Significant Differences In Activity Research Articles

Physical Activity and Exercise Motivation Differences Among College Students

ABSTRACT Health behaviors established during college years are typically carried on into adulthood; however, many college students are not meeting physical activity guidelines. In addition, sociodemographic and environmental factors impact exercise motivation and physical activity; yet, only limited research has compared motivations and behaviors between different student groups. Thus, the purpose of this study was to compare exercise motivation and physical activity among college students. In this quantitative cross-sectional survey study, a volunteer sample of 307 undergraduate students (75.2% White, 68.7% Female) enrolled in health and fitness courses at a Mid-Atlantic region United States University and Community College completed an online demographic questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and Behavioral Regulations in Exercise Questionnaire (BREQ-3). A series of independent samples t-tests were conducted to compare relative autonomy index (RAI) and subscale scores (obtained via the BREQ-3), as well as physical activity scores (MET-minutes/week obtained via the IPAQ-SF). Statistically significant differences in exercise motivation and physical activity were found based on student age, housing status, major/program of study, and gender identity. In an effort to reduce health disparities, university administrators and coordinators are advised to keep these considerations in mind when developing physical activity policies and programs for college students.

Comparative analysis of elevated and floor push-up exercises for activation of the pectoralis major muscle

This study aimed to measure muscle activation by comparing electromyography (EMG) of two types of pushups i.e., ground-based and elevated. 20 male active sportspersons (age 20.12±3.57years, weight 65.38±9.32kg, height 175.5±10.5cm) were recruited in the study. The upper body muscle pectoralis major (PM) was chosen as target muscle for the study. Root mean square (RMS) of EMG activities were analysed for the PM muscle to determine maximum muscle involvement. In the elevated pushups, the samples performed the pushups on an elevated pushup bar of 18-centimeter height, in which they gripped the bar as per their shoulder width. Also, their feet were ground-based on a similar height platform. The paired t-test was used as the statistical tool to compare the EMG activation of PM between both variations of pushups. Further, mean and standard deviation values were considered for descriptive statistics. The level of significance was set at 0.05. The result of the study showed that there was no statistically significant difference in EMG activities of PM muscle between the two pushup variations with a t-value of -0.89. However, the descriptive statistics showed that the mean value of elevated pushups (RMS, 350.63) was higher than the grounded pushups (RMS, 311.44). These findings suggest elevated pushups may induce greater PM muscle activation, potentially due to increased instability due to the influence of elveated exercise variations on muscle engagement. Key words: pushups, muscle activation, electromyography, pectoralis major, exercise variations, root mean square

Perbandingan aktivitas harian dua spesies lebah tanpa sengat di Sulawesi Barat

Stingless bees are spread across several islands in Indonesia, including Sulawesi. There have been no reports of daily activity of stingless bees in West Sulawesi Province. Therefore, this study aims to identify types of stingless bees in West Sulawesi, measure their daily activities, and their relationship with environmental parameters. The research was conducted in the highlands (Taupe Village, Mamasa Regency, 1,340 m dpl) and the lowlands (Mirring Village, Polewali Mandar Regency, 63 m dpl). Daily activity data collected which includes the activities in and out of the nest, carrying pollen, and throwing away rubbish. Daily activity observations use the scan sampling method. The results of the research show that the type of bee in Taupe Village is Wallacetrigona incisa (Sakagami & Inoue), while in Mirring Village is Tetragonula sapiens (Cockerell). There was no significant difference in the daily activity of W. incisa in the highlands and T. sapiens in the lowlands (P > 0.05). Significant differences were seen between the activities of leaving and entering the nest and the activities of carrying pollen and throwing away rubbish (P < 0.05). Wind speed is an environmental parameter that influences pollen-carrying activity in T. sapiens in the lowlands (r = 0.83; P = 0.002). Environmental parameters greatly influenced the daily activity of W. incisa at 12.00 pm, with an influence of 93% (P < 0.05). The results of this study indicate that differences in the type and habitat of bees and environmental factors cause differences in the daily activity of stingless bees.

Identification of Two Potential Gene Insertion Sites for Gene Editing on the Chicken Z/W Chromosomes.

