A nearby long gamma-ray burst from a merger of compact objects.

Gamma-ray bursts (GRBs) are flashes of high-energy radiation arising from energetic cosmic explosions. Bursts of long (greater than two seconds) duration are produced by the core-collapse of massive stars1, and those of short (less than two seconds) duration by the merger of compact objects, such as two neutron stars2. A third class of events with hybrid high-energy properties was identified3, but never conclusively linked to a stellar progenitor. The lack of bright supernovae rules out typical core-collapse explosions4-6, but their distance scales prevent sensitive searches for direct signatures of a progenitor system. Only tentative evidence for a kilonova has been presented7,8. Here we report observations of the exceptionally bright GRB 211211A, which classify it as a hybrid event and constrain its distance scale to only 346 megaparsecs. Our measurements indicate that its lower-energy (from ultraviolet to near-infrared) counterpart is powered by a luminous (approximately 1042 erg per second) kilonova possibly formed in the ejecta of a compact object merger.

Peptide-Directed Synthesis of Aggregation-Induced Emission Enhancement-Active Gold Nanoclusters for Single- and Two-Photon Imaging of Lysosome and Expressed αvß3 Integrin Receptors.

This study explores the synthesis and characterization of aggregation-induced emission enhancement (AIEE)-active gold nanoclusters (AuNCs), focusing on their near-infrared luminescence properties and potential applications in biological imaging. These AIEE-active AuNCs were synthesized via the NaBH4-mediated reduction of HAuCl4 in the presence of peptides. We systematically investigated the influence of the peptide sequence on the optical features of the AuNCs, highlighting the role of glutamic acid in enhancing their quantum yield (QY). Among the synthesized peptide-stabilized AuNCs, EECEE-stabilized AuNCs exhibited the maximum QY and a pronounced AIEE effect at pH 5.0, making them suitable for the luminescence imaging of intracellular lysosomes. The AIEE characteristic of the EECEE-stabilized AuNCs was demonstrated through examinations using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, and single-particle imaging. The formation of the EECEE-stabilized AuNCs was confirmed by size-exclusion chromatography and mass spectrometry. Spectroscopic and electrochemical examinations uncover the formation process of EECEE-stabilized AuNCs, comprising EECEE-mediated reduction, NaBH4-induced nucleation, complex aggregation, and subsequent cluster growth. Furthermore, we demonstrated the utility of these AuNCs as luminescent probes for intracellular lysosomal imaging, leveraging their pH-responsive AIEE behavior. Additionally, cyclic arginylglycylaspartic acid (RGD)-modified AIEE dots, derived from cyclic RGD-linked peptide-induced aggregation of EECEE-stabilized AuNCs, were developed for single- and two-photon luminescence imaging of αvß3 integrin receptor-positive cancer cells.

Baryon Electric Charge Correlation as a Magnetometer of QCD.

The correlation between net baryon number and electric charge, χ_{11}^{BQ}, can serve as a magnetometer of QCD. This is demonstrated by lattice QCD computations using the highly improved staggered quarks with physical pion mass of M_{π}=135 MeV on N_{τ}=8 and 12 lattices. We find that χ_{11}^{BQ} along the transition line starts to increase rapidly with magnetic field strength eB≳2M_{π}^{2} and by a factor 2 at eB≃8M_{π}^{2}. Furthermore, the ratio of electric charge chemical potential to baryon chemical potential, µ_{Q}/µ_{B}, shows significant dependence on the magnetic field strength and varies from the ratio of electric charge to baryon number in the colliding nuclei in heavy ion collisions. These results can provide baselines for effective theory and model studies, and both χ_{11}^{BQ} and µ_{Q}/µ_{B} could be useful probes for the detection of magnetic fields in relativistic heavy ion collision experiments as compared with corresponding results from the hadron resonance gas model.

Genetic insights of antibiotic resistance, pathogenicity (virulence) and phylogenetic relationship of Escherichia coli strains isolated from livestock, poultry and their handlers - a one health snapshot.

