Fresh records on Ichthyofaunal diversity of River Panjkora Dir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

This study was designed to assess the ichthyofaunal diversity of River Panjkora, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. For this purpose, a total of 1189 fish from six different sites were collected along the river and identified using standard keys. The fish collected and identified were representing 38 species, belonging to 7 families. The investigation spanned a year, from July 2021 to May 2022. The most dominant family was Cyprinidae 76% (n=906/1189), followed by Nemacheilidae 5.8% (n=69/1189), Channidae 5.2% (n=62/1189), Sisoridae 5.1% (n=61/1189), Mastacembelidae 4.9% (n=58/1189), Salmonidae 2.6% (n=31/1189) and least was Bagridae 0.17 (n=2/1189). The most abundant speices was Schizothorax plagiostomus with relative density of 16.8. Family Cyprinidae was represented by 21 species, Sisoridae by 7 species, Nemacheilidae by 5 species, Channidae by 2 species, while Bagridae, Salmonidae and Mastacembelidae, were each represented by a single species. PAST 3, XLSTAT and EXCEL 2019 were used for principal component analysis to study correlation of fish diversity and richness. Eigenvalue obtained from Kumrat to Busaq were 3.32, 1.01, 0.80, 0.44, 0.31 and 0.10 respectively. The higher value at Kumrat shows higher diversity. The water quality assessment showed average value of water temperature 10.4 ͦC, pH 7.0, electrical conductivity 184 mg/L, dissolved oxygen 7.9 mg/L, turbidity 43.73 mg/L, total dissolved solids 101 mg/L, total suspended solids 34.72 mg/L, total solids 135.53 mg/L, total alkalinity 75.77 mg/L, total hardness 58.37 mg/L, ammonia 0.46 mg/L, sulphate 26.03 mg/L, chloride 14.67 mg/L, calcium 69.11 mg/L, chromium 0.18 mg/L, copper 0.03, cobalt mg/L 0.04, nickel 0.039 mg/L, lead 0.02 mg/L and Zinc 0.35 mg/L. The findings of this study indicated that most of the physicochemical parameters remained within the acceptable limits throughout the study period. Analysis of fish gut contents included; nymphs, insect larvae, the presence of algae, protozoans and macroinvertebrates in the river ecosystem.

CSAMDT: Conditional Self Attention Memory-Driven Transformers for Radiology Report Generation from Chest X-Ray.

A radiology report plays a crucial role in guiding patient treatment, but writing these reports is a time-consuming task that demands a radiologist's expertise. In response to this challenge, researchers in the subfields of artificial intelligence for healthcare have explored techniques for automatically interpreting radiographic images and generating free-text reports, while much of the research on medical report creation has focused on image captioning methods without adequately addressing particular report aspects. This study introduces a Conditional Self Attention Memory-Driven Transformer model for generating radiological reports. The model operates in two phases: initially, a multi-label classification model, utilizing ResNet152 v2 as an encoder, is employed for feature extraction and multiple disease diagnosis. In the second phase, the Conditional Self Attention Memory-Driven Transformer serves as a decoder, utilizing self-attention memory-driven transformers to generate text reports. Comprehensive experimentation was conducted to compare existing and proposed techniques based on Bilingual Evaluation Understudy (BLEU) scores ranging from 1 to 4. The model outperforms the other state-of-the-art techniques by increasing the BLEU 1 (0.475), BLEU 2 (0.358), BLEU 3 (0.229), and BLEU 4 (0.165) respectively. This study's findings can alleviate radiologists' workloads and enhance clinical workflows by introducing an autonomous radiological report generation system.

The effect of consumer-perceived COVID-19 ad value on health-protective behavior: Mediating role of engagement.

