Reproductive biology of Pharaoh cuttlefish Sepia pharaonis Ehrenberg, 1831 along the Gujarat coast, India

Gujarat is a leading maritime state in the production of marine finfish and cephalopods in India. The cephalopods are one of the major fishery resources along the region having a good domestic and export demand. These resources are exploited majorly by bottom trawls along the region. Sepia pharaonis contributes nearly 20 % to the cephalopod landings of Gujarat. However, the fishery and reproductive biology of the cephalopod, Sepia pharaonis is poorly known from the region. The specimens for biological analysis along with fishing operations and fishing data using a structured questionnaire were collected from the multi-day trawlers based at the Veraval Fishing Harbour for the period of 2017 – 18. The maximum observed length (Dorsal Mantle Length (DML)) among all specimens was 361 mm with a mean DML of 239.52 mm (sample range DML). Sex ratio revealed that the males are dominant over the females (M: F = 1:0.75) in the catch composition. The size at first maturity was observed at 213.1 mm DML, which is lower than the mean size of the fishery. The month-wise significant variations (p < 0.05) were observed in the values of GSI and NSI during the study period and peak values indicate the spawning season of the fishery. The proportion of maturity stages in different months as well as maturity indices indicates perennial spawning season with peak spawning activity during December – March months. The ova diameter studies revealed ovum sizes from 0.99 – 14.30 mm (6.52±3.35). The fecundity varied from 1,358 – 6,005 ova (average = 2,883). The current research study is the maiden attempt along the region and further supports the formulation of management plans for the sustainable exploitation of the resource

Cell-Derived Vesicles for Antibiotic Delivery-Understanding the Challenges of a Biogenic Carrier System

Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) sparked substantial therapeutic interest, particularly due to their ability to mediate targeted transport between tissues and cells. Yet, EVs’ technological translation as therapeutics strongly depends on better biocompatibility assessments in more complex models and elementary in vitro–in vivo correlation, and comparison of mammalian versus bacterial vesicles. With this in mind, two new types of EVs derived from human B-lymphoid cells with low immunogenicity and from non-pathogenic myxobacteria SBSr073 are introduced here. A large-scale isolation protocol to reduce plastic waste and cultivation space toward sustainable EV research is established. The biocompatibility of mammalian and bacterial EVs is comprehensively evaluated using cytokine release and endotoxin assays in vitro, and an in vivo zebrafish larvae model is applied. A complex three-dimensional human cell culture model is used to understand the spatial distribution of vesicles in epithelial and immune cells and again used zebrafish larvae to study the biodistribution in vivo. Finally, vesicles are successfully loaded with the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin (CPX) and showed lower toxicity in zebrafish larvae than free CPX. The loaded vesicles are then tested effectively on enteropathogenic Shigella, whose infections are currently showing increasing resistance against available antibiotics

Fishery and reproductive biology of Sardinella longiceps Valenciennes, 1847 landed along Veraval coast of Gujarat

The present study on the biology of Sardinella longiceps was carried out at the Veraval coast of Gujarat. The observed length of species was in the range of 145 to 236 mm and weighing from 37.54 to 122.35 gm. The highest mean length of 206 ± 9 mm was observed in the month of December

Occurrence of Scleractinian corals from the outer Gulf of Kachchh, West coast of India

Coral reefs of the outer Gulf of Kachchh were surveyed for abundance and occurrences of scleractinian coral. The survey was conducted in the intertidal zone of three selected sites, namely Okha, Mithapur, and Shivrajpur. The maximum live coral cover area percentage was observed at Shivrajpur (72 %) followed by Mithapur (55.5 %) and Okha (45 %). In the present study, 23 species of scleractinian corals belonging to eight different families and 12 genera were recorded. The highest numbers of the scleractinian corals were recorded from the Shivrajpur with 22 species belonging to 12 genera followed by Mithapur with 16 species belonging to ten genera, and Okha 12 species belonging to eight genera. The Poritidae family contributed the highest number of scleractinian coral species assemblage followed by the Faviidae and Merulinidae family at all the stations. Geo-morphology of the coast and anthropogenic pressures are the two factors that seemed to have more impact on the distribution and diversity of scleractinian corals

Evaluating the clinical feasibility of an artificial intelligence–powered, web-based clinical decision support system for the treatment of depression in adults: longitudinal feasibility study

Background:- Approximately two-thirds of patients with major depressive disorder do not achieve remission during their first treatment. There has been increasing interest in the use of digital, artificial intelligence–powered clinical decision support systems (CDSSs) to assist physicians in their treatment selection and management, improving the personalization and use of best practices such as measurement-based care. Previous literature shows that for digital mental health tools to be successful, the tool must be easy for patients and physicians to use and feasible within existing clinical workflows. Objective:- This study aims to examine the feasibility of an artificial intelligence–powered CDSS, which combines the operationalized 2016 Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments guidelines with a neural network–based individualized treatment remission prediction. Methods:- Owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the study was adapted to be completed entirely remotely. A total of 7 physicians recruited outpatients diagnosed with major depressive disorder according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition criteria. Patients completed a minimum of one visit without the CDSS (baseline) and 2 subsequent visits where the CDSS was used by the physician (visits 1 and 2). The primary outcome of interest was change in appointment length after the introduction of the CDSS as a proxy for feasibility. Feasibility and acceptability data were collected through self-report questionnaires and semistructured interviews. Results:- Data were collected between January and November 2020. A total of 17 patients were enrolled in the study; of the 17 patients, 14 (82%) completed the study. There was no significant difference in appointment length between visits (introduction of the tool did not increase appointment length; F2,24=0.805; mean squared error 58.08; P=.46). In total, 92% (12/13) of patients and 71% (5/7) of physicians felt that the tool was easy to use; 62% (8/13) of patients and 71% (5/7) of physicians rated that they trusted the CDSS. Of the 13 patients, 6 (46%) felt that the patient-clinician relationship significantly or somewhat improved, whereas 7 (54%) felt that it did not change. Conclusions:- Our findings confirm that the integration of the tool does not significantly increase appointment length and suggest that the CDSS is easy to use and may have positive effects on the patient-physician relationship for some patients. The CDSS is feasible and ready for effectiveness studies