The identification of accurate gene insertion sites on chicken sex chromosomes is crucial for advancing sex control breeding materials. In this study, the intergenic region NC_006127.4 on the chicken Z chromosome and the non-repetitive sequence EE0.6 on the W chromosome were selected as potential gene insertion sites. Gene knockout vectors targeting these sites were constructed and transfected into DF-1 cells. T7E1 enzyme cleavage and luciferase reporter enzyme analyses revealed knockout efficiencies of 80.00% (16/20), 75.00% (15/20), and 75.00% (15/20) for the three sgRNAs targeting the EE0.6 site. For the three sgRNAs targeting the NC_006127.4 site, knockout efficiencies were 70.00% (14/20), 60.00% (12/20), and 45.00% (9/20). Gel electrophoresis and high-throughput sequencing were performed to detect potential off-target effects, showing no significant off-target effects for the knockout vectors at the two sites. EdU and CCK-8 proliferation assays revealed no significant difference in cell proliferation activity between the knockout and control groups. These results demonstrate that the EE0.6 and NC_006127.4 sites can serve as gene insertion sites on chicken sex chromosomes for gene editing without affecting normal cell proliferation.

The use of serum paraoxonase-1 to assess inflammation in horses with colitis serum paraoxonase-1 in horses with colitis.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON-1) has been suggested as a marker of inflammation and oxidative stress in horses and could potentially be used for prognostication in horses with colitis. Assessment of PON-1 in horses with colitis and comparison of two methods. Serum PON-1 was measured by two methods (paraoxon and p-nitrophenyl acetate) in 161 horses with colitis and 57 controls. Follow-up samples obtained during hospitalization were available from 106 horses with colitis. The two methods were compared. Serum PON-1 was significantly lower in horses with colitis than in healthy horses (P < .0001 for both methods) as well as in nonsurvivors compared with survivors (P = .0141 [paraoxon-based method] and P < .0001 [p-nitrophenyl acetate-based method]), but with marked overlap between groups. PON-1 activity did not change parallel to a change in inflammatory status in response to treatment when assessed at admission and in up to seven follow-up samples. Admission PON-1 activity could not reliably classify horses as survivors or nonsurvivors, with sensitivity and specificity ranging between 53.1% and 72.9%. Results from the two methods were comparable. Both methods reliably measured serum PON-1 activity. Significant differences in PON-1 activity were found between healthy horses and horses with colitis and between survivors and nonsurvivors. However, PON-1 activity varied considerably within groups. Both the proposed reference intervals as well as alternative cutoff values resulted in suboptimal diagnostic and prognostic performance, and the use of serum PON-1 in horses with colitis thus seems to add little to existing diagnostic and prognostic markers.

Foot-dominance does not influence force variability during ankle dorsiflexion and foot adduction

ABSTRACT The aim of our study was to compare the force steadiness and the discharge characteristics of motor units in the tibialis anterior (TA) during ankle dorsiflexion and foot adduction produced by submaximal isometric contractions with the dominant and non-dominant foot. Fifteen young men performed maximal and submaximal contractions at five target forces with both legs, and motor unit activity in TA was recorded using high-density electromyography. Maximal force and the fluctuations in force during submaximal contractions were similar between the two legs (p > 0.05). Motor unit activity was characterized by measures of mean discharge rate (MDR), coefficient of variation for interspike interval (CoV for ISI), and standard deviation of the filtered cumulative spike train (SD of fCST). There were no statistically significant differences in motor unit activity between legs during ankle dorsiflexion. In contrast, the MDR and the CoV for ISI but not the SD of fCST, were greater for the non-dominant foot compared with the dominant foot during foot adduction. Nonetheless, these differences in motor unit activity were not sufficient to influence the force fluctuations during the submaximal contractions. These results indicate that control of the force produced by TA during the two actions was not influenced by limb dominance.

Early Online.

Long-haul flights have been associated with a two- to four-fold increased risk of aviation-related thrombosis (ART). Several studies have investigated the extent to which hypoxic hypobaric exposure, dehydration and prolonged immobilisation during air travel induce changes in haemostasis. To investigate the role of high altitude as a risk factor for ART. Healthy volunteers aged ≥18 years (N=40), without risk factors for venous thromboembolism, were exposed to an exacerbated altitude of 18 000 feet (5 486 m) for 1 hour. During the flight, the oxygen (O2) levels of the participants, who received supplemental O2, were measured by pulse oximetry and maintained at >92%. Venous blood and urine samples were collected prior to departure and immediately after flying in an unpressurised twin-engine airplane. D-dimer levels, thromboelastography (TEG) parameters, von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity and urine osmolality were measured. The participants were 19 men and 21 women, with a mean (standard deviation) age of 46 (14) years. A significant difference in D-dimer levels, VWF activity, urine osmolality and TEG parameters (reaction (R) time, kinetic (K) time and maximum amplitude (MA)) before and after the 1-hour flight was observed (p<0.001). Urine osmolality correlated positively with VWF activity levels (r=0.469; p<0.002). Air travel at high altitude induced a hypercoagulable state in healthy volunteers. Future research should focus on whether thromboprophylaxis can significantly obviate the activation of coagulation in response to high altitude.

