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Background: Obesity is one of the most pressing global health challenges, with over one billion people now living with the condition worldwide. In Southeast Asia, nearly 40% of the population is projected to be overweight or obese by 2035, with Thailand reporting prevalence exceeding 42%. Intensive Lifestyle Modification (ILM) combined with Meal Replacement (MR) has emerged as a promising strategy for achieving sustainable weight loss, supported by landmark trials including the Diabetes Prevention Program, Look AHEAD, and DiRECT.Objective: To illustrate the clinical effectiveness of ILM combined with MR through detailed case presentations documenting anthropometric outcomes at baseline, 8 weeks, and 52 weeks, contextualized within international obesity management guidelines and comparative research across diverse populations. We hypothesized that selected participants undergoing the ILM+MR intervention would demonstrate clinically significant weight loss (≥5% of initial body weight) sustained through 52 weeks, with concurrent improvements in waist circumference indicating reduced central adiposity.Methods: Twelve participants (9 female, 3 male) from the ILM+MR arm of a previously published retrospective cohort study (n = 702) were selected based on complete longitudinal data and representativeness. The intervention comprised structured nutritional counseling, soy-based MR (220 kcal per serving, twice daily for 8 weeks), behavioral modification with group therapy, and physical activity guidance aligned with the 2013 AHA/ACC/TOS guidelines. Body weight and waist circumference were measured at baseline, 8 weeks, and 52 weeks.Results: Mean total weight loss was 38.2 kg (35.3% of initial body weight), with mean waist circumference reduction of 13.0 inches (33.0 cm) over 52 weeks. All 12 participants achieved clinically significant weight loss (>5%), substantially exceeding the 5–10% threshold recommended by international guidelines. Weight loss occurred in two phases: a rapid intensive phase (mean 14.0 kg during weeks 0–8) followed by continued loss during maintenance (mean 24.2 kg during weeks 8–52). All participants completed the 52-week follow-up.Conclusion: This case series demonstrates the potential for substantial, sustained weight loss through ILM+MR intervention, supporting findings from the larger Thai cohort study and international research including the DiRECT trial and systematic meta-analyses. These results reaffirm the foundational role of comprehensive lifestyle programs and highlight their relevance as scalable, culturally adaptable interventions for obesity management across diverse populations.

Veterinary and agricultural surfactants are supposed to be inert additives, yet these substances commonly exert biological side-effects, in given cases synergistic with those of the active ingredients of these preparations. This is explicitly seen in altered toxicity of veterinary or pesticide formulations compared to their active ingredients alone. Neither the individual effects of these excipients, nor such combination effects are well-studied in toxicology, and therefore, possible toxicity consequences are occasionally not being considered at sufficient significance in the authorization, use and control of these substances. Risk assessment of these substances should cover all hazards they may represent, and corresponding levels of exposure. Surfactants used in veterinary and pesticide formulation enter the environment either by direct dispersion or by indirect release through excrement, leaching, sewage waters or sludge, and in turn, create potential exposure to a number of non-target organisms. Biochemical and (eco)toxicological hazards recently identified regarding certain agricultural surfactants include cytotoxicity (on cell lines of epithelial, neural and other tissues, as well as stem cells and tumor cells), endocrine disrupting effects, as well as aquatic ecotoxicity. This Mini Review summarizes toxicological effects identified in our studies in aquatic toxicity tests, in cell viability and cytotoxicity tests, in estrogenic activity assays, correlated with biochemical analysis of the surfactants and their decomposition. The conclusions are hoped to facilitate environmentally precautious revision of surfactants widely used in agriculture.

