Search Results (29,771)

Freekeh is produced from roasted, immature wheat grains. It is very popular in Middle Eastern and North African nations. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of different types of mycotoxins, physical impurities, and microbiological contamination in local freekeh products. Lateral flow competitive immunochromatographic assay was used to evaluate the occurrence of mycotoxins. It was found that physical impurities for some tested products exceeded the permitted limit (>2% of straw and foreign grains). Moreover, our findings showed that total aerobic bacterial and fungal counts in Freekeh products varied from 1 to 4 logs and from 1.39 to 4.3 logs, respectively. The incidence ranges of aflatoxins and ochratoxin were 3.17–3.33 ppb and 4.63–8.17 ppb, respectively. The levels of deoxynivalenol (DON) and T2/HT2 (trichothecene T2 and deacetylated form HT2) were less than the limit of detection. More than 78% of Freekeh samples tested had aflatoxin and ochratoxin contents higher than the limit permitted by the European Commission (4 and 5 ppb). In conclusion, gaining knowledge about the quality, safety, and labeling of freekeh products can help increase their commercial potential. Further investigations are needed to evaluate the factors affecting contamination levels within the freekeh supply chain. Full article

Background/Objectives: The antidiabetic effect of SGLT2 inhibitors (SGLT2-is) is based on their ability to increase glucose excretion through urine by inhibiting the kidney-resident SGLT2 protein. Euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (EuDKA) is an uncommon but potentially life-threatening adverse effect of these medications, which are notable for their antidiabetic, cardiovascular, and renal protective properties. This study aimed to clarify the impact of SGLT2-is on demographic, clinical, and biochemical characteristics in patients with DKA. Methods: A total of 51 individuals with a diagnosis of DKA were included in the trial; 19 of these patients were treated with SGLT2-is, while 32 were not. Patients diagnosed with DKA and treated with SGLT2-is were compared to those not treated with the medication in terms of clinical, biochemical, and laboratory characteristics. Results: The age of patients utilizing SGLT2-is was statistically considerably greater than that of non-users (p < 0.001). EuDKA was exclusively noted in the SGLT2-is cohort (p = 0.005). Urinary tract infections, vulvovaginitis, and genitourinary infections were substantially more prevalent among SGLT2-i users compared with non-users among both women and the overall patient group (p = 0.036, p = 0.001, p = 0.005, p = 0.003, respectively). Plasma glucose concentrations were significantly higher in SGLT2-i non-users (p = 0.006). Chloride (Cl⁻) concentrations were elevated among SGLT2-i users (p = 0.036). Conclusions: The study findings indicate that SGLT2 inhibitors may substantially influence age, serum chloride, EuDKA, and the occurrence of genitourinary infections in individuals with DKA. Full article

Background and Objectives: Evisceration and incisional hernia (IH) represent a significant morbidity following open or laparoscopic colorectal surgery where midline laparotomy or extraction incision (EI) are performed. We executed a systematic review to evaluate primary mesh closure of laparotomy or EI in colorectal resections of benign or malignant conditions. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Science Direct, Cochrane, and Google Scholar databases for studies comparing prophylactic mesh to traditional suture techniques in closing laparotomy in open approach or EI when minimally invasive surgery was adopted in colorectal procedures, regardless of the diagnosis. Both IH and evisceration were identified as primary outcomes. Secondary outcomes included surgical site infections (SSI), postoperative seroma, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results: Six studies were included in our analysis with a total population of 1398 patients, of whom 411 patients had prophylactic mesh augmentation when closing laparotomy or EI, and 987 underwent suture closure. The mesh closure group had a significantly lower risk of developing IH compared to the conventional closure group (OR 0.23, p = 0.00001). This result was significantly consistent in subgroup analysis of open laparotomy or EI of laparoscopic surgery subgroups. There was no statistically notable difference in evisceration incidence (OR 0.51, p = 0.25). Secondary endpoints did not significantly differ between both groups in terms of SSI (OR 1.20, p = 0.54), postoperative seroma (OR 1.80, p = 0.13), and LOS (MD −0.54, p = 0.63). Conclusions: primary mesh reinforcement of laparotomy or EI closure in colorectal resections lessens IH occurrence. No safety concerns were identified; however, further high-quality research may provide more solid conclusions. Full article

