bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dry cow therapy with ceftiofur to prevent postpartum mastitis in Indian cattle
Authors: J Shiva Jyothi , Putty Kalyani , Y Narasimha Reddy , K Dhanalakshmi , Umair Hannan , Shende Amol , Muley Vijay
Published: October 2022

Veterinary clinicians and academicians of India have limited locally generated data on the efficacy of the antimicrobial Ceftiofur hydrochloride in dairy cattle. The present study was undertaken to study the efficacy of Ceftiofur in dry cow therapy of cross bred Indian dairy cattle. Animals in the treatment group (N=254) received 500 mg of ceftiofur into all quarters on the day of drying while the animals in the control group (N=127) were left untreated.Â It was found that 98.03%, and 96.06% of treatment, and control group animals, respectively were exhibiting intramammary infections on the day of drying. Efficacy of Ceftiofur in terms of cure rates was 70.6% by day 28 postpartum with control group showing a spontaneous cure rate of 16.39%. The proportions of new intramammary infections by day 28 postpartum were higher in control group (73.77%) in contrast to treatment group (9.23%). Our study suggests an important role of ceftiofur as an effective antimicrobial agent in dry cow therapy.
Optimisation of the ingredients for the development of low-calorie basundi
Authors: Singh Mayank , Khamrui Kaushik , Prasad Writdhama G
Published: October 2022

In the present investigation the levels of sucralose (55-75 ppm), a mixture of maltodextrin and D-sorbitol (1:1) (4-6%) and inulin (0.5-1.5%), were optimised using General Factorial Design. The combination resulting in maximum desirability of 0.851 with formulation viz., sucralose (65 ppm), a mixture of maltodextrin and D-sorbitol (5%), and inulin (1.5%) was selected as an optimised solution based on the sensorial, rheological and colour attributes of the product. The scores of quality attributes varied significantly when the level of anyone factor changed to interact with the remaining two factors. An increase in flavour score was observed with an increase in inulin level and a mix of bulking agents while a decrease in varying sucralose from 55 to 65 ppm. The decrease was due to an undesirable medicinal flavour perceived in the product. The interaction among the factors gave the unique value for which no common trend was observed. The sensory scores viz., flavour, colour and appearance, consistency and overall acceptability were 7.70, 7.69, 7.54, 7.64, respectively, and the colour attributes viz., L*, a*, b* value, whiteness and brownness index were 78.21, 1.67, 17.79, 71.79, and 29.85, respectively. The calorie content in optimized basundi was reduced to 130.71 C/100g on comparing with control basundi (189.55 C/100g). The optimised basundi contained 65.30Â±0.01% moisture, 1.11Â±0.01% fat, 8.49Â±0.32% protein, 9.22Â±0.61% lactose, 10.90Â±0.12% carbohydrates (maltodextrin), 142.12 ppm sucralose, and 1.49Â±0.18% ash. The fat content was reduced to 1.11% with the complete eradication of sucrose. Thus, the total calorie value was reduced to 58.84 C/100g. All samples had pseudoplastic flow behaviour with consistency coefficient 14.3Â±1.30 and 32.6Â±2.10 mPa.s, respectively.
Detection and quantification of anionic detergent in milk using rhodamine 6gdye and toluene solvent
Authors: Malik Ashu , Baig Mohammed Davuddin , Malik Gulshan Kumar , Khatkar Bhupendar Singh
Published: October 2022

In the present study different proportion of synthetic milk (2, 4, 8 10 and 15 %) was blended with natural milk and tested for detergent qualitatively as well as quantitatively successfully using Rhodamine 6G dye and Toluene solvent. In positive milk samples, the colour of the solvent changed from transparent to pink, and the intensity of colour increased with an increase in detergent concentration. In contrast, the colour of the solvent layer in the control milk sample remained transparent. Quantity of detergent determined by uptake of benzethonium chloride. This new method was sensitive enough to detect as low as 16 mg of detergent per 100 ml of adulterated milk.
Association of breed and non-genetic factors with freezing point and milkattributes of Zebu cattle
Authors: Singh Navav , Sharma Sanjita , Sharma Vishnu , Gupta Sita Ram , Dhakad Govind Singh , Yadav Satendra Kumar
Published: October 2022

The present experiment was conducted to study the milk quality of indigenous cattle which are important for farmers, manufactures and consumers. For this study, we have collected 150 milk samples of three different indigenous cattle breeds viz. Kankrej, Sahiwal, and Rathi from semi-arid region of Rajasthan, India. The samples were evaluated for the milk fat, protein, lactose, solid not fat (SNF), somatic cell count (SCC), pH, electric conductivity and freezing point, and observed the relationship of breed, stage of lactation, parity and body condition score (BCS) with their milk constituents and freezing point. Total Protein, freezing point and electric conductivity of milk differed significantly (P<0.01) among the breeds. Freezing point, fat and protein contents of milk were significantly affected by parity and body condition score of the cattle. From this study it can be concluded that the milk constituents differs among the breeds of indigenous cattle and affected by many non genetic factors, therefore these are the factors which influences the quality of milk in different Zebu cattle breeds.
Comparative study on the expression profile of Aquaporin5 (AQP5) gene in skinfibroblast cells of native goats enabling their water utilization efficiency
Authors: Francis Femi , Ashutosh Mr. , Parkunan Thulasiraman
Published: October 2022

