Species replacement dominates megabenthos beta diversity in a remote seamount setting

Seamounts are proposed to be hotspots of deep-sea biodiversity, a pattern potentially arising from increased productivity in a heterogeneous landscape leading to either high species co-existence or species turnover (beta diversity). However, studies on individual seamounts remain rare, hindering our understanding of the underlying causes of local changes in beta diversity. Here, we investigated processes behind beta diversity using ROV video, coupled with oceanographic and quantitative terrain parameters, over a depth gradient in Annan Seamount, Equatorial Atlantic. By applying recently developed beta diversity analyses, we identified ecologically unique sites and distinguished between two beta diversity processes: species replacement and changes in species richness. The total beta diversity was high with an index of 0.92 out of 1 and was dominated by species replacement (68%). Species replacement was affected by depth-related variables, including temperature and water mass in addition to the aspect and local elevation of the seabed. In contrast, changes in species richness component were affected only by the water mass. Water mass, along with substrate also affected differences in species abundance. This study identified, for the first time on seamount megabenthos, the different beta diversity components and drivers, which can contribute towards understanding and protecting regional deep-sea biodiversity

Specific targeting of PEGylated liposomal doxorubicin (Doxil®) to tumour cells using a novel TIMP3 peptide

Doxorubicin is a cytotoxic anthracycline derivative that has been used as a chemotherapeutic in many different forms of human cancer with some success. However, doxorubicin treatment has several side-effects, the most serious of which is cardiomyopathy, that can be fatal. Doxorubicin encapsulation in PEGylated liposomes (Doxil®) has been shown to increase tumour localisation and decrease cardiotoxicity. Conversely, the stability of such liposomes also leads to increased circulation times and accumulation in the skin, resulting in palmar planter erythrodysesthesia, while also limiting release of the drug at the tumour site. Specific targeting of such liposomes to tumour cells has been attempted using various receptor-specific peptides and antibodies. However, targeting a single epitope limits the likely number of tumour targets and increases the risk of tumour resistance through mutation. In this report, Doxil® was coupled to peptide sequence p700 derived from tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3. This Doxil® -P700 complex results in an approximately 100-fold increase in drug uptake, relative to Doxil® alone, by both mouse and human breast cancer cells and immortalised vascular cells resulting in an increase in cytotoxicity. Using p700 to target liposomes in this way may enable specific delivery of doxorubicin or other drugs to a broad range of cancers

Optimum socio-environmental flows approach for reservoir operation strategy using many-objectives evolutionary optimization algorithm

Water resource system complexity, high-dimension modelling difficulty and computational efficiency challenges often limit decision makers' strategies to combine environmental flow objectives (e.g. water quality, ecosystem) with social flow objectives (e.g. hydropower, water supply and agriculture). Hence, a novel Optimum Social-Environmental Flows (OSEF) with Auto-Adaptive Constraints (AAC) approach introduced as a river basin management decision support tool. The OSEF-AAC approach integrates Socio-Environmental (SE) objectives with convergence booster support to soften any computational challenges. Nine SE objectives and 396 decision variables modelled for Iraq's Diyala river basin. The approach's effectiveness evaluated using two non-environmental models and two inflows' scenarios. The advantage of OSEF-AAC approved, and other decision support alternatives highlighted that could enhance river basin SE sectors' revenues, as river basin economic benefits will improve as well. However, advanced land use and water exploitation policy would need adoption to secure the basin's SE sectors

Observations on the Pearl Oyster Fishery of Kuwait

The pearl oyster fishery of Kuwait was monitored daily from January 1989 to May 1990. Landings of pearl oysters in 1989 totaled 287 tons with a market value of U.S. $1.0 million. Commercial pearls (\u3e3 mm) were estimated to be present in one of every 4200 oysters. Most of the pearl oysters landed were new recruits with hinge lengths between 40-56 mm. There was a curvilinear relationship between total weight and size of oysters (length) and the sex ratio approached 1:1. Spawning occurs throughout the year, with a spat settlement peak in early fall. Over the size range examined there was no relationship between the size of oysters and the size of pearls and subsequent resource management strategies are discussed

Exploring the Dietary, Lifestyle, and Demographic Factors Associated with Risk for Colorectal Cancer and Colorectal Abnormalities in a Fecal Immunochemical Test-Positive Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in the Kingdom of Bahrain