Myoelectrical activity of sternocleidomastoid muscle in smartphone-addicted versus non-addicted individuals

BackgroundOver the past decade, smartphone users have substantially increased, raising concerns about potential musculoskeletal problems associated with long-term use. Prolonged smartphone usage may cause discomfort in the thumb, shoulder, and neck that can be exacerbated over time, thereby affecting the electrical activity of several muscles, such as the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM). Accordingly, we aimed to examine the impact of smartphone addiction on the myoelectric activity of the SCM.Design and methodForty-four smartphone users, both male and female, aged 18–30 years, were recruited from the Faculty of Physical Therapy, Cairo University, in this observational study. The participants were equally allocated into two groups, A and B, based on their Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Version (SAS-SV) scores. Group A consisted of smartphone-non-addicted users who scored below 31 for males and 33 for females, whereas group B included smartphone-addicted users who scored over 31 for men and 33 for females. Additionally, the electromyography (EMG) device was used to monitor the electrical activity during rest and maximum voluntary contraction (MVC).ResultsThe results showed a significant difference (P < 0.0001) in the electrical activity of the left and right SCMs between the two groups at rest but a nonsignificant difference during MVC.ConclusionSmartphone addiction significantly impacts the myoelectric activity of the SCM at rest among young adult smartphone users, but this impact is not significant during MVC.

Evaluation of Glutathione S-transferases Expression as Biomarkers by Heavy Metals in Geloina expansa from Sepang Besar River, Selangor, Malaysia

Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are enzymes involved in phase II of detoxification metabolism and could be used as biomarkers for water pollution. This study aims to determine heavy metal concentrations in the soft tissue of the mangrove clam Geloina expansa, as well as the expression of GSTs in the species. The acid digestion method was used to digest the samples, followed by a standard USEPA 6010B procedure using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) to measure the heavy metal contents in the samples. GST enzyme activity was measured using 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate. One-way ANOVA was performed to compare the mean values of heavy metal concentration, protein concentration, enzyme activity, and specific activity. There was a significant difference (p&lt;0.05) for Zn, total protein, and specific activity in G. expansa, but no significant difference in Pb, Cu and enzyme activity. GST enzyme activities were estimated at 0.16 ± 0.01 µmol/min, with a protein content of 1.24 ± 0.04 mg. The specific activity for GST was 0.13 ± 0.01 µmol/min/mg, calculated as the ratio of enzyme activity to the total protein. GST-specific activity positively correlates with Pb concentration in the soft tissue of G. expansa. Detailed studies on the effects of pollution on the expression of GST need to be further investigated for the future use of this species as an efficient biomarker model.

Screening and the analysis of genotypic and phenotypic characterization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in Fujian province, China.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is a common X-linked hereditary disorder in southern China. However, the incidence rate of G6PD deficiency and the frequency of the most common G6PD gene variants vary widely. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence, genotype, and phenotypic features of G6PD deficiency in neonates in Fujian province, southeastern China. This retrospective cohort study enrolled 2,789,002 newborns (1,521,431 males and 1,267,571 females) based on the newborn screening program for G6PD deficiency in Fujian Province between January 2010 and December 2021. Of the 2,789,002 newborns enrolled, 26,437 cases were diagnosed (22,939 males and 3,498 females), and the estimated prevalence of G6PD deficiency in Fujian province was 0.95%. The prevalence was significantly higher among males (1.51%) than in females (0.28%) (p < 0.00001). Among the 3,198 patients with G6PD deficiency, 3,092 cases (2,145 males and 947 females) were detected to have G6PD gene variants. The top six prevalent genotypes identified represented 90.84% (2095/3,198) of the total and included c.1376G > T (44.93%), c.1388G > A (18.42%), c.1024C > T (9.32%), c.95A > G (8.69%), c.392G > T (5.25%), and c.871G > A (4.22%). The frequency of genotypes with c.1388G > A, c.1024C > T, and c.871G > A was higher in males in the Fujian province than in females, while the frequency of genotypes with c.1376G > T was lower. Furthermore, when comparing the enzyme activities of the top six prevalent genotypes, there were significant differences in the enzyme activities among the genotypes of male hemizygotes and female heterozygotes. According to the new classification of G6PD variants proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), the variants with c.1376G > T, c.95A > G, and c.871G > A were recognized as Class A, while the c.392G > T, c.1388G > A, and c.1024C > T were recognized as Class B. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to systematically describe the overview of epidemiological characteristics of newborn G6PD deficiency in Fujian province, China, including the screening rate, incidence rate, and variant spectrum. Additionally, we elucidated the relationship between the distribution of enzyme activity with specific mutations and their WHO classification patterns. Our results could provide strategies for screening, diagnosis, and genetic counseling of G6PD deficiency in this area.

