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Background: Higher cruciferous vegetable intake is associated with lower cardiovascular disease risk in observational studies. The pathways involved remain uncertain. We aimed to determine whether cruciferous vegetable intake (active) lowers 24-h brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP; primary outcome) compared to root and squash vegetables (control) in Australian adults with mildly elevated BP (SBP 120–160 mmHg inclusive). Methods: In this randomized, controlled, crossover trial, participants completed two 2-week dietary interventions separated by a 2-week washout. Cruciferous vegetables were compared to root and squash vegetables (~ 300 g/day) consumed with lunch and dinner meals. Participants were blinded to which interventions were the active and control. Adherence was assessed using food diaries and biomarkers (S-methyl cysteine sulfoxide (SMCSO, active) and carotenoids (control)). Twenty-four-hour brachial ambulatory SBP and secondary outcomes were assessed pre- and post each intervention. Differences were tested using linear mixed effects regression. Results: Eighteen participants were recruited (median (IQR) age: 68 (66–70); female: n = 16/18; mean ± SD clinic SBP: 135.9 ± 10.0 mmHg). For both interventions, 72% participants had 100% adherence (IQR: 96.4–100%). SMCSO and carotenoids were significantly different between interventions (mean difference active vs. control SMCSO: 22.93 mg/mL, 95%CI 15.62, 30.23, P < 0.0001; carotenoids: − 0.974 mg/mL, 95%CI − 1.525, − 0.423, P = 0.001). Twenty-four-hour brachial SBP was significantly reduced following the active vs. control (mean difference − 2.5 mmHg, 95%CI − 4.2, − 0.9, P = 0.002; active pre: 126.8 ± 12.6 mmHg, post: 124.4 ± 11.8 mmHg; control pre: 125.5 ± 12.1 mmHg, post: 124.8 ± 13.1 mmHg, n = 17), driven by daytime SBP (mean difference − 3.6 mmHg, 95%CI − 5.4, − 1.7, P < 0.001). Serum triglycerides were significantly lower following the active vs. control (mean difference − 0.2 mmol/L, 95%CI − 0.4, − 0.0, P = 0.047). Conclusions: Increased intake of cruciferous vegetables resulted in reduced SBP compared to root and squash vegetables. Future research is needed to determine whether targeted recommendations for increasing cruciferous vegetable intake benefits population health. Trial registration: Clinical trial registry ACTRN12619001294145. https://www.anzctr.org.au [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skin health and protection are paramount in the pursuit of well‐being and beauty. In this study, we introduce an innovative approach to develop skin protectant agents by nanocomposites derived from natural sources, involves the synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using squash plant mucilage (SqM), and their integration with nano chitosan (NCht) to create a stable, antimicrobial and efficacious composite. The interactions between nanomaterials were proved via infra‐red analysis and electron microscopy. The SqM‐biosynthesized SeNPs had 11.47 nm diameter. Different blends were nanocomposited from NCht and SqM/SeNPs; the NC‐2 nanocomposite (with equal ratios from them) had mean diameter of 241.38 nm and negatively charged. The antimicrobial actions of produced nanomaterials/nanocomposites were validated against skin pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans, using antimicrobial assays and electron microscopy. The most effectual antimicrobial was NC‐2; the loading of it onto cotton textile provided potent antimicrobial fabrics toward both skin pathogens. The innovative biosynthesis of SeNPs using SqM and their nanocompositing with NCht provided pioneering powerful antimicrobial complexes to control skin pathogens, either through direct interaction or by fabricating hygienic antimicrobial textiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic cucurbit growers face many challenges to production including insect pests, insect-vectored diseases, and non-vectored diseases. While Organic Material Review Institute (OMRI) -listed pesticides underperform at suppressing pests and diseases, some alternative pest management strategies hold promise, but little research exists on their cost-effectiveness. We compared the efficacy of mesotunnel systems (nylon-mesh netting row covers deployed over bent metal hoops) and OMRI-listed pesticides (fungicides and insecticides) on acorn squash across 2 years. During the early part of the season, before row covers were removed for pollination, we found 1.7 (2020) and 0.3 (2021) times more cucumber beetles in the uncovered plots compared to the mesotunnels. Powdery mildew incidence was 36 and 25% lower under the mesotunnels compared to the uncovered plots in 2020 and 2021, respectively. Marketable yield of acorn squash was 46-54% higher in the mesotunnels compared to the uncovered treatments. OMRI-listed pesticide treatments reduced powdery mildew incidence compared to untreated control treatments. However, for pest presence, OMRI-listed pesticide treatments did not differ from untreated control treatments in either year, nor did it differ in marketable yield in 2020. Finally, the mesotunnel-only system was 47% more profitable compared to the OMRI-listed pesticide treatment and 47% more profitable compared to the uncovered plots. These results highlight mesotunnels as an economically viable pest management strategy for organic cucurbit growers in the U.S. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A double-star S q 1 , q 2 is the graph consisting of the union of two stars, K 1 , q 1 and K 1 , q 2 , together with an edge joining their centers. The spectrum for S q 1 , q 2 -designs, i.e., the set of all the n ∈ N such that an S q 1 , q 2 -design of the order n exists, is well-known when q 1 = q 2 = 2 . In this article, S 2 , 2 -designs satisfying additional properties are investigated. We determine the spectrum for S 2 , 2 -designs that can be transformed into (K 4 − e) -designs by a double squash (bi-squash) passing through middle designs whose blocks are copies of a bull (the graph consisting of a triangle and two pendant edges). Here, the use of the difference method enables obtaining cyclic decompositions and determining the spectrum for cyclic S 2 , 2 -designs that can be purely bi-squashed into cyclic (K 4 − e) -designs (the middle bull designs are also cyclic). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dried leaf powder of malunggay (Moringa oleifera) contains an excellent nutritional value, and this tropical plant is widely available in the Philippines. On the other hand, squash (Cucurbita moschata) is an incredibly beneficial food with high amounts of vitamins. The nutrients from Malunggay and squash can help prevent deficiencies in children. The main focus of the research was to determine the acceptability of the different formulations of M. oleifera and C. moschata cookies. The study determined the most preferred cookie formulation based on sensory evaluation using descriptive testing of the product's appearance, aroma, taste, sweetness, texture, and acceptability rating of the formulations. The respondents were 20 food experts and 40 non-experts. The Analysis of Variance was used to examine the statistical significance of mean differences among the distinct groups. Subsequently, Tukey's Honest Significant Difference (HSD) test was employed to ascertain the significance of differences between pairs of group means, providing a more nuanced understanding of the variations observed within these groups. Results showed that among the three cookie formulations, F3 got the highest mean score of the different attributes, namely appearance (x = 4.45; x = 4.6) aroma (x = 4.9; x = 4.7), taste (x = 4.95; x = 4.93), sweetness (x = 4.9; x =4.75), and texture (x = 4.8; x = 4.68), as perceived by the expert and non-expert, respectively. This implies that respondents prefer cookie formulation F3 over the two other formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), is an economically important vegetable worldwide. This study evaluated the susceptibilities of yellow squash and zucchini cultivars to MEAM1 across three growing seasons in the southeastern United States: summer 2021, fall 2021, and fall 2022. Commercially available cultivars squash and zucchini were examined for resistance to MEAM1 infestations and yield performance. Weekly MEAM1 adult, egg, and nymph counts were conducted over 5 (fall 2022) or 6 (summer and fall 2021) weeks beginning after the third week of planting in each season. In general, MEAM1 adult populations were high at the first week of sampling but decreased in the subsequent weeks. The Zucchini cultivar 'Black Beauty' had the highest number of MEAM1 adults, and 'Green Eclipse Zucchini' had the lowest adult counts in summer 2021. For yellow squash, 'Early Summer' and 'Amberpic 8455' were identified as the cultivars that harbored the highest populations of adults in 2021, whereas 'Golden Goose Hybrid' harbored the least number of adult infestations in fall 2022. Generally, MEAM1 egg counts trailed adult peak populations. For yield performance, 'Gourmet Gold Hybrid', 'Lioness', 'Fortune', and 'Golden Glory' achieved the highest yields. These results provide valuable information for whitefly management in yellow squash and zucchini based on host plant resistance and yield. The sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) Middle East–Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1), causes significant losses to vegetable crops directly by sap-feeding, inducing plant physiological disorders, and elevating the build-up of sooty mold, and indirectly by transmitting plant viruses. In this study, we evaluated the susceptibility of 20 yellow squash and zucchini (Cucurbita pepo) cultivars to MEAM1, across three growing seasons in the southeastern United States. Weekly sampling of the numbers of MEAM1 adults, nymphs, and eggs were conducted from the fourth week after seed sowing and across 6 weeks during the summer and fall of 2021 and five weeks during the fall of 2022. In general, adult whitefly populations were high during the first week of sampling but decreased as the seasons progressed. The zucchini cultivar 'Black Beauty' harbored the most adults, while 'Green Eclipse Zucchini' was the least attractive zucchini cultivar to the adults in fall 2022. For yellow squash, 'Early Summer' (summer 2021) and 'Amberpic 8455' (summer 2021 and fall 2022) were the cultivars with the highest adult populations, while 'Lioness' (summer 2021) and 'Gourmet Gold Hybrid' (fall 2022) harbored the lowest adult counts. The whitefly egg counts across both vegetables trailed those of adults and peaked in the second week of sampling. The counts of nymphs increased as the seasons progressed, but there was a decline after the second week during fall 2021. For the yellow squash cultivars, 'Gourmet Gold Hybrid', (summer 2021 and fall 2022), 'Lioness', and 'Fortune' (summer 2021) recorded the highest yields. For zucchini, 'Golden Glory' (summer 2021) was the top performer. These results provide valuable information for whitefly management in yellow squash and zucchini based on host plant susceptibility and yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing vegetable production in Van/Türkiye province and its districts, where the study was carried out. The most significant of these issues is the parasitic and highly invasive broomrapes. A survey was conducted in AugustOctober 2019 in order to determine the extent of the broomrape problem in the areas of vegetables. In this study, the type of broomrape found in vegetable areas was identified first, then the infestation rates and the average number of shoots in each plant were determined. The results concluded that the branched broomrape [Phelipanche ramosa (L.) Pomel] was found as a single species in all areas. It was also detected that branched broomrape was infested with tomato, eggplant, cucumber, and summer squash; with related densities of 4.2, 0.4, 0.26, and 0.78 %, on average, respectively. No infestation was encountered in pepper. As a result of the study, this infestation detected in summer squash is the first record in terms of the host series of branched broomrape. Although less infestation was seen in other areas, it is predicted that the branched broomrape could be spread rapidly to non-infested areas over time due to its character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Honey bee colonies rapidly decline when confined to greenhouses, increasing pollination rental costs as they need to be replaced frequently. We tested a hive system with entrances that can be manipulated to direct bees inside or outside greenhouses containing a zucchini crop. In one greenhouse, the bees could only forage inside for 15 days; in another, bees were directed to the inside from 5 to 9 a.m., after which they only foraged outside. This procedure was repeated two more times in each greenhouse with new hives. Data were collected on how the number of bee flower visits affected fruit production, the frequency of flower visits, and the amount of bee brood and food in the hives. Flowers visited by bees four times or more set more and larger fruit. The frequency of flower visits by bees from the hives confined to the greenhouse was reduced after eight days; it was not reduced in the greenhouse with bees that could forage outside. The bee brood area was reduced in the colonies that were confined to the greenhouse, while it was maintained in the semi-confined hives. The hives with controllable entrances proved effective for pollination, while causing less damage to the bees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acorn squash (Cucurbita pepo) have been a familiar item at produce stands for decades in the United States and Canada, but little known or appreciated elsewhere. Following the breeding and development of sweet-fleshed acorn squash in Israel and its commercial introduction in 2007, acorn squash became a high-priced, popular produce item there. Scarcity of supply in winter has led to attempts to fill the consumer demand by using available protected cultivation infrastructure in the relatively mild area of southwestern Israel for production. Such production has proven feasible but it was not determined whether it would be preferable to allow the plants to simply grow sprawling on the ground or vertically, using trellises to train the plants to grow erect. Two sweet acorn squash hybrid cultivars differing in fruit size were compared, growing on the ground or on trellises, for yield, quality, and storability of the fruits. The hybrids bore fully ripe fruits from December through February, producing 56% higher yields when