PURPOSE: This study investigates how the business environment affects the entrepreneurial intentions (EIs) of female university students in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, the research examines the role of perceived social norms (PSNs) as a mediator and self-efficacy as a moderator DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Data were gathered electronically from universities in Saudi Arabia using university-endorsed email. The survey questionnaire was formed based on rigorous literature and pre-tested and validated by two professors who specialise in entrepreneurship and four students from four different universities. A total of 300 usable responses were collected and partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used for data analysis. FINDINGS/RESULTS: The study's findings indicate that PSN indirectly influence EI through other antecedents rather than directly. Moreover, the study confirms that self-efficacy moderates the relationship between personal attitude and EI. The results also demonstrate that the business environment significantly contributes to female students' EIs. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: By incorporating the business environment into the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) framework, this study offers a more profound insight into the determinants influencing EIs. In addition, the study proposes a revised TPB model that considers the mediating role of self-efficacy and personal attitudes and the moderating role of self-efficacy. Overall, this study is ground-breaking in this area of research. Originality/value: This article fulfils an identified need to study which factors influence females' intention to be an entrepreneur in a country that is strongly anchored in religion and tradition.

Abstract Introduction: Aquasome is a self-assembled nanoparticulate carrier system with three layers. The system is made up of a polyhydroxy oligomer-coated inner nanocrystalline solid core. Adsorbed on the coated layer are drug molecules or biochemically active compounds. Self-assembly in this sense refers to the independent formation of molecules into organised, long-lasting, and non-covalently bonded patterns.This paper gives an overview of aquasome formation, covering structural properties, formulation methodologies, and the benefits and drawbacks of this novel drug delivery technology. The article primarily addresses the formulation processes used to create self-assembled nanostructures and their various possible applications. Method: Several online databases, including Science Direct, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Scopus, were used in the literature search. The datasets were searched for entries of studies up to July, 2023. The review paper especially addresses many elements of aquasome formation by various researchers employing methods/modified techniques such as co-precipitation, self-precipitation, sputtering, and and so forth. It also illustrates a variety of fields of therapy in which aquasome has been recognised to have a major influence, such as oxygen and extract carrier. Results: The solid core is responsible for providing structural stability, while the oligomeric coating is crucial for safeguarding against dehydration and stabilising the bioactive molecules. This biodegradable drug delivery vehicle at the nanoscale level exhibits a tendency to accumulate in the liver and muscles. The non-modification of drug adsorption onto the aquasome surface facilitates prompt pharmacological response by allowing unobstructed receptor recognition at the action site. Conclusions: Aquasome, a three-layered self-assembled molecule, is a simple yet new drug delivery system with promising carrier potentials to increase the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. Despite a host of challenges, such as time consumption, sophisticated processes, safety, and expensive research costs, aquasome may emerge as an alternative vesicular carrier in the future.

