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The primarily benthic, shallow-water, reef-associated Indian frogfish, Antennarius indicus Schultz 1964, belongs to the family Antennariidae (order Lophiiformes) and may be found in nearly all of the world's tropical and subtropical oceans and seas. Comprehensive morphological parameters of the Indian frogfish found in the Hooghly and Matlah estuary systems of India are provided by the current study. A single specimen with a length 97.87 mm and weight 33.48 g was collected from the winter migratory bagnet catch at Fraserganj fish landing site. Till now, there are no records of the occurrence of frogfishes in the Hooghly-Matlah estuarine system. The morphological features such as dorsal-fin spines - 3, dorsal-fin rays - 12, anal fin rays - 7, pectoral-fin rays - 10, and pelvic fin rays - 5, confirmed the first record of Indian frogfish A. indicus from the Hooghly-Matlah estuarine system. The estuary's current condition was revealed by the examination of the water quality at the collection site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of ten different marine/brackish water fish species was recorded at Tribeni, a completely freshwater region located 212 km upstream from the sea in Hooghly estuary just after tidal bore, a natural high wave and high flow regime created during the spring tide around full moon/new moon days. A range of 85 - 179 km upstream shift of recorded marine fish species from their normal distribution range may be attributed to high turbulence, flow, and wave associated with bore tide as there is no sign of saltwater ingress in the Tribeni area as revealed through the analysis of associated environmental parameters. In addition to salinity, such extreme climatic events like tidal bore should also be considered to explain the fish species distribution in a tidal estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 28 healthy adults, we compared the dynamic interaction between respiration and cerebral autoregulation in 2 groups of subjects: those who did and did not develop presyncopal symptoms during 70[degrees] passive head-up tilt (HUT), i.e., nonpresyncopal (23 subjects) and presyncopal (5 subjects). Airflow, C[O.sub.2], cerebral blood flow velocity (CBF), ECG, and blood pressure (BP) were recorded. To determine whether influences of mean BP (MBP) and systolic SP (SBP) on CBF were altered in presyncopal subjects, coherencies and transfer functions between these variables and mean and peak CBF (CB[F.sub.m] and CB[F.sub.p]) were estimated. To determine the influence of end-tidal C[O.sub.2] (ETC[O.sub.2]) on CBF, the relative C[O.sub.2] reactivity (%change in CB[F.sub.m] per mmHg change in ETC[O.sub.2]) was calculated. We found that in presyncopal subjects before symptoms during HUT, coherence between SBP and CB[F.sub.p] was higher (P = 0.02) and gains of transfer functions between BP (MBP and SBP) and CB[F.sub.m] were larger (MBP, P = 0.01; SBP, P = 0.01) in the respiratory frequency region. In the last 3 min before presyncope, presyncopals bad a reduced relative C[O.sub.2] reactivity (P = 0.005), likely a consequence of the larger decrease in ETC[O.sub.2]. We hypothesize that the C[O.sub.2]-mediated increase in resistance attenuates autoregulation such that the relationship between systemic and cerebral hemodynamics is enhanced. Our results suggest that an altered cardiorespiratory interaction involving cerebral hemodynamics may contribute in the cascade of events during tilt that culminate in unexplained syncope. cerebral autoregulation; respiratory frequency region

Community cafés are non-profit ventures tackling food insecurity (FI) locally and equitably, primarily using pay-as-you-feel models(1). FI is most prevalent in low-income and other vulnerable groups(2), in whom poor diets and worse health also intersect(3). Despite recognition that FI is largely driven by poverty and inequity(4), FI individuals are often negatively judged(5), risking further marginalisation. Community approaches to tackling both food waste and FI include community cafés, which frequently utilise surplus foods(1) to produce fresh meals and/or donate surplus food to those in need. Beyond a nutritional impact, community cafés have the potential to offer marginalised groups a safe space and a feeling of inclusion, benefitting their mental health and wellbeing. The aim of this study was to explore the social impact of community cafés. Two linked community cafés in a London borough were evaluated to explore their social impact on clients. Both operated using pay-as-you-feel; neither required proof of need. Evaluations were undertaken using mixed methods on 9 site visits (November 2022 - April 2023). Bespoke questionnaires (n = 72) and 4 interviews were completed by