bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of frailty index with congestive heart failure, all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among individuals with type 2 diabetes: a study from National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), 1999–2018
Authors: Qin Yu-Nan , Zheng Xiao-Pu
Published: October 2023

Background

Both type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and frailty are strongly associated with congestive heart failure (CHF). Individuals with T2DM and CHF have a high frailty burden. The association of frailty with HF, all-cause, and cardiovascular mortality in patients with T2DM has not been thoroughly explored.

Methods

This study included 2894 adults with T2DM from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database over ten cycles (1999–2018) and followed up for all-cause and cardiovascular mortality through 31 December 2019. The frailty index (FI) was calculated using a 46-item deficit model to assess frailty status. Weighted multivariable logistic regression was performed to explore the relationship between frailty and CHF in patients with T2DM. Weighted restricted cubic splines were used to evaluate the non-linear relationship between FI and outcome. All-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality association with FI was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier curve and COX proportional hazards regression accounting for sampling weights. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to evaluate the robustness of the results.

Results

After the adjustment of essential confounders, a higher frailty index in T2DM was associated with increased odds of CHF (odds ratio [OR] for per 1-SD increase, 2.02, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.67–2.45;P < 0.0001). The presence of frailty T2DM (OR, 3.60; 95% CI 2.34–5.54;P < 0.0001) was associated with a significant increase in the prevalence of CHF compared to non-frailty T2DM in a fully adjusted model. During the median follow-up of 6.75 years, per 1-SD increase in FI was associated with a 41% higher risk of all-cause mortality and a 30% higher risk of cardiovascular mortality after being adjusted for all confounders. Similar results were observed when sensitivity analyses were performed. There was also a non-linear relationship between FI and all-cause mortality. In a weighted multivariate COX proportional model adjusted for full confounders, frailty T2DM increased all-cause (HR, 1.86; 95% CI 1.55–2.24;P < 0.0001) and cardiovascular (HR 1.66; 95% CI 1.18–2.33;P = 0.003) mortality and compared to non-frailty T2DM. The positive association of frailty index and all-cause mortality was only in participants without CHF. The positive association of frailty index and cardiovascular mortality was only in non-anti-diabetic drug users.

Conclusions

Frailty index in T2DM was positively associated with CHF in linear fashions. The Frailty index was positively correlated with all-cause and cardiovascular death in patients with T2DM. Frailty T2DM was positively associated with CHF, all-cause mortality, and cardiovascular mortality compared to non-frailty T2DM. Promoting frailty measurement and management in T2DM may be beneficial to reduce the burden of CHF and mortality.
Co-designing community-based interventions to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR): what to include and why
Authors: Mitchell Jessica , Arjyal Abriti , Baral Sushil , Barrington Dani , Cooke Paul , Fieroze Fariza , Huque Rumana , Hamade Prudence , Hawkings Helen , Jones Nichola , Latham Sophia , Parajuli Ayuska , Saify Md Badruddin , King Rebecca ,   the CE4AMR network
Published: October 2023

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a social and biological problem. Although resistance to antimicrobials is a natural phenomenon, many human behaviors are increasing the pressure on microbes to develop resistance which is resulting in many commonly used treatments becoming ineffective. These behaviors include unregulated use of antimicrobial medicines, pesticides and agricultural chemicals, the disposal of heavy metals and other pollutants into the environment, and human-induced climatic change. Addressing AMR thus calls for changes in the behaviors which drive resistance. Community engagement for antimicrobial resistance (CE4AMR) is an international and interdisciplinary network focused on tackling behavioural drivers of AMR at community level. Since 2019 this network has worked within Low-Middle Income Countries (LMICs), predominantly within Southeast Asia, to tackle behavioral drivers of AMR can be mitigated through bottom-up solutions championed by local people. This commentary presents seven Key Concepts identified from across the CE4AMR portfolio as integral to tackling AMR. We suggest it be used to guide future interventions aimed at addressing AMR via social, participatory, and behavior-change approaches.
Sex-specific role of galectin-3 in aortic stenosis
Authors: Matilla Lara , Martín-Núñez Ernesto , Garaikoetxea Mattie , Navarro Adela , Tamayo Ibai , Fernández-Celis Amaya , Gainza Alicia , Fernández-Irigoyen Joaquín , Santamaría Enrique , Muntendam Pieter , Álvarez Virginia , Sádaba Rafael , Jover Eva , López-Andrés Natalia
Published: October 2023

Background

Aortic stenosis (AS) is characterized by inflammation, fibrosis, osteogenesis and angiogenesis. Men and women develop these mechanisms differently. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a pro-inflammatory and pro-osteogenic lectin in AS. In this work, we aim to analyse a potential sex-differential role of Gal-3 in AS.

Methods

226 patients (61.50% men) with severe AS undergoing surgical aortic valve (AV) replacement were recruited. In AVs, Gal-3 expression and its relationship with inflammatory, osteogenic and angiogenic markers was assessed. Valve interstitial cells (VICs) were primary cultured to perform in vitro experiments.