Previous investigations have explored the involvement of wolves in parasitic and viral diseases, but data on the zoonotic bacteria are limited. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of bacterial zoonotic agents in 16 wolf (Canis lupus italicus) fecal samples collected in a protected area in Central Italy. Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., Yersinia spp., Listeria monocytogenes, and Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were investigated by culture, while polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect Coxiella burnetii, Mycobacterium spp., Brucella spp., and Francisella tularensis. The presence of Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae was also evaluated, using selective isolation media and detection of antimicrobial resistance genes. All samples were negative for Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp., C. burnetii, Mycobacterium spp., Brucella spp., F. tularensis, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. One sample tested positive for Yersinia aldovae and three for Yersinia enterocolitica BT1A. One L. monocytogenes (serogroup IIa) and one STEC, carrying the stx1 gene, were isolated. Two ESBL isolates were detected: one Serratia fonticola, carrying bla_FONA-3/6 gene, and one Escherichia coli, carrying bla_CTX-M-1 gene. Both ESBL isolates were resistant to different antimicrobials and therefore classified as multi-drug-resistant. Our data suggest that wolves are potential carriers of zoonotic bacteria and may contribute to the environmental contamination through their feces. Full article

Metabolic syndrome refers to the simultaneous occurrence of several disorders that have been associated with other co-morbidities, such as a pro-inflammatory state and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Nowadays, it is a growing public health problem that contributes to the development of non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cognitive deficits among others. Its incidence has been related to modifiable lifestyle factors, mainly dietary patterns and physical activity. In addition, numerous studies have observed the potential beneficial effects of polyphenols in the prevention and treatment of metabolic syndrome components in both animals and humans. In this line, the aim of this review is to present the scientific evidence available about the beneficial effects of the phenolic compound xanthohumol in the prevention and/or treatment of obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and fatty liver, which are important components of metabolic syndrome. All the potential beneficial effects described in this manuscript have been observed in vitro and in animal models, there are no published clinical trials in this context yet. Full article

Mountain areas are prone to the occurrence of extreme events, especially torrential floods, amplified by climatic and environmental changes. In this context, it is mandatory to increase resilience and guide decision-makers toward more effective measures. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is considered as a decision support tool that can provide the qualitative and quantitative criteria required by the Do No Significant Harm, thus contributing to a more accurate assessment of environmental impacts of the torrent control structures. This study aimed to investigate the current state of the LCA applications in the torrent control to provide practitioners perspectives for new research and a pathway for optimized LCA analysis. Our analysis reveals that in the torrent control area, these studies are still limited. Most of the papers considered Ecoinvent as the main database source and cradle to grave as the main system boundary. This study suggests that restoring the functional capacity of dams and other torrent control structures instead of demolition or decommissioning from the end-of-life stage will ensure an orientation towards more sustainable and circular strategies. Although strong partnerships and consistent efforts are needed, general findings reveal that LCA is a useful tool for moving towards more sustainable construction practices. Full article

A ssessing diverse parameters like water quality, quantity, and occurrence of hydrological extremes and their management is crucial to perform efficient water resource management (WRM). A successful WRM strategy requires a three-pronged approach: monitoring historical data, predicting future trends, and taking controlling measures to manage risks and ensure sustainability. Artificial intelligence (AI) techniques leverage these diverse knowledge fields to a single theme. This review article focuses on the potential of AI in two specific management areas: water supply-side and demand-side measures. It includes the investigation of diverse AI applications in leak detection and infrastructure maintenance, demand forecasting and water supply optimization, water treatment and water desalination, water quality monitoring and pollution control, parameter calibration and optimization applications, flood and drought predictions, and decision support systems. Finally, an overview of the selection of the appropriate AI techniques is suggested. The nature of AI adoption in WRM investigated using the Gartner hype cycle curve indicated that the learning application has advanced to different stages of maturity, and big data future application has to reach the plateau of productivity. This review also delineates future potential pathways to expedite the integration of AI-driven solutions and harness their transformative capabilities for the protection of global water resources. Full article

