Autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis,with as yet undetermined incidence and prevalence in the general population.Our understanding of it continues to evolve.In the last few years,2separat...Autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis,with as yet undetermined incidence and prevalence in the general population.Our understanding of it continues to evolve.In the last few years,2separate subtypes have been identified:type 1 AIP has been recognised as the pancreatic manifestation of a multiorgan disease,named immunoglobulin G4(IgG4)-related disease while type 2 AIP is a pancreas specific disorder not associated with IgG4.International criteria for the diagnosis of AIP have been defined:the HISORt criteria from the Mayo clinic,the Japan consensus criteria and,most recently,the international association of pancreatology"International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria".Despite this,in clinical practice it can still be very difficult to confirm the diagnosis and differenti-ate AIP from a pancreatic cancer.There are no large studies into the long-term prognosis and management of relapses of AIP,and there is even less information at present regarding the Type 2 AIP subtype.Further studies are necessary to clarify the pathogenesis,treatment and long-term outcomes of this disease.Critically for clinicians,making the correct diagnosis and differentiating the disease from pancreatic cancer is of the utmost importance and the greatest challenge.展开更多
The present work involves the development of siliconized epoxy resin to overcome the drawback of epoxy resin like poor impact strength, high rigidity and moisture absorbing nature because of which they are not applied...The present work involves the development of siliconized epoxy resin to overcome the drawback of epoxy resin like poor impact strength, high rigidity and moisture absorbing nature because of which they are not applied as corrosion resistant coating. By embedding silicone into the back bone of polymeric resin the above drawback can be reduced to substantial level. For achieving this, siliconised epoxy resins were prepared by reacting amine terminated silicone resin with novolac epoxy resin and meta-phenylenediamine was used as curing agent. The applied films of coating were baked at 150oC. Cured films were evaluated for their thermal, mechanical, chemical and corrosion resistance properties to ascertain the commercial utility of these eco-friendly resin for use in anti corrosive formulations. The siliconized epoxy resins system was found to exhibit good thermal and anticorrosive properties.展开更多
Human-wildlife conflict(HWC)is a conservation concern that increasingly threatens the continued existence of some of the world’s most endangered species.With an increase in human population,urban sprawl and sub...Human-wildlife conflict(HWC)is a conservation concern that increasingly threatens the continued existence of some of the world’s most endangered species.With an increase in human population,urban sprawl and subsequent encroachment on wild land,human and wildlife interaction has become inevitable.In the majority of cases,this interaction results in a negative outcome for humans,wildlife or both.In China,these key elements,along with a decrease in wild prey species,have resulted in the expansion of HWC encounters,and the need for alleviating this conflict has become a conservation priority.Loss of human life,livestock and/or crops is most often the catalysts that fuel HWC.Techniques to alleviate conflict around the world have included preventative measures and mitigation techniques,such as financial compensation and other incentive programs.Both types of measures have had variable success.We review the current status of human-carnivore conflict management in China,and,drawing lessons from around the globe,we make recommendations for improving conservation management in China.For example,an increase in law enforcement in nature reserves is vital to reducing human disturbance in prime carnivore habitat,thereby reducing conflict encounters.Also,modifications to current wildlife compensation programs,so that they are linked with preventative measures,will ensure that moral hazards are avoided.Furthermore,investigating the potential for a community self-financed insurance scheme to fund compensation and increasing efforts to restore wild prey populations will improve the outcome for wildlife conservation.Ultimately,HWC management in China will greatly benefit from an integrative approach.展开更多
Profile hidden Markov models (HMMs) based on classical HMMs have been widely applied for protein sequence identification. The formulation of the forward and backward variables in profile HMMs is made under statistic...Profile hidden Markov models (HMMs) based on classical HMMs have been widely applied for protein sequence identification. The formulation of the forward and backward variables in profile HMMs is made under statistical independence assumption of the probability theory. We propose a fuzzy profile HMM to overcome the limitations of that assumption and to achieve an improved alignment for protein sequences belonging to a given family. The proposed model fuzzifies the forward and backward variables by incorporating Sugeno fuzzy measures and Choquet integrals, thus further extends the generalized HMM. Based on the fuzzified forward and backward variables, we propose a fuzzy Baum-Welch parameter estimation algorithm for profiles. The strong correlations and the sequence preference involved in the protein structures make this fuzzy architecture based model as a suitable candidate for building profiles of a given family, since the fuzzy set can handle uncertainties better than classical methods.展开更多
Objective:To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic leaf extract of Cyathea gigantea(C.gigantea)against paracetamol induced liver damage in rats.Methods:The hepatoprotective activity for plant extract...Objective:To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic leaf extract of Cyathea gigantea(C.gigantea)against paracetamol induced liver damage in rats.Methods:The hepatoprotective activity for plant extract was investigated for paracetamol induced hepatoxicity in rats.Wislar albino rats of either sex were divided into five groups of 6 animals each and are given orally the following treatment for seven days.The normal control group was given 1%Na.CMC 1mL/kg bw,p.o.Paracetamol at dose of 1g/kg bw,p.o.was given as toxic dose for inducing hepatoloxicity.Silymarin(50mg/kg.p.o.) was given as reference standard.Two doses of C. gigantea extract i.e.,100 mg/kg.p.o.and 200 mg/kg,p.o.were tested for hepatoprotective activity. The treatment was given for seven days and after 24 h of last treatment blood was collected from retro-orbital plexus and analysed for various serum parameters like serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(SGOT),serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase(SGPT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),total bilirubin(TB)and total protein(TP)in different groups.Results:The paracetamol intoxication lead to histological and biochemical deteriorations.The treatment with methanolic leaf extract of C.gigantea reduced the elevated levels of SCOT,SGPT,ALP,TB and also reversed the hepatic damage towards normal which further supports the hepatoprotective activity of leaf extract of C.gigantea.Conclusions:The methanolic extract of leaves of C.gigantea at doses of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw have significant effect on liver of paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity model in rats.展开更多
Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant potential of different extract/fractions of Anthocephalus cadamba(A.cadamba)(Roxb.) Miq.(Rubiaceae) and study the tentative identification of their active constituents.Metho...Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant potential of different extract/fractions of Anthocephalus cadamba(A.cadamba)(Roxb.) Miq.(Rubiaceae) and study the tentative identification of their active constituents.Methods:The extract/fractions were screened for antioxidant activity using various in vitro assays viz.DPPH assay,ABTS assay,superoxide anion radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay and plasmid DNA nicking assay.Total phenolic content of extract/fractions was determined by colorimetric method.An ultra-performance LC-electrospray-quadrupoletime of flight mass spectrometry method was used to analyse the active constituents of extract/ fractions of A.cadamba.Results:The ethyl acetate fraction was found to be most active fraction in all the assays as compared to other extract/fractions.The IC<sub>50</sub> value of ethyl acetate fraction (ETAC fraction) was 21.24μg/mL,1.12μg/mL,9.68μg/mL and S7.81μg/mL in DPPH assay, ABTS assay,reducing power assay and superoxide scavenging assay respectively.All the extract/ fractions also showed the potential to protect the plasmid DNA(pBR322) against the attack of hydroxyl radicals generated by Fenton’s reagent.The bioactive compounds were identified by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS,by comparing the mass andλ<sub>max</sub> with literature values.Conclusions:The potential of the extract/fractions to scavenge different free radicals in different systems indicated that they may be useful therapeutic agents for treating radical-related pathologic damage.展开更多
