Annual Biomass Production, Chemical Composition and In- sacco Degradability of Different Cultivars of Moringa oleifera

Types of plant cultivars and seasons often affect production and productivity of fodder biomass and nutritional quality to animals. Selection of suitable cultivars and better understanding of year round biomass production are indispensable for improving quality feed supply to animals. Black Seed Moringa (BSM-L) and White Seed Moringa (WSM), the two local cultivars and Black Seed Moringa (BSM-T) cultivar of Thailand origin of Moringa oleifera were cultivated in the fodder research field of the Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute (BLRI) during the period of 19 August 2014 to 23 December 2015. An agronomical trial was conducted to determine the biomass yield of the three cultivars in different seasons of a year under common agronomical practices. The effect of the cultivars on the daily relative growth rate (RGR), chemical composition and in-sacco dry matter (DM) degradability were also evaluated. The cultivar response to biomass production performances, chemical composition and nutritional values were analyzed in an ANOVA of a Randomized Block Design (RBD), while the differences in the rate and extent of the DM degradability in-sacco determined using three rumen cannulated bulls were analyzed in an ANOVA of 3x3 Latin Square Design. The annual biomass yield of BSM-L tops (114.5 t/ha fresh; 22.7 t/ha DM) was significantly higher than that of WSM (29.0 t/ha fresh; 5.80 t/ha DM) or BSM-T (83.5 t/ha fresh; 16.0 t/ha DM). No significant difference in chemical composition (224.9, 222.4 & 223.8 g.kg-1 DM of crude protein (CP), respectively, and 450.9, 455.3 & 435.4 g.kg-1 DM of neutral detergent fiber, respectively) or nutritional value (47.4, 46.7 & 45.3% of potential, and 62.8, 64.2 and 63.6% of effective degradability of dry matter) was found for the cultivars. BSM-L had a significantly higher survivability (97.2%), prune number per plant (3.50) and RGR (15.6 mg DM/day) than WSM (25.0%, 2.30 & 4.20 mg DM/day) or BSM-T (55.6%, 3.10 & 10.8 mg DM/day) respectively. The hot and dry, and hot and humid climate having a Heat Index (HI) range of 25o to 35o F and monthly total rainfall of 130 mm to 332 mm were suitable for cultivation of all the Moringa cultivars. It was concluded that considering biomass production and its quality in terms of chemical composition and nutritional values, Black Seed Moringa (Moringa oleifera) may be cultivated as a plant fodder crop for the production of feed for ruminant animals

Behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy for Smokeless Tobacco cessation:Protocol for a pilot randomised-controlled multi-country trial

Background Smokeless tobacco (ST) is consumed globally by more than 350 million people, with approximately 85% of all users based in South and Southeast Asia. In this region, ST products are cheap and easily accessible. Evidence-based interventions to people quit ST use are lacking. This study aims to test the feasibility of conducting a future definitive trial of ST cessation, using a culturally adapted behavioural intervention, and/or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in three South Asian countries. Methods We will conduct a factorial design, randomised-controlled pilot trial in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Daily ST users will be recruited from primary health care settings in Dhaka, Noida and Karachi. Participants will be individually randomised to receive intervention A (4 or 6 mg NRT chewing gum for 8-weeks), intervention B (BISCA: face-to-face behavioural support for ST cessation), a combination of interventions A and B or usual care (Very Brief Advice - VBA). The participants will provide demographic and ST use related data at baseline, and at 6, 12 and 26 weeks of follow-up. Salivary cotinine samples will be collected at baseline and 26 weeks. The analyses will undertake an assessment of the feasibility of recruitment, randomisation, data collection and participant retention, as well as the feasibility of intervention delivery. We will also identify potential cessation outcomes to inform the main trial, understand the implementation, context and mechanisms of impact through a process evaluation and, thirdly, establish health resource use and impact on the quality of life through health economic data. Discussion The widespread and continued use of ST products in South Asia is consistent with a high rate of associated diseases and negative impact on the quality of life. The identification of feasible, effective and cost-effective interventions for ST is necessary to inform national and regional efforts to reduce ST use at the population level. The findings of this pilot trial will inform the development of larger trials for ST cessation among South Asian users, with relevance to wider regions and populations having high rates of ST use. Trial registration ISRCTN identifier 6510939

The global impact of tobacco control policies on smokeless tobacco use: a systematic review

