Unlike digital computers, these information-processing systems (IPS) are autonomous, analogue and massively parallel, and their responses are remarkably successful in supporting the survival, growth, repair and reproduction of living organisms. Molecular, cellular and organismal biologists, in collaboration with mathematical and computational biologists, have made remarkable progress in understanding how living IPS work. Some of these recent successes are reviewed in this collection.et al. [et al. [et al. [Part I focused on time-keeping, in particular on mechanisms of biological oscillators, on synchronization of intercommunicating oscillators and on entrainment to external driving rhythms, with particular emphasis on circadian rhythms. Jimenez et al.  providedet al.  presente [et al.  provided [et al.  investiget al. [a). For instance, they identify just two distinct ways for a cell to choose between alternate fates: the ‘binary choice’ landscape and the ‘binary flip’ landscape. They go on to study three-attractor landscapes and beyond, and to consider how to incorporate experimental data with dynamics. Robert et al. [b). They attribute the observed characteristics to cell-to-cell variability in gene expression, most notably Nanog expression. Diegmiller et al. [c). They propose a minimal cell cycle oscillator model for generating the cell lineage tree (CLT) of a cyst and discuss how CLTs of varying topologies can arise. Such clonal clusters of connected cells are found in almost all lineages of eukaryotes, and the cytoplasmic bridges that connect such cells are thought to have played a key role in the evolution of multi-cellularity. Tyson & Novak [d), account for both clock-like CDK oscillations during early embryonic cell divisions and switch-like CDK-arrested states (checkpoints) during somatic cell cycles. Lastly, Nam et al. [e). In this approach, the nonlinear kinetics of a network of biochemical reactions is decomposed into a coupled set of graphs, each of which has linear dynamics, and the steady states of the network can be expressed as rational algebraic functions of the parameters. The linear framework, which encompasses systems both at thermodynamic equilibrium and away from equilibrium, provides a sound theoretical foundation for modelling the post-translational modifications that underlie many biochemical mechanisms of time-keeping and decision-making in living cells.Part II focuses on decision-making in cell differentiation, development and cell cycle progression. Sáez et al.  use ideat et al.  investigr et al.  study th & Novak  use mathm et al.  review a. 2. 2.1lac operon (a) and later mathematical models by Griffith [et al. [b) [et al. [et al. [c), as made clear later by mathematical modelling [d). Yates et al. [e). van den Ham & de Boer found up to four stable steady states: naive cell (both factors off), Th1 cell (Tbet on), Th2 cell (Gata3 on) and dual-expressing cell (both factors on). The same motif was introduced by Huang et al. [et al. [on or off. Perkins & Swain [et al. [Experimental and theoretical studies of decision-making by bistable molecular circuits go back many years, at least to the observations of Novick & Weiner  on the ‘c operon a and latGriffith , Thomas Griffith  and SantGriffith . In cell [et al.  observed al. [b) , and bis [et al.  and Pome [et al. . Nasmyth [et al.  proposedodelling . Ferrellodelling  observeds et al.  and lates et al.  studied g et al.  to model [et al.  modelled & Swain  and Balá [et al.  have revThe common themes of these early studies are that (i) cells make decisions by flipping between coexisting stable steady states (bistability or multi-stability) and (ii) multiple stable steady states are generated by biochemical reaction networks with mutual inhibition and/or self-activation . We see . 2.2a. They found that, as the signal is varied, the control system may exhibit four different steady states: trophoectoderm, endoderm, stem cell and ‘differentiated’ stem cell. Later, Chickarmane et al. [et al. [figure 3b; an activator–inhibitor motif rather than a MISA motif).The differentiation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells and of blood cell progenitors has long fascinated mathematical biologists (e.g. an early review by Laurent & Kellersohn ). MISA mfigure 3e et al.  used a s [et al.  observedet al. [c). They applied this idea to the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in embryonic development [d) controlling the expression of the transcription factors Snail and Zeb. At low TGFβ (the inducer of EMT), Snail and Zeb are turned off, and the cell is expressing epithelial genes. At intermediate TGFβ, Snail and Zeb are turned on partially, and the cell is not secreting TGFβ . At higher levels of (paracrine) TGFβ, the cell turns on Snail and Zeb fully and starts secreting TGFβ, which locks the cell in the mesenchymal state by autocrine signalling, even if the external TGFβ signal drops substantially.Mutual inhibition between mRNA and microRNA has been proposed by Tian et al.  as a mecelopment  with a met al. [et al. [et al. [The early work of Yates et al. , Huang e [et al.  and van  [et al.  was foll [et al.  and Hong [et al. –37, who . 2.3et al. [Up to this point, we have attributed cell differentiation to bistability and multi-stability at the single-cell level, based on MISA motifs in the underlying control circuits. In a fascinating paper, Stanoev et al.  recentlyet al. [b). The model was later extended to account for cell division [et al. [De Mot et al.  proposeddivision . Saiz et [et al.  proposeda) to include mechanical forces and cell division, Krupinski et al. [An important aspect of embryonic development is the coupling of mechanics to gene expression in the context of cellular tissue that is increasing in cell number due to division. Extending their model of Cdx2/Oct4 and Nanog/Gata3 interactions a to incli et al.  have attet al. [et al. [et al. [Macklin et al.  presente [et al. . The pop [et al.  showed t. 2.4et al. [et al. [Chlamydomonas, to explain the unusual ‘multiple-fission’ mode of cell division in this green alga. Li et al. [Caulobacter crescentus, an alphaproteobacterium. Deterministic modelling of the budding yeast cell cycle has become more comprehensive. Palumbo et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Cell cycle modelling has moved in several directions over the past decade. Regarding mammalian cell cycle regulation, Gérard & Goldbeter ,47 preseet al.  confrontet al. ,50 with  [et al.  presentei et al.  presenteo et al.  presente [et al.  presente [et al. , which f [et al. –58, the  [et al. , mitotic [et al.  and the  [et al. . Compreh [et al.  and purs [et al.  at a ‘ge [et al.  to incorb), Novak & Tyson [−1. Twenty years later, these waves were observed definitively by Chang & Ferrell [−1.Because the activation of MPF (a cyclin-CDK dimer) is a bistable switch b, Novak  & Tyson  predicte Ferrell  in frog . 2.5et al. [et al. [b), in E. coli cells. Tigges et al. [et al. [Vibrio quorum sensing machinery into their oscillating E. coli strain. Zhang et al. [κB protein) and IκBα (an inhibitor of RelA).The age of synthetic genetic regulatory networks was inaugurated by the ground-breaking papers of Gardner et al. —the geneet al. —the repr [et al.  created s et al.  created  [et al.  showed tg et al.  designedet al. [Matsuda et al.  studied et al. [Sekine et al.  have enget al. [et al. [figure 2e; it readily generates bistability and tristability in a controllable fashion. MultiFate-3 cells can generate up to seven stable steady states.The potential for synthetic decision-making has been greatly expanded by two publications. Gordley et al.  showed h [et al.  introduc. 2.6C. elegans zygote establishes an anterior–posterior gradient of PAR proteins in the cell cortex. In modelling this phenomenon, Goehring et al. [Shortly after fertilization, the g et al.  found thCLAVATA genes. Spontaneous emergence of a central zone is often modelled by a Turing mechanism, for example [et al. [All above-ground plant tissues originate from stem cell divisions in shoot apical meristems (SAM). Stem cells, in the central zone of SAM, express the transcription factor WUSCHELL, which upregulates its own inhibitors, encoded by  example , but Bat example  has show [et al. .. 2.7et al. [Apoptosis is an interesting cell fate decision whereby, in response to severe stress, a cell commits ‘suicide’. Crucially, this decision, once made, must be irreversible, and a one-way bistable switch is ideally suited to this end. Following on early models of irreversible apoptosis in mammalian cells –83, Ziraet al.  have mod. 3Altogether, the studies reviewed in Parts I and II of this Special Issue have contributed greatly to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying biological information processing, giving us a deeper appreciation of the—often non-intuitive—dynamical interplay of biochemical switches and clocks and the life-sustaining processes that they support. The progress resulting from the development, analysis and application of mathematical models has revolutionized our interpretation of experimental observations and renewed our vision of future possibilities in health science and biotechnology.


