Evaluation of Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Heartworm Infection for Dogs in Rio de Janeiro with Access to Veterinary Care.

Heartworm infection is a chronic disease with clinical signs and effects ranging from an asymptomatic condition to severe disease and death. The prevalence of heartworm disease in the state of Rio de Janeiro has been reported to be high (21.3%). The present study was conducted to evaluate the seroprevalence and risk factors of heartworm infection for the canine population with access to veterinary services in different areas of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 1787 canine blood samples were obtained from 135 practices across 8 different areas of Rio de Janeiro state (Rio de Janeiro municipality, São Gonçalo municipality, Niterói municipality, Baixada Fluminense, and the northern, southern, eastern, and mountainous areas) and tested for the presence of Dirofilaria immitis antigens and antibodies against several tick-borne disease pathogens using a commercial immunochromatography technique (Vetscan® Flex 4 Rapid Test; Zoetis; NJ USA). Pet owners reported living conditions, physical characteristics, demographics, and clinical signs for evaluation of risk factors for heartworm infection. Only two evaluated risk factors were shown to enhance the risk for D. immitis infection, including having a short hair coat vs. having a medium or long hair coat (OR 2.62) or positive for antibodies to tick-borne disease parasites (OR 3.83). Clinical signs reported for dogs with heartworm disease were typical for that condition. The overall prevalence of heartworm disease in the state was 8.2%, ranging from 2.4% in the mountainous region to 29.4% in the eastern area. It could not be determined if veterinarians were not diligent about dispensing heartworm preventatives or if poor levels of compliance by dog owners were responsible for higher infection rates in some areas of the state.

Veterinary Drug Residues in the Food Chain as an Emerging Public Health Threat: Sources, Analytical Methods, Health Impacts, and Preventive Measures.

Veterinary medications are necessary for both contemporary animal husbandry and food production, but their residues can linger in foods obtained from animals and pose a dangerous human risk. In this review, we aim to highlight the sources, occurrence, human exposure pathways, and human health effects of drug residues in food-animal products. Following the usage of veterinary medications, pharmacologically active compounds known as drug residues can be found in food, the environment, or animals. They can cause major health concerns to people, including antibiotic resistance development, the development of cancer, teratogenic effects, hypersensitivity, and disruption of normal intestinal flora. Drug residues in animal products can originate from variety of sources, including water or food contamination, extra-label drug use, and ignoring drug withdrawal periods. This review also examines how humans can be exposed to drug residues through drinking water, food, air, and dust, and discusses various analytical techniques for identifying these residues in food. Furthermore, we suggest some potential solutions to prevent or reduce drug residues in animal products and human exposure pathways, such as implementing withdrawal periods, monitoring programs, education campaigns, and new technologies that are crucial for safeguarding public health. This review underscores the urgency of addressing veterinary drug residues as a significant and emerging public health threat, calling for collaborative efforts from researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions that ensure the safety of the global food supply chain.

Adherence to Legionella control regulations and guidelines in Norwegian nursing homes: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: Infection by Legionella bacteria is a risk to elderly individuals in health care facilities and should be managed by preventing bacterial proliferation in internal water systems. Norwegian legislation calls for a mandatory Legionella-specific risk assessment with the subsequent introduction of an adapted water management programme. The present study investigates adherence to legislation and guidelines on Legionella control and prevention in Norwegian nursing homes. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was distributed to Norwegian municipalities to investigate the status of Legionella specific risk assessments of internal water distribution systems and the introduction of water management programmes in nursing homes. RESULTS: A total of 55.1% (n = 228) of the participating nursing homes had performed Legionella-specific risk assessments, of which 55.3% (n = 126) stated that they had updated the risk assessment within the last year. 96.5% introduced a water management programme following a risk assessment, whereas 59.6% of the ones without a risk assessment did the same. Nursing homes with risk assessments were more likely to monitor Legionella levels than those without (61.2% vs 38.8%), to remove dead legs (44.7% vs 16.5%), and to select biocidal preventive treatment over hot water flushing (35.5% vs 4.6%). CONCLUSIONS: This study presents novel insight into Legionella control in Norway, suggesting that adherence to mandatory risk assessment in nursing homes is moderate-low. Once performed, the risk assessment seems to be advantageous as an introduction to future Legionella prevention in terms of the scope and contents of the water management programme.