clients, and 40 interviews with volunteers. Thematic analysis of qualitative data and Kruskal Wallis analysis (posthoc Dunn's and Bonferroni correction) of quantitative data were carried out. Both cafés relied on surplus food. Their primary priorities were tackling food waste and the environment followed by addressing FI. Qualitative and quantitative data from interviews and questionnaires revealed that for many clients, social and food provision were equally important. This was especially true for older clients; significantly more of those aged ≥65 compared with those aged 18-24 yr visited for social reasons (p = 0.02). The most highly rated aspects of provision for clients were the friendliness of the people and the helpfulness of the staff (98.7 and 97.1% respectively). Being able to meet and talk was identified as important by 70.1% of clients. Anecdotally, this was especially important to marginalised groups like migrants and refugees. Since referral to the cafés was not needed, clients included individuals utilising them for environmental reasons as well as those affected by FI. This allowed mixing among groups who would not ordinarily meet. Volunteers also highlighted this as key to enable them to hear the stories of those they served. The mixed clientele not only helped build community but helped reduce stigma, since FI was not the sole reason for attending. For volunteers, the open and accepting nature of community provision which did not require referral or proof of need, was valued. The data suggest that community cafés have important value beyond nutrition, enabling formation of community networks and increasing understanding of the lived experience of those with FI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent ONS survey reported that 92% of students had been affected by the cost-of-living crisis with 46% revealing their overall mental health and well-being had worsened(1). London Metropolitan University has a unique diverse student population: in 2020-21, 82% of students were mature, 64% of students identified as female, 55% of students were from a minoritised background and 13% had a known disability(2). Furthermore, at least 50% of our students, many of whom have caring responsibilities, reside in the most deprived wards of Islington or other impoverished London boroughs. It has been documented that those students with families, who come from a low income and a minority background are more vulnerable(3) and are more likely to be disproportionately affected by the cost-of-living crisis and at risk of food insecurity. We sought to ease the burden of the cost-of-living crisis with a recipe box scheme, BRITE Box (4) and evaluate its acceptance. BRITE Box provides a complete set of pre-weighed ingredients for a healthy nutritious meal with an easy-to-follow recipe guide. Each box typically contains two servings of vegetables, meat, bread and dairy, as well as spices, dried and tinned goods to feed a family of five people. We distributed 300 boxes over a period of five months to students primarily with families who had accessed the university hardship fund. Student volunteers and the academic staff pre-weighed the ingredients, prepared and distributed the boxes. The scheme was advertised through Student Services who administer the hardship fund, the Student Union and the intranet. The recipients of the boxes were provided with a QR code linking to a 20-item online survey on demographic characteristics, number of children, acceptability of the box and perceived advantages and disadvantages of the scheme. Ethics was approved by London Metropolitan University. Thirty-three participants completed the survey, 42% of the recipients identified as female, 55% were from a minority background and 30% had children. The responses showed that students agreed and strongly agreed that the recipe box introduced them to new flavours (52%), and new foods (42%). The majority followed the recipe and will use again (67%). Most importantly, 73% students agreed and or strongly agreed that it helped with the food budget and helped foster a sense of belonging to the university (85%). The scheme has proved to be popular among the students: "a really cool concept", "it helped me cook", "the box provided food for 3 days" and created a buzz around campus on distribution days. It has enhanced the feeling of community and belonging within the university, whilst also alleviating food insecurity and tackling the cost-of-living crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an autosomal-recessive condition that is caused by a mutation in the CFTR gene(1). As CF patients' prognoses are improving due to highly effective modulator therapy, (HEMT) managing comorbidities such as bone disease is pertinent. This could be exacerbated by vitamin D insufficiency which has been estimated to be as high as 98% in adults with CF(1). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of high-dose cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) supplementation in correcting inadequate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (serum 25(OH)D) concentration in adults with CF. The systematic search included studies that examined the impact of high-dose cholecalciferol on serum 25(OH)D concentration. Eligible RCTs included study designs that involved adults with CF and a high-dose cholecalciferol supplementation protocol (defined as any dose above basal) compared with basal doses (800IU-1000IU/day)/no supplementation. A systematic search was conducted and a meta-analysis of RCTs was produced to calculate the change in serum 25(OH)D concentration in the intervention group in comparison to control as the primary outcome measure. The systematic search yielded five RCTs that were collated and analysed. The results of the metaanalysis demonstrated that the high-dose cholecalciferol group and control group achieved a serum 25(OH)D concentration of 40.19ng/ml ± 10.21ng/ml and 28.50ng/ml ± 7.35ng/ml respectively (p<0.01), indicating that high-dose cholecalciferol is an effective intervention to achieve optimal serum 25(OH)D concentration (>30ng/ml). A high heterogeneity was observed across the studies (I2 = 87%)(2,3). Doses varied from daily supplementation of 1,700IU to a 250,000IU single dose. There were minimal adverse effects reported in the RCTs from high-dose cholecalciferol and there were no instances of hypervitaminosis D or hypercalcaemia reported(3). The results infer the effectiveness of high-dose cholecalciferol in correcting low serum 25(OH)D concentration in adults with CF. The most effective regimen identified was a single weekly dose of 50,000IU for 12 weeks, which achieved serum 25(OH)D concentration of 45.91ng/ml ± 11.24ng/ml (control: 23.61ng/ml ± 4.37ng/ml) (p<0.01) after a 12-week intervention(2). The key findings suggest that annual monitoring of serum 25(OH)D concentration would be beneficial with a tailored high-dose cholecalciferol protocol. A high level of heterogeneity was observed across the studies, with small sample sizes, meaning a larger multi-centre, multi-nation RCT study that considers the context of advances in HEMT should be conducted to corroborate the results before implementation into clinical guidelines. High-dose cholecalciferol supplementation is an effective and safe method to increase serum 25(OH)D concentration in adults with CF that may lead to improved bone health outcomes. More studies are required before revising current vitamin D supplementation guidelines. Future research should focus on establishing dosing guidelines to optimise vitamin D status, exploring the longterm health outcomes of sustained adequate serum 25(OH)D concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing food insecurity (FI) in the UK has led to increased food bank usage(1). This underrepresents true levels of need, since many with FI utilise alternative coping strategies(2). Food banks are designed to provide emergency food for a limited time, requiring referral with proof of need. They have been critiqued for this and their limited food choices(3), which add to the stigma experienced by many clients(4). Their nutritional quality has also been criticised(3). The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) require action to address socioeconomic drivers of inequity. Several are nutrition-related including SDG2 (zero hunger) and SDG12 (responsible production and consumption)(5). Part of SDG12 aims to halve per capita levels of food waste by 2030(5). Surplus food is often used to feed those with FI through community support schemes like social supermarkets, alternatives to food banks. This study evaluated social supermarkets to identify client experiences and perceptions of surplus food, food waste and stigma. Bespoke questionnaires were administered in two social supermarkets in Sussex on three site visits (n = 111). Additional optional telephone interviews (n = 25) were conducted. Ethics approval was obtained from Kingston University London. Of particular interest were client views on quality and choice of food available, and implications of this for SDG12. Thematic analysis of qualitative data was carried out to identify key themes, while quantitative data were statistically analysed to explore impact of demographics using Kruskal Wallis tests with posthoc Dunn's and Bonferroni correction. Of particular interest were client views on the quality and choice of food available, and the implications of this for SDG 12. The majority (n = 102; 91.9%) agreed or strongly agreed that choosing what they ate rather than being given no choice