The meat supply of local poultry for human consumption is greater than that of fast-growing poultry in Niger. However, meeting the protein needs of these local chickens is a major challenge due to the availability of protein sources and their cost. Nowadays, insect larvae such as houseflies are used and even recommended as animal feed; hence, the need to evaluate the effect of housefly (Musca domestica) larvae on the growth performance of local chickens. This study investigated the feeding effects of housefly larvae on the growth performance and carcass characteristics of local Nigerien chickens and determined the rate of fish meal substitution, in fresh or dry larvae form, whichever would be preferable.A total of 165 3-week-old local unsexed chickens of the salmon variety, weighing 120.3 ± 15.43 g, were used to evaluate the effect of housefly (M. domestica) larvae on their growth performance and carcass yield (CY). The experiment consisted of five treatments with three replicates, that is, 15 batches of 11 animals each. Five iso-protein-caloric diets were developed with 25%, and then 50% fish meal substitution with fresh and dried housefly larvae. The chicks were reared together during the first 3 weeks for their adaptation, during which they were fed an imported starter commercial feed, ad libitum. After that, they were weighed weekly for 12 weeks. Next, the body weights (BWs) were taken weekly for all chicks, feed daily intake and mortality were recorded daily, and average daily gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and viability rate were calculated. In the end, four chickens  per batch were slaughtered for the CY evaluation, breast meat, drumstick and tight (legs), and wings. Statistical analyses were performed using a linear mixed model for repeated data.The weight, FCR, and carcass traits were unaffected by either the rate or larvae state. Conversely, the growth rate was improved, and feed consumption was increased. Notably, the chickens consumed more feed but grew faster with fresh larvae and at a higher substitution rate.This study reported that 50% fresh or dried housefly larvae substituted into the fish meal in growing local chicken’s diets had no effect on their BW, FCR, and carcass traits but increased the growth rate and feed consumption. Poultry production is a source of food and income that contributes to food security and poverty alleviation in Africa , 2. The Tenebrio molitor) , a higher value of 67.98% by Hwangbo et al. , and a l, 47–51, (20.50%) ; however(31.76%) , and Has [et al.  but slig [et al. . Fish me [et al. , respect [et al. . In addi [et al.  and the  [et al. . However [et al. . This au [et al. . In a st [et al.  recordedet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [For growth performance, the local chicken in Niger responded well to sexual dimorphism, a known characteristic of several poultry species, including chickens . Sexual et al. , Okah anet al. , and Adeet al.  for broi [et al.  verified [et al.  substitu [et al.  substitu [et al.  found a  [et al.  experime [et al. . This re [et al.  on broil [et al.  in their [et al. . The fee [et al. , is the  [et al.  for a 50 [et al. , who repet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Interestingly, some authors  propose et al. , Téguia  [et al. , Adeniji [et al. , and Ðor [et al.  also obs [et al.  observed [et al.  and Ren  [et al. . Pieters [et al. , in anotet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Furthermore, no effects were discovered in the BW of chickens that consumed diets with dried larvae compared with that of chickens that consumed fresh larvae diets. These results validate the results of Ðorđević et al. , who des [et al. , where t [et al. . This tr [et al. . The chi [et al.  worked w [et al.  showed t [et al. . This fi [et al. , who dis [et al. , 35, 59. [et al.  observedFinally, for viability, neither substitution rate nor larvae form had any effect on the viability of local chickens, given that they all remained 100% viable during this study.The substitution rate of fish meal by housefly larvae up to 50% had no effect on the BW, FCR, and CY of local chicken, and in the housefly larvae forms, whether dried or fresh. However, the ADG and feed consumption increased by a 50% substitution rate of fresh larvae compared with that of the control. Consequently, it is possible to substitute fishmeal with fresh and dried housefly larvae in the indigenous poultry diet. Notably, fresh larvae are best suited to producers lacking drying or preservation facilities, especially given that fresh larvae involve no additional processing or preservation costs for a small-scale producer. However, the dried form has the advantage of integrating a complete diet for more efficient use by medium- to large-scale producers without the risk of screening the feed by animals.CM, JD, QCDV, and NM: Conceptualization. BH: Methodology. NM, QCDV, and CM: Validation. JD: Formal analysis. BH, and AGT: Investigation. IHL: Resources. BH: Data curation. BH: Drafted the manuscript. QCDV and NM: Reviewed and edited the manuscript. CM: Supervision. JD: Project administration. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.


Acta Cryst. (2018), E74, 1002–1005.Corrigendum to  et al. , there is an error in the name of the second author.In the paper by Boudebbous


IUCrData (2017), 2, x170234.Corrigendum to  et al. , there was an error in the name of one of the authors.In the paper by Naveen


It can mean that, in this specific situation (e.g. under the anaesthesia), the inferior SAN was just active at that moment. Anyway, the study hypothesis is an inspiring idea and I would like to encourage the authors to develop this idea.Dr. Misier et al.  present et al. . In the


Following publication of the original article (Santos et al. The original article (Santos et al.


The average intermediate or ‘andesitic’ bulk composition and characteristic depletion of niobium of the continental crust are strikingly matched by convergent margin magmas . This haet al. , who com [et al.  negated et al. [The results of Tang et al.  yield imet al.  and eroset al. [et al. [rather than the origin, of continental crust. To avoid this confusion, data from thick oceanic arc should be evaluated too.While Tang et al.  providedet al.  shows a  [et al.  focused et al. [Despite these uncertainties, Tang et al.  provide et al. . Althouget al. , it rema3+/Fetot ratio, and therefore Mg#, of melts are strongly dependent on fO2 [fO2 in continental and oceanic arcs as well as in the course of magmatic fractionation, oxygen fugacity is necessary to be taken into account in deciphering differentiation processes of calc-alkaline magmatism.In addition to fractionation pressure and water, oxygen fugacity is also crucial to Mg# of arc magmas, because the Fet on fO2 ,7. Given


Fluid dynamics is a research area lying at the crossroads of physics and applied mathematics with an ever-expanding range of applications in natural sciences and engineering. However, despite decades of concerted research efforts, this area abounds with many fundamental questions that still remain unanswered. At the heart of these problems often lie mathematical models, usually in the form of partial differential equations, and many of the open questions concern the validity of these models and what can be learned from them about the physical problems. In recent years, significant progress has been made on a number of open problems in this area, often using approaches that transcend traditional discipline boundaries by combining modern methods of modelling, computation and mathematical analysis. The two-part theme issue aims to represent the breadth of these approaches, focusing on problems that are mathematical in nature but help to understand aspects of real physical importance such as fluid dynamical stability, transport, mixing, dissipation and vortex dynamics.This article is part of the theme issue ‘Mathematical problems in physical fluid dynamics (part 2)’. The main topics of Part II of the theme issue are vortex dynamics and turbulence, with several interstitial areas included as well. Gomez-Serrano et al.  find newet al.  study th [et al. . Ohkitan [et al.  construc [et al.  using co [et al.  use a coet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Turning to the contributions with especially close connections to turbulence, Tsuruhashi et al.  use direet al.  demonstr [et al. . Van Kan [et al.  use an a [et al.  employ t [et al.  explore  [et al. .


Cotton plants are not only the global crops integrating fiber, oil and protein (Hu et al. Recently, Wang and colleagues reported a new function of gossypol: acting as a pan-inhibitor against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants (Wang et al. In the course of evolution and the 5 000 years of domestication (Song et al. Although gossypol has a few side effects on humans and animals (Gadelha et al.


This Special Issue addresses new scientific insights and technological advances in the area of gluten-free product development with the aim of controlling gluten intolerance and autoimmune diseases.p < 0.05) compared to standard products, as well as higher (p < 0.05) fat contents. Bokic et al. [This Special Issue publishes seven research papers and four review articles. In the paper by Gasparre et al. , the autc et al.  investigc et al.  aimed toPediococcus pentosaceus strain.Chochkov et al.  exploredDos Reis Gallo et al.  determinGazikalović et al.  producedAmorphophallus konjac  flour. The bread samples with konjac showed a high fiber content and lower levels of carbohydrates, hence lower calories.Laignier et al.  developeThe review papers deal with the use of additives to replace gluten and ensure the stability and elasticity of the dough, hence improving the nutritional quality and sensory properties of gluten-free bread . The app


Anguilla anguilla) has been declining extensively and needs efficient conservation measures. Relevant information on the biology of this species (including spawning migration) is necessary for management decisions. We discovered an unprecedented behavioural pattern—after migrating to the Baltic Sea, 21% of the silver eels, tagged with acoustic transmitters, returned to the Narva River [The population of European eel ’ has been shown in the studies of Jessop et al. [et al. discuss the movement of fish from the sea to the river before they silver and begin the spawning migration. The studies of Jessop et al. [et al. misunderstood the text of Jessop et al. and conveys a misinterpretation to the reader.Our research prompted Rohtla  Comment . In our  Comment . One of  Comment . The stap et al. ,4, is inp et al. ,4 clearlet al. is that Rohtla et al. [farewell visits hypothesis, described by Jessop et al. [farewell visit refers to the movement of yellow eels between the sea and the river where silvering has not been previously demonstrated. In our study [false start and we think it is an appropriate expression in such a context.Another consequence of the misinterpretation of the articles of Jessop a et al.  offer thp et al. , in explur study , we conset al. [Rohtla et al.  are righet al. . We analet al. [Rohtla et al.  begin toet al. [Rohtla et al.  describeet al. [et al. [et al. that these eels could have been yellow is incomprehensible.Some of the opinions of Rohtla et al.  seem imp [et al.  did not et al.'s Comment [In our opinion, Rohtla  Comment  misses tAs previously mentioned, we still do not know what caused the eels to exhibit this interesting behaviour. Water systems similar to our study system—complex river systems with impounded and stagnant sections with migration obstacles—are numerous around the world, and the eel stocking and translocation method has been widely used for decades. This behaviour pattern, which is the subject of discussion at the moment, may be characteristic of eels more generally.


