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Background: In India, fertility rate demonstrates a descending trend whereas there is upsurge in infertility rate. In addition, a knowledge gap concerning fertility has been identified among the current generation. Aim: To quantify the fertility awareness and in-depth exploration of perceptions about fertility among procreant age group. Materials and Methods: Explanatory mixed method design with sequential data collection, nested sampling technique was assumed. Purposive sampling was incorporated to recruit 1000 participants into the prospective cohort study. Awareness was measured using fertility knowledge questionnaire, while qualitative data were collected by in-depth interview of 28 participants until data saturation. The study was intact in terms of ethical compliance. Results: Sociodemographic data revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 31.33 ± 6.4 years, 59.6% were female, 78.3% were married, 61.5% completed their university education, 76.0% were working. The mean of overall fertility awareness score was 50.2 ± 13.5. There was no statistical difference in responses of the subgroups (P > 0.05) and only educational status was significantly associated (P = 0.001*) with awareness scores. Perceptions pertinent to fertility were evidently varying amongst the general group and couples accessing fertility treatment, which subsequently was elucidated with the qualitative thematic analysis. Conclusion: Procreant age group of western India demonstrated low to average fertility awareness. Assertive recommendations were proposed for fertility awareness initiatives across both genders, irrespective of educational status.

Neuroblastomas (NBL) and Ewing's sarcomas (EWS) together cause 18% of all pediatric cancer deaths. Though there is growing interest in targeting the dysregulated metabolism of cancer as a therapeutic strategy, this approach has not been fully examined in NBL and EWS. In this study, we first tested a panel of metabolic inhibitors and identified the glutamine antagonist 6-diazo-5-oxo-L-norleucine (DON) as the most potent chemotherapeutic across all NBL and EWS cell lines tested. Myc, a master regulator of metabolism, is commonly overexpressed in both of these pediatric malignancies and recent studies have established that Myc causes cancer cells to become "addicted" to glutamine. We found DON strongly inhibited tumor growth of multiple tumor lines in mouse xenograft models. In vitro, inhibition of caspases partially reversed the effects of DON in high Myc expressing cell lines, but not in low Myc expressing lines. We further showed that induction of apoptosis by DON in Myc-overexpressing cancers is via the pro-apoptotic factor Bax. To relieve inhibition of Bax, we tested DON in combination with the Bcl-2 family antagonist navitoclax (ABT-263). In vitro, this combination caused an increase in DON activity across the entire panel of cell lines tested, with synergistic effects in two of the N-Myc amplified neuroblastoma cell lines. Our study supports targeting glutamine metabolism to treat Myc overexpressing cancers, such as NBL and EWS, particularly in combination with Bcl-2 family antagonists.

​Understanding the differences in brain ageing between males and females and the varying sensitivity of morphometric parameters to ageing are crucial for developing algorithms and protocols for objective and quantitative brain morphology evaluation in clinical practice. This study aimed to determine simple and applicable morphometric parameters for quantifying cerebral atrophic changes associated with ageing and to identify specific characteristics of these changes in ageing male and female brains. Two-dimensional magnetic resonance brain images from 100 participants without confirmed pathology of the nervous system, aged 18 to 86 years, were examined. The sample comprised 44 males and 56 females. Each participant underwent an assessment of five sections: four in the frontal plane (coronal sections) and one in the horizontal plane (axial section). The assessment involved the determination of perimeter and area values. Two measurement approaches were employed: one focusing solely on the visible surface of the cerebral hemispheres, and the other tracing the pial surface within the sulci. Derived indices, including perimeter-to-area ratios, shape factors, and ratios of perimeters and areas, were computed based on the acquired data. The study revealed more pronounced changes in absolute cross-sectional area values corresponding to overall brain tissue with ageing in males. However, no significant sex difference was observed in the age dynamics of relative values. The ratio of two cross-sectional brain areas, considering sulcal content and excluding it, has been identified as the most sensitive parameter to age-related changes in both male and female brains. This ratio could serve as an additional morphometric parameter for diagnostic purposes in examining cerebral structure