Clinical characteristics and labial gland pathological features in children with systemic lupus erythematosus complicated by Sjögren's syndrome

To study the clinical manifestations, laboratory features, and labial gland pathological features in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) complicated by Sjögren's syndrome (SS). A retrospective analysis was conducted on 102 children with SLE who underwent labial gland biopsies at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2013 to December 2022. The children were divided into two groups based on the presence of SS: the SLE with SS group (SLE-SS; 60 children) and the SLE-only group (42 children). According to the focus score (FS) of the labial glands, children in the SLE-SS group were further subdivided into FS≥4 subgroup (26 children) and FS<4 subgroup (34 children). The clinical data of the groups were compared. Compared to the SLE-only group, children in the SLE-SS group had less skin and mucosal involvement, were more likely to have positive anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies, and had higher levels of rheumatoid factor (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in treatment protocols between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared to the FS<4 subgroup, the FS≥4 subgroup had more frequent musculoskeletal involvement (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in SLE disease activity or other major organ involvement between the subgroups (P>0.05). Children with SLE complicated by SS are less likely to have skin and mucous membrane involvement and exhibit specific serological characteristics. The SLE-SS children with an FS≥4 are more likely to experience musculoskeletal involvement. However, FS is not associated with disease activity or other significant organ damage.

Quality of honey from Tubuna bees (Scaptotrigona bipunctata) fresh, thermally treated and during storage

Intrinsic characteristics, such as the presence of sugars and high levels of moisture and water activity, give stingless bee honey a greater tendency to fermentation than Apis mellifera honey. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical, microbiological, and antioxidant parameters of honey sourced from Tubuna bees (Scaptotrigona bipunctata) in its fresh state, following thermal treatment, and during storage. Samples were collected from three meliponaries in the South of Brazil. Thermal treatment involved a 3 min immersion at 65 °C, and storage occurred at ambient temperature. Parameters assessed included moisture, free acidity, pH, water activity, soluble solids, reducing sugars, apparent sucrose, hydroxymethylfurfural, color, ash, mesophilic aerobic bacteria, molds, yeasts, Escherichia coli, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS). Thermally treated honey demonstrated improved moisture stability, acidity, water activity, and increased color during storage. There were no significant differences in pH, soluble solids, hydroxymethylfurfural, bacteria, molds, yeasts, and antioxidant activity between thermally treated and fresh honey, and during storage. Both fresh and thermally treated S. bipunctata honey samples were free from E. coli and maintained values within state legislation limits for moisture, sugars, hydroxymethylfurfural, ash, molds, and yeasts during storage. However, the microorganism count was reduced, and an increase in antioxidant activity after 360 days was observed. The treatment in a water bath at 65 °C for 3 min preserved the physicochemical, microbiological, and antioxidant quality of Scaptotrigona bipunctata honey during storage. The results hold promise for supporting “meliponicultores”, offering market opportunities, ensuring product quality, and fostering sustainability while preserving local biodiversity and culture.

Is Salivary Α-Amylase a Reliable Indicator of Psychological Status and Quality of Life in Patients with Oral Lichen Planus: a Case-Control Study.