IUCrData (2020), 5, x200040.Corrigendum to  et al. , the address of the second author is incorrect.In the paper by MacNeil


We read with interest the recent publication by Zhao et al. . Zhao etZhao et al.  quoted SCamp et al.  measuredZhao et al.  did not Zhao et al.  graded fIn conclusion, considering that Zhao et at  reported


In the present Special Issue “Functional Nanomaterials and Polymer Nanocomposites: Current Uses and Potential Applications”, two review articles and nine original research articles are published. The published review article by M.S.A. Darwish et al.  presents3-coated vesicles by biomineralization and further their utilization as carriers of drug-delivery systems. In this Special Issue, M.B. Stie et al. [xCo1−xFe2O4  magnetic nanoparticle-based polyurethane nanocomposites with reduced graphene oxide. Further, C.-Y. Wu et al. [In a published research article in this Special Issue, M. Aviv et al.  describee et al.  describee et al.  investigu et al.  report cu et al.  describeu et al.  describeu et al.  investig


Assalauova  is corrected.An error in the article by  c) of the article by et al. Assalauova  is corrected.An error in Fig. 3


We read with interest the recent publication by He and colleagues . The autHe et al.  stated tHe et al.  did not He et al.  previousHe et al.  providedSlongo et al.  promotedIn conclusion, the presented radiographic and photographic clinical evidence provided by He et al. , 4 and S


To the Editor: Millogo et al.  is crucial to establish the diagnostic utility of fecal specimens in leprosy.Koshy et al. (


IJMS were dedicated to the major complications responsible for maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality, such as gestational hypertension (GH), preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm birth, and chronic venous disease.These Special Issue These Special Issues provided an overview of the latest research on the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with pregnancy-related complications, novel diagnostics/prognostics modalities, as well as on the long-term consequences of pregnancy-related complications, both for mothers and their offspring. In addition, to reflect the current state-of-the-art and actual needs in the field, several review studies dedicated to the placental toxicology, the cervical mucus barrier, and periodontitis were also implemented.In our first Special Issue (closed on 29 February 2020), three reviews and five original papers were published altogether.The review of Gerasimova et al.  summarizThe review of Ziganshina et al.  conducteThe review of Alejandro et al.  was dediOur research group  demonstrSzilagyi et al.  introducSERPINA1 (α1-antitrypsin) peptides as one of the most promising peptide biomarkers of PE. Urine SERPINA1 peptides were associated with the destruction and degradation of thesyncytiotrophoblast membrane and, consequently, with the severity of the disease.Starodubtseva et al.  introducOur research group  describeOrtega et al.  observedIn our second Special Issue (closed on 28 February 2021) nine reviews and six original papers were published altogether.The review of Lacroix et al.  brought The review of Szczuko et al.  discusseThe review of Todros et al.  summarizThe review of Matsubara et al.  was dediThe clinical review of Ornoy et al.  introducThe review of Pankiewicz et al.  summarizThe review of Ruszala et al.  discusseThe aim of the review of Bendek et al.  was to cThe review of Deval et al.  was dediKelemu et al.  describePasternak et al.  reportedBurzynska-Pedziwiatr et al.  performeKeckstein et al.  demonstrOur research group  describeFinally, Kedziora et al.  investig


To the Editors: We read with interest an article by S.A. Collier et al. (


Oxford English Dictionary defines a concept as, ‘an idea of a class of objects, a general notion’. It follows from this definition that a concept cannot be rejected in the way that a hypothesis might be rejected if its predictions are inconsistent with observations. Instead, a concept must be judged by its heuristic value: does it help in making sense of the natural world?The The biological species concept (BSC) was designed to aid understanding of biological diversity, particularly the ubiquitous observation that sexually reproducing organisms exist in more or less distinct phenotypic and genetic clusters rather than in a continuum of forms. It does so by focusing attention on the contrast between successful interbreeding within groups and reproductive isolation between them. Distinct groups can form in other ways, and can occur in organisms that lack regular sexual reproduction. This has led to alternative conceptualizations of the units of diversity ,2. Howevet al.  and this is certainly true of the BSC. However, Wang et al.  seek to et al.  did not et al. ,8. The l [et al.  is probl [et al. ). Linkin [et al. . In real [et al. ,12. The  [et al. ,8,12,13 et al. [et al. [Wang et al.  suggest et al. ,7,14), t [et al. : No, it the process of speciation’. This proposal struck a chord and fig. 1 from Wu's paper has been very widely reproduced. It describes snapshots in the evolution of reproductive isolation from the appearance of the first barriers to gene flow to the complete absence of successful interbreeding . The underlying idea of an initially semi-permeable barrier that can evolve to exclude a larger and larger proportion of the genome has great heuristic value. It was already present in the hybrid zone literature [et al. [Nearly 20 years ago, Wu  proposedterature  and is nterature ). Wang e [et al.  provide


As a result of a production error, in Decarli et al. The publisher regrets this error.


The present letter concerns the article written by Dehghani et al. . First, Not to declare.


The article by Rajman et al. (2020),


Acta Cryst. (2022), E78, 108–110.Corrigendum to  et al. , there is an error in the chemical formula in the title.In the paper by Park


This approach differs in assuming the genetic effects on survival are additive, rather than multiplicative (Hamilton (1966) assumed genetic effects subtract from mortality risk [x in discrete time versus reproductive value in continuous time that balances the force of selection. For reproduction, if reproductive value at the first age class is defined as 1, then there are no differences between the discrete and continuous time forces of selection.To avoid any further confusion for the reader and the discipline, we have included Hamilton 966 assumet al. [et al. [To summarize, the logic of Roper et al.  was to het al.  were useet al. ,6 and (iet al.  is correet al. . However [et al. : that th


A growing number of applications are enabled by transfer printing, particular advanced flexible and stretchable electronic systems requiring heterogeneous integration of inorganic materials on plastic or rubber substrates . The criet al. [3 with a temperature increase below 100oC (Fig. et al. [In a recent work published in NSR by Luo et al.  ‘Laser-d. et al.  outperfoet al. [In short, Luo et al.  proposed


