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The present survey aimed to explore the fish fauna diversity, abundance and conservation status in the Jamuna River, a tributary of the River Brahmaputra, Bangladesh. During the study period from November 2018 to October 2019, a total of 55 species of fish were recorded, belonging to 6 orders, 20 families and 41 genera from the five selected stations near the river. Orders Cypriniformes and Siluriformes were recorded as the dominant group in the fish fauna community that comprises 34.55% and 30.91% of total species, respectively. Various types of Small Indigenous Species (SIS) and a total of 26 International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red-listed species were recorded. Population indices, viz. Shannon–Weaver index (H), Simpson’s dominance index (D), Simpson’s index of diversity (1-D), Margalef’s index (d) and Evenness (E), were applied to demonstrate the species diversity, richness and evenness of fish, and their overall values were 1.28-1.48, 0.26-0.33, 0.67-0.74, 1.22-1.46 and 0.77-0.86, respectively. To sustain the prospect of fisheries biodiversity in the Jamuna River of Bangladesh, different fish management and conservation plan of action specifically establishing and maintaining fish sanctuaries, banning indiscriminate fishing and the use of destructive fishing gears for the protection of the breeding and nursery grounds of fish should be taken into consideration with utmost priority.

Dan Xu,1 Shu-Ting Lu,2 Yu-Shuang Li,2 Aju Baidya,2 Hao Mei,2 Yong He,1 Bo Wu2 1Department of Nuclear Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China; 2Department of Radiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, PR China Background: Gliomas are one of the most common types of primary brain tumors. It is usually evaluated by gadolinium(III)-based contrast agents by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the clinic. Methotrexate (MTX), as a type of folate analog that inhibits the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase, is widely used as a chemotherapeutic agent to treat gliomas in the experiment.Purpose: In this study, a novel theranostic agent MTX-DOTA-Gd (MTX-Gd) was synthesized, which integrates magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with anticancer treatment.Methods: MTX-Gd was synthesized by connecting MTX and Gd through 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA). The characterization of MTX-Gd was detected by ultraviolet (UV) and infrared spectroscopy (IR). To confirm the antitumor effect of MTX-Gd, the cytotoxicity of MTX-Gd was examined by the MTT assay. The contrast enhancement of the MTX-Gd was measured through MRI in vitro. Then, nude mice bearing C6 tumor xenografts were used to study in vivo imaging capabilities.Results: The ultraviolet-visible-near infrared radiation (UV-NIR) absorption curve indicated that MTX-Gd had a broad absorption in the region of 500-700 nm. The formation of MTX-Gd was confirmed from the characteristic bands of MTX-DOTA-Gd in the 1413 cm-1 (C-N), 1577 cm-1 (-NH2), and 3429 cm-1 (N-H), in the fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra. MTX-Gd showed little difference in the cell viability compared with MTX, except for the highest concentration (270 μM). In vitro, the imaging of MTX-Gd was significantly brighter than Gd-DOTA at the same concentration, and the brightness and signal intensity of MRI were increased followed by the increased concentration of MTX-Gd. And it also showed that MTX was not visualized on MRI. The other images revealed that the concentration of 4 mM MTX-Gd had the same imaging effect with the concentration of 10 mM Gd-DOTA. Then, MTX-Gd was injected in nude mice bearing C6 tumor xenografts through the tail vein. Significant contrast enhancement was observed at the tumor site from 0.5 h to 3 h. The signal of tumor area was strongest at 3 h due to accumulation by size effect of macromolecules.Conclusion: A novel stable and unique theranostic agent(MTX-Gd) was successfully synthesized, and it has good stability, strong anticancer ability and excellent magnetic capacity. The methotrexate component of MTX-Gd, as a chemotherapeutic agent, played an important role in targeted therapies of cancer. The DOTA-Gd component of MTX-Gd performed as the MRI contrast agent. The superior MRI imaging performance and synergetic chemical antineoplastic ability of MTX-Gd was revealed, and it has great potential in the diagnosis and treatment of glioma and potentially other cancers, with prospects of clinical application in the near future. Keywords: methotrexate, gadolinium, glioma, theranostics