Results

Proteomic analysis revealed that intracellular Gal-3 was over-expressed in VICs of male AS patients. Gal-3 secretion was also higher in men’s VICs as compared to women’s. In human AVs, Gal-3 protein levels were significantly higher in men, with stronger immunostaining in VICs with myofibroblastic phenotype and valve endothelial cells. Gal-3 levels in AVs were positively correlated with inflammatory markers in both sexes. Gal-3 expression was also positively correlated with osteogenic markers mainly in men AVs, and with angiogenic molecules only in this sex. In vitro,Gal-3 treatment induced expression of inflammatory, osteogenic and angiogenic markers in male’s VICs, while it only upregulated inflammatory and osteogenic molecules in women-derived cells. Gal-3 blockade with pharmacological inhibitors (modified citrus pectin and G3P-01) prevented the upregulation of inflammatory, osteogenic and angiogenic molecules.

Conclusions

Gal-3 plays a sex-differential role in the setting of AS, and it could be a new sex-specific therapeutic target controlling pathological features of AS in VICs.

Graphical Abstract
Predictors of cervical tumour size for outpatients with cervical cancer at the University of Gondar referral hospital: a retrospective study design
Authors: Gashu Chalachew , Aguade Aragaw Eshetie
Published: October 2023

Background

Cervical cancer is one of the most serious threats to women's lives. Modelling the change in tumour size over time for outpatients with cervical cancer was the study's main goal.

Methods

A hospital conducted a retrospective cohort study with outpatients who had cervical cancer. The information about the tumour size was taken from the patient's chart and all patient data records between May 20, 2017, and May 20, 2021. The data cover 322 cervical cancer outpatients' basic demographic and medical information. When analysing longitudinal data, the linear mixed effect model and the connection between tumour sizes in outpatients were taken into consideration. A linear mixed model, a random intercept model, and a slope model were used to fit the data.

Result

A sample of 322 cervical cancer outpatients was examined, and 148 (or 46% of the outpatients) tested positive for HIV. The linear mixed model with a first-order autoregressive covariance structure revealed that a change in time of one month led to a 0.009 cm2 reduction in tumour size. For every kilogramme more in weight, the tumour size change in cervical cancer patients decreased considerably by 0.0098 cm2. The tumour size change in the cervical cancer patient who was HIV-positive was 0.4360 cm squared greater than that in the HIV-negative outpatients.

Conclusion

As a consequence, there was a significant association between the longitudinal change in tumour size and the predictor variables visit time, therapy, patient weight, cancer stage, HIV, oral contraceptive use, history of abortion, and smoking status.
Two murine models of sepsis: immunopathological differences between the sexes—possible role of TGFβ1 in female resistance to endotoxemia
Authors: Bojalil Rafael , Ruíz-Hernández Armando , Villanueva-Arias Arturo , Amezcua-Guerra Luis Manuel , Cásarez-Alvarado Sergio , Hernández-Dueñas Ana María , Rodríguez-Galicia Verónica , Pavón Lenin , Marquina Brenda , Becerril-Villanueva Enrique , Hernández-Pando Rogelio , Márquez-Velasco Ricardo
Published: October 2023

Endotoxic shock (ExSh) and cecal ligature and puncture (CLP) are models that induce sepsis. In this work, we investigated early immunologic and histopathologic changes induced by ExSh or CLP models in female and male mice. Remarkable results showed that females supported twice the LD100 of LPS for males, CLP survival and CFU counts were similar between genders, high circulating LPS levels in ExSh mice and low levels of IgM anti-LPS in males. In the serum of ExSh males, TNF and IL-6 increased in the first 6 h, in CLP males at 12 h. In the liver of ExSh mice, TNF increased at 1.5 and 12 h, IL-1 at 6 h. TGFβ1 increased in females throughout the study and at 12 h in males. In CLP mice, IL-6 decreased at 12 h, TGFβ1 increased at 6–12 h in males and at 12 h in females. In the lungs of ExSh males, IL-1β increased at 1.5-6 h and TGFβ1 at 12 h; in females, TNF decrease at 6 h and TGFβ1 increased from 6 h; in CLP females, TNF and IL-1β decreased at 12 h and 1.5 h, respectively, and TGFβ1 increased from 6 h; in males, TGFβ1 increased at 12 h. In the livers of ExSh mice, signs of inflammation were more common in males; in the CLP groups, inflammation was similar but less pronounced. ExSh females had leucocytes with TGFβ1. The lungs of ExSh males showed patches of hyaline membranes and some areas of inflammatory cells, similar but fewer and smaller lesions were seen in male mice with CLP. In ExSh females, injuries were less extent than in males, similar pulmonary lesions were seen in female mice with CLP. ExSh males had lower levels of TGFβ1 than females, and even lower levels were seen in CLP males. We conclude that the ExSh was the most lethal model in males, associated with high levels of free LPS, low IgM anti-LPS, exacerbated inflammation and target organ injury, while females showed early TGFβ1 production in the lungs and less tissue damage. We didn't see any differences between CLP mice.
Exploration of phyllosphere microbiomes in wheat varieties with differing aphid resistance
Authors: Li Xinan , Wang Chao , Zhu Xun , Ntoukakis Vardis , Cernava Tomislav , Jin Decai
Published: October 2023

Background

Leaf-associated microbes play an important role in plant development and response to exogenous stress. Insect herbivores are known to alter the phyllosphere microbiome. However, whether the host plant’s defense against insects is related to the phyllosphere microbiome remains mostly elusive. Here, we investigated bacterial communities in the phyllosphere and endosphere of eight wheat cultivars with differing aphid resistance, grown in the same farmland.