BACKGROUND: Pathogenic and non-pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli harbouring antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from any source (clinical samples, animal settings, or environment) might be transmitted and contribute to the spread and increase of antibiotic resistance in the biosphere. The goal of this study was to investigate the genome to decipher the repertoire of ARGs, virulence genes carried by E. coli strains isolated from livestock, poultry, and their handlers (humans), and then unveil the genetic relatedness between the strains. METHODS: Whole genome sequencing was done to investigate the genetic makeup of E. coli isolates (n = 20) [swine (n = 2), cattle (n = 2), sheep (n = 4), poultry (n = 7), and animal handlers (n = 5)] from southern India. The detection of resistome, virulome, biofilm forming genes, mobile genetic elements (MGE), followed by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and phylogenetic analyses, were performed. RESULTS: E. coli strains were found to be multi drug resistant, with a resistome encompassing > 20 ARGs, the virulome-17-22 genes, and > 20 key biofilm genes. MGE analysis showed four E. coli isolates (host: poultry, swine and cattle) harbouring composite transposons with ARGs/virulence genes (blaTEM, dfr, qnr/nleB, tir, eae,and esp) with the potential for horizontal transfer. MLST analyses revealed the presence of ST937 and ST3107 in both livestock/poultry and their handlers. Phylogenomic analyses with global E. coli isolates (human/livestock/poultry hosts) showed close relatedness with strains originating from different parts of the world (the United States, China, etc.). CONCLUSION: The current study emphasizes the circulation of strains of pathogenic sequence types of clinical importance, carrying a diverse repertoire of genes associated with antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation and virulence properties in animal settings, necessitating immediate mitigation measures to reduce the risk of spread across the biosphere.

New thiophene-1,3,4-oxadiazole-thiazolidine-2,4-dione hybrids: Synthesis, MCF-7 inhibition and binding studies.

Two synthetic methods were proposed for the preparation of a new series of thiophene-1,3,4-oxadiazole-thiazolidine-2,4-dione hybrids (TOT-1 to 15) and their structures were elucidated based on spectral data. Studies on cytotoxicity, ROS, cellular uptake and interactions of TOT-14 with calf thymus DNA were carried out. Anticancer activity of compounds, TOT-1 to 15 on breast cancer (MCF-7) cell lines was investigated. The IC50 values for the standard, epirubicin hydrochloride and TOT-12, 13, 14 and 15 were found to be 6.78, 5.52, 6.53, 4.83 and 5.57 µg/mL, respectively. Notably, TOT-14 exhibited a remarkable antiproliferative activity with a strikingly selective inhibitory effect compared to standard. This specific selectivity could be attributed to the synergistic effect of increased cellular uptake and generation of higher ROS in cancer cells after irradiation. The binding constant of 4.25 x 103 M-1 indicated the moderate interaction between TOT-14 and ct-DNA. The docking score of TOT derivativeswas substantially identical to the docking score of epirubicin hydrochloride. The designed molecules complied with the requirements for drug-likeness and ADME.

Association of Pharmacist Interventions With Adverse Drug Events and Potential Adverse Drug Events.

BACKGROUND: Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a frequent cause of injury in patients. Our aim was to assess whether pharmacist interventions compared with no pharmacist intervention results in reduced ADEs and potential adverse drug events (PADEs). METHODS: We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and two other databases through September 19, 2022 for any RCT assessing the effect of a pharmacist intervention compared with no pharmacist intervention and reporting on ADEs or PADEs. The risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane tool for RCTs. A random-effects model was used to pool summary results from individual RCTs. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria. The pooled results showed a statistically significant reduction in ADE associated with pharmacist intervention compared with no pharmacist intervention (RR = 0.86; [95% CI 0.80-0.94]; p = 0.0005) but not for PADEs (RR = 0.79; [95% CI 0.47-1.32]; p = 0.37). The heterogeneity was insignificant (I2 = 0%) for ADEs and substantial (I2 = 77%) for PADEs. Patients receiving a pharmacist intervention were 14% less likely for ADE than those who did not receive a pharmacist intervention. The estimated number of patients needed to prevent one ADE across all patient locations was 33. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs seeking to understand the association of pharmacist interventions with ADEs and PADEs. The risk of having an ADE is reduced by a seventh for patients receiving a pharmacist care intervention versus no such intervention. The estimated number of patients needed to be followed across all patient locations to prevent one preventable ADE across all patient locations is 33.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of breast self-examination is associated with general self-care and cultural factors: a study from Tamil Nadu, India.