Respiratory tract infections in dogs pose a significant problem and often require prolonged treatment. The effectiveness of pharmacological therapy can be improved through the administration of nebulized compounds to liquidize mucus and promote its evacuation from the respiratory tract. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nebulized 0.9% NaCl in dogs with respiratory tract infections. Respiratory functions were assessed based on the results of arterial blood gas analyses, and the patients’ clinical status was determined by evaluating the severity of symptoms on a point grading scale. Inhalation of nebulized 0.9% NaCl significantly accelerated improvement in the patents’ clinical status (normalization of body temperature, decreased cough frequency, decrease/elimination of nasal and ocular discharge, improved appetite) and improved pulmonary gas exchange by reducing partial pressure and total content of carbon dioxide and increasing partial pressure and total content of oxygen in blood.

This study is aimed at investigating the age related changes in postnatal development of red Sokoto goat stomach. In this study, a total of ten red Sokoto goat digestive tract samples were used and they were grouped into five (5) age categories (group A to E). The goat ages were estimated using dentition eruption and wearing. The stomach was identified and separated from the other part of digestive tract. The gross study revealed that the stomach was composed of four (4) segments that named; rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum with anatomical demarcations between them. The biometric study of weight, length, width, thickness, and volume was found to be increasing with advancement in postnatal ages with the following valves shows the mean value of weight, length, width, thickness and volume were to be 29 to 58.0 (g), 23.5, to 52.1 (cm), 15.4 to 29.0 (cm), 0.48 to 1.0 (mm) and102 to 432 (cm3) from group A to group E respectively. Based on the above findings it was suggested that more research should be conducted using histological techniques and electron microscopy in order to finalize on the findings.

Renal dysfunction after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) often results from common causes like drug toxicity, infection, or transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA). However, renal graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) may be ignored. We discuss a 49-year-old man who experienced worsening kidney function despite being in hematologic remission and having negative results for infections and autoimmune diseases. A renal biopsy showed chronic tubulointerstitial injury consistent with renal GVHD, along with existing TMA. Treatment with eculizumab did not lead to improvement, likely indicating significant chronic damage. This case highlights the need to maintain clinical suspicion and to perform timely renal biopsies in cases of unexplained kidney dysfunction after transplant.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder characterized by progressive muscle weakness, atrophy, and respiratory failure due to selective degeneration of lower motor neurons arising from homozygous deletion of exon 7 (95%) or mutation in the SMN 1 gene (5%),with severity correlating with SMN2 copy number—from fatal Type1 to milder Type 4—affecting 1:6,000–10,000 births worldwide and burdening India with 1,500–2,000 annual cases amid diagnostic delays. Although the backup SMN2 gene compensates a bit for SMN deficiency, a critical C→T transition in exon 7 leads to exon skipping and production of a truncated, unstable and nonfunctional SMN protein. Recent advances in disease-modifying therapies-including antisense oligonucleotides, small-molecule splicing modifiers, and gene replacement-have significantly improved clinical outcomes; however, they do not restore endogenous SMN expression in all tissues and often require repeated administration. Despite these medications like Spinraza injections, Zolgensma gene therapy, Evrysdi pills that increase SMN protein, the condition still has got significant morbidity: Type 1 babies frequently die before the age of two, 60–95% develop scoliosis, which makes spinal injections uncomfortable and dangerous, and lifetime expenses for each patient surpass $2 million. What if we could edit the nucleotide base of SMN2(T6C) using ABE10 to make it emulate like SMN1 gene to restore stable functional SMN protein that would be the permanent cure for SMA. This cutting edge molecular tool “AI-based Adenine Base Editors” would facilitate an endogenous regulation, laying the groundwork for precision medicine in rare disease management.