BACKGROUND: Smokeless tobacco, used by more than 300 million people globally, results in substantial morbidity and mortality. For smokeless tobacco control, many countries have adopted policies beyond the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, which has been instrumental in reducing smoking prevalence. The impact of these policies (within and outside the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control) on smokeless tobacco use remains unclear. We aimed to systematically review policies that are relevant to smokeless tobacco and its context and investigate their impact on smokeless tobacco use. METHODS: In this systematic review, we searched 11 electronic databases and grey literature between Jan 1, 2005, and Sept 20, 2021, in English and key south Asian languages, to summarise smokeless tobacco policies and their impact. Inclusion criteria were all types of studies on smokeless tobacco users that mentioned any smokeless tobacco relevant policies since 2005, except systematic reviews. Policies issued by organisations or private institutions were excluded as well as studies on e-cigarettes and Electronic Nicotine Delivery System except where harm reduction or switching were evaluated as a tobacco cessation strategy. Two reviewers independently screened articles, and data were extracted after standardisation. Quality of studies was appraised using the Effective Public Health Practice Project's Quality Assessment Tool. Outcomes for impact assessment included smokeless tobacco prevalence, uptake, cessation, and health effects. Due to substantial heterogeneity in the descriptions of policies and outcomes, data were descriptively and narratively synthesised. This systematic review was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020191946). FINDINGS: 14 317 records were identified, of which 252 eligible studies were included as describing smokeless tobacco policies. 57 countries had policies targeting smokeless tobacco, of which 17 had policies outside the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control for smokeless tobacco (eg, spitting bans). 18 studies evaluated the impact, which were of variable quality (six strong, seven moderate, and five weak) and reported mainly on prevalence of smokeless tobacco use. The body of work evaluating policy initiatives based on the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control found that these initiatives were associated with reductions in smokeless tobacco prevalence of between 4·4% and 30·3% for taxation and 22·2% and 70·9% for multifaceted policies. Two studies evaluating the non-Framework policy of sales bans reported significant reductions in smokeless tobacco sale (6·4%) and use (combined sex 17·6%); one study, however, reported an increased trend in smokeless tobacco use in the youth after a total sales ban, likely due to cross-border smuggling. The one study reporting on cessation found a 13·3% increase in quit attempts in individuals exposed (47·5%) to Framework Convention on Tobacco Control policy: education, communication, training, and public awareness, compared with non-exposed (34·2%). INTERPRETATION: Many countries have implemented smokeless tobacco control policies, including those that extend beyond the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. The available evidence suggests that taxation and multifaceted policy initiatives are associated with meaningful reductions in smokeless tobacco use. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research

The effect of adult smoking behavior on children’s exposure to secondhand smoke. An analysis based on salivary cotinine levels among children in Dhaka and Karachi

Introduction Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) risks children’s health. However, biomarkers are rarely used to study SHS exposure among children in low- and middle-income countries. Aims and Methods We analyzed cross-sectional data collected between March and November 2022 for a cluster-randomized controlled trial investigating a Smoke-Free Intervention in 2769 children aged 9–15 in 74 schools (34 in Dhaka, Bangladesh, and 40 in Karachi, Pakistan). Children’s saliva was tested for the concentration of cotinine—a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for SHS exposure. Based on their reports, children’s homes were categorized as Nonsmoking Homes (NSH) when residents were nonsmokers; Smoke-free Homes (SFH) when residents and visitors smoked outdoors only; and Smoke-permitted Homes (SPH) when either residents or visitors smoked indoors. We compared cotinine concentrations across these home types and the two cities using a proportional odds model. Results Overall, 95.7% of children (92% in Dhaka; and 99.4% in Karachi) had cotinine levels between 0.1 and 12 ng/mL, indicating SHS exposure. Median cotinine levels were higher in Karachi (0.58 ng/mL, IQR 0.37 to 0.93) than in Dhaka (0.27 ng/mL, IQR 0.16 to 0.49). Median cotinine concentration was also higher among children living in SPH than those in either NSH or SFH; with absolute differences of approximately 0.1–0.3 and 0.05 ng/mL, respectively. Conclusions The level of SHS exposure in Dhaka and Karachi indicates widespread and unrestricted smoking. Smoking restrictions in households and enforcement of smoking bans are urgently needed. Implications The high levels of SHS exposure in children living in SFH suggest parental behavior to hide their smoking and/or exposure in private vehicles or public spaces. It is important to advocate for SFH and cars to protect children from SHS exposure. However, these initiatives alone may not be enough. There is a need to enforce smoking bans in enclosed public places and transportation, as well as extend these bans to playgrounds, parks, fairgrounds, and other public spaces that children frequently visit. It is essential to complement smoking restrictions with tobacco cessation advice and support in these settings

