Temporal variability of microplastics in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), feed, water and sediments of coastal and inland culture ponds.

Aquaculture, particularly shrimp farming, is crucial for global food security. However, the increasing presence of microplastics (MPs) in marine environments, shrimp feeds, and atmospheric particles has made MP contamination in shrimp tissues inevitable. This study systematically investigates the abundance, characteristics, and temporal trends (from 15th to the 120th day of culture) of MPs contamination in Litopenaeus vannamei, along with associated feed, water, and sediment across 12 shrimp ponds of two major shrimp-producing regions of India.

Broadband Shortwave Infrared-Emitting Cr- and Ni-Codoped YAlGaO Phosphor with Excellent Thermal Stability for Multifunctional Applications.

Shortwave infrared (SWIR)-emitting materials have emerged as superior light sources with increasing demand for potential applications in noninvasive analysis, night vision illumination, and medical diagnosis. For developing next-generation SWIR phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (pc-LEDs), the scarcity of intense blue-light-pumped broadband SWIR luminescent materials and poor thermal stability of current Ni-activated phosphors are the ongoing challenges. Here, a blue-light-excitable (440 nm) YAlGaO:Cr,Ni phosphor with ultrawide SWIR emission centered at ∼1430 nm (FWHM ∼264 nm) is reported.

Management of benign airway stenosis-predictors of tracheal resection.

Background: Benign airway stenoses are complex disorders that present with progressive dyspnoea, stridor, and significant respiratory distress. These conditions have a high recurrence rate and despite the plethora of endoscopic and open techniques available for treatment, the outcomes are variable. Our primary was to determine the pre-operative factors associated with an increased hazard of cricotracheal resection (CTR)/tracheal resection (TR) and reconstruction in cases of benign subglottic and tracheal strictures.

Practice and Predictors of Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders in a Tertiary-Care Intensive Care Unit in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction: The objective of this study was to describe Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) practices in a tertiary-care intensive care unit (ICU) in Saudi Arabia, and determine the predictors and outcomes of patients who had DNR orders.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was based on a prospectively collected database for a medical-surgicalIntensive CareDepartment in a tertiary-care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (1999-2017). We compared patients who had DNR orders during the ICU stay with those with "full code.

Microplastic contamination in salt-cured fish and commercial sea salts: an emerging food safety threat in relation to UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Microplastic (MP) contamination in seafood, particularly processed varieties like dried and salt-cured fish, poses a significant threat to human health. This study investigated MP levels in 22 salt-cured fish species and commercial sea salts along the Indian east coast. Results showed substantially higher MP concentrations compared to global averages, with fragments and fibres (< 250 µm) composing 70% of identified MPs, primarily PVC and PS polymers (> 55%).

Er-activated BaVO upconversion nanosheets for dual-mode temperature sensing.

So far, there has been substantial research on non-contact luminescence thermometry approaches that rely on luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) technology. However, there is limited availability of phosphors doped with Er ions that exhibit on-par luminescence and high sensitivity. In this work, samples of BaVO:Er were synthesized using a sol-gel method aided by citric acid.

Survival following lung volume reduction procedures: results from the UK Lung Volume Reduction (UKLVR) registry.

Introduction: Lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) and endobronchial valve (EBV) placement can produce substantial benefits in appropriately selected people with emphysema. The UK Lung Volume Reduction (UKLVR) registry is a national multicentre observational study set up to support quality standards and assess outcomes from LVR procedures at specialist centres across the UK.

Methods: Data were analysed for all patients undergoing an LVR procedure (LVRS/EBV) who were recruited into the study at participating centres between January 2017 and June 2022, including; disease severity and risk assessment, compliance with guidelines for selection, procedural complications and survival to February 2023.

Role of vitamin D supplementation in modifying outcomes after surgery: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Background: There is increasing evidence to suggest vitamin D plays a role in immune and vascular function; hence, it may be of biological and clinical relevance for patients undergoing major surgery. With a greater number of randomised studies being conducted evaluating the impact of vitamin D supplementation on surgical patients, it is an opportune time to conduct further analysis of the impact of vitamin D on surgical outcomes.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Trials Register were interrogated up to December 2023 to identify randomised controlled trials of vitamin D supplementation in surgery.

Comparison of video assisted thoracoscopic surgery and thoracotomy for treatment of pleural infection stage II and III: a literature review.

Background And Objective: Pleural infection is associated with significant mortality and morbidity worldwide, with a steadily increasing incidence. We sought to investigate whether video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) or thoracotomy provides the best outcomes in the treatment of stage II and III pleural infection as indications remain controversial.

Methods: Systematic review of relevant articles from the PubMed database.

Outcomes of patients admitted to the intensive care unit with community-acquired pneumonia in a tertiary care center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Background: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a leading cause of intensive care unit (ICU) morbidity and mortality. Despite extensive international epidemiological and clinical studies to improve those patients' outcomes, local statistics in Saudi Arabia are limited. The objective of this study is to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients admitted to the ICU with the diagnosis of CAP reflecting the experience of a tertiary center over an 18-year period.