The problem of antibiotic resistance has garnered too much attention over the last few decades for posing a global hazard to the clinical handling and the inhibition of several deadly infections caused by bacteria. It burdens the world not only clinically but also economically... Antibiotic agents known as carbapenems are a very effective and typically designated for the treatment of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial infections. To identify a suitable antibiotic combination to be used in vivo, one must be able to determine the synergism between the antibiotics in vitro. Several methods, such as the checkerboard method, multiplecombination bactericidal test, time-kill and E-test, have been used for this purpose. However, the lack of proper standardization procedures, types of bacterial agents, bacterial load, stage of infection and other factors make it very difficult to reproduce or correlate the results with other methods. Carbapenem-destroying lactases, which have recently emerged as mechanisms of resistance, are increasing in number and decreasing the treatment alternatives available. These infections are treated with colistin and tigecycline, but monotherapy may result in clinical breakdown because of a variety of factors. To control these infections, clinicians often choose combinations of drugs over monotherapy. There is an extreme lack of information on synergistic antibiotic combinations accounting for the diverse mechanisms of GNB resistance commonly encountered. The incidence of carbapenem-resistant GNB in Indian articles is also unknown. Therefore, we anticipate that this study may provide methodology for the selection of an appropriate antibiotic combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In India, fertility rate demonstrates a descending trend whereas there is upsurge in infertility rate. In addition, a knowledge gap concerning fertility has been identified among the current generation. Aim: To quantify the fertility awareness and in-depth exploration of perceptions about fertility among procreant age group. Materials and Methods: Explanatory mixed method design with sequential data collection, nested sampling technique was assumed. Purposive sampling was incorporated to recruit 1000 participants into the prospective cohort study. Awareness was measured using fertility knowledge questionnaire, while qualitative data were collected by in-depth interview of 28 participants until data saturation. The study was intact in terms of ethical compliance. Results: Sociodemographic data revealed that the mean age of the respondents was 31.33 ± 6.4 years, 59.6% were female, 78.3% were married, 61.5% completed their university education, 76.0% were working. The mean of overall fertility awareness score was 50.2 ± 13.5. There was no statistical difference in responses of the subgroups (P > 0.05) and only educational status was significantly associated (P = 0.001*) with awareness scores. Perceptions pertinent to fertility were evidently varying amongst the general group and couples accessing fertility treatment, which subsequently was elucidated with the qualitative thematic analysis. Conclusion: Procreant age group of western India demonstrated low to average fertility awareness. Assertive recommendations were proposed for fertility awareness initiatives across both genders, irrespective of educational status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background -The prevalence of infertility among Indian population is mounting per decade. Advanced fertility treatments are multifaceted, prolonged with indeterminate outcomes, may tend to increase bodily burden, psychological distress and may impact quality of life among infertile couples. Objectives: 1) To assess the quality of life among infertile couples having history of unsuccessful fertility treatment; 2) To compare the quality of life among partners. 3)To explore in depth experiences of infertile couples. Material and Methods: Embedded mixed method design with concurrent data collection was adopted. Forty-six infertile couples attending a fertility clinic at tertiary hospital were enrolled. Parallel sampling technique was adopted. FertiQOL questionnaire was used for quantitative data collection for forty couples while qualitative data was collected by in-depth interview of six couples, and thematic analysis was done. Ethical compliance was maintained throughout the study. Analysis: Socio demographic data revealed that the mean age of the wives and husbands was 34.6 ± 5.2 and 38.2 ± 5.4 years respectively. BMI was higher than normal in 50% of wives and 55.7% of husbands. Couples with failed fertility treatment have poor quality of life. Wives had lesser scores than their husbands in emotional and mind body subscales, where as in relational and social subscales both husbands and wives had comparable lower scores. Overall scores were significantly lower among wives. Themes emerged from qualitative data were social isolation and pressure, financial crisis and relational issues. Conclusion: It was evident from the results that while undergoing repeated fertility treatment, the couples encounter various challenges jeopardising their quality of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