Though the pandemic has passed, social media-based messaging continues to exhibit COVID-19-related cues (e.g., wearing a face mask to stay safe), continuing to foster consumers' health-protective behavior. However, it remains unclear how social media communications (e.g., advertising) affect such behavior, exposing an important literature-based gap. Addressing this gap, we deploy Ducoffe's advertising value model to examine how pandemic-related advertisements (e.g., those urging consumers to stay safe, including post-the pandemic) impact their health-protective behavior. We also examine how consumer engagement (CE) mediates these associations. To explore these issues, we collected data from a sample of 301 Gen Z consumers, which was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). We find that informative, credible, irritating, and obtrusive ads raise consumer engagement and health-protective behavior. Engagement was also found to strengthen these associations, revealing their strategic value. We conclude by outlining important theoretical and practical implications that arise from our analyses.

Enhancing the selectivity for light olefins through catalytic cracking of n-hexane by phosphorus doping on lanthanum-modified ZSM-5.

Naphtha, as the primary raw material in the production of light olefins, could well accommodate their increasing demand through the energy-efficient process of catalytic cracking with ZSM-5. In the current work, different amounts of lanthanum and phosphorous were loaded on ZSM-5 using the wet impregnation method to tune the acidic properties of ZSM-5 for selective catalytic cracking of n-hexane to produce light olefins. Various characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), temperature-programmed desorption of NH3 (NH3-TPD), Py-Fourier transform infra-red (Py-FTIR), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), N2 adsorption-desorption, X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy were adopted to investigate the modified zeolites. It was found that adding La to ZSM-5 (0.25 wt% to 1 wt%) improved the catalytic life and increased the n-hexane conversion (to 99.7%), while the further addition had a negative impact, reducing the conversion rate and deviating the product selectivity towards a substantial, undesired benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) fraction (33%). On the other hand, a 64% selectivity for light olefins was achieved on phosphorous-doped ZSM-5 (at a loading amount of 1 wt%) while reducing the BTX fraction (2.3%) and converting 69% of the n-hexane. A dual metal-modified ZSM-5 with optimal loading amount, 1P0.25LaZ5 (phosphorus 1 wt% and La 0.25 wt%), helped boost the light olefin selectivity to 62% in the tuned Lewis acid sites at an n-hexane conversion of about 77% while decreasing the undesired BTX selectivity to 3% by reducing the number of Brønsted sites. Thus, the current study reveals that tuning the acidic sites of ZMS-5 by dual metal augmentation with P.La is an effective way of controlling the amount of undesirable BTX produced at a stable n-hexane conversion rate and substantial olefin selectivity.

Oridonin from Rabdosia rubescens: An emerging potential in cancer therapy - A comprehensive review.

Cancer incidences are rising each year. In 2020, approximately 20 million new cancer cases and 10 million cancer-related deaths were recorded. The World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that by 2024 the incidence of cancer will increase to 30.2 million individuals annually. Considering the invasive characteristics of its diagnostic procedures and therapeutic methods side effects, scientists are searching for different solutions, including using plant-derived bioactive compounds, that could reduce the probability of cancer occurrence and make its treatment more comfortable. In this regard, oridonin (ORI), an ent-kaurane diterpenoid, naturally found in the leaves of Rabdosia rubescens species, has been found to have antitumor, antiangiogenesis, antiasthmatic, antiinflammatory, and apoptosis induction properties. Extensive research has been performed on ORI to find various mechanisms involved in its anticancer activities. This review article provides an overview of ORI's effectiveness on murine and human cancer populations from 1976 to 2022 and provides insight into the future application of ORI in different cancer therapies.

Return to play after head injury in adolescent sports: evaluating football versus other sports.

