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This research aimed to: 1) gather the needs of Thai and foreign tourists in using the Decision Support System for Hot Springs Tourism in Surat Thani; 2) Design and develop the Decision Support System using the concept of an agile method; and 3) Evaluate the effectiveness of the Decision Support System implementation. The agile method enabled the System to be developed to support both the Android and IOS in Thai and English. The users’ requirement was collected by using questionnaires with 30 Thai and 30 foreign tourists. The users’ evaluation data was collected by using questionnaires with 400 Thai and 400 foreign tourists. The results found that: 1) Thai and foreign tourists need information in seven aspects. Mo st tourists use iPhones and need similar information. 2) The design of the Decision Support System consists of searching travel routes, distance calculation, nearby attractions, and evaluation assessment function. 3) Foreign tourists had a slightly high er average score of overall opinions than Thai tourists which is at the highest level in all aspects. The Thai and foreign tourists found no significant difference with the overall opinions in using the Decision Support System (p> .05). In conclusion, the DSS for Hot Springs Tourism in Surat Thani was successfully developed for both Thai and foreign tourists. The findings indicate the system's effectiveness in supporting tourists and its potential to enhance tourism experiences in Surat Thani.

Abstract The synthesis of bioactive peptides demonstrates strong antioxidant, anti-proliferative, anti-hypertensive, and anti-diabetic attributes. This presents a promising path for developing cost-effective pharmaceuticals that have fewer side effects as they are derived from foods. Production of bioactive peptides through enzymatic hydrolysis exhibits greater potential compared to alternative chemical-assisted hydrolysis. The purification of bioactive peptides involves size fractionation techniques such as ultrafiltration and gel filtration. Further separation using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) techniques aids in the production of peptides with different hydrophobicity which may have specific bioactivities. Sequencing of peptides is commonly completed through Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), electrospray ionization (ESI), and Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS). Generally, smaller peptides with lower molecular weights exhibit higher bioactivity due to higher absorption within the gastrointestinal tract. While most investigations into bioactive peptides have been conducted in vitro only a few studies have confirmed these findings in vivo, particularly regarding the bioavailability and toxicity of fish protein peptides especially in individuals with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes and chronic respiratory. Bioactivities of peptides derived from fish show cardioprotective, anti-hypertensive, anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and anti-oxidative effects, suggesting their promising potential in the treatments and preventive care for NCD. Further research is strongly encouraged to explore these aspects comprehensively. Graphical Abstract

Abstract The increasing global population and rapid urbanization have led to high consumer demand for construction and other raw materials. Manufacturing of synthetic material usually generate a large amount of waste, resulting in significant environmental impact. Fungi are one of the key biological resources that can be used to develop a wide range of sustainable products including biodegradable materials with promising applications, with zero waste generation during the production process. Mycelium, the vegetative part of a fungus can be shaped either into pure mycelium materials or composites. Mycelium can grow its network in lignocellulosic material, combining separate pieces into a solid material which results in Mycelium-Based Composites (MBCs). The attributes of MBCs are influenced by the fungal species, the growth substrate, and the processing conditions. Both pure mycelium materials and MBCs have remarkable advantages as versatile materials because they are porous, elastic, low-density, low-cost and eco-friendly materials with potential applications in various industries. In this review, we provide an overview of the latest developments MBCs considering the possibility of using mycelium for the material-driven design (MDD) approach, and the potential of genetic and biochemical modifications to enhance mycelium properties. We therefore encourage researchers in material science and fungal biotechnology to strengthen their collaborative efforts and address the current challenges in this innovative field.

Chronic myalgias and arthralgias occur after Chikungunya virus infections (pCHIKV- M&A). We report details of treating a 6-years lasting CHIKV-M&A pains with a combination of medications and interventions. The patient had severe pain in bilateral shoulders and elbows; right thumb and back. Response to steroids, sulphasalazine and methotrexate was poor. Examination revealed M&A pains. Medications initiated included Pregabalin, Paracetamol, Tramadol and vitamin D. At two weeks, despite improvement, there were residual pains in bilateral shoulders and elbows. Four weekly sessions (two on each side), of ultrasound-guided dry needling (USGDN) of all muscles of the upper limb was done. Patient reassessment revealed moderate, residual pains at bilateral supraspinatus muscles, bicipital tendons and radio-humeral joints. These pains were addressed by USG guided steroid injection of bilateral- suprascapular nerves, bicipital tendons and radio-humeral joints. Medications reduced pains especially of back and thumb. USGDN of muscles further reduced it by 60%. The interventions at the nerves, entheses and joints gave 90%-100% relief. The pre-intervention Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score of 52.7 reduced to 5.4. At fifth month follow-up, the DASH was15.8, but patient reported satisfaction over pain relief, improvement in daily activities and quality-of-life. There are no evidence-based treatment guidelines or corroborative evidence for rheumatic pathology (most times) for persistent CHIKV-M&A pains. This case-report highlights the successful management of CHIKV-M&A pains by multi-modal approach. USGDN and steroids have neuro-modulatory effects. We have proposed that USGDN aids pain relief by an integrative role with the biologically inherent “chaos theory.”

Background: Second primary malignancy (SPM) is defined as a second de novo malignant neoplasm arising in a patient with known primary malignancy. SPM is common and can occur synchronously or metachronously. Methods: We retrospectively studied the epidemiological factors, patterns of occurrence and common associations of SPMs seen in our Department of Pathology during the period January 2016 and December 2020. The case details were retrieved from the medical records. SPM were diagnosed as per the International Association of Cancer Registries and International Agency for Research on Cancer criteria. Results: During the study period, 22 cases were seen. Their age ranged from 36 to 80 years; females had outnumbered males (female:male = 3.4:1). The most common site for metachronous primary was breast and the most common site for SPMs was head and neck. The median age for diagnosis of metachronous SPM was 59.2 years (range 41–80 years). The time interval for development of metachronous SPMs ranged from 6 months to 9 years. Conclusions: Our observations suggest that increased awareness regarding the entity and regular follow-up of patients can aid in early diagnosis of SPMs.