Results

The bacterial community in both the phyllosphere and endosphere showed significant differences among most wheat cultivars. The phyllosphere was connected to more complex and stable microbial networks than the endosphere in most wheat cultivars. Moreover, the genera Pantoea, Massilia, and Pseudomonas were found to play a major role in shaping the microbial community in the wheat phyllosphere. Additionally, wheat plants showed phenotype-specific associations with the genera Massilia and Pseudomonas. The abundance of the genus Exiguobacterium in the phyllosphere exhibited a significant negative correlation with the aphid hazard grade in the wheat plants.

Conclusion

Communities of leaf-associated microbes in wheat plants were mainly driven by the host genotype. Members of the genus Exiguobacterium may have adverse effects on wheat aphids. Our findings provide new clues supporting the development of aphid control strategies based on phyllosphere microbiome engineering.
Diagnostic performance of short noncontrast biparametric 3-T MRI for tonsillar infections: comparison with a full protocol including contrast-enhanced sequences
Authors: Vierula Jari-Pekka , Nurminen Janne , Jussila Ville , Nyman Mikko , Heikkinen Jaakko , Pape Bernd , Sorvettula Kaarlo , Mattila Kimmo , Hirvonen Jussi
Published: October 2023

Background

We investigated whether a short, 5-min magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol consisting of only axial T2-weighted and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences can discriminate between tonsillar infections, peritonsillar abscesses and deeply extending abscesses in a retrospective, blinded, multireader setting.

Methods

We included patients sent by emergency physicians with suspected pharyngotonsillar infections who underwent emergency neck 3-T MRI from April 1 2013 to December 31 2018. Three radiologists (with 10−16 years of experience) reviewed the images for abscesses and their extension into deep neck spaces. Data were reviewed first using only axial T2-weighted Dixon images and DWI (short protocol) and second including other sequences and contrast-enhanced T1-weighted Dixon images (full protocol). Diagnostic accuracy, interobserver agreement, and reader confidence were measured. Surgical findings and clinical course served as standard of reference.

Results

The final sample consisted of 52 patients: 13 acute tonsillitis with no abscesses, 19 peritonsillar abscesses, and 20 deeply extending abscesses. Using the short protocol, diagnostic accuracy for abscesses across all readers was good-to-excellent: sensitivity 0.93 (95% confidence interval 0.87−0.97), specificity 0.85 (0.70−0.93), accuracy 0.91 (0.85−0.95). Using the full protocol, respective values were 0.98 (0.93−1.00), 0.85 (0.70−0.93), and 0.95 (0.90−0.97), not significantly different compared with the short protocol. Similar trends were seen with detecting deep extension. Interobserver agreement was similar between protocols. However, readers had higher confidence in diagnosing abscesses using the full protocol.

Conclusions

Short MRI protocol showed good-to-excellent accuracy for tonsillar abscesses. Contrast-enhanced images improved reader confidence but did not affect diagnostic accuracy or interobserver agreement.

Relevance statement

Short protocol consisting only of T2-weighted Dixon and DWI sequences can accurately image tonsillar abscesses, which may improve feasibility of emergency neck MRI.

Key points

• The short 3-T MRI protocol (T2-weighted images and DWI) was faster (5 min) than the full protocol including T1-weighted contrast-enhanced images (24 min).

• The short 3-T MRI protocol showed good diagnostic accuracy for pharyngotonsillar abscesses.

• Contrast-enhanced sequences improved reader confidence but did not impact diagnostic accuracy or interobserver agreement.

Graphical Abstract
Changes in the profile of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and related neuroimaging findings during the first and second waves: a South Indian perspective
Authors: Monachen Matthew , Jasper Anitha , Mannam Pavithra , Aaron Sanjith , Sivadasan Ajith , Prabhakar A. T. , Vanjare Harshad , Selvi Bernice T.
Published: October 2023

Background

The spectrum of COVID-19 infection-related neurological imaging findings in East Asian and Western populations has been well documented. In the Indian subcontinent, certain extracranial neurological imaging manifestations such as acute invasive fungal sinusitis were noted to occur with increasing frequency when compared to that reported in literature. This anomaly was more evident during the second wave of infection and since there is a paucity of literature documenting this change, we undertook this retrospective observational study.

Results

Patients with COVID-19 who underwent brain or spine imaging between 1st March 2020 and 31st May 2021 were assessed for inclusion. We considered cases with imaging done in 2020 as the 1st wave, and cases with imaging done in 2021 as the 2nd wave. In the first wave, the most common neuroimaging findings were ischemic stroke (82, 26.5%), acute invasive fungal sinusitis (34, 11%), dural venous sinus thrombosis (15, 4.9%), and brain hemorrhages (15, 4.9%). In the second wave, the most common were acute invasive fungal sinusitis (44, 21.9%), ischemic stroke (39, 19.4%), and noninvasive sinusitis (30, 14.9%). The second wave had significantly more cases of acute invasive fungal sinusitis (44, 21.9% vs. 34, 11%; p-value .001), noninvasive sinusitis, and orbital cellulitis when compared to the first wave.