et D(V;A) be a digraph of order p and size q. For an integer k ≥L1 and for ... is the set containing all arcs which are at distance at most k from v. The digraph D is said to be Ek-regular with regularity r if and only if jEk(e)j = r for some integer r ≥ 1 and for all e ε A(D). A Vk-super vertex out-magic labeling (Vk-SVOML) is an one-to-one onto function f : V (D)[A(D) f1; 2;... p+qg such that f(V (D)) = f1; 2;... pg and there exists a positive integer M such that f(v) + wk(v) = M, 8 v 2 V (D). A digraph that admits a Vk-SVOML is called Vk-super vertex out-magic (Vk-SVOM). This paper contains several properties of Vk-SVOML in digraphs. We characterized the digraphs which are Vk- SVOM. Also, the magic constant for Ek-regular graphs has been obtained. Further, we characterized the unidirectional cycles and union of unidirectional cycles which are V2-SVOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A descriptive study was conducted to assess the nutritional aspect of physical health related quality of life among elderly clients attending MGM Medical College Hospital. 50 elderly (65-75 years) of both the sexes were selected by non probability convenient sampling technique. They were administered standardized Mini Nutritional Assessment tool (MNA) consisting of decline of food intake, weight loss and psychological stress or acute disease suffered over the past 3 months, body mass index (BMI), mobility status and presence of neuropsychological problems. Males constituted 62 per cent and females 38 per cent, 62 per cent had moderate decline in food intake, 34 per cent had lost weight between one and three kg and, 24 per cent more than three kg and 76 per cent had suffered psychological stress. BMI was 19-23 for 58 per cent and less than 19 for 19 per cent. Majority (72%) were able to go out. Mild dementia was present in 74 per cent and 8 per cent had severe depression. Fifty six per cent of them were malnourished, 40 per cent were at risk of malnutrition, and only 4 per cent were nourished. Study findings implicate the nurses to maintain nutritional aspect of Physical Health Related Quality of Life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was aimed to assess the prevalence of "Selected components of Health Related Quality of Life" (HRQoL) among maintenance hemodialysis patients (MHD) in selected dialysis units of Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. Simple descriptive design using structured interview schedule to collect demographic characteristics and medical characteristics and hemodialysis symptom inventory to assess symptoms/problems were used. Content validity and reliability of the tool were established. Data was collected from 110 MHD patients meeting inclusion criteria after obtaining ethical and administrative approval. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Sample constituted 60.91% males and 39.09% females and 84.55 %of them were married and living with their spouses. Majority of the samples were in the age group of 50-69 years (63.64 %) and 31.82 % had graduate level education. The prevalence of selected components of HRQoL among them were: breathing difficulty 63.64%, excessive thirst and dry mouth 87.27%, loss of taste and appetite 70.91%,constipation 51.82%, body pain 81.82%, cramps during and after dialysis 79.5%,weakness after dialysis 88.18%, disturbed sleep 68.18%,dry skin and itching 69.09%, restricted mobility 92.73% and clotting or problem with access site 27.27%. Out of the 93 samples who were married and living with their spouses, sexual dysfunction reported was 61.3%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The implementation of guidelines and training initiatives to support communication in cross-cultural primary care consultations is ad hoc across a range of international settings with negative consequences particularly for migrants. This situation reflects a well-documented translational gap between evidence and practice and is part of the wider problem of implementing guidelines and the broader range of professional educational and quality interventions in routine practice. In this paper, we describe our use of a contemporary social theory, Normalization Process Theory and participatory research methodology-Participatory Learning and Action-to investigate and support implementation of such guidelines and training initiatives in routine practice. Methods: This is a qualitative case study, using multiple primary care sites across Europe. Purposive and maximum variation sampling approaches will be used to identify and recruit stakeholders-migrant service users, general practitioners, primary care nurses, practice managers and administrative staff, interpreters, cultural mediators, service planners, and policy makers. We are conducting a mapping exercise to identify relevant guidelines and training initiatives. We will then initiate a PLA-brokered dialogue with stakeholders around Normalization Process Theory's four constructs-coherence, cognitive participation, collective action, and reflexive monitoring. Through this, we will enable stakeholders in each setting to select a single guideline or training initiative for implementation in their local setting. We will prospectively investigate and support the implementation journeys for the five selected interventions. Data will be generated using a Participatory Learning and Action approach to interviews and focus groups. Data analysis will follow the principles of thematic analysis, will occur in iterative cycles throughout the project and will involve participatory co-analysis with key stakeholders to enhance the authenticity and veracity of findings. Discussion: This research employs a unique combination of Normalization Process Theory and Participatory Learning and Action, which will provide a novel approach to the analysis of implementation journeys. The findings will advance knowledge in the field of implementation science because we are using and testing theoretical and methodological approaches so that we can critically appraise their scope to mediate barriers and improve the implementation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to examine the effect of emotion on the nociceptive flexion reflex and pain ratings. To do so, 28 participants viewed pictures varying in emotional valence (unpleasant, neutral, pleasant) and electric stimulations were delivered during and in between pictures. Biceps femoris EMG resulting from the stimulations was used to quantify the nociceptive flexion reflex (spinal nociception), and pain ratings to the stimulations were used as an evaluative measure of supraspinal nociception. Manipulation checks suggested that pictures effectively manipulated emotion. Moreover, nociceptive flexion reflex magnitudes and pain ratings were modulated in a parallel manner. Specifically, viewing unpleasant pictures enhanced the nociceptive flexion reflex and pain, whereas viewing pleasant pictures inhibited the reflex and pain. Analyses suggested that emotional valence, but not arousal, mediated the effects of pictures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human spleen is an organ of anatomic and functional component of reticuloendothelial system. Spleen is situated in left hypochondrial region. It is soft friable, highly vascular and dark purple in colour. Histogenesis of spleen Studied in 50 fetuses of various gestational ages ranging from 11weeks to 38weeks. By 11th week only lymphocytic aggregation seen. By 20th week developing lymphoid follicles observed. By 32 weeks well developed lymphoid follicles with central arteriole seen. At 36 weeks crack at periphery of developing lymphoid follicles and arteriole is at periphery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue virus is widely distributed throughout the tropics and subtropics. The name "dengue" is derived from the swatili ki denga pepo, meaning a sudden seizure by a demon. The term break - bone fever was corned during the Philadelphia epidemic in 1780. Dengue fever is clinically similar to the illness caused by Chikun Gunya and O'nyong-nyong viruses. The present case 1st serum sample collected from suspected Dengue cases of PHC Devalampalli of Kadapa district for arranging examination for serological diagnosis and communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents five practices model effective for class student response in classroom discussions. The model is applicable for teaching mathematics which promote thinking, reasoning and problem solving abilities. The five practices include challenging mathematical tasks, monitoring the student's engagement with the tasks, and selection of students who will present the output.