Background: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) require effective colon-targeted drug delivery for improved therapeutic efficacy and minimized systemic side effects. Objectives: The objective of this research was to develop and evaluate novel colon-targeted matrix tablet formulations of mesalamine (5-aminosalicylic acid) for the treatment of IBD. Materials and Methods: Mesalamine matrix tablets were prepared by wet granulation technique using pH-sensitive polymers (HPMC K4M) and biodegradable natural polysaccharides (pectin, chitosan, and guar gum). Tablets were characterized for physicochemical properties, drug content, and in vitro drug release. Compatibility studies using FTIR and DSC confirmed no interaction between mesalamine and polymers. The optimized formulations were enteric-coated with Eudragit S100 and ethyl cellulose. Drug release kinetics and stability studies were conducted. Results and Discussion: The uncoated formulations (M3, M6, M7) showed adequate protection against drug release in simulated gastric (0-2 h) and intestinal (2-5 h) fluids. The enteric-coated formulations (ME3, ME6, ME7) exhibited a lag time of around 2 hours and restricted drug release (

Abstract The cultivation of grapes encounters various challenges, such as the presence of pests and diseases, which have the potential to considerably diminish agricultural productivity. Plant diseases pose a significant impediment, resulting in diminished agricultural productivity and economic setbacks, thereby affecting the quality of crop yields. Hence, the precise and timely identification of plant diseases holds significant importance. This study employs a Convolutional neural network (CNN) with and without data augmentation, in addition to a DCNN Classifier model based on VGG16, to classify grape leaf diseases. A publicly available dataset is utilized for the purpose of investigating diseases affecting grape leaves. The DCNN Classifier Model successfully utilizes the strengths of the VGG16 model and modifies it by incorporating supplementary layers to enhance its performance and ability to generalize. Systematic evaluation of metrics, such as accuracy and F1-score, is performed. With training and test accuracy rates of 99.18 and 99.06%, respectively, the DCNN Classifier model does a better job than the CNN models used in this investigation. The findings demonstrate that the DCNN Classifier model, utilizing the VGG16 architecture and incorporating three supplementary CNN layers, exhibits superior performance. Also, the fact that the DCNN Classifier model works well as a decision support system for farmers is shown by the fact that it can quickly and accurately identify grape diseases, making it easier to take steps to stop them. The results of this study provide support for the reliability of the DCNN classifier model and its potential utility in the field of agriculture.

Introduction: The spectrum of haematological and non haematological disorders is vast in various age groups. Complete blood counts and other routine laboratory tests are not always sufficient to diagnose these diseases. Bone marrow examination plays an important role in diagnosing their underlying causes. Aim: To analyse the spectrum of various haematological and non haematological disorders reported in Bone Marrow Aspiration (BMA) and compare them with Bone Marrow Trephine Biopsy (BMB) and Flow Cytometry (FCM) findings where applicable. Materials and Methods: A one-year cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Clinical Pathology, PGIMS, Rohtak, Haryana, India from April 2022 to March 2023. A total of 518 consecutive BMA samples were morphologically analysed. Comparative evaluations were performed among BMA, BMB, and FCM where applicable. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated, and the findings of discordant cases were tabulated. Definitive diagnosis of lymphoma/leukaemia and Paroxysmal Nocturnal Haemoglobinuria (PNH) cases were made using FCM. Results: The patients’ ages ranged from three months to 86 years, with a mean age of 38.4 years. The male to female ratio was 1.3:1, with a slight male predominance. The highest number of cases were of anaemia {183 (35.3%) and 164 (31.7%), respectively} and leukaemia {128 (24.7%) and 134 (25.9%), respectively}, followed by normal marrow studies {39 (7.5%) and 32 (6.2%), respectively} and megakaryocytic thrombocytopenia {24 (4.6% in each} in both BMA and biopsy. Among anaemia cases {183 and 164 cases in BMA and BMB}, the majority were of the megaloblastic type {62 (33.8%) and 54 (32.9%), respectively}, followed by hypoplastic/aplastic type {40 (21.8%) and 50 (30.5%), respectively}. In cases of leukaemia (128 and 134 cases in BMA and BMB), acute leukaemia cases (76 (59.4%) and 82 (61.2%), respectively} outnumbered chronic leukaemia cases {52 (40.6%) and 52 (38.8%), respectively} in both BMA and BMB. The concordance and discordance rate between BMA and BMB were 87.6% (419 cases) and 12.4% (59 cases), respectively. Diagnosis was exclusively made by BMB in cases of myelofibrosis, granulomatous disease, and Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Conclusion: BMA cytology is a relatively safe and mildly invasive technique for evaluating various haematological and non haematological disorders with better preservation of cellular morphology. However, in cases with dry/blood taps and focal marrow involvement, BMB should be performed, as it shows well-preserved marrow architecture with all its cellular and stromal components. FCM is a definitive diagnostic modality for further categorisation of acute leukaemia and Chronic Lymphoproliferative Disorders (CLPD).

