Lycopene is a carotenoid derivative, which is a natural pigment synthesized by plants and microorganisms during the photosynthesis process. The study aimed to extract lycopene from tomatoes using organic solvents in a ratio of 2:1:1 of hexane, acetone, and ethanol. The amount of lycopene extracted was (4.87 mg/100 g). We notice a decrease in the values of the liver enzymes ALT, ALK, and AST upon oral administration of lycopene to male infected rats compared to with their values when acrylamide is given alone. A change was also noted in the liver tissue after treatment with lycopene compared to the infected group, as there was an improvement in the central vein, lobules, hepatic sinusoids, and Coover cells after they were congested, expanded, and contained bloody bleeding. In conclusion, lycopene as an antioxidant phyto-component, can protect liver against damages caused by acrylamide (or acrylic amide). Tomatoes can be considering as functional vegetable for protecting liver from damages of chemicals such as acrylamide. Keywords: Acrylamide, lycopene extraction, physiological properties, phytocomponent.

Farmers are important actors in agribusiness development. Farmers' businesses are generally classified as small businesses. Various theoretical evidence is sufficient to explain the important role of farmers in agribusiness development which is limited by financial literacy, and financial self-efficacy that influences financial management behavior. However, research on the role of financial literacy and financial self-efficacy on financial management behavior in terms of agribusiness development has not been conducted. This study aims to present new evidence on the role of financial literacy, and financial self-efficacy on financial management behavior in small-scale agribusiness. This study uses a positivist approach also known as quantitative research. Using an explanatory research design and involving around 68 small-scale agribusiness actors in Kendari City. Data were obtained through questionnaires. Data were analyzed using SEM-PLS. It was found that financial literacy by small-scale agribusiness actors can play a role in shaping financial management behavior and financial self-efficacy. Furthermore, the financial self-efficacy skills of small-scale agribusiness actors also play a role in shaping financial management behavior. The theoretical implication is that improving financial management behavior and financial self-efficacy of agribusiness actors can be done by improving financial literacy skills. Likewise, efforts to improve the financial management behavior of agribusiness actors must be supported by financial self-efficacy skills. With this approach, theoretically, agribusiness businesses can develop and be free from all financial risks that lead to business failure. Practical implications for agribusiness actors to improve financial literacy skills to be able to create and/or form financial management behavior and self-efficacy. The second concern is financial self-efficacy which needs to be pursued because it supports financial management behavior in developing agribusiness businesses. For the government, it is better to prepare regulations and instruments that support the creation of an agribusiness business climate. By considering the results of research, policies, and regulations leading to an ecosystem for the formation of financial literacy, financial self-efficacy, and financial management behavior. The research findings open up new avenues for future researchers, namely conducting further analysis using empirical data by measuring agribusiness performance based on the development of the financial curve (profit or gain). Then, it is recommended to use a qualitative paradigm, or a mixed research approach so that the research findings are more comprehensive. Keywords: Agribusiness, small business, financial literacy, financial self-efficacy, financial management behavior.

The present study was conducted during rabi (November, 2020 to March, 2021 and November, 2021 to March, 2022) in Dakshina Kannada district of Coastal Karnataka, India to study the efficacy of newer insecticide molecule on effective management of rice leaf folder. The field experiments were set up in a completely randomised block design with four treatments and five replications. Results from the present study revealed that, foliar application of (T3) indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 0.5 ml l-1 during 25 days and 40 days after transplantation was found most effective in reducing leaf folder incidence (3.46%) by 70.92 per cent and higher yield (40.90 q ha-1) leading to 19.59% increase over farmers practice (11.89%) and yield (34.20 q ha-1) respectively. The economic analysis of yield performance from the present study revealed that foliar application of indoxacarb 14.5 SC @ 0.5 ml l-1 during 25 and 40 days after transplantation achieved higher net return (`Rs. 56,911 ha-1) with higher benefit cost ration (1:2.46) as compared to farmer practice recorded lowest net return (44,901) with lowest benefit cost ratio (1:1.98). The study recorded a technology gap 9.10 q ha-1, extension gap of 6.70 q ha-1 and a technology index of 18.20% in T3. The present study, highlighted that the recommended practices are both feasible and economically viable over farmer’s practices, offering a superior option for managing rice leaf folder under field condition.

