A preliminary study on benthic nutrient exchange across sediment-water interfaces in a shallow marine protected area of the Northwestern Arabian Gulf.

Sedimentary processes are expected to play a crucial role in macronutrient cycling of the shallow Arabian Gulf. To investigate this aspect, sediment cores were collected from the shallow intertidal and subtidal expanses of the first Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Kuwait in the Northwestern Arabian Gulf (NAG). Porewater nutrient profiling and whole core incubation experiments were conducted to measure the nutrient fluxes, both with and without the addition of the nitrification inhibitor allylthiourea (ATU). The porewater data confirmed the potential of sediments to host multiple aerobic and anaerobic pathways of nutrient regeneration. The average (±SD) of net nutrient fluxes from several incubation experiments indicated that ammonium (NH4+) predominantly fluxed out of the sediment (3.81 ± 2.53 mmol m-2 d-1), followed by SiO44- (3.07 ± 1.21 mmol m-2 d-1). In contrast, the average PO43- flux was minimal, at only 0.06 ± 0.05 mmol m-2 d-1. Fluxes of NO3- (ranged from 0.07 ± 0.005 to 1.16 ± 0.35 mmol m-2 d-1) and NO2- (0.03 ± 0.003 to 0.71 ± 0.21 mmol m-2 d-1) were moderate, which either reduced or reversed in the presence of ATU (-0.001 ± 0.0001 to 0.01 ± 0.0001 mmol m-2 d-1 and -0.001 ± 0.0003 to 0.006 ± 0.001 mmol m-2 d-1 for NO3- and NO2- respectively). Thus, this study provides preliminary experimental evidence that nitrification can act as a source of NO3- and NO2- as well as contribute towards the relatively high concentrations of NO2- (>1 in the gulf waters.

Aeolian dust and hydro-biological characteristics: Decoding dust storm impacts on phytoplankton in the northern Arabian Gulf.

Aeolian dust is an essential source of growth-limiting nutrients for marine phytoplankton. Despite being at the core of the Global Dust Belt, the response of the Arabian Gulf ecosystem to such atmospheric forcing is rarely documented. Here, the hydro-biological effect of mineral dust was studied in the northern Arabian Gulf (NAG) off Kuwait through monthly water sampling (December 2020 to December 2021), dust-storm follow-up sampling, and mineral dust and nutrient addition in-situ experiments. The multivariate analysis of oceanographic data revealed pronounced hydro-biological seasonality. The mineral dust deposition during two severe dust storm events in March and June 2021 showed a spatially varying effect of dust on coastal waters. The dust storms elevated the surface dissolved iron levels by several magnitudes, increased the dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorous levels, changed their stoichiometry, and offset the hydrobiological seasonality. In the microcosms, dust input temporarily reduced phytoplankton phosphorous limitation in a dose-dependent manner when mesozooplankton (copepods) grazing was minimal. The microphytoplankton response to mineral dust inputs was comparable to that with nitrogen and phosphorous treatment. While Both treatments increased diatom size structure and biomass, the abundance of single-celled diatoms was comparatively higher in dust treatment. Multivariate analysis indicated that dust deposition alters the hydrographical properties of the surface ocean during dust storm events. The effects, though transient, were traceable for 3-16 days post-storm in coastal waters. The response of the summer phytoplankton to these changes, if delayed or muted, should be interpreted with caution given the summer water column stratification, the high nitrogen: phosphorous ratio and the low phosphorous solubility of aerosol dust, and the complex pelagic microbial food web interactions in the NAG. This study thus underlines the importance of a multivariate approach in documenting the ecological implications of Aeolian dust storms on marine environments closer to the dust source regions.

In vitro and in vivo antimicrobial potential of lithium complex against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

IMPORTANCE: Multi-drug resistance (MDR) by virtue of evolving resistance and virulence mechanisms among A. baumannii is a global concern which is responsible for lethal hospital-acquired infections. Therefore, it is crucial to develop new therapeutics against it. Metal complexes are compact structures with diverse mechanisms that the pathogens cannot evade easily which make them a strong drug candidate. In this study, we assessed the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of lithium complex {[Li(phen)2 sal]} against biofilm-forming MDR A. baumannii. The lithium complex displayed strong antimicrobial activity and reduced the pre-formed mature biofilm which is key barrier for antimicrobial action. Moreover, it employs oxidative stress as one of its mode of actions and causes cellular rupturing. Lithium complex was non-toxic and was significantly effective to overcome pneumonia in mice model. These results highlight the untapped potential of metal complexes that can be explored and utilized for combating notorious A. baumannii infections.