Productivity growth is associated with competitiveness, profitability and sustainability in the construction sector, whereas studies underline that poor supervisory characteristics and training resources are the leading causes of construction productivity loss. This study employs a case study to evaluate the capabilities of construction supervisors to apply planning and management approaches for enhancing the effectiveness of construction operations. A new training programme for construction supervisors was designed using meticulous sequential methods, and 59 construction supervisors were trained and assessed under seven elements of competencies and the relevant learning domains. An assessment guide with varying degrees of descriptions and criteria was accomplished through literature reviews and professional interviews. The study has produced a new generalised guideline that shows the cross-section of what levels of skill/ability can be taken into account in supervisory attributes as a result. Using pertinent statistical evaluations and expert assessments, the reliability of the results, as well as the generalisation of the study’s applications and outcomes, were guaranteed. The study has opened a valve that allows new values of highly practicable supervision features to flow into the site management structures, filling the industry’s knowledge vacuum in the methodical execution of apprenticeships. Though the study’s conclusions/findings are particularly applicable to a developing country's construction environment analogous to the Sri Lankan context, they will have a significant impact on current/future industrial practices in a variety of other countries and rising industries.

Abstract Background The field of bioethics examines the moral and ethical dilemmas that arise in the biological sciences, healthcare, and medical practices. There has been a rise in medical negligence cases, complaints against healthcare workers, and public dissatisfaction with healthcare professionals, according to reports from the Indian Medical Council and other healthcare associations. We intend to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and practice of bioethics among the registered healthcare professionals (HCPs) of Maharashtra, India. Methods A State-level online survey was conducted among the registered HCPs (n = 2143) casing all five regions of the Maharashtra state using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. The responses were expressed as mean, and proportions with their standard deviation and 95% CI respectively. Binary logistic regression and a multivariate logistic model were used to determine factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice of bioethics. Results Of the 2143 registered HCPs in Maharashtra included in this study, most of them (65.2%) had adequate knowledge of bioethics. Adequate knowledge was associated with lower age, profession (nurses and dentists), employment in the private sector, HCPS at Marathwada and Pune, and higher educational attainment. About 3 in 5 HCPs (59.4%) had a favorable attitude towards the ethical practice of bioethics, and was associated with profession, place of work, region of practice, and work experience. The distribution of unethical bioethics practices among 10 items was proportionally high, and only 34.4% reported good/fair practice. The common unethical practices in the state were allowing patients to be examined by interns, and not informing them about professional misconduct to the regulatory bodies. Conclusion Most HCPs had adequate knowledge of bioethics, which is encouraging and would favor the laying foundation for forming a good bioethics framework. Only 3/5 HCPs demonstrated a favorable attitude, and the observed unethical practice is alarmingly common. A serious consideration to evaluate the compliance level of bioethics practice periodically and measures to educate, sensitize, and train bioethics among HCPs in Maharashtra is warranted.

Introduction: Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death and disability globally. The Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) score is calculated to assess the risk outcome among myocardial infarction patients. Researchers found that diabetic patients with myocardial infarction have relatively unfavourable outcomes when compared to myocardial infarction patients without diabetes. Aim: To evaluate Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, the TIMI score in Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) patients and compare them between ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) and non STEMI (NSTEMI) patients. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Department of Cardiology at SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur, Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India, from July 2022 to June 2023. A total of 100 myocardial infarction patients were included and divided into two groups based on Electrocardiogram (ECG) findings and Creatine Phosphokinase-MB (CK-MB) values, with 50 STEMI and 50 NSTEMI. Patients blood samples were evaluated for HbA1c, total cholesterol, Triglycerides (TGL), High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C), Very High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (VLDL-C), and CK-MB parameters. The TIMI score was calculated to evaluate the risk of developing complications among myocardial infarction patients. Pearson’s correlation was used to correlate biochemical parameters with the TIMI score. Results: A total of 100 myocardial infarction patients were analysed in the present study, with 50 being STEMI (mean HbA1c%: 8.0±0.2.8) and 50 being NSTEMI (mean HbA1c%: 7.2±2.0) with a p-value of

Abstract Background The lack of information on clinical outcomes of Spitz‐type lesions, means that their management remains a contentious issue, with some centres opting for a purely conservative, observational approach, while others mandate further surgery and long‐term follow‐up. Objectives Our aim was, therefore, to determine the long‐term clinical outcome of classic Spitz and Spitzoid naevi, atypical Spitz tumours (ASTs) and Spitzoid melanomas, with a view to finding evidence to support a unified management approach. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort review of Addenbrooke's Hospital patients aged ≥18 years with a histopathologic diagnosis containing the term ‘Spitz’, from 1991 through 2020. Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) results, wide local excision (WLE) rates, metastases and fatality were assessed. Results One hundred and twenty‐six patients with Spitz‐type proliferations and follow‐up information were identified (mean age: 35.9, SD: 11.6). There were 86 (68.3%) classic Spitz or Spitzoid naevi, 12 (9.5%) ASTs, 27 (21.4%) Spitzoid malignant melanomas and one (0.8%) melanoma that arose in a previously excised Spitz naevus. SLNB findings were positive in three of seven but none of the 10 individuals with ASTs and Spitzoid melanomas, respectively. Invasive non‐Spitz melanoma developed in four patients with classic Spitz or Spitzoid naevi. After a median follow‐up of 46 months (range: 1–304), only one patient with a Spitzoid melanoma, who had a different malignant melanoma (2.4 mm, level 4), developed distant metastases. No deaths were observed. Conclusions Spitz‐type lesions are only rarely associated with mortality and distant metastasis, but CSNs may increase the risk of developing non‐Spitz‐type malignant melanoma. These findings support the suggestion that aggressive surgical management of these lesions such as SLNB and WLE may not be necessary, but surveillance should still continue to assess for subsequent development of malignant melanoma.