Resumen Introducción: Aquasome es un sistema portador de nanopartículas autoensamblado con tres capas. El sistema se compone de un núcleo sólido nanocristalino interno recubierto de oligómero polihidroxilado. Adsorbidas en la capa recubierta se encuentran moléculas de fármacos o compuestos bioquímicamente activos. El autoensamblaje en este sentido se refiere a la formación independiente de moléculas en patrones organizados, de larga duración y con enlaces no covalentes. nueva tecnología de administración de fármacos. El artículo aborda principalmente los procesos de formulación utilizados para crear nanoestructuras autoensambladas y sus diversas aplicaciones posibles. Método: En la búsqueda bibliográfica se utilizaron varias bases de datos en línea, incluidas Science Direct, Medline, Web of Science, Google Scholar y Scopus. Se realizaron búsquedas en los conjuntos de datos en busca de entradas de estudios hasta julio de 2023. El documento de revisión aborda especialmente muchos elementos de la formación de aquasomas por parte de varios investigadores que emplean métodos/técnicas modificadas como la coprecipitación, la autoprecipitación, la pulverización catódica, etc. También ilustra una variedad de campos de terapia en los que se ha reconocido que el aquasoma tiene una gran influencia, como el oxígeno y el transporte de extractos. Resultados: El núcleo sólido es responsable de brindar estabilidad estructural, mientras que el recubrimiento oligomérico es crucial para proteger contra la deshidratación y estabilizar las moléculas bioactivas. Este vehículo de administración de fármacos biodegradable a escala nanométrica muestra una tendencia a acumularse en el hígado y los músculos. La no modificación de la adsorción del fármaco en la superficie del aquasoma facilita una respuesta farmacológica rápida al permitir el reconocimiento sin obstrucciones del receptor en el sitio de acción. Conclusiones: Aquasome, una molécula autoensamblada de tres capas, es un sistema de administración de fármacos simple pero nuevo con un prometedor potencial de transporte para aumentar la solubilidad y la biodisponibilidad de fármacos poco solubles. A pesar de una serie de desafíos, como el consumo de tiempo, los procesos sofisticados, la seguridad y los altos costos de investigación, el aquasome puede surgir como un vehículo vesicular alternativo en el futuro.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Hypogonadism is one of the most frequent complications in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients and early recognition and treatment is the core element in restoring impaired gonadal function. Despite the high burden of disease, relevant studies are scarcely addressing the gonadal function of such patients in Bangladesh. The pattern of gonadal function in transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients must be characterized before planning a generalized management plan. Moreover, since iron overload is a key reason behind hypogonadism in thalassemia patients, investigating the role of serum ferritin level as a diagnostic tool for hypongadism was also an aim of this study. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Transfusion Medicine of the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 94 patients were enrolled in this study. A detailed history and thorough clinical examination were carried out in each patient and recorded using a pretested structured questionnaire. In addition, the laboratory assessment of serum ferritin, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone and estradiol in serum were also performed. The data were analyzed using the STATA (v.16). Results: The mean age of the patients with transfusion-dependent thalassemia was 18.81 ± 4.65 (SD), with 53.3% of the patients being male. The overall prevalence of hypogonadism was 35.11%, 18.1% being normogonadotropic, 11.7% being hypogonadotropic and 5.3% being hypergonadotropic. The serum ferritin level was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in patients with hypogonadism (Eugonadal: 2,174.79 (± 749.12) ng/ml; Hypogonadal: 3,572.59 (± 1,199.49) ng/ml). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of serum ferritin was high (0.83) and the p-value was highly significant (< 0.001). Conclusion: Therefore, the serum ferritin level and gonadal hormone analysis of transfusion-dependent thalassemia patients can be considered a screening tool for assessing gonadal function and early detection and prevention of hypogonadism.

Abstract Introduction In sphenoid sinuses with ill-defined carotid bony landmarks, accidental injury of the internal carotid artery (ICA) remains one of the most challenging complications, which is particularly reported in the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches (EETAs). Objectives To describe an anatomical model for the endoscopic orientation of the juxta-pituitary segment of the ICA in relation to the lateral opticocarotid recess (OCR) as a nearby bony landmark. Methods Dissection was performed progressively, simulating the EETA, in twenty fresh adult cadavers. After reducing the posterior and lateral walls of the sphenoid sinuses, various measurements were taken from both lateral OCRs to “contact points” on the juxta-pituitary segment of the ICA and lateral margins of the pituitary gland. Results The current results have enabled us to divide the region between the lateral OCRs into 3 compartments: 2 lateral parasellar compartments contain juxta-pituitary segments of the ICA with a mean width of 8 mm and a narrow range from 7 mm to 10 mm; and a central intercarotid sellar compartment represents the safe region for bone drilling, showing widely variable widths ranging from 9 mm to 20 mm. In all specimens, the variation in the width of the intercarotid compartment correlated with the distance between both lateral OCRs. Conclusion The present study improves surgeon awareness of the variations in the course of the ICA through the EETA along sphenoid sinuses with ill-defined bony landmarks. An appreciation of the measurements taken in the present study can help in operative training, and can also provide a base for future studies to confirm ICA courses associated with a higher risk of injury.