Molecular Assessment and Validation of the Selected Enterococcal Strains as Probiotics.

Probiotics are live microorganisms which confer health benefits to the host. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are used as probiotics since decades. Enterococci being the member of LAB have proven probiotic strains; therefore, this study was aimed at finding out the potential probiotic candidates from the pool of locally isolated strains. For initial screening, one hundred and twenty-two strains were selected and subjected to different confirmatory and phenotypic tests to choose the best strains that have potential probiotic criteria, i.e., no potential virulence traits, antibiotic resistance, and having tolerance properties. Keeping this criterion, only eleven strains (n = 11) were selected for further assessment. All virulence traits such as production of hemolysin, gelatinase, biofilm, and DNase were performed and not found in the tested strains. The molecular assessment indicates the presence of few virulence-associated genes in Enterococcus faecalis strains with variable frequency. The phenotypic and genotypic assessments of antibiotic resistance profile indicate that the selected strain was susceptible to ten commonly used antibiotics, and there were no transferrable antibiotic resistance genes. The presence of CRISPR-Cas genes also confirmed the absence of antibiotic resistance genes. Various enterocin-producing genes like EntP, EntB, EntA, and EntQ were also identified in the selected strains which make them promising probiotic lead strains. Different tolerance assays like acid, NaCl, and gastric juice tolerance that mimic host conditions was also evaluated by providing artificial conditions. Cellular adhesion and aggregation properties like auto- and co-aggregation were also checked and their results reflect all in the favor of lead probiotic strains.

Combination of Shengmai San and Radix puerariae ameliorates depression-like symptoms in diabetic rats at the nexus of PI3K/BDNF/SYN protein expression.

BACKGROUND: Hyperglycemia is a characteristic feature of diabetes that often results in neuropsychological complications such as depression. Diabetic individuals are more vulnerable to experience depression compared to the normal population. Thus, novel treatment approaches are required to reduce depressive symptoms among diabetic individuals. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCMs) such as Shengmai San (SMS) and Radix puerariae (R) are usually widely used to treat ailments such as neurological complications since ancient time. METHODS: In this study, SMS was combined with R to prepare an R-SMS formulation and screened for their antidepressant activity in diabetic rats. The antidepressant potential of the prepared combination was evaluated behaviorally using open field test, novelty-induced hypophagia, and forced swim test in diabetic rats with biochemical and protein expression (PI3K, BDNF [brain-derived neurotrophic factor], and SYN [presynaptic vesicle protein]) analysis. RESULTS: Diabetic rats (streptozotocin, 45 mg/kg) showed elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) >12 mM with depressive symptoms throughout the study. Treatment with R-SMS (0.5, 1.5, and 4.5 g/kg) significantly reverted depressive symptoms in diabetic rats as evinced by significantly (p < 0.05) reduced immobility time with an increased tendency to eat food in a novel environment. Treatment with R-SMS also significantly increased the protein expression of PI3K, BDNF, and SYN protein, which play a crucial role in depression. CONCLUSION: This study showed that R-SMS formulation antagonized depressive symptoms in diabetic rats; thus, this formulation might be studied further to develop as an antidepressant.

Untargeted metabolomics analysis of gentamicin-induced tolerant colonies of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