On 23 January 2024, an Mw 7.01 earthquake struck the Wushi County, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The occurrence of this earthquake provides an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the rupture behavior and tectonic activity of the fault system in the Tianshan seismic belt. The coseismic deformation field of the Wushi earthquake was derived from Sentinel-1A ascending and descending track data using Differential Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (D-InSAR) technology. The findings reveal a maximum line-of-sight (LOS) displacement of 81.1 cm in the uplift direction and 16 cm in subsidence. Source parameters were determined using an elastic half-space dislocation model. The slip distribution on the fault plane for the Mw 7.01 Wushi earthquake was further refined through a coseismic slip model, and Coulomb stress changes on nearby faults were calculated to evaluate seismic hazards in surrounding areas. Results indicate that the coseismic rupture in the Mw 7.01 Wushi earthquake sequence was mainly characterized by left-lateral strike-slip motion. The peak fault slip was 3.2 m, with a strike of 228.34° and a dip of 61.80°, concentrated primarily at depths between 5 and 25 km. The focal depth is 13 km. This is consistent with findings reported by organizations like the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The fault rupture extended to the surface, consistent with field investigations by the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Earthquake Bureau. Coulomb stress results suggest that several fault zones, including the Kuokesale, Dashixia, Piqiang North, Karaitike, southeastern sections of the Wensu, northwestern sections of the Tuoergan, and the Maidan-Sayram Fault Zone, are within regions of stress loading. These areas show an increased risk of future seismic activity and warrant close monitoring. Full article

The occurrence of esophagitis and ingluvitis caused by Salmonella Typhimurium in passerines seized from illegal wildlife trafficking is described. This illegal activity causes stress and leads to lowered immunity in the birds. Additionally, inadequate hygiene conditions predispose the birds to diseases such as salmonellosis. Few studies report the occurrence of Salmonella-induced lesions in the esophagus and crop of passerines; therefore, this study aimed to describe the disease in birds of the genus Sporophila, as well as to investigate the presence of the bacterium in the environment and determine the antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolated bacteria. Three birds of the genus Sporophila were necropsied. In the esophagus and crop, yellowish plaques corresponding to necrosis with bacterial aggregates were observed. Salmonella spp. was isolated from these lesions, with genus confirmation via MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Environmental samples were collected from the enclosures and cages where the animals were quarantined, and the same bacterium was isolated. In two birds, the serotype S. Typhimurium was identified. Antibiograms performed on the strains from the birds and the environment revealed resistance to antibiotics in the classes of penicillins, sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, monobactams, tetracyclines, and first and third-generation cephalosporins. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of this agent causing death in Sporophila due to esophagitis and ingluvitis. It is also the first report of salmonellosis in three species of passerines in Brazil. The study underscores the importance of understanding the pathogens circulating in wild animals, especially within the context of One Health. Full article

The gypsum crystals (CaSO₄·2H₂O) crystallizes in a low symmetry system (monoclinic) and shows a marked layered structure along with a perfect cleavage parallel to the {010} faces. Owing to its widespread occurrence, as a single or twinned crystal, here the gypsum equilibrium (E.S.) and growth shapes (G.S.) have been re-visited. In making the distinction among E.S. and G.S., in the present work, the basic difference between epitaxy and homo-taxy is clearly evidenced. Gypsum has also been a fruitful occasion to recollect the general rules concerning either contact or penetration twins, for free growing and for twinned crystals nucleating onto pre-existing substrates. Both geometric and crystal growth aspects have been considered as well, by unifying theory and experiments of crystallography and crystal growth through the intervention of ${\mathsf{\beta }}_{\mathrm{adh}}$, the physical quantity representing the specific adhesion energy between gypsum and other phases. Hence, the adhesion energy allowed us to systematically use the Dupré’s formula. In the final part of the paper, peculiar attention has been paid to sediments (or solution growth) where the crystal size is very small, in order to offer a new simple way to afford classical (CNT) and non-classical nucleation (NCNT) theories, both ruling two quantities commonly used in the industrial crystallization: the total induction times (${\mathrm{t}}_{\mathrm{i}\mathrm{n}\mathrm{d}}^{\mathrm{t}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{l}}$) and crystal size distribution (CSD). Full article