The frontal recess region has a complex anatomy and HRCT scans of the paranasal sinuses (PNS) are the gold standard in evaluating it. Classification systems have been established to identify the frontal recess cells. The objectives of this study are to describe the incidence of anatomical variations, classify the anatomy of the frontal recess using the IFAC & Kuhn's classification systems, find the association between the anatomical variations and the incidence of CT signs of sinusitis. A prospective study of patients undergoing HRCT-PNS was carried out. The frontal recess region was evaluated and classified as per both classification systems. The prevalence of each frontal cell was identified; presence of CT signs of sinusitis was noted and the correlation between the two was evaluated. 272 sides of HRCT scans were evaluated. Prevalence of cells as per IFAC classification showed ANC - 98.2%, SAC-43.4%, SBC-33.1%, SAFC- 28.3%, FSC -25%, SBFC- 3.7% and SOEC- 2.2%. Prevalence of cells as per Kuhn's classification showed ANC - 98.2%, Type 1- 38.2%, SBC-32.7%, FSC -24.3%, Type 3- 16.9%, Type 2- 12.9%, Type 4- 4.8%, FBC- 2.6% and SOEC-2.2%. Sinusitis was seen in 27.2% cases. A significant association was noted between the presence of SOEC, FSC and sinusitis as per both classification systems. (P=0.049 and P<0.001 respectively). In conclusion the cells which lead to an anteriorly based drainage pathway are more common, but the presence of posteriorly based SOEC and medially based FSC have a higher association with sinusitis., Competing Interests: Conflict of InterestNone., (© Association of Otolaryngologists of India 2023. Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.)

Background: Among all the pharmaceutical dosage forms, tablets are still the most preferred and the most commonly used option because of their advantages. The direct compression method of tablet preparation exempts several steps needed in the granulation method. Therefore, the pursuit of better direct compression tablet excipients is evident in contemporary research endeavors. Pregelatinized Taro Boloso-I starch has comparable flow properties and higher compressibility and compactibility than Starch 1500®. However, there is no evidence in the literature regarding the lubricant sensitivity and dilution potential of pregelatinized Taro Boloso-I starch. This study was aimed at performing the in vitro evaluation of paracetamol tablets prepared using pregelatinized Taro Boloso-I starch as a direct compression excipient using paracetamol as a model drug., Methods: Taro Boloso-I starch was pregelatinized, and its properties including amylose to amylopectin ratio, densities, flow properties, swelling power, water solubility index, particle morphology, moisture content, and moisture sorption profile were evaluated. Furthermore, the lubricant sensitivity test, dilution potential study, and compatibility test with the paracetamol drug using ATR spectroscopy were performed. The properties of the directly compressed tablets prepared accordingly were evaluated. The majority of evaluations were performed in comparison with Starch 1500®. Results and Discussion . PGTBIS had a significantly lower amount of amylose than Starch 1500®. In the ATR-IR spectra of the mixture of the paracetamol and pregelatinized PGTBIS, all the major absorbance peaks of the drug were maintained indicating the absence of chemical modifications. PGTBIS showed better flow properties than Starch 1500®. The modified starch was shown to withstand magnesium stearate up to 0.5% concentration., Conclusion: PGTBIS could accommodate higher drug cargo than Starch 1500® with acceptable tablet properties. Accordingly, PGTBIS starch could be taken as a potential direct compression excipient., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 Tamrat Balcha Balla et al.)

