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Purpose. To determine the concentration of proinflammatory and proangiogenic cytokines of aqueous humor in patients with primary openangle glaucoma (POAG) before and after trabeculectomy.Material and methods. A prospective clinical study of levels of interleukin 8 (IL-8), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and isoforms of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) in the basal tear of patients with POAG before, 3 days and two months after trabeculectomy by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was conducted. Kaplan-Meyer analysis was used to assess the hypotensive efficacy of trabeculectomy in groups; ANOVA-test was used to compare cytokine levels (pg/ml). P<0.05 was considered significant. The follow-up period was 5 years.Results. Group 1 (n=29) consisted of patients with complete success of trabeculectomy, group 2 (n=54) consisted of patients with qualified hypotensive success, and group 3 (n=18) consisted of healthy volunteers. Before the surgery, IL-8 level was 501.7±165.4 in group 1, 933.7±272.7 in group 2, 338.28±140.4 pg/ml in group 3. Three days after the surgery, IL-8 level was 325.1±105.7 in group 1 and 389,4±176,7 in group 2. Two months after the surgery, IL-8 level was 243,8±126,7 in group 1 and 231.8±65.7 in group 2. IL-6 level before the surgery was 21.8±8.7 in the group 1, 48.3±13.9 in group 2, and 8.04±4.42 in group 3. Three days after the surgery, IL 6 level was 34.3±19.2 in group 1 and 66.1±18.7 in the group 2. Two months after the surgery, IL-6 level was 13.9±6.05 in group 1 and 23.45±6.14 in group 2. VEGF-A isoforms level before the surgery was 851.4±369.4 in group 1, 895.8±205.7 in group 2, and 164.65±120.7 in group 3. Three days after the surgery, VEGF-A isoforms level was 597.7±224.7 in group 1 and 712.5±305.7 in group 2. Two months after the surgery, it was 698.5±212.7 in group 1 and 795.8±270.9 in group 2. Higher concentrations of cytokines are associated with clinical manifestations of inadequate regeneration syndrome.Conclusion. Aqueous humor outflow formation is accompanied by a cascade of immuno-inflammatory reactions due to the profile of both proinflammatory and proangiogenic cytokines, whose activity is determined by the initially altered body reactivity.

The inhibition of fibrosis in filtering blebs is indispensable for lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) after PRESERFLO MicroShunt surgery (PMS). We previously reported the anti-fibrotic effect of OBP-801 (OBP) on a filtering bleb in a rabbit glaucoma filtration surgery model using a 22-gauge cannula. In this study, we investigated the effect of OBP after PMS in rabbit eyes for the development of a new practically applicable anti-fibrotic treatment. This study involved 19 Japanese white rabbits that underwent PMS in the right eye, with those eyes divided into 3 groups: (1) intraoperative subconjunctival injection of 0.02% mitomycin-C (MMC) ( n  = 6), (2) postoperative instillation of 100 nM OBP eye drops ( n  = 7), or (3) a balanced salt solution (BSS) control ( n  = 6). Bleb morphology and IOP were monitored for 12 weeks postoperative, with the bleb tissues then undergoing evaluation of fibrosis and Western blot analysis. A lower postoperative IOP was maintained in the OBP-group eyes, and at 12 weeks postoperative, the IOP was significantly lower in that group than in the BSS and MMC groups ( p  < 0.01). OBP-treated eyes showed no adverse effects and reduced levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen deposition, thus suggesting that OBP is a promising candidate for improving surgical outcomes post PMS.