OBJECTIVE: Increased adolescent sports participation has raised concerns about higher rates of concussions, a prevalent injury among young athletes with potential long-term effects. Discrepancies in concussion recovery and management protocols across various sports underscore a critical issue in youth athletics. This study aimed to examine the relationship between sport type and the number of games missed following a concussion to inform targeted management strategies. METHODS: Data from 7445 postinjury ImPACT tests for athletes aged 12-22 years, collected from 2009 to 2019, were analyzed across different sports: baseball, basketball, cheerleading, football, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling. The number of days and normalized missed games (NMG), a metric accounting for the different number of games in a season for different sports, were used to evaluate the effect of concussions across different sports. ANOVA, t-tests, and linear regression analyses were performed to model the effect of sport type on games missed in a season while controlling for sex, age, concussion history, diagnosed learning disability (DLD), and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). RESULTS: Multivariable linear regression analysis demonstrated that football participation significantly increased NMG (ß 1.681, 95% CI 0.807-2.554; p < 0.001) and days missed (ß 1.637, 95% CI 1.044-2.231; p < 0.001) after head injury. Concussion diagnoses were also found to significantly increase NMG (ß 2.344, 95% CI 1.629-3.059; p < 0.001) and days missed (ß 1.560, 95% CI 1.074-2.045; p < 0.001), as well as history of prior concussion (NMG: ß 7.791, 95% CI 7.368-8.215; p < 0.001; days missed: ß 5.232, 95% CI 4.945-5.520; p < 0.001). In contrast, factors such as age, sex, DLD, ADHD, and concussions causing loss of consciousness did not significantly affect NMG or days missed. ANOVA with Tukey Honest Significant Difference indicated that compared with football, ice hockey (mean difference [MD] 5.4 days, p = 0.011) and track and field (MD 4.1 days, p = 0.006) were associated with significantly more days being missed after head injury. Conversely, basketball (MD -3.0, p < 0.001) and volleyball (MD -2.6, p = 0.005) were associated with fewer missed games. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents playing football missed fewer days and games after concussion than other contact and noncontact sports, including ice hockey and track and field, raising questions about variations in return-to-play protocols and cultural attitudes within sports. Further research is needed to determine the factors affecting games missed across sport types in adolescent athletics and return-to-play protocols.

Evaluation of genotoxic effect via expression of DNA damage responsive gene induced by ivermectin on MDBK cell line.

Ivermectin (IVM) is an anti-parasitic drug which is used for treating parasitic infestations. It has been used in humans for treating intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis however, currently researchers are investigating its potential for treating coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. Due to its broad-spectrum activities, IVM is being used excessively in animals which has generated an interest for researchers to investigate its toxic effects. Cytotoxic and genotoxic effects have been reported in animals due to excessive usage of IVM. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of IVM on the Madin-Darby-Bovine-Kidney (MDBK) cell line by examining the expression of a DNA damage-responsive gene (OGG1). Cytotoxicity of IVM was tested using an assay (MTT 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide), whereas the genotoxicity was evaluated using comet assay along with micronucleus assay. Moreover, the gene expression of DNA damage response gene (OGG1) was measured by qRT-PCR, after extraction of RNA from the MDBK cell line using the TRIzol method and its conversion to cDNA by reverse-transcriptase PCR. During the experiment, cell viability percentage was measured at different doses of IVM i.e., 25%, 50%, 75%, along with LC50/2, LC50 and LC50*2. It was observed that the gene expression of OGG1 increased as the concentration of IVM increased. It was concluded that IVM has both cytotoxic and genotoxic effects on the MDBK cell line. Furthermore, it is recommended that studies related to the toxic effects of IVM at molecular level and on other model organisms should be conducted to combat its hazardous effects.

An approach to optimizing dietary protein to growth and body composition in walking catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linneaeus, 1758).

Clarias batrachus is a commercially important food fish. In the present study, effect of varying dietary protein levels was evaluated on the survival, growth parameters and proximate composition of C. batrachus. Diets comprising 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, and 50% crude protein (CP) were supplied to fish in T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, and T6, respectively, at the rate of 5% of fish body weight for the entire 90 days, twice daily. Size of each stocked C. batrachus was recorded after 15 days. Results revealed 100% survival rate of C. batrachus in all treatments. Significantly highest (P<0.001) mean value of weight gain (g/fish), percent weight gain, daily growth rate, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio (PER) in C. batrachus were recorded, reared in T4 by feeding 40% CP in diet. The best FCR value (1.90±0.02) for C. batrachus was obtained in T4 by feeding 40%CP in diet. Mean value of water, ash, fat and protein contents (wet mass) were ranged 74.10-79.23%, 3.12-4.68%, 3.90-4.43% and 13.09-16.79% for C. batrachus in the studied treatment groups. Water content (%) was found significantly (P<0.05) higher in the body of C. batrachus for T1, T2, T3 and T6 than for T4 and T5. Ash was found significantly (P<0.05) higher in the fish reared in T4 and T5. Fat content in the wet body mass of C. batrachus was found significantly higher in T4 and T1. While, significant higher (P<0.05) values of mean protein content was noted in C. batrachus reared in T4 and T5. Body composition of C. batrachus was also categorically affected by body size, however, condition factor showed non-significant correlation in most of the relationships in the present study. Overall, results indicated that feeding appropriate diet (containing 40% CP) to the fish resulted good growth performance, lower FCR and higher protein content in the fish. Present study provides valuable knowledge of optimal dietary protein level in C. batrachus which will help in commercial success of aquaculture.

