Commercial lettuce production requires adequate levels of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) to provide high-quality postharvest attributes needed for longer shelf life. Factorial experiments were conducted in Salinas, CA, to evaluate yield and postharvest quality of both romaine and iceberg lettuce using fertilizers containing various levels of N, P, and K. Lettuce was evaluated for yield and postharvest quality parameters, including color, wilt, turgidity, glossiness, decay, brittleness, fringe burn, and salt burn. Uptake of N, P, K, calcium, and silicon by plants was also determined. Regardless of fertilizer treatment, shelf life and visual quality were better in the iceberg lettuce than romaine lettuce when cold-stored at 1 °C for 14 d. Yield increased with increased N application rate, but post-harvest quality fell at high levels of N (337 kg·ha−1) and P (225 kg·ha−1). The most economical treatment providing the highest yield and best post-harvest quality was the combination of 225 kg·ha−1 N and 112 kg·ha−1 P.

Background Alopecia areata (AA) is a common inflammatory disorder targeting the hair follicles leading to non-scaring hair loss. The pathogenesis of AA is still unclear, despite the accumulating evidence of the immune-mediated nature of this disease. So, in this study, we aimed to assess the level of CD4 T cells, CD8 T cells and natural killer (NK) cells in the peripheral blood of patients with active AA and control subjects, and to evaluate the association between the level of those cells and the duration of disease in different subtypes of AA. Results Fifty female patients and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were enrolled in this case control study. CBC analysis and the level of CD4, CD8 T cells and NK cells were evaluated during the active stage of the disease. We found that CD4, CD8 T cells and NK cells proportion was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in patients with active stage AA compared with healthy subjects, however, the ratio of CD4:CD8 T cells was significantly higher in patients than control subjects. The level of CD4, CD8 T cells CD56 bright CD16− % NK cells were positively correlated with the disease duration. Conclusion Active stage of AA disease is associated with a reduction of the circulating CD4, CD8 T cells and NK cells and an increase in CD4/CD8 T cells ratio, however, the level of those cells were higher with prolonged disease duration. Our findings confirm that immune mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of AA.

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Because of the importance of spreading peace and social cohesion, especially with the spread of deviant ideas and destructive sects in society, this study aims to know the role of "Zain Communications Company" television advertisements during the month of Ramadan in spreading peace and cohesion within Saudi society. To achieve the objectives of the research, this study relied on the survey method (quantitative and qualitative) for a sample of (300) individuals and analyzed four models of the TV company's advertisements that were published during the month of Ramadan. The data was collected and analyzed, and one of the most important results of the study: Zain's interest in publishing awareness ads that call for peace and spread cohesion in society by raising social issues in a distinctive dramatic musical style that affects the beliefs and behavior of the Saudi public, and Zain's ads fought racism and extremism between Islam and Christianity. Also, the results revealed that Zain's Ramadan advertisements urged the promotion of social values ​​such as cooperation, solidarity, and spreading hope and optimism among Saudi society during crises.