bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting place of delivery choice among childbearing women in East Africa: a comparative analysis of advanced machine learning techniques
Authors: Ngusie Habtamu Setegn , Tesfa Getanew Aschalew , Taddese Asefa Adimasu , Enyew Ermias Bekele , Alene Tilahun Dessie , Abebe Gebremeskel Kibret , Walle Agmasie Damtew , Zemariam Alemu Birara
Published: November 2024

Background

Sub-Saharan Africa faces high neonatal and maternal mortality rates due to limited access to skilled healthcare during delivery. This study aims to improve the classification of health facilities and home deliveries using advanced machine learning techniques and to explore factors influencing women's choices of delivery locations in East Africa.

Method

The study focused on 86,009 childbearing women in East Africa. A comparative analysis of 12 advanced machine learning algorithms was conducted, utilizing various data balancing techniques and hyperparameter optimization methods to enhance model performance.

Result

The prevalence of health facility delivery in East Africa was found to be 83.71%. The findings showed that the support vector machine (SVM) algorithm and CatBoost performed best in predicting the place of delivery, in which both of those algorithms scored an accuracy of 95% and an AUC of 0.98 after optimized with Bayesian optimization tuning and insignificant difference between them in all comprehensive analysis of metrics performance. Factors associated with facility-based deliveries were identified using association rule mining, including parental education levels, timing of initial antenatal care (ANC) check-ups, wealth status, marital status, mobile phone ownership, religious affiliation, media accessibility, and birth order.

Conclusion

This study underscores the vital role of machine learning algorithms in predicting health facility deliveries. A slight decline in facility deliveries from previous reports highlights the urgent need for targeted interventions to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in maternal health. The study recommends promoting facility-based deliveries. These include raising awareness about skilled birth attendance, encouraging early ANC check-up, addressing financial barriers through targeted support programs, implementing culturally sensitive interventions, utilizing media campaigns, and mobile health initiatives. Design specific interventions tailored to the birth order of the child, recognizing that mothers may have different informational needs depending on whether it is their first or subsequent delivery. Furthermore, we recommended researchers to explore a variety of techniques and validate findings using more recent data.
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and attitudes toward routine vaccinations among Venezuelan migrants in Trinidad and Tobago: implications for a National Immunization Policy
Authors: Lyons Nyla , Bhagwandeen Brendon , Gopeechan Blair , Edwards Jeffrey
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Vaccine hesitancy poses a threat to the prevention of COVID-19 and other vaccine-controlled diseases. In 2019, the Government of Trinidad and Tobago launched a policy outlining the scope of health services in the public sector available to registered Venezuelan migrants to include access to routine immunizations. Little is understood about immunization uptake among migrants, including the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations in Trinidad and Tobago.

Method

Between July and October 2022, a survey was conducted using a sample of n = 507 Venezuelan migrants. We examined the relationship between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, migrant’s attitudes toward past vaccinations, their beliefs and perceptions about COVID-19 disease, and health-service related factors. Descriptive statistics summarized the characteristics of these migrants. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and multivariable logistic regression was used to examine factors and attitudes associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Results

Our findings showed that 89% of the migrants accessed publicly available health services while in Trinidad and Tobago, 72.4% reported that they did not refuse other vaccines in the past, and 23% reported being hesitant to take the COVID-19 vaccine. Females had higher odds of being COVID-19 vaccine hesitant compared to males, and participants expressing doubts about the source of vaccine information also had greater odds of vaccine hesitancy. Long waiting times at a public health clinic and costs associated with traveling to a clinic were associated with higher odds of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy.

Conclusion

A National Immunization Policy inclusive of the unmet needs of vulnerable migrant populations is needed to ensure equitable access to vaccinations.
Exploring air pollution awareness: insights from interviews with technology enthusiasts using wearable monitoring devices
Authors: Bernasconi Sara , Angelucci Alessandra , Canali Stefano , Aliverti Andrea
Published: November 2024

This study aims to investigate shifts in awareness regarding air pollution and its correlation with interest in using wearable devices for air quality monitoring. 16 healthy participants, predominantly engineers, residing or studying in Milan, were interviewed to assess their knowledge and interest in air pollution. Participants then walked a predefined route of 4.5 km in Milan while observing real-time air pollution data recorded by a wrist-worn wearable device. Post-walk interviews explored changes in awareness and enthusiasm for personal air quality monitoring. Results indicated widespread recognition of pollution sources, including industries, transportation, and agricultural activities, and health effects. Interestingly, reliance on sensory cues for air quality evaluation was prevalent among participants, underscoring a potential bias toward olfactory indicators. Despite interest in personal air quality monitoring, concerns regarding continuous monitoring leading to feelings of powerlessness and mental stress were noted. Nevertheless, participants expressed interest in actionable information to mitigate these concerns and promote lifestyle choices to decrease exposure to pollutants. Notably, a shift in awareness was observed following interaction with the monitoring device, indicating its potential to enhance public awareness and support for air quality policies. Findings underscore the importance of technological interventions in promoting public awareness and understanding of air pollution dynamics.
Knowledge, attitude, and preventive behaviors related to HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections among Myanmar migrants in Chiang Mai province, Thailand
Authors: Thant Kyaw Soe , Thongprachum Aksara , Chautrakarn Sineenart , Chantaklang Pannawich , Chariyalertsak Suwat
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Despite progress in controlling HIV/AIDS and STIs, these health challenges persist, with 39.9 million people living with HIV in 2023 and more than 350 million affected by STIs annually. Thailand is a major migrant hub in Southeast Asia. This study investigated the factors influencing preventive behaviors related to HIV/AIDS and STIs among Myanmar migrants in Chiang Mai province, Thailand.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 among 424 Myanmar migrants aged 18–45 years. Participants were selected through convenience sampling from a local hospital and community gathering locations in Chiang Mai province. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors influencing preventive behaviors.

