Present study explains the disparity in biological production (primary and secondary) with respect to two distinct monsoonal regimes in the western Bay of Bengal, viz., deficit monsoon (DM) and normal monsoon (NM). A combination of in situ and satellite data during the years 2002 (DM) and 2003 (NM) was used to address the physico-chemical and biological responses. The basin was relatively warm (ΔSST = 0.55 °C) and fresh (ΔSSS = -0.55) during DM than NM. Physical processes such as coastal upwelling and cyclonic eddy were prominent during NM. Variations of hydrography between DM and NM were reflected in the biological production as well. Chlorophyll a concentration (0.05 to 5.2 mg m^-2) was almost similar during both the periods; however, column production showed higher values during DM. Mesozooplankton standing stock was relatively less during DM than NM. Composition of zooplankton also showed pronounced variation between the periods. This can be attributed to the variability in biological response of the region to the varying environmental condition. Relatively high chlorophyll a and primary productivity observed during DM may be due to the increased light availability (less cloud cover) and extended euphotic depth. In addition, the low mesozooplankton standing stock (low grazing) observed during the period also might have helped in maintaining a relatively high rate of production. The seasonal production of the basin is influenced by duration and intensity of various atmospheric as well as oceanic processes.

Keywords: Bay of Bengal; Biological production; Deficit monsoon; Normal monsoon.

The final disposal of solid waste in dumpsites can result in the migration of leachate components through the soil, contaminating it as well as the groundwater. The purpose of this manuscript was to analyze the contamination of a dumpsite along with three unlined leachate ponds that operated for approximately 25 years. Soil, surface water from three leachate lagoons, and groundwater samples were collected. Chemical analyses such as chloride, ammonia nitrogen, and total organic carbon were performed. The present work also aimed at elaborating the local flow pattern map and the assessment of subsoil. The results showed local subsoil mostly clayey, also occurring a region of sandy predominance, and great variation of rocky outcrops depth. The groundwater flow occurs from the waste towards one of the leachate lagoons. The leachate lagoon located closer to deposited area presented the highest concentration of all contaminants measured. Groundwater and soil showed low ammonia nitrogen with a maximum value of 2 mg.L^-1. Elevated chloride levels were detected in all matrices studied. In soil depth, the concentration varied ​​between 17 and 1270 mg.L^-1 and in groundwater between 843 and 3,252 mg.L^-1. Results suggest the migration of leachate components through the local soil. The concentration of total organic carbon measured in soil was of 10-982 mg.L^-1, suggesting its natural presence.

Keywords: Contaminant transport; Contaminated areas; Landfill; Leachate; Open dump; Solid waste.

Flows in river habitats are characterized by unsteady turbulence due to the existence of woody debris, boulders, and vegetation. As a representative aquatic species, fish is important for the riverine ecosystems with its complex behavioral responses to turbulent flows. Previous studies investigated the fish-vortices interaction with vortex streets by placing objects with simplified geometries centred at the flow. However, complex river morphology in natural rivers reuslts in much more spatially heterogeneous flows due to randomly distributed obstructions. Thus, a semi-circular cylinder patch located on one side of flume is used to mimic a vegetation patch at the riverbank. The patch varies in diameter (D₀ = 16, 20, 24 cm) and density (φ = 0.04, 0.1), while the flow velocity is fixed at 25 cm/s. Fish are observed to swim in three typical patterns, which are "swim around (Pattern 1)", "spill (Pattern 2)", and "swim through (Pattern 3)". For flow with a dense patch, all three patterns are recorded, but only patterns 1 and 2 are seen in sparse patches. We notice that in patterns 1 and 2, fish prefer to hold place in zones of low velocity and low turbulence. Moreover, variations in patch diameter have little influence on pattern selection. Results showed that tail beat amplitude (TBA*) in each zone displayed more variations compared with tail beat frequency (TBF). In addition, spearman rank tests revealed that TBA* is affected by none of the four hydrodynamic variables ( $U,u_{\mathrm{std}},{\tau }_{\mathrm{xy}},{\Omega }_z$ ) whereas flow velocity imposes the most influence on TBF. Both diameter and density of the patch displayed no significant influence on TBA* and TBF. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Keywords: Cylinder patch; Cyprinid; Kinematics; Swimming patterns; Turbulence; Vortex.