trellised rather than when allowed to grow on the ground. The fruits of trellised plants of both hybrids were more uniformly black-green and firmer than those of ground-grown plants. Their dry matter content at harvest and after 78 days of storage was very high, averaging 28% and 25%, respectively. Total soluble solids content of the fruit flesh from trellised plants was 19% at harvest and an extraordinary 20% after storage at 10°C, 70% RH. The fruit flesh of trellised plants was also more highly colored and had higher carotenoid, ascorbate, and anti-oxidant contents. Overall, trellising of sweet acorn squash during the winter under protected cultivation resulted in significantly higher yields and the finest fruit quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Take a sequence of contactomorphisms of a contact three-manifold that C^0-converges to a homeomorphism. If the images of a Legendrian knot limit to a smooth knot under this sequence, we show that it is contactomorphic to the original knot. We prove this by establishing that, on one hand, non–Legendrian knots admit a type of contact-squashing (similar to squeezing) onto transverse knots while, on the other hand, Legendrian knots do not admit such a squashing. The non-trivial input from contact topology that is needed is (a local version of) the Thurston–Bennequin inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of subcritical water microenvironment on the physiochemical properties, antioxidant activity and in vitro digestion of polysaccharides (SWESPs) from squash were investigated. After single-factor experiments, twenty samples were successfully prepared at different extraction temperatures (110, 130, 150, 170 and 190 °C) and extraction times (4, 8, 12 and 16 min). Under a low temperature environment, the whole process was mainly based on the extraction of SWESP. At this time, the color of SWESP was white or light gray and the molecular mass was high. When the temperature was 150 °C, since the extraction and degradation of SWESP reached equilibrium, the maximum extraction rate (18.67%) was reached at 150 °C (12 min). Compared with traditional methods, the yield of squash SWESP extracted by subcritical water was 3–4 times higher and less time consuming. Under high temperature conditions, SWESPs were degraded and their antioxidant capacity and viscosity were reduced. Meanwhile, Maillard and caramelization reactions turned the SWESPs yellow-brown and produced harmful substances. In addition, different SWESPs had different effects on in vitro digestion. In brief, SWESPs prepared under different conditions have different structures and physicochemical properties, allowing the obtainment of the required polysaccharide. Our results show that squash polysaccharides prepared in different subcritical water states had good development potential and application in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new disease syndrome of zucchini squash was observed in Southern Italy, in 2018 and again in 2020. Affected plants were severely stunted and leaves were bent downwards, small, stiff, thick, leathery, and had interveinal chloroses. In addition, flowers were virescent and fruits were deformed and often cracked. Disease incidence was 20 and 30% in two different zucchini cultivations in Campania region (Southern Italy). Tomato yellow leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) was detected in eight samples, by loop-mediated isothermal amplification-based (LAMP) kit and by PCR and Sanger sequencing of the AV1 gene. Phytoplasmas were detected in the same samples using nested PCR assays with primer pairs P1/P7 and R16F2n/R16R2. Phytoplasma associations in plant samples were confirmed using specific primers for the multilocus genes SecY, tuf and rp. Sequence comparison of multilocus genes and phylogenetic analyses of the 16S rDNA gene confirmed the association of a phytoplasma strain closely related to 'Candidiatus Phytoplamsa asteris'. This is the first report of mixed infections of ToLCNDV and a putative 'Ca. Phytoplamsa asteris' strain in zucchini, associated with a new Squash-Phytoplasma-Begomovirus (SqPB) disease syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin (MT) is a vital hormone factor in plant growth and development, yet its potential to influence the graft union healing process has not been reported. In this study, we examined the effects of MT on the healing of oriental melon scion grafted onto squash rootstock. The studies indicate that the exogenous MT treatment promotes the lignin content of oriental melon and squash stems by increasing the enzyme activities of hydroxycinnamoyl CoA ligase (HCT), hydroxy cinnamaldehyde dehydrogenase (HCALDH), caffeic acid/5-hydroxy-conifer aldehyde O-methyltransferase (COMT), caffeoyl-CoA O-methyltransferase (CCoAOMT), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), 4-hydroxycinnamate CoA ligase (4CL), and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase (CAD). Using the oriental melon and squash treated with the exogenous MT to graft, the connection of oriental melon scion and squash rootstock was more efficient and faster due to higher expression of wound-induced dedifferentiation 1 (WIND1), cyclin-dependent kinase (CDKB1;2), target of monopteros 6 (TMO6), and vascular-related NAC-domain 7 (VND7). Further research found that the exogenous MT increased the lignin content of the oriental melon scion stem by regulating CmCAD1 expression, and then accelerated the graft healing process. In addition, the root growth of grafted seedlings treated with the exogenous MT was more vigorous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the impact of storage duration on the biochemical properties of aonla-based fortified squash. The study found that different treatments affected the total soluble solids, pH, acidity, and ascorbic acid content of the fortified squash. The findings provide valuable insights for the production and storage of aonla-based beverages. The text provides data on the changes in total soluble solids, acidity, and pH of fortified squash made from aonla fruit. The pH values varied among different treatments, with the highest pH recorded in the squash made with a combination of aonla and pomegranate. The ascorbic acid content was highest in treatment with 100% aonla. The study also found that treatment with 25% aonla, 73% pomegranate, and 2% ginger had the highest total soluble solids content. [Extracted from the article]