Background and Aims: Existing literature does not establish the superiority of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block or the thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block in pain relief and reducing opioid consumption in lumbar spine surgeries. This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to discern their relative efficacy and safety. Methods: This meta-analysis included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ESP and TLIP blocks in lumbar spine surgeries. The primary outcome was 24-h opioid consumption, and secondary outcomes were visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 1 h and 24 h and various complications. PubMed, Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, EMBASE databases and cross-references were electronically searched. Two authors extracted data independently, cross-checked, and analysed them using RevMan 5.4. Binary outcomes were reported as odds ratios (OR), while continuous outcomes were presented as standardised mean differences (SMDs) accompanied by 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: Among 1107 articles, six RCTs (492 patients) were finally included. The ESP block demonstrated lower 24-h opioid consumption compared to TLIP [SMD -0.32 (95% CI: -0.50, -0.14); P < 0.001, I[sup.2] = 83%]. At 1 and 24 h, ESPB yielded significantly lower VAS scores compared to TLIP [1 h: SMD -0.38 (95% CI: -0.57, -0.18); P < 0.001, I[sup.2] = 83%; 24 h: SMD -0.57 (95% CI: -0.76, -0.37); P < 0.001, I[sup.2] = 73%]. No significant difference was noted in adverse events. Conclusion: In comparison to the TLIP block, the ESP block has significantly lower 24-h opioid consumption and VAS scores at 1 and 24 h in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery. Keywords: Erector spinae plane block, lumbar surgery, opioid-free analgesia, regional analgesia, spine surgery, thoracolumbar interfascial plane block, trial sequential meta-analysis, ultrasound-guided blocks, Author(s): Siddhavivek Majage [1]; Rajathadri Hosur Ravikumar (corresponding author) [1]; Mrudula Prasanna [1]; M Chandramouli [1]; Priyankar Kumar Datta [1]; Dalim Kumar Baidya [2] INTRODUCTION Managing perioperative pain in the [...]

Introduction The historical focus of vaccines on child health coupled with the advent of novel vaccines targeting adult populations necessitates exploring strategies for adult vaccine implementation.Areas covered This scoping review extracts insights from the past decade’s experiences introducing adult vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. Among 25 papers reviewed, 19 focused on oral cholera vaccine, 2 on Meningococcal A vaccines, 2 on tetanus toxoid vaccine, 1 on typhoid vaccine, and 1 on Ebola vaccine. Aligned with WHO’s Global Framework for New TB Vaccines for Adults and Adolescents, our findings center on vaccine availability, accessibility, and acceptance.Expert Opinion Availability findings underscore the importance of understanding disease burden for prioritization, multi-sectoral collaboration during planning, and strategic resource allocation and coordination. Accessibility results highlight the benefits of leveraging existing health infrastructure and adequately training healthcare workers, and contextually tailoring vaccine delivery approaches to reach challenging sub-groups like working male adults. Central to fostering acceptance, resonant sensitization, and communication campaigns engaging the communities and utilizing trusted local leaders countered rumors and increased awareness and uptake. As we approach the introduction of a new adult TB vaccine, insights from this review equips decision-makers with key evidence-based recommendations to support successful and equitable vaccinations targeting adults.

Rickets, one of the leading causes of bony deformities and short stature, can be calciopenic (inciting event is defective intestinal calcium absorption) or phosphopenic (inciting event is phosphaturia). Early diagnosis and timely treatment of rickets are crucial for correction of the limb deformities. Guidelines exist for nutritional rickets, but the diagnosis and management of the relatively uncommon forms of rickets are complex. This consensus aims to formulate a simplified diagnostic approach for rickets, especially in resource-limited settings. The consensus statement has been formulated by a 29-member committee from the Endocrine Society of Bengal. The process included forming a working group, conducting a literature review, identifying controversies, drafting, and discussion at a consensus meeting. Participants rated their agreement with the clinical practice points, and a 70% consensus was required. Input integration and further review led to the final consensus statements. Children with suspected rickets should initially be examined for distinctive skeletal deformities. The diagnosis of rickets should be confirmed with characteristic radiographic abnormalities. It is advisable to order tests for serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus (Pi), liver function, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), parathyroid hormone, creatinine, and potassium in all patients with rickets. In cases of refractory rickets, it is also recommended that assessments be conducted for spot urine calcium, Pi, creatinine, and, blood gas analysis. In children with rickets and metabolic acidosis, tests for glycosuria, uricosuria, aminoaciduria, low molecular weight proteinuria, and albuminuria should be conducted. In children with resistant calciopenic rickets and sufficient serum 25OHD levels, serum 1,25(OH)2D concentration should be tested. 1,25(OH)2 D and fibroblast growth factor 23 estimation is useful for certain forms of phosphopenic rickets.