Conclusions

While we had ischemic stroke, followed by acute invasive fungal sinusitis, dural venous sinus thrombosis, and brain hemorrhages as the most common neuroimaging findings in the first wave, the second wave was dominated by the extracranial complications of Mucormycosis, namely acute invasive fungal sinusitis.
The application of dual-phase enhanced CT scan in distinguishing adrenal ganglioneuromas from adrenal lipid-poor adenomas
Authors: Yu Huajun , Wang Jian , Niu Zhongfeng , Shao Meihua
Published: October 2023

Background

The utility of dual-phase enhanced computerized tomography (CT) scan in distinguishing adrenal ganglioneuromas from lipid-poor adenomas has not been reported. We aimed to retrospectively compare dual-phase enhanced CT findings which were helpful in distinguishing adrenal ganglioneuromas from adrenal lipid-poor adenomas.

Methods

We estimated the dual-phase enhanced CT findings of 258 adrenal masses (42 ganglioneuromas, 216 lipid-poor adenomas) in 258 patients from July 2008 to July 2020 with ganglioneuromas and July 2016 to July 2020 with lipid-poor adenomas. The CT features between ganglioneuromas and lipid-poor adenomas were compared using independent two-sample t test, Mann–Whitney test, and ROC analysis.

Results

Significant differences were detected in CT value of unenhanced (CTU), CT value of arterial phase (CTA), CT value of venous phase (CTV), degree of enhancement in arterial phase, degree of enhancement in portal venous phase, age, tumor size [longest dimension, shortest dimension, mean dimension], shape, calcification between the ganglioneuroma and lipid-poor adenoma groups (P < 0.05). The results of receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analyses showed that areas under ROC curves of CTU, CTA and CTV were 0.713, 0.878, and 0.914, respectively. When the cut-off values were set at 22.5 HU, 51.5 HU, and 53.5 HU for CTU, CTA, and CTV, respectively, the three parameters had a sensitivity of 46.8%, 67.6%, and 88.0% and a specificity of 100%, 100%, and 88.1% in distinguishing ganglioneuromas from lipid-poor adenomas.

Conclusions

Dual-phase enhanced abdominal CT can exhibit some of the primary imaging characteristics of ganglioneuromas and lipid-poor adenomas used to distinguish between these two entities.
Multi-phasic magnetic resonance imaging of hemodynamic interchanges in hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Elzeneini Ahmed Mahmoud , Abdelmohsen Mohsen Ahmed , Yousef Mohamed Ibrahim
Published: October 2023

Background

Liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular cancer deem a substantial global health burden and are the end result of a variety of chronic liver diseases. Guidelines have been introduced to secure standardized approaches in the diagnosis and management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Established guidelines agree upon the distinctive dynamic enhancement findings of HCC, characterized by arterial phase wash-in and venous or delayed phase washout. The indeterminate focal hepatic lesions constitute a diagnostic dilemma. The aim of the study was quantification of hepatic vascular parameters using dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE)-MRI to study liver hemodynamic disturbances that can differentiate between focal hepatic lesions during hepatocellular carcinogenesis.

Results

The study was conducted on 95 patients with comparing perfusion abnormalities across different liver cirrhosis pathologies, and the comparison revealed the correlation of hemodynamics with hepatocarcinogenesis and grades of cirrhosis. Relative enhancement curves were graphed to illustrate the different enhancement patterns across the spectrum of hepatonodular lesions of cirrhosis and among types of de novo and recurrent HCC. Statistical significance was highest between dysplastic nodules (DNs) and HCCs (maximal relative enhancement (MRE) 0.88, wash-in ratio (WIR) 0.84, washout ratio (WOR) 0.78, time to peak (TTP) 0.74, area under curve (AUC 0.73, T0 0.70), compared to those between cirrhotic liver and DNs (MRE 0.74, To 0.62). Least significances were between de novo and recurrent HCCs (TTP 0.66, r AUC 0.66, MRE 0.63). Performances between non-cirrhotic and cirrhotic liver [WOR 0.81, time to peak (TTP) 0.80, r AUC 0.63] surpassed those among different grades of cirrhosis (the highest was between non-tumoral and tumoral cirrhosis: TTP 0.74, MRE 0.68, WIR 0.65, WOR 0.65).

Conclusions

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging hemodynamic metrics promise potential usefulness as non-invasive biomarkers in assessment of liver cirrhosis, characterization of cirrhotic nodules, and evaluation of multistep hepatocarcinogenesis.
The museum method of reusing Shanghai waterfront industrial heritage: continuation and reconstruction of urban memory
Authors: Luo Lan , Cao Yongkang
Published: October 2023

In the context of transforming traditional labour-intensive industries into the service economy in China, the reuse of industrial heritage as museums has become a trend, for example, along Shanghai waterfronts, gradually fuelling the continuation of urban memory, reshaping urban cultural identity and promoting the development of the waterfront economy. Additionally, the connotation of a museum is continually being expanded from an institution to a method, and the major function is gradually shifting from collection to display. Previous studies on Shanghai waterfront industrial heritage have mostly referred to cultural factors, but these factors are still mainly included in macroscale large waterfront projects or microscale single practical project analyses. Mesoscale typology discussions between the two are rare. Therefore, this paper examines eleven industrial heritage sites that have been repurposed as museums along Shanghai waterfronts to analyse the urban memory elements of industrial heritage and summarise three classes of memory interpretation strategies: translating memory information, renovating memory carriers, and relating memory clues. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the study cases are discussed separately, and the following corresponding recommendations are made: 1) further enrich and balance memory interpretation strategies; 2) enhance the rationality, service, and tolerance of the “exhibition + ” mode; and 3) improve local laws and regulations related to the protection and utilisation of industrial heritage to provide references for similar reuse designs.
Deep learning for high-resolution multichannel seismic impedance inversion
Authors: Gao Yang , Li Hao , Li Guofa , Wei Pengpeng , Zhang Huiqing
Published: October 2023