Colonization of bacterial and viral respiratory pathogens among healthcare workers in China during COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Healthcare settings may amplify transmission of respiratory pathogens, however empirical evidence is lacking. We aimed to describe the spectrum and distribution of respiratory pathogens among healthcare workers in eastern China. Methods: Healthcare workers were recruited from October 2020 to November 2021 in Jiangsu province. Participants were interviewed regarding demographic and hospital-based protective measures. Thirty-seven common respiratory pathogens were tested using real-time PCR/RT-PCR (Probe qPCR). The role of demographic and hospital-based protective measures on pathogens colonization using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Among 316 enrolled healthcare workers, a total of 21 pathogens were detected. In total, 212 (67.1%) healthcare workers had at least one respiratory pathogen; 195 (61.7%) and 70 (22.2%) with a bacterial and viral pathogen. The most commonly detected pathogen was streptococcus pneumoniae (47.5%) followed by Haemophilus influenzae (21.2%). One hundred and five (33.2%) healthcare workers with copathogens had at least two respiratory pathogens. Both bacterial and viral colonization were more common in 2020 compared to 2021. A decreased risk of colonization was seen in participants with infection prevention and control training and suitable hand hygiene. Conclusions: Colonization of respiratory pathogens in healthcare workers from eastern China was high. Differential risk was impacted only by hospital-based protective measures and not demographic factors.

Diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiovascular disease risk factors among adults in an urban underprivileged community in Bangalore city, India.

Aim: Diabetes and hypertension are major risk factors of cardiovascular disease, which is known to be the leading cause of global mortality in the world today. Studies have shown that the prevalence of these risk factors is on the rise, with the burden of diabetes alone increasing by 80% in the last two decades. Complications of diabetes and hypertension result in huge public health challenges for the country and catastrophic medical expenditures for families among the urban poor. Our study aims to estimate the prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiovascular risk factors among adults in an urban underprivileged community of Bengaluru city. Objectives and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over a period of 6 months where 2245 individuals aged 30 or older were interviewed using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire used to capture sociodemographic details that assessed modifiable risk factors for diabetes and hypertension. Inclusion criteria for diabetes were considered if the random blood sugar reading was ≥200 mg/dL, whereas a diagnosis of hypertension was taken into consideration if the systolic blood pressure reading was ≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure was ≥90 mmHg. Results: Among the 2245 participants that took part in the study, 15.5% were diabetics and 17.2% were hypertensive. There was a strong association of diabetes among consumers of alcohol, with more than one-third having a high prevalence of the disease (odds ratio (OR): 2.09, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.1-3.9). More than half the population were consumers of junk food; the prevalence of diabetes in this group was 1.35 times higher than that in their counterparts (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.0-1.8). A significant association of diabetes was also seen among those identified with central obesity (OR: 1.83, 95% CI: 1.4-2.5). One-third of the population who consumed alcohol were found to be diagnosed with hypertension (OR: 3.08, 95% CI: 1.6-5.9), and one-fifth of individuals who were regular consumers of junk food had a higher prevalence of hypertension (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.1-1.8). A higher prevalence of hypertension was also seen among individuals with central obesity or a body mass index (BMI) of >30 (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.2-2.1; OR: 1.92, 95% CI: 1.4-2.6). Conclusion: The findings from our study conducted in an urban underprivileged area of Bengaluru city shed light on the significant associations between diabetes and hypertension and various demographic and lifestyle factors. Specifically, male gender and lower educational status were found to have a significant association with diabetes, whereas being unmarried and having a high BMI status were strongly linked to hypertension. In addition, the study revealed that elderly individuals, alcohol consumers, junk food eaters, and those with central obesity demonstrated an increased risk for both diabetes and hypertension. By identifying these risk factors, targeted interventions can be developed to address the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable section of society. Strategies can be designed to raise awareness, encourage healthier lifestyle choices, and improve access to healthcare services to effectively prevent and manage diabetes and hypertension in this community.

Infectious risks associated with outdoor sports activities.

In France, outdoor sports and activities account for 36% of sports engagement, making outdoor venues the most popular settings for sports participation. Discussing the links between sports and health almost always highlights the beneficial impact of engaging in sports. However, due to a lack of specific notifications, infectious risks are not subject to epidemiological monitoring, and need to be better understood. Since the practice of outdoor sports has become part and parcel of many individuals' daily routines, it is essential to more accurately characterize the knowledge we have gained about the risks associated with exposure. However, directly associating the practice of a sport with an elevated risk of infectious diseases is a challenging endeavor. Sociological factors based on risk awareness and adoption of protective behaviors in response to the risk are crucial to the orientation of prevention efforts. This review deals with several (bacteriological, viral, parasitic, and mycological) infectious risks related to outdoor activities practiced in a natural field via contamination routes such as tick-bite, enteric pathogen, skin, and aerosol transmission. We have also detailed a number of preventive measures taking into account the outdoor setting (e.g., vaccination).

Welfare of sheep and goats during killing for purposes other than slaughter.