Abstract High‐resolution climate projections are valuable resources for understanding the regional impacts of climate change and developing appropriate adaptation/mitigation strategies. In this study, we developed a 10‐km gridded hydrometeorological dataset over India by dynamic downscaling of the bias‐corrected Community Earth System Model (CESMv1) climate projections under RCP8.5 scenario using the state‐of‐the‐art Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The downscaled CESM dataset (DSCESM) is archived in the World Data Center for Climate (WDCC) portal at three temporal resolutions (daily, monthly and monthly climatology) for current (2006–2015), mid‐century (2041–2050) and end‐century (2091–2100) periods. The dataset includes 2‐m air temperature, total accumulated precipitation, wind speed, relative humidity, sensible and latent heat fluxes, along with surface shortwave and outgoing longwave radiation. All the DSCESM variables were evaluated against reanalysis data and station observations for the period 2006–2015. This dataset can help us quantitatively understand regional climate change in India. It can also be used in conjunction with agricultural, hydrological, fire and other application models for climate change impact assessment on various sectors to help develop effective adaptation/mitigation strategies.

Abstract Objective was to assess the precision and reproducibility of spatial penalty-based intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) methods in comparison to the conventional bi-exponential (BE) model-based IVIM methods. IVIM-MRI (11 b-values; 0–800 s/mm2) of forty patients (N = 40; Age = 17.7 ± 5.9 years; Male:Female = 30:10) with biopsy-proven osteosarcoma were acquired on a 1.5 Tesla scanner at 3 time-points: (i) baseline, (ii) after 1-cycle and (iii) after 3-cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Diffusion coefficient (D), Perfusion coefficient (D*) and Perfusion fraction (f) were estimated at three time-points in whole tumor and healthy muscle tissue using five methodologies (1) BE with three-parameter-fitting (BE), (2) Segmented-BE with two-parameter-fitting (BESeg-2), (3) Segmented-BE with one-parameter-fitting (BESeg-1), (4) BE with adaptive Total-Variation-penalty (BE + TV) and (5) BE with adaptive Huber-penalty (BE + HPF). Within-subject coefficient-of-variation (wCV) and between-subject coefficient-of-variation (bCV) of IVIM parameters were measured in healthy and tumor tissue. For precision and reproducibility, intra-scan comparison of wCV and bCV among five IVIM methods were performed using Friedman test followed by Wilcoxon-signed-ranks (WSR) post-hoc test. Experimental results demonstrated that BE + TV and BE + HPF showed significantly (p

Aims: To examine the features of foreign body ingestion and evaluate the effectiveness of endoscopic therapy for foreign body ingestion in Bangladeshi children. Methods: I retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 97 children diagnosed with foreign body ingestion that required endoscopic removal from 2016 to 2023. Results: The children were aged between 3 months and 15 years, with a mean age of 2.9 ​± ​4.9 years, with more than 80 ​% of the patients being under 5 years of age. Foreign body ingestion was observed at a high frequency (71.1 ​%) in children aged one to five years. Coins (67 ​%) and button batteries (5.2 ​%) were the most common foreign bodies swallowed by kids, and the majority of them were accidental (97.9 ​%). The majority of the foreign bodies were blunt (74.3 ​%), but some were sharp (18.6 ​%). Fifty-six percent of esophageal foreign bodies and 94 ​% of gastric foreign bodies were asymptomatic. Around 80 ​% of button batteries and 77.8 ​% of pointed objects were effectively removed from the body within 24 ​h of ingestion. Similarly, food impaction and blunt objects (98.6 ​% and 100 ​%, respectively) were successfully removed after the 24-h period. Endoscopic removal was successful in 99 ​% of cases, with minimal complications. When button batteries and sharp objects were consumed, the severity of erythema, erosion, bleeding, and ulceration increased along with the length of impaction. Conclusions: Foreign body ingestion is a frequent occurrence in children under the age of five. Coin was the most common foreign body, with the majority of asymptomatic presentations. Prompt identification and timely extraction of swallowed foreign bodies may improve clinical outcomes.