Background: In July 2021, the Alappuzha district in Kerala, India, reported an unexpected number of acute gastroenteritis (772) cases (Outbreak A). On October 10, 2021, a university in Wayanad, Kerala, reported 25 acute gastroenteritis cases (Outbreak B). We described both the outbreaks and determined the agent, source and risk factors. Methods: We defined a suspected case as the occurrence of vomiting or at least three episodes of loose stools within 24 h and a confirmed case as those with stool samples/rectal swabs positive for norovirus. We did a matched case-control study in Outbreak A and a retrospective cohort study in Outbreak B. We calculated the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) in outbreak A, relative risk (aRR) in outbreak B and population attributable fraction (PAF). We tested stool and water samples for bacteria and viruses. Results: We identified Group II norovirus in stool samples in both outbreaks and 4/5 water samples in Outbreak A. Suspected norovirus infection was associated with drinking inadequately boiled water from the municipal water supply in outbreak A [aOR: 4.5; 95 % C.I: 1.2–15.8; PAF: 0.23] and well water in hostels in outbreak B [aRR: 2.2; 95 % C.I: 1.2–3.9; PAF: 0.15]. In Outbreak A, groundwater from tube wells was mixed in the municipal water supply overhead tanks without chlorination. Conclusion: The gastroenteritis outbreaks were caused by Group II norovirus due to the consumption of inadequately boiled contaminated groundwater (outbreak A) and well water (outbreak B). We recommended superchlorination of overhead tanks and wells and boiled water for drinking.

Indian bay leaf is a crucial spice in Indian cuisine. However, its quality and authenticity are often compromised. To address this, we introduce The Digital Indian Bay leaf dataset, a comprehensive collection of high-resolution 5696 images capturing diverse bay leaf samples under controlled conditions. The dataset encompasses variations in leaf conditions such as fresh leaf, dried leaf and diseased prone leaf. The dataset is meticulously curated to support research in condition analysis and machine learning applications for leaf quality assessment. To ensure data diversity, each category includes a wide range of images captured under controlled conditions with varying lighting, background, and leaf orientation. By providing a standardized and accessible resource, this dataset aims to accelerate research in this domain and contribute to the improvement of the Indian spice industry.

AbstractHuman following is a very useful task in the robotics industry. With modern compact-sized robots, there is a demand for further investigated computer-vision solutions that can perform effectively on them. A well-known deep learning model along this line of thought is the MobileNet-Ssd, an object detection model renowned for its resource-constrained usage. Available in popular frameworks like TensorFlow and PyTorch, this model can be of great use in deployments on robotic applications. This research attempts to investigate the MobileNet-Ssd model in order to evaluate its suitability for stand-alone object detection on a Raspberry Pi. To determine the effect of input size on the model, the model’s performance has been investigated with speed in frames-per-second across different input sizes on both CPU and GPU-powered devices. To evaluate the model’s effectiveness in the human following task, a Raspberry Pi-based robot was designed leveraging the tracking-by-detection approach with TensorFlow-Lite. Furthermore, the model’s performance was evaluated using PyTorch while the model’s inputs were adjusted, and the results were compared to those of other state-of-the-art models. The investigation revealed that, despite its modest speeds, the model outperforms other noteworthy models in PyTorch and is an ideal choice when working with Raspberry Pi using TensorFlow-Lite.

ABSTRACTAZD1222 (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) is a replication-deficient adenoviral vectored coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) vaccine that is manufactured as SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 by the Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd following technology transfer from Oxford University/AstraZeneca. The non-inferiority of SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 with AZD1222 was previously demonstrated in an observer-blind, phase 2/3 immuno-bridging study (trial registration: CTRI/2020/08/027170). In this analysis of immunogenicity and safety data 6 months post first vaccination (Day 180), 1,601 participants were randomized 3:1 to SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or AZD1222 (immunogenicity/reactogenicity cohort n = 401) and 3:1 to SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 or placebo (safety cohort n = 1,200). Immunogenicity was measured by anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike (anti-S) binding immunoglobulin G and neutralizing antibody (nAb) titers. A decline in anti-S titers was observed in both vaccine groups, albeit with a greater decline in SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccinees (geometric mean titer [GMT] ratio [95% confidence interval (CI) of SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 to AZD1222]: 0.60 [0.41–0.87]). Consistent similar decreases in nAb titers were observed between vaccine groups (GMT ratio [95% CI]: 0.88 [0.44–1.73]). No cases of severe COVID-19 were reported following vaccination, while one case was observed in the placebo group. No causally related serious adverse events were reported through 180 days. No thromboembolic or autoimmune adverse events of special interest were reported. Collectively, these data illustrate that SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 maintained a high level of immunogenicity 6 months post-vaccination. SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 was safe and well tolerated.

Although the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant (BA.1) spread rapidly across the world and effectively evaded immune responses, its viral fitness in cell and animal models was reduced. The precise nature of this attenuation remains unknown as generating replication-competent viral genomes is challenging because of the length of the viral genome (~30 kb). Here, we present a plasmid-based viral genome assembly and rescue strategy (pGLUE) that constructs complete infectious viruses or noninfectious subgenomic replicons in a single ligation reaction with >80% efficiency. Fully sequenced replicons and infectious viral stocks can be generated in 1 and 3 weeks, respectively. By testing a series of naturally occurring viruses as well as Delta-Omicron chimeric replicons, we show that Omicron nonstructural protein 6 harbors critical attenuating mutations, which dampen viral RNA replication and reduce lipid droplet consumption. Thus, pGLUE overcomes remaining barriers to broadly study SARS-CoV-2 replication and reveals deficits in nonstructural protein function underlying Omicron attenuation.