Results

The participants’ average age was 29.92 years; 56.8% were married, and 67.5% had completed primary or lower education. The average monthly income was <10,000 THB (47.6%). Most participants had a good knowledge level of HIV (63.2%), while 80% had poor knowledge of STIs. Among the sexually active participants (n = 274), 91.2% had good preventive behavior. The multivariate analysis indicated that migrants working in non-construction or day labor roles were less likely to practice preventive behaviors (aOR = 0.210, 95% CI: 0.046–0.972, p = 0.046). Additionally, migrants who had lived in Chiang Mai for more than 10 years were less likely to engage in preventive behaviors (aOR = 0.067, 95% CI: 0.010–0.465, p = 0.006). There was a statistically significant association between preventive behaviors and a positive attitude, with an aOR of 4.575 (95% CI: 1.226–17.073, p = 0.024).

Conclusion

Low STI knowledge and negative attitudes toward condom use were found in this study. Culturally relevant and sensitive interventions and effective sexual health education are needed.
MLR-predictor: a versatile and efficient computational framework for multi-label requirements classification
Authors: Saleem Summra , Asim Muhammad Nabeel , Van Elst Ludger , Junker Markus , Dengel Andreas
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Requirements classification is an essential task for development of a successful software by incorporating all relevant aspects of users' needs. Additionally, it aids in the identification of project failure risks and facilitates to achieve project milestones in more comprehensive way. Several machine learning predictors are developed for binary or multi-class requirements classification. However, a few predictors are designed for multi-label classification and they are not practically useful due to less predictive performance.

Method

MLR-Predictor makes use of innovative OkapiBM25 model to transforms requirements text into statistical vectors by computing words informative patterns. Moreover, predictor transforms multi-label requirements classification data into multi-class classification problem and utilize logistic regression classifier for categorization of requirements. The performance of the proposed predictor is evaluated and compared with 123 machine learning and 9 deep learning-based predictive pipelines across three public benchmark requirements classification datasets using eight different evaluation measures.

Results

The large-scale experimental results demonstrate that proposed MLR-Predictor outperforms 123 adopted machine learning and 9 deep learning predictive pipelines, as well as the state-of-the-art requirements classification predictor. Specifically, in comparison to state-of-the-art predictor, it achieves a 13% improvement in macro F1-measure on the PROMISE dataset, a 1% improvement on the EHR-binary dataset, and a 2.5% improvement on the EHR-multiclass dataset.

Discussion

As a case study, the generalizability of proposed predictor is evaluated on softwares customer reviews classification data. In this context, the proposed predictor outperformed the state-of-the-art BERT language model by F-1 score of 1.4%. These findings underscore the robustness and effectiveness of the proposed MLR-Predictor in various contexts, establishing its utility as a promising solution for requirements classification task.
Telehealth memory clinics in primary healthcare: real-world experiences from low-resource settings in Greece
Authors: Aggeletaki Eleutheria , Stamos Vasileios , Konidari Eleni , Efkarpidis Apostolos , Petrou Anna , Savvopoulou Kalliopi , Kontogianni Evangelia , Tsimpanis Konstantinos , Vorvolakos Theofanis , Politis Antonios , Alexopoulos Panagiotis
Published: November 2024

Background

The role of primary healthcare is pivotal in the management of the surge of dementia prevalence particularly in low-resource areas. In this study, two telehealth-based memory clinics in primary healthcare operating within the frames of the INTegRated InterveNtion of pSychogerIatric Care (INTRINSIC) are presented.

Methods

The first clinic, which is led by a general practitioner, operates at a primary healthcare center in a semi-mountainous area and closely collaborates with the geriatric psychiatry outpatient clinic of the Patras University General Hospital via a telehealth medicine platform. The second clinic is embedded at the General Hospital Center for Interconnected Psychiatric Support on the island of Syros, is led by registered nurses, and is interconnected with the geriatric psychiatry unit at the Eginition University Hospital in Athens.

