sperm concentration: 286.1 ± 14.1 versus 217.9 ± 17.4 million/mL; sperm motility: 40.1 ± 0.7% versus 29.0 ± 0.9%), and male fertility (pregnancy rate: 87.4 ± 1.1% versus 70.2 ± 6.1%) by benefiting blood and testicular metabolome. A10-FMT improved HFD-disturbed gut microbiota by increasing gut Bacteroides (colon: 24.9 ± 1.1% versus 8.3 ± 0.6%; cecum: 10.2 ± 0.7% versus 3.6 ± 0.7%) and decreasing Mucispirillum (colon: 0.3 ± 0.1% versus 2.8 ± 0.4%; cecum: 2.3 ± 0.5% versus 6.6 ± 0.7%). A10-FMT benefited gut microbiota to improve liver function by adjusting lipid metabolism to produce n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as eicosapentaenoic acid (blood: 55.5 ± 18.7 versus 20.3 ± 2.4) and docosahexaenoic acid (testis: 121.2 ± 6.2 versus 89.4 ± 6.7), thus ameliorating HFD-impaired testicular microenvironment to rescue spermatogenesis and increase semen quality and fertility. The findings indicated that AOS-improved gut microbiota may be a promising strategy to treat obesity or metabolic issues-related male infertility in the future
Two new species in the orb-weaving spider genus Larinia Simon, 1874 (Araneae, Araneidae) from Western Australia
No full textTwo new species in the orb-weaving spider genus Larinia Simon, 1874 are described, L. sexta n. sp. and L. tumulus n. sp. This elevates the Australian number of described species in the genus to seven. With the exception of two females of L. sexta n. sp. recorded from mainland Western Australia, both species have so far exclusively been found on Barrow Island, 50 km off the north-western Western Australian coast where a third species, L. montagui Hogg, 1914, also occurs. Both new species appear to favour spinifex (Triodia spp.) grassland, but specimen numbers in collections are too low to accurately characterize life history patterns and habitat preferences
Genetic mapping of drought tolerance traits phenotyped under varying drought stress environments in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.)
No full textGenomic regions governing water deficit stress tolerance were identified in peanut using a recombinant inbred line (RIL) population derived from an elite variety TMV 2 and its narrow leaf mutant TMV 2-NLM, which was evaluated over six-seasons at Dharwad (non-stress) and Tirupati (water-stress) in India. Stress condition could differentiate the RILs much better than the non-stress condition for the physiological traits. A linkage map with 700 markers was used to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs). Three sets of best linear unbiased predictions (BLUPs) were estimated for the drought tolerance traits for the rainy and post-rainy seasons at Dharwad and post-rainy seasons at Tirupati, and employed for single marker analysis, composite interval mapping and multiple QTL mapping. Of the 305 significant marker-trait associations for the 11 traits, only 21 were of major effect for pod yield per plant (PYPP), specific dry weight at 70 days after sowing (SDW_70) and specific leaf area at 70 DAS (SLA_70). Three major main effect QTLs were identified for PYPP with the highest phenotypic variance explained (PVE) of 10.5%. Nine QTLs with the highest PVE of 18.4% were identified for SDW_70, of which four QTLs were also governing SLA_70 with the highest PVE of 15.7%. A few of them were also involved in epistatic interactions, and formed multiple QTL mapping models. Five major QTLs for SDW_70 were stable over both the locations. Candidate genes with SNPs and AhMITE1 insertion were identified for the major QTL regions. A rare nonsynonymous SNP at Ah02_1558700 within the gene ArahyW1P0U6 governing PYPP was detected. Functional analysis of these candidate genes may be useful for future genetic modifications in addition to validating and using the linked markers for improving drought tolerance in peanut
Correct dosing of Prothrombinex‐VF in normalising elevated international normalised ratio in critically ill patients: a prospective cohort pilot study
No full textBackground
Prothrombinex-VF is being increasingly used as an off-label therapy to correct non-warfarin-related elevations in international normalised ratio (INR) in the critically ill. Currently there are no dosing guidelines for such use.
Aims
To validate a prediction equation, embedded in a smartphone application (app), to guide dosing of Prothrombinex-VF in critically ill patients.
Methods
A prospective pilot cohort study of critically ill adult patients with elevated INRs who were treated with Prothrombinex-VF. The main outcome measured was INR following Prothrombinex-VF administration.
Results
Of the 31 patients included, five (16%) were taking warfarin prior to admission and 14 (45%) had chronic liver disease. There was a significant decrease in INR after Prothrombinex-VF treatment (P < 0.001) and a significant correlation between the app's predicted INRs and the measured INRs (r = 0.63 and P < 0.001). The app's predicted INRs were less accurate for patients with chronic liver disease than for those without. Overall, the app's recommendations achieved an INR either similar to (29.6%) or better than (55.6%) what would have been achieved had the warfarin reversal guidelines been applied to dose the Prothrombinex-VF.