To the best of our knowledge there are no publications about Tunisian experience in constrictive pericarditis (CP); the aim of this study was therefore to review our twenty-one years’ experience in terms of clinical and surgical outcomes and risk factors of death after pericardiectomy. An analytic bicentric and retrospective study carried out on 25 patients  with CP underwent pericardiectomy, collected over a 21-years period. The mean age was 40.46±16.74 years [7.5-72]. The commonest comorbid factor was tabagism (52%). The most common etiology was tuberculosis . Dyspnea was the most common functional symptom . Pericardiectomy was performed in all our patients within 2.9±3.19 months after confirmation of diagnosis. It was subtotal in 96% of cases. The commonest postoperative complications are pleural effusion (20%). Dyspnea was regressed within 1.8 months in 80% of cases and clinical signs of right heart failure within a mean duration of 1.62 months in 53% of cases. Perioperative mortality was 12% (3 deaths), late mortality was 4% (1 patient). Cardiopulmonary bypass, New York Heart Association (NYHA) over class II and right ventricular dysfunction are the prognostic factors of mortality . Tuberculosis as etiology of CP had no impact on mortality. CP is a rare disease, with non-specific clinical signs. Pericardiectomy is effective with a significant improvement of the functional status of patients and favorable outcome at short and long term nevertheless hospital mortality is not negligible and depends on many factors. Chronic constrictive pericarditis (CP) is a serious disease fortunately rare accounting for approximately 0.5 to 2% of heart disease and 0.6% of interventions in cardiovascular surgery department. It is characterized by constriction and adiastolia ,2. SymptAn analytic, longitudinal and retrospective bicentric study, including 25 cases of chronic constrictive pericarditis, collected over a period of 21 years from November 1994 to May 2015. Included in this study all patients underwent pericardiectomy for CP. Pericarditis etiology was determined by the patient´s history. The data were collected from medical records by referring to an operating sheet that we established at the start of the study. Epidemiological data, aetiology of CP, functional signs, data from physical examination, data from additional tests  the time interval between symptoms and diagnosis (time elapsed between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis). Biological data were collected. We have specified the time interval between diagnosis and surgery . Informations about the surgical intervention were collected. Patient´s clinical and paraclinical data during in-hospital period and during follow-up were noted. Statistical study: all of the continuous variables are expressed as mean ± SD and the categorical variables as percentages. the Anova test or the Mann-Whitney test were used for the quantitative variables and the Fisher Exact test for the qualitative variables. A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.The mean age of our patients was 40.46±16.74 years (7.5-72 years). Sex ratio at 4 . Smoking was the most frequently concomitant cardiovascular risk factors , comorbidities are summarized in The most frequent physical sign was hepatomegaly, jugular venous distension, peripheral edema, hepatojugular reflux and ascites. Blood pressure was normal in all patients, pulsus paradoxus was not found in any patient . PreoperRegarding medical treatment prior to surgery, 23 patients (92%) were on diuretics, eleven patients (44%) were on vitamin-K antagonist treatment . Three patients (12%) had undergone one previous sternotomy for valvular replacement. Pericardiectomy was performed in all our patients within 2.9±3.19 months, it was subtotal in 96% of cases (n = 24) and partial in only one patient. The midline sternotomy was performed in all patients. Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) support was necessary in two patients (8%) because major bleeding for one and a tricuspid annuloplasty of De Vega for tricuspid insufficiency for the other. No other concomitant cardiac surgical procedures performed at the same time as pericardiectomy. CPB support time was respectively 33 min and 46 min. Transfusion was necessary in seven patients (28%), average transfusion requirements are five red blood cell concentrates, six fresh frozen plasma and nine platelet concentrates. The use of catecholamines was necessary in 10 patients (40%). Extubation was accomplished the first postoperative day in 17 patients (68%). Mean length of stay in the intensive care unit was 5.86±2.02 days (1-36 days). Mean time spent with a chest drain in place was 4.53±6.125 days (1-26 days). The mean length of hospital stay was 26.27±14.23 days. Anatomopathological study of pericardium was performed in 16 patients (64%). A fibrotic aspect was observed in 14 patients and an inflammatory aspect in two patients. There were no specific signs of malignancy or tuberculosis.The most frequent postoperative complications were pleural effusion requiring surgical drainage in five patients (20%) and bleeding noted in four patients (16%)  and low cardiac output observed in three patients (12%). Postoperative AF was noted in one patient (4%) . In-hospet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [The age of patients with CP varies from one study to another. It ranges between 40 and 66 years . In our et al.  and Ghav [et al. . In this [et al.  and Toku [et al. . This di [et al.  had also [et al. ,12, expl [et al. . In our  [et al. ,13-18 wh [et al. .et al. [Confirmation of tuberculosis origin of the CP is not always obvious. In the study by Mutyaba et al. , the tubet al. . Accordiet al. ,20-22, tet al. ,24. The et al. . This etet al. ,20,25. Net al. [et al. it was a 28-year-old man in whom a CP was discovered in a context of liver dysfunction [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Idiopathic CP is frequent in our study and in the literature -22. Accoet al. . In a moet al. . Constriet al. ,4,17. Cofunction . The mosfunction ,21,30,31 [et al. , 22% in  [et al. , 19% in  [et al. . It has et al. [et al. [et al. (27%), Bashi et al. (75%) and Mutyaba et al. (63.6%) [et al. [et al. [et al. and in 42% of the cases in of Bashi et al. [et al. [A supraventricular arrhythmia was found in 36% of our patients which is in concordance with Kumawat et al.  who foun [et al. . In our  (63.6%) ,21,31. C [et al.  noted th [et al.  in 50% o [et al. . Echocari et al. ,31. Acco [et al. , the sen [et al. . In our  [et al. . Variati [et al. . It was  [et al. . Epicard [et al. . Prolong [et al. ,42.et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. (0.6%) [Cardiac catheterization can be used when echocardiography, and multimodality cardiac imaging provide equivocal results or when a mixed cardiac pathology requires further evaluation, it is a sensitive 100%) and specific 97%) examination for the diagnosis of CP allowing definitive confirmation of the diagnosis and formally elimination of a right or a bilateral endomyocardial fibrosis and a restrictive myocardiopathy and evaluation of the severity of coexisting valvular lesions ,44. Cardet al. , in the et al. . The ave [et al. , were de [et al. ,46,47. I [et al. ,26,46,4800% and s [et al.  where pl7% examin [et al. . The mosReoperation was inevitable in two cases 8%) of our series in order to evacuate a hemomediastinum for one and a hemothorax for the other. In litterature, bleeding was the causes of reopertion in 2.1% to 19.6% of cases % of our . Accordiet al. [Independent predictors of late survival were age, NYHA class, previous radiation, LV dysfunction, hepatomegaly, cirrhosis, hyponatremia, need of high doses of diuretics, rise of bilirubin´s level ,22,26,49et al.  which shet al. . Functioet al. ,26. TubeThe particularity of our study is predominance of post-tuberculosis CP and frequency of RV dysfunction. Treatment of CP by pericardiectomy is effective with a significant improvement of patients´ functional status and favorable outcome at short and long-term. Nevertheless, hospital mortality is not negligible and depends on many factors.Constrictive pericarditis is a rare and severe disease;Constrictive pericarditis is difficult to diagnose, usually with delayed diagnosis;Pericardiectomy with complete decortication is the definitive treatment.The first Tunisian study about constrictive pericarditis;Particularities of our patients: predominance of tuberculous pericarditis and frequency of right ventricular dysfunction associated with constrictive pericarditis;From our study we reviewed literature data concerning clinical, paraclinical characteristics, the etiologies and the evolution of constrictive pericarditis after pericardiectomy and determine risk factors of mortality and verify if the tuberculous etiology influences the postoperative mortality of patients with constrictive pericarditis.


Osteoporosis is one bone disease characterized with skeletal impairment, bone strength reduced and fracture risk enhanced. The regulation processes of bone metabolism are associated with several factors such as mechanical stimulation, epigenetic regulation and hormones. However, the mechanism of osteoporosis remains unsatisfactory. Increasing high‐throughput RNA sequencing and circular RNAs (circRNAs) microarray studies indicated that circRNAs are differentially expressed in osteoporosis. Growing functional studies further pinpointed specific deregulated expressed circRNAs  for their functions involved in bone metabolism, including bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Moreover, CircRNAs  may be acted as diagnostic biomarkers for osteoporosis. This review discussed recent progresses in the circRNAs expression profiling analyses and their potential functions in regulating BMSCs differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. The potential diagnostic and therapeutic roles of circRNAs in the clinical application for osteoporosis are also discussed.2Huang et al.Zhao et al.Jin et al.Chen et al.Yu et al.Lin et al.Wang et al.Xu et al.Shen et al.Yao et al.Liu et al.Wang et al.Zhi et al.Zhang et al.33.1s correlated with bone mineral density (BMD) and T‐score. The circ_0002060 levels have diagnostic values for osteoporosis patients , and the specificity and sensitivity for circ_0002060 were 69% and 78%.Huang et al.3.2p < 0.01). These data suggested that circ_0001275 may be one diagnostic biomarker for postmenopausal osteoporosis.Zhao et al.3.3Chen et al.3.4Yu et al.3.5Wang et al.3.6Wen et al.3.7Qiao et al.3.8Cao et al.3.9Xu et al.3.10Ji et al.3.11Han et al.3.12Huang et al.3.13Lin et al.3.14Shen et al.3.15Xiang et al.3.16Liu et al.3.17Liu et al.3.18Wang et al.3.19Zhi et al.3.20Ji et al.3.21Guan et al.3.22Liu et al.3.23Li et al.3.24Xu et al.4Growing data of high‐throughput RNA sequencing and circRNAs microarray studies indicated that circRNAs are differentially expressed in osteoporosis. CircRNAs may be acted as diagnostic biomarkers for osteoporosis. Increasing studies suggested that circRNAs played important roles in the BMSCs proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. However, the expression levels and function roles of these differentially expressed circRNAs in osteoporosis remain uncharacterized. Further studies may be required to confirm the expression level of these differentially expressed circRNAs in more samples of human osteoporosis and controls. Moreover, further functional works on these differentially expressed circRNAs are needed to build their potential therapeutic or pathogenic significance.The authors declare that they have no competing interests.Weichun Chen: Data curation ; Investigation ; Visualization ; Writing‐original draft ; Writing‐review & editing . Baozhong Zhang: Conceptualization ; Data curation ; Investigation ; Software ; Writing‐original draft ; Writing‐review & editing . Xiao Chang: Methodology ; Visualization ; Writing‐original draft ; Writing‐review & editing .Not applicable.Not applicable.


Williams et al.  assessedClinicalTrials.gov (Williams, There are a number of reasons why the interpretation of the results presented by Williams et al.  in termsClinicalTrials.gov registration. The registered follow-ups were pretest, posttest and 6-month; there is no mention of the latter in Williams et al. (Second, the specific knowledge, attitudes and skills outcomes reported in Williams et al.  are not s et al. . Trial rs et al. . Concerns et al. ,2005b.Without a control group one cannot even attribute the pretest-posttest differences in the variables reported in Williams et al.  to parti