Objectives: To assess the impact of self-administration of medicines (facilitated by a midwife formulary) on postnatal women's knowledge of certain post-delivery medications, awareness of the Green Bag Scheme, factors contributing to constipation, pain satisfaction, adherence, and time released to midwives plus feedback from these women and their midwives., Methods: The study was conducted in consented postnatal women, who self-administered medications from their bedside lockers. The mode of delivery and parity were recorded. Data were compared in women who self-administered to those who did not. Midwives used our established midwife formulary to write their essential unprescribed medications. Direct interview questionnaires were used to obtain their knowledge on chosen post-delivery medicines, pain satisfaction, the Green Bag Scheme and factors contributing to constipation. Regular medicines counts were used to check adherence. Midwives' time not administering these self-administered medications was estimated. Self-reported questionnaires were used to obtain feedback from participants and midwives. Responses were analysed proportionately and where appropriate by simple statistics., Results: Women (n=203) who self-administered were compared with those (n=401) who did not. Greater medicines' knowledge and better (96% vs 79%) pain satisfaction were found in self-administering women. Knowledge of each contributing factor to constipation varied. Mode of delivery and parity had no impact on these outcomes. Adherence seemed high 96% (195/203). Awareness of the Green Bag Scheme was poor (66/604). Most women, 94% (191/203) found the service helpful and 89% (178/200) would take part again. At least 224 hours were released to midwives by these self-administering women. 164/203 (81%) midwives felt the scheme was beneficial., Conclusions: Self-administering women had better pain satisfaction, medication knowledge and adherence. The need to improve engagement in the Green Bag Scheme was flagged. This service, supported by use of a midwife formulary, can release time to midwives to do other tasks including care for women with more complex issues. A business case for this service is under review., Competing Interests: Competing interests: None declared., (© European Association of Hospital Pharmacists 2023. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Background: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a lethal soft tissue infection involving skin and subcutaneous tissue with significant morbidity and mortality., Aim: To validate the diagnostic and prognostic role of the Laboratory Risk Indicator for Necrotizing Fasciitis (LRINEC) scoring system for NF in patients who present with soft tissue infections., Methods: The study was conducted on 100 patients who presented with soft tissue infections. Based on the histopathological findings, they were divided into NF and non-necrotizing soft tissue infection groups. Patients were clinically assessed. The lab parameters were assessed and the LRINEC score was calculated. Patients were stratified based on score and grouped into low, intermediate, and high risk. For patients who went into sepsis, the death rate and length of hospital stay, including ICU, were noted based on the scoring system., Results: In our study, the diagnostic role of LRINEC score ≥ 6 had a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 62.7%, and score ≥ 8 had a sensitivity of 67.3% and specificity of 82.3% with a positive predictive value (PPV) of 78.5 and negative predictive value (NPV) of 72.4, of which 8 is a better cut-off as a diagnostic criterion. The area under the curve was found to be 0.835. To predict the prognostic role, a cut-off value was calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curves of both mortality and sepsis patients in relation to the LRINEC score of 9. With the LRINEC score cut-off as 9, with mortality and sepsis as variables, the sensitivity was 50% and 53.3%, specificity was 94.2% and 91.4%, PPV was 78.9% and 72.7%, and NPV was 81.4% and 82%, respectively., Conclusion: The LRINEC score is quick, safe, reproducible, noninvasive, cost-effective, and easily calculated, and has high sensitivity and specificity to predict early diagnosis, and it could be used for risk stratification and prognosis of necrotizing soft tissue infections., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Mary Thomas et al.)

Pre-eclampsia is associated with postnatal cardiac dysfunction; however, the nature of this relationship remains uncertain. This multicentre retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the prevalence of pre-eclampsia in women with pre-existing cardiac dysfunction (left ventricular ejection fraction < 55%) and explore the relationship between pregnancy outcome and pre-pregnancy cardiac phenotype. In this cohort of 282 pregnancies, pre-eclampsia prevalence was not significantly increased (4.6% [95% C.I 2.2-7.0%] vs. population prevalence of 4.6% [95% C.I. 2.7-8.2], p = 0.99); 12/13 women had concurrent obstetric/medical risk factors for pre-eclampsia. The prevalence of preterm pre-eclampsia (< 37 weeks) and fetal growth restriction (FGR) was increased (1.8% vs. 0.7%, p = 0.03; 15.2% vs. 5.5%, p < 0.001, respectively). Neither systolic nor diastolic function correlated with pregnancy outcome. Antenatal ß blockers (n = 116) were associated with lower birthweight Z score (adjusted difference - 0.31 [95% C.I. - 0.61 to - 0.01], p = 0.04). To conclude, this study demonstrated a modest increase in preterm pre-eclampsia and significant increase in FGR in women with pre-existing cardiac dysfunction. Our results do not necessarily support a causal relationship between cardiac dysfunction and pre-eclampsia, especially given the population's background risk status. The mechanism underpinning the relationship between cardiac dysfunction and FGR merits further research but could be influenced by concomitant ß blocker use., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

Objective: Prolonged laryngoscopy and failure to intubate are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Need to improve glottic visualisation and ease of intubation has led to the introduction of various types of laryngoscopes. This study compares the effectiveness of C-MAC video laryngoscope (VL) with McCoy laryngoscope in patients with an anticipated difficult airway., Methods: This prospective randomised single-blinded single-centre study included patients with modified Mallampati grades 3 and 4, divided into two groups I and II of 65 patients each. Group I was intubated using C-MAC and group II with McCoy Laryngoscope. Modified Cormack Lehane grade of visualisation, time to intubate, intubation difficulty scale score and complications were recorded., Results: C-MAC VL provides a higher proportion of modified Cormack Lehane grade I visualisation (63% vs 35.3, p=0.0017), the lesser median time of intubation in seconds (15 vs 18, p=0.0007) and significantly lesser median intubation difficulty score (0 vs 3) when compared to McCoy., Conclusions: C-MAC VL provided better visualisation of glottis and easier tracheal intubation that too in a significantly lesser time. We conclude and recommend the use of C-MAC VL over McCoy for endotracheal intubation in patients with predicted difficult airways, especially in modified Mallampati grades 3 and 4., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2022, Garg et al.)