Development and Performance of RFD Crab Cavity Prototypes for HL-LHC AUP

The US will be contributing to the HL-LHC upgrade at CERN with the fabrication and qualification of RFD crabbing cavities in the framework of the HL-LHC Accelerator Upgrade Project (AUP) managed by Fermilab. AUP received Critical Decision 3 (CD-3) approval by DOE in December 2020 launching the project into the production phase. The electro-magnetic design of the cavity was inherited from the LHC Accelerator Research Program (LARP) but needed to be revised to meet new project requirements and to prevent issues encountered during beam tests performed at CERN in the R&D phase. Two prototype cavities were manufactured in industry and cold tested. Challenges specific to the RFD cavity were the stringent interface tolerances, the pole symmetry and the higher-order-mode impedance spectrum. Chemical processing and heat treatments were performed initially at FNAL/ANL and are now being transferred to industry for the production phase. HOM dampers are manufactured and validated by JLAB. A summary of cold test results with and without HOM dampers is presented

Compliance of smokeless tobacco supply chain actors and products with tobacco control laws in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan: protocol for a multicentre sequential mixed-methods study

Introduction: South Asia is home to more than 300 million smokeless tobacco (ST) users. Bangladesh, India and Pakistan as signatories to the Framework Convention for Tobacco Control (FCTC) have developed policies aimed at curbing the use of tobacco. The objective of this study is to assess the compliance of ST point-of-sale (POS) vendors and the supply chain with the articles of the FCTC and specifically with national tobacco control laws. We also aim to assess disparities in compliance with tobacco control laws between ST and smoked tobacco products. Methods and analysis: The study will be carried out at two sites each in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. We will conduct a sequential mixed-methods study with five components: (1) mapping of ST POS, (2) analyses of ST samples packaging, (3) observation, (4) survey interviews of POS and (5) in-depth interviews with wholesale dealers/suppliers/manufacturers of ST. We aim to conduct at least 300 POS survey interviews and observations, and 6-10 in-depth interviews in each of the three countries. Data collection will be done by trained data collectors. The main statistical analysis will report the frequencies and proportions of shops that comply with the FCTC and local tobacco control policies, and provide a 95% CI of these estimates. The qualitative in-depth interview data will be analysed using the framework approach. The findings will be connected, each component informing the focus and/or design of the next component. Ethics and dissemination: Ethical approvals for the study have been received from the Health Sciences Research Governance Committee at the University of York, UK. In-country approvals were taken from the National Bioethics Committee in Pakistan, the Bangladesh Medical Research Council and the Indian Medical Research Council. Our results will be disseminated via scientific conferences, peer-reviewed research publications and press releases

Sour Ageusia in Two Individuals Implicates Ion Channels of the ASIC and PKD Families in Human Sour Taste Perception at the Anterior Tongue

BACKGROUND:The perception of sour taste in humans is incompletely understood at the receptor cell level. We report here on two patients with an acquired sour ageusia. Each patient was unresponsive to sour stimuli, but both showed normal responses to bitter, sweet, and salty stimuli. METHODS AND FINDINGS:Lingual fungiform papillae, containing taste cells, were obtained by biopsy from the two patients, and from three sour-normal individuals, and analyzed by RT-PCR. The following transcripts were undetectable in the patients, even after 50 cycles of amplification, but readily detectable in the sour-normal subjects: acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) 1a, 1beta, 2a, 2b, and 3; and polycystic kidney disease (PKD) channels PKD1L3 and PKD2L1. Patients and sour-normals expressed the taste-related phospholipase C-beta2, the delta-subunit of epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and the bitter receptor T2R14, as well as beta-actin. Genomic analysis of one patient, using buccal tissue, did not show absence of the genes for ASIC1a and PKD2L1. Immunohistochemistry of fungiform papillae from sour-normal subjects revealed labeling of taste bud cells by antibodies to ASICs 1a and 1beta, PKD2L1, phospholipase C-beta2, and delta-ENaC. An antibody to PKD1L3 labeled tissue outside taste bud cells. CONCLUSIONS:These data suggest a role for ASICs and PKDs in human sour perception. This is the first report of sour ageusia in humans, and the very existence of such individuals ("natural knockouts") suggests a cell lineage for sour that is independent of the other taste modalities

Behavioural support and nicotine replacement therapy for smokeless tobacco cessation: protocol for a pilot randomised-controlled multi-country trial