Abstract Low solubility and low reactivity towards organic compounds make phosphorus a problematic element for the origin and early evolution of life. Reduced and polymerized phosphorus species are more bioavailable and may resolve these issues, but widespread formation pathways for these species are not well understood. Here we show, using experiments and thermodynamic modelling, that diverse polyphosphates (straight-chains with up to five and cyclophosphates with three and four phosphate molecules) and reduced phosphite can form under ferruginous anhydrous conditions at 80-700 °C. We find that hydrogen and temperature enhance phosphite production while polyphosphate formation maximizes at moderate temperatures (175-200 °C). Chromite and Nickel-bearing minerals enhance phosphate polymerization and reduction whereas magnetite inhibits them. These findings expand on previous investigations of thermally induced changes in phosphorus-speciation and show that these reactions may be widespread in nature. Metamorphism of ferruginous sediments, serpentinization, as well as subaerial lakes exposed to volcanic heating could potentially produce a wealth of polyphosphates along with phosphite on the early Earth. Later, these species may have participated in prebiotic phosphorylation reactions upon liberation by subsequent fluid infiltration. Our results thus offer a more widespread pathway for the generation of reactive phosphorus for the origin of life.

Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread pain associated with fatigue, stiffness, sleep disturbance, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, and depression. The role of Vitamin D in the pathophysiology of FM is poorly known. Studies available to establish the association between Vitamin D and FM have inconsistent results. Some of the studies reported a positive association and others found no relation. It is not clear whether the pain is due to and/or associated with low levels of Vitamin D. Aims and Objectives: The objective of the current study is to estimate Vitamin D levels in FM patients and to find the association between Vitamin D levels and severity of FM. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, seventy patients who fulfilled the inclusion (American College of Rheumatology 2016 criteria) and exclusion criteria as has been considered for the study were enrolled and their serum 25 hydroxy-vitamin D level has been measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reader. Pre-designed questionnaires were prepared to measure FM severity. Pain intensity was measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS). Results: A total of 70 patients who were diagnosed with FM were included in our study. The majority of them (80%) were female and the rest (20%) were male. The mean age is 48.2±9.2 years. Their mean body mass index (BMI) is 23.7±3.82. The mean Vitamin D serum level was 22.4±9.2 ng/dL. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) was defined as patients with a serum level of 20 ng/mL and below. In our study, 62.8% (44) of the study population had VDD. According to VAS (0–10) pain scale, 15 (21.4%) subjects suffered from moderate pain and 55 (78.6%) subjects suffered from severe pain. The severity of FM was measured by the Fibromyalgia Severity Scale (FSS). The mean score of FSS was 22.7. To find the association between VDD and severity of FM, several covariates were identified and a multivariable logistic regression was done. Conclusion: VDD increases with an increase in age, BMI, VAS, and FSS, all of which are predicators of FM syndrome.