Abstract Stomas are essential for colorectal surgery and are widely used not only for selected cases for bowel obstructions but also in rectal cancer operations to divert stool away from low rectal anastomosis. On the other hand, complications with stomas/ stomas reversal are not uncommon. In this study, we aimed at studying the frequency and the predictors of temporary stomas being permanent, and the contributing factors of surgical stoma/stoma closure related complications. In our cohort, only about 40% of the patient closed their initially planned temporary stomas. The occurrence of intestinal leak, wound sepsis, or any type of morbidity with 30 days of operation were significant predictors of permanent stomas. In addition, alarmingly although Hartmann’s procedure was uncommon in our practice, only 9% of those who underwent Hartmann’s have had it reversed. Moreover, the only factor that significantly increased stoma related complications was having an end colostomy. There was a tendency toward late closure of stomas with median 8.2 months, however early closure did not correlate to complications. In conclusion, further studies are needed to delineate the low rate of stoma closure. Patients who develop postoperative complications, even wound sepsis, would be at a higher risk of living with permanent stomas. Hartmann’s procedures are commonly associated with stoma problems, and reluctance to reverse the stomas.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To assess serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels as an ovarian reserve marker in adolescent girls with autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) and explore the relationship of this marker with autoimmunity and thyroid function biomarkers. Subjects and methods: This study included 96 adolescent girls with newly diagnosed AIT and 96 healthy, age- and sex-matched controls. All participants were evaluated with detailed history taking and physical examination, thyroid ultrasound, and measurement of levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), antithyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), antithyroglobulin antibody (TGAb), estradiol, total testosterone, and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. The LH/FSH ratio was also calculated. Among 96 patients evaluated, 78 were overtly hypothyroid and 18 were euthyroid. AMH levels were significantly lower in participants with overt hypothyroidism and euthyroidism compared with controls. Results: Serum levels of AMH correlated negatively with age, body mass index (BMI) standard deviation score (SDS), and TPOAb, TGAb, and TSH levels but positively with FT4 levels. In multivariate analysis, AMH levels correlated significantly with age (odds ratio [OR] = 1.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.18-2.32, p = 0.05), BMI SDS (OR = 2.3, 95% CI, 2.23-3.50, p = 0.01), TSH (OR = 2.43, 95% CI 1.5-2.8, p = 0.01), and TPOAb (OR = 4.1, 95% CI 3.26-8.75, p = 0.001). Conclusions: Ovarian reserve of adolescent girls with AIT, as measured by serum AMH levels, is affected by thyroid autoimmunity and hypothyroidism, indicating a possible need for ovarian reserve monitoring in these patients.

SIGNIFICANCE: Sub-Saharan Africa is heavily burdened with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and helminth infections, which are potent activators of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory immune responses, respectively. Considering that helminths (such as Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura, Schistosoma haematobium, and Schistosoma mansoni) can potentially dampen the production and expression of vital anti-viral pro-inflammatory cytokines, leading to enhanced HIV replication and severity, well-designed intervention studies are needed which will offer conclusive data on the nature of these interactions and the impact of deworming in HIV-infected patients. Such research will impact governmental health policies and deworming programmes, allowing for the implementation of integrated systems that will contribute to the overall improvement of African health systems

Resumo A utilização de técnicas modernas de melhoramento para o desenvolvimento de tipos de plantas uniformes e de alto rendimento, em última análise, estreitando a composição genética da maioria das culturas. A composição genética restrita dessas plantações tornou-as vulneráveis a doenças e epidemias de insetos. Para uma produção agrícola sustentável, a variabilidade genética dessas culturas deve ser ampliada contra vários estresses bióticos e abióticos. Uma das maneiras de ampliar a configuração genética dessas culturas é identificar novas fontes adicionais de resistência durável. A esse respeito, os parentes selvagens das culturas estão fornecendo fontes valiosas de diversidade alélica para vários componentes de qualidade e tolerância ao estresse abiótico e biótico. Para incorporar a nova variabilidade da ampla técnica de hibridização de parente selvagem tornou-se um método de reprodução promissor. Para esse efeito, trigo-Th. As linhas anfiploides, de adição e translocação de bessarabicum foram selecionadas em condições de campo e de casa de tela para obter novas fontes de ferrugem amarela e resistência ao bunt de Karnal. A triagem de ferrugem em faixas em condições de campo revelou as linhas de adição 4JJ e 6JJ como resistentes a moderadamente resistentes, enquanto as linhas de adição 3JJ, 5JJ, 7JJ e as linhas de translocação Tr-3, Tr-6 como estoque genético de trigo-Thinopyrum bessarabicum moderadamente resistente. A triagem Karnal bunt descreveu as linhas de adição 5JJ e 4JJ como estoque genético altamente resistente. Esses estoques genéticos podem ser usados para introgressão da nova ferrugem e resistência ao bunt de Karnal do pool genético terciário em origens de trigo suscetíveis.