Availability of data and materials: Not applicable.Supplementary Information: Additional file 1. SPIRIT 2013 Checklist: Recommended items to address in a clinical trial protocol and related documents, available at https://ndownloader.figstatic.com/files/36767631Copyright © The Author(s) 2022. Background: Smokeless tobacco (ST) is consumed globally by more than 350 million people, with approximately 85% of all users based in South and Southeast Asia. In this region, ST products are cheap and easily accessible. Evidence-based interventions to people quit ST use are lacking. This study aims to test the feasibility of conducting a future definitive trial of ST cessation, using a culturally adapted behavioural intervention, and/or nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in three South Asian countries. Methods: We will conduct a factorial design, randomised-controlled pilot trial in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. Daily ST users will be recruited from primary health care settings in Dhaka, Noida and Karachi. Participants will be individually randomised to receive intervention A (4 or 6 mg NRT chewing gum for 8-weeks), intervention B (BISCA: face-to-face behavioural support for ST cessation), a combination of interventions A and B or usual care (Very Brief Advice - VBA). The participants will provide demographic and ST use related data at baseline, and at 6, 12 and 26 weeks of follow-up. Salivary cotinine samples will be collected at baseline and 26 weeks. The analyses will undertake an assessment of the feasibility of recruitment, randomisation, data collection and participant retention, as well as the feasibility of intervention delivery. We will also identify potential cessation outcomes to inform the main trial, understand the implementation, context and mechanisms of impact through a process evaluation and, thirdly, establish health resource use and impact on the quality of life through health economic data. Discussion: The widespread and continued use of ST products in South Asia is consistent with a high rate of associated diseases and negative impact on the quality of life. The identification of feasible, effective and cost-effective interventions for ST is necessary to inform national and regional efforts to reduce ST use at the population level. The findings of this pilot trial will inform the development of larger trials for ST cessation among South Asian users, with relevance to wider regions and populations having high rates of ST use. Trial registration: ISRCTN identifier 65109397NIHR, using UK aid from the UK government (Programme reference 17/63/76/Global Health Research Groups); University of York, UK; UK Prevention Research Partnership (UKPRP) - UK Research and Innovation Councils; UKPRP via the SPECTRUM Consortium (Grant ref MR/S037519/1); Department of Health and Social Care (England); UK devolved administrations, and leading health research charities

“Everything the hujur tells is very educative but if I cannot apply those in my own life then there is no meaning” : A mixed-methods process evaluation of a smoke-free homes intervention in Bangladesh

Background Second-hand smoke exposure from tobacco significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality worldwide. A cluster RCT in Bangladesh compared a community-based smoke-free home (SFH) intervention delivered in mosques, with or without indoor air quality (IAQ) feedback to households to no intervention. Neither was effective nor cost-effective compared to no intervention using an objective measure of second-hand smoke. This paper presents the process evaluation embedded within the trial and seeks to understand this. Methods A mixed method process evaluation comprising interviews with 30 household leads and six imams (prayer leader in mosque), brief questionnaire completed by 900 household leads (75% response), fidelity assessment of intervention delivery in six (20%) mosques and research team records. Data were triangulated using meta-themes informed by three process evaluation functions: implementation, mechanisms of impact and context. Results IMPLEMENTATION: Frequency of SFH intervention delivery was judged moderate to good. However there were mixed levels of intervention fidelity and poor reach. Linked Ayahs (verses of the Qur’an) with health messages targeting SHS attitudes were most often fully implemented and had greatest reach (along with those targeting social norms). Frequency and reach of the IAQ feedback were good. MECHANISMS OF IMPACT: Both interventions had good acceptability. However, views on usefulness of the interventions in creating a SFH were mixed. Individual drivers to behaviour change were new SFH knowledge with corresponding positive attitudes, social norms and intentions. Individual barriers were a lack of self-efficacy and plans. CONTEXT: Social context drivers to SFH intervention implementation in mosques were in place and important. No context barriers to implementation were reported. Social context drivers to SHS behaviour change were children’s requests. Barriers were women’s reluctance to ask men to smoke outside alongside general reluctance to request this of visitors. (Not) having somewhere to smoke outside was a physical context (barrier) and driver. Conclusions Despite detailed development and adaption work with relevant stakeholders, the SFH intervention and IAQ feedback became educational interventions that were motivational but insufficient to overcome significant context barriers to reduce objectively measured SHS exposure in the home. Future interventions could usefully incorporate practical support for SFH behaviour change. Moreover, embedding these into community wide strategies that include practical cessation support and enforcement of SFH legislation is needed. Study Registration Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN49975452 Key words: tobacco, second-hand smoke, smoke free homes, faith, mosque, intervention, process evaluation, Banglades