Objective: Air-Q intubating laryngeal airway (ILA) is associated with a 58-77% success rate in blind intubation. The newer laryngeal mask airway (LMA) blockbuster is specially designed to facilitate easier endotracheal intubation and may have a higher success rate. The current study aimed to compare the success rate of endotracheal intubation using the Air-Q ILA and LMA blockbuster. Methods: After ethics committee approval and informed written consent, 140 adult patients with normal airways who were scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation were recruited for this randomized controlled trial. Blind endotracheal intubation was performed using the Air-Q ILA in group A and the LMA blockbuster in group B with special maneuvers and/or tubes in the second attempt. Fibreoptic bronchoscope (FOB) guidance was used in the third attempt if required. The primary outcome was the success rate of intubation without FOB assistance. The number of attempts for supraglottic airway (SGA) insertion, the time taken for SGA insertion, and the overall intubation time was also noted. Results: The success rate of intubation without FOB guidance was significantly higher in group B than in group A [91.4% vs 55.7%; relative risk (RR) 1.68; (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.34, 2.11); p

Background and Aims: Existing literature does not establish the superiority of the erector spinae plane (ESP) block or the thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block in pain relief and reducing opioid consumption in lumbar spine surgeries. This systematic review and meta-analysis was aimed to discern their relative efficacy and safety. Methods: This meta-analysis included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ESP and TLIP blocks in lumbar spine surgeries. The primary outcome was 24-h opioid consumption, and secondary outcomes were visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at 1 h and 24 h and various complications. PubMed, Central Register of Controlled Trials, SCOPUS, EMBASE databases and cross-references were electronically searched. Two authors extracted data independently, cross-checked, and analysed them using RevMan 5.4. Binary outcomes were reported as odds ratios (OR), while continuous outcomes were presented as standardised mean differences (SMDs) accompanied by 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results: Among 1107 articles, six RCTs (492 patients) were finally included. The ESP block demonstrated lower 24-h opioid consumption compared to TLIP [SMD -0.32 (95% CI: -0.50, -0.14); P < 0.001, I2 = 83%]. At 1 and 24 h, ESPB yielded significantly lower VAS scores compared to TLIP [1 h: SMD -0.38 (95% CI: -0.57, -0.18); P < 0.001, I2 = 83%; 24 h: SMD -0.57 (95% CI: -0.76, -0.37); P < 0.001, I2 = 73%]. No significant difference was noted in adverse events. Conclusion: In comparison to the TLIP block, the ESP block has significantly lower 24-h opioid consumption and VAS scores at 1 and 24 h in patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery.

A neurodevelopmental disease known as Cerebral Palsy (CP) first manifests in infancy and affects a variety of developing abilities, including motor control, coordination, tactile perception, cognition, and attention. The most prevalent type, accounting for 60%-70% of cases, is spastic CP. Ataxic CP accounts for 10%-15%, athetoid CP for 10%-15%, and mixed CP for 10%. Children diagnosed with hemiplegia exhibit firmness and muscle weakness due to unilateral involvement of both upper and lower limbs on the opposite side of the brain lesion. These variables may manifest upper limb motor deficits, such as restricted grasp, reach, and manipulation. These disabilities result in functional restrictions during daily activities and may cause the affected extremity to be underutilised. Hand impairment in hemiplegic CP occurs from damage to the motor cortex and corticospinal pathways, which are in charge of fine motor control of the fingers and hand. In terms of enhancing fine motor abilities and improving functional results, it has been demonstrated that Constraint-induced Movement Therapy (CIMT) is useful for individuals with CP. CIMT involves teaching a child to use their affected hand by using a constraint on the unaffected hand and repetitive extensive implementation of movements with the affected hand. The aim of the present review was to find out how CIMT affected the hand functionality in children with CP.

The global outbreak of COVID-19 infection is the first pandemic the world has experienced in this 21st century. The novel coronavirus 2019 (nCoV-19) also called the SARS-CoV-2 is the reason behind the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) that led to this worldwide crisis. In this current post-pandemic situation, despite having effective vaccines, the paucity of orally administrable drug molecules for such infections is a major drawback in this current scenario. Among the different viral enzymes, the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro is an encouraging target for effective drug discovery and development. In this context, the understanding of the requirements of the small molecules at the active site and their interactions is a crucial aspect of such drug candidate development. Here in this study, structure-based pharmacophore model development and molecular docking-dependent 2D-interaction-based and 3D-field-based QSAR studies have been carried out for a set of potential SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibitors. This study exposed the importance of interactions with amino acids of the active site (such as Leu167 and Gln189 amino acid residues) as well as the importance of hydrogen bond acceptor groups at the S2 and S1′ pockets. The presence of hydrophobic aromatic features as well as hydrophobic contacts at the S1 and S4 pockets were also found to have a key contribution to the SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro inhibition. Moreover, the screened drug candidate Elobixibat from the structure-based virtual screening also explored promising results as evidenced in MD simulation study and thus, can be a promising drug candidate that can be repurposed to assist in the development of effective anti-SARS-CoV-2 therapy.