Current updates on genetic spectrum of usher syndrome.

Usher syndrome (USH) is a genetic disorder that is characterized by sensorineural hearing loss (HL) and visual abnormality, i.e., loss of night vision and side (peripheral) vision. Usher syndrome is categorized into four subtypes (USH1, USH2, USH3, USH4) on the basis of phenotypic spectrum. Profound hearing loss (HL), vestibular are flexia and language disturbance are typically associated with Usher type 1, while USH2 is linked with moderate to severe level of congenital HL. USH3 has late onset of deafness in life (referred to as "postlingual"), inconstant vestibular abnormality and onset of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) typically in 2nd decade of life. Patients with USH4 have no vestibular impairment and have late onset of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and sensorineural hearing loss. Until now, 15 genetic loci have been reported to be linked with all types of USH. Among reported USH loci, nine are related to be involved in USH1, three in USH2, two in USH3 and one locus in USH4, respectively. Current review has described different types of Usher syndrome and their molecular genetics, and role of usher proteins in sensory organs. Moreover, we also suggested certain candidate genes for uncharacterized loci that may help the molecular geneticist to reach their target easily. Conclusion: The current catalogue of USH genetic data may assist in genetic counseling, genetic diagnosis, and genotype-phenotype correlation.

Financial globalization and economic growth amid geopolitical risk: A study on China-Russia far East federal district.

Geopolitics, natural resource efficiency and financial globalization have arisen as a new concept for low CO2 to achieve sustainable economic growth (EG). Therefore, developed and developing economies focus on Geopolitics risk (GPR), natural resource (NRS) efficiency and financial globalization (FG) to cope with CO2 neutrality targets. In order to understand the elements that contribute to achieving CO2 neutrality, this study sought to establish a relevant connection between geopolitics, the efficiency of NRS, financial globalization (FNG), and economic growth. For the abovementioned objectives, modern econometric methods, such as the canonical cointegration, CS-FGLS and GMM were adopted to evaluate the China-Russia Far East dataset between 1990 and 2022. In order to achieve CO2 neutrality in the long run, the study's elements are crucial, according to the results. In addition, GMM shows that each of the parameters affects CO2 neutrality. As a result, the ecological Kuznets curve rules the economic landscape, and long-term CO2 neutrality is greatly facilitated by geopolitics, efficient use of natural resources, financial globalization, and economic growth. Consequently, numerous domains necessitate far-reaching and revolutionary policy changes, such as economic integration to mitigate geopolitical risk, effective management of natural resources, efficient financial systems, and sustainable technology.

Diagnosis and Management of Desmoid Fibromatosis of the Breast.

Desmoid fibromatosis of the breast (also known as desmoid tumor of the breast) is a rare entity infrequently encountered by oncologists and surgeons caring for patients with breast disease. The current body of literature is highly reliant on case series and extrapolations from other sites of desmoid tumor-related disease. Much remains unclear regarding the pathological origins, natural history, and response to treatment of this condition. Traditional treatment strategies have centered on surgical resection, which may result in significantly disfiguring cosmetic and functional outcomes, frequent need for re-operation, and associated morbidity. There are limited data to support the superiority of upfront surgical resection when compared to medical therapy or watchful waiting strategies. Current treatment guidelines for desmoid tumors do not focus on the breast as a site of disease and are purposefully ambiguous due to the paucity of evidence available. We aim to review the literature concerning desmoid fibromatosis of the breast and propose an algorithm for current evidence-based management of this rare disease in the context of our experience with this pathology at a high-volume quaternary referral center.