AIM: Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women. One form of care related to early detection of breast cancer is breast self-examination (BSE). However, evidence on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of BSE and its determining factors are minuscule in an Indian context. Therefore, the present study primarily examined the prevalence of KAP of BSE. Further, its association with general self-care and cultural factors was determined. METHODS: This cross-sectional study obtained data from 412 women (Mn age = 26.63) from two rural localities of Vellore district, Tamil Nadu, India. Self-reported questionnaires of KAP of BSE, self-care, and cultural factors were applied. Statistical analyses include independent sample t-test and binomial logistic regression. RESULTS: The majority of the sample had inadequate knowledge (58%), unfavourable attitudes (73.8%), and poor practice (89.6%) of BSE. The general self-care among the sample was moderate. Self-care was found to be a significant predictor of knowledge (b = 0.07, p < .05) and attitude (b = 0.092, p < .05) toward BSE. Shyness was identified as a negative predictor of KAP. Discouraged breast health discussions predicted inadequate knowledge, and not being educated by family/friends had a negative impact on knowledge and practice. A preference for same-gender physicians led to an unfavourable attitude toward BSE. CONCLUSION: The observed negative trends in KAP of BSE are concerning. The results imply that girls and women should be educated and encouraged to practice BSE and promote self-care behaviours. At the same time, efforts to reduce cultural barriers may be helpful to promote the KAP of BSE.

Improving safety: Neuraxial blockade guided by thromboelastography for patients with uncertain coagulation profile.

ABSTRACT: Neuraxial blockade procedures are essential for anesthesia and pain management but pose risks in patients with uncertain coagulation profiles. Traditional coagulation tests often fail to predict bleeding risks associated with neuraxial blockade. Thromboelastography (TEG) offers real-time insights into coagulation status, potentially improving safety outcomes. In this case series, six patients underwent neuraxial blockade guided by TEG analysis. An individualized anesthetic plan was formulated based on TEG findings to mitigate bleeding risks while ensuring pain management. Tailoring anesthetic techniques to real-time TEG data improved safety outcomes with minimized bleeding complications and satisfactory pain control. In conclusion, neuraxial blockade guided by TEG enhances safety in patients with uncertain coagulation profiles. Further studies are needed to validate benefits in broader clinical settings.

Kisspeptin stimulates sheep ovarian follicular development in vitro through homologous receptors.

The present study was conducted to elucidate (1) the influence of kisspeptin (KP) on the in vitro development of preantral follicles (PFs) and (2) evolution of KP receptor gene (KISS1R) expression during ovarian follicular development in sheep. Kisspeptin was supplemented (0-100 µg/ml) in the culture medium of PFs for 6 days. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) from cultured PFs were subsequently matured to metaphase II (MII) for an additional 24 h. The proportions of PFs exhibiting growth, antrum formation, average increase in diameter, and maturation of oocytes to MII stage were the indicators of follicular development in vitro. The expression of the kisspeptin receptor gene at each development stages of in vivo developed (preantral, early antral, antral, large antral and COCs from Graafian follicles) and in vitro cultured PFs supplemented with KP was assessed using a real-time polymerase chain reaction. The best development in all the parameters under study was elicited with 10 µg/ml of KP. Supplementation of KP (10 µg/ml) in a medium containing other growth factors (insulin-like growth factor-I) and hormones (growth hormone, thyroxine, follicle-stimulating hormone) resulted in better PF development. The KISS1R gene was expressed in follicular cells and oocytes at all the development stages of both in vivo developed and in vitro cultured follicles. Higher KISS1R gene expression was supported by culture medium containing KP along with other hormones and growth factors. Accordingly, it is suggested that one of the mechanisms through which KP and other growth factors and hormones influence the ovarian follicular development in mammals is through the upregulation of expression of the KP receptor gene.

Differential impact of COVID-19 on mental health and burnout.