In the recent decade,a significant increase in the penetration level of renewable energy sources(RESs)into the distribution grid is evident due to the world’s shift towards clean energy and to increase the reliabilit...In the recent decade,a significant increase in the penetration level of renewable energy sources(RESs)into the distribution grid is evident due to the world’s shift towards clean energy and to increase the reliability or inboard manner resiliency of electrical distribution system.RES based microgrids are the most favorable option available,especially to enhance resiliency.However,the integration of RES over the distribution grid would hamper the grid stability due to its stochastic nature under normal conditions.During extreme weather conditions,RES behavior is completely uncertain.Hence there is a need to eliminate the adverse effects caused by the RES and make the distribution grid more reliable and stable under normal and resilient conditions.To address these issues,many researchers proposed several methods to place energy storage units(ESUs)and microgrids(RES integrated),which can support critical loads at an optimal location in the distribution system during normal and extreme conditions,respectively.The aim of this article is to consolidate and review the research towards various approaches to formulate the problem(optimal location,allocation,and operation of ESU and microgrids to face regular and extreme weather condition)and tools to solve it for enhanced system flexibility and resiliency.Based on the review,a generalized methodology has been designed to adapt the inputs and address both conditions.At the end of the review,future aspects for ESU to strengthen resistance and resiliency of its own are presented,which can be helpful to further improve the reliability and resiliency of the distribution system.展开更多
Background: Dyslipidemia and hypertension are independent cardiovascular risk factors that are linked by insulin resistance and they require follow-up and more aggressive therapeutic strategies. Hence, the present stu...Background: Dyslipidemia and hypertension are independent cardiovascular risk factors that are linked by insulin resistance and they require follow-up and more aggressive therapeutic strategies. Hence, the present study was done to study the prevalence of Diabetes and Dyslipidemia patterns in hypertensive patients. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done on patients with hypertension for duration of one year, i.e. from Feb 2022 to January 2023. A total of 726 hypertensive Patients were included. All calculations and statistical analyses were processed by SPSS 25.0. Results: A Total of 726 patients with a history of hypertension were included;the average age was 55, with 24.2% of patients belonging to the age group 51 - 60;55.8% were males and 44.2% were females. In the present study, the prevalence of diabetes was 29.06% and 35.5% of patients in the prediabetic stage. The most frequent dyslipidaemic form was reduced HDL, seen in 96.1% and 94% of new and old respectively;followed by elevated LDL, 86% and 48.2% in new and old respectively. It was followed by elevated TG level and Total cholesterol levels. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of diabetes, pre-diabetes as well as dyslipidemia in hypertensive patients.展开更多
BACKGROUND Coagulopathy and thromboembolic events are associated with poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients.There is conflicting evidence on the effects of chronic anticoagulation on mortality an...BACKGROUND Coagulopathy and thromboembolic events are associated with poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients.There is conflicting evidence on the effects of chronic anticoagulation on mortality and severity of COVID-19 disease.AIM To summarize the body of evidence on the effects of pre-hospital anticoagulation on outcomes in COVID-19 patients.METHODS A Literature search was performed on LitCovid PubMed,WHO,and Scopus databases from inception(December 2019)till June 2023 for original studies reporting an association between prior use of anticoagulants and patient outcomes in adults with COVID-19.The primary outcome was the risk of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients taking anticoagulants.Secondary outcomes included COVID-19 disease severity,in terms of intensive care unit admission or invasive mechanical ventilation/intubation requirement in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection,and mortality.The random effects models were used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios(aORs)with 95%confidence intervals(95%CIs).RESULTS Forty-six observational studies met our inclusion criteria.The unadjusted analysis found no association between prior anticoagulation and thromboembolic event risk[n=43851,9 studies,odds ratio(OR)=0.67(0.22,2.07);P=0.49;I2=95%].The association between prior anticoagulation and disease severity was non-significant[n=186782;22 studies,OR=1.08(0.78,1.49);P=0.64;I2=89%].However,pre-hospital anticoagulation significantly increased all-cause mortality risk[n=207292;35 studies,OR=1.72(1.37,2.17);P<0.00001;I2=93%].Pooling adjusted estimates revealed a statistically non-significant association between pre-hospital anticoagulation and thromboembolic event risk[aOR=0.87(0.42,1.80);P=0.71],mortality[aOR=0.94(0.84,1.05);P=0.31],and disease severity[aOR=0.96(0.72,1.26);P=0.76].CONCLUSION Prehospital anticoagulation was not significantly associated with reduced risk of thromboembolic events,improved survival,and lower disease severity in COVID-19 patients.展开更多
Cancer is a leading cause of death globally,with limited treatment options and several limitations.Chemotherapeutic agents often result in toxicity which long-term conventional treatment.Phytochemicals are natural con...Cancer is a leading cause of death globally,with limited treatment options and several limitations.Chemotherapeutic agents often result in toxicity which long-term conventional treatment.Phytochemicals are natural constituents that are more effective in treating various diseases with less toxicity than the chemotherapeutic agents providing alternative therapeutic approaches to minimize the resistance.These phytoconstituents act in several ways and deliver optimum effectiveness against cancer.Nevertheless,the effectiveness of phyto-formulations in the management of cancers may be constrained due to challenges related to inadequate solubility,bioavailability,and stability.Nanotechnology presents a promising avenue for transforming current cancer treatment methods through the incorporation of phytochemicals into nanosystems,which possess a range of advantageous characteristics such as biocompatibility,targeted and sustained release capabilities,and enhanced protective effects.This holds significant potential for future advancements in cancer management.Herein,this review aims to provide intensive literature on diverse nanocarriers,highlighting their applications as cargos for phytocompounds in cancer.Moreover,it offers an overview of the current advancements in the respective field,emphasizing the characteristics that contribute to favourable outcomes in both in vitro and in vivo settings.Lastly,clinical development and regulatory concerns are also discussed to check on the transformation of the concept as a promising strategy for combination therapy of phytochemicals and chemotherapeutics that could lead to cancer management in the future.展开更多