Sheep and goats of different ages may have to be killed on-farm for purposes other than slaughter (where slaughter is defined as killing for human consumption) either individually (i.e. on-farm killing of unproductive, injured or terminally ill animals) or on a large scale (i.e. depopulation for disease control purposes and for other situations, such as environmental contamination and disaster management) outside the slaughterhouses. The purpose of this opinion was to assess the hazards and welfare consequences associated with the on-farm killing of sheep and goats. The whole killing procedure was divided into Phase 1 (pre-killing) - that included the processes (i) handling and moving the animals to the killing place and (ii) restraint of the animals before application of the killing methods and Phase 2 - that included stunning and killing of the animals. The killing methods for sheep and goats were grouped into three categories: (1) mechanical, (2) electrical and (3) lethal injection. Welfare consequences that sheep and goats may experience during each process were identified (e.g. handling stress, restriction of movements and tissue lesions during restraint) and animal-based measures (ABMs) to assess them were proposed. During application of the killing method, sheep and goats will experience pain and fear if they are ineffectively stunned or if they recover consciousness. ABMs related to the state of consciousness can be used to indirectly assess pain and fear. Flowcharts including ABMs for consciousness specific to each killing method were included in the opinion. Possible welfare hazards were identified for each process, together with their origin and related preventive and corrective measures. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, ABMs, origins, preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences were proposed.

Beyond the Preventive Measures: A Delphi Method-Based Study of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Mental Health of Different Age Groups.

Background and Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) preventive measures affected various aspects of people's lives, while also representing an important risk factor for people's mental health. In the present study, we examined the negative psychological consequences of the preventive measures on people's mental health and the protective factors that strengthened their mental health and well-being during the pandemic. Materials and Methods: A study, using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods based on a Delphi protocol, was conducted with a sample of Slovenian professionals who worked with people from different demographic groups (i.e., children and adolescents, emerging adults, the adult working population, the elderly) during the pandemic. We conducted (i) a qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with 11 professionals and (ii) a quantitative study where 73 professionals completed a structured online questionnaire. Results: Experts recognized the disruption of informal face-to-face social contacts as the measure with the greatest impact on people's lives across all groups studied, the effect being particularly evident in relation to individuals' development period and socio-demographic characteristics. An individual's ability to adapt to change and emotional support provided by family or other close persons contributed significantly to maintaining mental health and well-being during the pandemic. Conclusions: Considering the interplay of various COVID-19-related risk and protective factors for mental health, enabling and promoting the maintenance and development of social relationships (including through alternative pathways) should be a priority aspect of (mental health) intervention for all demographic groups.

Adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures among residents in selected townships, Yangon Region, Myanmar: a community-based cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: To fight the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, many countries have implemented various mitigation measures to contain the spread of the disease. By engaging with health service providers, the community's participation in adherence to preventive measures is certainly required in the implementation of COVID-19 mitigation strategies. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and its associated factors among the residents, Yangon Region, Myanmar. METHODS: A community-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 636 residents in Yangon Region, Myanmar, from October to December 2021. A multistage non-probability sampling method, purposively selected for three townships in Yangon Region and convenience sampling for 212 participants from each township, was applied and the data were collected by face-to-face interviews using structured and pretested questionnaires. Data were entered, coded, and analyzed using IBM SPSS version 25.0. Simple and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify the significant variables of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. RESULTS: As a level of adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures, the proportion of residents who had good adherence was 39.3% (95% CI 35.5-43.2%), moderate adherence was 37.6% (95% CI 33.8-41.5%), and poor adherence was 23.1% (95% CI 19.9-26.6%). The age group of 31-40 years (AOR: 3.13, 95% CI 1.62-6.05), 30 years and younger (AOR: 3.22, 95% CI 1.75-5.92), Burmese ethnicity (AOR: 2.52, 95% CI 1.44-4.39), own business (AOR: 3.19, 95% CI 1.15-8.87), high school education level and below (AOR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.02-2.69), less than 280.90 USD of monthly family income (AOR: 1.51, 95% CI 1.01-2.29), low knowledge about COVID-19 (AOR: 1.90, 95% CI 1.26-2.88) were significantly associated with poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, nearly one-fourth of the residents were experiencing poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures. Therefore, building up the risk communication through the community using widely used mainstream media, the continuation of disease surveillance and announcement of updated information or advice for the public to increase awareness towards COVID-19, and enforcement to follow the recommended directions and regulations of health institutions are vital to consider for improving the adherence to preventive measures against COVID-19 among the residents.

Primary and secondary prevention of cervical cancer among Italian AFAB transgender people.