The use of autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) has been increasing, and the autonomy of these systems and their capabilities in dealing with uncertainties is crucial. Autonomous landing is pivotal for the success of an autonomous mission of UAVs. This paper presents an autonomous landing system for quadrotor UAVs with the ability to perform smooth landing even in undesirable conditions like obstruction by obstacles in and around the designated landing area and inability to identify or the absence of a visual marker establishing the designated landing area. We have integrated algorithms like version 5 of You Only Look Once (YOLOv5), DeepSORT, Euclidean distance transform, and Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller to strengthen the robustness of the overall system. While the YOLOv5 model is trained to identify the visual marker of the landing area and some common obstacles like people, cars, and trees, the DeepSORT algorithm keeps track of the identified objects. Similarly, using the detection of the identified objects and Euclidean distance transform, an open space without any obstacles to land could be identified if necessary. Finally, the PID controller generates appropriate movement values for the UAV using the visual cues of the target landing area and the obstacles. To warrant the validity of the overall system without risking the safety of the involved people, initial tests are performed, and a software-based simulation is performed before executing the tests in real life. A full-blown hardware system with an autonomous landing system is then built and tested in real life. The designed system is tested in various scenarios to verify the effectiveness of the system. The code is available at this repository: https://github.com/rnjbdya/Vision-based-UAV-autonomous-landing.

IntroductionPatients with chronic HBV infection (CHI) exhibit defective anti-viral immune-response whose underlying causes still remain unclear. Monocytes act as immune sentinels for pathogens and can regulate immunity via interaction with other immune-cells, apart from differentiating into macrophages. Immune-checkpoint molecules (ICMs) expressed by immune-cells, including monocytes are known to negatively regulate immune-responses. Here, we evaluated the expression of ICMs, namely, Gal-9, PD-L1, and CTLA-4 on monocytes in different phases of CHI, identified the viral and the host factors causing their aberrant expression and investigated their impact during interaction of monocytes with T-cells, B-cells and NK-cells and also on monocyte to macrophage differentiation. Influence of Tenofovir therapy on the expression of monocytic ICMs was also studied.MethodsCollection of blood and liver-tissue samples from HBV infected patients and controls, flow-cytometry, cell sorting, cell culture and immune-fluorescence were performed for this study.ResultsGal-9+ and PD-L1+-monocytes were significantly increased in HBeAg-positive as well as HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients than healthy controls (HC). In immune-tolerant (IT) subjects, only Gal-9+-monocytes and in inactive carriers (IC), PD-L1+-monocytes were higher than HC while CTLA-4+-monocytes remained comparable among groups. High serum Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) concentration in CHB as well as IT and TNF-α in CHB triggered monocytic Gal-9-expression whereas, PD-L1 was induced by elevated TNF-α and IL-4 in CHB and IL-1β in CHB and IC. Purified monocytes from CHB and IT having high Gal-9 expression led to expansion of CD4+CD25+FOXP3+-Tregs, CD19+IL-10+-Bregs and CD19+CD27-CD21–atypical memory B-cells and these monocytes also preferentially differentiated into M2-macrophages. These phenomena were reversed by anti-Gal-9-antibody. Parallelly, PD-L1+-monocytes in CHB and IC reduced IL-2/IFN-γ and IL-6 production by HBV-specific T- and B-cells respectively, which were restored by anti-PD-L1-antibody. Both Gal-9+- and PD-L1+-monocytes caused decline in IFN-γ+-NK-cells but enhanced IL-10-expressing HBV-specific-T-cells and NK-cells. Increased intrahepatic CD14+Gal-9+ and CD14+PD-L1+-monocytes were noted in CHB patients than HC. One-year tenofovir therapy failed to reduce monocytic Gal-9 and PD-L1 along with the levels of HBsAg, TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-4.ConclusionsMonocytic Gal-9 and PD-L1, expressed heterogeneously in different phases of CHI, exert diverse inhibitory effects on immune-responses and their therapeutic targeting could boost anti-HBV immunity.