Geopolymer concrete emerges as a promising avenue for sustainable development and offers an effective solution to environmental problems.Its attributes as a non-toxic,low-carbon,and economical substitute for conventio...Geopolymer concrete emerges as a promising avenue for sustainable development and offers an effective solution to environmental problems.Its attributes as a non-toxic,low-carbon,and economical substitute for conventional cement concrete,coupled with its elevated compressive strength and reduced shrinkage properties,position it as a pivotal material for diverse applications spanning from architectural structures to transportation infrastructure.In this context,this study sets out the task of using machine learning(ML)algorithms to increase the accuracy and interpretability of predicting the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete in the civil engineering field.To achieve this goal,a new approach using convolutional neural networks(CNNs)has been adopted.This study focuses on creating a comprehensive dataset consisting of compositional and strength parameters of 162 geopolymer concrete mixes,all containing Class F fly ash.The selection of optimal input parameters is guided by two distinct criteria.The first criterion leverages insights garnered from previous research on the influence of individual features on compressive strength.The second criterion scrutinizes the impact of these features within the model’s predictive framework.Key to enhancing the CNN model’s performance is the meticulous determination of the optimal hyperparameters.Through a systematic trial-and-error process,the study ascertains the ideal number of epochs for data division and the optimal value of k for k-fold cross-validation—a technique vital to the model’s robustness.The model’s predictive prowess is rigorously assessed via a suite of performance metrics and comprehensive score analyses.Furthermore,the model’s adaptability is gauged by integrating a secondary dataset into its predictive framework,facilitating a comparative evaluation against conventional prediction methods.To unravel the intricacies of the CNN model’s learning trajectory,a loss plot is deployed to elucidate its learning rate.The study culminates in compelli展开更多
With the growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the United States and across the world,a rise in the overall incidence and prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is expected.The risk factors for ...With the growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the United States and across the world,a rise in the overall incidence and prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is expected.The risk factors for NAFLD are also associated with the development of chronic kidney disease(CKD).We review the epidemiology,risk factors,genetics,implications of gut dysbiosis,and specific pathogenic mechanisms linking NAFLD to CKD.Mechanisms such as ectopic lipid accumulation,cellular signaling abnormalities,and the interplay between fructose consumption and uric acid accumulation have led to the emergence of potential therapeutic implications for this patient population.Transplant evaluation in the setting of both NAFLD and CKD is also reviewed.Potential strategies for surveillance and management include the monitoring of comorbidities,the use of non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems,and the measurement of laboratory markers.Lastly,we discuss the management of patients with NAFLD and CKD,from preventative measures to experimental interventions.展开更多
Central insulin resistance, the diminished cellular sensitivity to insulin in the brain, has been implicated in diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. However, whether and how centra...Central insulin resistance, the diminished cellular sensitivity to insulin in the brain, has been implicated in diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. However, whether and how central insulin resistance plays a role in the eye remains unclear. Here, we performed intracerebroventricular injection of S961, a potent and specific blocker of insulin receptor in adult Wistar rats to test if central insulin resistance leads to pathological changes in ocular structures. 80 mg of S961 was stereotaxically injected into the lateral ventricle of the experimental group twice at 7 days apart, whereas buffer solution was injected to the sham control group. Blood samples, intraocular pressure, trabecular meshwork morphology, ciliary body markers, retinal and optic nerve integrity, and whole genome expression patterns were then evaluated. While neither blood glucose nor serum insulin level was significantly altered in the experimental or control group, we found that injection of S961 but not buffer solution significantly increased intraocular pressure at 14 and 24 days after first injection, along with reduced porosity and aquaporin 4 expression in the trabecular meshwork, and increased tumor necrosis factor α and aquaporin 4 expression in the ciliary body. In the retina, cell density and insulin receptor expression decreased in the retinal ganglion cell layer upon S961 injection. Fundus photography revealed peripapillary atrophy with vascular dysregulation in the experimental group. These retinal changes were accompanied by upregulation of pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes, downregulation of anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neurotrophic genes, as well as dysregulation of genes involved in insulin signaling. Optic nerve histology indicated microglial activation and changes in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, tumor necrosis factor α, and aquaporin 4. Molecular pathway architecture of the retina revealed the three most significant pathways involved being inflammat展开更多
Background: Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be conveniently sampled from bone marrow, peripheral blood, muscle, adipose and connective tissue, harvested from various species, including, rodents, dogs, cats,...Background: Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be conveniently sampled from bone marrow, peripheral blood, muscle, adipose and connective tissue, harvested from various species, including, rodents, dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats and human beings. The MSCs isolated from adult tissues vary in their morphological and functional properties. These variations are further complicated when cells are expanded by passaging in culture. These differences and changes in MSCs must be considered prior to their application in the clinic or in a basic research study. Goats are commonly used as animal models for bone tissue engineering to test the potential of stem cells for bone regeneration. As a result, goat MSCs isolated from bone marrow or adipose tissue should be evaluated using in vitro assays, prior to their application in a tissue engineering project. Results: In this study, we compared the stem cell properties of MSCs isolated from goat bone marrow and adipose tissue. We used quantitative and qualitative assays with a focus on osteogenesis, including, colony forming unit, rate of cell proliferation, tri-lineage differentiation and expression profiling of key signal transduction proteins to compare MSCs from low and high passages. Primary cultures generated from each source displayed the stem cell characteristics, with variations in their osteogenic potentials. Most importantly, low passaged bone marrow MSCs displayed a significantly higher and superior osteogenic potential, and hence, will be the preferred choice for bone tissue engineering in future in vivo experiments. In the bone marrow MSCs, this process is potentially mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway. On the other hand, osteogenic differentiation in the adipose tissue MSCs may involve the p44/42 MAPK pathway. Conclusions: Based on these data, we can conclude that bone marrow and fat-derived MSCs undergo osteogenesis via two distinct signaling pathways. Even though the bone marrow MSCs are the preferred source for bone tissue engineering, the adipose展开更多
Low velocity impact experiments were carried out on E-glass/epoxy composite laminates having varying thicknesses at sub zero and elevated temperatures using hemi spherical steel impactor of 16 mm diameter with impact ...Low velocity impact experiments were carried out on E-glass/epoxy composite laminates having varying thicknesses at sub zero and elevated temperatures using hemi spherical steel impactor of 16 mm diameter with impact energies in the rage of 50-150 J.The performance of the laminates was assessed in terms of energy absorption,maximum displacement,peak force and failure behaviour.Results indicated that the effect of temperature on energy absorption of the laminate is negligible although the laminates are embrittling at sub zero temperatures.However it has influence on failure behaviour and displacement.Peak force has increased linearly with increase in laminate thickness from 5 to 10 mm.However it got reduced by 25% when temperature was increased from-20℃ to 100℃,Based on experimental results,laminate perforation energies were predicted using curve fitting equations.Statistical analysis was carried out using Taguchi method to identify the global effects of various parameters on laminate performance and confirmed that the laminate thickness has significant influence as compared to temperature,for the studied range.展开更多