Results

Both memory clinics are in their infancy. At the general practitioner-led memory clinic, 13 beneficiaries were assessed and treated during the first 6 months of its operation. Cognitive decline and depressive and/or anxiety symptoms were detected in 10 and eight individuals, respectively. In 9 of the 27 beneficiaries of the registered nurse-led memory clinic, either mild cognitive impairment or dementia was diagnosed, while affective and/or anxiety symptoms were detected in almost all of them. Of note, only 14 beneficiaries of both clinics had received a diagnosis of a mental or neurocognitive disorder prior to their assessment at the memory clinics.

Conclusion

Developing memory clinics in primary healthcare may be a pragmatic strategy to improve access of older adults living in low-resource areas to cognitive healthcare services.
A scientometric study of Maqasid al-shariah research: trending issues, hotspot research, and co-citation analysis
Authors: Mohammed Tawffeek A. S.
Published: November 2024

This study examines research on maqāṣid al-shariī'ah in journals indexed in Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus. As maqāṣid al-shariī'ah plays a vital role in guiding Islamic legal theory and contemporary applications of Islamic law in various sectors of life, familiarity with the scholarly landscape of the field is essential for assessing its growing influence in both academic and practical contexts. Hence, this study aims to explore the trajectory of research in maqāṣid studies, identify its key focus areas, and conduct a document co-citation analysis to uncover patterns in scholarly collaboration and influence. In addition, the study examines contributing countries, organizations, and leading journals in this field. Four Hundred documents published between 2000 and 2022 were retrieved and analyzed using the metrics functionalities of both databases. In addition, advanced analytical tools including Publish or Perish, VOSviewer, and ScientoPy v1.3.5 were utilized to conduct a multifaceted examination that encompasses document co-citation, sources co-citation, and authors' keyword analyses, among others. Data were carefully filtered to include research related to maqāṣid al-shariī'ah as an area of applied Islamic thought and its applications in different disciplines. The findings of the study revealed that research outputs in maqāṣid al-shariī'ah studies span various disciplines including religion, business and economics, science and technology, and medicine among others. The development of publications between 2000 and 2022 for the two databases indicates distinct upward trends in cumulative publications and annual growth. A vibrant and diverse global research landscape exists for maqāṣid al-shariī'ah, with Malaysia and Indonesia leading in terms of productivity and impact. This article presents original findings which may be of significance to researchers in Islamic studies, applied Islamic thought, and related interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary fields. This scientometric study is limited to English journal articles that were published between 2000 and 2022 on maqasid research in Scopus and Web of Science (WoS). Given the dynamic nature of these two databases, where results can fluctuate rapidly due to the continuous addition of new papers or the retraction of existing articles, this study is limited to the datasets that were created at the time of investigation. These limitations might influence the generalizability of the findings.
Risky sexual practices and associated factors among taxi drivers in the Finoteselam town, northwest Ethiopia, 2023: a community-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Laikemariam Melaku , Fetene Yetwale
Published: November 2024

Background

Risky sexual practices among taxi drivers pose a significant threat to public health, contributing to the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS. The nature of their profession often exposes taxi drivers to factors that increase their vulnerability to engaging in risky sexual practices. Although research on sexual health in general is readily available, studies specifically focused on this population are limited. Understanding the contributing factors behind risky sexual practices among taxi drivers is crucial to developing targeted interventions that address their unique needs and vulnerabilities.

Objectives

To assess the prevalence and associated factors of risky sexual practices among taxi drivers in Finoteselam town, northwest Ethiopia, 2023.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 359 taxi drivers in the Finoteselam town. Data were collected using pre-tested questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were performed to identify factors associated with risky sexual practices. In the bivariate analysis, a p-value ≤ 0.25 at 95% CI was used to consider the variables in the multivariate analysis. Finally, statistical significance was declared with a p-value of less than 0.05 with a 95% CI.

Results

The prevalence of risky sexual practices among taxi drivers was 32.9 (95% CI: 28.01, 38.7). Living alone (AOR = 3.47, 95% CI: 1.86, 6.48), taxi ownership (AOR = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.01, 4.25), neglecting the discussion of the SRH issue (AOR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.08, 4.00), substance use (AOR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.04, 2.09), attending night clubs (AOR = 6.04, 95% CI: 1.97, 18.55) and watching pornographic materials (AOR = 4.44, 95% CI: 2.14, 9.19) were significantly associated with risky sexual practices.