The objectives of our study were to determine salivary α-amylase activity (stress biomarker) and its association with psychological status and quality of life (QoL), disease duration and intensity of symptoms (pain/burning) in patients with OLP. A total of 50 subjects participated in this case-control study: 30 patients with oral lichen planus (OLP); 20 control subjects. Unstimulated whole saliva (UWS) was collected between 9 and 10 am to avoid diurnal fluctuations. Psychological status was assessed using the Croatian validated version of the original Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21). The impact of oral health on QoL was assessed using the Croatian version of the Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire (OHIP-CRO14). There was no statistically significant difference in salivary α-amylase activity between patients with OLP (N=30) and control subjects (N=20) (133813.3 vs. 166815.5 U/L, p=0.314; t-test). Depression, anxiety and stress showed no statistically significant difference between patients with OLP and control subjects (p=0.076, p=0.111, p=0.209; t-test). The patients with OLP had statistically significantly poorer QoL (total) compared to control subjects (p=0.004, t-test). There was a moderate positive correlation between symptom intensity (pain/burning) and poor QoL (total) (r=0.584, p<0.001), the OHIP-CRO14 dimension "physical pain" (r=0.661, p<0.001), "psychological impossibility" (r=0.555, p<0.01), "handicap" (r=0.546, p<0.01). Although salivary α-amylase showed no statistically significant difference between patients with OLP and control subjects, the patients with OLP had poorer psychological status (three times higher scores for depression and two times higher scores for anxiety) and poorer QoL compared to the control subjects. Recognising and treating mental disorders in patients with OLP is important in order to break the "vicious circle" and achieve a better QoL in these patients.

Sleep disorder experienced by healthcare nurses after terminating Zero-COVID-19 policy

ObjectiveMedical staff, especially nurses, suffered great anxiety and stress from the COVID-19 pandemic, which negatively affected their sleep quality. In this study, we aimed to analyze the sleep quality of nursing staff after terminating the Zero-COVID-19 policy in China.Methods506 participants were involved in our study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to evaluate the sleep status of the participants. Binary regression was performed to evaluate the impact factors related to sleep difficulty.ResultsThe majority of participants (96.44%) suffered from sleep disturbances. There were significant differences in age, education level and front-line activity between participants with good sleep quality and sleep difficulty. Younger age (16–25 years old) was independently associated with less sleep difficulty, while front-line activity was independently associated with severe sleep difficulty.ConclusionSleep disorder was very common among nurses after ending the Zero-COVID-19 policy in China. More front-line nurses suffered severe sleep difficulty in particular, which should be worthy of attention.

Joint effect of black carbon deriving from wheat straw burning and plastic mulch film debris on the soil biochemical properties, bacterial and fungal communities

Black carbon (BC) formed after straw burning remains in farmland soil and coexists with plastic mulch film (PMF) debris. It is unclear how BC influences soil multifunctionality in the presence of PMF debris. In this study, we determined the joint effects of BC and PMF debris on soil biochemical properties and microbial communities. We conducted a soil microcosm experiment by adding BC formed by direct burning of wheat straw and PMF debris (polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable PMF (BP)) into soil at the dosages of 1 %, and soils were sampled on the 15th, 30th, and 100th day of soil incubation for high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the degradation of PMF debris was accompanied by the release of microplastics (MPs). BC decreased NH4+-N (PE: 68.63 %; BP: 58.97 %) and NO3−-N (PE: 12.83 %; BP: 51.37 %) and increased available phosphorus (AP) (PE: 79.12 %; BP: 26.09 %) in soil containing PMF debris. There were significant differences in enzyme activity among all the treatments. High-throughput sequencing indicated that BC reduced bacterial and fungal richness and fungal diversity in PMF debris-exposed soil, whereas PMF debris and BC resulted in significant changes in the proportion of dominant phyla and genera of bacteria and fungi, which were affected by incubation time. Furthermore, BC affected microorganisms by influencing soil properties, and pH and N content were the main influencing factors. In addition, FAPRPTAX analysis indicated that BC and PMF debris affected soil C and N cycling. These findings provide new insights into the response of soil multifunctionality to BC and PMF debris.

A Semester of Hatha Yoga Has Comparable Effects to Physical Education for Children in Terms of Physical Activity and Psychosocial Indicators.