In this Experiment, the impact of "Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) Plasma jet" (5.47 watt) on activation and germination of Squash seeds (Cucurbita pepo L.) is studied at various periods. The seeds are divided into (soaked seeds and dry seeds). After exposing the seeds, measurements are taken for three germination characteristics (root length, shoot length, and number of leaves). The results show that exposing the plasma jet on the seeds soaked with water is better than dry seeds. Results of plasma exposure on soaked plant seeds at root length at exposure time (5 minutes) show superiority to control by 15.80% while there is no effect at (0.5 minutes) on dry seeds is shown during different exposure times (0.5, 1, 3, 5 min), and a clear increase is shown in shoot length and number of leaves compared to the control group. This indicates that the discharge of the plasma dielectric barrier contributes to stimulating the seeds and increasing their germination rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pilomyxoid astrocytoma [PMA] is a rare, recently described variant of pilocytic astrocytoma with unique clinical and histopathological characteristics. It typically affects the optico‐chiasmatic and hypothalamic region in infants and young children. Though the pilocytic astrocytoma is the commonest tumor of the optic nerve, pilomyxoid astrocytoma arising from the intraorbital part of the optic nerve is extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, only one case of introrbital optic nerve pilomyxoid astrocytoma has been described in the English literature. We report two cases of pilomyxoid astrocytoma arising from the intraorbital optic nerve, diagnosed on intraoperative squash smear cytology and later confirmed on histopathology. Like in other locations, optic nerve pilomyxoid astrocytoma behaves in an aggressive manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squash is a sport where referee decisions are essential to the game. However, these decisions are very subjective in nature. Disputes, both from the players and the audience, regularly occur because the referee made a controversial call. In this study, we propose automating the referee decision process through machine learning. We trained neural networks to predict such decisions using data from 400 referee decisions acquired through extensive video footage reviewing and labeling. Six positional values were extracted, including the attacking player's position, the retreating player's position, the ball's position in the frame, the ball's projected first bounce, the ball's projected second bounce, and the attacking player's racket head position. We calculated nine additional distance values, such as the distance between players and the distance from the attacking player's racket head to the ball's path. Models were trained on Wolfram Mathematica and Python using these values. The best Wolfram Mathematica model and the best Python model achieved accuracies of 86% ± 3.03% and 85.2% ± 5.1%, respectively. These accuracies surpass 85%, demonstrating near-human performance. Our model has great potential for improvement as it is currently trained with limited, unbalanced data (400 decisions) and lacks crucial data points such as time and speed. The performance of our model is almost surely going to improve significantly with a larger training dataset. Unlike human referees, machine learning models follow a consistent standard, have unlimited attention spans, and make decisions instantly. If the accuracy is improved in the future, the model can potentially serve as an extra refereeing official for both professional and amateur squash matches. Both the analysis of referee decisions in squash and the proposal to automate the process using machine learning is unique to this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants transmit ecologically relevant messages to neighbouring plants through chemical cues. For instance, insect herbivory triggers the production of herbivore‐induced plant volatiles (HIPVs), which can enhance neighbouring plant defences. HIPVs are emitted from directly damaged plant tissues and from systemic, nondamaged tissues. Although volatile‐mediated interplant interactions have been observed both above‐ and belowground, it remains unknown whether belowground herbivory induces systemic HIPVs aboveground that influence neighbouring plants. To explore how belowground herbivory affects interplant interactions aboveground, we characterised systemic HIPVs from squash induced by belowground striped cucumber beetle (Acalymma vittatum) larval herbivory. We exposed squash 'receiver plants' to systemic HIPVs or volatiles from nondamaged plants. We then measured herbivore resistance by challenging 'receiver plants' with aboveground‐feeding herbivores: adult beetles (A. vittatum) or squash bugs (Anasa tristis). We discovered belowground‐damaged plants emitted more (E)‐β‐ocimene, a key volatile from the systemic HIPV blend, than nondamaged controls, and that exposure to systemic HIPVs enhanced neighbouring plant resistance to aboveground squash bugs, but not adult beetles. Further investigations into the mechanism of interplant interaction revealed β‐ocimene alone can elicit plant resistance against squash bugs. Overall, our findings reveal a novel form of volatile‐mediated interactions between plants spanning across aboveground–belowground plant systems. Summary Statement: Belowground insect herbivory alters aboveground volatiles emitted by squash plants. Exposing neighbouring plants to these volatiles enhances plant resistance to an aboveground heterospecific insect herbivore, but not aboveground conspecifics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytophthora capsici incites foliar blight, root, fruit, and crown rot in squash (Cucurbita spp.) and limits production worldwide. Resistance to crown rot in C. moschata breeding line #394-1-27-12 is conferred by three dominant genes, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance are poorly understood. In the current study, RNA sequencing was used to investigate transcriptional changes in #394-1-27-12 (resistant) and Butterbush (susceptible) following infection by P. capsici at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 120 h post inoculation (hpi). Overall, the number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Butterbush (2648) exceeded those in #394-1-27-12 (1729), but in both genotypes, the highest number of DEGs was observed at 72 hpi and least at 24 hpi. Our gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed a downregulation of the genes involved in polysaccharide and lignin metabolism in Butterbush but as an upregulation of those associated with regulation of peptidase activity. However, in #394-1-27-12, the downregulated genes were primarily associated with response to stimuli, whereas those upregulated were involved in oxidation–reduction and response to stress. The upregulated genes in #394-1-27-12 included defensin-like proteins, respiratory-burst oxidases, ethylene-responsive transcription factors, cytochrome P450 proteins, and peroxidases. These findings provide a framework for the functional validation of the molecular mechanisms underlying resistance to P. capsici in cucurbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was carried out to determine stage progression and specific plant and fruit characteristics in purposefully created summer squash genotypes. In this study, which was carried out in 2019, 59 squash genotypes were assessed with 24 morphological measurements and observations involving plant and fruit characteristics, and one-generation advancement was achieved. Cluster and PCA were implemented to determine the relationship between genotypes determined at the end of single plant selection. A dendrogram was constructed to assess the morphological similarities between the genotypes. In this respect, four main groups and 12 subgroups were determined in the cluster analysis performed among squash genotypes based on 24 morphological variables, while the 10 PC axis explained 94.3% of the total variation in the PCA. When the variance values of the principal component axis were examined, it was seen that the first