Harnessing value and sustainability: Fish waste valorization and the production of valuable byproducts.

The valorization of by-products, that are residual materials resulting from commercial product manufacturing, holds significant potential in various industries such as food, agrochemical, medical, and pharmaceutical sectors. This chapter explores the utilization of fish waste as a means to achieve sustainability in fish resources and enhance the production of profitable products. By developing cost-effective technologies, the abundant global supply of fish by-products can be transformed into low-cost sources of proteins and functional hydrolysates.

Polymorphous low-grade neuroepithelial tumour of young (PLNTY): the new kid on the block.

Introduction: Polymorphous low grade neuroepithelial tumor of the young (PLNTY) is a newly described epileptogenic tumor first reported by Jason. T. Huse et al.

A Study of Hypomagnesemia in Patients Admitted to the ICU.

Introduction After potassium, magnesium (Mg2+) is the most prevalent cation found intracellularly in the human body. The maintenance of excitability by Mg2+ and other cations is crucial for the neuromuscular junction to operate normally. Magnesium shortages are frequently overlooked compared to other electrolyte disorders such as hyponatremia, hypokalemia, and hypocalcemia.

Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase as a Diagnostic Marker of Metabolic Syndrome.

Introduction The metabolic syndrome consists of metabolic abnormalities that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cerebrovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a growing problem worldwide, and substantial efforts have been made in the last years to identify early, minimally invasive blood-based biomarkers for its diagnosis. This study attempted to assess how serum Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) performed as an ideal endogenous substance for the diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and hence estimate cardiovascular risks.

A confocal laser scanning microscopic evaluation of nonthermal atmospheric plasma on the dentinal tubule penetration of bioceramic and epoxy resin-based root canal sealers.

Aim: Using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), the current study assessed the impact of nonthermal atmospheric plasma (NTAP) on the dentinal tubule penetration of bioceramic and epoxy resin-based root canal sealers (CLSM).

Materials And Methods: Forty human mandibular premolar teeth with a single root that had just undergone extraction were chosen and biomechanical preparation of root canals was done with ProTaper Gold rotary Nickel-titanium instruments. Samples were divided into four groups ( = 10).

Deep immune B and plasma cell repertoire in non-small cell lung cancer.

Introduction: B cells, which have long been thought to be minor players in the development of anti-tumor responses, have been implicated as key players in lung cancer pathogenesis and response to checkpoint blockade in patients with lung cancer. Enrichment of late-stage plasma and memory cells in the tumor microenvironment has been shown in lung cancer, with the plasma cell repertoire existing on a functional spectrum with suppressive phenotypes correlating with outcome. B cell dynamics may be influenced by the inflammatory microenvironment observed in smokers and between LUAD and LUSC.

Impaired alveolar macrophage 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 reductase activity contributes to increased pulmonary inflammation and mortality in sepsis-related ARDS.

Background: Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a devastating pulmonary inflammatory disorder, commonly precipitated by sepsis. Glucocorticoids are immunomodulatory steroids that can suppress inflammation. Their anti-inflammatory properties within tissues are influenced by their pre-receptor metabolism and amplification from inactive precursors by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type-1 (HSD-1).

Microplastic contamination in salted and sun dried fish and implications for food security - A study on the effect of location, style and constituents of dried fish on microplastics load.

The presence of microplastics in 21 different species of marine dried fish products from four locations in India is reported in this study. All samples have microplastics, and majority of the MPs were found to be fragments (56 %) and are of <100 μm size (47 %). Eviscerated fish found to have significantly higher MPs than whole fish.

The evolution of lung cancer and impact of subclonal selection in TRACERx.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Here we analysed 1,644 tumour regions sampled at surgery or during follow-up from the first 421 patients with non-small cell lung cancer prospectively enrolled into the TRACERx study. This project aims to decipher lung cancer evolution and address the primary study endpoint: determining the relationship between intratumour heterogeneity and clinical outcome.

The evolution of non-small cell lung cancer metastases in TRACERx.

Metastatic disease is responsible for the majority of cancer-related deaths. We report the longitudinal evolutionary analysis of 126 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumours from 421 prospectively recruited patients in TRACERx who developed metastatic disease, compared with a control cohort of 144 non-metastatic tumours. In 25% of cases, metastases diverged early, before the last clonal sweep in the primary tumour, and early divergence was enriched for patients who were smokers at the time of initial diagnosis.

Lung cancer resection in patients with underlying usual interstitial pneumonia: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Patients with lung cancer with underlying idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) pattern on CT represent a very high-risk group in terms of postoperative UIP acute exacerbations (AEs) and in-hospital mortality. We sought to investigate the outcomes in these patients.

Methods: We carried out a meta-analysis, searching four international databases from 1 January 1947 to 27 April 2022, for studies in any language reporting on the acute postoperative outcomes of patients with lung cancer undergoing surgical resection with underlying UIP (the primary outcome).