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The current study is related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 13, “Climate action”. As a consequence of environmental variations caused by global climate change, turf-forming algae supposedly tend to replace dominant foundation species, resulting in loss of marine biodiversity. Hypnea brasiliensis, H. cervicornis and H. spinella are three turf-forming species widely distributed along the Brazilian coast with a problematic taxonomic history. Specimens from the warm temperate region are morphologically similar, and their correct identification is only possible based on molecular markers. In the present study, specimens- were cultivated in the laboratory, and temperature gradient experiments (20, 24, 28 and 32°C) were carried out for 21 days. At 28°C, the growth rate, branching ratio, and photosynthetic pigment content were higher in all species, however in vivo chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were at the lowest. Moreover, no species survived at the warmest temperature 32°C. The effects of temperature on the three Hypnea species revealed that useful morphological characters for species identification were only observed in specimens cultured at 28°C, and the morphology of the three species was basically identical in low temperature treatments of 20 and 24°C. The annual average temperature of the sea surface in the Brazilian warm temperate region is 24°C, which may explain the current difficulty of distinguishing the three Hypnea species from this region using only morphology. Furthermore, our findings show that these turf-forming Hypnea species are negatively impacted by rising temperatures, emphasizing the importance of species-specific research to better understand the effects of global climate change. Consequently, predictions of the replacement of dominant foundation species by turf-forming seaweed in an elevated sea surface temperature scenario are less certain. The negative impact of temperature increases raises awareness of the importance of public policies to mitigate the future degradation of marine ecosystems.

Seaweeds play an important role for the environment, since they are photosynthetic organisms, contributing to the cycling of nutrients and to the protection and feeding of several animals. The potential for biotechnological applications of marine macroalgae biomass is enormous, and to attend the demand of the current market, the knowledge of the physiological characteristics of these organisms is essential to ensure a high productivity in cultivation systems. In this review, we contribute to the knowledge about the photosynthetic characteristics of seaweeds, describing relevant aspects of marine macroalgae and photosynthesis, and the biotechnological use of these organisms.

Amaresh Vydyanathan,1 Priya Agrawal,2 Naveen Shetty,3 Singh Nair,1 Nancy Shilian,4 Naum Shaparin1 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, USA; 2Sutter Health System, Oakland, CA, USA; 3Department of Anesthesiology, New York University, New York, NY, USA; 4Department of Family Medicine, Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital, Oceanside, NY, USACorrespondence: Amaresh Vydyanathan, 1250 Waters Place, Tower II, 8th Floor, Bronx, NY, USA, Tel +216-702-5965, Fax +929-263-3950, Email avydyana@montefiore.orgPurpose: Ultrasound guidance during nerve blockade poses the challenge of maintaining in-plane alignment of the needle tip. The needle guidance device maintains needle alignment and assists with in-plane needle visualization. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the utility of this device by comparing procedure performance during brachial plexus blockade with the conventional approach.Methods: After the Institutional Review Board approval and obtaining informed consent, 70 patients receiving either interscalene or supraclavicular nerve blocks were randomly assigned into 2 groups, a conventional approach versus utilizing the needle guidance device. An independent observer recorded: total procedure time; needle insertion time; number of unplanned redirections; and number of reinsertions. Additionally, physician satisfaction and ease of needle visualization were assessed.Results: Data from seventy patients were analyzed. The median [25th percentile-75th percentile] time to complete the block by the device assisted needle guidance group was 3 (2– 3.75) minutes and 4 (3– 6) minutes in the conventional approach group (p < 0.001). Additionally, subgroup analyses were performed in the supraclavicular block and interscalene block. Supraclavicular blockade, needle insertion time (median [25th percentile-75th percentile] in seconds) (106 [92– 162] vs 197 [140– 278]), total procedure time (3 [2– 3] vs 4.5 [4– 6] in minutes) and unplanned needle redirections (2 [1– 5] vs 5.5 [3– 9]) were significantly lower in needle guidance group (p < 0.001). With interscalene blockade, needle insertion time (86 [76– 146] vs 126 [94– 295]) and unplanned needle redirections (2 [1– 3] vs 4 [2– 8.5]) were significantly lower with needle guidance (p < 0.001), but total procedure time was similar. All the physicians reported that they would use the needle guidance again, and 90% would prefer it for in-plane blocks.Conclusion: Performing regional blocks using the needle guidance device reduces needle insertion time and unplanned needle redirections in brachial plexus blockade. Moreover, physician satisfaction also improved compared to the use of the conventional technique.Keywords: brachial plexus blockade, ultrasound guidance, peripheral nerve blockade, needle guidance, needle visualization