Lack of availability of good quality and quantity of water affects the physiology of goats. Goats may adapt to thrive well in water deficit areas by making alterations in the expressions of aquaporin (AQP) genes for their efficient water use. The present study was carried out in skin fibroblast cells of Barbari and Sirohi goats. Under in vitro conditions, during different temperatures and osmotic treatments, variations in relative expression of AQP3 genes were observed. At higher temperatures the relative expression of AQP3 genes in Sirohi breed was found to be significantly higher (p<0.01) than Barbari breed. However, during hyperosmotic concentrations at normal temperatures the relative expression of AQP3 mRNA was significantly ((p<0.05) increased in both the breeds. During a high temperature combination with hyperosmotic concentration in cell culture of skin fibroblast cell the relative expression of AQP3 mRNA was increased in Sirohi breed (p<0.01) whereas it decreased in Barbari goatâ€™s breed. The variations in AQP3 gene expression during water stress condition and during hyperosmotic concentrations of skin fibroblasts cell culture suggests the positive involvement of AQP3 gene in maintaining the water balance in the body.
Delayed apoptosis of buffalo neutrophil during mastitis and metritis
Authors: Uppal Chirag , Sunil Kumar B V , Deka Dipak , Verma Ramneek , Sethi RS
Published: October 2022

Mastitis and metritis are the common inflammatory diseases of buffalo and result huge economic losses to the small-scale farmers. Neutrophils are recruited during inflammation and cleared from site of inflammation by apoptosis to prevent further tissue damage. However, data are lacking on this aspect in buffalo. Hence, the study was aimed to determine the viability and apoptosis of neutrophils of buffalo during mastitis and metritis. Peripheral blood samples were collected from healthy, mastitis and metritis group (n=5, each group). Neutrophils were isolated and maintained up to 48 hr in RPMI-1640. The viability of neutrophils at different time intervals (6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hr) was determined using trypan blue dye exclusion method. DNA Laddering, light microscopy, caspase-3 and caspase-9 colorimetric assays were used to observe the apoptosis. Freshly isolated neutrophils showed â‰¥ 97% purity and â‰¥ 92% viability. Healthy group showed decrease (p<0.05) in viable neutrophils 12hr and onwards post-incubation. The number of apoptotic neutrophils was lower (p<0.05) at 36hr and onwards post-incubation in mastitis group and at 48hr post-incubation in metritis group as compared to control group. DNA fragmentation was observed after 24hr post-incubation in healthy group and was absent in mastitis and metritis groups suggesting the delayed apoptosis during mastitis and metritis. Caspase-3 and caspase-9 activity did not show any change in healthy group, however, there was significant increase at 24hr and 36hr post-incubation in mastitis and metritis group. Taken together, data suggest delayed apoptosis in mastitis and metritis.
Impact of heat stress on reproductive performance of Sahiwal cows
Authors: Parveen Kaiser , Gupta AK , Mumtaz Shabahat , Khan Aabid Hassan , Rathore Aakanksha
Published: October 2022

The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of temperature humidity index (THI) and indicator of heat stress on reproductive performance i.e. calving interval, conception rate and pregnancy rate of Sahiwal cows maintained under Livestock Research Center, National Dairy Research Center, Karnal. A total calving record pertaining to 3000 lactations of 847 Sahiwal cows, spread over 26 years from 1990 to 2015 from were considered for the present study. The daily ambient temperature and relative humidity records were collected from Central Soil Salinity and Research Institute, Karnal and NICRA center (Climate Resilient Livestock Research Center), NDRI, Karnal. All statistical procedures were performed using SAS Statistical Package. A univariate logistic regression model was fitted to assess the effect of independent variable THI on the dependent variables conception and pregnancy status. A distinct relationship between THI and calving interval was observed in the present study, the cows had a significant longer calving interval at high THI as compared with low THI. It was observed that the average calving interval was increased by 2 days with per unit increase in THI value. Pregnancy rate and Conception rate of Sahiwal animals was significantly reduced from 35% at low THI to 18% at high THI and from 55% at low THI to 26% at high THI respectively with decreasing odd ratio. In conclusion high environmental temperature reduces the reproductive performance of animals and significantly influences the animal productivity.
Effect of feeding slow release non protein nitrogen sources on milk productionand milk quality parameters in Cross bred dairy cows
Authors: Manju GU , Nagalakshmi D , Nagabhushana V , Venkateswarlu M , Rajanna N
Published: October 2022