Background and Aim:Gastric varices are associated with high mortality.There have been conflicting reports on whether endoscopic treatment with cyanoacrylate or the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemi...Background and Aim:Gastric varices are associated with high mortality.There have been conflicting reports on whether endoscopic treatment with cyanoacrylate or the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is more effective in the treatment of gastric varices.We compared the outcomes of patients treated with cyanoacrylate glue or TIPS for the management of acute gastric variceal bleeding.Methods:The study was designed as a retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing either TIPS or endoscopic treatment with cyanoacrylate for acute gastric variceal bleeding at our institution from 2001 to 2011.Primary compared to studied between the two treatment modalities were the short-term treatment outcomes,including re-bleeding within 30 days,length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to assess factors associated with in-hospital mortality.Results:A total of 169 patients were included in the analysis.The TIPS arm contained 140 patients and the cyanoacrylate arm contained 29 patients.There was no evidence to suggest any significant differences in demographics or disease severity.There were no differences between the TIPS arm and the cyanoacrylate armtwo groups in treatment outcomes including re-bleeding within 30 days(17.4%vs.17.2%;P=0.98),median length of stay in the hospital(4.5 days vs.6.0 days;P紏0.35)or in-hospital mortality(9.0%vs.11.1%;P=0.74).In-hospital mortality was evaluated for 149 patients and lower albumin(P=0.015),higher MELD score(P<0.001),higher CTP score(P=0.005)and bleeding(P=0.008)were all significantly associated with in-hospital death.Conclusion:These findings suggest that both treatments are equally effective.Cyanoacrylate offers a safe,effective alternative to TIPS for gastric varices,and physician may choose the best therapy for each patient,factoring in the availability of TIPS or cyanoacrylate,the individual patient’s presentation,and cost.展开更多
The successful ex vitro establishment of Dendrobium plantlets raised in vitro determines the quality of the end product(cut flowers or potted plants) in commercial production for economic gain. When in vitro Dendrobiu...The successful ex vitro establishment of Dendrobium plantlets raised in vitro determines the quality of the end product(cut flowers or potted plants) in commercial production for economic gain. When in vitro Dendrobium plantlets are transplanted from the culture room to greenhouse conditions, they may desiccate or wilt rapidly and can die as a result of changes in the environment, unless substantial precautions are taken to adapt plantlets to a new environment. The acclimatization of in vitro-grown Dendrobium plantlets to an ex vitro environment by gradually weaning them towards ambient relative humidity and light levels facilitates better survival of young and physiologically sensitive plantlets.Dendrobium plantlets raised in vitro must thus undergo a period of acclimatization or transitional development to correct anatomical abnormalities and to enhance their physiological performance to ensure survival under ex vitro conditions. The most common approach to improve the survival of Dendrobium plantlets upon transfer to an ex vitro environment is their gradual adaptation to that environment. Under such conditions, plants convert rapidly from a heterotrophic or photomixotrophic state to an autotrophic growth, develop a fully functional root system,and better control their stomatal and cuticular transpiration. Gradual adaptation is carried out in a greenhouse by decreasing relative humidity using fog or mist chambers and by increasing light intensity using shading techniques. This review details the acclimatization and ex vitro survival of Dendrobium plants produced in vitro. This advice is also useful for other orchids.展开更多
The size selectivity and catch pattern of Trichiurus lepturus in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends were investigated in this study.A 34 m high opening trawl was used,which is a common design used by fishermen oper...The size selectivity and catch pattern of Trichiurus lepturus in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends were investigated in this study.A 34 m high opening trawl was used,which is a common design used by fishermen operating along the northwest coast of India,and the cover codend method was employed to determine codend selectivity.Along with the changes in the length at 50%retention rate for Trichiurus lepturus with the usage of the square and diamond mesh codends,indicators to understand the exploitation pattern of this species in the fishery were assessed based on the total number of individuals and on total weight of the catch.The mean selection length increased and discard fraction is reduced when 40 mm square mesh codends are used in place of diamond meshes,however,it is observed that individuals at commercial length are also lost.The results demonstrate that mandatory use of legal mesh sizes alone will be insufficient to aid in the sustainable harvest of this species,given its estimated length at first sexual maturity of 61.2 cm.This is the first study to compare the size selection of this species in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends along Northwest coast of India.Results of the study will help as a baseline for gear-based regulations in the region.展开更多
The use of complementary and alternative medicines(CAMs)for treatment of acute and chronic diseases is on the rise world over,especially in Asian countries,and mostly in China and India.Drug-induced liver injury(DILI)...The use of complementary and alternative medicines(CAMs)for treatment of acute and chronic diseases is on the rise world over,especially in Asian countries,and mostly in China and India.Drug-induced liver injury(DILI)due to CAM is increasingly reported in the literature from multiple centers all around the world and with large-number patient series published from the West,mostly based on nation-wide DILI networks and multicenter collaboration.Comprehensive DILI networks are lacking among major Asian countries with high incidence of CAM practices.Chinese medical societies dealing with drug toxicity,CAM practice and hepatobiliary disease have adopted an integrated approach to establishing identification,diagnosis and treatment of CAM-related DILI,representing a systematic approach that could be iterated by other countries for improving patient outcomes.In this exhaustive review,we provide published data on CAM-related DILI in Asia,with detail on incidences along with analysis of patient population and their clinical outcomes.Concise and clear discussion on commonly implicated CAM agents in major Asian countries and associated chemical and toxicology analyses as well as descriptions of liver biopsy findings are discussed with future directions.展开更多
文摘Autoimmune pancreatitis(AIP)is a rare form of chronic pancreatitis,with as yet undetermined incidence and prevalence in the general population.Our understanding of it continues to evolve.In the last few years,2separate subtypes have been identified:type 1 AIP has been recognised as the pancreatic manifestation of a multiorgan disease,named immunoglobulin G4(IgG4)-related disease while type 2 AIP is a pancreas specific disorder not associated with IgG4.International criteria for the diagnosis of AIP have been defined:the HISORt criteria from the Mayo clinic,the Japan consensus criteria and,most recently,the international association of pancreatology"International Consensus Diagnostic Criteria".Despite this,in clinical practice it can still be very difficult to confirm the diagnosis and differenti-ate AIP from a pancreatic cancer.There are no large studies into the long-term prognosis and management of relapses of AIP,and there is even less information at present regarding the Type 2 AIP subtype.Further studies are necessary to clarify the pathogenesis,treatment and long-term outcomes of this disease.Critically for clinicians,making the correct diagnosis and differentiating the disease from pancreatic cancer is of the utmost importance and the greatest challenge.