Several studies reported that gametophytes and tetrasporophytes of Gigartinaceae produce different carrageenan types, as observed in Sarcopeltis species although they have isomorphic haploid and diploid phases. Cystocarpic and non-fertile plants of Sarcopeltis (ex Gigartina) skottsbergii produced kappa-carrageenans, while tetrasporophytes produced lambda-carrageenans, and yields were higher in cystocarpic and sterile specimens than in tetrasporophytes. However, comparison on the other primary metabolites among different life history phases still needed to be investigated. Then, we tested the hypothesis if the variation on primary metabolites (pigments, proteins and carbohydrates) are related to the life history phases of Sarcopeltis antarctica and Sarcopeltis skottsbergii, and/or are influenced by abiotic factors. Primary metabolites of S. antarctica varied according to the life-history phases: non-fertile specimens presented higher phycobiliprotein concentrations, tetrasporophytes presented higher chlorophyll a concentrations, and cystocarpic specimens presented higher concentrations of proteins, polysaccharides and floridean starch. However, primary metabolites of S. skottsbergii varied in response to some abiotic factors (nutrients, temperature and salinity), since principal component analysis evidenced two groups; one was related by the higher nitrate and phosphate concentrations, and the other was related to the higher temperatures and lower salinities. Concentrations of floridean starch, low molecular weight carbohydrates, and polysaccharides are higher in S. antarctica than in S. skottsbergii, which could be related to the protective role of these compounds against salinity variation and low temperatures faced in the Antarctic extreme environments.

Prasad Apsangikar, Pravin Ghadge, Manoj Naik, Santosh Nair, Ravikiran Payghan Reliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd, Mumbai, IndiaCorrespondence: Prasad ApsangikarReliance Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd., 282 MIDC, Thane Belapur Road, Rabale, Navi Mumbai, 400701 Tel +919867610090Fax +912235338099Email prasad.apsangikar@relbio.comPurpose: The study was undertaken for regulatory purposes to establish clinical biosimilarity and interchangeability of a ranibizumab biosimilar with reference product.Patients and Methods: A total of 159 subjects with neovascular (wet) age-related macular degeneration (AMD) were dosed with ranibizumab. Initial double blind period of 16 weeks was followed by open-label phase till week 24. Efficacy assessment was performed at weeks 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 based on best corrected visual acuity. Change in central macular thickness was assessed by optical coherence tomography from baseline to week 24. Immunogenicity assessment was done in both arms at baseline, week 16 and week 24. Safety evaluation included clinical and ophthalmic examination, adverse events, vital signs, laboratory parameters and immunogenicity in both treatment arms.Results: In the biosimilar test arm, 104 (98.11%) and 105 (99.06%) patients lost fewer than 15 letters in visual acuity at week 16 and week 24, respectively, compared with 53 (100%) at both follow-ups in reference arm. In the test arm, 27 (25.47%) and 34 (32.08%) patients gained at least 15 letters in visual acuity till week 16 and week 24 respectively, compared with 17 (32.08%) and 23 (43.30%) in the reference arm. In the test arm, mean change in central macular thickness at 24 weeks was − 89.93 μm against − 64.42 μm in the reference arm. Difference was statistically not significant for any endpoint at 16 and 24 weeks for the primary and secondary endpoints.Conclusion: The evaluation of efficacy, safety and immunogenicity was concluded to show no meaningful clinical difference for biosimilar ranibizumab with the reference product.Keywords: ranibizumab, biosimilar, AMD, intravitreal, visual acuity