mattered to them, while 76.6% (n = 85) agreed or strongly agreed that the social supermarket helped them to reduce food waste. Interviews revealed these were linked, and the impact on food waste was not solely due to the use of surplus food but to offering food choice with clients choosing what they and their families liked and would eat; being given no choice increased the likelihood of foods being wasted. [Social supermarket client quote] 'I think [choice] is important, I hate, absolutely hate waste, I don't agree with it, I don't agree with throwing things away that you could eat. And if someone made that choice for you, you might not be able to eat it and want to eat it'. Food choice therefore increased client agency, reducing the potential for stigma and trauma. Using surplus food to feed those dealing with FI is problematic. Nonetheless, offering food choice represents a more client dignified experience with potential to reduce food waste, thereby arguably helping to achieve SDG12. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maternal death rate in the UK has risen sharply and reached levels above those observed in the previous 20 years. Between 2020 and 2022 there were 13.41 deaths for every 100,000 maternity cases compared to 8.79 deaths per 100,000 cases in 2017–19(1). In conjunction with this, maternal mortality rates show significant disparities: women from black ethnic backgrounds have a three times higher risk of dying as mothers than white women(2). The maternal death rate for women in the most deprived areas is twice that of those residing in the least deprived areas(3) emphasising the need for ongoing efforts to close these gaps. Located in Islington, Manor Gardens is a unique charity committed to improving maternal health by offering essential support services to expectant women. Their programmes include providing pre and postnatal care, mental health assistance, nutrition guidance, and access to health care professionals. The aim of this study was to combine quantitative analysis of the charity's maternity information system with qualitative interviews to evaluate the maternity services provided by the charity. Specifically, the study sought to assess service utilisation, explore user experiences and perceptions of their maternity care experiences. Ethical approval was obtained from the London Metropolitan University to analyse the data from the charity's maternity information system. We included women who used their services from 2019 to 2023. In addition to this, eight opportunistic face -to- face interviews were undertaken and thematically analysed to understand the impact of cultural and socioeconomic factors on their maternity care experience. We identified 256 women had accessed the charity's services of whom 70 were included in our report due to incomplete data. Forty-nine percent (n = 34) of women were identified as having minority ethnicities, 35% as other and 16% as white. Forty-six percent (n = 32) did not speak English or had basic English. Social isolation, domestic abuse, seeking asylum, unsuitable housing and not having a bank account were among the barriers which prevented access to healthcare. Only 19% confirmed they had registered with a GP. The thematic analysis identified the following themes: Migration and Settlement Experience, Cultural Barriers, Healthcare Experience, Maternity Care and Postpartum Challenges and Support Systems. The interviews revealed the experiences of mothers, marked by social isolation, language and cultural barriers impacting understanding of healthcare procedures, struggles following childbirth magnified by impoverished living standards. These highlight the importance of effective support systems and culturally sensitive health care. Our findings suggest that by supporting maternal health, Manor Gardens Charity has the potential to identify barriers which can adversely impact the lives of many women and their families within a deprived community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mudskippers form a lucrative fishery for the artisanal fishers in the middle and lower stretches of the Narmada estuarine region and offers sustainable livelihood to the fishermen community throughout the year. Mudskipper comes under the subfamily Oxudercinae of the family Gobiidae found in the tropical, subtropical and temperate regions with high nutritive value. Mudskippers are amphibious fish adapted to live in the intertidal environment and used to be very active when they are outside the water. The mudskippers usually inhabit the mudflats of estuaries and tidal zones of rivers in India, China and the Mekong Delta of Vietnam and are distributed from East to West Africa, South Pacific islands and Northern Australia. The Narmada estuary of Gujarat is one of the