Data on Kaposi sarcoma in French Guiana are scarce and out of date. This territory presents unique epidemiological features. The objectives of this retrospective study were to analyse the clinical features, outcome and incidence of the different forms of Kaposi sarcoma in patients diagnosed between 1969 and 2019. The study population comprised a total of 52 patients. Clinical forms included epidemic Kaposi sarcoma (n=30), endemic (n=18), iatrogenic (n=2), classic (n=1) and unclassified Kaposi sarcoma (n=1). The mean annual incidence rate of epidemic Kaposi reached a peak in the 1990s (0.93/100,000) then decreased in the 2000s (0.33/100,000), while the incidence of endemic Kaposi sarcoma reached a peak in the 1980s (0.82/100,000) before decreasing in the 2000s (0.12/100,000). Factors associated with the epidemic form were: sexual intercourse between men (p=0.0054) and Haitian origin (p=0.035). The presence of nodules and/or tumour, lesions limited to the lower limbs, and age >65 years were associated with the endemic form. While Creole populations seem to be as affected by endemic Kaposi sarcoma as their African counterparts, the dynamics of Kaposi sarcoma in French Guiana are now dominated by the epidemic form.

Captopril can have nephrotoxic effects, which are largely attributed to accumulated renin and "escaped" angiotensin II (Ang II). Here we test whether angiotensin converting enzyme-1 (ACE1) inhibition damages kidneys via alteration of renal afferent arteriolar responses to Ang II and inflammatory signaling. C57Bl/6 mice were given vehicle or captopril (60 mg/kg per day) for four weeks. Hypertension was obtained by minipump supplying Ang II (400 ng/kg per min) during the second 2 weeks. We assessed kidney histology by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and Masson staining, glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by FITC-labeled inulin clearance, and responses to Ang II assessed in afferent arterioles in vitro. Moreover, arteriolar H₂O₂ and catalase, plasma renin were assayed by commercial kits, and mRNAs of renin receptor, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in the renal cortex, mRNAs of angiotensin receptor-1 (AT₁R) and AT₂R in the preglomerular arterioles were detected by RT-qPCR. The results showed that, compared to vehicle, mice given captopril showed lowered blood pressure, reduced GFR, increased plasma renin, renal interstitial fibrosis and tubular epithelial vacuolar degeneration, increased expression of mRNAs of renal TGF-β and COX-2, decreased production of H₂O₂ and increased catalase activity in preglomerular arterioles and enhanced afferent arteriolar Ang II contractions. The latter were blunted by incubation with H₂O₂. The mRNAs of renal microvascular AT₁R and AT₂R remained unaffected by captopril. Ang II-infused mice showed increased blood pressure and reduced afferent arteriolar Ang II responses. Administration of captopril to the Ang II-infused mice normalized blood pressure, but not arteriolar Ang II responses. We conclude that inhibition of ACE1 enhances renal microvascular reactivity to Ang II and may enhance important inflammatory pathways.

Yoga is an ancient system for integrating the mind, body, and spirit. In the hatha yoga ashtanga tradition (the eight limb Patanjali Yoga), three of the limbs are meditation, breathwork (pranayama) and physical postures (asana), which are widely practised in yoga classes. The benefits of yoga for mental and physical health are rooted in the practice's origins: in yoga, stress is said to be the root of all diseases. The established fields of psychoneuroimmunology and immunopsychiatry study the interplay between the immune system and mood or mental states. This mini-review has shifted the emphasis from research that focuses on yoga's benefits for stress, the most commonly studied outcome of yoga research, to a summary of the research on the effects of yoga practices on the immune system. The current literature bears strong evidence for the benefits of yoga on the levels of circulating cortisol and classical inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and cytokines such as interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interferon-gamma (INF-γ). The evidence for other less studied markers, telomerase activity, β-endorphins, Immunoglobulin A (IgA) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is also growing. This mini-review centres around the interplay between yoga and these markers in stress management and depression, vascular and immune function in the older population, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, auto-immune diseases, breast cancer and pregnancy. Overall, the literature examined reveals the novelty of this field of research and sheds light on methodological challenges; however, it uncovers the potential for yoga to be used as adjuvant therapy in conditions with an inflammatory component.

