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Abstract Background Non-inferiority trials are recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to demonstrate that health products show comparable efficacy to that of existing standard of care. As part of the WHO Global Malaria Programme (GMP) process of assessment of malaria vector control products, a second-in-class insecticide-treated net (ITN) must be shown to be non-inferior to a first-in-class product based on mosquito mortality. The public health impact of the first-in-class pyrethroid-piperonyl butoxide (PBO) ITN, Olyset® Plus, has been demonstrated in epidemiological trials in areas with insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, but there is a need to determine the efficacy of other pyrethroid-PBO nets to ensure timely market availability of nets in order to increase access to ITNs. The non-inferiority of a deltamethrin-PBO ITN Yorkool® G3 was evaluated entomologically against Olyset® Plus in experimental huts in Tanzania, following WHO guidelines for non-inferiority trials. Methods The trial of the two pyrethroid-PBO ITNs was conducted in experimental huts in Lupiro, Tanzania, using a randomized 7 × 7 Latin square block design. The study ran for 49 nights in 14 huts assessing the mosquito mortality and blood-feeding of wild, free-flying, pyrethroid-resistant Anopheles arabiensis. Using the non-inferiority approach, the comparative efficacy (primary endpoint was mosquito mortality at 24 h and secondary endpoint was blood-feeding) of unwashed and 20 times field-washed pyrethroid-PBO Yorkool® G3 ITNs, were compared with the first-in-class product Olyset® Plus and against a pyrethroid-only ITN, PermaNet® 2.0 ITNs, as a standard comparator. Results The experimental hut trial demonstrated non-inferiority and superiority of Yorkool® G3 to Olyset® Plus based on mosquito mortality [51% vs. 39%, OR 1.68 (95% CI 1.50–1.88)], given that lower 95% CI exceeded 0.74 (delta of 39%) and the margin of no difference (1). Blood-feeding inhibition was high for all treated ITNs (> 90%) and Yorkool® G3 was non-inferior to Olyset® Plus [4% vs. 2%, OR 1.81 (95% CI 1.46–2.39)], given that upper 95% CI was less than 4.85 (delta of 4%). The pyrethroid-PBO ITNs were superior to the pyrethroid-only net, PermaNet® 2.0, as determined by both the proportion of mortality and blood-feeding of mosquitoes (p-value

Salinity poses a significant threat to the floral plants. Melatonin has emerged as a potential phytohormone to cope with the adverse effects of salinity on plants due to its multifaceted roles in regulating abiotic stresses. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of melatonin on pansy by modifications in physiological indices under salinity stress. Pansy plants were subjected to salinity stress (0, 50, and 100 mM NaCl) and melatonin (control, 50, and 100 µM). Salinity-induced oxidative stress was apparent through enhanced generation of toxic substances. However, melatonin supplementation improved chlorophyll ‘a’, chlorophyll ‘b’, total chlorophyll, glycine betaine (GB), superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalases (CAT), and glutathione-reductase (GR), thus promoting improved growth under salinity. The activation of plant defense system and regulation of signaling molecules is indication of lessening of toxic substances within the plant cells. Current findings revealed that supplementation of melatonin enhanced pansy tolerance against salinity stress.

Abstract Background Increasing metabolic resistance in malaria vector mosquitoes resulted in the development of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) with active ingredients (AI) that target them. Bioassays that accurately measure the mortality induced by these AIs on ITNs are needed. Mosquito metabolic enzyme expression follows a circadian rhythm. Thus, this study assessed (i) influence of the time of day of mosquito exposure and (ii) timing of assessment of mortality post exposure (24 and 72 h) to ITNs against vectors that are susceptible to pyrethroids and those with metabolic and knockdown resistance mechanisms. Methods Two cone bioassay experiments were conducted following World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Firstly, on ITNs incorporated with 2 g AI/kg of deltamethrin (DM) alone, or combined with 8 g AI/kg piperonyl butoxide (PBO) synergist, during the day (9:00–14:00 h) and repeated in the evening (18:00–20:00 h). This was followed by a confirmatory experiment during the afternoon (12:00–14:00 h) and repeated in the night (22:00–24:00 h) using mosquitoes unexposed or pre-exposed to PBO for 1 h before exposure to DM ITNs. Each net piece was tested with a minimum of eight cones per time (N = 24). The outcome was mortality after 24 h (M24) or 72 h (M72) of holding. Results The cone bioassays performed using metabolic resistant mosquitoes during the evening showed significantly lower M24 than those performed in the day for DM: odds ratio (OR) 0.14 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.30, p

The first record in Ukraine of Arrhenia chlorocyanea (Hygrophoraceae) is reported. The species is rather rare, or mostly overlooked, in Europe. A complete description of the fruit bodies and details of their microscopic structure is provided. In addition, information on the habitats and worldwide distribution of the species is presented. The article is illustrated with original photos and drawings of the fungus.

The article covers the study of the effect of β-lactoglobulin gene polymorphism on daity productivity, qualitative composition of milk and lactation activity of Holstein cows. The work was carried out on 146 animals in the Lenin Breeding Farm Integrated Agricultural Production Center (IAPC) of the Republic of Tatarstan. DNA genotyping by the locus of the Bos taurus BLG-Hae III gene was performed by PCR-RFLP. As a result of genetic typing of cattle, 2 alleles (A – 0.651 and B – 0.349) and 3 genotypes (AA – 41.1, AB – 47.9 and BB – 11.0 %) were identified. The chi-square criterion is below the critical value (5.99; p < 0.05) and testifies that the Hardy-Weinberg genetic equilibrium is not disturbed in the population. The evaluation of dairy productivity traits showed that cows with the AB genotype have the highest milk yield and high-quality milk. The heifers with the AB genotype are characterized by the best lactation curve throughout lactation. The difference in the amount of milk received between cows with the AB genotype and animals with the AA and BB genotypes is 71.6 kg (or 9.3 %) and 95.7 kg (or 16.9 %), respectively. Cows with low milk yields (genotype AA) had the lowest lactation decline (4.34) and greater stability (99.9).

Osteopathia Striata with Cranial Sclerosis (OSCS) is a rare genetic condition primarily characterized by metaphyseal striations of long bones, bone sclerosis, macrocephaly, and other congenital anomalies. It is caused by pathogenic variants in AMER1, a tumor suppressor and a WNT signaling repressor gene with key roles in tissue regeneration, neurodevelopment, tumorigenesis, and other developmental processes. While somatic AMER1 pathogenic variants have frequently been identified in several tumor types (e.g., Wilms tumor and colorectal cancer), whether OSCS (i.e., with AMER1 germline variants) is a tumor predisposition syndrome is not clear, with only nine cases reported with tumors. We here report the first case of neuroblastoma diagnosed in a male child with OSCS, review all previously reported tumors diagnosed in individuals with OSCS, and discuss potential tumorigenic mechanisms of AMER1. Our report adds to the accumulating evidence suggesting OSCS is a tumor predisposition condition, highlighting the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for the associated tumors when evaluating patients with OSCS. Importantly, Wilms tumor stands out as the most commonly observed tumor in OSCS patients, underscoring the need for regular surveillance., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)