A study of 90 days duration was conducted on 18 multiparous crossbred cows (363Â±14kg, body weight; in II or III lactation; 3,000-4,500kg milk yield per lactation) randomly allotted to 3 dietary treatments with 6 animals in each group in a completely randomized design to investigate the effect of two slow release non protein nitrogen (SRNPN) products on feed intake, milk yield, milk composition, blood biochemical parameters and cost economics. The concentrate mixture for control group was formulated with maize, gram husk, ground nut cake, wheat bran, deoiled rice bran, salt and mineral mixture. The other two experimental concentrate mixtures were prepared by totally replacing ground nut cake with calcium salts of fatty acid coated urea (CFCU) and Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose coated urea (HMCCU) at 2.42%. The cows were offered fixed quantity of Napier green fodder (10kg/cow/day) and ad libitum paddy straw. The daily allowance of respective concentrate mixture offered to each cow was calculated based on body weight, previous week milk yield and roughage intake to meet the nutrient requirements of as per ICAR (2013). Incorporation of either of the coated urea products in concentrate mixtures did not affect the total DM intake, milk yield (13.94 to 14.11kg/d), milk composition (Milk fat, Protein, SNF and Lactose) and blood biochemical (Blood urea nitrogen, Glucose and total protein). Though non significant, the average daily cost of feeding (Rs/d) was lowered in CFCU (228.14) and HMCCU (215.98) diet fed cows compared to control group cows (237.08) by 3.77 and 8.89% respectively. Whereas, the cost of feeding (Rs) per kg milk production differed significantly (P<0.01) with highest in control diet fed group (16.80) while in CFCU (15.43) and HMCCU (15.49) fed group it was lower. CFCU and HMCCU can be included at 1% of dry matter or 2.42% in the concentrate replacing the conventional protein sources, without affecting the milk yield and its composition in cross bred cows and reducing the feed cost per kg milk production.
Whey removal characteristics during conventional production of chhana
Authors: VK Ammu , Vairat AD , Minz PS , Singh AK , Chitranayak Mr. , Juneja Amit Kumar , Jayswal Dharinkumar
Published: October 2022

Whey removal phenomena generally studied in terms of whey removal rate, chhana weight and moisture content during chhana production process. Despite all these above factors, moisture content concerned to be the important one to maintain its soft texture and suitability for manufacturing of diversified products. The present study was undertaken to identify best model to express whey draining process so as to predict the relevant characteristics such as moisture ratio, moisture content and moisture removal rate.Â Whey removal rate was pursued for different cow milk quantities (5, 10, 15 and 20 kg) using delayed straining technique for gravimetric removal of whey from the chhana mass. Among the mathematical models, Logarithmic model was found best in describing the whey draining characteristics and predicting the moisture ratio of chhana. Whey removal characteristics provides important insights for the development of equipments for chhana production, downstream processing equipments for whey and online sensors for monitoring the process that regulates the moisture content and final quality of chhana and chhana based products. The novelty of the work lied on the incorporation of mathematical modeling to the chhana production process.
Characterization of Ladakhi churpe enriched with apricot and spinach
Authors: Hussain Anwar , Rafeh Ahmad Sheikh , Kanwar Maheshwar Singh
Published: October 2022

The aim of this study was to produce novel churpe-products with apricot and spinach supplementation. These products being rich in antioxidants along with good source of minerals, vitamins and other essential nutrients could have enormous potentials to guard against many human diseases. To the tribal people of Ladakh, these could overcome the deficiency of micronutrients caused due the shortage of fruits and vegetables during the winter season. The nomads of Changthang region of Ladakh could carry these products easily as nutritional supplements during their year round migration. Dried dairy products viz. churpe-balls and churpe-strips were developed with the incorporation of apricot powder into cottage cheese at different levels (05, 10, 15 and 20%) and spinach powder at levels (03, 06, 09 and 12%), respectively. Physico-chemical, antioxidant, colour, sensory and microbial attributes of the products were studied. The addition of apricot powder in balls resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increase in ash, hydrosoluble vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid), titratable acidity and antioxidant activity and decrease in protein, fat, minerals (calcium, magnesium and sodium) and pH. Incorporation of spinach powder in strips resulted in increase (P < 0.05) in ash, calcium, magnesium, hydrosoluble vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin and ascorbic acid), titratable acidity and antioxidant activity and decrease in protein, fat, sodium and pH. A non significant increase in moisture and lactose contents of both the value added products was also observed. L* and a* increased in both the products with the increase in level of supplementation (05 to 20% in case of balls and 03 to 12% in case of strips), however, b* decreased in balls and increased in strips. Rise in the supplementation levels resulted in decline in microbial load in the products whereas, with the advancement of storage period up to 120 days, there was rise in microbial population but was found within safe limits. The overall acceptability of the churpe-balls was highest at 15% level and that of churpe-strips was highest at 09% level of blending.
Effect of incorporation of Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) carbohydratederivatives on quality attributes of skim milk
Authors: Shinde Dnyaneshwar , Nath B Surendra , MP Rahila , Amladhas P Heartwin
Published: October 2022