PURPOSE: Antibiotic resistance development in pathogenic bacteria like Klebsiella pneumoniae seriously threatens humankind. Therefore, it is important to understand the interaction of bacteria with antibiotic agents and how it acquires resistance at the molecular level. The current study describes metabolomics analysis of K. pneumoniae sensitive strains and its gentamicin-tolerant (resistant) strains. METHODS: K. pneumoniae strains were treated at five different concentrations of gentamicin, increasing from a low dose (16.2 µg/mL) to the highest dose (250 µg/mL) at three incubation time periods (24 h, 48 h, and 72 h). Colonies obtained at various concentrations and time intervals were subjected to metabolomic analysis using GC-MS. RESULTS: A drastic change was observed in the morphology of K. pneumoniae colonies with the increasing gentamicin concentration. Moreover, K. pneumoniae strains grown at the highest concentration (250 µg/mL) were found tolerant to 1 mg/mL gentamicin (4-folds) and considered resistant strains. A total of 459 metabolites were identified. A sequential down/up-regulation in 4, 3, and 4 metabolites were observed in association with the increasing gentamicin concentration at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h, respectively. While with the comparative analysis of resistant and sensitive strains, a total of seven down- and sixteen up-regulated metabolites were observed. The concentration of some fatty acids and sugars have been found to increase while, a few metabolites like inosine, tyrosine, 1-propionylproline, and 2-hydroxyacetic acid have been found down-regulated in resistant samples. CONCLUSION: These regulator metabolites might be associated with resistance development in K. pneumoniae against gentamicin and might be helpful in the rapid detection of gentamicin-resistant clinical strains.

Naturally Isolated Sesquiterpene Lactone and Hydroxyanthraquinone Induce Apoptosis in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Line.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide, especially in Asian countries. The emergence of its drug resistance and its side effects demands alternatives, to improve prognosis. Since the majority of cancer drugs are derived from natural sources, it provides a window to look for more biocompatible alternatives. In this study, two natural compounds, costunolide (CE) and aloe emodin (AE), were isolated from the stem of Lycium shawii. The compounds were examined for their anticancer and apoptotic potentials against OSCC (CAL 27) cells, using an in vitro analysis, such as a MTT assay, scratch assay, gene, and protein expressions. Both compounds, CE and AE, were found to be cytotoxic against the cancer cells with an IC50 value of 32 and 38 µM, respectively. Moreover, the compounds were found to be non-toxic against normal NIH-3T3 cells and comparable with the standard drug i.e., 5-fluorouracil (IC50 = 97.76 µM). These compounds were active against normal cells at higher concentrations. Nuclear staining displayed the presence of apoptosis-associated morphological changes, i.e., karyopyknosis and karyorrhexis in the treated cancer cells. Flow cytometry results further confirmed that these compounds induce apoptosis rather than necrosis, as the majority of the cells were found in the late apoptotic phase. Gene and protein expression analyses showed an increased expression of apoptotic genes, i.e., BAK, caspase 3, 6, and 9. Moreover, the compounds significantly downregulated the expression of the anti-apoptotic (BCL-2 L1), metastatic (MMP-2), and pro-inflammatory (COX-2) genes. Both compounds have shown promising anticancer, apoptotic, and anti-migratory activities against the OSCC cell line (i.e., CAL-27). However, further in vivo studies are required to explore these compounds as anticancer agents.

Clinico-Epidemiological Profile and Predictors of Poor Outcome Among Children During a Diphtheria Outbreak in Haryana.

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinico-epidemiological profile and predictors of poor outcome in an outbreak of diphtheria. OUTCOME: Records of 390 children admitted with the diagnosis of clinical diphtheria in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Nuh, Haryana, from January, 2018 to December, 2020 were analysed with respect to demographic details, immunization status, clinical features, complications and mortality. Patients were divided into survivors and non-survivors, and various variables were compared between the two groups to identify the factors associated with poor outcome. RESULTS: Out of 390 cases, data of 318 (81.5%) was included. Young children (median age 5 year) were predominantly affected, and only 8 (2.5%) children were fully immunized. Pseudomembrane was present in 245 (77%) cases. Albert staining and culture were positive in 84.6% (269) and 12.9% (41) cases, respectively. Complications developed in 48.4% (n=154) cases and included: airway compromise 22.6% (n=72), diphtheritic cardiomyopathy 12.9% (n=41), acute kidney injury 3.7% (n=12), thrombocytopenia 8.5% (n=27) and hepatitis 0.6% (n=2) cases. Anti-diphtheritic serum (ADS) was administered to all admitted patients. Tracheostomy was done in (n=57) (17.9%) children. Case fatality rate was 17.9%. CONCLUSION: Diphtheria mostly affected young unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children. Mortality was high in unimmunized or partially immunized young children and those with bull neck, pseudomembrane, delayed (≥5 days) administration of ADS, acute kidney injury, thrombocytopenia and leukocytosis. Myocarditis was strongly associated with high mortality.

Nanotubes Formation in P. aeruginosa.