Keywords: CRP; IL-1b; IL-6; Inflammation; TNF-alpha; Yoga.

Background: Herpes simplex virus encephalitis (HSVE) is one of the most common infectious cause of sporadic encephalitis. COVID-19 has been associated with immune dysregulation of the host which might increase the risk of infections like HSVE following SARS-CoV-2 infection. There is paucity of literature on post COVID-19 HSVE. This study was conducted with the aim of analysing the clinical presentation, brain imaging, and outcome of patients presenting with HSVE within six weeks of COVID-19 and providing a comprehensive review on the possible mechanisms of post COVID-19 HSVE.

Methods: This observational study included patients who had laboratory confirmed HSVE (type 1 or type 2) and a history of COVID-19 within the previous six weeks. Patients were followed up for 3 months.

Results: Eight patients were included and all of them had type 1 HSVE. The mean latency of onset of neurological symptoms from being diagnosed with COVID-19 is 23.87 days and majority of the patients have received injectable steroids with a mean duration of 6.5 days. Behavioral abnormality was the commonest neurological presentation and typical brain imaging involved T2 FLAIR hyperintensities of the medial temporal lobes. All patients received intravenous acyclovir 10mg/kg every eight hourly for atleast 14 days. One patient with concomitant rhinocerebral mucormycosis succumbed while majority had complete recovery.

Conclusion: Possible immune dysregulation in COVID-19 may increase the susceptibility of HSVE in patients with history of recent SARS-CoV-2 infection. The clinical manifestations and laboratory findings of HSVE in such patients are similar to typical HSVE.

Keywords: COVID-19; Herpes simplex virus encephalitis; Immune dysregulation.

This past decade has seen tremendous advances in understanding the molecular pathogenesis of melanoma and the development of novel effective therapies for melanoma. Targeted therapies and immunotherapies that extend survival of patients with advanced disease have been developed; however, the vast majority of patients experience relapse and therapeutic resistance over time. Moreover, cellular plasticity has been demonstrated to be a driver of therapeutic resistance mechanisms in melanoma and other cancers, largely functioning through epigenetic mechanisms, suggesting that targeting of the cancer epigenetic landscape may prove a worthwhile endeavor to ensure durable treatment responses and cures. Here, we review the epigenetic alterations that characterize melanoma development, progression, and resistance to targeted therapies as well as epigenetic therapies currently in use and under development for melanoma and other cancers. We further assess the landscape of epigenetic therapies in clinical trials for melanoma and provide a framework for future advances in epigenetic therapies to circumvent the development of therapeutic resistance in melanoma.

Keywords: BRAFi, BRAF inhibitor; DNMT, DNA methyltransferase; DNMTi, DNA methyltransferase inhibitor; EZH2, enhancer of zeste homolog 2; EZH2i, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 inhibitor; HAT, histone acetyltransferase; HDAC, histone deacetylase; HDACi, histone deacetylase inhibitor; MEKi, MAPK/extracellular signal‒regulated kinase inhibitor; PTM, post-translational modification; SIRT, sirtuin; TMZ, temozolomide; dsRNA, double-stranded RNA.

The mechanisms underlying maternal tolerance of the semi- or fully-allogeneic fetus are intensely investigated. Across gestation, feto-placental antigens interact with the maternal immune system locally within the trophoblast-decidual interface and distantly through shed cells and soluble molecules that interact with maternal secondary lymphoid tissues. The discovery of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as local or systemic carriers of antigens and immune-regulatory molecules has added a new dimension to our understanding of immune modulation prior to implantation, during trophoblast invasion, and throughout the course of pregnancy. New data on immune-regulatory molecules, located on EVs or within their cargo, suggest a role for EVs in negotiating immune tolerance during gestation. Lessons from the field of transplant immunology also shed light on possible interactions between feto-placentally derived EVs and maternal lymphoid tissues. These insights illuminate a potential role for EVs in major obstetrical disorders. This review provides updated information on intensely studied, pregnancy-related EVs, their cargo molecules, and patterns of fetal-placental-maternal trafficking, highlighting potential immune pathways that might underlie immune suppression or activation in gestational health and disease. Our summary also underscores the likely need to broaden the definition of the maternal-fetal interface to systemic maternal immune tissues that might interact with circulating EVs.