Although bycatch of seabirds and other long-lived species is a critical conservation issue in world fisheries, case studies documenting significant reductions in the mortality of these low-productivity species in a fishery are rare. We studied progress toward seabird conservation in the Alaskan longline fisheries, one of the largest and most diverse demersal fisheries. We generated annual seabird bycatch rates in 4 target fisheries and all fisheries combined from 23 years of fisheries observer data. We used 0-inflated negative binomial models to evaluate variables influencing seabird bycatch per unit effort (BPUE) in 2 target fisheries. Following adoption of streamer lines, at first voluntarily and then mandatorily, seabird BPUE was reduced by 77–90%, preventing mortality of thousands of birds per year. Despite this, BPUE increased significantly in 2 of 4 target fisheries since streamer lines were adopted. Although night setting yielded significant reductions (74–97%) in seabird BPUE and significant increases (7–11%) in fish catch per unit effort over daytime setting, nighttime setting increased the BPUE of Northern Fulmar (Fulmarus glacialis) by 40% and nontarget fish species by 5–17%. Thus, best practices to prevent seabird mortalities in longline fisheries varied by species assemblage and fishery. Our results inform global efforts toward fisheries bycatch reduction by illustrating that successful conservation requires fishery-specific solutions, strong industry support, constant vigilance in analysis and reporting observer data, and ongoing outreach to fleets, especially to vessels with anomalously high BPUE. Aunque la captura accesoria de aves marinas y otras especies con ciclos de vida largos es un asunto de importancia para la conservación en las pesquerías a nivel global, son raros los estudios de caso que documentan las reducciones significativas de la mortalidad de estas especies de baja productividad en las pesquerías. Estudiamos el progreso hacia la conservación de aves marinas en las pesquerías con palangre en Alaska, una de las pesquerías demersales más grandes y con mayor diversidad. Generamos tasas anuales de capturas accesorias de aves marinas para cuatro pesquerías y todas las pesquerías combinadas a partir de 23 años de datos de observación de pesquerías. Usamos modelos binomiales negativos con inflación 0 para evaluar las variables que influyen sobre la captura accesoria de aves marinas por unidad de esfuerzo (BPUE, en tnglés) en dos pesquerías. Después de la adopción de la caña de pescar, al principio voluntariamente y después de manera obligatoria, el BPUE de aves marinas se redujo entre un 77 y 90%, lo que previno la mortalidad de miles de aves por año. A pesar de esto, el BPUE incrementó significativamente en dos de las cuatro pesquerías diana desde que se adoptaron las cañas de pescar. Aunque las puestas nocturnas resultaron en reducciones significativas (74-97%) en el BPUE de aves marinas e incrementos significativos (7-11%) en la captura de peces por unidad de esfuerzo comparadas con las puestas diurnas, las puestas nocturnas incrementaron el BPUE del fulmar boreal (Fulmarus glacialis) en un 40% y entre un 5 y 17% el de las especies de peces cuya captura no es relevante para las pesquerías. Por lo tanto, las mejores prácticas para prevenir la mortalidad de las aves marinas en las pesquerías con palangre variaron dependiendo del grupo de especies y de la pesquería. Nuestros resultados informan a los esfuerzos globales hacia la reducción de la captura accesoria de las pesquerías al ilustrar que la conservación exitosa requiere de soluciones específicas por pesquería, un fuerte apoyo por parte de la industria, una vigilancia constante del análisis y el reporte de los datos de observación, y una participación continua de las flotas, especialmente en el caso de navíos con un BPUE anormalmente alto. 尽管全世界的渔场都面临着海鸟和其它寿命长的物种遭到兼捕这样ー个重要保护向题，但关于渔场中这 些低繁殖率物种的死亡率显著下降的案例分析仍然狼少。本研究分析了規模最大、种类最多的底层渔场之一 的阿拉斯加延绳钓渔场在海鸟保护方面的进展。我们根据 23 年间渔场的观察数据，获得了四个目标渔场和所 有渔场整体上毎年海鸟兼捕率的数据，并用零膨张负ニ项模型估计了两个目标渔场中影响每单位工作量的海鸟 兼捕量(bycatch per unit effort, BPUE)的因素。在从自愿到强制性地采用了飞绳钓方法之后，海鸟BPUE減 少了77-90%，毎年防止了数千只鸟的死亡。尽管如此，采用飞绳钓后，四个目标渔场中还是有两个渔场BPUE 显著增加。虽然夜间放钓竿相比于日间放钓竿，海鸟BPUE显著减少(74-97%),且每单位工作量的渔获量显著 増加77-11%),担夜间放钓竿导致暴雪鹱(Fulmarus glacialis；的BPUE増加了40%，非目标鱼种的BPUE也增加 T5-17%o因此，防止延绳钓渔场中海鸟死亡的最佳实践取决于物种群落和渔场的具体情况。我们的结果阐明 了成功的保护需要针对各个渔场_ 定解决方案、有强有力的产业支持、对观察数据的分析和报告保持谨慎，以 及要注意不断扩大的船队，特别是引起异常高BPUE的船只。这些结果为全球渔场减少兼捕的努力提供了重要 信息。