The present study discusses a biofilm-positive P. aeruginosa isolate that survives at pH levels ranging from 4.0 to 9.0. The biofilm consortia were colonized with different phenotypes i.e., planktonic, slow-growing and metabolically inactive small colony variants (SCVs). The lower base of the consortia was occupied by SCVs. These cells were strongly attached to solid surfaces and interconnected through a network of nanotubes. Nanotubes were observed at the stationary phase of biofilm indwellers and were more prominent after applying weight to the consortia. The scanning electron micrographs indicated that the nanotubes are polar appendages with intraspecies connectivity. The micrographs indicated variations in physical dimensions (length, width, and height) and a considerable reduction in volume due to weight pressure. A total of 35 cells were randomly selected. The mean volume of cells before the application of weight was 0.288 µm3, which was reduced to 0.144 µm3 after the application of weight. It was observed that a single cell may produce as many as six nanotubes, connected simultaneously to six neighbouring cells in different directions. The in-depth analysis confirmed that these structures were the intra-species connecting tools as no free nanotubes were found. Furthermore, after the application of weight, cells incapable of producing nanotubes were wiped out and the surface was covered by nanotube producers. This suggests that the nanotubes give a selective advantage to the cells to resist harsh environmental conditions and weight pressure. After the removal of weight and proper supply of nutrients, these phenotypes reverted to normal planktonic lifestyles. It is concluded that the nanotubes are not merely the phenomenon of dying cells; rather they are a connectivity tool which helps connected cells to tolerate and resist environmental stress.

Developing a video expert panel as a reference standard to evaluate respiratory rate counting in paediatric pneumonia diagnosis: protocol for a cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Manual counting of respiratory rate (RR) in children is challenging for health workers and can result in misdiagnosis of pneumonia. Some novel RR counting devices automate the counting of RR and classification of fast breathing. The absence of an appropriate reference standard to evaluate the performance of these devices is a challenge. If good quality videos could be captured, with RR interpretation from these videos systematically conducted by an expert panel, it could act as a reference standard. This study is designed to develop a video expert panel (VEP) as a reference standard to evaluate RR counting for identifying pneumonia in children. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Using a cross-sectional design, we will enrol children aged 0-59 months presenting with suspected pneumonia at different levels of health facilities in Dhaka and Sylhet, Bangladesh. We will videorecord a physician/health worker counting RR manually and also using an automated RR counter (Children's Automated Respiration Monitor) from each child. We will establish a standard operating procedure for capturing quality videos, make a set of reference videos, and train and standardise the VEP members using the reference videos. After that, we will assess the performance of the VEP as a reference standard to evaluate RR counting. We will calculate the mean difference and proportions of agreement within±2 breaths per minute and create Bland-Altman plots with limits of agreement between VEP members. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol was approved by the National Research Ethics Committee of Bangladesh Medical Research Council, Bangladesh (registration number: 39315022021) and Edinburgh Medical School Research Ethics Committee (EMREC), Edinburgh, UK (REC Reference: 21-EMREC-040). Dissemination of the study findings will be through conference presentations and publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals.

Infection with a human-derived enteroinvasive Escherichia coli strain altered intestinal barrier function in guinea pigs / La infección con una cepa enteroinvasiva de Escherichia coli de origen humano alteró la función de la barrera intestinal en cobayos

Background/aims: The aim was to characterize a bacterium causing intestinal mucosal barrier damage and to identify the possible invasion mechanism. Materials and methods: The intestinal permeability and tight junction protein levels were detected in guinea pigs infected with Escherichia coli D-09 via immunofluorescence analysis and western blotting. In order to explain this invasion mechanism at the gene level, whole genome sequencing analysis was performed on this bacterium. Results: The results showed an increased intestinal permeability and upregulated expression of the leaky protein claudin-2 in both the colon and liver of the infected animals. In addition, the draft genome of E. coli D-09 comprised 42 scaffolds (size, > 645 bp) with a total size of 4,679,567 bp. A total of 4379 protein coding genes were identified, which contained 45 antibiotic resistance and 86 virulence-related genes and covered 88.0% of the whole genome. Conclusions: This study verified that the human-derived enteroinvasive E. coli strain could destroy intestinal barrier function in guinea pigs. Additionally, our data first characterized the genome features of E. coli O124:K72 D-09, which may provide new insights into the possible invasion mechanism.(AU)

Genomic characterization of lytic bacteriophages A¥L and A¥M infecting ESBL K. pneumoniae and its therapeutic potential on biofilm dispersal and in-vivo bacterial clearance.