As research on yoga with school children is growing, this study investigated the effects a semester of yoga versus physical education on children's physical activity and psychosocial indicators. Physical activity and psychosocial variables were assessed at Time 1 (January/February) and Time 2 (April/May) through self-report surveys (n = 157; 63% female, age: m = 10.38, sd = 0.81 years) for the intervention (Hatha yoga classes) and control groups (standard physical education classes). The intervention group was also observed regarding pedometer and System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time data. The results revealed a trend towards an increase for the control and a decrease for the intervention group in stress levels. The pedometer results showed a trend towards an increasing number of steps/min. Skill practice had the greatest increase with time dedicated to that activity. The observation results revealed a significant difference in activity from Time 1 to Time 2. The major differences were decreases in sitting and being very active, and an increase in walking. Given the observation data and our study design limitations, the study results showed similarities between Hatha yoga and physical education in terms of increasing physical activity levels and psychosocial variables; thus, yoga may be a viable alternative to children's physical education in this regard.

Late Onset Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Different Clinical, Serological Presentations and Damage Compared to Adult Lupus in Egypt

Abstract Background Comparing cases of adult onset and late onset systemic lupus erythematous (SLE) reveals significant differences in clinical, serological, disease activity, and damage score. Objective This study aimed to analyze clinical manifestations, laboratory data, serological markers, and prognosis of late-onset SLE (L-SLE) and for comparing with adult- onset SLE. Patients and Methods One hundred fifty individuals with SLE were included in a cross-sectional study conducted at Ain Shams University Hospital divide into Group 1: 100 cases with adult-onset (age of onset ≥ 19 years and below 50 years). Group 2: 50 Patients with L-SLE (age of onset ≥ 50 years). All patients were subjected to medical history, physical examination, disease activity measured by the SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI-2K) and a damage score. Laboratory investigations as complete blood count (CBC), serum creatinine, anticardiolipin antibodies, lupus anticoagulant, protein creatinine ratio, serum complement (C3, C4), anti-dsDNA antibody, and antinuclear antibodies (ANA). Results Mucocutaneous manifestations, frequency of hematuria, proteinuria, urinary cast, consumed C3, positive anti-dsDNA antibodies, anti-cardiolipin antibody and lupus anticoagulant titers had considerably greater rates in-group 1 compared to group 2 (P-value &amp;lt;0.05) while group 2 had significantly more musculoskeletal symptoms (P-value &amp;lt;0.05). The SLEDAI scores of the two groups were equivalent, however the damage index was greater in group 2 (P-value 0.00). Neuropsychiatric, cutaneous, renal, and skin damage were more frequent in group 1, while musculoskeletal, endocrinal, pulmonary, cardiovascular and ocular damage were more frequent in- group 2. Conclusion L-SLE is different from adult onset SLE with more frequent damage.

Enhancing the performance of Litopenaeus vannamei nursery and grow-out by modifying mg/ca ratios in biofloc systems using low-salinity groundwater of Kuwait Desert

Kuwait has one of the most arid climates in the world, with brackish groundwater that has excessively high hardness due to limestone-rich aquifers with suboptimal ionic compositions, high evapotranspiration, and scarce water sources for shrimp farming. The study aimed to assess whether increasing the magnesium to calcium (Mg/Ca) ratio through Mg-supplementation could enhance shrimp performance, despite the absolute magnesium concentration being higher than diluted seawater of the same salinity. The study comprised a 4-week nursery and an 8-week grow-out trial with Pacific White Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) in low-salinity groundwater in a biofloc system. Experimental groups included a groundwater control (Mg/Ca ratio 0.49) and three different Mg/Ca ratios (about 1, 2 and 3) in three replicates. Postlarvae (0.02 g) and juveniles (0.54 g) were stocked at a density of 1250 and 250 m−3 in the nursery and grow-out trials, respectively, in 1000 L tanks. In the nursery trial, the control exhibited a final weight of 0.174 g and a survival rate of 58.5%, which was significantly lower in comparison to all Mg+2 treatments, exceeding 0.215 g and 92.5%, with no significant differences between the three treatments . The grow-out trial revealed a proportional increase in growth rate with the Mg/Ca ratio, showing a significantly better performance in treatments with Mg/Ca ratios of 2.12 or higher. The Mg/Ca 2 treatment exhibited the best performance, with a survival rate of 70.8% and a yield of 2.89 kg m−3 of mean weight 16.3 g. The results showed that Mg/Ca ratios have an affect both survival and growth in postlarvae, but only growth in juveniles and larger shrimp. The study suggests that increasing the Mg/Ca ratio above 1.07 and 2.12 through magnesium supplementation can significantly improve shrimp growth in nursery and grow-out phases in low-salinity water. Additionally, the expression of immune-related genes such as prophenoloxidase (proPO), transglutaminase (TGase) and cytosol manganese superoxide dismutase (cMnSOD), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity within different Mg/Ca ratios were analyzed. The results revealed significant differences in gene expression and higher SOD activity in the Mg/Ca 2 treatment of the grow-out phase, suggesting that Mg/Ca ratio closer to seawater may enhance the immunity and antioxidant activity of L. vannamei in a low-salinity biofloc system. In conclusion, the study provides valuable insights for shrimp producers using groundwater with high calcium hardness. The findings emphasize the importance of Mg/Ca ratio, rather than the absolute Mg+2 concentration, in improving shrimp growth and suggest potential benefits for shrimp immunity and antioxidant activity in low-salinity environments.