Conclusions and recommendation

This study revealed a high prevalence of risky sexual practices among taxi drivers in Finoteselam town. Therefore, a comprehensive approach involving different stakeholders is required for reducing risky sexual practices. Information dissemination, awareness creation (about risks of attending nightclubs, substance use, and watching pornography), and encouraging knowledge sharing about sexual health are some of the interventions required to reduce risky sexual practices among taxi drivers.
Do Nanoparticles Affect Crop Growth and Soil Bacteria?
Authors: Ndaba Busiswa , Rama Haripriya , Roopnarain Ashira
Published: November 2024

Did you know scientists can make tiny structures called nanoparticles, which are smaller than the smallest ants? Nanoparticles are useful for a lot of different things, including helping farmers grow our food crops. Without fertilizers, which are nutrients applied to gardens and farms to help crops grow, it would be difficult to grow enough vegetables and fruits to support all the humans on Earth. However, some fertilizers are too big to be easily taken up by plants. Because nanoparticles are so tiny, they can easily get into plants and help them grow. But there is a downside—sometimes nanoparticle fertilizers disturb the growth of natural organisms in the soil, such as bacteria. Some soil bacteria also help plants to grow, so they need to be protected. It is therefore important to understand how nanoparticle fertilizers affect the bacteria in the soil.
Threatening and nurturing mental health: insights from Danish elite athletes on the dynamic interplay of factors associated with their mental health
Authors: Küttel Andreas , Storm Louise K. , Stambulova Natalia , Henriksen Kristoffer
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Numerous factors have been identified that potentially influence athletes' mental health. Given the predominant focus in the literature on athletes' mental health risk factors, our study aimed to explore elite athletes' perceptions of factors associated with their mental health and thriving based on the combination of holistic developmental and ecological approaches.

Methods

Seven Danish international elite athletes representing diverse sports were interviewed twice. The initial interview delved into their retrospective perspectives on career and mental health development, while the subsequent interview, conducted two months later, centered on recent events.

Results

Thematic analysis yielded a map outlining four overarching themes. Elite sport was perceived as a (1) relentless performance context marked by rigorous demands, which evoked (2) personal reactions among athletes characterized by heightened expectations, self-blame, and anxiety. In response to these challenging demands, athletes have cultivated (3) coping resources and strategies over the course of their careers, such as self-reflection, emphasis on recovery, planning and prioritization skills, and passion for their sport. Nonetheless, the development of these resources and strategies was a gradual process, often informed by past experiences of mental health difficulties during adolescence. Additionally, they have found support for their mental health within a (4) nurturing environment consisting of supportive coaching, camaraderie among teammates, guidance from experts, and caring relationships.

Discussion

The findings of this study highlight the complex interplay of factors affecting mental health and emphasize the need for creating supportive environments that help athletes manage the intense demands of elite sport.
The development of an “Engagement in Physical Education” scale
Authors: Stringfellow Andy , Wang Chih-hsuan , Farias Claudio F. G. , Hastie Peter A.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a scale that assesses students' perceptions of their engagement in physical education. The scale assesses all four dimensions of engagement (agentic, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional) in order to be consistent with the contemporary notion of engagement used in current educational research.

Method

A total of 231 eighth and ninth-grade students (108 boys, Mage = 14.55) completed a 21-item scale, with items taken from previously validated scales, but with an added string relating to physical education lessons. Following model respecification by the examination of standardized residual covariances to remove items, the factor loading for each of the items on the scale was examined.

Results

The results from a confirmatory factor analysis showed that there was psychometric support for an 18-item survey in which each of the four a priori latent variables was kept in the validation of the four-factor hypothesized model. [χ2 = 226.01, df = 125, χ2/df = 1.808, GFI = .903, RMSEA (90% CI) = .061 (.048–.073)].

Conclusion

Given the research on engagement within physical education has been beleaguered by the lack of a robust operational definition, this scale allows for the comprehensive measurement of the different components of engagement.
Electrocortical activity during resistance exercises in healthy young adults—a systematic review
Authors: Visser Anton , Piskin Daghan , Büchel Daniel , Baumeister Jochen
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Resistance training (RT) is known to induce both peripheral and central adaptations, resulting in enhanced strength, sports performance, and health benefits. These adaptations are specific to the training stimuli. The acute cortical mechanisms of single sessions resistance exercise (RE) are not yet understood. Therefore, this review investigates the electrocortical activity during acute RE regarding the specific RE stimuli.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted across three databases, focusing on the acute electrocortical activity associated with the muscle contraction type, load, and volume of RE in healthy young adults.

Results

Out of an initial 1,332 hits, 19 studies were included for data synthesis. The findings from these studies show that the RE load, contraction type, and volume during RE significantly affect brain activity. The current literature exhibits methodological heterogeneity attributed to variations in study quality, differences in the location of cortical sources, the cortical outcome parameter and the use of diverse training interventions.