principal component axis explained 28.8% of the total variation, the second principal component axis explained 26% of the variation, and the third principal component axis explained 11.2% of the total variation. Principal component analyses revealed that (i) 66% of the qualitative (neck in unripe fruit, curving of the neck in unripe fruit, mottling in unripe fruit, and type of mottling in unripe fruit) variation was explained by the first three components. At the end of the study, the phenotypic diversity that exists in this core collection provides valuable information to improve agronomic traits in the summer squash breeding program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genomic components of multipartite viruses are encapsidated in separate virus particles, and the frequencies of genomic components represent one of the key genetic features. Many begomoviruses of economic significance are bipartite, and the details of the association between their genomic components remain largely unexplored. We first analyzed the temporal dynamics of the quantities of DNA-A and DNA-B and the B/A ratio of the squash leaf curl China virus (SLCCNV) in plants and found that while the quantities of DNA-A and DNA-B varied significantly during infection, the B/A ratio remained constant. We then found that changes in the B/A ratio in agrobacteria inoculum may significantly alter the B/A ratio in plants at 6 days post inoculation, but the differences disappeared shortly thereafter. We next showed that while the quantities of DNA-A and DNA-B among plants infected by agrobacteria, sap transmission and whitefly-mediated transmission differed significantly, the B/A ratios were similar. Further analysis of gene expression revealed that the ratio of the expression of genes encoded by DNA-A and DNA-B varied significantly during infection. Finally, we monitored the temporal dynamics of the quantities of DNA-A and DNA-B and the B/A ratio of another bipartite begomovirus, and a constant B/A ratio was similarly observed. Our findings highlight the maintenance of a constant ratio between the two genomic components of bipartite begomoviruses during infection and transmission, and provide new insights into the biology of begomoviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We construct the first analytic examples of self-gravitating anisotropic merons in the Einstein-Yang-Mills-Chern-Simons theory in three dimensions. The gauge field configurations have different meronic parameters along the three Maurer-Cartan 1-forms and they are topologically nontrivial as the Chern-Simons invariant is nonzero. The corresponding backreacted metric is conformally a squashed three-sphere. The amount of squashing is related to the degree of anisotropy of the gauge field configurations that we compute explicitly in different limits of the squashing parameter. Moreover, the spectrum of the Dirac operator on this background is obtained explicitly for spin-1/2 spinors in the fundamental representation of SU(2), and the genuine non-Abelian contributions to the spectrum are identified. The physical consequences of these results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucurbita moschata, commonly known as squash or pumpkin, is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family originating from Central America. This species is regarded as heat tolerant and disease resistant and is commonly used in breeding programs. Calabaza (wintersquash) is an emerging market type of C. moschata with increasing popularity in the United States; however, limited research has been conducted to understand how sensory qualities influence consumers' acceptability and willingness to pay (price). This study compared the sensory perception of C. moschata accessions grown in the continental southeastern United States with their physical and chemical properties using squash prepared from fresh and frozen states. The eight accessions investigated included five hybrids of calabaza from the University of Florida (University of Florida Tropical Pumpkin #), two commercial cultivars of calabaza (La Estrella and Soler), and one butternut squash cultivar (Waltham). The evaluation of fresh calabaza revealed significant differences in consumer preference among cultivars in addition to correlations with sensory attributes. UFTP8 and UFTP24 received the highest ratings, whereas UFTP38 and 'La Estrella' were rated lowest. Interestingly, the evaluation of frozen calabaza revealed UFTP8 and 'Waltham' Butternut squash as the highest in ranking, while UFTP38 and 'La Estrella' retained the lowest ranking. Consumer ratings of fresh samples revealed positive correlations between overall liking, sweetness liking, and texture liking with willingness to pay and soluble solids content (SSC). For calabaza intended for the frozen market, the color, hardness, and SSC were identified as the most significant parameters impacting willingness to pay. These results show how quality attributes can play a crucial role in consumers perception of quality and significantly influence their reported willingness to pay. Practical Application: Producers and breeders can use positively correlated attributes as indicators of overall liking and to determine pricing for C. moschata products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was aimed to investigate combining ability and genetic parameters in summer squash (cucurbita pepo L.). Eight inbred lines of summer squash were crossed in line x tester method in summer season 2020. The parental lines (3 tester and 5 lines) and their off springs (15 hybrids) were planted out in the summer season 2021 at vegetable field, Horticulture Department, College of Agricultural Engineering Science, Duhok University. The experiment lay out using randomized complete block design with three replications. The results indicated that the mean square for genotypes were highly significant effect for tester, line and line x tester in all studied traits. The Tester LBL2 and line PEP1670 were the best combiner for days to 50% female flowering, number of fruit plant-1 and yield kg plant-1 . The crosses (LBL2 X N33133) and (LES3 X CNS2881) exhibited significant positive effect of specific combining ability for fruit length cm, number of fruit plant-1 and yield plant-1 . The heritability in broad sense were higher than narrow sense heritability for all studied traits ranged between 93% for days to 50% female flowering to 40% for fruit weight. The average degree of dominance less than one in all traits except days to 50% female flowering and fruit length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The squash bug, Anasa tristis (De Geer) (Hemiptera: Coreidae), is a serious pest of cucurbit crops across the United States. Conventional growers commonly use broad-spectrum insecticides to manage squash bugs, however organic growers lack these effective chemical tools and must rely on alternative management strategies. Biological control of A. tristis is largely understudied, specifically the potential of natural enemy, Hadronotus pennsylvanicus (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Scelionidae), as an augmentative biological control agent. For this reason, we performed early-season field releases of H. pennsylvanicus on organic farms in southeastern Virginia to test if this would improve A. tristis egg