most productive estuaries in the west coast of India. This paper attempts to document the traditional fishing devices used to catch mudskipper in the Narmada estuary of Gujarat, and their fishery status. Mudskipper fishery is an important fishery resource for the livelihood of the rural fishers of Narmada estuarine region and contributed 17.68% of the total estuarine fish production during 2014-15. Three species were encountered in the Narmada estuary, namely, Boleophthalmus dussumieri, Periophthalmodon schloseri and Pseudapocryptes elongatus during the study period (2014-2015). The fish is mainly caught by the traditional fishing devices developed by the local fishers like fanda, sorpan, golava, kandari and chogia. Out of several fishing devices, fanda (stick-traps) was found to be the most common and economical fishing device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study explains the population structure and genetic diversity of medium carp Labeo gonius by analyzing partial sequence of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b gene. Labeo gonius is a lower risk Near Threatened species, distributed throughout the North Indian major rivers, reservoirs and lakes. This species has a larger scope as an alternative candidate species in carp aquaculture system. In the present investigation, 223 individuals of Labeo gonius were collected from five locations of phylo-geographically isolated riverine ecosystems of India resulted in 12 haplotypes. These haplotypes showed 14 variables, out of which 9 were singletons and 5 were parsimony informative sites of nucleotide positions. The haplotypes H1 was considered as ancestral haplotype. All the haplotypes were connected to each other by 1-4 nucleotide mutations. The Narmada haplotypes (H10; H11 and H12) were isolated from H1 by four nucleotide mutations. The analyses resulted maximum expansion events (τ = 4.13672) in Narmada, with Fst scores more than other population pairs. The analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) showed significant genetic differentiation among populations (ØST = 0.69470, p < .000). The genetic differentiation patterns were significantly consistence with geographical distributions. This study rejected the null hypothesis of single panmictic population of medium carp, Labeo gonius in Indian water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The macro-benthic crustacean diversity in the estuarine zones of Sundarban, West Bengal, India was studied for a period of six months (November, 2014 to April, 2015) in 21 sampling stations covering eastern, central and western zones of Sundarban. A total 20 species of crustaceans belonging to 3 orders, 9 families and 13 genera were recorded. The family Sesarmidae was dominated in number of taxa. The species recorded were Uca acuta, Uca rosea, Uca lactea, Uca triangularis, Uca dussumieri, Thalassina anomala, Dotilla intermedia, Dotilla blanfordi, Dotillopsis brevitarsis, Sesarma chiromantes, Sesarmops impressum, Perisesarma bidens, Episesarma mederi, Sesarmoides longipes, Parasesarma plicatum, Metaplax intermedia, Clibanarius padavensis, Scylla serrata, Balanus sp. and Squilla sp. Out of 20 species Balanus sp. was most abundant species followed by Uca acuta, Thalassina anomala and Uca rosea and the least abundant species were Dotilla intermedia, Sesarma chiromantes and Squilla sp. Species like Uca acuta, Dotilla intermedia, Sesarma chiromantes, Sesarmops impressum and Squilla sp. were found only in eastern zone. Major habitat of the species recorded was muddy substratum of littoral zone (42%). Other habitats include sandy substratum of littoral zone (5%), both muddy and sandy substrata of littoral zone (32%), hard substratum and populated by mangrove palm (5%), dead trees and stumps (5%) and mud flat (11%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A wide variety of traditional fishing gears are employed throughout the Narmada estuarine region owing to its rich fish biodiversity, but with certain limitations. Documentation of such devices is a need for scientific improvement, and for better socio-economic upliftment of the fishers involved. A total of 12 numbers of traditional fishing techniques was encountered during the study period (2014-15). Catch per unit effort from all of the fishing devices are reportedly declining over the years due to over fishing, habitat destruction, pollution etc. Reduction in fish catching efficiency, income generation through fishing activities gradually decreasing resulting in reduction of active fishermen population. The present paper is an attempt to document all kinds of fishing gears that evolved through indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) used in the Narmada estuary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]