Swapna Nair,1 Ramachandran Unnikrishnan Nair2 1Department of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, 2Department of Vitreoretinal Services, Chaithanya Eye Hospital and Research Institute, Trivandrum, Kerala, India Background: To study phacoemulsification probe shaft/wound and corneal surface/tip temperatures in vivo during longitudinal, torsional and combined phacoemulsification modes and their relationship to machine parameters. Design: This was a prospective study at Chaithanya Eye Hospital and Research Institute, Trivandrum, India (tertiary). Participants: Twenty-two eyes of 22 patients were randomized into six groups depending on the grade of nuclear sclerosis (NS) and the type of ultrasound used: Group 1, torsional in NS2; Group 2, torsional in NS3; Group 3, torsional with intermittent longitudinal in NS2; Group 4, torsional with intermittent longitudinal in NS3; Group 5, longitudinal in NS2; Group 6, longitudinal in NS3. Methods: Patients underwent phacoemulsification by torsional, longitudinal or combined modalities. A thermal camera was used to measure phaco probe temperatures. Main outcome measures: The mean probe shaft and tip temperatures were documented for different ultrasound modalities. Results: The mean shaft and tip temperatures were: Group 1, 29.22°C±0.71°C and 28.4°C±0.88°C; Group 2, 32.12°C±0.62°C and 31.88°C±0.84°C; Group 3, 30.25°C±0.71°C and 29.35°C±0.62°C; Group 4, 31.95°C±0.65°C and 32.01°C±1.31°C; Group 5, 23°C and 27.6°C and Group 6, 23°C and 29.68°C, respectively. In all groups using longitudinal ultrasound, the phaco tip surface temperatures were higher than the shaft temperatures, except in Group 3. Shaft temperatures were higher than tip temperatures in cases using torsional phaco, except in Group 4. The mean temperature difference between groups was significant only for shaft temperatures (P=0.001). On thermal imaging, for torsional phaco, the rise in temperature of the probe from shaft to tip was dependent on the amplitude of ultrasound applied (P=0.009). Conclusion: The shaft temperatures were higher than over the phaco tip during torsional phacoemulsification. Keywords: thermal imaging, cataract, phacoemulsification, microincision, torsional ultrasound

Matthew R Peterson, Samantha E Haller, Jun Ren, Sreejayan Nair, Guanglong He School of Pharmacy, University of Wyoming, College of Health Sciences, Laramie, WY, USA Abstract: Systemic inflammation and localized macrophage infiltration have been implicated in cardiovascular pathologies, including coronary artery disease, carotid atherosclerosis, heart failure, obesity-associated heart dysfunction, and cardiac fibrosis. Inflammation induces macrophage infiltration and activation and release of cytokines and chemokines, causing tissue dysfunction by instigating a positive feedback loop that further propagates inflammation. Cytosolic adaptor caspase recruitment domain family, member 9 (CARD9) is a protein expressed primarily by dendritic cells, neutrophils, and macrophages, in which it mediates cytokine secretion. The purpose of this review is to highlight the role of CARD9 as a potential target in inflammation-related cardiovascular pathologies. Keywords: inflammation, heart failure, pressure-overload, hypertension

We report the effect of thickness and width on the spin wave transport and dispersion characteristics of permalloy (Py) microstripes using analytical calculations and experiments. Py waveguides with widths ranging from 2 to 4 μm were fabricated for two different thicknesses: 5 and 20 nm. Our results show a notable increase in the group velocity of spin waves with greater thickness, showing a fourfold rise as the thickness increases. Additionally, the accessible frequency range expands from 0.6 to 2.5 GHz as the thickness increases. We find that the spin wave mode frequency is affected by both thickness and width, with a frequency shift of approximately 0.2 GHz observed when the width increases from 2 to 4 μm. Moreover, spin waves decay more rapidly in thinner films, with the decay length of 20 nm-thick waveguides being four times longer than that of 5 nm-thick waveguides. Thicker and wider waveguides provide a longer decay length, facilitating the transmission of information over longer distances without significant energy loss. Our study offers an understanding of the spin wave propagation in microstrip waveguides and its potential in the development of future magnonic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveTo compare the relative efficacy of current and investigational biologic and oral small molecule (OSM) treatments for active ankylosing spondylitis (AS).MethodsA systematic literature review was conducted to identify all phase 2/3 randomized trials of interest in patients with AS. Outcomes assessed were ≥ 20% improvement in the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Criteria (ASAS20) and change from baseline in Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and C-reactive protein (CRP) at weeks 12-16. Bayesian network meta-analyses were conducted for outcomes using a random effects model. Baseline-risk adjustment was also conducted to account for differences in placebo response across studies. Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking curve (SUCRA) values are reported, reflecting the relative probability that intervention was the best of all interventions.ResultsThe investigational agent tofacitinib 5 mg was the top-ranked treatment (SUCRA, 93%) for ASAS20 response, followed by intravenous (IV) golimumab 2 mg/kg (90%). Golimumab IV 2 mg/kg and infliximab 5 mg/kg were the top two ranked treatments for change from baseline in BASFI (golimumab IV, 81%; infliximab, 80%) and change from baseline in CRP (infliximab, 90%; golimumab IV, 82%).ConclusionsTwo approved therapies (golimumab IV, infliximab) and one investigational product ranked highest for efficacy in AS. Key Points • Although golimumab IV, infliximab, and tofacitinib ranked highest for efficacy in AS, differences in efficacy between approved and investigational therapies were not statistically significant.