Other than the diagnostic criteria that is based on clinical features; nasoendoscopy and/or computerized tomographic scan have been included in the diagnosis. This study seeks to outline the clinical evaluation and nasoendoscopic assessment of CRS patients.a hospital-based analytical study carried out on 154 participants. Clinical assessment and nasoendoscopy were performed and scored according to the discharge, inflammation and polyps/oedema (DIP) scale. Statistical analysis was carried out and results were presented in charts and tables.of the 154 participants, 71 (46.1%) were males and 83 (53.9%) females with a male to female ratio of 1: 1.7. Nasal discharge and blockage were the commonest symptoms. Nasoendoscopy had higher yield in the examination of intranasal polyps (NPs) over anterior rhinoscopy. The prevalence of NPs was 26.6%. The result of DIP nasoendoscopic findings revealed more participants with moderate scores. There was a significant statistical difference between the presence of NPs on nasoendoscopy and DIP score.nasoendoscopy is an important aspect in the diagnosis and evaluation of patients with CRS. It provides a better visualization of NPs; therefore, it should be made routine in the clinical assessment and treatment of patients with CRS. The nasal endoscopic scoring of CRS should be considered as a common practice in clinical setting as well. Rhinosiet al. , and it et al. . Most ofet al. ,9. Chronet al. .In the position paper on rhinosinusitis and nasal polyps by the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, nasal endoscopy and/or computerized tomography (CT) scan findings have been included in the diagnosis . TherefoA hospital-based analytical study conducted out at ENT department of UITH, Ilorin, Nigeria over a period of nine (9) months. Ethical approval for this study was obtained from the ethical review committee of the hospital before commencement. One hundred and fifty-four 154) consenting CRS patients aged 18 and above were recruited after a detailed explanation of the purpose of the study and procedures. Written informed consents were obtained. Clinical assessments which include history taking, ENT examination and nasal endoscopy was performed and tailored towards diagnosis and assessment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Diagnosis was made according to the clinical practice guideline formulated by the rhinosinusitis task force of the American Academy of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) ,5. The e4 consentThis study was carried out on 154 patients with chronic rhinosinusitis recruited from ENT clinic within the study period. The age and sex distribution shown on et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. pointed the fact that as many as 60% of patients with CRS have substantial allergic sensitivities [This study found a slightly high female preponderance which was similar to the findings of Sogebi et al. , da Lillet al. , and Ono [et al. . This co [et al. . However [et al.  and Afol [et al.  found a  [et al. ,7,21,22. [et al. ,20,23,24 [et al.  in the S [et al. ,20,24,25 [et al. ,20,24, f [et al. . A docum [et al. . Similaret al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Reduced nasal patency with nasal discharge and engorged nasal turbinates were the commonest findings in the nasal cavities in about 70% of CRS patients during anterior/posterior rhinoscopy this was followed by pale/bluish turbinates and presence of intranasal polypoid growths respectively. Similarly, engorged nasal turbinates, oedematous nasal mucosa and mucopurulent anterior rhinorrhoea were the major signs found in the study by Sogebi et al.  which is [et al.  and Main [et al. . Al-Hass [et al.  found na [et al. . Durr et [et al.  found th [et al. ,24,29. H [et al. . A highe [et al.  where ma [et al.  reported [et al. ,32,33. N [et al. .This study revealed that the presence of NPs confers severe endoscopic scores in CRS patients. Therefore, nasoendoscopy should be made routine in the clinical assessment and treatment of patients with CRS. We recommend that nasal endoscopic scoring of patients with CRS should be considered as a common practice in ENT clinical setting. Data obtained from these measures should be used in evaluating treatment effectiveness and can thus influence improvement in universal CRS management.Nasoendoscopy detected nasal pathology in more patients than anterior and posterior rhinoscopic examination;Nasoendoscopy is a prerequisite for an accurate estimate of the prevalence of nasal polyps.The result of nasoendoscopic assessment with DIP score in this study revealed more participants with moderate score among CRS patients in Nigeria;The correlation between intranasal polyps found on anterior rhinoscopy and on nasoendoscopy was statistically significant;Among the participants who had CRSwNP, 78% were found to have severe DIP score and the difference between the presence/absence of intranasal polyps and DIP score was statistically significant .


We read with interest the recent publication by Qi and colleagues . Qi et aLi et al. , 5 descrQi et al.  did not Qi et al.  stated tQi et al.  reportedBland et al.  recordedIn conclusion, US would be a cheaper and more readily available imaging modality to assess HLCFs than MRI, possibly allowing early treatment decision making in A&E. Considering that Qi et al.  have not


To the Editor:Recently in the Journal, Jung et al.  reported


Parents and peers play critical roles in the socialization of children and adolescents, yet investigations on the role played by parents vs. peers have been largely separate for many years. To address this problem, we invited leading scholars in the field to collectively tell a complex story of the part that parents and peers together play in the development of children and adolescents. The resulting Special Issue is a collection of papers highlighting current conceptualizations and empirical work in this area, with a focus on additive, multiplicative, and transactional mechanisms that link parent and peer relational contexts to each other and to child/adolescent social and emotional development. Two papers present new conceptual models, six illustrate empirical work in the field, and one paper that provides a comprehensive review of the literature. The stories that are conveyed in the issue are both innovative and complex. The papers in this Special Issue are illustrative of both methodological and theoretical trends in the field of parent/peer socialization. Methodological trends. The papers in this Special Issue illustrate current methodological practices, particularly regarding sample selection. One innovation is the inclusion of both mothers and fathers in five of the six empirical studies in this Special Issue, an approach that was not often taken in past parent–peer literature. Additionally, child and adolescent samples are represented in the empirical papers: Assari et al. [i et al.  and Jespi et al.  studied i et al. , Havewali et al. , Hu et ai et al. , Lindseyi et al. , and Sigi et al.  samples i et al.  includedi et al. , Lindseyi et al. , and Gazi et al. ; Hu et ai et al.  sample wi et al.  theory wi et al.  researchAs can be seen in Theoretical trends. The conceptual models used by the authors in this Special Issue build on an amazing array of existing theories and models. Some of the papers are guided by grand theories such as Attachment Theory , Socialx et al. ; Sigal ex et al. ), Ecologx et al. ), Behavix et al. ), and Sex et al. ). As in x et al. ,13. Existing mid-range models that guide the papers in this Special Issue include the Marginalization and Diminished Returns (MDR) Framework ; CoerciIn addition to highlighting these mid-range models, this Special Issue includes two papers that propose new conceptual models. The Cox et al.  and Jespindependent (main) or additive effects of the parent or peer context to child/adolescent adjustment. Multiple studies in this Special Issue  presentl et al. ) and thel et al. . Evidenc related . For exa related ), showin related ; Hu et a related ) focusedver time . For exaver time ). These One suggestion for future research is the development of grand socialization theories that encapsulate experiences in relationships with parents and peers. In addition, given that children’s relationships with parents tend to be vertical  whereas interactions with friends are more horizontal and balanced , future Our hope is that this issue will inspire creative new approaches to developmental research, practice, and policy as the complexity of family and peer systems functioning together is embraced.


In Guangjie Li, et al.,


Cancers (Basel), through a series of 13 original articles and three reviews, captures some of the important advances in cancer risk, genetic testing, risk management, screening and prevention of breast, ovarian and endometrial cancers.Over the last decade there have been significant advances and developments in our understanding of factors affecting women’s cancer risk, our ability to identify individuals at increased risk and risk stratify populations, as well as implement and evaluate strategies for screening and prevention. This special issue of BRCA testing across multiple high income and upper middle income countries health systems . This strategy could prevent tens of thousands more breast and ovarian cancers than the current family history-based clinical approach. While this is potentially cost-saving for high income countries, genetic testing costs need to fall further for this to be cost-effective for low income countries. Kalsi et al. [Our understanding of the genetic risk of ovarian cancer has significantly improved over the last decade. Pavanello et al.  provide i et al.  show thai et al. . Gentry-i et al.  evaluatei et al.  systemati et al.  demonstri et al. , using ti et al.  provide i et al.  highlighi et al.  undertooi et al.  evaluatei et al. , using di et al.  establisi et al.  describeGLOBOCAN data predict that breast, ovarian and endometrial cancer cases will increase by 47–53% and deaths by 58–71%, respectively, over the next 20 years . A total