Extrarenal teratoid Wilms’ tumor (TWT) is a variant of Wilms’ tumor with fewer than 30 cases reported in the literature. It comprises more than 50% heterologous tissue and presents a significant diagnostic challenge due to its complex histology. We report an unusual case of mediastinal teratoma with nephroblastomatous elements in an 8-year-old female. The patient presented with respiratory distress, fever, weight loss, and a large anterior mediastinal mass. Imaging revealed a heterogeneous tumor containing fat, fluid, and calcification, suggestive of a teratoma. Surgical resection confirmed a mature cystic teratoma with foci of nephroblastoma. Pathological analysis demonstrated a mixture of ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal tissues alongside nephroblastomatous components. Immunohistochemistry was positive for Wilms Tumor 1 and other relevant markers, confirming the diagnosis. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and was discharged after three days. This case adds to the growing body of research on extrarenal TWT, particularly its occurrence in the mediastinum, a rare site for such tumors. A literature review highlighted that extrarenal TWT often affects children, typically presenting in the retroperitoneum or sacrococcygeal regions, with varying recurrence rates and long-term outcomes. This case underscores the importance of histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis in diagnosing TWT and differentiating it from other mediastinal tumors to ensure appropriate treatment planning, emphasizing the need for long-term follow-up due to the potential for recurrence or metastasis. This paper also provides an in-depth look at nephron development and nephrogenic rests, highlighting the structural and functional aspects of nephrogenesis and the factors that disrupt it in fetal kidneys. Full article

Magnaporthe oryzae, the source of the rice blast, is a serious threat to the world’s rice supply, particularly in areas like Tamil Nadu, India. In this study, weather-based models were developed based on count time series and machine learning techniques like INGARCHX, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), and Support Vector Regression (SVR), to forecast the incidence of rice blast disease. Between 2015 and 2023, information on rice blast occurrence was gathered weekly from three locations (Thanjavur, Tirunelveli, and Coimbatore), together with relevant meteorological data like temperature, humidity, rainfall, sunshine, evaporation, and sun radiation. The associations between the occurrence of rice blast and environmental factors were investigated using stepwise regression analysis, descriptive statistics, and correlation. Mean Squared Error (MSE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) were used to assess the model’s prediction ability. The best prediction accuracy was given by the ANN, which outperformed SVR and INGARCHX in every location, according to the results. The complicated and non-linear relationships between meteorological variables and disease incidence were well-represented by the ANN model. The Diebold–Mariano test further demonstrated that ANNs are more predictive than other models. This work shows how machine learning algorithms can improve the prediction of rice blast, offering vital information for early disease management. The application of these models can help farmers make timely decisions to minimize crop losses. The findings suggest that machine learning models offer promising potential for accurate disease forecasting and improved rice management. Full article