Seismic impedance inversion can obtain subsurface physical properties and plays an important role in hydrocarbon and mineral exploration. Due to the inaccurate and insufficient seismic data, the inverse problem is ill posed as characterized by unreliability and nonuniqueness of solutions. Regularization techniques relying on certain prior information often are introduced to force the inverse problem to obtain stable results with predetermined characteristics. However, for complex geologic conditions, these methods usually have difficulty achieving satisfactory accuracy and resolution. We develop a deep-learning (DL)-based multichannel impedance inversion method that flexibly incorporates prior information by training with numerous realistic structural 2D impedance models based on the features of field data. The DL framework is supplemented by the attention mechanism and residual block to automatically learn more features and details from training data. A novel hybrid loss function, combining [Formula: see text] loss and multiscale structural similarity loss, is introduced to enhance the network’s capacity for learning structural features. Synthetic and field data examples demonstrate that our method can effectively produce inversion results with high resolution, good lateral continuity, and enhanced structural features compared with traditional methods.
A retrospective study on the isolated strains of Salmonella in poultry
Authors: Spalević L , Zdravkovic N , Zutić J , Vojinović D , Milićević V , Jezdimirović N , Kureljušić J , Radanović O
Published: October 2023

Poultry represent an important global reservoir of Salmonella. Poultry salmonellosis results in great economic losses, and some serovars also have zoonotic potential. Some poultry can be infected with Salmonella without showing clinical signs of the disease, but is, nevertheless, a significant source of spread of the infection. Clinical symptoms range from digestive problems (white diarrhea, malabsorption) to bacteremia and death. The aim of this study was to retrospectively show the presence of bacteria Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica of various serovars in poultry in the Belgrade epizootiological area in a period of six years (2014-2019). A total of 4580 samples were examined including: incubated eggs, dead chickens, broiler feces and laying hens with total of 207 positive samples. Salmonella was isolated by standard microbiological methods followed by serological typing. In the examined period, the prevalence of poultry salmonella was 4.52%. The highest number of examined samples was recorded in 2017 (879), and positive in 2018 (65), while the lowest prevalence was recorded during year 2016 with 7 positive samples. Of all isolated and serotyped Salmonella, the most commonly isolated serovar was S. Enteritidis (65.28%), followed by S. Infantis (21.30%), S. Mbandaka (6.02%), S. Senftenberg (3.24%), S. Typhimurium (1.85%), S. Agona (0.93%), S. Taksony (0.93%), and the least common is S. Tshiongwe (0.46%). The first report of serovars : S. Agona, S. Taksony and S. Tshiongwe have been during 2018. The highest number of positive specimens was found in laying hens faces (116 of 921 tested), broiler faces (73 of 1147), chickens carcasses (12 of 1443) and incubated eggs (6 of 1069). Complete eradication of Salmonella from production is a difficult goal because of the presence of a heterogeneous serovars pool and various sources of infection. Prevention is the best tool for controlling Salmonella: hygiene, biosecurity and where applicable - vaccination. It is a great responsibility of the poultry farmers to apply the existing standards and to improve the new ones.
A case of rabies outbreak in a bull-calf from Nigeria
Authors: Ahmad I , Audu SW , Kaltungo BY , Dandare SU , Muhammad U , Sadiq AY , Bawa B , Abubakar U
Published: October 2023

This paper describes a rabies outbreak in a bull-calf which led to euthanasia following manifestation of clinical signs of the disease. Infection was confirmed using a rapid immunochromatographic test of the homogenates from brain tissues (the brain stem, hippocampus and cerebellum) sample. Exposure to rabies virus (RABV) had resulted due to an attack by a free-roaming dog (FRD). Mass vaccination campaigns against rabies and improving biosecurity measures to limit access of free-roaming dogs to farms can prevent the occurrence of RABV in dogs, livestock animals and personnel at risk in Nigeria.
The Effect of Alpha Lipoic Acid on Pathogenesis of Experimental Nephrolithiasis and Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition
Authors: Kutlu T , Kazak F , Uyar A
Published: October 2023