First Geographic Record of Acanthurus xanthopterus and Family Acanthuridae from the Gulf of Kachchh, Northwest Coast of India

This study focused on Acanthurus xanthopterus, a reef-associated species also known as Yellowfin surgeonfish from the family Acanthuridae. The objective of this study was to identify and describe A. xanthopterus. A single specimen of 39.6 cm in length and 1263 g. weight was collected from a fisherman involved in traditional Wada fishing in Sikka. Detailed morphological parameters were observed and recorded for taxonomic identification. The results reveal that this species has been observed for the first time on the northwest coast of India, it is also the first recorded mention of the family Acanthuridae from the Gulf of Kachchh northwest coast of India

Food and feeding habits of pharaoh cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis Ehrenberg, 1831 along the Gujarat coast of North-eastern Arabian Sea

The pharaoh cuttlefish, Sepia pharaonis is one of the economically important molluscan species along the North-west coast of India. Sampling carried out at fortnightly intervals from August 2017 to March 2018 to study the food and feeding habits. Samples with an empty stomach were prevalent in almost all months. The index of relative importance (IRI) showed that the dominant prey group were fishes (68.12%), followed by crustaceans (19.84%), molluscs (6.1%) and miscellaneous (5.97%). Acetes sp. (6.91%) was the most dominant prey item during the study period. The empty stomach ratio (ESR) ranged from 18.75% (September, 17) to 63.63% (December, 17).The high value of Gastro somatic index recorded in September month. Stomach fullness index (SFI) was higher during September and February months. Feeding intensity found to be high during September months. Significant variations were not seen (p>0.05) in the feeding indices during different months, different sizes, and between sexes. The findings of the present study can be useful in managing the commercially important species, S. pharaonis as a unit stock in Arabian Sea of Northern Indian Ocean and reinforces the need for regional cooperation on fisheries management

Cell-Derived Vesicles for Antibiotic Delivery—Understanding the Challenges of a Biogenic Carrier System

Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) sparked substantial therapeutic interest, particularly due to their ability to mediate targeted transport between tissues and cells. Yet, EVs’ technological translation as therapeutics strongly depends on better biocompatibility assessments in more complex models and elementary in vitro–in vivo correlation, and comparison of mammalian versus bacterial vesicles. With this in mind, two new types of EVs derived from human B-lymphoid cells with low immunogenicity and from non-pathogenic myxobacteria SBSr073 are introduced here. A large-scale isolation protocol to reduce plastic waste and cultivation space toward sustainable EV research is established. The biocompatibility of mammalian and bacterial EVs is comprehensively evaluated using cytokine release and endotoxin assays in vitro, and an in vivo zebrafish larvae model is applied. A complex three-dimensional human cell culture model is used to understand the spatial distribution of vesicles in epithelial and immune cells and again used zebrafish larvae to study the biodistribution in vivo. Finally, vesicles are successfully loaded with the fluoroquinolone ciprofloxacin (CPX) and showed lower toxicity in zebrafish larvae than free CPX. The loaded vesicles are then tested effectively on enteropathogenic Shigella, whose infections are currently showing increasing resistance against available antibiotics

Hubungan Dosis dan Durasi Pemberian Steroid dengan Status Pubertas Pada Anak dengan Sindrom Nefrotik

Steroid telah banyak digunakan dalam pengobatan moderen dan menjadi lini pertama dalam pengobatan sindrom nefrotik (SN). Beberapa sumber menyebutkan penggunaan steroid dapat menyebabkan efek samping berupa gangguan pertumbuhan yang telah banyak diteliti dan gangguan pada status pubertas anak. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui hubungan antara penggunaan steroid dan status pubertas pada anak dengan sindrom nefrotik. Studi observasional dilakukan dengan pendekatan cross-sectional. Sampel dipilih dengan metode consecutive sampling dari populasi semua pasien SN anak yang ada di RSUD Dr. Saiful Anwar Malang dari bulan Mei hingga Agustus 2022. Variabel yang diukur adalah status pubertas menurut perkembangan seksual sekunder rambut pubik, genitalia eksterna pada pria, dan payudara menurut kriteria Tanner, serta dosis dan durasi pemberian steroid dengan instrumen berupa rekam medis. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan tidak adanya hubungan signifikan antara dosis pemberian steroid terhadap status pubertas (korealasi Spearman, p>0.05). Juga tidak ditemukan hubungan signifikan antara durasi pemberian steroid dengan status pubertas (korelasi Spearman, p>0.05) Kesimpulan dari penelitian ini adalah terdapat hubungan signifikan antara penggunaan steroid dan status pubertas pada anak dengan SN