The RFamide-related peptides (RFRPs) are the group of neuropeptides synthesized predominantly from the hypothalamus that negatively affects the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-gonadal  axis. These peptides are first identified in quail brains and emerged as the mammalian orthologs of avian gonadotropin inhibitory hormones. The RFRP-3 neurons in the hypothalamus are present in several mammalian species. The action of RFRP-3 is mediated through a G-protein-coupled receptor called OT7T022. The predominant role of RFRP-3 is the inhibition of HPG axis with several other effects such as the regulation of metabolic activity, stress regulation, controlling of non-sexual motivated behavior, and sexual photoperiodicity in concert with other neuropeptides such as kisspeptin, neuropeptide-Y (NPY), pro-opiomelanocortin, orexin, and melanin. RFamide peptides synthesized in the granulosa cells, interstitial cells, and seminiferous tubule regulate steroidogenesis and gametogenesis in the gonads. The present review is intended to provide the recent findings that explore the role of RFRP-3 in regulating HPG axis and its potential applications in the synchronization of reproduction and its therapeutic interventions to prevent stress-induced amenorrhea. The hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis or gonadotropic axis consisting of the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, and gonads is the key regulator of reproduction in mammals. It operates through coordinated mechanisms of hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and hypophyseal gonadotropins (follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH] and Luteinizing hormone [LH]) with peripherally produced gonadal hormones . GnRH, tet al. [in vitro pituitary cell culture of adult male quail. It was named GnIH due to its selective inhibitory property over gonadotropins. The receptors of the GnIH have also been identified in the pituitary of quails and in vivo experiments confirm that GnIH administration inhibits the expression of a and b subunits of FSH and LH [Tsutsui et al.  identifiH and LH . The seqH and LH , of whicH and LH . The RFRH and LH . Of the H and LH . RFRP-1 H and LH , human [H and LH , and SibH and LH .There are huge variations among species regarding the localization of RFRP-3 neurons in the brain. The sexual variations in the localization patterns are also found in different species. et al. [et al. [et al. [ai, an inhibitory G protein that suppresses cAMP activity [et al. [as or Gaq proteins which explain the diverse role of RFRP-3. GPR147 has been identified in hypothalamus, pituitary, gonads, and accessory reproductive organs in birds [Nguyen et al.  identifi [et al.  reported [et al.  showed sactivity . Gouardè [et al.  reportedin birds . Extra nin birds . In testin birds . GPR147 in birds .In vitro cell culture studies confirmed the suppression of GnRH neuronal firing rates [et al. [RFRP-3 inhibits GnRH synthesis and secretion from the hypothalamus directly or indirectly in mammals. The RFRP-3 secreting neurons are situated in close apposition with RnRH secreting neurons along with substantial evidence of GPR147 expression in GnRH secreting cells and their projections. Intercerebroventricular (ICV) injection of RFRP-3 suppresses GnRH neuronal activity in female rats and mice . In vitrng rates . The indng rates . Decreasng rates  and miceng rates . Wu et aet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Controversial results on the effect of RFRP-3 on pituitary LH secretion have been documented in different animal models. RFRP-3 decreases LH secretion in gonadectomized male and female rats intravenously . Rizwan et al.  reportedet al. . Chronicet al. . Adminiset al. . Ubuka e [et al.  and Henn [et al.  reported [et al. , but no  [et al. . No chan [et al.  and gilt [et al. . Intrave [et al. . Kadokaw [et al.  reportedet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [in situ hybridization and reported increased expression of RFRP-3 and GPR147 during late spermatocytes indicating the role of RFRP-3 in sperm maturation. Anjum et al. [The paracrine action of RFRP-3 on the gonads is established. Bentley et al.  reported [et al.  reported [et al. , mice [5 [et al. , Syrian  [et al. , sheep [ [et al. , pigs [5 [et al. , primate [et al. , and hum [et al.  are able [et al. . The loc [et al. . Singh e [et al.  identifi [et al.  identifim et al.  studied In vitro studies show that GnIH release has a diurnal rhythm and is increased during nighttime in quail hypothalamic explants [et al. [A photoneuroendocrine system regulates sexual photoperiodism in mammals comprised of the photoreceptors in the retina, hypothalamus (suprachiasmatic nucleus), and the pineal gland. The pineal hormone melatonin released on photoperiodic cues is the key communicator between reproductive activity and seasons . Higher explants . Bentley [et al.  studied  [et al. .et al. [et al. [Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are the two important neurotransmitters of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), which controls the daily rhythms GnRH secretion and the timing of the pre-ovulatory LH surge . Russo eet al.  reportedet al.  and Syriet al. . Simonne [et al.  proposedet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [RFRP-3 inhibits gonadotropin secretion in pre-pubertal animals. Sun et al.  demonstr [et al.  reported [et al. . Han et  [et al.  demonstr [et al.  reported [et al.  reported [et al.  reportedet al. in house sparrows [et al. [et al. [et al. [Stress is reported to inhibit HPG axis and hence the reproductive function. The role of GnIH on stress-induced reproductive suppression was first reported by Calisi sparrows . RFRP-3 sparrows , zebra fsparrows , mice [7sparrows , and ratsparrows . Acute isparrows . Kaewwon [et al.  reported [et al.  reported [et al.  reported [et al. . Cortico [et al. . Direct  [et al. . The mol [et al. . Stress- [et al. .et al. [et al. [Optimum energy status is an essential factor for reproduction. Neurochemical systems regulate it. RFRP-3 increases feed intake in rodents , sheep , and priet al.  reportedet al. . The RFRet al. . Talbi e [et al.  reportedRFRP-3 is a pleiotropic neuropeptide that emerged as the regulator of the HPG axis and some critical reproductive events in mammals. It plays notable roles in stress-induced reproductive functions, sexual photoperiodism, and metabolic regulation. Localization, molecular characterization, mechanism of action, and pharmacological roles of RFRP-3 have been studied in several species during the past few decades. Due to the variability among species and sex, the precise role of RFRP-3 is yet to be determined. RRP-3 acts as a bridge between nutrition, stress, and reproduction and can be employed as therapeutic interventions in stress-induced infertility in mammals.DB: Conceived the idea. JM and SSM: Collected the literature and drafted the manuscript. PKD, PRG, and KD: Corrected the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.


In the recent article by Schmidt et al. , the aut


Glaucoma is a sight-threatening disease and the primum mobile of irreversible blindness worldwide . ThroughThe rising prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertensive blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory illnesses, neurodegenerative disorders, etc., has had a great impact on global health, and can especially affect the course of glaucoma . The COVThe primary goal of the Special Issue: “Recent Clinical Research on Glaucoma” is to show readers to review the interdisciplinary background that favors exploration and understand the outstanding preclinical translational research that is taking place in the glaucoma field. The authors of this Special Issue have addressed a series of relevant topics regarding glaucoma risk factors, clinical facts, diagnostic tools, glaucoma comorbidities, treatment, and follow-up, as well as the newest research. A total of 16 works were compiled in this Special Issue, including 1 review, 14 clinical articles and preclinical-translational research studies, and this editorial, which have been collected on this occasion to precisely illustrate the multidisciplinary characteristics of this Special Issue, with the articles synthesized below and ordered by their respective publication dates.Sato and Kawaky [d Kawaky  take a cd Kawaky .Atanasovska Velovska et al. [a et al.  providedPeris Martinez et al. [z et al.  built upRaga-Cervera et al. [a et al.  analyzedJeon et al. [n et al.  showed cBaek et al. [Additionally, dealing with the vascular densities of the optic disc areas, k et al.  observedDel Buey Sayas et al. [s et al.  analyzedGonzález-Hernández et al. [z et al.  addresseChen et al. [n et al.  performeLiu et al. [A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by u et al.  on the “Gené-Morales et al. [s et al.  investigFernandez-Albarral et al. [l et al.  investigGarcia-Medina et al. [a et al.  carried Lever et al. [r et al.  describeKo et al. [o et al. , in theiJournal of Clinical MedicineRecent Clinical Research on Glaucoma, we believe that all of these works can be useful for ophthalmologists, medical specialists, and interdisciplinary researchers to improve our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and therapy underlying glaucoma for stimulating innovative “theranostic” glaucoma strategies for better eye and vision care. We sincerely hope that our readers can appreciate the substantial contribution of these works that may contribute to moving this important topic forward.To summarize this collection of papers covering different glaucoma topics, as described above, being the Guest Editors of the Special Issue of the


The genesis of this theme issue was a conversation we had during the IAPC-8 meeting in Split, Croatia in September 2019. In it, we started the interesting and important discussions surrounding the special session dedicated to ‘State-of-the-art solubility in drug development’. The session was introduced in the preliminary mini-review paper intended to serve as prologue or accompaniment to an upcoming session on solubility at the IAPC-8 meeting in Split, Croatia, 9-11 September 2019 [P coefficient was changed from -1 to -0.4, providing less weight to lipophilicity in the predictions. They also concluded that the increased flexibility of the larger molecules in the bRo5 space is one of the underlying reasons for less accurate predictions of traditionally developed models. The latter is also the conclusion from the study by Caron and coworkers [et al. [In the first issue of ADMET&DMPK focus is set on computational tools and mathematical modelling useful to understand solubility and dissolution, with Avdeef and Kansy  as well oworkers . They em [et al. . They em [et al.  describe [et al. . In thiset al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [In the second issue focus is shifted towards experimental assessment and technologies for profiling and enabling absorption of poorly-water soluble compounds. A series of extensive reviews are provided in this special issue, describing the current standing of electrospun nanofibers for drug delivery and optimised dissolution profiles , supercret al.  describe [et al.  who set  [et al. . They st [et al.  solubili [et al. . They st


With interest, we have read the article of Moriconi et al.  entitledMoriconi et al. , did notIn addition, we have some concerns about the methodology used in the study by Moriconi et al. . First oThe use of VLCHKDs is an important and promising area of research in obesity-related T2DM. However, interpretation of the available published results is currently hampered by differences in diet composition, incomplete reporting of diet composition, and differences in nomenclature as also indicated by Trimboli et al. . We ther


Since the early work of Justus von Liebig on nutrient absorption in plants in the 1800s ,3. In orPopulus spp. Two articles address the use of microbes to enhance abiotic stress tolerance in plants. Among these, Molina et al. [Bacillus velezensis strains may be used to control fungal disease incited by Botrytis cinerea in tomato and Verticillium wilt in olives. Marsico et al. [Botrytis disease in grapes. Finally, Leoni et al. [In this Special Issue, two articles provide data and discuss the roles of microbes in attaining sustainability in agricultural production. Among these articles, Beltran-Garcia et al.  discuss a et al.  describea et al.  show howa et al.  and Casta et al.  that shoo et al.  describei et al.  evaluateThis collection of articles provides a sampling of work that suggests that we may develop a more balanced ‘biological future’ for industrial plant agriculture.