Keywords: extracellular vesicles; gestational immunology; pregnancy; tolerance.

Recent advancements in continuum robotics have accentuated developing efficient and stable controllers to handle shape deformation and compliance. The control of continuum robots using physical sensors attached to the robot, particularly in confined spaces, is difficult due to their limited accuracy in three-dimensional deflections and challenging localization. Therefore, using non-contact imaging sensors finds noticeable importance, particularly in medical scenarios. Accordingly, given the need for direct control of the robot tip and notable uncertainties in kinematics and dynamics of continuum robots, many papers have focused on the visual servoing of continuum robots in recent years. The significance of this research toward safe human-robot interaction has fueled our survey on the previous methods, current challenges, and future opportunities. Beginning with actuation modalities and modeling approaches, the paper investigates visual servoing methods in medical and non-medical scenarios. Finally, challenges and prospects of visual servoing for continuum robots are discussed, followed by concluding remarks. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Keywords: continuum robot; medical robot; minimally invasive surgery; soft robot; visual servo control; visual servoing.

We present a unique case of a paravalvular leak through a periannular channel around a bioprosthetic mitral valve. The role of multimodality imaging, in addition to novel technology, helped uncover the complex course of the jet, including its origin and direction, which translated into excellent procedural success. (Level of Difficulty: Advanced.).

Keywords: 2D, 2-dimensional; 3D; 3D, 3-dimensional; AVP II, Amplatzer Vascular Plug II; CT, computed tomography; PVL, paravalvular leak; TEE, transesophageal echocardiogram; channel; echocardiography; mitral regurgitation; paravalvular leak; percutaneous closure.

The surface crosslinking of poly[1-(trimethylsilyl)-1-propyne] (PTMSP) membranes by dithiothreitol under thiol-ene click reaction conditions has yielded membranes having CO₂/N₂ selectivities in excess of 30 with CO₂ permeances in excess of 300 GPU (gas permeation units). The simplicity of this surface crosslinking strategy together with these permeation results suggests that PTMSP that is modified in such ways could lead to useful materials for the separation of CO₂/N₂ from flue gas and for certain other gaseous mixtures.

Keywords: echocardiography; right-sided catheterization; stenosis; tricuspid valve.

Purpose: This review aims to provide prescribing clinicians a deeper appreciation of desmopressin's clinical indications and formulation types, to better balance efficacy and safety through proper formulation selection.

Background: Since its discovery 50 years ago, desmopressin's antidiuretic properties have been used for central diabetes insipidus, primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and adult nocturnal polyuria, while its coagulant effects are useful for mild hemophilia A and von Willebrand Disease. During this time, newer formulations of desmopressin have also been introduced to the market raising questions on interchangeability, dose conversion and safety. The wide array of clinical indications and variable pharmacokinetic properties of different desmopressin preparations raises the possibility of medication error, especially the risk of hyponatraemia.

Methodology: A narrative review to explore clinically relevant aspects of desmopressin therapy, synthesising information obtained from searches of published literature.

Results: We identified that the risk factors for developing hyponatremia include extremes of age, existing comorbidity, drug interaction, intranasal formulations and intercurrent illness. We describe the dose equivalence between all formulations to facilitate conversion. We highlight that in view of inter-subject variability, close monitoring is recommended when switching preparations. We found that paediatric data remains limited, leading to recent proposals for age- and weight-based dosing regimens.

Conclusion: The risk of hyponatremia, albeit small, can be reduced by adhering to the indication-specific doses and taking steps to govern the safe prescription of the drug. Further paediatric clinical trials are awaited to expand the evidence base of childhood desmopressin therapy.