In this study, the effects of calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystal formation on the kidneys and the effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on this process were investigated in rats. The study consists of 6 groups with 10 rats in each group. Ethylene glycol (EG) and ammonium chloride (AC) (0.75% EG + 0.75% AC) were added to the drinking water of different groups for 7 or 14 days to induce nephrolithiasis. The effects of the CaOx on the kidneys and ALA (100 mg/kg/day/orally) on this process were investigated via histopathological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical methods. In the histopathological examination, EG+AC application for both 7 and 14 days caused crystal accumulation in the tubule lumens, cystically dilated tubules, and hydropic degeneration in the tubular epithelium. However, inflammatory cell infiltration was observed merely in 14 days. In the immunohistochemical examination, when EG+AC administration  was applied for 14 days only, it caused expression of ED1, alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and vimentin in the tubulointerstitial areas. However, α-SMA and vimentin expression was not observed in tubular epithelial cells. Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) expression was also detected in the tubular epithelium and intertubular cells at 14 days. It was determined that ALA administration with EG+AC application reduced the crystal accumulation in the tubule lumens (p<0.001), the degeneration of the tubular epithelium (p<0.001), and the expression of TGF-β1. In addition, it was detected that ALA caused an increase in glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (p<0.001) and Catalase (CAT) (p>0.05) activities, which decreased with EG+AC application.
First report of detection of Canine Parvovirus type 2 in naturally infected domestic cats in Egypt by duplex PCR for simultaneous detection of Canine Parvovirus type 2 and Feline Panleukopenia virus
Authors: Magouz AF , Elkon I , Khaled E , Alkhalefa N
Published: October 2023

Feline Panleukopenia virus (FPLV) and Canine Parvovirus type 2 (CPV) cause fatal gastroenteritis in cats and dogs. In this study we developed a duplex polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) assay for the concurrent detection of FPLV and CPV-2 in a single PCR tube. Two primers were used based on nucleic acid conserved regions of the two viruses which specifically amplify 237 bp of the VP2 gene of FPLV and 583 bp of the VP2 gene of CPV 2.Sensitivity and Specificity of the dPCR were evaluated. A total of 30 rectal/fecal swabs were collected from domestic cats in Kafrelsheikh province, Egypt and were tested for FPLV and CPV-2 viruses using the dPCR assay. The results revealed that this dPCR assay was sensitive, as it could detect a minimum of 1 × 105 copies of genomic DNA of the two viruses. The dPCR assay was highly specific as there was no amplification of nucleic acid of other feline and canine pathogens. The positive ratio was 83.3% (25/30) for FPLV and 16.6% (5/30) for CPV respectively. Further analyses of CPV samples by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) revealed that they are classified as CPV 2a/2b variants. This study reports the first detection of CPV 2a/2b from symptomatic cats in Egypt using dPCR assay that can detect FPLV and CPV in a single tube reaction.
Effect of Enrichment of Laying Quail Diets with Organic Selenium on Performance and Fresh and Stored Egg Quality
Authors: Gül ET , Olgun O , Yıldız A
Published: October 2023

Selenium, which is a good antioxidant, is an essential trace mineral and its organic forms are more available than inorganic forms. Dietary deficiency or excess of this trace mineral causes health problems in poultry, and therefore the amount of selenium in the diet is controversial. The current research was carried out to determine the effect of diets enriched with organic selenium on the performance, egg quality, and stored egg properties in laying quails. In the study, 120 laying quails were allocated to six treatment groups with 20 quails in each, with five subgroups. Quails were fed for 70 days with experimental diet containing 0.12 mg/kg selenium based on corn-soybean meal enriched with the addition of organic selenium (Sel-Plex) at 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, or 1.0 mg/kg. Body weight change decreased linearly with the addition of 0.6 mg/kg and further levels of organic selenium (P<0.05). Feed intake quadratically increased with the supplementation of organic selenium up to 0.8 mg/kg, but it was minimum at 1.0 mg/kg (P<0.05). The eggshell quality parameters were not affected by the administration of organic selenium to the diet (P>0.05). Albumen pH linearly decreased with organic selenium supplementation up to the level of 0.60 mg/kg, but increased with the addition of higher levels of organic selenium (P<0.05). With the addition of organic selenium to the diet, yolk L* and b* values quadratically and linearly decreased respectively, while a* value increased linearly (P<0.01). Albumen pH value of stored eggs was linearly decreased by treatments (P<0.01), but other parameters did not affect (P>0.05). As a result, it was determined that laying quails can be fed with diets enriched with organic selenium up to 0.4 mg/kg and the eggs could maintain the freshness for a longer time in during storage.
Effects of ochratoxin on the performance, haematobiochemical profile, macroscopic and histopathological lesions in quails (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)
Authors: Ahmad F , Khan H , Khan K , Khan FA , Ahmad N , Saeed M , Ayasan T
Published: October 2023