Simulation refers to the replication of various elements of a real-world situation to achieve pre-specified objectives by enabling experiential learning. As the global burden of preventable medical errors remains high, simulation-based teaching may be used to standardise medical training and improve patient safety. With the same intent, the National Medical Commission has adopted simulation as part of the Competency Based Medical Education approach. Simulation-based training creates immersive and experiential learning, which keeps the new generation of learners actively involved in the learning process. Simulation is widely used to impart technical and non-technical skills for postgraduate trainees in anaesthesiology, but it is still not integrated as a structured part of the curriculum. This article aims to identify technical and non-technical skills that can be taught using simulation and suggests opportunities for using the existing infrastructure and resources to integrate simulation as part of the anaesthesiology training curriculum. Keywords: Crisis resource management, curriculum integration, fidelity, infrastructure, non-technical skills, simulation, technical skills, Author(s): Aparna Pande [1]; Thilaka Muthiah (corresponding author) [2]; Rashmi Ramachandran [3]; Balachandran Sundaraperumal [4]; Manpreet Kaur [5]; Dalim K. Baidya [3] INTRODUCTION Simulation-based teaching (SBT) has become integral to [...]

Abstract Replacement of water-intensive winter rice with strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) may restrict groundwater extraction and improve water productivity and sustainability of agricultural production in the arsenic-contaminated Bengal basin. The potential of strawberry cultivation in terms of yield obtained and water use efficiency need to be evaluated under predominant soil types with mulch applications. Water-driven model AquaCrop was used to predict the canopy cover, soil water storage and above-ground biomass of strawberry in an arsenic-contaminated area in the Bengal basin. After successful calibration and validation over three seasons, AquaCrop was used over a range of management scenarios (nine drip-irrigation × three soil types × four mulch materials) to identify the best irrigation options for a drip-irrigated strawberry crop. The most appropriate irrigation of 176 mm for clay loam soil in lowland and 189 mm for sandy clay loam in medium land rice areas and the use of organic mulch from locally available jute agrotextile improved 1.4 times higher yield and 1.7 times higher water productivity than that of without mulch. Strawberry can be introduced as an alternative crop replacing rice in non-traditional upland and medium land areas of the arsenic-contaminated Bengal basin with 88% lower groundwater extraction load and better economic return to farmers.

Abstract Successful nerve repair using bioadhesive hydrogels demands minimizing tissue–material interfacial mechanical mismatch to reduce immune responses and scar tissue formation. Furthermore, it is crucial to maintain the bioelectrical stimulation‐mediated cell‐signaling mechanism to overcome communication barriers within injured nerve tissues. Therefore, engineering bioadhesives for neural tissue regeneration necessitates the integration of electroconductive properties with tissue‐like biomechanics. In this study, we propose a stretchable bioadhesive based on a custom‐designed chemically modified elastin‐like polypeptides (ELPs) and a choline‐based bioionic liquid (Bio‐IL), providing an electroconductive microenvironment to reconnect damaged nerve tissue. The stretchability akin to native neural tissue was achieved by incorporating hydrophobic ELP pockets, and a robust tissue adhesion was obtained due to multi‐mode tissue–material interactions through covalent and noncovalent bonding at the tissue interface. Adhesion tests revealed adhesive strength ~10 times higher than commercially available tissue adhesive, Evicel®. Furthermore, the engineered hydrogel supported in vitro viability and proliferation of human glial cells. We also evaluated the biodegradability and biocompatibility of the engineered bioadhesive in vivo using a rat subcutaneous implantation model, which demonstrated facile tissue infiltration and minimal immune response. The outlined functionalities empower the engineered elastic and electroconductive adhesive hydrogel to effectively enable sutureless surgical sealing of neural injuries and promote tissue regeneration.