Keywords: Children; DDAVP; Desmopressin; Intranasal; MELT; Oral lyophilisates; PD; PK; Paediatric; Pharmacodynamics; Pharmacokinetics.

Keywords: COVID; Drug rash; Pfizer; Phototherapy; Vaccination; mRNA vaccine.

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with cardiovascular disease in the general population. We aimed to assess the impact of NAFLD and liver fibrosis on intermediate-high cardiovascular risk in people living with HIV.

Methods: We included people living with HIV from three cohorts. NAFLD and significant liver fibrosis were defined using transient elastography: controlled attenuation parameter ≥288 dB/m and liver stiffness measurement ≥7.1 kPa, respectively. Cardiovascular risk was assessed with the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk estimator in patients aged between 40 and 75 years and categorised as low if <5%, borderline if 5%-7.4%, intermediate if 7.5%-19.9% and high if ≥20% or with the presence of a previous cardiovascular event. Patients with hepatitis B and/or hepatitis C virus co-infection, alcohol abuse and unreliable transient elastography measurements were excluded. Predictors of intermediate-high cardiovascular risk were investigated in multivariable analysis by logistic regression and also by stratifying according to body mass index (BMI; cut-offs of 25 and 30 kg/m² ) and age (cut-off of 60 years).

Results: Of 941 patients with HIV alone included, 423 (45%), 128 (13.6%), 260 (27.6%) and 130 (13.8%) were categorised as at low, borderline, intermediate and high ASCVD risk, respectively. Predictors of intermediate-high ASCVD risk were NAFLD (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.11; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.40-3.18; p < 0.001), liver fibrosis (aOR 1.64; 95% CI 1.03-2.59; p = 0.034), duration of HIV (aOR 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.06; p < 0.001), and previous exposure to thymidine analogues and/or didanosine (aOR 1.54; 95% CI 1.09-2.18; p = 0.014). NAFLD was also associated with higher cardiovascular risk in normoweight patients (aOR 2.97; 95% CI 1.43-6.16; p = 0.003), in those with BMI <30 kg/m² (aOR 2.30; 95% CI 1.46-3.61; p < 0.001) and in those aged <60 years (aOR 2.19; 95% CI 1.36-3.54; p = 0.001).

Conclusion: Assessment of cardiovascular disease should be targeted in people living with HIV with NAFLD and/or significant liver fibrosis, even if they are normoweight and young.

Keywords: ASCVD score; BMI; HIV mono-infection; controlled attenuation parameter; transient elastography.

Artificial intelligence (AI) for science is a growing area of interdisciplinary computer science research focused on solving some of the most pressing global issues. While many cite AI's technical advances as the innovative force of the endeavor, I argue that interdisciplinarity, democratization, and cogent justification toward global citizens are driving forces to be fostered in the program's development.

Glycans, including oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates, play an integral role in modulating the biological functions of macromolecules. Many physiological and pathological processes are mediated by interactions between glycans, which has led to the use of glycans as biosensors for pathogen and biomarker detection. Elucidating the relationship between glycan structure and biological function is critical for advancing our understanding of the impact glycans have on human health and disease and for expanding the repertoire of glycans available for bioanalysis, especially for diagnostics. Such efforts have been limited by the difficulty in obtaining sufficient quantities of homogenous glycan samples needed to resolve the exact relationships between glycan structure and their structural or modulatory functions on a given glycoconjugate. Synthetic strategies offer a viable route for overcoming these technical hurdles. In recent years, microfluidics have emerged as powerful tools for realizing high-throughput and reproducible syntheses of homogenous glycans for the potential use in functional studies. This critical review provides readers with an overview of the microfluidic technologies that have been developed for chemical and enzymatic glycan synthesis. The advantages and limitations associated with using microreactor platforms to improve the scalability, productivity, and selectivity of glycosylation reactions will be discussed, as well as suggested future work that can address certain pitfalls.

Keywords: Bioanalytical methods; Biochips/high-throughput screening; Biopolymers/lipids; Biotechnological products; Enzymes; Microfluidics/microfabrication.