Zebrafish have gained momentum as a leading experimental model in recent years. At present, the zebrafish vertebrate model is increasingly used due to its multifactorial similarities to humans that include genetic, organ, and cellular factors. With the emergence of novel research techniques that are very expensive, it is necessary to develop affordable and valid experimental models. This review aimed to highlight some of the most important similarities between zebrafish and humans by emphasizing the relevance of the first in simulating neurological disorders and craniofacial deformity. Danio rerio; ZF) are freshwater fish belonging to the minnow tribe of the Cypriniformes order. It is a tropical fish native to Southeast Asia that is about 2.5-4 cm long. It is a popular aquarium fish, and it is easily available and cheap. ZF have the advantage of being able to tolerate water of low ion content [rd month of their development, whereas their ideal reproductive age lies between 6 months and 1 year, while their lifespan can reach up to 5 years [rd day of fertilization, ZF are eligible for larval experiments. In fact, the ZF teleost lives in conditions that can be easily replicated ex situ.The zebrafish  and the occurrence of seizures in a ZF model of epilepsy [et al. [et al. [et al, [et al. [The sequencing of the entire ZF genome has revealed that 70% of the proteins encoded by human genes are related to genes found in ZF, while 84% of the ZF genes are known to be associated with human diseases . The neret al.  have rec [et al.  have sug [et al.  have repepilepsy . Li et a [et al.  have eva [et al.  have ass [et al. . Flinn e [et al,  have cre [et al. .et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Brassica juncea and Cynodon dactylon extracts on the cognitive performance of scopolamine-induced amnesic ZF.Piato et al.  have dev [et al.  have man [et al.  have dem [et al.  demonstr [et al. , long-te [et al. . Sarasam [et al.  were abl [et al.  have con [et al. . Moreove [et al.  have dem [et al.  have pre [et al.  have evaet al. [et al. [Pullaguri et al.  have recet al.  have rep [et al.  have inj [et al. , along w [et al. . Prenata [et al. .et al. [et al. [Moreover, when ZF larvae were exposed to valproic acid, they developed autism spectrum-like symptoms ,60. It cet al.  have proet al. . Finally [et al.  have pro [et al. .The number of ZF utilizing neuroscientific studies is increasing exponentially, and it is much exceeding that of rodents or other model species. Despite this, there is still much resistance regarding using ZF as a primary experimental model system. New potential for understanding the pathobiology of diverse central nervous system (CNS) impairments continues to emerge from studies focusing on the array of the ZFneuronal and behavioral capabilities. Although some of these models  are well established in ZF, others (such as those for autism and obsessive-compulsive disorders) are not as well established. However, accumulating evidence suggests that a wide range of CNS disorders could be reliably simulated with the use of ZF .Another common misunderstanding is that the ZF are exclusively useful for the undertaking of genetic and developmental studies. The expanding applicability of ZF models in practically every aspect of biomedicine, including the modeling of brain diseases -67, suppet al. [et al. [et al. [The ZF are a promising model for studying both the genetic and the environmental interactions occurring in craniofacial malformations such as palatal clefts. Over the last decade, the number of ZF genetic models for human disease-causing genes, such as those causing the cleft lip/palate, has exploded ,69. The et al.  have hyp [et al. . Like th [et al. . The pal [et al. . The spe [et al. . The ZF  [et al. . Based o [et al. . Accordi [et al. , exposur [et al. -78. The  [et al. ,80. ZF e [et al. . When ZF [et al. .et al. [et. al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [in vivo molecular toxicity profile of dental materials such as the mineral trioxide aggregate and biodentine using ZF models, whereas Rajendran et al. [et al. [A study conducted by Liu and Semina  who haveet al. , whereas[et. al.  has sugg [et al.  have use [et al.  have use [et al. . A study [et al. . With a  [et al.  have stun et al.  have shon et al. . In an a [et al.  have stu [et al. . ZF are A significant amount of craniofacial growth and neurodegenerative research has used the ZF as a model. The findings of these experiments have been included in this review as a proof of the value of ZF as an experimental setup that is cost-effective and easy to handle. Furthermore, the study of ZF will be particularly useful in the discovery and risk assessment of new teratogens and assisting in the translation of preclinical data into practice, thus informing our health advice to expecting mothers to reduce the risk of craniofacial malformations and developing neurological disorders. The latter should encourage new research to be conducted on the ZF model with the hope that it will prove beneficial for the human race.ARR and TJ: Contributed to the original draft, investigation, and editing of the manuscript. KSR and NAV: Collected the relevant literature and edited the manuscript. RR and PJJ: Revised the manuscript. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.


We read with interest the recent publication by Wu and colleagues . Weiss eBernthal et al.  reportedLi et al. , 6 beingLi et al.  stated tLi et al.  recommenDespite the same authors  having s


The BITS2005 Conference brought together about 200 Italian scientists working in the field of Bioinformatics, students in Biology, Computer Science and Bioinformatics on March 17–19 2005, in Milan. This Editorial provides a brief overview of the Conference topics and introduces the peer-reviewed manuscripts accepted for publication in this Supplement. The main goals of B.IT.S. are the study, development and spread of Bioinformatics throughout the Italian scientific, academic, technological and industrial community.The ITalian Bioinformatics Society , represents a useful resource for peach functional genomics. The database contains more than 18,000 sequences, with links to predicted SNPs, GO terms, the NiceZyme and KEGG pathway databases.The ESTree database by Lazzari et al. , collectA number of papers describe tools designed for sequence analysis.ParPEST  is a pipeline based on parallel computing for EST analysis . It reliThe GFINDer resource  was preset al. [Fariselli et al.  describeet al. [A neural network approach is described in Ferraro et al.  for the Caenorhabditis elegans and C. briggsae share conserved but rapidly evolving genomes. Rambaldi et al. [.i et al.  developeper se and also as an ancillary method to structure prediction methods. Armano et al. [Secondary structure prediction is considered an interesting topic o et al.  describeet al. [Secondary structure assignment also represents a fundamental issue, both for classification purposes and for improving the potential of prediction methods. Cubellis et al.  developeet al. [Ausiello et al.  describeet al.  for the et al. [D'Ursi et al.  used a fet al. analyze the relatively rare double histone fold, which is tightly related to the structure of nucleosomal histones. Through the application of several secondary structure prediction and fold recognition methods, they showed that the viral protein gi|22788712 is compatible with the structure of a H3-H4-like histone pseudodimer and may retain the ability of mediating protein-DNA interactions.In , Greco eSeveral papers in this Supplement concentrate on functional genomics and the analysis of expression data, proving the field's vitality and the experimental laboratory's interest in involving the bioinformatic community in their research.et al. [Ancona et al.  compare et al. [Burgarella et al.  developeet al. [The analysis of two transcription profiles led Cavallo et al.  to the iet al. [Finocchiaro et al.  describeet al. [Di Camillo et al.  describeet al. [The Hmt database is presented by Attimonelli et al. , as a weThe PedNavigator tool , specifiet al. [High-throughput approaches have been applied to the analysis of protein interaction in several model organisms, but have not yet been attempted in humans, where the unraveling of the interactome is one of the most ambitious tasks facing proteomics. An inferred human protein interaction network was built by Persico et al. , based oet al. .et al. [A high performance workflow is described by Merelli et al. . Using get al. [Romano et al.  describeet al.  (containet al. [An SRS site, with both EMBL and CABRI catalogues, has been set up by Romano et al. . In the .The next Annual meeting of the Italian Bioinformatics Society will be held in Bologna in Spring 2006. Further information about BITS2006 will be available on our web site at the address


BMC Ear, Nose and Throat Disorders by Cetik et al. [et al. 2006.Although he was listed as an author in the original submission of an article published in k et al. , Dr RamaThe pre-publication history for this paper can be accessed here:


R1.et al.'s [et al. [et al. [Rey et al.'s  conclusi [et al.  to simul [et al.  does not2.et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Stress can be triggered by physical stimuli  and/or psychological states (e.g. emotions). Nonetheless, Rey et al.  build thet al. ,3, Rey e [et al.  provide  [et al. ,5, parti [et al. ,7. Alter [et al. . For exa [et al. . These p [et al. ,10. Impo [et al. . Hence,  [et al. –14. ThusU test for independent samples in their fig. 2), and the high probability that the observations were confounded by experimental artefacts (pheromones), it is impossible to know whether there actually was a shift in the spatial distribution of confined fish or a stable change in the core body temperature of some of the fish, let alone what might have caused those modest purported changes. What is clear is that these results do not support the authors' conclusion that ‘fish can show emotional fever’ [Because of the incomplete description of methodology, the weak and possibly inappropriate statistical analyses (in particular, inappropriate pooling of dependent samples over time and their analysis by a Mann–Whitney-l fever’ .