Genome wide analysis of carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCO) gene family in Arachis hypogaea (peanut) under biotic stress.

Carotenoid cleavage oxygenases (CCOs) enzymes play a vital role in plant growth and development through the synthesis of apocarotenoids and their derivative. These chemicals are necessary for flower and fruit coloration, as well as the manufacture of plant hormones such as abscisic acid (ABA) and strigolactones, which control a variety of physiological processes. The CCOs gene family has not been characterized in Arachis hypogaea. Genome mining of A. hypogaea identifies 24 AhCCO gene members. The AhCCO gene family was divided into two subgroups based on the recent study of the Arabidopsis thaliana CCO gene family classification system. Twenty-three AhCCO genes, constituting 95.8% of the total, were regulated by 29 miRNAs, underscoring the significance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in governing gene expression in peanuts. AhCCD19 is the only gene that lacks a miRNA target site. The physicochemical characteristics of CCO genes and their molecular weights and isoelectric points were studied further. The genes were then characterized regarding chromosomal distribution, structure, and promoter cis-elements. Light, stress development, drought stress, and hormone responsiveness were discovered to be associated with AhCCO genes, which can be utilized in developing more resilient crops. The investigation also showed the cellular location of the encoded proteins and discovered that the peanut carotenoid oxygenase gene family's expansion was most likely the result of tandem, segmental, and whole-genome duplication events. The localization expresses the abundance of genes mostly in the cytoplasm and chloroplast. Expression analysis shows that AhCCD7 and AhCCD14 genes show the maximum expression in the apical meristem, lateral leaf, and pentafoliate leaf development, while AhNCED9 and AhNCED13 express in response to Aspergillus flavus resistance. This knowledge throws light on the evolutionary history of the AhCCO gene family and may help researchers better understand the molecular processes behind gene duplication occurrences in plants. An integrated synteny study was used to find orthologous carotenoid oxygenase genes in A. hypogaea, whereas Arabidopsis thaliana and Beta vulgaris were used as references for the functional characterization of peanut CCO genes. These studies provide a foundation for future research on the regulation and functions of this gene family. This information provides valuable insights into the genetic regulation of AhCCO genes. This technology could create molecular markers for breeding programs to develop new peanut lines.

High-throughput proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles from saliva by chemical probe-based array.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are cell-released, nucleus-free particles with a double-membrane structure that effectively prevents degradation of internal components by a variety of salivary enzymes. Saliva is an easily accessible biofluid that contains a wealth of valuable information for disease diagnosis and monitoring and especially reflect respiratory and digestive tract diseases. However, the lack of efficient and high-throughput methods for proteomic analysis of salivary biomarkers poses a significant challenge. Herein, we designed a salivary EV amphiphile-dendrimer supramolecular probe (SEASP) array which enables efficient enrichment and in situ detection of EVs protein biomarkers. Detergent Tween-20 washing of SEASP arrays removes high abundance of heteroproteins from saliva well. This array shows good analytical performance in the linear range of 10 µL-150 µL (LOD = 0.4 µg protein, or 10 µL saliva), exhibiting a good recovery (80.0 %). Compared to ultracentrifugation (UC), this procedure provides simple and convenient access to high-purity EVs (1.3 × 109 particles per mg protein) with good physiological status and structure. Coupling with mass spectrometry based proteomic analysis, differentially expressed proteins as selected asthma biomarkers have been screened. Then, we validated the proteomics primary screening results through clinical samples (100 µL each) using the SEASP array. Utilizing the dual antibody fluorescence technology, SEASP enables the simultaneous high-throughput detection of two proteins. Therefore, the EVs marker protein CD81 could be used as an internal standard to normalize the number of EVs, which was stably expressed in EVs. Proteomics and array results suggested that HNRNPU (P = 4.9 * 10-6) and MUC5B (P = 4.7 * 10-11) are promising protein biomarkers for infantile asthma. HNRNPU and MUC5B may be associated with disease onset and subtypes. The SEASP arrays provide a significant advancement in the field of salivary biomarker. The array enables high-throughput in situ protein detection for highly viscous and complex biological samples. It provides a rapid, low-cost, highly specific screening procedure and experimental basis for early disease screening and diagnosis in the field of liquid biopsy.