BACKGROUND: There may be differential impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and burnout rates of healthcare professionals (HCPs) performing different roles. AIMS: To examine mental health and burnout rates, and possible drivers for any disparities between professional roles. METHODS: In this cohort study, online surveys were distributed to HCPs in July-September 2020 (baseline) and re-sent 4 months later (follow-up; December 2020) assessing for probable major depressive disorder (MDD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), insomnia, mental well-being and burnout (emotional exhaustion and depersonalization). Separate logistic regression models (at both phases) compared the risk of outcomes between roles: healthcare assistants (HCAs), nurses and midwives (nurses), allied health professionals (AHPs) and doctors (reference group). Separate linear regression models were also developed relating the change in scores to professional role. RESULTS: At baseline (n = 1537), nurses had a 1.9-fold and 2.5-fold increased risk of MDD and insomnia, respectively. AHPs had a 1.7-fold and 1.4-fold increased risk of MDD and emotional exhaustion, respectively. At follow-up (n = 736), the disproportionate risk between doctors and others worsened: nurses and HCAs were at 3.7-fold and 3.6-fold increased risk of insomnia, respectively. Nurses also had a significantly increased risk of MDD, GAD, poor mental well-being and burnout. Nurses also had significantly worsened anxiety, mental well-being and burnout scores over time, relative to doctors. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses and AHPs had excess risk of adverse mental health and burnout during the pandemic, and this difference worsened over time (in nurses especially). Our findings support adoption of targeted strategies accounting for different HCP roles.

Role of metal oxide ferrites in the process of magnetic hyperthermia - A review.

Extensive research has been conducted on the manufacturing of nano ferrites, and their use in magnetic hyperthermia therapy has shown promising results in cancer treatment. This study aims primarily to provide an overview of the latest developments in the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for the treatment of hyperthermia. Magnetic nanoparticles are biocompatible and have a stable magnetic state, nano ferrites have become recognized as apex thermoseeds in biomedical applications, specifically for the treatment of magnetic hyperthermia. Employing dopant materials, biocompatible overlay, and preparation techniques, one may study the effectiveness of nano ferrites. Furthermore, specific requirements need to be met for using nano ferrites in cancer treatments like magnetic hyperthermia. These include low toxicity, biocompatibility, a higher specific absorption rate, a shorter time to reach the targeted hyperthermia temperature, crystalline size within the biological radius, and a lower dose of the nano ferrite. A potential resolution involves identifying the limitations and proposing enhanced nanocomposite materials that amplify their magnetic characteristics via a biocompatible overlay, all while optimizing the effectiveness and functioning of magnetic nanoferrites. To increase the effectiveness of ferrite nanoparticles in treating hyperthermia, this study will figure out their constraints and offer solutions for more effective ferrite-based nanocomposites that may prove to be a viable therapy option for cancer in the future.

Life cycle GHG emissions assessment of vanadium recovery from bitumen-derived petcoke fly ash.

Petcoke generated during bitumen upgrading is a potential source of vanadium for the global market. Recovering vanadium from the fly ash originating from the combustion of petcoke appears to be a suitable route for commercial implementation, given its high extraction rate. Although the technical feasibility of the recovery process has been proven, the environmental impact should be addressed. Information on the greenhouse (GHG) emissions from the process is scarce in the public domain. Therefore, a framework was developed for assessment of life cycle GHG emissions for extraction of vanadium from petcoke-based fly ash. This framework was used to perform a life cycle GHG emissions assessment of a water leaching and salt roasting process to extract vanadium from fly ash. For the upstream GHG emissions, we collected direct emissions data and energy consumption from the literature, and, for the process emissions, we developed a model to estimate energy and material balances based on process conditions. The emission factors for electricity production, fuel combustion, production of consumables, and gas treatment were used to obtain the life cycle GHG emissions. The results show that the life cycle GHG emission of vanadium recovery are 26.6-3.9+0.9 kg CO2eq/kg V2O5; 66% of these are direct GHG emissions. The process GHG emissions from fly ash decarbonization contribute the most to the life cycle GHG emissions. The air-to-fuel ratio for roasting and the GHG emission factors for petcoke combustion and the gas treatment operation are the inputs that most effect the model output. Compared with the production of V2O5 from vanadium titano-magnetite ore and bitumen upgrading spent catalyst, the petcoke fly ash pathway generates about twice the life cycle GHG emissions. This study's results can help determine areas of improvement in the upstream operations and the recovery process to reduce the life cycle GHG emissions to levels that can compete with primary and alternative routes to produce vanadium pentoxide. The results of this study can help in decision-making associated with vanadium extract from fly ash produced from combustion of petcoke.