Preclinical imaging is a critical component in translational research with significant complexities in workflow and site differences in deployment. Importantly, the National Cancer Institute's (NCI) precision medicine initiative emphasizes the use of translational co-clinical oncology models to address the biological and molecular bases of cancer prevention and treatment. The use of oncology models, such as patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDX) and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMMs), has ushered in an era of co-clinical trials by which preclinical studies can inform clinical trials and protocols, thus bridging the translational divide in cancer research. Similarly, preclinical imaging fills a translational gap as an enabling technology for translational imaging research. Unlike clinical imaging, where equipment manufacturers strive to meet standards in practice at clinical sites, standards are neither fully developed nor implemented in preclinical imaging. This fundamentally limits the collection and reporting of metadata to qualify preclinical imaging studies, thereby hindering open science and impacting the reproducibility of co-clinical imaging research. To begin to address these issues, the NCI co-clinical imaging research program (CIRP) conducted a survey to identify metadata requirements for reproducible quantitative co-clinical imaging. The enclosed consensus-based report summarizes co-clinical imaging metadata information (CIMI) to support quantitative co-clinical imaging research with broad implications for capturing co-clinical data, enabling interoperability and data sharing, as well as potentially leading to updates to the preclinical Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) standard.

Zika virus (ZIKV) infects fetal neural progenitor cells (NPCs) causing severe neurodevelopmental disorders in utero. Multiple pathways involved in normal brain development are dysfunctional in infected NPCs but how ZIKV centrally reprograms these pathways remains unknown. Here we show that ZIKV infection disrupts subcellular partitioning of host transcripts critical for neurodevelopment in NPCs and functionally link this process to the up-frameshift protein 1 (UPF1). UPF1 is an RNA-binding protein known to regulate decay of cellular and viral RNAs and is less expressed in ZIKV-infected cells. Using infrared crosslinking immunoprecipitation and RNA sequencing (irCLIP-Seq), we show that a subset of mRNAs loses UPF1 binding in ZIKV-infected NPCs, consistent with UPF1's diminished expression. UPF1 target transcripts, however, are not altered in abundance but in subcellular localization, with mRNAs accumulating in the nucleus of infected or UPF1 knockdown cells. This leads to diminished protein expression of FREM2, a protein required for maintenance of NPC identity. Our results newly link UPF1 to the regulation of mRNA transport in NPCs, a process perturbed during ZIKV infection.

The availability of high-fidelity animal models for oncology research has grown enormously in recent years, enabling preclinical studies relevant to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer to be undertaken. This has led to increased opportunities to conduct co-clinical trials, which are studies on patients that are carried out parallel to or sequentially with animal models of cancer that mirror the biology of the patients' tumors. Patient-derived xenografts (PDX) and genetically engineered mouse models (GEMM) are considered to be the models that best represent human disease and have high translational value. Notably, one element of co-clinical trials that still needs significant optimization is quantitative imaging. The National Cancer Institute has organized a Co-Clinical Imaging Resource Program (CIRP) network to establish best practices for co-clinical imaging and to optimize translational quantitative imaging methodologies. This overview describes the ten co-clinical trials of investigators from eleven institutions who are currently supported by the CIRP initiative and are members of the Animal Models and Co-clinical Trials (AMCT) Working Group. Each team describes their corresponding clinical trial, type of cancer targeted, rationale for choice of animal models, therapy, and imaging modalities. The strengths and weaknesses of the co-clinical trial design and the challenges encountered are considered. The rich research resources generated by the members of the AMCT Working Group will benefit the broad research community and improve the quality and translational impact of imaging in co-clinical trials.

Metabolite-specific echo-planar imaging (EPI) sequences with spectral-spatial (spsp) excitation are commonly used in clinical hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate studies because of their speed, efficiency, and flexibility. In contrast, preclinical systems typically rely on slower spectroscopic methods, such as chemical shift imaging (CSI). In this study, a 2D spspEPI sequence was developed for use on a preclinical 3T Bruker system and tested on in vivo mice experiments with patient-derived xenograft renal cell carcinoma (RCC) or prostate cancer tissues implanted in the kidney or liver. Compared to spspEPI sequences, CSI were found to have a broader point spread function via simulations and exhibited signal bleeding between vasculature and tumors in vivo. Parameters for the spspEPI sequence were optimized using simulations and verified with in vivo data. The expected lactate SNR and pharmacokinetic modeling accuracy increased with lower pyruvate flip angles (less than 15°), intermediate lactate flip angles (25° to 40°), and temporal resolution of 3 s. Overall SNR was also higher with coarser spatial resolution (4 mm isotropic vs. 2 mm isotropic). Pharmacokinetic modelling used to fit kPL maps showed results consistent with the previous literature and across different sequences and tumor xenografts. This work describes and justifies the pulse design and parameter choices for preclinical spspEPI hyperpolarized 13C-pyruvate studies and shows superior image quality to CSI.

Bacteria within the gut microbiota possess the ability to metabolize a wide array of human drugs, foods, and toxins, but the responsible enzymes for these chemical events remain largely uncharacterized due to the time-consuming nature of current experimental approaches. Attempts have been made in the past to computationally predict which bacterial species and enzymes are responsible for chemical transformations in the gut environment, but with low accuracy due to minimal chemical representation and sequence similarity search schemes. Here, we present an in silico approach that employs chemical and protein Similarity algorithms that Identify MicrobioMe Enzymatic Reactions (SIMMER). We show that SIMMER accurately predicts the responsible species and enzymes for a queried reaction, unlike previous methods. We demonstrate SIMMER use cases in the context of drug metabolism by predicting previously uncharacterized enzymes for 88 drug transformations known to occur in the human gut. We validate these predictions on external datasets and provide an in vitro validation of SIMMER's predictions for metabolism of methotrexate, an anti-arthritic drug. After demonstrating its utility and accuracy, we made SIMMER available as both a command-line and web tool, with flexible input and output options for determining chemical transformations within the human gut. We present SIMMER as a computational addition to the microbiome researcher's toolbox, enabling them to make informed hypotheses before embarking on the lengthy laboratory experiments required to characterize novel bacterial enzymes that can alter human ingested compounds.