Equity and inclusivity in the faculty ranks: Our experience with a clinical track.

BACKGROUND: The evolution of nursing education requires a combination of strong academic faculty and expert clinicians. Different professional growth and development pathways are necessary to build a robust faculty with clinical and research expertise. Some schools have implemented a formal clinical track (CT) to complement the traditional tenure track for the professional advancement of CT. METHODS: The article presents a case example of how one institution maintains and advances a strong CT using the Kotter Change Model and discusses future directions. RESULTS: The school's infrastructure for promotion, which follows a similar structure and guidelines as Tenure Track (TT) Promotion and Tenure Guidelines, has led to an increase in the school's scholarly productivity among CT faculty across ranks. Increasing poster and podium presentations as well as publications to a national and international audience results in greater reach and improved reputation for the school, both nationally and internationally. CONCLUSIONS: While there is still work to be done to advance equity and inclusion for nursing CTs, developing and maintaining a CT with system-level structures holds significant value and provides a clear path to promotion, invests in clinical scholarship, and includes clinical faculty as full citizens in academia.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Clascoterone, Trifarotene, and Tazarotene for the Treatment of Acne: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Acne vulgaris, a chronic inflammatory condition, is associated with significant physical and psychosocial burden. Since 2019, three new topical agents for acne vulgaris have been approved in the USA and Canada. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the efficacy between twice-daily clascoterone cream 1%, once-daily trifarotene 0.005% cream, and once-daily tazarotene 0.045% lotion for acne treatment. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing clascoterone, trifarotene, or tazarotene with vehicle in patients with moderate-to-severe acne were identified from a systematic literature review and included in a meta-analysis. Primary outcomes were percentage reduction in inflammatory and noninflammatory lesion count (ILC and NILC, respectively) and treatment success rate (≥ 2-grade improvement in Investigator's Global Assessment or Evaluator's Global Severity Score and a rating of clear or almost clear) at week 12. DerSimonian and Laird random-effects models with the inverse variance method were used to calculate the mean difference (MD) for percentage reduction in ILC and NILC, and odds ratios (ORs) for the rate of treatment success. RESULTS: Six Phase 3 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. The analyses showed robust differences favoring the interventions for ILC (MD: - 11.5; 95% confidence interval [CI]: - 14.39, - 8.62), NILC (MD: - 12.25; 95% CI: - 15.21, - 9.29), and treatment success rate (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.81, 2.53). No differences were observed between clascoterone, trifarotene, and tazarotene for ILC (MD: - 12.8, - 11.2, and - 10.1, respectively), NILC (MD: - 11.6, - 13.9, and - 12.8, respectively), or treatment success rate (OR: 2.9, 1.9, and 2.1, respectively (all P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: No significant differences in efficacy were observed between clascoterone, trifarotene, and tazarotene after 12 weeks of treatment in patients with moderate-to-severe acne. Differences in application frequency and safety profile should also be taken into consideration when making treatment decisions.

Xanthan gum-based edible coating effectively preserve postharvest quality of 'Gola' guava fruits by regulating physiological and biochemical processes.