Unraveling biological disparities in configurational isomers of pyrazolyl-dihydrofurans using in vitro, DFT and in silico approach

The biological disparities in the high activity of one isomeric form over another have attracted significant interest from medicinal chemists and opened new avenues for synthesizing pure diastereoisomeric drugs.A series of diastereoisomeric pure pyrazolyl-dihydrofurans (6a-6ae) were synthesized in good to excellent yields, and their structures were determined using NMR, LCMS and X-ray crystallography. The difference in the stability of cis and trans isomers has been established using DFT-based studies. Using the serial dilution method, the developed synthetics were evaluated for their bio-efficacy against bacterial and fungal strains. The cytotoxicity was evaluated against mouse fibroblast cells as well as using the seed germination method.All the reactions proceeded smoothly and resulted into cis as the significant isomer; the stability over trans isomer has been established using DFT-based computational studies. Considering 6a and 7a as prototype, the difference in their biological response has been evaluated through in vitro anti-microbial assay. A significant difference in the biological activity has been observed, as the cis isomer (6a) has been found to be more potent over its respective trans isomer (7a) in bacterial assay. As far as the fungal response is concerned, no difference in their biological activity has been observed. The investigated compounds are non-cytotoxic against mouse fibroblast cells and Brassica nigra seeds. The experimentally determined in vitro results have been established using in silico studies.The cis isomer (6a) with an MIC of 3.25 µg/mL has been found to be more potent than the respective trans (7a) form (MIC = 6.25-12.5 µg/mL) when evaluated against different gram positive and negative strains utilized in the present study. However, no disparity in their biological response has been observed in fungal studies.

Chiral resolution of RS-ofloxacin through a novel diastereomeric cocrystal formation with L-glutamic acid by evaporative crystallization and quantification with capillary electrophoresis

Chiral drugs often exhibit significant differences in pharmacological activity between their enantiomers, highlighting the importance of effective chiral separation to enhance therapeutic efficacy and safety. Despite advances in this field, efficient methods for enantiomer separation remain a critical demand, especially for drugs like RS-Ofloxacin (RS-OFX), a chiral fluoroquinolone antibiotic. For RS-OFX, the S-enantiomer exhibits significantly higher potency—approximately 8 to 128 times greater—than the racemic mixture. This highlights the need to accurately separate the enantiomers. This study presents a new cocrystallization-based method for the precise and economical chiral separation of RS-OFX using amino acids by utilizing the formation of diastereomeric cocrystals. L-Glutamic acid (L-Glu) was identified as an appropriate coformer during the screening of potential coformers; consequently, diastereomeric cocrystals of R-OFX:L-Glu and S-OFX:L-Glu were successfully obtained. Melting point data, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD) analyses all confirmed the existence of a new solid state, revealing significant modifications in the crystal structure indicative of cocrystal formation. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) was employed to quickly identify the most suitable solvent mixture for the separation of the diastereomeric pair. The diastereomeric cocrystals exhibited distinct solubility profiles in various solvent mixtures, allowing effective chiral separation through fractional crystallization in methanol:chloroform (50:50, v/v) mixture, yielding 61.82 % enantiomeric excess (ee) of the more active S-OFX:L-Glu. The results of this study suggest that the chiral resolution of racemic APIs through diastereomeric cocrystal formation with amino acids has the potential for scalability and adaptability in other APIs. This approach has the potential to be a valuable tool for the pharmaceutical industry in improving the efficiency of producing enantiopure pharmaceuticals.