The purpose of this study is to conceptually explore and investigate the attributes of varying monologic discourses in the classroom, in order to develop a more nuanced understanding of monologicality. Data for this study comprised transcripts of lessons conducted by a teacher from a larger national study on Year 7 classroom practices. Constant comparative analysis of these lessons revealed a continuum of monologicality involving different variants of monologic discourses that arose from the decoupling of voice and perspective. Along this continuum, there are varying configurations of voice and perspective: ranging from mono-voiced, mono-perspectival discourse to multi-voiced, mono-perspectival discourse. This can potentially provide a bridge to the dialogic side of the continuum, where multi-voiced, multi-perspectival discourse is represented. This conceptual framework provides a basis to examine teaching and classroom discourse along this continuum. Further interrogation using this framework can inform teaching practice, future classroom discourse research, as well as teacher education curriculum.

Background: Salivary gland tumors (SGTs) present a diagnostic challenge due to their diverse histological subtypes and variable clinical behavior. Methods: This research conducted a retrospective analysis of SGT cases diagnosed and managed at a tertiary care center between 2017 and 2022. Clinical and pathological data were retrieved from medical records and histopathology reports. Statistical analysis was performed to identify factors associated with recurrence and survival outcomes. Results: A total of 150 SGT cases were included, comprising 70% benign and 30% malignant tumors. Pleomorphic adenoma and adenoid cystic carcinoma were the most prevalent benign and malignant subtypes, respectively. Surgical resection was the primary treatment modality, with varying recurrence rates observed among different treatment groups. Conclusion: The current study provides insights into the histological variations and clinical outcomes of SGTs. Surgical resection remains the mainstay of treatment, with adjuvant therapy reserved for cases with adverse prognostic factors. Further research is needed to optimize therapeutic strategies and improve patient outcomes.

Exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) has been linked to the sharp drop in male fertility observed worldwide. This study evaluates the protective benefits of Cucumeropsis mannii seed oil (CMSO) against BPA-induced transgenerational sperm indices and reproductive hormone disruptions in rats. Twenty-four F0-male rats (aged 4–5 weeks) were randomly assigned to six groups (n = 4 each) after CMSO characterization for flavonoids. Group A received 1 ml of olive oil. Group B received 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) of BPA whereas Group C had a BW of 7.5 ml/kg CMSO. Groups D, E, and F were administered 100 mg/kg_BW of BPA in addition to 7.5, 5.0, and 2.5 ml/kg_BW of CMSO, respectively. After two weeks of treatment, four mature female rats were introduced to each group and allowed to stay together with male rats for seven days to confirm mating. Thereafter, the pregnant female rats were separated from the male according to their groups and allowed to give birth after 21 days of gestation period. At six weeks, the F1-male rats were isolated from each group and sacrificed for biochemical analysis. In-silico, CMSO flavonoids were assessed for drug-likeness and oral absorbability, followed by molecular docking to study their androgen receptor targeting mechanisms. Results showed that total flavonoids were 17.3652 ± 8.85 g/100 g. In-vivo, BPA significantly (p

Abstract Emerging fishing activity due to melting ice and poleward species distribution shifts in the rapidly‐warming Arctic Ocean challenges transboundary management and requires proactive governance. A 2021 moratorium on commercial fishing in the Arctic high seas provides a 16‐year runway for improved scientific understanding. Given substantial knowledge gaps, characterizing areas of highest uncertainty is a key first step. Marine ecosystem model ensembles that project future fish distributions could inform management of future Arctic fisheries, but Arctic‐specific variation has not yet been examined for global ensembles. We use the Fisheries and Marine Ecosystem Intercomparison Project ensemble driven by two Earth System Models (ESMs) under two Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSP1‐2.6 and SSP5‐8.5) to illustrate the current state of and uncertainty among biomass projections for the Arctic Ocean over the duration of the moratorium. The models generally project biomass increases in more northern Arctic ecosystems and decreases in southern ecosystems, but wide intra‐model variation exceeds projection means in most cases. The two ESMs show opposite trends for the main environmental drivers. Therefore, these projections are currently insufficient to inform policy actions. Investment in sustained monitoring and improving modeling capacity, especially for sea ice dynamics, is urgently needed. Concurrently, it will be necessary to develop frameworks for making precautionary decisions under continued uncertainty. We conclude that researchers should be transparent about uncertainty, presenting these model projections not as a source of scientific “answers,” but as bounding for plausible, policy‐relevant questions to assess trade‐offs and mitigate risks.

BackgroundLow birth weight (LBW) is a public health problem in India with consequences in the short and long term. It increases the risk of obesity and its related comorbidities including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in later life. This study aimed to assess the risk markers of chronic disease in term born low birthweight Indian children aged 8–14 years.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional follow-up of LBW children from DIViDS (Delhi Infant Vitamin D Supplementation) cohort and involved assessment of their anthropometric measurements, body composition, levels of adipokines and biomarkers of chronic diseases. Neighbourhood children born normal birth weight (NBW) (>2.5 kg) were enrolled for comparison.ResultsThe study included 667 LBW and 87 NBW children. Height-for-age, body mass index for-age (BMIZ), fat-free mass index, and waist circumference of LBW children were lower than those of NBW children. LBW children could jump farther. LBW children who were now overweight had higher leptin, triglyceride and VLDL and lower HDL, compared to NBW children in the same BMIZ category. Currently underweight LBW children had higher adiponectin and lower leptin levels than the reference group. There were no differences between LBW and NBW children in visfatin, fasting glucose and insulin, hemoglobin A1c, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein or C-reactive protein.ConclusionAt 8–14 years few children were overweight and there were few differences in some risk markers of chronic disease between LBW and NBW children. Overweight, which was associated with some increased risk markers, may increase with age, thus timely counselling and monitoring of these LBW children will be important to mitigate these risks.