Reducing the fat content of dairy products adversely affects their flavour, texture and mouthfeel which consequently affect the consumer acceptance of skim milk. It was observed in the present study that pasteurized toned milk (3% fat, 8.5% SNF) had better sensory properties and higher viscosities than pasteurized skim milk, showing the importance of fat in consumer acceptance of milk samples. In commercial practice, skim milk is therefore traded only upon UHT treatment as it was much better in sensory properties than pasteurized skim milk. Since carbohydrate derivatives are usually used as fat mimetics, Inulin fruitafit text and fruitafit HD and polydextrose were added at different levels (0-2.5%) to skim milk to improve its quality attributes. It is observed that incorporation of a 1% level of polydextrose in combination with either of inulins (@ 1%) had improved viscosity and sensory properties. The rheological properties of such milk were comparable to that of toned milk and better than that of UHT skim milk. The quality of the skim milk added with carbohydrate derivatives was not affected by the normal processing treatments, such as homogenisation, pasteurization, boiling and sterilization. The gross constituents such as fat, protein, lactose and ash contents did not differ much with the control skim milk sample. The pH, acidity, and color (measured as % reflectance) of the skim milk samples added with the derivative were within the normal range. The samples were heat-stable, had high MBR time and when packed in LDPE pouches and stored at 50C kept well for two days. After appropriate approvals from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) pasteurised skim milk added with GRAS carbohydrate derivatives can be commercialised with improved consumer acceptance and affordability.
Production, consumption and marketing of milk in Eastern Region of India: Afarm level analysis
Authors: Kumari Binita , Chandel BS , Kumari Tulika , Lal Priyanka
Published: October 2022

The present study was undertaken in the eastern region of India comprising of the states of Bihar, West Bengal and Jharkhand with the objective to determine milk production, consumption and marketed surplus at farm level (in continuation of the above line) The study found that, inspite of low dairy development in the region, milk production and productivity was considerably high among the sample households. An average dairy household was producing about 36 litre of milk per day having average productivity of 10 litre per day per animal which was significantly higher than national averages. The milk was drawn more from crossbred cows on Small households and from local cow and buffalo on large households. The highest milk productivity on large farms emphasize for removing the resource limitation and promote better feeding and management practices among small and medium herd size categories. The consumption of liquid milk among producer households was 207 gm per day per capita which was higher than per capita availability in the region. Of the 10 per cent of the milk production retained at household level, 40 per cent was consumed as liquid milk and 60 per cent was converted into milk products. The later share was higher among small herd size category catering to the rural non-milk producing households. The halwais/ dudhiyas/private dairies were the major marketing channel counting for 61 per cent of the total marketed surplus and only 21 per cent of the milk was sold through cooperatives. The share of milk sold through later channel by small farmers was still lower (10%) inspite of the fact that the marketed surplus per household was substantially higher (24.02 L/day). Â Â An analysis in to the factor affecting marketed surplus found that being membership of dairy cooperatives had the highest influence on marketed surplus of small farms
Adoption of livestock insurance in Punjab: Extent and constraints
Authors: Singh Simranjeet , Kaurand Arjinder , Arora Kashish
Published: October 2022

The present study has been designed to investigate the extent of insurance coverage of dairy animals in Punjab and highlighting the constraints faced by the dairy households in its adoption. The primary data were collected from 100 dairy households in Patiala and Moga districts of Punjab based on their rank in milk production and secondary data were extracted from central and state government publications.Â The results of the study showed that Punjab ranked at 8th position among the states in terms of number of beneficiaries availing the dairy loan as well as the insurance with a total of 1877 beneficiaries in the state in the year 2018-19 and contributing to 4.8 per cent of the total number of beneficiaries in India. Out of the total number of animals in the sampled households which have adopted the insurance policy only 24.42 per cent of the animals were insured. The major constraint for non-adoption of insurance coverage was the small herd size of the livestock, while the main reason for discontinuing the policy and problem faced during the claim settlement was the low indemnity level provided by the insurance company. The major problem faced by the adopters of dairy insurance was the gap between the original market price and the sum insured. It was concluded that relevant measures were required for the widespread penetration of the dairy insurance policy in Punjab and more extension services were needed to create awareness about it.
Coliform bacteria screening and evaluating chemical composition of raw milkfrom dairy farms of Sylhet Sadar, Bangladesh
Authors: Chowdhury Tonmoy , Roky Shamsul Alam , Uz-Zaman Md. Ashik , Islam Md. Tanvir , Mohonto Bikash
Published: October 2022