Baijiu, as China's national liquor, is deeply cherished by the public and has far reaching influence on China's economy and culture. With the outline of "Healthy China 2030", the influence of Baijiu on health has attracted much attention from scholars. Alcoholic beverage has been widely used and recorded in Chinese traditional medicine since ancient times. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that Baijiu has a certain effect on the body's cardiovascular and glucose metabolism. In this paper, the trace flavor substances (alcohols, acids, esters, phenols, nitrogen compounds and terpenes) in Baijiu were briefly introduced, and traditional effects recorded in ancient books and modern pharmacological action of Baijiu were summarized. The traditional effect of Baijiu was explained by modern pharmacological action, and the related mechanism of Baijiu effect was summarized, in order to provide scientific basis for Baijiu effect elucidating.

Background The professional development of teachers in the digital age will positively impact the effectiveness of physical education teaching. Exploring key factors such as self-efficacy, burnout, and digital technology is crucial to ensure the professional development of teachers. Methods The search was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines and utilized the following databases: Scopus, Web of Science, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. Inclusion and exclusion criteria: population, research methods, keywords, and time limit were described for this study. This article predominantly includes cross-sectional studies, so we have used the AXIS risk assessment methodology. Results The study included ten articles, seven of which (70%) were quantitative. Three key findings emerged from this review: first, the studies on self-efficacy were more noteworthy than the studies on burnout. Second, female teachers were more expressive in their digital teaching, while male teachers had higher levels of self-efficacy in their digital teaching. Finally, the study explored various factors affecting self-efficacy and burnout in relation to digital teaching. The study demonstrated that professional development has a higher impact on physical education teachers’ self-efficacy, and in turn, self-efficacy reduces burnout. Additionally, burnout had a significant impact on professional development. Conclusion This study describes the limitations of risk assessment and uses the AXIS tool to assess the methodological quality of this review report instead of using the risk of bias tool. The use of digital teaching methods can increase self-efficacy and alleviate burnout among physical education teachers. This review analyses the effects of digital technology, self-efficacy, and burnout on the career progression of physical education instructors and examines the implications for future developments.

Biotic elicitors, including Trichoderma and Bacillus can improve plant growth and disease resistance. Current research evaluated the efficacy of 14 Bacillus subtilis strains, Trichoderma viride, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma sp. on enhancing growth and managing anthracnose in scallion. The inhibition efficiency of Bacillus and Trichoderma on Colletotrichum growth was assessed in vitro. Besides, effective biotic treatments against anthracnose were evaluated at net house conditions. Then, defence mechanisms including endogenous SA accumulation, production of phenolic compounds, catalase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and b-1,3-glucanase were revealed. The results showed that four biotic elicitors, including B. subtilis strains CaSUT008-2, D604, SUNB1 and T. harzianum showed high antagonistic activity against in vitro growth of Colletotrichum colonies at 41-77 %. At 28 days after planting, scallion plants treated with B. subtilis strain CaSUT008-2 and SUNB1 gained stem length at 15.35-15.79 cm. These four biotic treatments had low disease severity in net-house conditions at 25.00-50.00 %. On mechanisms of anthracnose resistance, at 24 hours after inoculation (HAI), scallion plants treated with T. harzianum and B. subtilis strain CaSUT008-2 showed high content of salicylic acid at 2.17-2.20 µg/g fresh weight. At 48 HAI, scallion plants induced by B. subtilis strain SUNB1 increased phenolic compounds at 42.65 µg gallic acid/mg dry mass. Moreover, four biotic elicitors enhanced activities of catalase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and b-1,3-glucanase in treated scallion plants. This study suggests that B. subtilis strain CaSUT008-2 and SUNB1, T. harzianum stimulated growth, helped scallion plants against anthracnose disease. The combined Trichoderma-bacteria bio-inoculants may be a good strategy to develop biocontrol agent and plant growth promoter within green and sustainable production of scallion.