Efficient removal of succinic acid by continuous hydrodynamic cavitation combined with ozone and side influent injection.

Micropollutants (MPs) encompass a range of human-made pollutants present in trace amounts in environmental systems. MPs include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, pesticides, persistent organic pollutants, micro- and nano-plastics, and artificial sweeteners, all posing ecological risks. Conventional municipal wastewater treatment methods often face challenges in completely removing MPs due to their chemical characteristics, stability, and resistance to biodegradation. In this research, an Advanced Oxidation Process, combining hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) with dissolved ozone (O3) and side injection, was employed to efficiently degrade succinic acid (SA), an ozone-resistant compound and common byproduct. The HC/O3 process was run to treat different synthetic effluents, focusing on evaluating the influence of O3-to-total organic carbon (TOC) ratio, cavitation number (Cv) and O3 dosage. Notably, the results from a series of 14 experiments highlighted the critical significance of a low O3-to-TOC ratio value of 0.08 mg/mg and Cv value of 0.056 in HC for achieving efficient SA removal of 41.2% from an initial SA solution (106.3 mg/L). Regarding a series of four proof-of-concept experiments and their replications, the average TOC removal reached 62% when treating wastewater treatment plant effluent spiked with SA. This significant removal rate was achieved under initial conditions: Cv of 0.02, O3-to-TOC ratio set at 0.77 mg/mg, TOC concentration of 47.7 mg/L, 106 mg/L of SA, and a temperature of 25 °C. Notably, the electrical energy per order required for the 62% reduction in TOC was a modest 12.5 kWh/m3/order, indicating the potential of the continuous HC/O3 process as a promising approach for degrading a wide range of MPs.

One-pot hydrothermal synthesis of 3D garland BiOI, spherical ZnO, and CNFs onto Ni foam: Supercapacitor performance with enhanced electrochemical properties.

This study reported one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of 3D garland BiOI, spherical ZnO, and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) onto Ni foam substrate with improved supercapacitor performance and enhanced electrochemical properties. The synthesized nanocomposites exhibited high specific capacitance (SC) of 1073 g-1 at a current density of 1 A/g and excellent cycling stability with 88.6% retention of original capacity after 5000 cycles in 2M KOH aqueous solution. The findings highlight the potential of 3D materials for use as electrode materials in advanced supercapacitor applications due to their high energy storage capabilities.

Efficient synthesis of 3D ZnO nanostructures on ITO surfaces for enhanced photoelectrochemical water splitting.

New photoactive materials with uniform and well-defined morphologies were developed for efficient and sustainable photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting and hydrogen production. The investigation is focused on hydrothermal deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) onto indium tin oxide (ITO) conductive surfaces and optimization of hydrothermal temperature for growing uniform sized 3D ZnO morphologies. Fine-tuning of hydrothermal temperature enhanced the scalability, efficiency, and performance of ZnO-decorated ITO electrodes used in PEC water splitting. Under UV light irradiation and using eco-friendly low-cost hydrothermal process in the presence of stable ZnO offered uniform 3D ZnO, which exhibited a high photocurrent of 0.6 mA/cm2 having stability up to 5 h under light-on and light-off conditions. The impact of hydrothermal temperature on the morphological properties of the deposited ZnO and its subsequent performance in PEC water splitting was investigated. The work contributes to advancement of scalable and efficient fabrication technique for developing energy converting photoactive materials.