Mycotoxins are ubiquitous in the environment and occur naturally in human food and animal feed. Therefore, in this study the performance, haematobiochemical profiles, macroscopic and histopathological lesions in quails caused by ochratoxin (OTA) were examined. The OTA was obtained by culturing the spore of Aspergillus ochraceus. Sixty healthy male quails were selected and distributed into 12 replicates (5 quails per replicate) in a completely randomized block arrangement. Each experimental diet was assigned to 4 replicate groups. Quails in first group were fed on standard basal diet (CP 27%) without the addition of OTA (OTA-0; negative control), while in other groups OTA was incorporated in basal diet at 1 mg/kg (OTA-1) and 2 mg/kg (OTA-2) of basal diet, respectively. The feeding trial continued for 21 days experimental period. Clinical signs observed in OTA-fed birds were diarrhea, broken feathers, increased water intake, and depression. In addition, lower (p < 0.05) feed intake was reported in OTA-fed quails. Likewise, weight gain was reduced (p < 0.05) in OTA-fed groups. Gross lesions of hypertrophy, hemorrhages, paleness and friability were detected in the liver and kidney of OTA-treated birds. Microscopic examination of kidney and liver showed degeneration and sloughing of tubular epithelium in the kidney, narrowing of the lumen of kidney tubules, and hepatic fatty infiltration and necrosis of liver parenchyma. The serum Alanine transaminase, Aspartate transaminase, urea, and creatinine levels of OTA-fed birds were higher (p < 0.05) than OTA-0. However, serum total protein and albumin were lower (p < 0.05) in OTA-treated groups in a dose- dependent manner. Likely, red blood cell count, packed cell volume, and hemoglobin concentration were lower (p < 0.05) in OTA-treated groups. The results of this study indicate that OTA at ≥ 1 mg/kg feed is nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic, and cause hematobiochemical disorder in quails, which adversely affect their growth performance and may eventually lead to economic losses.
Establishment of AA-NAT, SCD, PROP1, and IGFBP3 gene frequency distributions in Karacabey Merino and Kivircik Sheep Breeds
Authors: Dinçel D , Çobanoğlu Ö
Published: October 2023

Thus, the aim of the current study was to investigate the genotypic dispersion of AA-NAT, SCD, PROP1, and IGFBP3 genes in the target population. Primarily, the genomic DNA was isolated from blood samples by the phenol/chloroform method. The genomic analyses were performed on a total of 160 Karacabey Merino (KM) sheep (n=80) and Kivircik  (n=80). The PCR-RFLP method was used to determine the genotype of the SNPs. Deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and population genetic assays such as observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosities, effective allele numbers (Ne), and the polymorphism information content (PIC) were calculated for each gene in the population. As a result, there was no deviation from HWE was determined except SCD and PROP1 gene in KM. The most frequent genotypes were found AA (66,25% and 87,50%) for AA-NAT gene, CC (93,75% and 91,25%) for SCD gene and CC genotype (70,00% and 56,25%) for PROP1 gene in KM and Kivircik sheep. All breeds were detected monomorphic in terms of the IGFBP3 gene. In conclusion, the other regions of the IGFBP3 gene which were determined as monomorphic in the studied flock could be researched. Moreover, further studies should be necessary for defining the effects of investigated genes on related traits in KM and Kivircik sheep in terms of polymorphic genes specified.
Escherichia coli as Microbiological Quality Water Indicator:A High Importance for Human and Animal Health
Authors: Zarić G , Cocoli S , Šarčević D , Vještica S , Prodanović R , Puvača N , Carić M
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this review is to demonstrate the importance of monitoring microbiological quality in water for animals and humans, which relies primarily on coliforms, mostly Escherichia coli. Fecal coliforms, such as E. coli, are more specific indicators of fecal pollution. A fecal contamination detection can be performed not just in drinking water, but also in the environment. As a result of improved detection methods for E. coli, drinking water is becoming more reliable as a result of the use of E. coli as an indicator of fecal pollution. Drinking water contamination by feces is currently best detected by E. coli. Accordingly, temperate environments are more likely to have fecal coliforms than tropical environments, human and animal feces have high levels of E. coli in comparison to other fecal coliforms, and E. coli detection methods are more affordable, fast, sensitive, specific, and easy to use than other fecal coliforms.
Effects of In-Ovo Glucose and Glutamine Treatment on Hatching Efficiency, Intestinal Histomorphology and Gene Expression of Digestive Enzymes in Broiler Chicks
Authors: Cönerr F , Saçaklı P
Published: October 2023

The purpose of the present study was to identify the effects of in-ovo injection of glucose and glutamine on hatching efficiency, hatching weight, liver and residual yolk weights, intestinal histomorphology and gene expressions of digestive enzymes. On the 17th day of incubation, NaCl (0.9 %), glutamine (0.5 ml 10%), glucose (0.5 ml 0.25 g/ml), and glutamine+glucose (0.25 ml 10%+0.25 ml 0.25 g/ml) were injected into the amniotic sac. In-ovo injection of glucose, glutamine and glucose+glutamine significantly decreased hatching efficiency in glucose and glutamin+glucose groups (p<0.001). This treatment did not affect hatching weight, liver and residual yolk weight in any of the groups. When the intestinal histomorphology was evaluated, in-ovo injection was found to increase the villi height/crypt depth ratio, villus width and the number of goblet cells in the jejunum; whereas villi height, crypt depth, and tunica muscularis thickness were not significantly affected by the treatments. Moreover, the ileum histomorphology in general appear not to be affected by any of the treatments as well. In-ovo glutamine injection significantly increased Suc-Iso and mTOR gene expressions (p≤0.05) compared to the control group, whereas SGLT1 gene expression was statistically indifferent. At the end of the study, while in-ovo glucose and glutamine injection had an overall negative effect on the hatching efficiency in broiler chicks.
Effects of Calcium, Available Phosphorus and Microbial Phytase on Ovarian FSHR and LHR Expression in Laying Hens
Authors: Guler S , Asmaz ED , Saricetin A , Cengiz SS , Odabasi Erbay F , Demirkan E
Published: October 2023