The admixture of domestic pig into French wild boar populations has been monitored since the 1980s thanks to the existence of a cytogenetic difference between the two sub-species. The number of chromosomes is 2 n  = 36 in wild boar and 2 n  = 38 in pig, respectively. This difference makes it possible to assign the "hybrid" status to wild boar individuals controlled with 37 or 38 chromosomes. However, it does not make it possible to determine the timing of the hybridization(s), nor to guarantee the absence of domestic admixture in an animal with 2 n  = 36 chromosomes. In order to analyze hybridization in greater detail and to avoid the inherent limitations of the cytogenetic approach, 362 wild boars (WB) recently collected in different French geographical areas and in different environments (farms, free ranging in protected or unprotected areas, animals with 2 n  = 36, 37 or 38 chromosomes) were genotyped on a 70K SNP chip. Principal component analyses allowed the identification of 13 "outliers" (3.6%), for which the proportion of the genome of "domestic" origin was greater than 40% (Admixture analyses). These animals were probably recent hybrids, having Asian domestic pig ancestry for most of them. For the remaining 349 animals studied, the proportion of the genome of "wild" origin varied between 83% and 100% (median: 94%). This proportion varied significantly depending on how the wild boar populations were managed. Local ancestry analyses revealed adaptive introgression from domestic pig, suggesting a critical role of genetic admixture in improving the fitness and population growth of WB. Overall, our results show that the methods used to monitor the domestic genetic contributions to wild boar populations should evolve in order to limit the level of admixture between the two gene pools., Competing Interests: The authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest or non‐financial interest in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript., (© 2022 The Authors. Evolutionary Applications published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: The admixture of domestic pig into wild boar populations is controlled until now, by cytogenetic analysis. Even if a first-generation hybrid animal is discernable because of its 37-chromosome karyotype, the cytogenetic method is not applicable in the case of advanced intercrosses. The aim of this study is therefore to evaluate the use of SNP (Single Nucleotide Polymorphism) markers as an alternative technology to characterize recent or past hybridization between the two sub-species. The final goal would be to develop a molecular diagnostic tool., Data Description: The Geneseek Genomic Profiler High-Density porcine beadchip (GGP70KHD, Illumina, USA), comprising 68,516 porcine SNPs, was used on a set of 362 wild boars with diverse chromosomal statuses collected from different areas and breeding environments in France. We generated approximately 62,192-64,046 genotypes per wild boar. The present dataset might be useful for the community (i) for developing molecular tools to evaluate the admixture of domestic pig into wild boar populations, and (ii) for genetic diversity studies including wild boar species or phylogeny analyses of Suidae populations. Raw data files and a processed matrix data file were deposited in the ArrayExpress at European Molecular Biology Laboratory-European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) data portal under accession number E-MTAB-10591., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Due to their high surface coverage, good adhesion to metal surfaces, and their excellent corrosion resistance, epoxy thermosets are widely used as protective coatings. However, anticorrosion protection of these coatings can be improved against water uptake and can be tuned by changing the chemical nature of the curing agents. In this work, a comparative study has been performed on the water uptake of an epoxy-amine based on bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (DGEBA) cured with an aliphatic amine and the same epoxy initiated with a phosphonium ionic liquid (IL). Thus, the epoxy networks were immersed in saline water solution in a controlled temperature environment. Gravimetric and electric impedance measurements were carried out for a maximum of 3 months. Results were analyzed in order to assess the water diffusion coefficients and water saturation limits. Two models, the Brasher-Kingsbury and a novel mixing rule, were applied on permittivity values. Results highlighted that epoxy-ionic liquid systems are less sensitive to water uptake than conventional epoxy-amine networks. Due to their higher hydrophobic properties the water diffusion coefficient of epoxy-ionic liquid systems are two times less compared to epoxy-amine samples and the water saturation limit is more than four times less. The analysis also shows that the novel mixing rule model proposed here is prone to better estimate the water uptake with accuracy from electrical impedance measurements.

Carriers of balanced constitutional reciprocal translocations usually present a normal phenotype, but often show reproductive disorders. For the first time in pigs, we analyzed the meiotic process of an autosome-autosome translocation associated with azoospermia. Meiotic process analysis revealed the presence of unpaired autosomal segments with histone γH2AX accumulation sometimes associated with the XY body. Additionally, γH2AX signals were observed on apparently synapsed autosomes other than the SSC1 or SSC15, as previously observed in Ataxia with oculomotor apraxia type 2 patients or knock-out mice for the Senataxin gene. Gene expression showed a downregulation of genes selected on chromosomes 1 and 15, but no upregulation of SSCX genes. We hypothesized that the total meiotic arrest observed in this boar might be due to the silencing of crucial autosomal genes by the mechanism referred to as meiotic silencing of unsynapsed chromatin (MSUC).