文摘The present work involves the development of siliconized epoxy resin to overcome the drawback of epoxy resin like poor impact strength, high rigidity and moisture absorbing nature because of which they are not applied as corrosion resistant coating. By embedding silicone into the back bone of polymeric resin the above drawback can be reduced to substantial level. For achieving this, siliconised epoxy resins were prepared by reacting amine terminated silicone resin with novolac epoxy resin and meta-phenylenediamine was used as curing agent. The applied films of coating were baked at 150oC. Cured films were evaluated for their thermal, mechanical, chemical and corrosion resistance properties to ascertain the commercial utility of these eco-friendly resin for use in anti corrosive formulations. The siliconized epoxy resins system was found to exhibit good thermal and anticorrosive properties.
基金supported by Hunchun National Nature Reserve and the Hunchun Amur Tiger Tianhe Conservation Association.
文摘Human-wildlife conflict(HWC)is a conservation concern that increasingly threatens the continued existence of some of the world’s most endangered species.With an increase in human population,urban sprawl and subsequent encroachment on wild land,human and wildlife interaction has become inevitable.In the majority of cases,this interaction results in a negative outcome for humans,wildlife or both.In China,these key elements,along with a decrease in wild prey species,have resulted in the expansion of HWC encounters,and the need for alleviating this conflict has become a conservation priority.Loss of human life,livestock and/or crops is most often the catalysts that fuel HWC.Techniques to alleviate conflict around the world have included preventative measures and mitigation techniques,such as financial compensation and other incentive programs.Both types of measures have had variable success.We review the current status of human-carnivore conflict management in China,and,drawing lessons from around the globe,we make recommendations for improving conservation management in China.For example,an increase in law enforcement in nature reserves is vital to reducing human disturbance in prime carnivore habitat,thereby reducing conflict encounters.Also,modifications to current wildlife compensation programs,so that they are linked with preventative measures,will ensure that moral hazards are avoided.Furthermore,investigating the potential for a community self-financed insurance scheme to fund compensation and increasing efforts to restore wild prey populations will improve the outcome for wildlife conservation.Ultimately,HWC management in China will greatly benefit from an integrative approach.
文摘Profile hidden Markov models (HMMs) based on classical HMMs have been widely applied for protein sequence identification. The formulation of the forward and backward variables in profile HMMs is made under statistical independence assumption of the probability theory. We propose a fuzzy profile HMM to overcome the limitations of that assumption and to achieve an improved alignment for protein sequences belonging to a given family. The proposed model fuzzifies the forward and backward variables by incorporating Sugeno fuzzy measures and Choquet integrals, thus further extends the generalized HMM. Based on the fuzzified forward and backward variables, we propose a fuzzy Baum-Welch parameter estimation algorithm for profiles. The strong correlations and the sequence preference involved in the protein structures make this fuzzy architecture based model as a suitable candidate for building profiles of a given family, since the fuzzy set can handle uncertainties better than classical methods.
基金Supported by University Grants Commission.(No.Fdb/Pharmacy/C6102/2008-2010/5162)
文摘Objective:To investigate the hepatoprotective activity of methanolic leaf extract of Cyathea gigantea(C.gigantea)against paracetamol induced liver damage in rats.Methods:The hepatoprotective activity for plant extract was investigated for paracetamol induced hepatoxicity in rats.Wislar albino rats of either sex were divided into five groups of 6 animals each and are given orally the following treatment for seven days.The normal control group was given 1%Na.CMC 1mL/kg bw,p.o.Paracetamol at dose of 1g/kg bw,p.o.was given as toxic dose for inducing hepatoloxicity.Silymarin(50mg/kg.p.o.) was given as reference standard.Two doses of C. gigantea extract i.e.,100 mg/kg.p.o.and 200 mg/kg,p.o.were tested for hepatoprotective activity. The treatment was given for seven days and after 24 h of last treatment blood was collected from retro-orbital plexus and analysed for various serum parameters like serum glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase(SGOT),serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase(SGPT),alkaline phosphatase(ALP),total bilirubin(TB)and total protein(TP)in different groups.Results:The paracetamol intoxication lead to histological and biochemical deteriorations.The treatment with methanolic leaf extract of C.gigantea reduced the elevated levels of SCOT,SGPT,ALP,TB and also reversed the hepatic damage towards normal which further supports the hepatoprotective activity of leaf extract of C.gigantea.Conclusions:The methanolic extract of leaves of C.gigantea at doses of 100 mg/kg bw and 200 mg/kg bw have significant effect on liver of paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity model in rats.