Discussion

Despite inconsistencies in the current literature, this review highlights the need to investigate time and frequency-specific characteristics when examining electrocortical activity during RE. More research is necessary to further explore the acute cortical mechanisms related to resistance exercise. Future research could improve our understanding of acute neural responses to RE and provide insights into mechanism underlying more long-term neuroplastic adaptations to RT.
Spatial–temporal evolution and influencing factors of the eco-efficiency of cultivated land-use in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region in the context of food security
Authors: Jiao Xinying , Ma Jingtao , Liu Guoxiang , Li Yancang , Li Chenggang , Wang Xin
Published: November 2024

Improving the eco-efficiency of cultivated land use (ECLU) is important for ensuring food security, promoting social and economic development, and reducing carbon emissions. However, dynamic inter-period comparisons of the ECLU and clarifications of its influencing factors are limited. We calculated the ECLU at the county level in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, China, based on the super-efficiency slacks-based measure and global Malmquist–Luenberger index and analyzed its influencing factors utilizing a geographically and temporally weighted regression model. From 2000 to 2020, the number of higher counties decreased and that of medium counties increased. Geographically, the ECLU values in the north are higher than those in other districts and counties; counties in Beijing and Tianjin maintained moderate ECLU values, whereas Zhangjiakou and Chengde maintained high ECLU values. The ECLU value in the study area showed a trend of rapid decline–slow rise–continuous rise, with the upward trend of the ECLU value in Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region being significantly less pronounced than those in most counties of Hebei Province. Resource allocation and scale expansion where initially dominant; however, technological progress and investment eventually prevailed. The ECLU is mainly affected by the multiple cropping index, industrial structure, irrigation index, mechanized farming level, and per capita cultivated land. This study assesses the ECLU in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region, providing a scientific basis for the formulation and implementation of relevant policies for its improvement. Furthermore, this study enriches the theory and methods of research on the ECLU and has practical value and theoretical significance. Overall, the results have important social value as they contribute to ensuring national food security, reducing carbon emissions, promoting regional coordinated and sustainable development.
Uncovering QTLs for uppermost internode length and panicle exsertion in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Harshitha Bheemapura Shivakumar , Singh Vikram Jeet , Nandakumar Shekharappa , Shekhawat Sonu , Dixit Brijesh Kumar , Ragi Shridhar , Saran Deepak , Vinod Kunnummal Kurungara , Krishnan Subbaiyan Gopal , Ellur Ranjith Kumar , Nagarajan Mariappan , Bollinedi Haritha , Mondal Tapan Kumar , Singh Ashok Kumar , Bhowmick Prolay Kumar
Published: November 2024

Uppermost internode length (UIL) and panicle exsertion are two important traits that contribute significantly to increased yield in rice. The present study was conducted using recombinant inbred lines (RILs) comprising 201 lines derived from RTN10B and IRG213. These RILs were evaluated at three different locations— Delhi, Karnal, and Aduthurai. We report the mapping of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for uppermost internode length and the panicle exsertion ratio (PER), as well as QTLs for plant height (PH), tiller number, length of the second internode, length of the third internode, length from the flag leaf to the panicle tip (PFL), and panicle length (PL). Mapping was performed using a custom microsatellite linkage map constructed for the population, having a total span of 2077.1 cM with 104 markers. A total of 22 QTLs were identified for various traits, among which 19 were found distributed in four hotspots. A total of 11 major effect QTLs and 11 minor effect QTLs were identified for various internode length-related traits. Among the four QTLs identified for PFL, three QTLs—qPFL1.1, qPFL1.2, and qPFL2.1—co-localized with previously reported QTLs, while qPFL8.1 was a novel QTL. A major QTL hotspot was identified on chromosome 1, located at the marker interval of RM12055-RM320. The size of the major QTL hotspot on chromosome 1 was 1.4 Mb and contained a total of seven HEs for PER, PFL, PH, PL, UIL, SIL, and TIL. Based on the in-silico analysis of the major QTL hotspot on chromosome 1, we identified 15 putative candidate genes associated with internode length- and panicle-related traits. Furthermore, narrowing the genomic region through the fine mapping of the marker intervals facilitated the identification of candidate genes to enable more precise marker-assisted selection for uppermost internode length and panicle exsertion.
Clinical value of esketamine combined with ropivacaine in rebound pain after brachial plexus block in patients with upper limb fractures
Authors: Zhu Shiyao , Wang Dan , Gao Haiyan , Heng Lei , Shui Weikang , Zhu Shanshan
Published: November 2024

Objective

To analyze the clinical value of the combination of esketamine and ropivacaine in alleviating rebound pain in patients with upper limb fractures following brachial plexus block.

Methods

A total of 149 patients with unilateral upper limb fractures who underwent open reduction and internal fixation surgery under brachial plexus block anesthesia from November 2021 to August 2022 were selected as the subjects for the study and randomly divided into the esketamine group (RNK group) and the ropivacaine group (R group). The incidence of rebound pain at 48 h postoperatively, intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR), the onset time and duration of blockade, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for pain at rest and with activity during the perioperative period, the dosage, numbers of compressions, and effective compressions of postoperative patient-controlled analgesia with sufentanil, and occurrence of adverse reactions were assessed and compared between the two groups.

