Butterflyfishes (Chaetodontidae) from Abu Hashish fringing reefs, Port Sudan, Red Sea

Using Reef Check Programme butterflyfishes of Abu Hashish fringing reefs were recorded during 2003 and 2013. The results showed that the numbers of species declined from nine to seven. Chi square test revealed that the number of butterflyfishes significantly decreased (p<0.00001). This reduction was attributed to continuous construction and anthropogenic actives Keywords: Butterflyfishes, Abu Hashish, Port Suda

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020

Cabbage and fermented vegetables : From death rate heterogeneity in countries to candidates for mitigation strategies of severe COVID-19

Large differences in COVID-19 death rates exist between countries and between regions of the same country. Some very low death rate countries such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, or the Balkans have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods. Although biases exist when examining ecological studies, fermented vegetables or cabbage have been associated with low death rates in European countries. SARS-CoV-2 binds to its receptor, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). As a result of SARS-CoV-2 binding, ACE2 downregulation enhances the angiotensin II receptor type 1 (AT(1)R) axis associated with oxidative stress. This leads to insulin resistance as well as lung and endothelial damage, two severe outcomes of COVID-19. The nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2) is the most potent antioxidant in humans and can block in particular the AT(1)R axis. Cabbage contains precursors of sulforaphane, the most active natural activator of Nrf2. Fermented vegetables contain many lactobacilli, which are also potent Nrf2 activators. Three examples are: kimchi in Korea, westernized foods, and the slum paradox. It is proposed that fermented cabbage is a proof-of-concept of dietary manipulations that may enhance Nrf2-associated antioxidant effects, helpful in mitigating COVID-19 severity.Peer reviewe

Nrf2-interacting nutrients and COVID-19 : time for research to develop adaptation strategies

There are large between- and within-country variations in COVID-19 death rates. Some very low death rate settings such as Eastern Asia, Central Europe, the Balkans and Africa have a common feature of eating large quantities of fermented foods whose intake is associated with the activation of the Nrf2 (Nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2) anti-oxidant transcription factor. There are many Nrf2-interacting nutrients (berberine, curcumin, epigallocatechin gallate, genistein, quercetin, resveratrol, sulforaphane) that all act similarly to reduce insulin resistance, endothelial damage, lung injury and cytokine storm. They also act on the same mechanisms (mTOR: Mammalian target of rapamycin, PPAR gamma:Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor, NF kappa B: Nuclear factor kappa B, ERK: Extracellular signal-regulated kinases and eIF2 alpha:Elongation initiation factor 2 alpha). They may as a result be important in mitigating the severity of COVID-19, acting through the endoplasmic reticulum stress or ACE-Angiotensin-II-AT(1)R axis (AT(1)R) pathway. Many Nrf2-interacting nutrients are also interacting with TRPA1 and/or TRPV1. Interestingly, geographical areas with very low COVID-19 mortality are those with the lowest prevalence of obesity (Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia). It is tempting to propose that Nrf2-interacting foods and nutrients can re-balance insulin resistance and have a significant effect on COVID-19 severity. It is therefore possible that the intake of these foods may restore an optimal natural balance for the Nrf2 pathway and may be of interest in the mitigation of COVID-19 severity

Explicit Soliton Structure Formation for the Riemann Wave Equation and a Sensitive Demonstration

The motive of the study was to explore the nonlinear Riemann wave equation, which describes the tsunami and tidal waves in the sea and homogeneous and stationary media. This study establishes the framework for the analytical solutions to the Riemann wave equation using the new extended direct algebraic method. As a result, the soliton patterns of the Riemann wave equation have been successfully illustrated, with exact solutions offered by the plane solution, trigonometry solution, mixed hyperbolic solution, mixed periodic and periodic solutions, shock solution, mixed singular solution, mixed trigonometric solution, mixed shock single solution, complex soliton shock solution, singular solution, and shock wave solutions. Graphical visualization is provided of the results with suitable values of the involved parameters by Mathematica. It was visualized that the velocity of the soliton and the wave number controls the behavior of the soliton. We are confident that our research will assist physicists in predicting new notions in mathematical physics

Effect of weaning age and the use of different sized Artemia nauplii as first feed for jade perch Scortum barcoo

The first days of exogenous feeding are crucial for larval recruitment. A correct first prey item and the determination of the optimal weaning age, can reduce labor cost and fish mortality to a great extent. This study was conducted to evaluate the use of small and regular Artemia fransiscana (AF and EG Artemia, Inve, Belgium) as first feed for jade perch Scortum barcoo, and to determine the minimum required duration of this life feed phase before transition to dry feed can occur. Therefore, we compared first feeding of 3 days AF nauplii instar I with 3 days of EG nauplii instar I and evaluated whether the optimal weaning age for jade perch larvae was at 7, 10, 13 or 16 days post-hatching (DPH). The study was performed in 25-L tanks in a recirculating system and lasted for 21 days (4-24 DPH). Growth, survival and tissue fatty acid composition of the larvae in the different treatments were analyzed. Results indicate that, after the start of exogenous feeding at 4 days DPH, jade perch larvae require a minimum of 9 days of live feed until 12 DPH. Co-feeding ideally starts on 10 DPH. Larvae fed AF Artemia for the first 3 days showed a significantly faster growth than larvae fed EG Artemia, although their survival was lower. Gape width of larvae at 3 and 6 DPH was measured, and implications for prey size are discussed