The study aims screening of coliform bacteria and evaluates chemical constituents of farm supplied raw milk at Sylhet sadar, Bangladesh. A total of 50 milk samples (5 samples from each farm) were collected from randomly selected 10 different farms. Samples were diluted (1:1000000) and bacteria cultures were done in EMB (Eosin methylene blue) agar. Further, Indole test, Methyl red test, Voges-Proskauer were done to differentiate environmental and fecal coliform (Escherichia coli). Chemical analysis of milk was done using automatic milk-analyzer. Total coliform count (TCC) was found to be ranged between 0.6 Ã— 106 to 7.8 Ã— 106 colony forming unit/ml (cfu/ml) and the biochemical tests showed negative results for Indole and Methyl red test and positive for Voges-Proskauer test, respectively confirming the absence of fecal coliform (Escherichia coli) and presence of environmental coliforms. Mean values of Chemical constituents were found to be fat% (4.48%), Solid-Not-Fat% (8.55%), Protein% (3.20%), Lactose% (4.66%) and Mineral% (0.68%). Adulteration with added water in milk was also found with a mean of 0.89%. This study will help to generate an idea about coliform contamination scenario and quality of farm milk found at the particular study area.
Impact of COVID-19 lockdown on various stakeholders associated with dairyfood supply chain in Karnataka, India- An evidence based study
Authors: Govindaraj Gurrappanaidu , MB Shanabhoga , HM Swamy , M Nagalingam , BR Shome , Rahman Habibar
Published: October 2022

The present study assessed the disruptions in the dairy food supply chain and associated stakeholders due to COVID-19 in second-highest milk-producing state Karnataka, India. A cross-sectional survey using a multistage random sampling procedure was conducted and data was collected from the dairy food supply chain associated stakeholders in Karnataka, India. The results revealed that milk providers to the co-operatives increased by 4.67 % and the quantity of milk collection increased by 25.15 % during the lockdown. On the service front, 41.3% of the dairy cooperative societies faced animal feed shortages. The average per day milk consumption increased by 42.7 % during lockdown mainly driven by the return of family members from cities to villages. However, the gross income realized through milk sales by the dairy farmers decreased during the lockdown period mainly due to reduced milk prices offered by the co-operatives. The gross income realized through the sale of milk products by the vendors declined by 5.11% due to a fall in demand for various milk products. Despite many problems faced by the cooperative sector during the lockdown, it acted as a buffer and protected the dairy food supply chain from the free market and capitalist breakdown in Karnataka.
Forecasting of milk productionof crossbred dairy cattle by AutoregressiveIntegrated Moving Average (ARIMA) model
Authors: Sharma Rohit , Chaudhary JK , Kumar Sanjeev , Rewar Ranjit , Kumar Sandeep
Published: October 2022

The objective of this study was to forecast the milk production in crossbred dairy cattle. In this study secondary data was used, collected from Livestock Farm of CVSc. & A.H., CAU, Aizawl, Mizoram, from year 2010 to 2019. The main focus of our study was based on forecasting through ARIMA model. To perform exploratory information examination, box-plot was used while stationarity of data was checked with Augmented Dicker-fuller test, Autocorrelation Function (ACF) and Partial autocorrelation function (PACF). Model fit checking and forecasting of milk was done through software package R. The results indicated that ARIMA (1, 0, 0) was the most suitable model for forecasting of milk for our dataset. Milk production is expected to be 1910.20 litres by 2022 with 95% confidence interval.
Perceptions on wearable sensor-based interventions for monitoring of opioid therapy: A qualitative study
Authors: Chapman Brittany P. , Lucey Evan , Boyer Edward W. , Babu Kavita M. , Smelson David , Carreiro Stephanie
Published: October 2022

Prescription opioid use is a risk factor for the development of opioid use disorder. Digital solutions, including wearable sensors, represent a promising opportunity for health monitoring, risk stratification and harm reduction in this treatment space. However, data on their usability and acceptability in individuals using opioids is limited. To address this gap, factors that impact usability and acceptability of wearable sensor-based opioid detection were qualitatively studied in participants enrolled in a wearable sensor-based opioid monitoring research study. At the conclusion of the monitoring period, participants were invited to take part in semi-structured interviews developed based on the technology acceptance model. Thematic analysis was conducted first using deductive, then inductive coding strategies. Forty-four participants completed the interview; approximately half were female. Major emergent themes include sensor usability, change in behavior and thought process related to sensor use, perceived usefulness in sensor-based monitoring, and willingness to have opioid use patterns monitored. Overall acceptance for sensor-based monitoring was high. Aesthetics, simplicity, and seamless functioning were all reported as key to usability. Perceived behavior changes related to monitoring were infrequent while perceived usefulness in monitoring was frequently projected onto others, requiring careful consideration regarding intervention development and targeting. Specifically, care must be taken to avoid stigma associated with opioid use and implied misuse. The design of sensor systems targeted for opioid use must also consider the physical, social, and cognitive alterations inherent in the respective disease processes compared to routine daily life.
Using the participatory education and research into lived experience (PEARLE) methodology to localize content and target specific populations
Authors: Aronson Ian David , Bennett Alex S. , Ardouin-Guerrier Mary-Andrée , Rivera-Castellar German J. , Gibson Brent E. , Vargas-Estrella Brittney
Published: October 2022