parasitism. We chose organic vegetable farms growing summer squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) as release sites and nearby Virginia Tech Agricultural Research Extension Centers (AREC) as no-release sites. Parasitoids were reared in the lab and deployed as parasitized egg masses (∼2–3 females wasps/plant) in June 2020 and 2021. Before parasitoid deployment, host eggs collected from release and no-release sites displayed low levels of H. pennsylvanicus parasitism in 2020 (<21%) and 2021 (<8%). In both years, the percentage of A. tristis eggs parasitized within 2 weeks post deployment was significantly greater at release sites (∼60%) than at no-release sites (∼14%). High rates of H. pennsylvanicus parasitism (>72%) were further observed at release sites 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks following parasitoid deployment. Our study demonstrates that releases of lab-reared H. pennsylvanicus can increase A. tristis egg parasitism rates and subsequently decrease successful nymph hatch rates in early summer squash plantings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huge quantities of agricultural waste are available annually in Saudi Arabia, which are not well exploited, leading to large environmental pollution and health problems. The use of different proportions of tomato waste compost (TWC) mixed with commercial peat-moss as a natural, economical, cheap and environmentally friendly fertilizer for fertilizing vegetables is very important, therefore, this study is concerned with investigating and evaluating the dry matter content (DM) and the accumulated heavy metal contents (HMs) in the root and leaf seedlings tissues of cucumber and summer squash plants as a result of using this fertilizer. Five ratios of mixtures (vermiculite: peat moss: TWC by weight) used in the experiment, and the TWC in the mixture represents 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% (by wieght). The results indicated that, the DM contents in the root and leaf tissues were relatively close between cucumber and summer squash seedlings. However, they were higher in the root than in leaf tissues, particularly under 20% TWC. A TWC application ratio of 20% reduced concentrations of the most HMs in the two vegetable species seedlings due to high EC and pH levels. The amounts of HMs in vegetable species were not high, which proves the that transfer of HMs from the TWC substrate to the seedlings is determined chiefly by metal bioavailability and by a vegetable species. DM, mineral and nutritional quality of vegetable seedlings showed that substrates containing 5% and 10% TWC appeared to be the most suitable growing medium for economic vegetable seedlings; and it is recommended for use in the nursery production. Implications: The idea of this research revolves around the use of different proportions of tomato waste compost in fertilizing cucumber and summer squash seedlings and investigate the effect of this compost on dry matter (DM) and heavy metal (HMs) contents in the root and leaf tissues of the seedlings, and fruit quality of cucumber and summer squash plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chordoma is a rare primary central nervous system tumour of notochordal origin. Proper intraoperative or preoperative diagnosis of this entity is crucial for appropriate surgical management. The most common histopathological subtype is conventional chordoma. Cytological characteristics of this subtype are quite distinctive and the diagnosis can be easily made by cytology. There are two particularly important features that are observed in both squash smear and fine needle aspiration specimens: an abundant myxochondroid stroma and cells with large vacuoles, including physaliferous cells. The main differential diagnosis is conventional chondrosarcoma, but in problematic cases immunohistochemical studies are useful to establish the correct diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summer squash cultivation is becoming more and more popular among farmers due to its increased nutritional content, short growing season, and quicker economic payoff. Although there is a respectable amount of production, India’s productivity is extremely poor which is big worry for the commercial cultivation of summer squash and the environmental factors causes low productivity. In order to boost production and productivity, raise the number of female flowers, increase profitability for small and marginal farmers, and combat environmental conditions, plant growth regulators play a significant role in this crop. Therefore, by introducing the use of plant growth regulators, summer squash cultivation farmers’ income and yield can be raised. The investigation was carried out at the farmer’s field at Sorakalnatham, Natrampalli taluk, Tirupattur district, Tamil Nadu during February- April 2023 to study the plant growth regulators on the performance of summer squash. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with thirteen treatments replicated thrice. The treatments were included different concentrations of Naphthalene acetic acid (50, 100, 150 ppm), Gibberellic acid (50, 100, 150ppm), Ethrel (150, 200, 250ppm), Malichydrazide (150, 200, 250ppm), and Control (water spray). The results indicated that the maximum values for growth attributes viz., plant height (78.32 cm), number of branches/plant (3.86) and leaf area (375.29 cm2 ), flowering and yield attributes viz., number of female flower/plant (11.85), number of fruits /plant (8.67), fruit set % (73.16), fruit length (44.06 cm), single fruit weight (1.37 kg), fruit yield /plant (11.37 kg) and lowest number of male flower/plant (20.69), sex ratio (1.75) were recorded in the foliar application of plant growth regulator NAA @ 100 ppm. This was followed by the foliar application of plant growth regulators ethrel @ 150 ppm. Significant differences were observed with the use of growth regulators on growth, flowering and yield traits of summer squash. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, a solid phase extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to detect difenoconazole residues in spinach, wax gourd, and summer squash was developed. In addition, field trials were conducted to investigate the dissipation and residue behavior of difenoconazole in six representative regions across China for each studied vegetable, and the dietary risk for Chinese consumers was evaluated using risk quotient methods. The average recoveries of difenoconazole in the three matrices were 81.5–97.8%, and relative standard deviations were 4.0–10.2%. Difenoconazole rapidly dissipated in spinach, wax gourd, and summer squash with half-lives of 2.3–5.9 days. The terminal residues of difenoconazole ranged from 0.029 to 4.74 mg/kg in spinach at 3, 5, and 7 days, < 0.01 to 0.036 mg/kg in wax gourd at 5, 7, and 14 days, and < 0.01 to 0.12 mg/kg in summer squash at 5, 7, and 10 days, which were all much lower than the maximum residue limits in China. The dietary risk assessment revealed that the potential risks of difenoconazole for Chinese consumers were acceptable. The risks for children were significantly higher. Therefore, the proposed preharvest intervals for managing difenoconazole in spinach, wax gourd, and summer squash were 3, 5, and 5 days, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider N = (n, 0) supersymmetric AdS3 vacua of type II supergravity realising the superconformal algebra osp (n|2) for n > 4. For the cases n = 6 and n = 5, one can realise these algebras on backgrounds that decompose as foliations of AdS3 × ℂℙ3 (squashed ℂℙ3 for n = 5) over an interval. We classify such solutions with bi-spinor techniques and find the local form of each of them: they only exist in (massive) IIA and are defined locally in terms of an order 3 polynomial h similar to the AdS7 vacua of (massive) IIA. Many distinct local solutions exist for different tunings of h that give rise to bounded (or semi infinite) intervals bounded by physical behaviour. We show that it is possible to glue these local solutions together by placing D8 branes in the interior of the interval without breaking supersymmetry, which expands the possibilities for global solutions immensely. We illustrate this point with some simple examples. Finally we also show that AdS3 vacua for n = 7, 8 only exist in d = 11 supergravity and are all locally AdS4×S7. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pumpkin has particular health properties for patients suffering from chronic diseases as it is considered an excellent and low-cost source of phytochemicals, antioxidant properties, vitamins and minerals, antiinflammatory properties, and low in calories. This study aimed to fortify chicken sausage with various ratios (15, 30, and 45%) of fresh pumpkin pulp to prevent lipid oxidation during cold storage. Sensory evaluation indicated that the sample fortified with 30% pumpkin is the most favorite and nearest to the control sample. It improved taste and texture as compared to other treatments. Its moisture contents were higher than that of the control group, leading to minimizing the caloric value (25%). Seventeen amino acids were found that were similar to the control sample. Still, the ratio between total essential amino acids and total amino acids in fortified samples was 1.04-fold higher compared to the control sample. A similar trend was also detected when the ratio between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids was calculated. Results showed that this new product has functional, healthy properties for patients suffering from chronic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasmacytoma of bone is one of the criteria for diagnosing plasma cell myeloma (multiple myeloma). A plasmacytoma involving a frontal bone is unusual, with only few being reported so far. Also, when typical clinical presentation is absent, diagnosis is usually not suspected clinicoradiologically. We report a rare case of frontal bone plasmacytoma presenting as a lump over the forehead, the squash cytology of which gave the diagnosis of neoplastic etiology. Thus, squash cytology helped in early and definitive diagnosis in this patient, hastening meticulous diagnostic investigations and appropriate management. With full workup, the final diagnosis of a nonsecretory multiple myeloma was made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the quantitative and qualitative traits of 13 local summer squash populations. The experiment was carried out in a randomized block design with 3 replications for two years (2019 to 2020). The following traits were considered in this study: number, weight, length, width, and length/width ratio of fruits, seed yield, seed yield/fruit yield ratio, 1000 seeds weight, percentage of empty seeds, seed length, seed width, seed kernel/whole seed ratio, and seed oil percent. Also, quality tests were conducted including ease of separation of skin from the kernel, taste quality, and desirability of seed shape and size from the consumer's point of view. The analysis of variance showed significant differences in most of the studied traits. Based on the results of the mean comparison of traits, the highest seed yield was observed in Ghalami- Kalaleh#1 and Mashhady-Azadshahr and then Mashhady-Khoy populations. The highest taste quality from the consumer point of view belonged to the Goushti-Kalaleh population. The results represent a positive and highly significant correlation between seed yield and fruit number. No significant correlation was observed between seed yield and other related traits. It is recommended that fruit number trait be considered in selecting programs and modifying high-yielding populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the LOCC-assisted quantum capacity of a bosonic dephasing channel with energy constraint on the input states. We start our analysis by focusing on the energy-constrained squashed entanglement of the channel, which is an upper bound for the energy-constrained LOCC-assisted quantum capacity. As computing energy-constrained squashed entanglement of the channel is challenging due to a double optimization (over the set of density matrices and the isometric extensions of a squashing channel), we first derive an upper bound for it, and then, we discuss how tight that bound is for the energy-constrained LOCC-assisted quantum capacity of the bosonic dephasing channel. In doling so, we prove that the optimal input state is diagonal in the Fock basis. Then, we analyze two explicit examples of squashing channels through which we derive explicit upper and lower bounds for the energy-constrained LOCC-assisted quantum capacity of the bosonic dephasing channel in terms of its quantum capacity with different noise parameters. As the difference between upper and lower bounds becomes smaller by increasing the dephasing parameter, the bounds become tighter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The molecular characterization of a tomato leaf curl New Delhi virus (ToLCNDV) isolate, denoted ToLCNDV-Le, is reported. The virus was associated with severe and recurrent outbreaks in protected crops of zucchini squash grown in the Province of Lecce (Apulia, southern Italy). The fully sequenced genome of ToLCNDV-Le consists of two genomic components named DNA-A and DNA-B of 2738 and 2683 nt in size, respectively. Like other ToLCNDV isolates, ToLCNDV-Le DNA-A contains the AV2 and AV1 open reading frames (ORFs) in the virion-sense orientation and five additional ORFs named AC1, AC2, AC3, AC4 and AC5 in the complementary-sense orientation. The DNA-B contains BV1 ORF in the virion-sense orientation and BC1 ORF in the complementary-sense orientation. No DNA betasatellites were found associated with ToLCNDV-Le in naturally infected samples. Phylogenetic analysis clustered ToLCNDV-Le with the ToLCNDV-ES strain of western Mediterranean Basin isolates. Consequently, the ToLCNDV-ES-[IT-Zu-Le18] name is proposed as the descriptor for ToLCNDV-Le. Using recombination detection program RDP4, one putative recombination breakpoint (Rbp) was identified close to nucleotide positions 2197–2727, covering approximately half of the AC1 region, including the AC4 ORF and the 3′ UTR. RDP4 indicated the event represents an Rbp of an isolate similar to ToLCNDV [Pk-06] (Acc. No. EF620534) found in Luffa acutangula in Pakistan and identified as putative minor parent into the background of ToLCNDV [BG-Jes-Svr-05] (Acc. No. AJ875157), found in tomato in Bangladesh, and identified as putative major parent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a ToLCNDV-ES recombinant isolate in the AC1-AC4 region in Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Vegetable