Background:Topical therapy with antimicrobial agents is used in otitis treatment. Due to increase of antibiotic resistance, new strategies are needed. Antiseptics are used but they may induce contact dermatitis. Natural antimicrobial peptides may represent future effective drugs. Objectives:The objectives were to test the efficacy of an 11% lactoferricin otological solution (LCF) in bacterial and yeasts otic overgrowth and compare LCF with a commercial one containing chlorhexidine (CLX) 0.05%. Materials and methods:Forty-one dogs diagnosed with bacterial or yeasts otitis overgrowths were included according to general good practice. They were randomly assigned to lactoferricin or chlorhexidine group for treatment. Otological solution were applied twice a day for a week and then daily for another week. Clinical and cytological score was assessed at day 1 and day 14. At the end of the study, the owners had to express an opinion on the overall efficacy of the products. Statistical analyses were performed using Wilkoxon’s test and T test for paired samples. Results in lesional and cytological score were significative with a p<0.05. Results:Forty dogs completed the study. All cases, receiving lactoferricin or chlorhexidine, were successfully treated with clinical signs remission and regression of infection (p<0.05). The owners’ judgment was good in 87%, mild in 13% for LCF group. For CLX they scored good in 41%, mild in 24% and unuseful in 35% of cases. Conclusions:Lactoferricin, an antimicrobial natural peptide, showed the same efficacy of chlorhexidine in the treatment of otitis characterized by bacterial or/and yeast overgrowth.

A survey was carried out to determine the prevalence and seasonal variations of eggs of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats in four provinces of Mozambique, from November 2016 to October 2017 in Tete and Cabo Delgado, and from November 2016 to October 2018 in Maputo and Gaza. In each province, flocks were selected from both lowlands, located within the valleys of the rivers, and uplands which are located outside the valleys. Faecal samples were collected at monthly intervals to monitor faecal egg counts fluctuations. The modified McMaster technique was used for quantitative analysis of nematode eggs and for detecting cestode eggs in faecal samples. The sedimentation technique for detecting trematode eggs in faecal samples was used. A total of 2 703 samples were examined for nematode eggs and 2 587 for trematode eggs. Faecal examination indicated that between 18% and 100% of goats sampled were infected with gastro-intestinal nematodes. The prevalence varied according to the season of the year and the ecological conditions. The highest prevalence and worm egg counts were recorded at about the peak of the rainy season. Strongyloides papillosus, Calicophoron spp., Fasciola spp. and Schistosoma mattheei eggs were also found. Moniezia expansa and Moniezia benedeni eggs were found in all the four study areas but its prevalence was low and irregular. Based on the results of this study, which showed a clear seasonal pattern, strategic anthelmintic medications to effectively control helminth infections in goats in the different ecological zones of Mozambique are suggested.

Acriptega, a combination of Dolutegravir, Lamivudine, and Tenofovir, is a cornerstone of modern antiretroviral therapy due to its efficacy and tolerability. However, treatment failures persist despite this optimization, raising questions about barriers to successful treatment. Through the analysis of two clinical cases, this study explores the biological and behavioral factors contributing to these failures following a switch to this molecule.The first case is a 69-year-old female patient, diagnosed with HIV in 2002 following pulmonary tuberculosis, who was regularly monitored with an undetectable viral load and a CD4 count > 500 cells/mm³ until the Acriptega transition and the onset of tumor symptoms in 2024. The second case is a 62-year-old female patient, diagnosed with HIV in 2009 following cerebral toxoplasmosis. She was regularly monitored with good treatment adherence and an undetectable viral load. After switching her triple therapy, she developed gastroenteritis, which led to the discovery of her treatment failure.    This case study highlights that failure after switching to Acriptega is linked to the absence of prior resistance testing (genotyping). A safe switchover requires a rigorous assessment of the patient’s virological history to prevent the emergence of cross-resistance. Close monitoring via genotyping is essential.

Sheep are not native to Australia and were originally imported; 44 sheep were among the animals transported from Great Britain to the penal colony established on the east coast of Terra Australis in January 1788 http://firstfleetfelowshp.org.au. The following brief account of the history of wool in Australia is taken from “The Australian Merino” which began; The Australian Merino…comprised one of the greatest creative expressions of domestic animal species by and for mankind…one of the greatest contributions to the world economy [1]. These original sheep were for human provisions and consisted of fat-tailed native sheep from the Cape of Good Hope, but the primary source of sheep for the first three or four decades of Australia’s history were from Bengal, the closest British colony to Australia.