Aquatic biofilms are heterogeneous assemblages of microorganisms surrounded by a matrix of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Recent studies suggest that aquatic biofilms can physically act as sorptive sponges of DNA. We took the opportunity from already available samples of stone biofilms and macroinvertebrates specimens collected in parallel at the same sites to test the capacity of biofilms to act as DNA samplers of macroinvertebrate communities in streams. Macroinvertebrate communities are usually studied with metabarcoding using the DNA extracted from their bodies bulk samples, which remains a time-consuming approach and involves the destruction of all individual specimens from the samples. The ability of biofilms to capture DNA was explored on 19 rivers sites of a tropical island (Mayotte Island, France). First, macroinvertebrate specimens were identified based on their morphological characteristics. Second, DNA was extracted from biofilms, and macroinvertebrate communities were targeted using a standard COI barcode. The resulting morphological and molecular inventories were compared. They provided comparable structures and diversities for macroinvertebrate communities when one is working with the unassigned OTU data. After taxonomic assignment of the OTU data, diversity and richness were no longer correlated. The ecological assessment derived from morphological bulk samples was conserved by the biofilms samples. We also showed that the biofilm method allows to detect a higher diversity for some organisms (Cnidaria), that is hardly accessible with the morphological method. The results of this study exploring the DNA signal captured by natural biofilms are encouraging. However, a more detailed study integrating more replicates and comparing the biodiversity signal based on both morphological and molecular bulk macroinvertebrate samples to the one captured by biofilms will be necessary. Better understanding how the DNA signal captured by natural biofilms represents the biodiversity of a given sampling site is necessary before considering its use for bioassessment applications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

In the routine commercial karyotype analysis on 5,481 boars, we identified 32 carriers of mosaic reciprocal translocations, half of which were carrying a specific recurrent translocation, mos t(7;9). An additional 7 mosaic translocations were identified through lymphocyte karyotype analysis from parents and relatives of mosaic carriers (n = 45), a control group of non-carrier boars (n = 73), and a mitogen assessment study (n = 20), bringing the total number of mosaic carriers to 39 cases. Mosaic translocations in all carriers were recognized to be confined to hematopoietic cells as no translocations were identified in fibroblasts cells of the carriers. In addition, negative impact on reproduction was not observed as the fertility of the carriers and their relatives were comparable to breed averages, and cryptic mosaicism was not detected in the family tree. This paper presents the first study of mosaic reciprocal translocations identified in swine through routine screening practices on reproductively unproven breeding boars while presenting evidence that these type of chromosome abnormalities are not associated with any affected phenotype on the carrier animals. In addition, the detection of recurrent mosaic translocations in this study may emphasize the non-random nature of mosaic rearrangements in swine and the potential role of genomic elements in their formation.

Clay brick manufacturing is a sector which involves a lot of firing processes requiring higher temperature. To maintain this temperature, large amount of fuel in the form of wood, coal, biomass etc. need to be burnt in the kiln causing serious issues of air pollution. Also, with the increase in the number of industries coming up, large amount of un-disposable waste gets accumulated. If suitable remedies are not adopted for its safe disposal, it may pollute the water bodies through runoff. This project is an effort to reduce the brick firing temperature in the kiln to about 600 °C thereby reducing the cost of production and making the whole process environmental friendly. This work will put forward a suitable alternative for the safe disposal of industrial debris like quarry dust and glass powder by incorporating them as a partial substitute for river sand which is one of the costly constituent of clay brick and thereby further reducing the cost of production. Experimental results showed higher compressive strength of 21.31 N/mm 2 when the brick was casted with mix proportion of Cement: Sand: Red earth: Glass Powder: Quarry Dust = 4:1:1:1.5:2.5. The strength measured at temperature 600 °C met the requirements of the National Standards.

New records of water mites (Acari: Hydrachnidia) from the Comoros are presented. One genus, i.e. Lagoenaxonopsalbia Pešić Smit, and four species, i.e. Platymamersopsis mayottensis (Anisitsiellidae), Torrenticola mayottensis (Torrenticolidae), Lagoenaxonopsalbia comorosensis (Aturidae) and Djeboa davecooki (Mideopsidae) are described as new to science. Arrenurus comorosensis Pešić Smit, 2015 is synonymized with Arrenurus flavus Smit, 2012. The first description of the female of Sterkspruitia comorosensis Pešić Smit, 2015 is given. The number of water mites known from Comoros now tallies 17 species in ten families.