Subtle membrane changes in cryopreserved bull spermatozoa when modified temperature drop rates are used during the first phase of freezing.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation of spermatozoa involves reduction of temperature to a subzero level, leading to increased longevity. However, temperature reduction has a significant effect on sperm membranes. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the rate of temperature drop during the first phase of freezing on subtle membrane changes in cryopreserved bull spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two ejaculates from four bulls (eight ejaculates/bull) were collected using artificial vagina while keeping a 3 to 4 days gap between two collections. Diluted semen samples were equilibrated at 5 degree C for 4 hours. The samples were then placed in a pre-programmed semen freezer. The first phase of freezing, that is, 5 degree C till -10 degree C was subjected to three different temperature drop rates: accelerated (F1), moderate (F2), and slow (F3), at 20 degree C per min, 10 degree C per min and 5 degree C per min, respectively. After thawing, spermatozoa were assessed for percentage live, plasma, and acrosomal membrane integrity, along with the external appearance of phosphatidyl serine, indicating apoptosis. RESULTS: A significant difference (p < 0.05) in viability, plasma membrane integrity (HOS test), and acrosome membrane integrity (PSA test) was observed between F3 and the other groups. However, the parameters did not significantly differ between F1 and F2. The annexin V-PI assay (AN/PI) categorized four types of sperm populations: non-apoptotic and viable (AN-/PI-), apoptotic and viable (AN+/PI-), non-apoptotic and non-viable (AN-/PI+), and apoptotic and non-viable (AN+/PI+). The proportion of spermatozoa with (AN-/PI-) and (AN+/PI+) differed significantly (p < 0.05) between F3 and the other groups. The values for apoptotic and viable (AN+/PI-) and non-apoptotic and non-viable (AN-/PI+) sperm were not significantly different among all freezing categories. CONCLUSION: A slower temperature drop rate (freezing rate) during the first phase of freezing results in less damaging, subtle membrane changes. Doi.org/10.54680/fr24410110312.

Position of Beta-blockers in the Treatment of Hypertension Today: An Indian Consensus.

BACKGROUND: Management of essential hypertension (HTN) remains challenging, with contemporary control being achieved in <1/10 of the cases, especially when aligned with the recently updated guidelines of American College of Cardiology (ACC) or International Society of Hypertension (ISH). The place and positioning of beta-blockers have been evolving, with recent focused updates, such as the European Society of Hypertension (ESH) 2023 guidelines, that may hold relevance for the Indian phenotypic traits of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD), fragile coronary architecture, and/or high resting heart rate. To further develop consensus on the clinical role and relevance of beta-blockers, including nebivolol, an Indian consensus was evolved with graded recommendations on their clinical role in HTN, HTN with additional cardiovascular (CV) risk, or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODOLOGY: An expert review panel was constituted, comprising interventional and clinical cardiologists as experts, to synthesize the literature for the development of a validated knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) survey questionnaire. Research databases, including Cochrane Systematic Reviews, PubMed, and Google Scholar, were accessed for contemporary information and guidelines on beta-blockers updated until Dec 2023. Delphi rounds were conducted to develop graded recommendations based on the strength, quality of evidence, and the agreement among the panelists (n = 9). Consensus was achieved on the graded recommendations, with ≥70% of national panelists in agreement. RESULTS: Ninety-six percent of respondents opined that the new ESH HTN guidelines (2023) help gain confidence in using beta-blockers, which are considered first-line drugs for the treatment of HTN. Beta-blockers, including nebivolol, can be recommended in patients with HTN with high resting heart rates, including young hypertensive patients under 40 years of age. For people under 60 years old with HTN, regardless of whether they have comorbid diseases, beta-blockers are the recommended drug choice. Ninety-five percent of respondents opined that nebivolol is the preferred beta-blocker in hypertensive patients with T2DM, followed by bisoprolol and metoprolol. More than 90% of respondents opined that the three most commonly preferred beta-blockers by experts in patients with angina were nebivolol, metoprolol, and bisoprolol. CONCLUSION: Beta-blockers, including nebivolol, can be considered initial-line therapy for HTN management in real-life settings in India and nebivolol is preferred because of its two important properties: highest beta-1 selectivity and endothelial-dependent vasodilation.

Rice-based integrated farming system improves the soil quality, bacterial community structure and system productivity under sub-humid tropical condition.