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer incidence in Bahrain occurs at a ratio of 13.4–18.8 per 100,000 persons after age standardization. This study aims to explore the relationship between colorectal cancer/abnormalities and different lifestyle factors. Secondly, it aims to explore the association between f-Hb levels, colonoscopy findings, and lifestyle factors in a FIT-positive population in Bahrain. Method: A retrospective cross-sectional study was performed for patients positive for FIT and who had a colonoscopy. Different dietary and demographic factors as well as f-Hb levels were assessed. Results: A total of 559 (M: 330; F: 229) subjects were enrolled in this study. Subjects with CRC had significantly higher f-Hb concentrations (median: 1269 μg/mg) when compared with subjects of other groups. Higher percentages of CRC as well as large and small polyps were recorded in males. However, there was no significant difference in f-Hb concentration between males and females (p = 0.90). Higher median levels were found for f-Hb in patients with Q3 (higher red meat consumption) compared to Q1 and Q2 in the category with CRC, despite there being no statistically significant differences among the groups (p = 0.742). Similar results for coffee consumption and f-Hb concentrations in the different groups have been recorded (p = 0.697). A higher quartile of red meat consumption was associated with an increase in CRC risk of 79.9%. Coffee consumption reflected a lower risk of CRC by −47% moving from Q1 to Q2, while BMI was found to be a risk factor (+44%) for CRC. Conclusion: This study highlighted that high f-Hb concentration can be used as a predictive biomarker of CRC

The role of seagrass vegetation and local environmental conditions in shaping benthic bacterial and macroinvertebrate communities in a tropical coastal lagoon

We investigated the influence of seagrass canopies on the benthic biodiversity of bacteria and macroinvertebrates in a Red Sea tropical lagoon. Changes in abundance, number of taxa and assemblage structure were analyzed in response to seagrass densities (low, SLD; high, SHD; seagrasses with algae, SA), and compared with unvegetated sediments. Biological and environmental variables were examined in these four habitats (hereafter called treatments), both in the underlaying sediments and overlaying waters, at three randomly picked locations in March 2017. Differences between treatments were more apparent in the benthic habitat than in the overlaying waters. The presence of vegetation (more than its cover) and changes in sedimentary features (grain size and metals) at local scales influenced the observed biological patterns, particularly for macroinvertebrates. Of note, the highest percentage of exclusive macroinvertebrate taxa (18% of the gamma diversity) was observed in the SHD treatment peaking in the SA for bacteria. Benthic macroinvertebrates and bacteria shared a generally low number of taxa across treatments and locations; approximately, 25% of the gamma diversity was shared among all treatments and locations for macrofauna, dropping to 11% for bacteria. Given the low overlap in the species distribution across the lagoon, sustaining the connectivity among heterogeneous soft sediment habitats appears to be essential for maintaining regional biodiversity. This study addresses a current scientific gap related to the relative contributions of vegetated and unvegetated habitats to biodiversity in tropical regions.Peer reviewe

Acceptance of Trial of Labor After Cesarean Among Obstetricians in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: To analyze the acceptance of the trial of vaginal delivery after cesarean birth, to identify associated factors, and to evaluate obstetricians’ satisfaction with the trial. Methods: This cross-sectional, questionnaire-based online survey was conducted from December 2022 to September 2023 among obstetricians in the governmental hospitals of the eastern region, retrieving sociodemographic information, challenges in favoring trial of labor after cesarean (TOLAC), practice guidelines, outcomes of the trial, and their global satisfaction. Both Saudi and non-Saudi obstetricians (residents and above) working in governmental hospitals in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, both genders, were included in this study. The study objectives were explained, and participants’ anonymity was ensured. The data was evaluated then analyzed with statistical testing. Results: Among the 134 included obstetricians, 78.4% favored trial of labor especially those with more than 10 years of experience (aOR=5.80, 95% CI: 1.52-22.14, p=0.01), and 77.6% intended to recommend that pregnant women with a history of a cesarean should undergo a labor trial if they meet the criteria (p=.001), choose it for themself (p=.001) and reflected satisfaction with the trial(p=.001). However, 80.6% were concerned about medical litigations due to grave unexpected outcomes. Generally, 50% had a good satisfaction level with the trial after cesarean birth. Conclusion: Most of the obstetricians had a positive attitude towards trial of labor especially the experienced obstetricians and the fresh residents, with a majority were in favor of taking chances for vaginal delivery after a surgical birth. Those who supported this trial of labor were highly satisfied with the procedure and would consistently advocate for pregnant women with prior surgical birth to avail a vaginal delivery chance if found eligible candidate to it. There is a need to follow this practice and improve obstetricians’ attitudes towards it at all stages of training

An Overview New Advances and Responsibilities in Dental Public Health, Role of Nursing and Radiology Department

Professionals in the dental field believed that the promotion of oral health was an essential component of their responsibility as professionals. A patient\u27s participation in the decision-making process and educational activities, as well as the practice and evaluation of skill development, was one of their goals. In spite of the fact that the dental professionals believed that they participated in health promotion activities, they failed to make a clear distinction between disease prevention and oral health promotion. As a result of the fact that radiologists are frequently confronted with dental imaging, whether it be in relation to a specific question, such as a trauma patient, or in relation to incidental findings throughout head and neck imaging, it is more than worthwhile for them to receive additional training in this field in order to facilitate early and adequate dental treatment