Babesia gibsoni.The present research work was undertaken to describe various clinical signs and hematobiochemical alterations in dogs affected with Babesia. Diagnosis was made on the basis of clinical signs and demonstration of B. gibsoni organism in Giemsa-stained thin blood smears. The clinical signs were recorded at the time of presentation, and blood samples were subjected to estimation of hematobiochemical parameters by auto hematology analyzers at College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand. Statistical analysis, interpretation, and comparison of hematobiochemical changes with scientific literature were carried out to understand the pathophysiology of the disease.Blood smears from a total of 79 suspected dogs of Anand region as well as Surat region of Gujarat state (India) were screened for detection of intraerythrocytic piroplasm of small form of Babesia in blood smears. The clinical cases were manifested by wide variety of non-specific clinical signs. The hematological evaluation revealed that the mean values of hemoglobin and total erythrocyte counts in dogs with babesiosis decreased significantly (p<0.01) in comparison to healthy dogs. Among differential leukocyte count, mean values of neutrophils and eosinophils increased while lymphocytes decreased (p<0.01) in dogs with babesiosis in comparison to healthy dogs. Serum biochemistry revealed increase (p<0.01) value of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and globulin as well as decrease in albumin levels (p<0.05) in dogs with babesiosis as compared to healthy dogs.Out of 79 dogs, 16 were positive for naturally occurring babesiosis based on the presence of intraerythrocytic piroplasm of small form of B. gibsoni is having multisystemic effects with atypical hematobiochemical changes in dog are discussed here, which would aid new insights in diagnosis of disease. Babesia species in dogs are the Babesia canis and Babesia gibsoni [Babesia are subdivided into three species, namely, B. canis transmitted by Dermacentor reticulatus (in Europe), B. vogeli transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus , and B. rossi transmitted by Haemaphysalis elliptica (in South Africa). Small Babesia includes B. gibsoni (Asian genotype), Babesia conradae , and Babesia microti like species  [B. gibsoni includes two stages: Inside the host red blood cells (RBCs), in which the sporozoites convert into piroplasms and the other inside the tick vector [Babesia is seen in Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smear of small 1-3 µm in diameter, ring-, oval-, or comma-shaped piroplasms suggestive of B. gibsoni which can be confirmed by polymerase chain reaction [Blood-feeding ectoparasites such as ticks, fleas, sand flies, and mosquitoes can transmit many dangerous pathogens to dogs - such as bacteria, protozoa, viruses, or helminths. They may lead to a variety of serious infections, mostly classified by their vectors: Tick-borne diseases, flea-borne diseases, sand fly-borne diseases, and mosquito-borne diseases . Tick-bo gibsoni . Based oa annae) . The disa annae) -10. The k vector . A smallreaction . The parreaction . The immreaction ,15.The clinical-pathological changes, including hematology and blood chemistry, are nonspecific. The various clinical symptoms regularly depend on the severity of the disease in infected animals. The typical clinical findings include anemia, thrombocytopenia, leukocyte abnormalities, increased liver enzymes, and hyperbilirubinemia. hypokalemia, hyperglobulinemia, azotemia, metabolic acidosis, and abnormalities of urinalysis may be observed in some severely affected dogs . SupportB. gibsoni are having variety of clinical manifestations ranging from anorexia to hepatomegaly or splenomegaly or death making it difficult to have a definitive diagnosis solely on the basis of clinical examination. Hence, the study was conducted to describe various clinical signs and hematobiochemical alterations in dogs affected with B. gibsoni.The naturally occurring cases of Samples were collected from clinical cases coming to Teaching Veterinary Clinical Complex (TVCC), Veterinary College, Anand Agricultural University, Anand and Nandini Veterinary Hospital, Surat. Hence, this particular study did not require ethical approval.3). Hematological parameters were analyzed by auto hematoanalyzer . Serum biochemical parameters were analyzed using an auto-biochemical analyzer  using standard kits manufactured by coral clinical systems auto-chemistry analyzer using commercial diagnostic kits procured from Crest Biosystem  at the Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand with standard laboratory protocols. Hematobiochemical changes in dogs with naturally occurring babesiosis were compared with healthy dogs.Privately owned dogs presented to TVCC, Anand and Nandini Veterinary Hospital, Surat, Gujarat (India), were examined clinically irrespective of their age, breed, and sex from July 2015 to March 2016. Dogs showing clinical signs suggestive of babesiosis were screened out during period and among that total 79 peripheral blood smears were made from suspected dogs and examined for the presence of intraerythrocytic piroplasms. Dogs presented to clinics for checkup which are healthy, from ectoparasites dewormed, and vaccinated were used as healthy control group, and blood was collected from them aseptically. Diagnosis of babesiosis was confirmed by cytological examination of Giemsa-stained peripheral blood smears made from ear tips. A 5 ml of blood samples from positive dogs were collected in a sterile anticoagulant vial containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid  cases while remaining (68.75%) of the dogs had near to normal temperature. Thus, it is apparent that pyrexia is not a cardinal sign in canine babesiosis due to y et al.  and Yada [et al. . The res [et al. ,20.There were a wide variety of clinical signs were observed at the time of presentation including general state signs (50.82%), gastrointestinal sings (13.94%), cardiac signs (13.11%), nervous signs (13.11%), respiratory signs (4.92%), and urological signs (4.10%). The details of each clinical sign with percentage are presented in Here, it was seen that 50.82% of the dogs were having clinical signs of general state. The tick infestation was found in 93.15% (15/16) cases.et al. [et al. [et al. [B. gibsoni positive dogs were also reported by Varshney et al. [et al. [et al. [Godara et al.  stated t [et al.  and Yada [et al. . Pale mu [et al. . Anemia  [et al. . Anorexiy et al. , Yadav e [et al. , and Kum [et al. . Nervous [et al. . Cardiac [et al. . Hemoglo [et al. ,27-29. O [et al. . These fet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Levels of hemoglobin (Hb), total erythrocyte count (TEC), and packed cell volume (PCV) decreased significantly in babesiosis positive dogs than healthy dogs . Decreaset al. , Niwetpa [et al. , Selvara [et al. , Shah et [et al. , Wadhwa  [et al. , Andoni  [et al. ,36, Redd [et al. , and Nal [et al. .et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Decreased TEC levels were in accordance with reports of Niwetpathomwat et al. , Shah et [et al. , Andoni  [et al. ,36, Redd [et al. , and Nal [et al. . Hb and et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Babesia initiates a mechanism of antibody-mediated cytotoxic destruction of circulating erythrocytes and anemia may be more dependent on the host immune response than on the direct destruction of RBC by the piroplasm [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [The difference between total leukocyte count and platelet count in dogs with babesiosis and healthy were statistically non-significant which was contrast to Shah et al.  and Siva [et al.  who repo [et al. , Wadhwa  [et al. , and Red [et al.  reported [et al. , Niwetpa [et al. , Shah et [et al. , Wadhwa  [et al. , Andoni  [et al. ,36, Redd [et al. , Nalubam [et al. , and Vis [et al. . Babesiairoplasm . The meciroplasm . Decreas [et al. , Niwetpa [et al. , Selvara [et al. , Shah et [et al. , Wadhwa  [et al. , Andoni  [et al. ,36, Redd [et al. , and Nal [et al. .et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Among differential leukocyte count, levels of neutrophils increased significantly in dogs with babesiosis than healthy dogs. The reason might be due to coinfection. These findings were in accordance with reports of Selvaraj et al. , Shah et [et al. , and Vis [et al. . However [et al.  reported [et al.  and Ando [et al. . However [et al.  and Redd [et al.  reported [et al.  reportedet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Among various serum biochemical parameters, levels of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) increased significantly in dogs with babesiosis than healthy dogs . These fet al. . Increaset al. . Levels  [et al.  and Redd [et al. . Levels  [et al. . Increas [et al. . Levels  [et al. . Hyperbi [et al. .et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) increased significantly in dogs with babesiosis than healthy dogs. Reddy et al.  also recet al. . The dif [et al. . However [et al. , Reddy e [et al. , and Vis [et al.  reportedet al. [et al. [et al. [et al. [Levels of albumin and A:G ratio decreased significantly (p<0.01) in dogs with babesiosis than healthy dogs. These results were in accordance with Yadav et al. . Levels  [et al.  and Vija [et al. . The dif [et al. .B. gibsoni had a wide variety of clinical manifestations so dogs are showing erratic fever, weight loss, depression, pale mucosa, and splenomegaly alone or in combination can be suspected for babesiosis. All the suspected dogs in this study were diagnosed only based on the microscopic examination of the stained peripheral blood smears. Microscopic examination may not detect low parasitemia though; it remains the most rapid confirmatory method which was carried out in this study. As the disease is spread through vector tick, control of the vector tick is essential for prevention of disease. Application of ectoparasiticides with acaricidal/insecticidal and additional repellent efficacy reduces the arthropod-host interaction including attachment to the skin and blood feeding and can thus reduce the risk of infection. Prevention of tick attachment and flea or sand fly or mosquito bites must be an established tool of disease prophylaxis in any dog living in vector endemic areas or traveling with its owner to such regions. Dog owners should be made aware of the risks and the need for protection by their veterinarians.The overall prevalence of babesiosis, based on peripheral blood smear examination was recorded as 20.25%. The dogs with naturally occurring babesiosis exhibited clinical signs include tick infestation, emaciation, anorexia, and dullness. Characteristic hematological pattern associated with babesiosis in dogs showed that there was decreased level of Hb, TEC, and PCV as well as increased level of neutrophils while serum biochemical pattern include increased the level of ALP, ALT, AST, total bilirubin, and globulin. During the study, it was observed that The present study was a part of AKB’s original research work which includes experimental design, a collection of blood and serum samples, examination of blood smear, estimation of hematobiochemical parameters and statistical analysis, preparing, and drafting the manuscript during M.V.Sc. thesis program. GCM had designed the plan of work as well as provided guidance during the entire experiment and corrected manuscript. FBT helped during sampling, statistical analysis, and manuscript preparation. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.