Rice-based integrated farming system improves the productivity and profitability by recycling resources efficiently. In the sub-humid tropics, rice production without sufficient nutrient replenishment often leads to soil health and fertility degradation. There has been very limited research on soil health and fertility after adopting a multi-enterprising rice-based integrated farming system (IFS), notably in the rice-fish-livestock and agroforestry system, when compared to a conventional farming system (CS). Therefore, the present study analyzed the dynamics of soil properties, soil bacterial community structure and their possible interaction mechanisms, as well as their effect on regulating soil quality and production in IFS, IFSw (water stagnant area of IFS) and CS. The results indicated that soil nutrient dynamics, bacterial diversity indices (Shannon index, Simpson index, Chao 1, ACE and Fisher index) and system productivity were higher in IFSw and IFS compared to CS. Moreover, relative operational taxonomic units of dominant bacterial genera (Chloroflexi, Acidobacteria, Verrucomicrobia, Planctomycetes, Cyanobacteria, Crenarchaeota and Gemmatimonadetes) were also higher in IFSw and IFS compared to CS. Mean soil quality index (SQI) was highest in IFSw (0.780 ± 0.201) followed by IFS (0.770 ± 0.080) and CS (0.595 ± 0.244). Moreover, rice equivalent yields (REY) and rice yields were well correlated with the higher levels of soil biological indices (SQIBiol) in IFS. Overall, our results revealed that rice-based IFS improved the soil health and fertility and ensuing crop productivity through positive interaction with soil bacterial communities and nutrient stoichiometry leading to agroecosystem sustainability.

Ensembled CNN with artificial bee colony optimization method for esophageal cancer stage classification using SVM classifier.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal cancer (EC) is aggressive cancer with a high fatality rate and a rapid rise of the incidence globally. However, early diagnosis of EC remains a challenging task for clinicians. OBJECTIVE: To help address and overcome this challenge, this study aims to develop and test a new computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) network that combines several machine learning models and optimization methods to detect EC and classify cancer stages. METHODS: The study develops a new deep learning network for the classification of the various stages of EC and the premalignant stage, Barrett's Esophagus from endoscopic images. The proposed model uses a multi-convolution neural network (CNN) model combined with Xception, Mobilenetv2, GoogLeNet, and Darknet53 for feature extraction. The extracted features are blended and are then applied on to wrapper based Artificial Bee Colony (ABC) optimization technique to grade the most accurate and relevant attributes. A multi-class support vector machine (SVM) classifies the selected feature set into the various stages. A study dataset involving 523 Barrett's Esophagus images, 217 ESCC images and 288 EAC images is used to train the proposed network and test its classification performance. RESULTS: The proposed network combining Xception, mobilenetv2, GoogLeNet, and Darknet53 outperforms all the existing methods with an overall classification accuracy of 97.76% using a 3-fold cross-validation method. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that a new deep learning network that combines a multi-CNN model with ABC and a multi-SVM is more efficient than those with individual pre-trained networks for the EC analysis and stage classification.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of ovine herpesvirus-2 in subclinical infections of cattle and sheep.

Ovine herpesvirus-2 (OvHV-2) is the causative agent of malignant catarrhal fever (MCF), a serious and often fatal disease that affects cattle and other ruminants. This study aimed to investigate the molecular epidemiology and genetic diversity of OvHV-2 strains circulating in sheep and cattle populations in the Jammu and Kashmir region of India. Screening of 150 sheep and 57 cattle blood samples revealed the presence of the OvHV-2 polymerase (pol) gene in 8.6% of sheep, 10% of apparently healthy cattle, and 29.7% of cattle exhibiting MCF-like symptoms. The full-length glycoprotein B (gB) gene (2800 bp) and an 875 bp internal fragment were successfully amplified, cloned, and sequenced from pol-positive samples. Comparative sequence analysis of the deduced gB amino acid sequences identified seven substitutions at positions 278, 341, 390, 440, 468, 539, and 566 compared to reference strains. Phylogenetic analysis based on the gB nucleotide sequences clustered the OvHV-2 strains from this study within the Indian clade, distinct from strains reported in the UK and US. These findings provide insights into the genetic diversity of OvHV-2 strains circulating in Jammu and Kashmir, with the identified mutations potentially influencing virus-host interactions. Further investigations into the functional implications of these mutations are warranted to understand their role in viral pathogenesis and tropism.