ABSTRACT: Inducing a transient state of hypocalcemia prepartum mobilizes stored Ca before the abrupt demand for Ca at parturition thus more tightly regulating postpartum hypocalcemia. Prepartum transient hypocalcemia can be achieved through intravenous infusions of either the precursor to serotonin, 5-hydroxy-tryptophan (5HTP) or a Ca chelating agent, ethylene glycol tetraacetic acid (EGTA). This study aimed to compare the ability of 5HTP and EGTA treatments to prevent postpartum hypocalcemia. We hypothesized that the 2 methods would be similarly effective compared with the control. Cows received either 5HTP, EGTA, 5HTP+EGTA, or control saline (n = 6/treatment) beginning 7 d before expected calving date through parturition (range 4–13 d). The 5HTP treatment was administered daily as a single 1-L dose at 1 mg/kg of BW. Saline and EGTA were infused for 6 h/d. Infusion rates of EGTA were adjusted to maintain blood ionized Ca (iCa) between 0.7 and 0.8 mM, inducing subclinical hypocalcemia, which occurs when iCa is 0.61–0.9 mM. Mammary biopsies were collected from rear quarters at 6, 30, 54, and 78 h postpartum. Cows in the 5HTP+EGTA group required less EGTA to maintain low iCa during infusions and had the lowest total Ca concentrations during infusions. Therefore, 5HTP and EGTA likely use different mechanisms to reduce blood Ca, which can occur simultaneously, resulting in an additive effect in blood Ca reduction. Control cows were subclinically hypocalcemic through 48 h postpartum, and 2 became clinically hypocalcemic. All other treatments were normocalcemic through 96 h postpartum and had significantly greater iCa than the control from 12 to 24 h postpartum. Administering 5HTP increased blood serotonin concentrations from the start of infusions through 72 h postpartum. Cows receiving EGTA or 5HTP+EGTA had decreased mammary Ca compared with the control at 54 and 78 h after calving. Mammary tissue quantitative PCR and Western blot analysis revealed increased gene and protein expression of Ca release-activated Ca modulator 1 on the day of parturition compared with 30 and 78 h postpartum. Mammary gland gene expression of the calcium-sensing receptor was decreased 78 h postpartum compared with 6 and 30 h postpartum. Although 5HTP and EGTA both prevented postpartum hypocalcemia, EGTA significantly increased iCa through 48 h post-calving rather than the 24 h in the 5HTP group. The 5HTP+EGTA and EGTA treatments were equally effective at regulating periparturient calcemic status, indicating that the additive effect of 5HTP and EGTA did not persist beyond parturition.