Folliculogenesis, steroidogenesis, ovulation, and vitellogenesis are regulated by the effect of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary axis and these hormones act via follicle stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) in the ovary. Poultry ration and food additives are essential in the regulation of reproductive activity. Phytase is a supplement frequently added to laying hen diets to increase phosphorus (P) utilization. The aim of this study was to reveal the effects of a newly isolated microbial phytase together with different concentrations of calcium (Ca2+) and available phosphorus (AP) on ovarian FSHR and LHR expressions. For this purpose, 90 Lohmann LSL-White layers were first divided into three main diet groups (standard Ca2+ and AP, standard Ca2+ and low AP, low Ca2+ and AP) and then into three subgroups (no-phytase, commercial phytase, and microbial phytase). At the end of the experiment, all chickens were slaughtered and ovarian tissues were fixed in formalin. Routine avidin-biotin complex immunohistochemistry was performed using anti-FSHR and anti-LHR primary antibodies. Immunohistochemically, FSHR and LHR were expressed in granulosa/theca cells, oocytes, interstitial cells, and vitellus. While the expression intensity of the receptors increased in the microbial phytase-treated groups, the strongest expression was obtained in the granulosa/theca cells and oocytes in the standard Ca and low AP group. In conclusion, we suggest that the addition of newly isolated microbial phytase to diets of laying hens and feeding standard Ca and low AP may have positive effects on reproductive performance by increasing the FSHR and LHR expression in ovaries.
Effects of thyme (Thymus vulgaris), organic acid, probiotic and prebiotic on carcass characteristics and intestinal microbial population in broiler chickens fed with normal and low protein diets
Authors: Ahmadzadeh A , Nobakht A
Published: October 2023

The experiment was carried out to evaluate the effects of thyme, organic acid, probiotic and prebiotic on carcass characteristics and intestinal microbial microflora in broiler chicks in normal and low protein diets. A total of 388 Ross 308 broilers were equally assigned to 5 treatments with 4 replicates in a completely randomized design. The experimental treatments were; 1: control, 2: thyme extract (2 kg/ton), 3: organic acid (3 kg/ton), 4: probiotics (50 g/ton) and 5: prebiotics (2 kg/ton) with normal and reduced protein levels (10% lower than usual). At d 42, two chicks per replicate were randomly chosen, slaughtered and carcass percentage and carcass components percentage including a thigh, breast, liver, heart, gizzard, spleen, bursa of fabricius, abdominal fat, and intestine were determined for live weight. The results showed that using a diet with a normal level of crude protein compared to a diet with a level of crude protein lower than usual, increased the percentage of spleen and heart of chickens (P<0.05). It seems that there is a close relationship between the percentage of fat in the abdominal cavity and the ratio of energy to protein in the diet. Also, there were no significant differences between treatments and their interactions about pH content of ileum of broilers (P > 0.05). Besides, the bacterial population of ileum of treated broilers had different behavior. The ileum bacteria improved with probiotic addition and it was predictable because of beneficial bacteria inclusion to diet. Comparing the means for litter traits, no significant differences were observed between the experimental treatments with each other and with the control group (P>0.05). Totally, before the common use of additives in different types of diets of poultry nutrition, thorough investigations should be carried out on mechanisms, compatibility with other components of the diet and safety evaluation.
Occurrence and molecular characterization of Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from contaminated food samples from Palestine
Authors: Adwan G , Abuseir S , Khreishi O , Hussein A , Khraim N , Abed Al-Daym M
Published: October 2023

Salmonella is one of the most frequently isolated foodborne pathogens. It is of major public health concern worldwide. Poultry meat and eggs represent an important source of Salmonellae organism for consumer health. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium and Enteritidis using multiplex PCR (mPCR) among isolates collected from the local market and to assess genetic relationships between isolates of S. Typhimurium, which was the only serotype isolated from the tested food samples. This was done using virulence factors profiling and fingerprint profiling by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD-PCR) and repetitive sequence PCR (REP-PCR) using enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus (ERIC-PCR) and interspersed repetitive DNA sequence BOXAIR-PCR.

The overall occurrence percentage of S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis out of 51 isolates was 54.9% and 0.0%, respectively. Only 13 out of 17 virulence genes were detected in these isolates. The occurrence of the detected virulence genes among these isolates was 100%, 50.0%,46.4%, 39.3%, 35.7%, 35.7%, 32.1%, 25.0%, 25.0%, 17.6%, 14.3%, 14.3%, 3.6% for invA, sopB, prgH, sitC, pefA, tolC, cdtB, msgA, sifA, iroN, spiA, ipfC and pagC, respectively. The remaining virulence genes were absent in all of the isolates. Based on the combination of the presence and absence of virulence genes, eight profiles were detected among these isolates, the most common genetic profile was V5 (each 32.1%). Based on this genetic profile at cut-off point 96.0%, both ERIC and BOX primers allowed for discrimination into 4 and 6 clusters or clones of 16 S. Typhimurium isolates, respectively. Results of PCR typing methods showed that, three strains clustered together using both ERIC-PCR and BOX-PCR typing methods and they had the same virulotype (V1), while other four strains also clustered together by both typing methods and had the same virulotype (V8).

Contamination of food with Salmonellae especially with S. Typhimurium was high and indicated a bad microbiological quality of food. This emphasizes the need for rigorous public health and food safety methods to lower the human health hazard and risk associated with Salmonellae infection.