Pearl millet is a nutri-cereal that is mostly grown in harsh environments, making it an ideal crop to study heat tolerance mechanisms at the molecular level. Despite having a better-inbuilt tolerance to high temperatures than other crops, heat stress negatively affects the crop, posing a threat to productivity gain. Hence, to understand the heat-responsive genes, the leaf and root samples of two contrasting pearl millet inbreds, EGTB 1034 (heat tolerant) and EGTB 1091 (heat sensitive), were subjected to heat-treated conditions and generated genome-wide transcriptomes. We discovered 13,464 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 6932 were down-regulated and 6532 up-regulated in leaf and root tissues. The pairwise analysis of the tissue-based transcriptome data of the two genotypes demonstrated distinctive genotype and tissue-specific expression of genes. The root exhibited a higher number of DEGs compared to the leaf, emphasizing different adaptive strategies of pearl millet. A large number of genes encoding ROS scavenging enzymes, WRKY, NAC, enzymes involved in nutrient uptake, protein kinases, photosynthetic enzymes, and heat shock proteins (HSPs) and several transcription factors (TFs) involved in cross-talking of temperature stress responsive mechanisms were activated in the stress conditions. Ribosomal proteins emerged as pivotal hub genes, highly interactive with key genes expressed and involved in heat stress response. The synthesis of secondary metabolites and metabolic pathways of pearl millet were significantly enriched under heat stress. Comparative synteny analysis of HSPs and TFs in the foxtail millet genome demonstrated greater collinearity with pearl millet compared to proso millet, rice, sorghum, and maize. In this study, 1906 unannotated DEGs were identified, providing insight into novel participants in the molecular response to heat stress. The identified genes hold promise for expediting varietal development for heat tolerance in pearl millet and similar crops, fostering resilience and enhancing grain yield in heat-prone environments.

Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) occurs in nearly all patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Objectives: This real-world analysis aimed to describe the prevalence and importance of fatigue in patients with MBC within 3 months of treatment with single-agent taxane-based chemotherapy during the timeframe of 2020–2022 in the United States and Europe. It was also conducted to assess whether there was a difference in relapsed patients compared to patients diagnosed de novo . Design: Electronic health records were analyzed from approximately 150 million patients to identify patients with MBC who underwent taxane treatment. Results: In 2021, 50,490 patients had MBC, of whom 16,170 were diagnosed de novo and 34,330 experienced relapse. The proportion of patients undergoing taxane-based chemotherapy was 7.5% ( n = 1220) and 13.4% ( n = 4590), respectively, and the prevalence of any fatigue and CRF was similar between the groups (24.6% versus 25.7% and 6.6% versus 5.4%, respectively). Conclusion: At least one in four patients with MBC undergoing taxane-based treatment will experience fatigue. This highlights the importance of validating screening tools to identify CRF, which is necessary to advance clinical trials aimed at investigating treatment strategies to improve patient-centered outcomes for fatigue.

Summary: Background: The increasing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in South Asia is concerning, with type 2 diabetes projected to rise to 68%, compared to the global increase of 44%. Encouraging healthy diets requires stronger policies for healthier food environments. Methods: This study reviewed and assessed food environment policies in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka from 2020 to 2022 using the Healthy Food Environment Policy Index (Food-EPI) and compared them with global best practices. Seven policy domains and six infrastructure support domains were considered, employing 47 good practice indicators to prevent NCDs. Stakeholders from government and non-governmental sectors in South Asia (n = 148) were invited to assess policy and infrastructure support implementation using the Delphi method. Findings: Implementation of food environment policies and infrastructure support in these countries was predominantly weak. Labelling, monitoring, and leadership policies received a moderate rating, with a focus on food safety, hygiene, and quality rather than obesity prevention. Key policy gaps prioritized for attention included front-of-pack labelling, healthy food subsidies, unhealthy food taxation, restrictions on unhealthy food promotion, and improvements in school nutrition standards to combat NCDs. Interpretation: Urgent action is required to expand food policies beyond hygiene and food security measures. Comprehensive strategies targeting NCD prevention are crucial to combat the escalating burden of NCDs in the region. Funding: This research was funded by the NIHR (16/136/68 and 132960) with aid from the UK Government for global health research. Petya Atanasova also acknowledges funding from the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) (ES/P000703/1). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of the NIHR, the UK government or the ESRC.