Hydrogels have been extensively used for tissue engineering applications due to their versatility in structure and physical properties, which can mimic native tissues. Although significant progress has been made toward designing hydrogels for soft tissue repair, engineering hydrogels that resemble load‐bearing tissues is still considered a great challenge due to their specific mechanophysical demands. Herein, microporous, tough, yet highly compressible poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)‐based hydrogels are reported for potential applications in repairing or replacing different load‐bearing tissues. The synergy of freeze‐thawing and the Hofmeister effect, which controlled the spatial arrangement and aggregation of polymer chains, facilitated the formation of microstructured frameworks with tunable porosity. While the maximum mechanical strength, toughness, and stretchability of the engineered hydrogel were ≈390 kPa, ≈388 kJ m−3, and ≈170%, respectively, Young's modulus based on compression testing wasfound to be in the range of ≈0.02–0.30 MPa, highlighting the all‐in‐one mechanically enriched nature of the hydrogel. Furthermore, the minimal swelling and degradation rate of the engineered hydrogel met the specific requirements for load‐bearing tissues. Finally, excellent antibacterial resistance as well as in vitro biocompatibility of the hydrogel demonstrates its potential for the replacement of load‐bearing tissues.

Abstract Wheat contributes one‐fifth of the global food supply with an estimated 29% of global production in low and lower‐middle income countries. As production expands across southern Asia, yields are often negatively impacted by outbreaks of fungal rust diseases. A wheat rust early warning and advisory system comprising surveillance, near real‐time disease risk forecasts and advisory dissemination has been established in two target countries in South Asia, including Nepal and Bangladesh. However, as wheat rust spores can be aerially transmitted over long distances, near real‐time estimates of disease incidence are required from sources of infection in neighbouring regions. To address this challenge, we developed and tested a novel algorithm to generate proxy observations of infection sources using online media reports in two neighbouring countries, India and Pakistan. Media sampling could provide an effective alternative where data from ground surveys are not readily available in near real‐time. Our results show that west Nepal was exposed to a substantial inoculum pressure from aerially dispersed stripe rust spores originating from India and Pakistan. There were no outbreaks of stripe rust disease in Bangladesh with only very low levels of cross‐border dispersion and generally unfavourable environmental conditions for infection. We further describe how proxy observations informed farmer decision‐making in near real‐time in Nepal and filled a knowledge gap in identifying early sources of infection for a major outbreak of stripe rust during 2020 in Nepal. Our results highlight the importance of international cooperation in mitigating transboundary plant pathogens.

Rice False Smut (RFS) caused by Ustilaginoidea virens is a major emerging disease of rice due to expanded area of hybrid rice cultivars, increasing use of nitrogenous fertilizers and change in climate. Due to the increasing incidences of this disease across the globe, there is a pressing need to develop techniques for false smut management. The application of fungicides with high efficiency, low toxicity, and low residue is currently the best option to control RFS. Therefore, current research was conducted to determine the effectiveness of fungicides to manage RFS. The experiments were conducted in a completely randomized block design with three replications of seven treatments at RFS-prone subtropical hills of Nepal in the main rice growing season, during 2020 and 2021. The fungicides include trifloxystrobin 25 % + tebuconazole 50 %, chlorothalonil 75 %, carbendazim 12 % + mancozeb 63 %, propiconazole 25 %, azoxystrobin 50 %, carbendazim 50 % and untreated control. Fungicides were applied as two foliar sprays, one at booting and the other at flowering. Fungicide spray significantly increased number of tillers per plant (P ≤ 0.01) and reduced the number of false smut-infected tillers per plant (P ≤ 0.05), false smut severity (P ≤ 0.05), and incidence (P ≤ 0.05). False smut incidence percentages were significantly reduced by all the fungicides except mancozeb + carbendazim compared to the non-treated control. The reduction in RFS incidence was 70 % in propiconazole, 71 % in trifloxystrobin + tebuconazole sprayed plots compared to the non-treated control plots. Thus, the application of suitable fungicide at the appropriate stage would give the satisfactory suppression of RFS in a farmers' field in Nepal.