While the role of safe riding behavior as a safety contributor for cyclists has been increasingly studied in recent years, there have been few studies analyzing cycling behavior in relation to crash-related outcomes. Indeed, to the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this issue has been addressed in the case of Latvia. Aim: The objective of this study was to assess the relationships among self-reported cyclists’ behavior, traffic safety literacy, and their cycling crash involvement rates. Method: A total of 299 cyclists aged M = 32.8 from across Latvia participated in an online survey, which included questions regarding respondents’ demographics, frequency of riding, cycling behaviors, and the number of crashes in the previous five years. The Cycling Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) and the Cyclist Risk Perception and Regulation Scale (RPRS) were applied to assess cyclists’ behavior patterns and traffic safety literacy. Results: According to the findings, it can be inferred that cyclists frequently engage in riding errors and traffic violations while cycling. Those who exhibit more anti-social behavior (such as traffic violations and riding errors) patterns are also more likely to be involved in road crashes. Conversely, cyclists with greater positive behavior rates more often also tend to possess better knowledge of traffic rules and exhibit a heightened risk perception, indicating a greater awareness of road traffic safety. Conclusions: This study underscores key age differences, with older individuals significantly less involved in riding crashes, exhibiting fewer driving errors and a higher level of risk perception, which serves as a relevant factor in road safety. At the practical level, these results stress the need to address both traffic safety literacy and protective cycling factors of cyclists, to improve overall road safety and promote active transport modes in Latvia. Full article

Background/Objectives: Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant global health challenge, with drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) posing a greater threat due to difficulty in treatment. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between comorbidities and treatment outcomes in patients diagnosed with DR-TB in rural Eastern Cape using logistic regression. Methods: Data on patient characteristics, comorbidities, and treatment outcomes were extracted from the medical records and analyzed using Python version 3.8. and R version 4.1.1 software. A logistic regression model was used to determine the effects of selected variables on treatment outcomes of DR-TB cases. Results: Hearing loss and hypertension (HTN) were the most frequently observed comorbidities across various DR-TB cases, particularly rifampicin-resistant (RR), multidrug-resistant (MDR), and pre-extensively drug-resistant (pre-XDR-TB) cases. A hearing loss prevalence of 5.8% (26/445) was found among patients receiving treatment for TB, with the intensity of impairment ranging from mild to severe. Gender is significantly associated with the occurrence of HTN among these patients (p-value: 0.022). Comorbidities such as epilepsy, hearing loss, and HTN significantly impact treatment success, with higher risks of mortality and incomplete cure. Using logistic regression, obesity (OR = 3.0884; e = 1.1277; p = 0.0408) and HIV-positive status (OR = 0.4458; e = 0.8078; p = 0.0001) were highly likely and less likely associated with better treatment outcomes, respectively. The logistic regression model achieved an accuracy of 64.0%, a precision of 63.0%, and a recall of 95.0%, with an F-1 score of 76.0%. Conclusions: The findings underscore the importance of implementing integrated management strategies that address both DR-TB and its comorbidities, particularly in resource-limited settings where such patients are prevalent. Public health policies should incorporate strategies to provide nutritional assessments and interventions, particularly for individuals with low BMI. This could include food supplementation programs or partnerships with local food kitchens to ensure that patients have access to adequate nutrition during DR-TB treatment. Full article

Soil collembolans have been regarded as the effective bioindicator of environmental changes. However, the physiological mechanisms through which collembolans respond to agricultural activities are largely unknown. Given the plasticity and sensitivity to environmental changes, even subtle responses can be quantified via transcriptomics. Therefore, the relevant in situ soil ecosystem and numerically dominant collembolan species Entomobrya proxima Folsom was selected to explore the dynamic responses to fertilizer type and concentration using transcriptome sequencing over three periods (6 h, 24 h and 10 d). The results showed that exposure duration caused significant alterations in gene expression profiles. At day 10 after exposure, gene expression patterns differed remarkably between the two fertilizer types and the control. Relative to organic fertilizer, the number of DEGs was increased by 114.31% under inorganic fertilizer, which declined with increasing inorganic fertilizer concentrations. Functional enrichment analysis was indicative of enhanced fatty acid and carbohydrate metabolism and reduced disease occurrence by organic fertilizer; however, an inhibited lipid synthesis process promoted susceptibility to infection, triggered oxidative stress, etc. by inorganic fertilizer. Overall, fertilizer addition changed the transcriptional pattern of the collembolan, potentially causing shifts in pathways related to metabolism, immunity, etc. In comparison to inorganic fertilizer, organic fertilizer impacted less on the gene expression patterns, implying that organic fertilizer application may be more beneficial to soil animal health. Full article