Abstract Utilization of modern breeding techniques for developing high yielding and uniform plant types ultimately narrowing the genetic makeup of most crops. Narrowed genetic makeup of these crops has made them vulnerable towards disease and insect epidemics. For sustainable crop production, genetic variability of these crops must be broadened against various biotic and abiotic stresses. One of the ways to widen genetic configuration of these crops is to identify novel additional sources of durable resistance. In this regard crops wild relatives are providing valuable sources of allelic diversity towards various biotic, abiotic stress tolerance and quality components. For incorporating novel variability from wild relative’s wide hybridization technique has become a promising breeding method. For this purpose, wheat-Th. bessarabicum amphiploid, addition and translocation lines have been screened in field and screen house conditions to get novel sources of yellow rust and Karnal bunt resistant. Stripe rust screening under field conditions has revealed addition lines 4JJ and 6JJ as resistant to moderately resistant while addition lines 3JJ, 5JJ, 7JJ and translocation lines Tr-3, Tr-6 as moderately resistant wheat-Thinopyrum-bessarabicum genetic stock. Karnal bunt screening depicted addition lines 5JJ and 4JJ as highly resistant genetic stock. These genetic stocks may be used to introgression novel stripe rust and Karnal bunt resistance from the tertiary gene pool into susceptible wheat backgrounds.

Resumo Fatores de transcrição (FT) são uma ampla classe de genes em plantas e podem regular a expressão de outros genes em resposta a vários estresses ambientais (estresses bióticos e abióticos). No presente estudo, a atividade do fator de transcrição na cana-de-açúcar foi examinada durante o estresse pelo frio. Inicialmente, as leituras de transcrição de RNA de duas cultivares de cana-de-açúcar (ROC22 e GT08-1108) sob estresse frio foram baixadas do banco de dados SRA NCBI. As leituras foram alinhadas em um genoma de referência e as análises de expressão diferencial foram realizadas com o pacote R / Bioconductor edgeR. Com base em nossas análises no cultivar ROC22, 963 genes TF foram significativamente regulados positivamente sob estresse pelo frio entre um total de 5.649 genes regulados positivamente, enquanto 293 genes TF foram regulados negativamente entre um total de 3.289 genes regulados negativamente. No cultivar GT08-1108, 974 genes TF foram identificados entre 5.649 genes regulados positivamente e 283 genes TF foram encontrados entre 3.289 genes regulados negativamente. Os fatores de transcrição, em sua maioria, foram anotados com categorias GO relacionadas à ligação de proteína, ligação de fator de transcrição, ligação específica de sequência de DNA, complexo de fator de transcrição, atividade de fator de transcrição em RNA polimerase II, atividade de fator de transcrição de ligação de ácido nucleico, atividade de corepressor de transcrição, sequência específica da região reguladora, atividade do fator de transcrição da RNA polimerase II, atividade do cofator do fator de transcrição, atividade do fator de transcrição do promotor do plastídio, atividade do fator de transcrição do promotor da RNA polimerase I, polimerase II e RNA polimerase III. As descobertas dos resultados acima ajudarão a identificar fatores de transcrição expressos diferencialmente durante o estresse pelo frio. Ele também fornece uma análise abrangente da regulação da atividade de transcrição de muitos genes. Portanto, este estudo fornece base molecular para melhorar a tolerância ao frio em cana-de-açúcar e outras gramíneas economicamente importantes.

Abstract Transcription factors (TF) are a wide class of genes in plants, and these can regulate the expression of other genes in response to various environmental stresses (biotic and abiotic). In the current study, transcription factor activity in sugarcane was examined during cold stress. Initially, RNA transcript reads of two sugarcane cultivars (ROC22 and GT08-1108) under cold stress were downloaded from SRA NCBI database. The reads were aligned into a reference genome and the differential expression analyses were performed with the R/Bioconductor edgeR package. Based on our analyses in the ROC22 cultivar, 963 TF genes were significantly upregulated under cold stress among a total of 5649 upregulated genes, while 293 TF genes were downregulated among a total of 3,289 downregulated genes. In the GT08-1108 cultivar, 974 TF genes were identified among 5,649 upregulated genes and 283 TF genes were found among 3,289 downregulated genes. Most transcription factors were annotated with GO categories related to protein binding, transcription factor binding, DNA-sequence-specific binding, transcription factor complex, transcription factor activity in RNA polymerase II, the activity of nucleic acid binding transcription factor, transcription corepressor activity, sequence-specific regulatory region, the activity of transcription factor of RNA polymerase II, transcription factor cofactor activity, transcription factor activity from plastid promoter, transcription factor activity from RNA polymerase I promoter, polymerase II and RNA polymerase III. The findings of above results will help to identify differentially expressed transcription factors during cold stress. It also provides a comprehensive analysis of the regulation of the transcription activity of many genes. Therefore, this study provides the molecular basis for improving cold tolerance in sugarcane and other economically important grasses.