Geese and swans are focal species in conservation and in management aimed at reducing crop damage. In the former disturbance should be minimized, and in the latter it is important to know how different species react to scaring activities. Previous research about trade‐off between predation risk and foraging in birds often uses ‘flight initiation distance' (FID) as a proxy to compare fearfulness under different circumstances and among species. We studied variation in FID in geese and swans by species, flock size and composition, time of day, and body size (408 scaring trials on agricultural land in the winters 2018–2021). In single‐species flocks mean FID decreased in the order: bean goose (171 m) > greylag goose (104 m) > whooper swan (102 m) > Canada goose (92 m) > barnacle goose (77 m). In line with predictions based on body mass, the lightest species (barnacle goose) was the least fearful, but contrary to prediction neither of the two heaviest species (whooper swan, Canada goose) was the most fearful. FID was negatively correlated with flock size in bean goose. Flock size and FID did not correlate in greylag, Canada, and barnacle geese. FID did not differ between morning and afternoon in the four species with a sample of > 20 single‐species trials. When in multi‐species flocks, FID differed less among species, converging in the 108–138 m range. Accordingly, bean goose FID decreased significantly whereas it increased significantly in barnacle and greylag geese. Barnacle goose (protected from hunting by the EU Birds Directive) was less fearful than species with an open hunting season in the EU, implying that exposure to hunting affects species‐specific FID. We show that the level of fearfulness varied among swan and goose species, making it necessary to adopt diverse strategies in conservation as well as crop protection.

Libertarian punishment theory was initially articulated by Murray N. Rothbard and Walter E. Block. It was broken down into four separate stages. To a great degree, this theory was accepted by Eduardo Blasco and Davie Marcos. However, they maintain it is in need of some slight adjustments and improvements, mainly dealing with the interest rate. The present paper claims their suggestion while valid, is unnecessary, since this theory already incorporates that element, at least implicitly.

Folliculitis decalvans (FD) is a difficult-to-treat, localized scarring alopecia characterized by an expanding area of chronically inflamed purulent plaques or masses. Current treatment modalities vary and often result in only temporary remission. There are no reports of surgical therapies for FD. Here, we describe FD treatment using surgical excision and second-intention healing aided by guarded high-tension sutures.PurposeFolliculitis decalvans (FD) is a difficult-to-treat, localized scarring alopecia characterized by an expanding area of chronically inflamed purulent plaques or masses. Current treatment modalities vary and often result in only temporary remission. There are no reports of surgical therapies for FD. Here, we describe FD treatment using surgical excision and second-intention healing aided by guarded high-tension sutures.Five patients (one woman and four men) with histologically confirmed FD were treated by surgical lesion excision. All wounds were allowed to heal via second-intention. Guarded high-tension sutures were employed to minimize tissue tears while aiding and guiding wound contraction.MethodsFive patients (one woman and four men) with histologically confirmed FD were treated by surgical lesion excision. All wounds were allowed to heal via second-intention. Guarded high-tension sutures were employed to minimize tissue tears while aiding and guiding wound contraction.All wounds healed with a 47-83% spatial contraction of the maximum wound diameters. Three patients healed entirely by second-intention, while two required a minor skin graft to close the wound completely. No disease recurrence was noted at 10-24 months.ResultsAll wounds healed with a 47-83% spatial contraction of the maximum wound diameters. Three patients healed entirely by second-intention, while two required a minor skin graft to close the wound completely. No disease recurrence was noted at 10-24 months.Surgical excision with second-intention healing aided by guarded high-tension sutures effectively treated small and extensive FD lesions with no recurrence at long-term follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful surgical treatment of FD.ConclusionSurgical excision with second-intention healing aided by guarded high-tension sutures effectively treated small and extensive FD lesions with no recurrence at long-term follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first report of successful surgical treatment of FD.

Summary 1.Increasing population sizes of geese are the cause of numerous agricultural conflicts in many regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Scaring is often used as a tool to chase geese away from fields, either as a means to protect vulnerable crops or as part of goose management schemes to drive geese to accommodation areas. Geese are quick to habituate to stationary scaring devices; hence, active scaring by humans is often employed. However, it remains undocumented how much effort is required for active scaring to be effective. 2.We explored the relationship between intensity of active human scaring on field use and behaviour by geese. Using an experimental framework, we applied four different scaring doses per day (geese were scared either 2, 5, 7 or 10 times per day), to random pastures in a pink-footed goose spring staging area in mid-Norway, and recorded goose flock sizes, fleeing response distances, and average weekly goose densities assessed by dropping densities. In addition, we counted droppings in fields without scaring. We used mixed models to test for changes in the effects of different scaring doses over time and compared observed with predicted dropping levels. 3.Cumulative dropping densities increased at different rates depending on the scaring dose. Scaring dosage did not affect flock size and fleeing response distance during the study period, but both flock sizes and fleeing response distances changed with time. 4.Scaring dose 2 did not show any decrease in relative goose use compared to the fields without scaring, whereas doses 5, 7 and 10 all showed 74–78% fewer droppings by the end of the spring staging period, indicating a possible threshold between dose 2 and 5. The largest effect of scaring appeared during the first week of scaring. 5.Synthesis and applications. This study is the first to show a dose–response relationship between active scaring and field use of flocking geese. For individual farmers, the study provides guidance on the level of scaring effort needed to be cost-effective. If implemented as part of a management scheme with subsidy/accommodation areas in combination with systematic and persistent scaring, it can be used as a tool to keep geese away from areas where they are not wanted, thereby assisting in the alleviation of goose–agriculture conflicts. The approach in this study can be adapted and used in a wider range of wildlife interactions with human economic interests.