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Despite significant advancements in treatment strategies and drug development, survival rates remain low and the adverse effects of conventional therapies severely impact patients’ quality of life. This study evaluates the therapeutic potential of plant-derived extracts in hepatocellular carcinoma treatment, with a focus on minimizing side effects while enhancing efficacy. <b>Methods</b>: This research investigates the in vitro synergistic effect of silver bio-nanoparticles synthesized from <i>Clematis vitalba</i>, <i>Melissa officinalis</i>, and <i>Taraxacum officinale</i> extracts (<i>Clematis vitalbae extractum</i>—CVE, <i>Melissae extractum</i>—ME, <i>Taraxaci extractum</i>—TE) in combination with liver cancer drugs, sunitinib (SNTB) and imatinib (IMTB), on HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma) and HUVEC (human umbilical vein endothelial) cell lines. The silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The antitumor effects were evaluated through cell viability assays after 24 and 48 h of exposure, with additional cytotoxicity tests on HUVEC cells. <b>Results</b>: Results indicated that <i>Melissa officinalis</i>-derived silver nanoparticles (ME AgNPs) and <i>Clematis vitalba</i> extract with silver nanoparticles (CVE AgNPs) significantly reduced HepG2 cell viability. Their efficacy improved when combined with conventional therapies (SNTB + ME AgNPs 1:1 vs. SNTB: 20.01% vs. 25.73%, <i>p</i> = 0.002; IMTB + ME AgNPs 1:1 vs. IMTB: 17.80% vs. 18.08%, <i>p</i> = 0.036; SNTB + CVE AgNPs 1:1 vs. SNTB: 18.73% vs. 25.73%, <i>p</i> = 0.000; SNTB + CVE AgNPs 1:2 vs. SNTB: 26.62% vs. 41.00%, <i>p</i> = 0.018; IMTB + CVE AgNPs 1:1 vs. IMTB: 12.99% vs. 18.08%, <i>p</i> = 0.001). <i>Taraxacum</i> extract exhibited similar cytotoxicity to its nanoparticle formulation but did not exceed the efficacy of the extract alone at 24 h. Selectivity index assessments confirmed that AgNPs-based formulations significantly improve cytotoxicity and selectivity to HepG2 cells. Among the tested extracts, CVE demonstrated the strongest antitumor effect, enhancing the efficacy of synthetic drugs (CI < 1). SNTB + TE AgNPs (5% EtOH) also demonstrated consistent synergy at high doses, while SNTB + CVE AgNPs provided broad-range synergy, making it suitable for dose-escalation strategies. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings underscore the potential of nanoparticle-based formulations in combination therapies with targeted kinase inhibitors such as sunitinib and imatinib. Future research should focus on in vivo validation and clinical trials to confirm these findings.

Non-human primates (hereafter ‘primates’) constitute a common group of animals in captivity but their captive maintenance involves ethical and husbandry issues, many of which can be addressed through environmental enrichment (hereafter ‘enrichment’). Enrichment is often applied in a trial-and-error fashion or based on subjective assessments of efficacy. Thus, a predictive framework for enrichment is necessary to ensure it achieves the desired outcomes. As one of the initial steps towards the development of a predictive enrichment science, we aimed to identify the most effective enrichment approaches for captive primates. We conducted a comprehensive meta-analysis of the peer-reviewed literature and extracted information on methodological approaches, experimental design, species and environmental context. We developed and applied a novel efficacy index score to each study protocol as a comparable metric of enrichment efficacy in order to appraise current enrichment practices. Our findings suggest that captive primate enrichment approaches vary in their efficacy, with training-based enrichment being the most effective. Furthermore, the social context of subjects appears to influence efficacy, with primates housed alone deriving the most benefit from enrichment. A species’ natural minimum group size may also influence enrichment efficacy but this relationship requires further investigation. Testing and reporting trends for captive primate enrichment are presented and discussed, highlighting important gaps in the literature and avenues of future research while identifying the beneficial effects of different enrichment practices.

Globally, potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a key staple food crop. In Kenya, it is the second most important food crop after maize. Among the various constraints to potato production are plant-parasitic nematodes. In particular, root-knot nematodes (Meloidogyne spp.) are a significant impediment to potato production, suppressing yield and reducing the quality of harvested tubers. The current study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of a lignocellulose fibre matrix (banana paper) either impregnated with a chemical or drenched with a biologically based nematicide for the management of root-knot nematodes on potatoes, in Kenya. The experiment was conducted in both field and pot trials over two consecutive cropping seasons. Wrapping seed potatoes in banana paper impregnated with abamectin or drenched with Trichoderma asperellum (Real Trichoderma®) led to suppression of soil Meloidogyne incognita densities by 87% and 68% in the field, and 86% and 40% in pots, respectively, which led to a 3.3- and 3.7-fold increase in yield in the field. This novel technology, also referred to as ‘Wrap & Plant’, presents a practical option for nematode management in potato under the resource-limited conditions of sub-Saharan Africa and offers potential for the targeted management of other soil-borne diseases.