leafminer, Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) is a common pest of almost all vegetable crops grown in Florida, USA. Leafminer infestation begins as soon as vegetable seedlings are above the ground. Growers start using insecticides of various chemical classes to control leafminer. They continue insecticide sprays until 2–3 weeks before harvesting crops. This practice of using insecticides deleteriously affects our biotic and abiotic environments. In our four-years research study, we recorded thirteen species of hymenopteran parasitoids of L. trifolii belonging to three families: Braconidae, Eulophidae, and Pteromalidae. Among all parasitoids, Opius, Euopius, Diglyphus, and Diaulinopsis were the predominant ones on beans and other vegetables. Their peak abundance occurred in November–January while most vegetable crops are in their peak growing stage. This study also investigated the preference of parasitoids for the three major vegetable crops: bean, squash, and tomato planted in randomized complete block design in field plots. This information could be of great benefit in developing an IPM of vegetable leafminers balancing biocontrol agents and insecticide application. The composition and seasonal abundance of hymenopteran parasitoids of Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess) was investigated on snap bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), and squash (Cucurbita pepo L. 'Enterprise') from 2010 to 2016 in South Florida in two studies. In the first study (2010–2016), 13 species of parasitoids were collected from the snap bean crop. Opius dissitus Muesebeck (Braconidae) was the most abundant parasitoid throughout the study period from September 2010 to February 2016. Diaulinopsis callichroma Crawford (Eulophidae) was the second most abundant parasitoid on bean in 2010, 2012, 2014, and 2016. Other parasitoids included Euopius sp. (Braconidae)., Diglyphus begini (Ashmead), D. intermedius (Girault), D. isaea (Walker), Neochrysocharis sp., Closterocerus sp., Chrysocharis sp., Zagrammosoma lineaticeps (Girault), Z. muitilineatum (Ashmead), Pnigalio sp. (all Eulophidae), and Halticoptera sp. (Pteromalidae). In the second study on the comparative abundance of parasitoids in three crops conducted in 2014 and 2016 using bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L., tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) arranged in a randomized complete block design, bean attracted more parasitoids than tomato and squash irrespective of parasitoid species and years. This information will help in devising a biocontrol-based integrated program for managing leafminers in beans and other vegetable crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Squash leaf curl virus (SLCV) is efficiently transmitted and spread by the whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius), which is the only vector that transmits begomoviruses naturally causing huge crop losses through feeding damage. The widespread use of chemical insecticides to control the whitefly B. tabaci has become extremely hazardous to the environment. Alternative methods such as biological control have been advocated. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) have been found as promising whitefly bio-pesticides. Results: Naturally infected squash plants that showed symptoms of squash leaf curl disease were collected from Giza Governorate, Egypt. SLCV was detected using a PCR assay using coat protein-specific primers and generated an amplicon of 419 bp. Multiple sequence alignment showed that the SLCV-Giza isolate has a significant identity of 99.2% with the SLCV-Mx:BCS: La Paz isolate from Mexico and 99% with the SLQV.Q2521 isolate from Egypt. Phylogenetic analysis showed that SLCV-Giza is closely related to the SLCV-Mx:BCS: La Paz isolate from Mexico. The whitefly transmission test revealed that the virus transmitted to an extent of 13.3% and reached 100% of transmission using 15–20 viruliferous whiteflies; while the efficiency of syringe injection was (60%). B. tabaci newly emerge adults were able to acquire and transmit SLCV after an Acquisition Access Period (AAP) of 15 and 30 min by low rates of 13.3 and 22.2%, respectively. The transmission rate was increased gradually to reach the maximum of 100% after 24, 48, and 72 h (AAP). B. tabaci was able to inoculate SLCV after an Inoculation Access Period (IAP) of 15 and 30 min with rates of 46.7 and 62.2%. The whitefly was allowed to acquire SLCV from a squash plant (virus source) treated previously with EPF (Beauveria bassiana) and allowed to transmit the virus to the test plants. The transmission effectiveness of viruliferous whitefly was lower (33.4%) than that of non-treated whitefly (100%). The transmission efficiency was decreased on the second day by 6.8% and by the third day by 2.2% of treatment with the EPF. The results were validated by PCR assay for SLCV from tested squash plants and the PCR did not reveal specific amplification. Conclusions: The use of EPF (B. bassiana) for B. tabaci control had a direct impact on SLCV accumulation and transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rosette-forming glioneuronal tumor (RGNT) of the 4th ventricle is a newly described WHO grade I brain tumor included in recent WHO classification of CNS tumors. It is a biphasic tumor thought to originate from pluripotent progenitor cells of subependymal plate. Intra-operative diagnosis plays an important role, as complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice. We are reporting a case of RGNT in a 19 years-old young male emphasizing the intra-operative pathological pointers and their role in accurate diagnosis for the suitable surgical intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Central nervous system (CNS) tumors account for around 1 to 2% of all neoplasms, commonest of them being gliomas. Gliomas constitute a large, heterogenous group of tumors known for a wide variation in clinical presentation, gross and microscopic features, and biologic behavior. Squash cytology can be a great asset in the intraoperative diagnosis of CNS pathology. In this article, we correlate it with the histopathology of gliomas. Methods A prospective analytical study was conducted at the Department of Neuropathology, Super-Speciality Hospital, NSCB Medical College, Jabalpur, India. A total of 75 samples were collected for intraoperative squash cytology. The biopsy samples were collected subsequently after surgery for histopathological correlation. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of squash cytology. Results Of the total 75 patients clinically and radiologically suspected of having gliomas, 43 (57.33%) were males to give a male-to-female ratio of 1.34:1. The mean age at presentation was 36.50 ± 16.87 years. Right-sided tumors were more common. The most common location was the frontal lobe (46.66%). Concordance with squash cytology was found in 81.33% of cases. Sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy of squash cytology in the diagnosis of gliomas were found to be 98.61, 66.66, and 97.33%, respectively. Conclusion Squash cytology is a rapid, inexpensive, and accurate diagnostic method for intraoperative diagnosis of gliomas that can guide the surgeon on the extent of tumor resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]