Technology-based behavioral health interventions offer potentially limitless opportunities to localize content and target specific populations. However, this ability to customize requires developers to make a wide range of decisions not only about who should appear on screen, but how each message should be refined to most effectively reach a particular group of intervention recipients. These issues become especially salient as interventions are scaled for delivery to multiple populations in different geographical locations or settings (e.g., a hospital emergency department versus the drop-in center of a community-based clinic), and in more than one language. To facilitate evidence-based development of customized, targeted intervention content, our team created a multi-step methodology over a series of NIH-funded research projects. The resulting Participatory Education and Research into Lived Experience (PEARLE) Methodology entails formative qualitative interviews to examine why members of a given population do not enact a specific health behavior such as HIV/HCV testing or vaccinating against COVID-19 (this step includes identifying potential gaps in related health literacy), followed by iterative evaluations of draft content designed to address these barriers, and extensive discussions with a Community Advisory Board. The final step is a clinical trial. PEARLE is designed to be highly flexible, adaptable to a variety of behavioral outcomes in clinical and community settings, and to create content in more than one language depending on the needs or preferences of a population. The current paper discusses how our team employed PEARLE to develop content in English and Spanish for our latest project, which is intended to increase COVID-19 vaccination uptake among people who inject drugs.
Associations between body mass index and pubertal development based on the outcomes of girls with early breast development
Authors: Zhao Manman , Liu Meijuan , Cao Bingyan , Gong Chunxiu
Published: October 2022

Objective

To investigate the associations between physical and pubertal development based on the breast development outcomes in girls.

Methods

This was a retrospective study. A total of 452 girls aged 6~8 years were included. Based on their breast development outcomes, the patients were divided into an idiopathic central precocious puberty (ICPP) group and a premature thelarche (PT) group. Anthropometry included measurements of height, weight, and BMI. ICPP was diagnosed when five diagnostic criteria from the current guidelines were met.

Results

The girls with breast development at initial evaluation had a median age of 6.9 years. In total, 31.4% of patients were diagnosed with ICPP, and ICPP was rare in girls <7 years old (19%). Patients who presented with recurrence of breast development in the PT group accounted for 38.4%. At initial evaluation, the height, weight, BMI and bone age (BA) of the girls in the PT group corresponded to those of a normally developing girl at ages 7.8 years, 8.2 years, 8.6 years and 7.6 years, respectively. The girls in the ICPP group had a mean age of 7.3 years, and their mean height, weight, and BMI were 129.6 cm, 28.4 kg, and 17.0 kg/m2, which corresponded to the mean of a normally developing girl at ages 8.5 years, 9.1 years, and 10.5 years, respectively; these patients had BA of 9.2 years. Additionally, based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, when the basal luteinizing hormone (LH) level was 0.32 IU/L and BMI reached 16.4 kg/m2, CPP was diagnosed in patients meeting all five diagnostic criteria for CPP, and the specificity and sensitivity were 71.9% and 88.2%, respectively.

Conclusions

Girls with breast development before 8 years old had a high proportion of recurrence of breast development. The physical development of these girls at the time of breast development preceded that of normally developing girls by 1-2 years. BMI is an independent risk factor for early pubertal development, and is a simple and clear predictor of ICPP. In addition to the five classic diagnostic criteria, CPP is diagnosed when physical development corresponds to the mean for a 10.5 years old girl.
Climate-driven scrub typhus incidence dynamics in South China: A time-series study
Authors: Li Wen , Niu Yanlin , Ren Hongyan , Sun Wanwan , Ma Wei , Liu Xiaobo , Li Guichang , Wang Jun , Liu Qiyong , Lu Liang
Published: October 2022

Background: Scrub typhus (ST) is a climate-sensitive infectious disease. However, the nonlinear relationship between important meteorological factors and ST incidence is not clear. The present study identified the quantitative relationship between ST incidence and meteorological factors in southern China.

Methods: The weekly number of ST cases and simultaneous meteorological variables in central Guangdong Province from 2006 to 2018 were obtained from the National Notifiable Infectious Disease Reporting Information System and the Meteorological Data Sharing Service System, respectively. A quasi-Poisson generalized additive model combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was constructed to analyze the lag-exposure-response relationship between meteorological factors and the incidence of ST.

Results: A total of 18,415 ST cases were reported in the study area. The estimated effects of meteorological factors on ST incidence were nonlinear and exhibited obvious lag characteristics. A J-shaped nonlinear association was identified between weekly mean temperature and ST incidence. A reversed U-shaped nonlinear association was noted between weekly mean relative humidity and ST incidence. The risk of ST incidence increased when the temperature ranged from 24°C to 28°C, the relative humidity was between 78% and 82%, or the precipitation was between 50 mm and 150 mm, using the medians as references. For high temperatures (75th percentile of temperature), the highest relative risk (RR) was 1.18 (95% CI: 1.10–1.27), with a lag effect that lasted 5 weeks. High relative humidity (75th percentile of relative humidity) and high precipitation (75th percentile of precipitation) could also increase the risk of ST.