The synthesis of three pyridinyl imines (L1-L3) with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing functional groups, as well as their silver(I) complexes (1a-3a, 1b-3b and 1c-3c), resulted from our ongoing search for novel metallodrugs with potential pharmacological activity. Various analytical and spectroscopic analyses were used to characterize the Ag(I) complexes. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of complexes 3a and 3b in the solid state confirmed their linear geometry around the Ag(I) center. In vitro antibacterial properties of the complexes evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method revealed that complexes containing either a Me- or an F-substituent exhibited greater activity. The ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) experiment revealed that complexes with hydroxyl substituents have high antioxidant potential. These complexes with IC50 values ranging from 0.86 to 2.47 mg mL-1 outperformed ascorbic acid, with an IC50 of 2.68 mg mL-1. The reported complexes bound to CT-DNA via intercalation mode with significant binding constants for complexes whose ligands bore the OH- substituent. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) binding affinity to the complexes ranges from moderate to high. The studied complexes with methyl substituents are promising anti-cervical cancer candidates.

Since 2000, landslides in southeast Bangladesh have resulted in over 700 deaths, most of which were in informal settlements. For instance, the 2007 landslides in informal settlements in Chittagong and the 2017 landslides in Rangamati took 127 and 150 lives, respectively. Although the government of Bangladesh claims to implement risk reduction, the number of deaths associated with landslides is increasing. Hence, this study investigated the ways to enhance landslide risk reduction interventions by addressing several scientific and technical issues related to disaster risk reduction. This study conducted focus group discussions, key informant interviews and expert interviews with key stakeholders in landslide risk management to collect qualitative data. Moreover, the historical accounts of settlements, media reporting, institutional action plans and policies were reviewed. CONTRIBUTION: By integrating primary and secondary data, this study found that several political-economic aspects are major anthropogenic contributors to the recent increase in landslides in the region. The contributing factors included the following: policy and action plans to raise regional population; land management; illegal deforestation; plans to establish hydroelectricity in hilly areas; ownership of settlements; manipulation of water, gas and electricity supply to illegal settlements; commercial plantations; lack of risk governance; unplanned development activities; natural population rise; increased settlement along hill slopes. This study identified and discussed lessons learned from previous landslide disasters, the weakness of early warning systems and their dissemination and ways to improve evacuation, rescue, relief and risk reduction. Finally, this study formulated recommendations for the effective implementation of landslide risk reduction in southeast Bangladesh.

Globally, cardiac arrest (CA) is a leading cause of death and disability. Asphyxial CA (ACA)-induced kidney damage is a crucial factor in reducing the survival rate. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of antioxidant enzymes in histopathological renal damage in an ACA rat model at different time points. A total of 88 rats were divided into five groups and exposed to ACA except for the sham group. To evaluate glomerular function and oxidative stress, serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Crtn) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in renal tissues were measured. To determine histopathological damage, hematoxylin and eosin staining, periodic acid-Schiff staining, and Masson's trichrome staining were performed. Expression levels of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD-1), superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD-2), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Survival rate of the experimental rats was reduced to 80% at 6 h, 55% at 12 h, 42.9% at 1 day, and 33% at 2 days after return of spontaneous circulation. Levels of BUN, Crtn, and MDA started to increase significantly in the early period of CA induction. Renal histopathological damage increased markedly from 6 h until two days post-CA. Additionally, expression levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased at 6 h, 12 h, 1 day, and 2 days after CA. CA-induced oxidative stress and decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes (SOD-1, SOD-2, CAT, GPx) from 6 h to two days could be possible mediators of severe renal tissue damage and increased mortality rate.