BACKGROUND: The emerging carbapenem resistance and extended spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) producing strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, are one of the critical pathogens for which novel therapeutic alternatives are required on urgent basis. Biofilm formation further aids in virulence due to impermeable nature. Bacteriophages are bacterial predators which due to their selective, and nontoxic nature can be used as an alternate to counter MDR infections. Hence, the current study was intended to isolate, characterize, and develop phage cocktail as a possible therapy against ESBL K. pneumoniae. MATERIAL AND METHOD: The two-novel bacteriophage A¥L and A¥M were isolated from environmental samples and characterized for host specificity and physicochemical stability (i.e., temperature and pH). Isolated phages alone or together as cocktail was further evaluated for in vitro biofilm eradication and infection clearance using in vivo murine model. Whole genome sequencing was performed for identification, evolutionary relationship, and bioinformatics analysis. RESULT: The isolated phage A¥L and A¥M belonged to Myoviridae and Siphoviridae family, respectively and showed good thermal (-20, 37, 45, and 60̊C) and pH (5, 7, 9, and 11) stability. At MOI of 0.001, both phages displayed short eclipse period of 5 and 10 min, respectively. Phages alone or together as cocktail showed 50-70% eradication of 48 h mature biofilm. Majority of the cells within biofilm was found dead as evinced from live dead staining. Atomic force and scanning electron microscopic analysis showed distorted biofilm with ruptured cells. The isolated phage or their cocktail significantly inhibited K. pneumoniae associated mortality in intraperitoneal inoculated mice model CONCLUSION: These findings imply that the phage might be a good option for eliminating K. pneumoniae infections and further studies could help in development of these phage as a bio-control product.

Enoxacin-based derivatives: antimicrobial and antibiofilm agent: a biology-oriented drug synthesis (BIODS) approach.

Background: To find alternative molecules against Klebsiella pneumonia, Proteus mirabilis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, new enoxacin derivatives were synthesized and screened. Methods: All derivatives exhibited promising antibacterial activities as compared to standard enoxacin (2 µg/ml) and standard cefixime (82 µg/ml). Compounds 2, 3 and 5 significantly downregulated the gene expression of biofilm-forming genes. Conclusion: Based on our results, these molecules may serve as potential drug candidates to cure several bacterial infections in the future.

Infection with a human-derived enteroinvasive Escherichia coli strain altered intestinal barrier function in guinea pigs.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The aim was to characterize a bacterium causing intestinal mucosal barrier damage and to identify the possible invasion mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The intestinal permeability and tight junction protein levels were detected in guinea pigs infected with Escherichia coli D-09 via immunofluorescence analysis and western blotting. In order to explain this invasion mechanism at the gene level, whole genome sequencing analysis was performed on this bacterium. RESULTS: The results showed an increased intestinal permeability and upregulated expression of the leaky protein claudin-2 in both the colon and liver of the infected animals. In addition, the draft genome of E. coli D-09 comprised 42 scaffolds (size, > 645 bp) with a total size of 4,679,567 bp. A total of 4379 protein coding genes were identified, which contained 45 antibiotic resistance and 86 virulence-related genes and covered 88.0% of the whole genome. CONCLUSIONS: This study verified that the human-derived enteroinvasive E. coli strain could destroy intestinal barrier function in guinea pigs. Additionally, our data first characterized the genome features of E. coli O124:K72 D-09, which may provide new insights into the possible invasion mechanism.

Dynamic hydrographic and water-quality variations in the northwestern Arabian Gulf, a sinking zone of reverse estuarine circulation.

Continuous measurements of hydrographic, hydrodynamic, and water quality showed marked diurnal, tidal, and seasonal variabilities in Kuwait Bay, a stressed coastal system in the northwestern Arabian/Persian Gulf. Advection of water masses and seasonality in vertical mixing regulated the Bay's hydrographic and water quality properties. Intensive stratification in summer had substantial implications on the Bay environment. Kuwait Bay constantly exports dense bottom water laden with dissolved inorganic nutrients and organic matter to the central basin of the Gulf. The export was largest in August under strong water column stratification. These in-situ findings agreed well with earlier studies that corroborated Kuwait Bay as an important area where the phenomenon of reverse estuarine circulation originates in the Gulf. Thus, Kuwait Bay is a significant source of nutrients and organic matter to the Gulf Deep Water that flows into the core of the oxygen minimum zone in the northwestern Indian Ocean.