Results

The incidence of rebound pain in the RNK group was lower than that in the R group (P < 0.05). The RNK group exhibited higher MAP and HR at 5 min and 10 min after anesthesia compared to the R group (P < 0.05). The RNK group had faster onset time and longer duration of sensory and motor blockade compared to the R group (P < 0.05). The NRS scores at rest and with activity at 12 h and 24 h postoperatively in the RNK group were lower than those in the R group (P < 0.05). The total numbers of compressions, effective numbers of compressions, and dosage of sufentanil postoperatively were lower in the RNK group compared to the R group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions in the RNK group did not differ significantly from that in the R group (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

The combination of esketamine and ropivacaine demonstrates a favorable preventive effect on rebound pain in patients with upper limb fractures following brachial plexus block, which is conducive to reducing the incidence of rebound pain, shortening the onset time of blockade, and prolonging the duration of blockade.

Clinical Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier (ChiCTR2100053035).
Zoonoses in dog and cat shelters in North-East Italy: update on emerging, neglected and known zoonotic agents
Authors: Mazzotta Elisa , Lucchese Laura , Corrò Michela , Ceglie Letizia , Danesi Patrizia , Capello Katia , Natale Alda
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Shelters for stray dogs and cats deserve careful monitoring for zoonotic risk, as they represent a crucial point for prevention and control of infection spread. Data sorting to prioritize zoonotic agents in a geographic area need constant updating, but no regular official programs are ongoing, to allow an efficient risk survey for these animal species. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation of the prevalence of certain known, potential and emerging zoonoses within the framework of the routine monitoring of dog and cat shelters in North-East Italy.

Methods

A total of 389 cats and 257 dogs housed in public veterinary services shelters and feline colonies were included in the present investigation. The animals originated from the provinces of Padua, Venice, Rovigo, Vicenza, Verona, Trento and Bolzano. Serological, molecular and microbiological diagnostics were implemented to investigate the prevalence of Leptospira sp., Brucella canis, Leishmania infantum, dermatophytes, gastrointestinal parasites, antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, Capnocytophaga sp., Bartonella sp., Norovirus, Rotavirus A, Cowpox virus, Mammalian Orthoreovirus, Hepatitis E virus, SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A virus.

Results

Data about some known zoonoses (e.g., serological positivity of Leishmania infantum 25% and Leptospira sp. 44.3% in dogs, and Bartonella henselae 70% in cats) resulted aligned with previous research and recent reports, whereas there was a notable occurrence of some potential, emerging and neglected pathogens (e.g., Mammalian Orthoreovirus 0.38% in dogs and 2.83% in cats). For some other agents (e.g., dermatophytes in dogs and in cats) the prevalence resulted lower than expected.

Discussion

The prevention of the zoonotic risk requires a re-examination of the complex interaction between humans, animals, and environment. This is of particular importance in settings like companion animal shelters, which serve as key sites for disease monitoring and zoonotic risk mitigation. The study highlights the need to monitor and prioritize the zoonotic pathogens, to implement and constantly update surveillance and specific training programs for the kennels’ operators, and management of epidemiological risks.
Effects of fermented rice husk powder on growth performance, rumen fermentation, and rumen microbial communities in fattening Hu sheep
Authors: Cheng Yanming , Zhang Han , Zhang Jiawei , Duan Hongwei , Yin Yuyang , Li Yufeng , Mao Shengyong
Published: November 2024

Introduction

This study aimed to examine the effects of fermented rice husk powder feed on growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, and rumen microbial communities in fattening Hu sheep.

Methods

Twenty-one male Hu sheep with similar body weights (32.68 ± 1.59 kg) were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group (CON) receiving a TMR with soybean straw, a rice husk powder group (RH), and a fermented rice husk powder group (FHR).

Results

The results indicated that the FHR group exhibited a significant increase in ADG and FBW of Hu sheep compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05). The digestibility of CP and EE was significantly higher in the CON and FHR groups than in the RH group (p < 0.01). Furthermore, the digestibility of DM in the CON group was higher than in the FHR and RH groups (p < 0.01). The FHR group showed lower NDF and ADF digestibility compared to the CON group, but higher than the RH group (p < 0.05). Additionally, serum ALB and ALT levels in the CON group were elevated compared to those in the two groups (p < 0.05). The rumen concentrations of TVFA, butyrate, and valerate in the FHR group were significantly elevated compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the relative abundances of Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group, Succinimonas, UCG-010_norank, UCG-005, p-251-o5_norank, and Lachnospiraceae AC2044 group were significantly diminished in the FHR group compared to the CON group (p < 0.05). In contrast, the relative abundance of Succinivibrio was significantly higher (p < 0.05), while the abundances of Eubacterium coprostanoligenes group_norank and Quinella were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the RH group compared to the CON group. Spearman correlation analysis revealed negative correlations between the Rikenellaceae RC9 gut group and propionate, butyrate, and TVFA, as well as between Prevotellaceae UCG-003 and both propionate and TVFA. Conversely, Ruminococcus showed a positive correlation with propionate and TVFA.