Conclusion: This study demonstrated the nonlinear relationship and the significant positive lag effects of temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation on the incidence of ST. Between particular thresholds, temperature, humidity, and levels of precipitation increased the risk of ST. These findings suggest that relevant government departments should address climate change and develop a meteorological conditions-depend strategy for ST prevention and control.
Development and forensic efficiency evaluations of a novel multiplex amplification panel of 17 Multi-InDel loci on the X chromosome
Authors: Jin Xiaoye , Ren Zheng , Zhang Hongling , Wang Qiyan , Liu Yubo , Ji Jingyan , Yang Meiqing , Zhang Han , Hu Wen , Wang Ning , Wang Yicong , Huang Jiang
Published: October 2022

Multi-InDel, as the novel genetic markers, showed great potential in forensic research. Whereas, most scholars mainly focused on autosomal Multi-InDels, which might provide limited genetic information in some complex kinship cases. In this study, we selected 17 Multi-InDels on the X chromosome and developed a multiplex amplification panel based on the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Genetic distributions of these 17 loci in Beijing Han, Chinese Southern Han, and the studied Guizhou Han populations revealed that most loci showed relatively high forensic application values in these Han populations. In addition, more allelic variations of some loci were observed in the Guizhou Han than those in Beijing Han and Southern Han populations. Pairwise FST values, multi-dimensional analysis, and phylogenetic tree of different continental populations showed that selected 17 loci generally could differentiate African, European, East Asian, and South Asian populations. To sum up, the developed panel in this study is not only viewed as the high-efficient supplementary tool for forensic individual identification and paternity analysis, but it is also beneficial for inferring biogeographical origins of different continental populations.
The integrated landscape of fatty acid metabolism subtypes reveals with prognostic and therapeutic relevance in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Dai Peng , Feng Jing , Dong Yanyan , Zhang Shujing , Cui Xiaopeng , Qin Xueliang , Yang Shiming , Fan Daguang
Published: October 2022

Background

Pancreatic Cancer (PAAD) is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies and the leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Aberrantly expressed long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in tumourigenesis of PAAD, and associated with the overall survival and tumor fatty acid metabolism in PAAD patients.

Methods

The data on gene expression and corresponding clinical characteristics of PAAD patients in TCGA-PAAD (N=177) and GSE62452 (N=65) are taken from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases. Consensus cluster analysis to identify distinct fatty acid metabolism subtypes in PAAD based on 62 fatty acid metabolism gene. The single sample GSEA (ssGSEA) algorithm was developed for evaluation of tumor infiltrating immune cells between fatty acid metabolism subtypes. As well, the R package “pRRophetic” was used to predict chemotherapeutic response in PAAD patients. Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion (TIDE) was used to predict immunotherapy response in PAAD patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were utilized to calculate the prognostic-related lncRNAs.

Results

Totally, three fatty acid metabolism subtypes were obtained in PAAD based on 62 fatty acid metabolism gene. Kaplan-Meier (K-M) analysis showed that the overall survival rate of cluster3 group was significantly higher than the other two groups. Significant differences were seen between the three subtypes in immune cell infiltration characteristics and the immunotherapy response indicators, including Tumor mutational burden (TMB), immunophenoscore (IPS), and immune checkpoint molecules. The cluster1 group and cluster3 group were speculated to have the higher response to immunotherapy patients in cluster2 gains more benefit from chemotherapy than other groups. A 4-lncRNA signature was constructed based on the value of gene expression and regression coefficients which stratified patients into two risk groups. Patients in the higher-risk group had lower survival probabilities than those in the lower-risk group, based on the Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis confirmed the predictive capability. In GO and KEGG analysis, genes in the high-risk group were linked to PAAD development.

Conclusions

We constructed a signature that could predict prognosis of PAAD and provide certain theory guidance for novel therapeutic approaches of PAAD.
Prediction and prevention of preeclampsia by physicians in Brazil: An original study
Authors: Cunha Filho Edson Vieira da , Rodrigues Tamara Cristina Gomes Ferraz , Sandrim Valeria Cristina , Veiga Eduardo Carvalho de Arruda , Cavalli Ricardo Carvalho
Published: October 2022

Background

Considering the worldwide importance of preeclampsia, especially in Brazil, the screening of pregnant women at greater risk of developing the disease and the application of preventive measures are essential. This study aimed to assess the medical performance in this context in Brazil.

Methods

A survey was developed to quantify the number of physicians who prescribe acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and/or calcium for preeclampsia prevention. The survey was sent to all Brazilian obstetricians affiliated to the Brazilian Federation of OBGYN by email and WhatsApp. The survey remained opened for 6 months and included questions about the use of ASA and calcium, as well as about the use of a complementary test to predict preeclampsia.