基金UGC(DRS-SAP),New Delhi for providing financial assistance
文摘Objective:To evaluate the antioxidant potential of different extract/fractions of Anthocephalus cadamba(A.cadamba)(Roxb.) Miq.(Rubiaceae) and study the tentative identification of their active constituents.Methods:The extract/fractions were screened for antioxidant activity using various in vitro assays viz.DPPH assay,ABTS assay,superoxide anion radical scavenging assay, reducing power assay and plasmid DNA nicking assay.Total phenolic content of extract/fractions was determined by colorimetric method.An ultra-performance LC-electrospray-quadrupoletime of flight mass spectrometry method was used to analyse the active constituents of extract/ fractions of A.cadamba.Results:The ethyl acetate fraction was found to be most active fraction in all the assays as compared to other extract/fractions.The IC<sub>50</sub> value of ethyl acetate fraction (ETAC fraction) was 21.24μg/mL,1.12μg/mL,9.68μg/mL and S7.81μg/mL in DPPH assay, ABTS assay,reducing power assay and superoxide scavenging assay respectively.All the extract/ fractions also showed the potential to protect the plasmid DNA(pBR322) against the attack of hydroxyl radicals generated by Fenton’s reagent.The bioactive compounds were identified by UPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS,by comparing the mass andλ<sub>max</sub> with literature values.Conclusions:The potential of the extract/fractions to scavenge different free radicals in different systems indicated that they may be useful therapeutic agents for treating radical-related pathologic damage.
文摘In the recent decade,a significant increase in the penetration level of renewable energy sources(RESs)into the distribution grid is evident due to the world’s shift towards clean energy and to increase the reliability or inboard manner resiliency of electrical distribution system.RES based microgrids are the most favorable option available,especially to enhance resiliency.However,the integration of RES over the distribution grid would hamper the grid stability due to its stochastic nature under normal conditions.During extreme weather conditions,RES behavior is completely uncertain.Hence there is a need to eliminate the adverse effects caused by the RES and make the distribution grid more reliable and stable under normal and resilient conditions.To address these issues,many researchers proposed several methods to place energy storage units(ESUs)and microgrids(RES integrated),which can support critical loads at an optimal location in the distribution system during normal and extreme conditions,respectively.The aim of this article is to consolidate and review the research towards various approaches to formulate the problem(optimal location,allocation,and operation of ESU and microgrids to face regular and extreme weather condition)and tools to solve it for enhanced system flexibility and resiliency.Based on the review,a generalized methodology has been designed to adapt the inputs and address both conditions.At the end of the review,future aspects for ESU to strengthen resistance and resiliency of its own are presented,which can be helpful to further improve the reliability and resiliency of the distribution system.
文摘Background: Dyslipidemia and hypertension are independent cardiovascular risk factors that are linked by insulin resistance and they require follow-up and more aggressive therapeutic strategies. Hence, the present study was done to study the prevalence of Diabetes and Dyslipidemia patterns in hypertensive patients. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was done on patients with hypertension for duration of one year, i.e. from Feb 2022 to January 2023. A total of 726 hypertensive Patients were included. All calculations and statistical analyses were processed by SPSS 25.0. Results: A Total of 726 patients with a history of hypertension were included;the average age was 55, with 24.2% of patients belonging to the age group 51 - 60;55.8% were males and 44.2% were females. In the present study, the prevalence of diabetes was 29.06% and 35.5% of patients in the prediabetic stage. The most frequent dyslipidaemic form was reduced HDL, seen in 96.1% and 94% of new and old respectively;followed by elevated LDL, 86% and 48.2% in new and old respectively. It was followed by elevated TG level and Total cholesterol levels. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of diabetes, pre-diabetes as well as dyslipidemia in hypertensive patients.
文摘BACKGROUND Coagulopathy and thromboembolic events are associated with poor outcomes in coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)patients.There is conflicting evidence on the effects of chronic anticoagulation on mortality and severity of COVID-19 disease.AIM To summarize the body of evidence on the effects of pre-hospital anticoagulation on outcomes in COVID-19 patients.METHODS A Literature search was performed on LitCovid PubMed,WHO,and Scopus databases from inception(December 2019)till June 2023 for original studies reporting an association between prior use of anticoagulants and patient outcomes in adults with COVID-19.The primary outcome was the risk of thromboembolic events in COVID-19 patients taking anticoagulants.Secondary outcomes included COVID-19 disease severity,in terms of intensive care unit admission or invasive mechanical ventilation/intubation requirement in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 infection,and mortality.The random effects models were used to calculate crude and adjusted odds ratios(aORs)with 95%confidence intervals(95%CIs).RESULTS Forty-six observational studies met our inclusion criteria.The unadjusted analysis found no association between prior anticoagulation and thromboembolic event risk[n=43851,9 studies,odds ratio(OR)=0.67(0.22,2.07);P=0.49;I2=95%].The association between prior anticoagulation and disease severity was non-significant[n=186782;22 studies,OR=1.08(0.78,1.49);P=0.64;I2=89%].However,pre-hospital anticoagulation significantly increased all-cause mortality risk[n=207292;35 studies,OR=1.72(1.37,2.17);P<0.00001;I2=93%].Pooling adjusted estimates revealed a statistically non-significant association between pre-hospital anticoagulation and thromboembolic event risk[aOR=0.87(0.42,1.80);P=0.71],mortality[aOR=0.94(0.84,1.05);P=0.31],and disease severity[aOR=0.96(0.72,1.26);P=0.76].CONCLUSION Prehospital anticoagulation was not significantly associated with reduced risk of thromboembolic events,improved survival,and lower disease severity in COVID-19 patients.