Discussion

In conclusion, replacing 15% of soybean straw with fermented rice husk powder feed modified the rumen microbiota and improved the growth performance of fattening Hu sheep.
Longitudinal serological and virological survey of hepatitis E virus in wild boar (Sus scrofa majori, Maremman wild boar) and fallow deer (Dama dama) populations in a protected area of Central Italy
Authors: De Sabato Luca , Domanico Mariagiovanna , De Santis Paola , Cecca Daniele , Bonella Giulia , Mastrandrea Giovanni , Onorati Roberta , Sorbara Luigi , Varcasia Bianca Maria , Franzetti Barbara , Caprioli Andrea , Battisti Antonio , Ostanello Fabio , Di Bartolo Ilaria
Published: November 2024

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is recognized as an emerging zoonosis. Pigs and wild boars are considered the main reservoirs of zoonotic HEV-3 and HEV-4 genotypes. In Europe, autochthonous human cases of hepatitis E, mainly associated with HEV-3 and consumption of raw or undercooked pig and wild boar liver/meat, have increased over the last decades. From 2016 to 2024, during several hunting seasons, we conducted a molecular and serological longitudinal survey on the circulation of HEV in Maremman wild boar (Italian subspecies/ecotype, Sus scrofa majori) and fallow deer (Dama dama) populations in a protected area in Central Italy. During the study period, 346 livers (256 from wild boar, 90 from fallow deer), 161 serum (127 from wild boar, 34 from fallow deer), and 23 meat juice (11 from wild boar, 12 from fallow deer) samples were collected. Serum and meat juice samples were tested using a commercial ELISA test for the detection of total anti-HEV antibodies. An estimated serological prevalence of 28.3% (39/138) in wild boar and 21.7% (10/46) in fallow deer was found. The 346 liver samples were tested using a HEV Real-Time RT-PCR for the detection of HEV-RNA. Thirty-one wild boar (12%) and four fallow deer (4.4%) livers were found positive. Phylogenetic analysis of 11 partial ORF2 sequences from wild boar confirmed the HEV3 heterogeneity in this species, revealing different strains (3f, 3c) circulating over the years. The detected subtypes are among the most commonly detected in Italy and our strains showed a high correlation with human and wild boar Italian strains. Although the studied area is a fenced natural reserve, the presence of different strains over time suggests the probable virus introduction from the external. Our results confirm fallow deer susceptibility to the infection, and that wild boar could be considered the main wild HEV reservoir. This is also the first study demonstrating the infection in the so-called Italian subspecies/ecotype Maremman wild boar. Moreover, our results corroborate that the consumption of undercooked or raw liver from both wild boar and fallow deer, or the direct contact with these animals, could represent a zoonotic risk.
Ecological and Health Risk Assessment of Metals in Organic and Conventional Peruvian Coffee from a Probabilistic Approach
Authors: Guadalupe Grobert A. , García Ligia , Chavez Segundo G. , Doménech Eva
Published: November 2024

This study aims to understand the risks posed by metals in Peruvian coffee plantations to human health and environmental integrity, ensuring the protection of local communities and the ecosystems reliant on this agricultural activity. To assess the contamination levels, arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and lead (Pb) were surveyed in the soil, roots, and parchment coffee beans cultivated in Amazonas and San Martin regions, using both conventional and organic cultivation. Results showed that As was the metal with the highest concentration in soil (52.37 ± 21.16 mg/kg), roots (11.27 ± 2.3 mg/kg), and coffee beans (10.19 ± 1.69 mg/kg), followed by Cr in soil (22.36 ± 11.47 mg/kg) and roots (8.17 ± 3.85 mg/kg) and Pb in beans (0.7 ± 0.05 mg/kg). Cd was only detected in soil (1.70 ± 1.73 mg/kg). The bioaccumulation (BAF) findings suggest that roots and coffee beans have a low capacity to accumulate As, Cd, Ni, and Pb, but they have the potential capacity to accumulate Cr. The translocation factor (TF) indicated that all values were less than one, except for As from San Martin in conventional and organic cultivation. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) showed that the soil was unpolluted for Cr, Ni, and Pb but was polluted to different extents for As and Cd. Similarly, the ecological risk (ER) pointed to a low risk for Cr, Ni, and Pb and values from low to considered risk for As and Cd depending on the region and cultivation system. Hazard index (adults: 1.68 × 10−3, children: 9.26 × 10−3) and cancer risk (adults: 1.84 × 10−7, children: 2.51 × 10−7) indicated a low risk for humans via ingestion, dermal contact, and inhalation.
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Reveals a Tissue-Specific Pathway Involved in Nitrogen Utilization Between Genotypes with Different Nitrogen Use Efficiencies in Tea Plants (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Wang Min , Sun Kangwei , Qin Xujun , Gong Shuting , Li Zhipeng , Fan Kai
Published: November 2024