Sesquiterpene from Polygonum barbatum disrupts mitochondrial membrane potential to induce apoptosis and inhibits metastasis by downregulating matrix metalloproteinase and osteopontin in NCI-H460 cells.

Globally, lung cancer accounts for 18% of cancer-associated mortalities. Among the subtypes, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the most prevalent. The increased resistance and poor survival rates signify disease aggressiveness and thus require a search for an alternative anticancer molecule. Earlier, the sesquiterpene, i.e., compound 3 ((E)-methyl 6-acetoxy-7-methoxy-1-(2-methylpropylidene)-1H-indene-3-carboxylate) from Polygonum barbatum, was isolated, characterized by us, and reported for preliminary anticancer activity. Therefore, based on these results, this study was designed to explore the underlying molecular mechanism of apoptosis and metastasis against NCI-H460 cells. The molecular mechanism of compound 3 inducing apoptosis and inhibiting metastasis was elucidated by analyzing mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA fragmentation, clonogenic assay, invasion assay, and expression of apoptotic (caspases 3, 6, 8, 9, and BAK) and metastatic markers (MMP 2, MMP 9, and osteopontin). Compound 3 significantly inhibited cell proliferation and induced apoptosis via the intrinsic route, i.e., the mitochondrial pathway, by disrupting mitochondrial membrane potential. The enhanced expression of caspases 6, 9, BAK, and HRK with downregulation of Bcl-2L1 and Ki67 further confirmed the involvement of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. Moreover, compound 3 restricted the invasive nature of NCI-H460 cells evinced by reduced cell invasion in Boyden chamber invasion assay and downregulating the expression of metastatic markers, i.e., matrix metalloproteinase 2/9 and VEGF. It was also found to block osteopontin by negatively regulating its expression, a marker protein in cancer management. Conclusively, this sesquiterpene exhibited potent anticancer and antimetastatic activity and can be explored further as possible pharmacophores.

Effect of Xiongmatang Extract on Behavioral and TRPV1-CGRP/CGRP-R Pathway in Rats With Migraine.

Migraine is a complex neurovascular disease, which seriously affects the quality of life in patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Xiongmatang (XMT) extract on rats with migraine induced by inflammatory soup and the underlying mechanisms. First, 1 week after dural catheterization, inflammatory soup was injected through a microsyringe to stimulate the dura of rats for 6 times (12 days), once every 2 days, 10 µL each time, to establish a migraine model. According to pain threshold analysis, behavioral change detection, and pathological analysis, the effects of XMT extract on rats with migraine were evaluated. The positive, mRNA and protein expression of related factors were detected by immunohistochemistry, RT-QPCR, and Western blot analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanism. XMT extract improved the behavioral performance of rats, and improve the pathological changes in the trigeminal nerve in rats. Further experimental results show that XMT extract regulated the expression of migraine-related factors in the trigeminal nerve, manifested as transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1), calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP), calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR), and receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) positive expression, mRNA expression, and protein expression reduction. XMT extract can significantly improved the behavioral performance of rats with migraine, and its mechanism of action might involve regulating the activity of TRPV1-CGRP/CGRP-R pathway.

Environmental impact of a series of flash flood events on a hypersaline subtropical system in the Northwestern Arabian Gulf.

A series of flash floods that swamped urban drainage systems in Kuwait in November-December 2018 drastically altered coastal hydrography. The phytoplankton responded quickly to the nutrient supply from land and reduced salinity despite elevated turbidity, as evident from rapid increases in chlorophyll a and net community production. Microphytoplankton was dominated by diatoms and the photosynthetic ciliate Myrionecta rubra. Both field observations and microcosm experiments suggested that although increased nutrient availability stimulates diatom growth, microzooplankton grazing controls their outbursts. This study revealed that in a hypersaline system similar to the northern Arabian Gulf, extreme events like flash floods have immediate but short-lived corollaries on coastal phytoplankton due to synergistic effects of bottom-up and top-down factors. The patterns are comparable to those reported from other tropical and sub-tropical systems.