Word sense disambiguation (WSD) is the process of finding out the appropriate meaning of a polysemous word based on any given context. The Bengali language inherently comprises a large number of polysemous words. Recently, researchers in the domain of linguistics have been attracted to the problem of WSD in Bengali text due to its numerous interesting applications, viz. machine translation, opinion polarity identification, question-answering systems, etc. In this paper, lexeme connexion measure of cohesive lexical ambiguity revealing factor has been proposed that takes a decision on the disambiguation of senses of a Bengali polysemous word. All the polysemous words have been treated as target words, and a context window of three different sizes, viz. five, seven, and ten are considered based on these target words. This paper has generated lexeme harmony measure for quantifying heuristically of syntactic belongings of a collection of lexemes in Bengali text. The proposed methodology has been extracted a feature vector by considering the cohesive lexical ambiguity revealing factor or CLARF, depending on frame lexeme harmony (FLH), sense lexeme harmony (SLH), polysemy singularity coherence (PSC), polysemy distribution factor (PDF), and relative polysemy singularity coherence (RPSC) factor of a lexeme. This Bengali WSD technique has been applied max-rule of integrated lexeme connexion measure (LCM) of each lexeme of both the testing and training cases score for sense recognition. The proposed algorithm has succeeded in eliminating the drawback of the Bengali WSD approaches, as it can focus on both the lexical and semantic relationships between words. The performance of this algorithm has been evaluated on a dataset that consists of 100 polysemous words of three/four senses. Various evaluation metrics have been used to analyse the results obtained by the proposed algorithm. The obtained results indicate the robustness of the proposed algorithm.

Bycatch is one of the main threats to marine biodiversity, affecting ocean ecosystems at a worldwide scale. The main focus of bycatch studies has been on the impact of larger vessels, with few studies assessing the impact of artisanal fisheries. Moreover, bycatch studies are often limited to a small number of marine regions, and significant gaps still exist in our knowledge of the spatial and temporal patterns of seabird bycatch. Here we present a multi-approach method to accurately quantify seabird bycatch driven by small- and medium-sized fishing fleets operating in a high priority area for seabird conservation on the Portuguese mainland. Results of three mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch on fishing gear where seabird bycatch is most likely to occur were also tested: high contrast panels in bottom gillnets, black hooks in demersal longlines and a bird scaring device in purse seines. The efficacy, acceptance, and economic viability were tested for each mitigation measure. Sixty-seven individuals of seven seabird species were bycaught during 295 monitored fishing trips between 2015 and 2018. Bycatch occurred mainly in demersal longlines (0.07 birds fishing event-1), followed by purse seines (0.02 birds fishing event-1) and bottom gillnets (0.01 birds fishing event-1). Nevertheless, the bird scaring device caused birds to interact less with the vessel (the presence of gulls was reduced by 11%), thus decreasing the likelihood of bycatch. This device has proved to be low-cost (representing less than 5% income of a single day’s landings) and easy to implement, being also well accepted by purse seine fishermen. It was not possible to evaluate the efficacy of high contrast panels and black hooks, as no bycatch events were recorded during trials.

Large reservoirs have areas dangerous for fish. For instance, water intake facilities, hydroelectric dams, etc. Therefore, it becomes necessary to protect or divert fish from such areas. One way to achieve this is to use loud underwater sound. Most fish are sensitive to noise. Acoustic underwater speakers, developed in recent years, transmit full-fledged sound information underwater. This made it possible to study the possibilities of scaring away fish by underwater sounds of various volumes and frequencies. The purpose of the experiments was the following: to set the dynamics of the sound volume attenuation, with increasing distance from the sound source; to study the fish reaction to different types of acoustic signal; to study the effectiveness of scaring fish with sounds of various volumes and frequencies; to set the duration of the effect of single and multiple acoustic scaring.