Nitrogen (N) is a key nutrient which affects plant development and quality formation for tea plants. Notable genetic variation in nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) has been reported among different genotypes of Camellia sinensis. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences have not been illuminated. In this study, a 15N tracing method was used to compare nitrogen use efficiency among six genotypes. The results show that there were significant differences in the NUEs among these genotypes. Among them, TC12 had the highest NUE, while LJCY had the lowest NUE. Transcriptome analysis between these two cultivars showed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in photosynthesis—antenna proteins and zeatin biosynthesis in mature leaves and new shoots, respectively. TC12 had higher expression levels of AMT1.2, NRT2.4, and NRT3.2 in the roots, AAP6 and AAP7 in the stems and shoots, and LHC in the mature leaves than LJCY. The expression of ZOG1 and CKX, which are involved in zeatin biosynthesis, was down-regulated in the shoots of TC12 compared with LJCY. These findings will contribute to insights into the molecular mechanism of nitrogen utilization and the identified candidate genes provide a genetic resource for improving N use efficiency in tea plants.
Sex-Dimorphic Differential Expression Profiles in the Brain of the Adult Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis
Authors: Liu Pan , Liu Yanchao , Zhu Junxian , Chen Chen , Ji Liqin , Liu Xiaoli , Hong Xiaoyou , Wei Chengqing , Zhu Xinping , Xu Qiaoqing , Zhou Jiang , Li Wei
Published: November 2024

The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is an economically important species in aquaculture, and its growth pattern is characterized by significant sexual dimorphism. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this phenomenon have mostly been investigated in the gonadal tissues of P. sinensis, and there are no articles on sex differentiation from the brain of P. sinensis. Here, we analyzed transcriptomes of the brains of adult male and female P. sinensis using high-throughput Illumina sequencing technology, establishing a set of differential genes and differential transcription factors. The data showed that there were 908 genes with significant differences in expression, of which 357 genes were up-regulated and 551 genes were down-regulated. We annotated using Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), and screened some genes and pathways related to growth. There were 282 growth-related differential genes and 181 sex-related differential genes. We screened the genes’ growth hormone receptor (GHR) and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), which may be related to the growth of P. sinensis. The pathways related to the growth and development of P. sinensis are the growth hormone synthesis, secretion, and action pathway; the MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway; and the calcium signaling pathway. In addition, through gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), we screened out two genes, LIM homeobox protein 1 (LHX1) and fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7), which are related to both growth and sex differentiation, and through protein interaction analysis of these genes, we screened out eight genes, including LHX1, FGF7, GHR, fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4), EGFR, BMP3, GLI family zinc finger 2 (GLI2), and neuronal differentiation 1 (NEUROD1), and verified the expression levels of these eight genes in the brain of the P. sinensis by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR), which supported the reliability and accuracy of our transcriptome analysis. Our study provides a solid foundation for analyzing the mechanisms of sexual-dimorphic growth of P. sinensis and even other turtles.
Deciphering Seasonal Patterns in Animal Feeding: A Mechanistic Approach to Analyzing the Restricted Growth of Iberian Pigs
Authors: Sánchez-Esquiliche Fernando , Ferreira Chelo , Nieto Rosa , Ramírez Luisa , Matos Gema , Muniesa Ana
Published: November 2024

The growth of animals is influenced by various factors including genetics, nutrition, and environmental conditions. This study focuses on understanding the traditional growth phases of Iberian pigs raised in semi-free-range environments prior to the finishing period within the Mediterranean forest. Using a comprehensive dataset of 5329 pigs, we evaluated the abilities of several mathematical models to predict growth patterns during the early growing and pre-finishing phases. The Gompertz model demonstrated the best fit for the age–weight relationship, indicating its effectiveness in characterizing growth dynamics in these animals. A novel compartmental mathematical model was developed, which integrates age-based estimations for certain body components (protein, water, and ash) with linear body weight predictions for fat. Our findings indicate that this mechanistic model serves as an effective tool for understanding and optimizing management strategies and enhancing growth predictions in traditional pig breeds.
Development of a Rapid Visual Detection Assay for Duck Tembusu Virus Using RT-LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12a
Authors: Chen Jimin , Tao Dagang , Yang Fan , Pan Chengfu , Bao Xinguo , Xie Shengsong , Gong Ping , Zhao Changzhi , Lin Ruiyi
Published: November 2024

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) is an emerging flavivirus that has inflicted significant economic losses on China’s poultry industry. Rapid and accurate detection of DTMUV is crucial for effective prevention and control measures. In this study, we developed a novel, rapid visual detection assay that combines reverse transcriptase loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) with the CRISPR/Cas12a system for on-site detection of DTMUV. Our results demonstrate that this assay can sensitively and specifically detect the specific DNA plasmids containing the DTMUV NS3 gene within 100 min, with a limit of detection as low as 19.3 copies/μL. We successfully applied the RT-LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12a assay to diagnose DTMUV in eight duck embryos and 11 chicken embryonic fibroblast samples, and the results obtained with direct visualization by the naked eye were consistent with those obtained using real-time RT-PCR. Overall, our RT-LAMP-CRISPR/Cas12a assay is a reliable, sensitive, specific, and user-friendly method that holds great promise for early on-site detection of DTMUV in clinical samples, facilitating timely interventions and improved disease management in the poultry industry.