文摘Cancer is a leading cause of death globally,with limited treatment options and several limitations.Chemotherapeutic agents often result in toxicity which long-term conventional treatment.Phytochemicals are natural constituents that are more effective in treating various diseases with less toxicity than the chemotherapeutic agents providing alternative therapeutic approaches to minimize the resistance.These phytoconstituents act in several ways and deliver optimum effectiveness against cancer.Nevertheless,the effectiveness of phyto-formulations in the management of cancers may be constrained due to challenges related to inadequate solubility,bioavailability,and stability.Nanotechnology presents a promising avenue for transforming current cancer treatment methods through the incorporation of phytochemicals into nanosystems,which possess a range of advantageous characteristics such as biocompatibility,targeted and sustained release capabilities,and enhanced protective effects.This holds significant potential for future advancements in cancer management.Herein,this review aims to provide intensive literature on diverse nanocarriers,highlighting their applications as cargos for phytocompounds in cancer.Moreover,it offers an overview of the current advancements in the respective field,emphasizing the characteristics that contribute to favourable outcomes in both in vitro and in vivo settings.Lastly,clinical development and regulatory concerns are also discussed to check on the transformation of the concept as a promising strategy for combination therapy of phytochemicals and chemotherapeutics that could lead to cancer management in the future.
基金funded by the Researchers Supporting Program at King Saud University(RSPD2023R809).
文摘Geopolymer concrete emerges as a promising avenue for sustainable development and offers an effective solution to environmental problems.Its attributes as a non-toxic,low-carbon,and economical substitute for conventional cement concrete,coupled with its elevated compressive strength and reduced shrinkage properties,position it as a pivotal material for diverse applications spanning from architectural structures to transportation infrastructure.In this context,this study sets out the task of using machine learning(ML)algorithms to increase the accuracy and interpretability of predicting the compressive strength of geopolymer concrete in the civil engineering field.To achieve this goal,a new approach using convolutional neural networks(CNNs)has been adopted.This study focuses on creating a comprehensive dataset consisting of compositional and strength parameters of 162 geopolymer concrete mixes,all containing Class F fly ash.The selection of optimal input parameters is guided by two distinct criteria.The first criterion leverages insights garnered from previous research on the influence of individual features on compressive strength.The second criterion scrutinizes the impact of these features within the model’s predictive framework.Key to enhancing the CNN model’s performance is the meticulous determination of the optimal hyperparameters.Through a systematic trial-and-error process,the study ascertains the ideal number of epochs for data division and the optimal value of k for k-fold cross-validation—a technique vital to the model’s robustness.The model’s predictive prowess is rigorously assessed via a suite of performance metrics and comprehensive score analyses.Furthermore,the model’s adaptability is gauged by integrating a secondary dataset into its predictive framework,facilitating a comparative evaluation against conventional prediction methods.To unravel the intricacies of the CNN model’s learning trajectory,a loss plot is deployed to elucidate its learning rate.The study culminates in compelli
文摘With the growing prevalence of obesity and diabetes in the United States and across the world,a rise in the overall incidence and prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is expected.The risk factors for NAFLD are also associated with the development of chronic kidney disease(CKD).We review the epidemiology,risk factors,genetics,implications of gut dysbiosis,and specific pathogenic mechanisms linking NAFLD to CKD.Mechanisms such as ectopic lipid accumulation,cellular signaling abnormalities,and the interplay between fructose consumption and uric acid accumulation have led to the emergence of potential therapeutic implications for this patient population.Transplant evaluation in the setting of both NAFLD and CKD is also reviewed.Potential strategies for surveillance and management include the monitoring of comorbidities,the use of non-invasive fibrosis scoring systems,and the measurement of laboratory markers.Lastly,we discuss the management of patients with NAFLD and CKD,from preventative measures to experimental interventions.
基金supported by a grant from All India Institute of Medical Sciences,New Delhi (to RD and TD)Indian Council of Medical Research,Senior Research Fellowship Grant (3/1/2(24)/oph-2009-NCD-II,to MAF)+1 种基金Feldstein Medical Foundation Research Grant (to KCC)unrestricted fund from Research to Prevent Blindness to NYU Langone Health Department of Ophthalmology (to KCC)。
文摘Central insulin resistance, the diminished cellular sensitivity to insulin in the brain, has been implicated in diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. However, whether and how central insulin resistance plays a role in the eye remains unclear. Here, we performed intracerebroventricular injection of S961, a potent and specific blocker of insulin receptor in adult Wistar rats to test if central insulin resistance leads to pathological changes in ocular structures. 80 mg of S961 was stereotaxically injected into the lateral ventricle of the experimental group twice at 7 days apart, whereas buffer solution was injected to the sham control group. Blood samples, intraocular pressure, trabecular meshwork morphology, ciliary body markers, retinal and optic nerve integrity, and whole genome expression patterns were then evaluated. While neither blood glucose nor serum insulin level was significantly altered in the experimental or control group, we found that injection of S961 but not buffer solution significantly increased intraocular pressure at 14 and 24 days after first injection, along with reduced porosity and aquaporin 4 expression in the trabecular meshwork, and increased tumor necrosis factor α and aquaporin 4 expression in the ciliary body. In the retina, cell density and insulin receptor expression decreased in the retinal ganglion cell layer upon S961 injection. Fundus photography revealed peripapillary atrophy with vascular dysregulation in the experimental group. These retinal changes were accompanied by upregulation of pro-inflammatory and pro-apoptotic genes, downregulation of anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, and neurotrophic genes, as well as dysregulation of genes involved in insulin signaling. Optic nerve histology indicated microglial activation and changes in the expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein, tumor necrosis factor α, and aquaporin 4. Molecular pathway architecture of the retina revealed the three most significant pathways involved being inflammat
基金supported by the Egyptian Education and Cultural Bureau and the Center of Excellence in Livestock Diseases and Human Health
文摘Background: Adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can be conveniently sampled from bone marrow, peripheral blood, muscle, adipose and connective tissue, harvested from various species, including, rodents, dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats and human beings. The MSCs isolated from adult tissues vary in their morphological and functional properties. These variations are further complicated when cells are expanded by passaging in culture. These differences and changes in MSCs must be considered prior to their application in the clinic or in a basic research study. Goats are commonly used as animal models for bone tissue engineering to test the potential of stem cells for bone regeneration. As a result, goat MSCs isolated from bone marrow or adipose tissue should be evaluated using in vitro assays, prior to their application in a tissue engineering project. Results: In this study, we compared the stem cell properties of MSCs isolated from goat bone marrow and adipose tissue. We used quantitative and qualitative assays with a focus on osteogenesis, including, colony forming unit, rate of cell proliferation, tri-lineage differentiation and expression profiling of key signal transduction proteins to compare MSCs from low and high passages. Primary cultures generated from each source displayed the stem cell characteristics, with variations in their osteogenic potentials. Most importantly, low passaged bone marrow MSCs displayed a significantly higher and superior osteogenic potential, and hence, will be the preferred choice for bone tissue engineering in future in vivo experiments. In the bone marrow MSCs, this process is potentially mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway. On the other hand, osteogenic differentiation in the adipose tissue MSCs may involve the p44/42 MAPK pathway. Conclusions: Based on these data, we can conclude that bone marrow and fat-derived MSCs undergo osteogenesis via two distinct signaling pathways. Even though the bone marrow MSCs are the preferred source for bone tissue engineering, the adipose
文摘Low velocity impact experiments were carried out on E-glass/epoxy composite laminates having varying thicknesses at sub zero and elevated temperatures using hemi spherical steel impactor of 16 mm diameter with impact energies in the rage of 50-150 J.The performance of the laminates was assessed in terms of energy absorption,maximum displacement,peak force and failure behaviour.Results indicated that the effect of temperature on energy absorption of the laminate is negligible although the laminates are embrittling at sub zero temperatures.However it has influence on failure behaviour and displacement.Peak force has increased linearly with increase in laminate thickness from 5 to 10 mm.However it got reduced by 25% when temperature was increased from-20℃ to 100℃,Based on experimental results,laminate perforation energies were predicted using curve fitting equations.Statistical analysis was carried out using Taguchi method to identify the global effects of various parameters on laminate performance and confirmed that the laminate thickness has significant influence as compared to temperature,for the studied range.
