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Rice is sensitive to salinity stress at both the seedling and reproductive stages. The present study used 145 rice genotypes comprising of 100 landraces and 45 advanced breeding lines collected from different regions of India. These genotypes were evaluated in hydroponics under control [electrical conductivity (ECe) ∼1.2 dS/m] and saline (ECe ∼10.0 dS/m) environments along with susceptible (IR29) and tolerant (FL478) checks. The stress susceptibility index for eight morphophysiological traits was estimated. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among the genotypes for all the parameters studied in control, stress and relative stress conditions. We identified 3 landraces (Kuttimanja, Tulasimog and IET-13713I) as tolerant and 14 lines as moderately tolerant to salt stress. Strong correlations in the morphological (root and shoot lengths) and physiological traits (shoot Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ contents, and Na+/K+ ratio) were observed under all the conditions. The hierarchical cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into five clusters, among which cluster II comprised salt-tolerant lines. Haplotyping of Saltol region using 11 simple sequence repeat markers on 17 saline tolerant and moderately tolerant lines was conducted. Markers AP3206F, RM10793 and RM3412b, located close to SKC1 gene (11.23‒12.55 Mb), displayed diverse allelic variations and they were not related to the FL478 type. In this region, tolerant lines like Kuttimanja, IET-13713I and Tulasimog have new alleles. As a result, these lines may be suitable candidates for novel genomic regions governing rice salinity tolerance. Salt-tolerance ability of Kuttimanja, Tulasimog and IET-13713I was validated in two years in three salinity stress environments. These promising lines can be used in breeding programs to broaden the genetic base of salinity tolerance in rice, and it may help to dissect key genomic regions responsible for salinity tolerance.

BackgroundEndoscopic endonasal approaches pose the potential risk of olfactory loss. Loss of olfaction and potentially taste can be permanent and greatly affect patients' quality of life. Treatments for olfactory loss have had limited success. Omega-3 supplementation may be a therapeutic option with its effect on wound healing and nerve regeneration.ObjectiveTo evaluate the impact on olfaction in patients treated with omega-3 supplementation following endoscopic skull base tumor resection.MethodsIn this multi-institutional, prospective, randomized controlled trial, 110 patients with sellar or parasellar tumors undergoing endoscopic resection were randomized to nasal saline irrigations or nasal saline irrigations plus omega-3 supplementation. The University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) was administered preoperatively and at 6 wk, 3 mo, and 6 mo postoperatively.ResultsEighty-seven patients completed all 6 mo of follow-up (41 control arm, 46 omega-3 arm). At 6 wk postoperatively, 25% of patients in both groups experienced a clinically significant loss in olfaction. At 3 and 6 mo, patients receiving omega-3 demonstrated significantly less persistent olfactory loss compared to patients without supplementation (P = .02 and P = .01, respectively). After controlling for multiple confounding variables, omega-3 supplementation was found to be protective against olfactory loss (odds ratio [OR] 0.05, 95% CI 0.003-0.81, P = .03). Tumor functionality was a significant independent predictor for olfactory loss (OR 32.7, 95% CI 1.15-929.5, P = .04).ConclusionOmega-3 supplementation appears to be protective for the olfactory system during the healing period in patients who undergo endoscopic resection of sellar and parasellar masses.

Chloroplasts and photosynthesis are the physiologically fateful arenas of salinity stress. Morphological and anatomical alterations in the leaf tissue, ultrastructural changes in the chloroplast, compromise in the integrity of the three-layered chloroplast membrane system, and defects in the light and dark reactions during the osmotic, ionic, and oxidative phases of salt stress are conversed in detail to bring the salinity-mediated physiological alterations in the chloroplast on to a single platform. Chloroplasts of salt-tolerant plants have evolved highly regulated salt-responsive pathways. Thylakoid membrane remodeling, ion homeostasis, osmoprotection, upregulation of chloroplast membrane and stromal proteins, chloroplast ROS scavenging, efficient retrograde signalling, and differential gene and metabolite abundance are the key attributes of optimal photosynthesis in tolerant species. This review throws light into the comparative mechanism of chloroplast and photosynthetic response to salinity in sensitive and tolerant plant species.

By definition, aging is a natural, gradual and continuous process. On the other hand, frailty reflects the increase in vulnerability to stressors and shortens the time without disease (health span) while longevity refers to the length of life (lifespan). The average life expectancy has significantly increased during the last few decades. A longer lifespan has been accompanied by an increase in frailty and decreased independence in older adults, with major differences existing between men and women. For example, women tend to live longer than men but also experience higher rates of frailty and disability. Sex differences prevent optimization of lifestyle interventions and therapies to effectively prevent frailty. Sex differences in frailty and aging are rooted in a complex interplay between uncontrollable (genetic, epigenetic, physiological), and controllable factors (psychosocial and lifestyle factors). Thus, understanding the underlying causes of sex differences in frailty and aging is essential for developing personalized interventions to promote healthy aging and improve quality of life in older men and women. In this review, we have discussed the key contributors and knowledge gaps related to sex differences in aging and frailty.

Based on differences in religious interpretations of different texts, incidents, and events communities life together despite having various groups and divisions. One such difference results into ‘ex-communication’ which is called Takfeer (تکفیر) in Islamic terminology, in which one Muslim sect labels the other Muslim group as non-believer. Takfeer (تکفیر) is the sensitive matter which has serious effects on both the accuser as well as the accused. Today, many Muslims are accused as non-believers/disbelievers by fellow Muslims without investigating the matter. In this article the Islamic concept of Takfeer (تکفیر) will be defined along with its categories. Additionally, the conditions of takfeer (تکفیر) will be explored and their effects on accuser as well as the accused will be discussed in detail. Finally, the key issues of the concept of takfeer (تکفیر) will be aided according to the Qur’an, Sunnah, and scholars’ opinions to address the complexities of this grave matter.

Aquaculture is rapidly becoming one of the pivotal sectors in the farming economy, driven by the increasing demand for high-quality animal protein at an affordable cost, especially with the escalating human population. However, the expansion of high-density fish populations also brings forth a challenge—the rapid transmission and spread of infectious disease agents among them. To combat this, vaccination is emerging as a reliable and standardized method for providing immunity against viral and bacterial outbreaks. The ideal vaccine is expected to be safe, effective, economical, and easily administered. The fish vaccination industry continually publishes new information on fish immunology and vaccinology, contributing to the improvement in vaccine formulation and efficacy. This review aims to offer insights into the current status of bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases, discuss existing vaccinations, and address potential industry-threatening diseases like infectious edwardsiellosis, motile aeromonas septicemia (MAS), Tilapia Lake Virus (TiLV) disease, infectious salmon anemia (ISA), vibriosis, and white spot disease. Technological advancements have played a crucial role in enhancing our understanding of fish immunological mechanisms, leading to improved vaccine administration and the development of recombinant live attenuated, subunit, DNA, and RNA vaccines. However, challenges such as oral tolerance, vaccine degradation, and stressful environments persist, impacting vaccine efficacy. Addressing these challenges and gaining a deeper understanding of the fish immune system and host–pathogen interactions will be pivotal for future improvements, contributing to the sustainability of aquaculture and enhancing global food security.