Summary: Background: Research in healthy young adults shows that characteristic patterns of brain activity define individual “brain-fingerprints” that are unique to each person. However, variability in these brain-fingerprints increases in individuals with neurological conditions, challenging the clinical relevance and potential impact of the approach. Our study shows that brain-fingerprints derived from neurophysiological brain activity are associated with pathophysiological and clinical traits of individual patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Methods: We created brain-fingerprints from task-free brain activity recorded through magnetoencephalography in 79 PD patients and compared them with those from two independent samples of age-matched healthy controls (N = 424 total). We decomposed brain activity into arrhythmic and rhythmic components, defining distinct brain-fingerprints for each type from recording durations of up to 4 min and as short as 30 s. Findings: The arrhythmic spectral components of cortical activity in patients with Parkinson’s disease are more variable over short periods, challenging the definition of a reliable brain-fingerprint. However, by isolating the rhythmic components of cortical activity, we derived brain-fingerprints that distinguished between patients and healthy controls with about 90% accuracy. The most prominent cortical features of the resulting Parkinson’s brain-fingerprint are mapped to polyrhythmic activity in unimodal sensorimotor regions. Leveraging these features, we also demonstrate that Parkinson’s symptom laterality can be decoded directly from cortical neurophysiological activity. Furthermore, our study reveals that the cortical topography of the Parkinson’s brain-fingerprint aligns with that of neurotransmitter systems affected by the disease’s pathophysiology. Interpretation: The increased moment-to-moment variability of arrhythmic brain-fingerprints challenges patient differentiation and explains previously published results. We outline patient-specific rhythmic brain signaling features that provide insights into both the neurophysiological signature and symptom laterality of Parkinson’s disease. Thus, the proposed definition of a rhythmic brain-fingerprint of Parkinson’s disease may contribute to novel, refined approaches to patient stratification. Symmetrically, we discuss how rhythmic brain-fingerprints may contribute to the improved identification and testing of therapeutic neurostimulation targets. Funding: Data collection and sharing for this project was provided by the Quebec Parkinson Network (QPN), the Pre-symptomatic Evaluation of Novel or Experimental Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease (PREVENT-AD; release 6.0) program, the Cambridge Centre for Aging Neuroscience (Cam-CAN), and the Open MEG Archives (OMEGA). The QPN is funded by a grant from Fonds de Recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS). PREVENT-AD was launched in 2011 as a $13.5 million, 7-year public-private partnership using funds provided by McGill University, the FRQS, an unrestricted research grant from Pfizer Canada, the Levesque Foundation, the Douglas Hospital Research Centre and Foundation, the Government of Canada, and the Canada Fund for Innovation. The Brainstorm project is supported by funding to SB from the NIH (R01-EB026299-05). Further funding to SB for this study included a Discovery grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada of Canada (436355-13), and the CIHR Canada research Chair in Neural Dynamics of Brain Systems (CRC-2017-00311).

Abstract Obligate mutualisms, reciprocally obligate beneficial interactions, are some of the most important mutualisms on the planet, providing the basis for the evolution of the eukaryotic cell, the formation and persistence of terrestrial ecosystems and the establishment and expansion of coral reefs. In addition, these mutualisms can also lead to the diversification of interacting partner species. Accompanying this diversification is a general pattern of a high degree of specificity among interacting partner species. A survey of obligate mutualisms demonstrates that greater than half of these systems have only one or two mutualist species on each side of the interaction. This is in stark contrast to facultative mutualisms that can have dozens of interacting mutualist species. We posit that the high degree of specificity in obligate mutualisms is driven by competition within obligate mutualist guilds that limits species richness. Competition may be particularly potent in these mutualisms because mutualistic partners are totally dependent on each other's fitness gains, which may fuel interspecific competition. Theory and the limited number of empirical studies testing for the role of competition in determining specificity suggest that competition may be an important force that fuels the high degree of specificity. Further empirical research is needed to dissect the relative roles of trait complementarity, mutualism regulation, and competition among mutualist guild members in determining mutualism specificity at local scales.

Introduction Manufacturer-supported didactic teaching programmes offer effective automated insulin delivery (AID) systems onboarding in children and young people (CYP) with type 1 diabetes (T1D). However, this approach has limited flexibility to accommodate the needs of families requiring additional support.Research design and methods Evaluate the efficacy of an inperson manufacturer-supported didactic teaching programme (Group A), in comparison to a flexible flipped learning approach delivered virtually or inperson (Group B). Retrospective analysis of CYP with T1D using continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), who were initiated on AID systems between 2021 and 2023. Compare CGM metrics from baseline to 90 days for both groups A and B. Additionally, compare the two groups for change in CGM metrics over the 90-day period (∆), patient demographics and onboarding time.Results Group A consisted of 74 CYP (53% male) with median age of 13.9 years and Group B 91 CYP (54% male) with median age of 12.7 years. From baseline to 90 days, Group A lowered mean (±SD) time above range (TAR, >10.0 mmol/L) from 47.6% (±15.0) to 33.2% (±15.0) (p

In recent times, there has been a surge of interest in the unique characteristics and possible applications of nanoparticles in various fields, including environmental clean-up. The contamination of water sources with pharmaceutical and organic substances has emerged as a significant environmental concern. Semiconductor nanoparticles, particularly Bi2S3 nanoparticles, have garnered considerable attention due to their efficacy and environmentally friendly nature in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). These nanoparticles have shown remarkable photocatalytic abilities in the destruction of pollutants when exposed to UV–visible light. This study covers the production, characterization, and degradation of Bi2S3 nanoparticles in relation to organic and pharmaceutical contaminants. By utilizing co-precipitate methods, it becomes possible to precisely manipulate the size, shape, and composition of the nanoparticles, which are crucial factors in determining their catalytic effectiveness. The created nanoparticles are then examined using various analytical techniques, such as Powder X-ray Diffraction (P-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), UV-visible spectroscopy, Photoluminescence study (PL), colour chromaticity coordinates (CIE), and Dynamic light scattering study (DLS). The catalytic capability of the synthesised compounds was compared to the degradation of Picric acid and paracetamol as model pollutants. The observed photocatalytic activity of these nanoparticles indicates their potential in water purification and environmental clean-up. The findings suggest that incorporating these nanoparticles into practical systems for pollutant degradation is feasible and can be applied in diverse scenarios. The results shed light on the efficient utilization of Bi2S3 nanoparticles as photocatalysts for the oxidation of drugs and organic contaminants. By utilizing Bi2S3 nanoparticles, the elimination of pharmaceutical and organic pollutants from water sources becomes achievable, thereby contributing to the preservation and safeguarding of the environment and public health.

Currently, India has become one of the largest economies of the world in which tourism and hospitality have significantly contributed; however, the growth rate of tourism industry has been greatly affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this study, we have used the modeling approach to analyze and understand the growth pattern of Indian tourism industry. To achieve this, we consider the data of international tourist arrivals before and after the lockdown. The Dickey-Fuller test, AIC and BIC methods are used to obtain the best fitted model and further, the accuracy of obtained model is also analyzed. Data and forecasting indicate that the weather and public holidays significantly affect the tourism industry.