文摘Background and Aim:Gastric varices are associated with high mortality.There have been conflicting reports on whether endoscopic treatment with cyanoacrylate or the placement of a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt(TIPS)is more effective in the treatment of gastric varices.We compared the outcomes of patients treated with cyanoacrylate glue or TIPS for the management of acute gastric variceal bleeding.Methods:The study was designed as a retrospective cohort analysis of patients undergoing either TIPS or endoscopic treatment with cyanoacrylate for acute gastric variceal bleeding at our institution from 2001 to 2011.Primary compared to studied between the two treatment modalities were the short-term treatment outcomes,including re-bleeding within 30 days,length of hospital stay and in-hospital mortality.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to assess factors associated with in-hospital mortality.Results:A total of 169 patients were included in the analysis.The TIPS arm contained 140 patients and the cyanoacrylate arm contained 29 patients.There was no evidence to suggest any significant differences in demographics or disease severity.There were no differences between the TIPS arm and the cyanoacrylate armtwo groups in treatment outcomes including re-bleeding within 30 days(17.4%vs.17.2%;P=0.98),median length of stay in the hospital(4.5 days vs.6.0 days;P紏0.35)or in-hospital mortality(9.0%vs.11.1%;P=0.74).In-hospital mortality was evaluated for 149 patients and lower albumin(P=0.015),higher MELD score(P<0.001),higher CTP score(P=0.005)and bleeding(P=0.008)were all significantly associated with in-hospital death.Conclusion:These findings suggest that both treatments are equally effective.Cyanoacrylate offers a safe,effective alternative to TIPS for gastric varices,and physician may choose the best therapy for each patient,factoring in the availability of TIPS or cyanoacrylate,the individual patient’s presentation,and cost.
文摘The successful ex vitro establishment of Dendrobium plantlets raised in vitro determines the quality of the end product(cut flowers or potted plants) in commercial production for economic gain. When in vitro Dendrobium plantlets are transplanted from the culture room to greenhouse conditions, they may desiccate or wilt rapidly and can die as a result of changes in the environment, unless substantial precautions are taken to adapt plantlets to a new environment. The acclimatization of in vitro-grown Dendrobium plantlets to an ex vitro environment by gradually weaning them towards ambient relative humidity and light levels facilitates better survival of young and physiologically sensitive plantlets.Dendrobium plantlets raised in vitro must thus undergo a period of acclimatization or transitional development to correct anatomical abnormalities and to enhance their physiological performance to ensure survival under ex vitro conditions. The most common approach to improve the survival of Dendrobium plantlets upon transfer to an ex vitro environment is their gradual adaptation to that environment. Under such conditions, plants convert rapidly from a heterotrophic or photomixotrophic state to an autotrophic growth, develop a fully functional root system,and better control their stomatal and cuticular transpiration. Gradual adaptation is carried out in a greenhouse by decreasing relative humidity using fog or mist chambers and by increasing light intensity using shading techniques. This review details the acclimatization and ex vitro survival of Dendrobium plants produced in vitro. This advice is also useful for other orchids.
文摘The size selectivity and catch pattern of Trichiurus lepturus in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends were investigated in this study.A 34 m high opening trawl was used,which is a common design used by fishermen operating along the northwest coast of India,and the cover codend method was employed to determine codend selectivity.Along with the changes in the length at 50%retention rate for Trichiurus lepturus with the usage of the square and diamond mesh codends,indicators to understand the exploitation pattern of this species in the fishery were assessed based on the total number of individuals and on total weight of the catch.The mean selection length increased and discard fraction is reduced when 40 mm square mesh codends are used in place of diamond meshes,however,it is observed that individuals at commercial length are also lost.The results demonstrate that mandatory use of legal mesh sizes alone will be insufficient to aid in the sustainable harvest of this species,given its estimated length at first sexual maturity of 61.2 cm.This is the first study to compare the size selection of this species in 40 mm diamond and square mesh codends along Northwest coast of India.Results of the study will help as a baseline for gear-based regulations in the region.
文摘The use of complementary and alternative medicines(CAMs)for treatment of acute and chronic diseases is on the rise world over,especially in Asian countries,and mostly in China and India.Drug-induced liver injury(DILI)due to CAM is increasingly reported in the literature from multiple centers all around the world and with large-number patient series published from the West,mostly based on nation-wide DILI networks and multicenter collaboration.Comprehensive DILI networks are lacking among major Asian countries with high incidence of CAM practices.Chinese medical societies dealing with drug toxicity,CAM practice and hepatobiliary disease have adopted an integrated approach to establishing identification,diagnosis and treatment of CAM-related DILI,representing a systematic approach that could be iterated by other countries for improving patient outcomes.In this exhaustive review,we provide published data on CAM-related DILI in Asia,with detail on incidences along with analysis of patient population and their clinical outcomes.Concise and clear discussion on commonly implicated CAM agents in major Asian countries and associated chemical and toxicology analyses as well as descriptions of liver biopsy findings are discussed with future directions.