Conclusion
The app appeared to be reasonably accurate at predicting normalisation of elevated INRs after administration of Prothrombinex-VF, especially among patients without liver disease. Its dosing recommendations were similar to or possibly better than preexisting warfarin reversal guidelines in over 85% of the situations analysed, if we assume a higher dose of Prothrombinex-VF would achieve a greater reduction in INR than a lower dose
Long-term performance of a full-scale intermittently decanted extended aeration (IDEA) plant: The effect of dissolved oxygen and the relocation of alum dosing to bioselector
No full textDosing alum to remove phosphorus (P) from wastewater is a common practice. However, the dosing-location and quantity of alum required to meet P discharge limits are vaguely defined. As such, utilities overdose alum to avoid noncompliance, but this leads to wastage and costs. This study aimed to address this issue through a long-term evaluation of an alum-assisted full-scale intermittently decanted extended aeration (IDEA) plant. Specifically, the effects of relocating alum dosing from a low P containing IDEA-tank to a bioselector containing elevated P concentrations were examined. The plant is fitted with two IDEA-tanks, each retrofitted with a bioselector at the inlet end. Over 359 d, key parameters (dissolved oxygen (DO), NH4+-N, NO2−-N, NO3−-N, PO43–-P) were quantified to account for the effects of switching alum-dosing into the bioselector and varying dosages (429, 643, 1072 and 1286 g-Al3+ per treatment cycle). Results indicated a 52% reduction of alum usage with no impact on discharge limit (≤0.85 mg-P/L). As expected, a failure to maintain DO setpoint (1.6 mg/L) reduced both NH4+-N and PO43–-P removal. Increasing alum dosage simply could not alleviate this problem, but maintenance of DO at least 85% of setpoint enabled effective rectification. This 15% DO buffer zone offers operators an opportunity to rectify imminent operational failures related to DO, prior to escalating alum dosage. An operational framework to manage DO related failures is proposed. Overall, this study offers insights on how to cost effectively apply alum and manage DO failures to achieve P discharge limits in IDEA plants
The effect of organic manure or green manure incorporation with reductions in chemical fertilizer on yield-scaled N2O emissions in a citrus orchard
No full textExcess chemical fertilizer application results in substantial N2O emission. Manure application into agricultural soil can reduce chemical fertilizer input while maintaining crop yield. However, little is known about the potential effects of reduction in chemical fertilizer with green manure or organic manure on yield-scaled N2O emissions in orchards. A two-year experiment was carried out in a citrus orchard, including (i) chemical fertilizer (urea), 0%, 70%, 85% and 100% of N supplied, respectively (CK, C70, C85, CF), (ii) organic manure (rapeseed cake) incorporation with 0%, 70%, 85% and 100% of N supplied from chemical fertilizer (OM, OMC70, OMC85, OMCF), (iii) green manure (smooth vetch) incorporation with 0%, 70%, 85% and 100% of N supplied from chemical fertilizer (GM, GMC70, GMC85, GMCF) treatments. The soil physical-chemical properties, N2O emissions and yields were measured during 2018–2019. N2O emissions were 1.57 and 1.80 kg N ha−1 yr−1 under CF treatment in 2018 and 2019, respectively, and decreased by 25.4%−31.6% under C70, 32.5%−55.4% under OMC70 and OMC85 treatments and by 16.1–32.2% under GMC70 and GMC85 treatments. The 70% N rate of chemical fertilizer was the optimal N rate for maximizing yield in no manure, organic manure and green manure treatments, respectively. The C70, OMC70 and GMC70 treatments both significantly decreased yield-scaled N2O emission with the lowest emission in OMC70 treatment relative to CF treatment. N2O fluxes in OMC70 and OMC85 treatments were mainly controlled by the DOC/NO3- ratio, while soil NH4+ was the dominant factor controlling N2O fluxes in GMC70 and GMC85 treatments, suggesting that more NH4+ provided from green manure than from organic manure contributed to higher N2O emission. We conclude that applying organic manure incorporation with 30% reductions of chemical fertilizer is a fertilizer management strategy worth pursuing for sustainable productivity and environmental protection in citrus orchards
Synergism between feremycorrhizal symbiosis and free-living diazotrophs leads to improved growth and nutrition of wheat under nitrogen deficiency conditions
Get PDFA controlled-environment study was conducted to explore possible synergistic interactions between the feremycorrhizal (FM) fungus Austroboletus occidentalis and soil free-living N2-fixing bacteria (diazotrophs). Wheat (Triticum aestivum) plants were grown under N deficiency conditions in a field soil without adding microbial inoculum (control: only containing soil indigenous microbes), or inoculated with a consortium containing four free-living diazotroph isolates (diazotrophs treatment), A. occidentalis inoculum (FM treatment), or both diazotrophs and A. occidentalis inoculums (dual treatment). After 7 weeks of growth, significantly greater shoot biomass was observed in plants inoculated with diazotrophs (by 25%), A. occidentalis (by 101%), and combined inoculums (by 106%), compared to the non-inoculated control treatment. All inoculated plants also had higher shoot nutrient contents (including N, P, K, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Mn) than the control treatment. Compared to the control and diazotrophs treatments, significantly greater shoot N content was observed in the FM treatment (i.e., synergism between the FM fungus and soil indigenous diazotrophs). Dually inoculated plants had the highest content of nutrients in shoots (e.g., N, P, K, S, Mg, Zn, Cu, and Mn) and soil total N (13–24% higher than the other treatments), i.e., synergism between the FM fungus and added diazotrophs. Root colonization by soil indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi declined in all inoculated plants compared to control. Non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons revealed that the FM fungus modified the soil microbiome. Our in vitro study indicated that A. occidentalis could not grow on substrates containing lignocellulosic materials or sucrose, but grew on media supplemented with hexoses such as glucose and fructose, indicating that the FM fungus has limited saprotrophic capacity similar to ectomycorrhizal fungi. The results revealed synergistic interactions between A. occidentalis and soil free-living diazotrophs, indicating a potential to boost microbial N2 fixation for non-legume crops