ABSTRACT Objective The objective of this paper is to evaluate the profile of the cases of conjuntivitis treated in the emergency department of the Banco de Olhos Hospital, emphasizing the infectious conjunctivitis, and compare before and after the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic and social isolation, both in public and private health care system. Methods A retrospective and transversal study where electronic files of the patients who visited the emergency department between March and June of 2019 and 2020 were reviewed. Results A significant reduction in the number of consultations at the emergency department was observed after the beginning of the pandemic. From March to June 2019, 21.678 visits were made. In the same period of 2020, this number was 14.194, a drop of 34.5%. The rate of visits having conjunctivitis as main cause also dropped significantly. Infectious conjunctivitis was the one who showed the highest decrease. In 2019, it was responsible for 30.2% of the visits and, in 2020, for 15.5%. There were no changes regarding the gender, but a significantly increase in patients’ age was observed. Conclusion The study showed a dramatic reduction in the number of visits at the emergency department of ophthalmology regarding infectious conjunctivitis after the beginning of the pandemic, and we believe that the cause is related with an increase of hygiene care, social isolation and restrictions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.

RESUMO Objetivo O objetivo deste trabalho é avaliar o perfil epidemiológico das conjuntivites atendidas no Pronto Socorro do Hospital Banco de Olhos de Porto Alegre (HBO) com destaque à conjuntivite infecciosa e compará-lo aos atendimentos após o início da pandemia pelo Coronavírus, observando como o isolamento social e as questões de higiene amplamente enfatizadas e estimuladas desde o início a pandemia influenciaram o número de conjuntivites bacterianas e virais atendidas neste serviço de referência. Métodos Estudo transversal e retrospectivo através da análise dos prontuários eletrônicos dos pacientes atendidos no serviço de emergência do HBO no período entre março e junho de 2019 e 2020. Resultados Observou-se uma redução significativa no número de atendimento no departamento de emergência após o início da pandemia. De março a junho de 2019, 21.678 atendimentos foram realizados. No mesmo período de 2020, este número foi de 14.194, uma queda de 34,5%. O índice de conjuntivite como principal causa da visita oftalmológica diminuiu significativamente, sendo a conjuntivite infecciosa aquela que teve a maior queda. Em 2019, a mesma foi responsável por 30,2% dos atendimentos e, em 2020, por 15,5%. Não foi observado mudanças em relação ao sexo mais atendido, no entanto, observou-se um aumento significante na idade do paciente. Conclusão O estudo demonstrou uma importante redução no número de atendimentos na emergência em relacionados à conjuntivite infecciosa após o início da pandemia pelo Coronavírus. Acredita-se que este fato esteja diretamente relacionado ao aumento dos cuidados de higiene, isolamento social e a restrições impostas pela pandemia.

ABSTRACT Supplementation of Cv (clove) and Ts (tulsi) augments the growth rate and gut health of broilers. However, studies on their impact on the vital organs and male reproductive system remain scarce. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the impact of Cv and Ts supplementation on hematological profiles, as well as the heart, lungs, liver, kidney, and testes of broilers, both morphologically and biometrically. Sixty one-day-old broiler chicks, divided into four homogenous groups (control-T0 and three supplement groups-T1, T2, and T3), were fed 0.5% Cv and 2% Ts (T1), 1% Cv and 3% Ts (T2), and 1.5% Cv and 4% Ts (T3) with drinking water for 21 d. Organ samples were collected on d 14 and d 28 for macroscopic and microscopic (hematoxylin and eosin stain) investigation. Cv and Ts didn’t affect the hematological profile, organ weight gain, and their general histoarchitectures. However, the histomorphometric investigation showed an increased (p<0.05) parabronchus surface area of the lungs, size of the renal glomeruli, the diameter of the proximal and distal convoluted tubules of the kidney in the T1 and T2 groups, and size of the seminiferous tubules of the testes in group T1. These findings suggest that unlike antibiotic or steroid growth promoters (GPs), Cv and Ts have beneficial impacts on the vital organs as well as on the male gonad of broilers from the morphologic and biometric perspectives.

BACKGROUND Leishmania RNA virus 1 (LRV1) is commonly found in South American Leishmania parasites belonging to the subgenus Viannia, whereas Leishmania RNA virus 2 (LRV2) was previously thought to be restricted to the Old-World pathogens of the subgenus Leishmania. OBJECTIVES In this study, we investigated the presence of LRV2 in strains of Leishmania (L.) infantum, the causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), originating from different hosts, clinical forms, and geographical regions. METHODS A total of seventy-one isolates were screened for LRV2 using semi-nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene. FINDINGS We detected LRV2 in two L. infantum isolates (CUR268 and HP-EMO) from canine and human cases, respectively. MAIN CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detection of LRV2 in the New World.