Results

The sample consisted of 360 responding physicians and 100% coverage of responses from physicians from the five different regions of Brazil was obtained. The vast majority of respondents (94.72%) prescribe ASA to prevent preeclampsia, with 80.3% prescribing a dose of 100 mg/day. Calcium is prescribed by 83.9% of the respondents. The majority of the interviewed sample (58.6%) requests uterine artery Doppler imaging to predict preeclampsia and 31.7% do not request any additional test. When the analysis was performed by region, only the northern region differed from the other Brazilian regions regarding the use of ASA and calcium for preeclampsia prevention. While more than 90% of physicians in the other regions prescribe ASA, 40% in the northern region do not use it (p < 0.0001). Regarding calcium, 30% of physicians in northern Brazil do not use the drug for preeclampsia prevention, a percentage that also differs from the other regions where the medication is prescribed by 80 to 90% of physicians (p = 0.021).

Conclusions

The vast majority of Brazilian physicians prescribe low-dose aspirin and calcium carbonate to prevent preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant women. In addition to the identification of clinical risk factors, most doctors use Doppler of the uterine arteries as a predictive method. In the northern region of Brazil, physicians use aspirin and calcium less frequently for preventing preeclampsia compared to the rest of the country.
Risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and mortality in psoriasis patients treated with interleukin-17 inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liu Meitong , Wang Huijuan , Liu Lu , Cui Saijin , Huo Xiangran , Xiao Zhuoyun , Zhao Yaning , Wang Bin , Zhang Guoqiang , Wang Na
Published: October 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have brought great disaster to mankind, and there is currently no globally recognized specific drug or treatment. Severe COVID-19 may trigger a cytokine storm, manifested by increased levels of cytokines including interleukin-17 (IL-17), so a new strategy to treat COVID-19 may be to use existing IL-17 inhibitors, which have demonstrated efficacy, safety and tolerability in the treatment of psoriasis. However, the use of IL-17 inhibitors in patients with psoriasis during the COVID-19 pandemic remains controversial due to reports that IL-17 inhibitors may increase the risk of respiratory tract infections.

Objectives

The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of IL-17 inhibitors on the risk of COVID-19 infection, hospitalization, and mortality in patients with psoriasis.

Methods

Databases (including Embase, PubMed, SCI-Web of Science, Scopus, CNKI, and the Cochrane Library) were searched up to August 23, 2022, for studies exploring differences in COVID-19 outcomes between psoriasis patients using IL-17 inhibitors and those using non-biologics. Two authors independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in a double-blind manner. The risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and heterogeneities were determined by the Q test and I2 statistic. And the numbers needed to treat (NNTs) were calculated to assess the clinical value of IL-17 inhibitors in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and treating COVID-19.

Results

Nine observational studies involving 7,106 participants were included. The pooled effect showed no significant differences in the rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection (P = 0.94; I2 = 19.5%), COVID-19 hospitalization (P = 0.64; I2 = 0.0%), and COVID-19 mortality (P = 0.32; I2 = 0.0%) in psoriasis patients using IL-17 inhibitors compared with using non-biologics. Subgroup analyses grouped by age and COVID-19 cases, respectively, revealed consistent results as above. Meanwhile, the pooled NNTs showed no significant differences between the two groups in the clinical value of preventing SARS-CoV-2 infection and treating COVID-19.

Conclusion

The use of IL-17 inhibitors in patients with psoriasis does not increase the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection or worsen the course of COVID-19.

Systematic review registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022335195.
Insights into the spatio-temporal composition, diversity and function of bacterial communities in seawater from a typical laver farm
Authors: Liang Zhourui , Jia Rujie , Sun Tengqin , Wang Wenjun , Wang Chao , Lu Xiaoping
Published: October 2022

Laver is the most widely farmed seaweed with the largest culture area in China. The spatio-temporal variations in composition, diversity, and functional properties of bacteria in seawater as well as the environmental variables of seawater in a large-scale laver farm in China were studied. Both the community richness indices and Shannon index in the laver farming area remained at a relatively stable level during laver cultivation. Fifty-nine prokaryotic phyla were detected in all samples, however, only six of these phyla accounted for 98.84% of all sequences. Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Rhodobacterales, Rhodobacteraceae, andOctadecabacterwere the most predominant bacterial taxa at different levels of classification. The keystone bacterial taxa were Bacteroidetes, Pseudomonadales, Rhodobacterales, Flavobacteriales,Loktanella, andPseudoruegeriabased on network analysis. Members of representative bacterial biomarker taxa in November may be associated with degradation of algal cell wall polysaccharides. A significant increase in metabolic exchange and transformation nutrients occurred in the seawater during the early and late stage of laver cultivation, indicating that the laver reproductive activities (i.e. the formation/release activities of archeospores and zygotospores) probably drove the variation of metabolic functional diversity of bacterial communities. Based on Mantel test and redundancy analysis, we found the hydrographic parameters (e.g. salinity, temperature, DO, pH) as well as the key carbon (e.g. POC, DOC) and nitrogen parameters (e.g. nitrate, DIN, DON, TDN) were crucial environmental variables to shape the bacterial community composition in the surrounding seawater of laver farm. In a word, our results suggested that the microbial community structure and function significantly changed across the different succession stages during laver cultivation. This work provides new insights on the characteristics of bacterial communities in a large-scale laver farming system and solidifies the importance of laver farming in shaping seawater microbiomes.