Meiotic sex chromosome silencing (MSCS) has been argued as a prerequisite for normal meiotic cell division progression during the synaptic prophase I stage. Furthermore, irregular asynapsis of autosomal axes at meiosis may be encompassing the lack of transcriptional activity normally observed for the X and Y sex chromosomes. Therefore, any chromosomal rearrangement compromising the normal mechanism of MSCS and/or the contrary, the normal meiotic transcriptional activity of autosomal chromosomes, may be observed as a meiotic and concomitant spermatogenesis arrest. Previously, we have described a Y-autosome translocation t(Y;13)(p1.3;q3.3) in an azoospermic boar. Its chromosome synapsis behavior by synaptonemal complex immunostaining and FISH analyses is documented here. Histone γH2AX protein foci appeared to be located at unsynapsed chromosomal segments (e.g., X chromosome univalents or unpaired multivalent segments), although interestingly a high proportion of primary spermatocytes showed full paired synaptonemal complex-multivalent configurations which were devoid of a γH2AX focus signal, indicating meiotic chromosome silencing. RT-qPCR analysis of testicular expression showed downregulation of 3 SSC13 genes (MLH1, SOX2, UBE2B) and upregulation of SSCY genes (ZFY, SRY). The irregularity of the normal transcription pattern in case of these genes with proven roles in the testis is in agreement with the cytological observations and could contribute to the observed phenotype., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Meiotic recombination parameters like crossover (CO) rate or synaptonemal complex (SC) length are known to vary strongly between individuals and between cells from the same individual. The origins of this variability remain elusive, and little is known about the variations that might occur between different samples and/or over time within the same individual. To document this question, pachytene cells from 3 boars of the Large White breed were analyzed twice, at a 1-year interval, using immunocytological techniques. CO rate, SC length, and MLH1 inter-foci distances varied significantly between the 3 individuals. CO rate and SC length differed significantly between the 2 sampling periods for 1 individual. However, no significant differences were observed between the 2 samples for CO distribution and inter-foci distances in the 3 boars studied., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Robertsonian translocations are the most frequent chromosomal rearrangements detected in cattle. Here, we report on the detection of a new Robertsonian translocation between chromosomes BTA3 and BTA16. This rob(3;16) was dicentric, suggesting that its occurrence was recent. FISH analysis of decondensed sperm nuclei revealed a relatively low rate of unbalanced gametes produced by adjacent segregation (5.87%). In addition, and for the first time in bovines, a significant interchromosomal effect (ICE) was detected for 2 different autosomes: BTA17 (global disomy + nullisomy rate of 9%) and BTA20 (1.8%). These results suggest that ICE should be taken into consideration when assessing the putative effect of Robertsonian translocations on reproduction., (© 2018 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Individuals carrying balanced constitutional reciprocal translocations generally have a normal phenotype, but often present reproductive disorders. The aim of our research was to analyze the meiotic process in an oligoasthenoteratospermic boar carrying an asymmetric reciprocal translocation involving chromosomes 1 and 14. Different multivalent structures (quadrivalent and trivalent plus univalent) were identified during chromosome pairing analysis. Some of these multivalents were characterized by the presence of unpaired autosomal segments with histone γH2AX accumulation sometimes associated with the XY body. Gene expression in spermatocytes was studied by RNA-DNA-FISH and microarray-based testis transcriptome analysis. Our results revealed a decrease in gene expression for chromosomes 1 and 14 and an up-regulated expression of X-chromosome genes for the translocated boar compared with normal individuals. We hypothesized that the observed meiotic arrest and reproductive failure in this boar might be due to silencing of crucial autosomal genes (MSUC) and disturbance of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). Further analysis revealed abnormal meiotic recombination (frequency and distribution) and the production of a high rate of unbalanced spermatozoa., Competing Interests: Compliance with ethical standards Ethical standards According to the European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes, the procedure for testes collection was accepted by the Ethics Committee for Animal Experimentation of the Poitou Charentes region (France) (CE2012-2), under the agreement number A-17-661. Conflict of interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Correct pairing, synapsis and recombination between homologous chromosomes are essential for normal meiosis. All these events are strongly regulated, and our knowledge of the mechanisms involved in this regulation is increasing rapidly. Chromosomal rearrangements are known to disturb these processes. In the present paper, synapsis and recombination (number and distribution of MLH1 foci) were studied in three boars (Sus scrofa domestica) carrying different chromosomal rearrangements. One (T34he) was heterozygote for the t(3;4)(p1.3;q1.5) reciprocal translocation, one (T34ho) was homozygote for that translocation, while the third (T34Inv) was heterozygote for both the translocation and a pericentric inversion inv(4)(p1.4;q2.3). All three boars were normal for synapsis and sperm production. This particular situation allowed us to rigorously study the impact of rearrangements on recombination. Overall, the rearrangements induced only minor modifications of the number of MLH1 foci (per spermatocyte or per chromosome) and of the length of synaptonemal complexes for chromosomes 3 and 4. The distribution of MLH1 foci in T34he was comparable to that of the controls. Conversely, the distributions of MLH1 foci on chromosome 4 were strongly modified in boar T34Inv (lack of crossover in the heterosynaptic region of the quadrivalent, and crossover displaced to the chromosome extremities), and also in boar T34ho (two recombination peaks on the q-arms compared with one of higher magnitude in the controls). Analyses of boars T34he and T34Inv showed that the interference was propagated through the breakpoints. A different result was obtained for boar T34ho, in which the breakpoints (transition between SSC3 and SSC4 chromatin on the bivalents) seemed to alter the transmission of the interference signal. Our results suggest that the number of crossovers and crossover interference could be regulated by partially different mechanisms.