BACKGROUND: Guava is a fruit prone to rapid spoilage following harvest, attributed to continuous and swift physicochemical transformations, leading to substantial postharvest losses. This study explored the efficacy of xanthan gum (XG) coatings applied at various concentrations (0.25, 0.5, and 0.75%) on guava fruits (Gola cultivar) over a 15-day storage period. RESULTS: The results indicated that XG coatings, particularly at 0.75%, substantially mitigated moisture loss and decay, presenting an optimal concentration. The coated fruits exhibited a modified total soluble soluble solids, an increased total titratable acidity, and an enhanced sugar-acid ratio, collectively enhancing overall quality. Furthermore, the XG coatings demonstrated the remarkable ability to preserve bioactive compounds, such as total phenolics, flavonoids, and antioxidants, while minimizing the levels of oxidative stress markers, such as electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, and H2O2. The coatings also influenced cell wall components, maintaining levels of hemicellulose, cellulose, and protopectin while reducing water-soluble pectin. Quantitative analysis of ROS-scavenging enzymes, including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase, revealed significant increases in their activities in the XG-coated fruits compared to those in the control fruits. Specifically, on day 15, the 0.75% XG coating demonstrated the highest SOD and CAT activities while minimizing the reduction in APX activity. Moreover, XG coatings mitigated the activities of fruit-softening enzymes, including pectin methylesterase, polygalacturonase, and cellulase. CONCLUSIONS: This study concludes that XG coatings play a crucial role in preserving postharvest quality of guava fruits by regulating various physiological and biochemical processes. These findings offer valuable insights into the potential application of XG as a natural coating to extend the shelf life and maintain the quality of guava fruits during storage.

Dietary Black Soldier Fly (Hermetia illucens)-Dipterose-BSF-Enhanced Zebrafish Innate Immunity Gene Expression and Resistance to Edwardsiella tarda Infection.

Dietary management using immunostimulants to protect fish health and prevent bacterial infection is widely practiced. Many insect species possess various bioactive substances that can improve animal health. We previously identified several bioactive polysaccharides derived from insects, including dipterose-BSF from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae; this can stimulate innate immunity in mammalian macrophage RAW264.7 cells. However, the effect of dietary dipterose-BSF on the immune system of teleosts remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the immune status of zebrafish (Danio rerio) after 14 days of dietary inclusion of dipterose-BSF (0.01, 0.1, and 1 µg/g), followed by an immersion challenge using Edwardsiella tarda. To identify changes in the transcriptional profile induced by dipterose-BSF, we performed RNA-sequencing analyses of the liver and intestine. Differentially expressed genes were investigated, with both organs showing several upregulated genes, dominated by nuclear factor and tumor necrosis factor family genes. Gene Ontology analysis revealed several terms were significantly higher in the experimental group compared with the control group. Challenge tests suggested that dietary dipterose-BSF had some positive effects on disease resistance in fish, but these effects were not pronounced.

Acute back pain: The role of medication, physical medicine and rehabilitation: WFNS spine committee recommendations.

Objectives: To formulate the most current, evidence-based recommendations for the role of medication, physical medicine, and rehabilitation in the management of acute low back pain lasting <4 weeks. Methods: A systematic literature search in PubMed and Google Scholar databases was performed from 2012 to 2022 using the search terms "acute low back pain," "drugs," "bed rest," "physical medicine," rehabilitation." Standardized screening criteria resulted in a total of 39 articles that were analyzed, including 16 RCTs, 8 prospective studies, 6 retrospective studies, and 9 systematic reviews. This up-to-date information was reviewed and presented at two separate meetings of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS) Spine Committee. Two rounds of the Delphi method were utilized to vote on the statements and arrive at a positive or negative consensus. Results and conclusion: The WFNS Spine Committee finalized twelve recommendation guidelines on the role of medication, physical medicine and rehabilitation in the management of acute LBP. We advocate for a uniform approach to the treatment of these patients, including proper patient education and utilizing drugs with proven efficacy and minimal side effects. First-line pharmacologic agents are acetaminophen and NSAIDs; muscle relaxants can be used for spasms and pain reduction, and opioids should be minimized. Continued activity, rather than bed rest, is recommended, and lumbar spine orthotics may be used to reduce pain and augment functional status. Thermotherapy, cryotherapy, TENs, spinal manipulative therapy, and acupuncture may all be used as adjuncts to improve acute LBP.