OBJECTIVE: Currently, available data on preventive measures for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer in the transgender assigned female at birth (AFAB) community are extremely limited. Our aim was to analyze adherence to primary and secondary cervical cancer prevention screening programs among transgender AFAB people attending our gender clinic. METHODS: Transgender AFAB people attending our center were recruited. Anamnestic data were collected for each person through completion of a medical history form and medical records. Variables recorded included previous HPV vaccination, adherence to regional screening programs (Pap smear or HPV DNA test), subject age, duration of current or prior gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) and whether gender affirmation surgery (GAS) with hysterectomy had been performed. Open questions regarding reasons for not undergoing screening tests were also included. RESULTS: In this cross-sectional study, 263 AFAB transgender people were included, with a mean age of 30.6 ± 10.5 years. GAS with hysterectomy had been performed on 37.6 % of these people. Of our participants, 71.7 % who were born after 1998 (the first cohort to receive HPV vaccination invitations in Italy) had been vaccinated for HPV. Seventy-four-point-nine percent of participants who were still eligible for cervical screening had never undergone Pap smear or HPV DNA testing, whereas those who had undergone at least one cervical screening had done so on average 4.2 ± 4.5 years ago. CONCLUSION: HPV vaccination prevalence in the AFAB transgender population born after 1998 is in line with the Italian AFAB general population. However, adherence to cervical cancer screening programs in the transgender AFAB population appears to be lower in comparison to the cisgender population. Further efforts are required from the medical community to enhance AFAB transgender people's adherence to HPV vaccination and to cervical screening.

Examining the cultural influence on online stances towards COVID-19 preventive measures and their impact on incidence and mortality: A global stance detection analysis of tweets.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, nations implemented various preventive measures, triggering varying online responses. This study examines cultural influences on public online stances toward these measures and their impacts on COVID-19 cases/deaths. Stance detection analysis was used to analyze 16,428,557 Tweets regarding COVID-19 preventive measures from 95 countries, selected based on Hofstede's cultural dimensions. To ensure the variety of population, countries were chosen based on Twitter data availability and a minimum sample size of 385 tweets, achieving a 95% confidence level with a 5% margin of error. The weighted regression analysis revealed that the relationship between culture and online stances depends on the cultural congruence of each measure. Specifically, power distance positively predicted stances for all measures, while indulgence had a negative effect overall. Effects of other cultural indices varied across measures. Individualism negatively affected face coverings stances. Uncertainty avoidance influenced lockdown and vaccination stances negatively but had a positive effect on social distancing stances. Long-term orientation negatively affected lockdown and social distancing stances but positively influenced quarantine stances. Cultural tightness only negatively affected face coverings and quarantine stances. Online stances toward face coverings mediated the relationship between cultural indices and COVID-19 cases/deaths. As such, public health officials should consider cultural profiles and use culturally congruent communication strategies when implementing preventive measures for future pandemics. Furthermore, leveraging digital tools is vital in navigating and shaping online stances to enhance the effectiveness of these measures.

High Risk Factors and Preventive Measures of Bipolar Disorder After Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Bipolar disorder (BD) is a recurrent chronic disease. There are few Chinese studies to explore the BD after ischemic stroke. This study aimed to analyze the high risk factors of BD after ischemic stroke and investigate prevention strategies. Methods: 197 patients with ischemic stroke in our hospital from March 2020 to March 2022 were selected as research subjects. The demographic information, clinical data, and scores of Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) and Activity of Daily Living Scale (ADL) in patients were retrospectively analyzed to count the incidence of BD in patients. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors for BD after ischemic stroke, and preventive measures were discussed based on study results. Results: The incidence of BD in patients with ischemic stroke was 45.18% (89/197), and the median and quartile in the first part of MDQ score was 6.00 (5.00,10.00) points. The subjects were divided into BD group (n = 89) and non-BD group (n = 108) based on the presence of BD in patients with ischemic stroke. Education background (OR = 0.485), lesions involving the frontal or temporal lobes (OR = 2.724), sleep disorders (OR = 2.246), and daily living ability (OR = 3.108) were influencing factors for BD after ischemic stroke (P < .05). Conclusion: The risk of BD after ischemic stroke is high. Based on the above research results, clinical attention should be paid to knowledge popularization, lesion examination, and the improvement of sleep quality and daily living ability, to prevent the occurrence of BD and improve the prognosis.

A Comprehensive Look at the Development of Asthma in Children.

Asthma, a prevalent chronic respiratory condition affecting millions of children globally, presents a significant health challenge. This review critically examines the developmental pathways of asthma in children, focusing on genetic, environmental, and early-life determinants. Specifically, we explore the impact of prenatal and postnatal factors such as maternal smoking, nutrition, respiratory infections, and allergen exposure on asthma development. Our analysis highlights the intricate interplay of these influences and their contribution to childhood asthma. Moreover, we emphasize targeted strategies and interventions to mitigate its burden, including genetic counseling for at-risk families, environmental modifications to reduce triggers, and early-life immunomodulation. By delving into these preventive measures and interventions, our review aims to provide actionable insights for healthcare professionals in developing tailored strategies to address the complexities of childhood asthma. In summary, this article offers a detailed examination of asthma development in children, aiming to enhance understanding and inform efforts to reduce its burden through targeted interventions.

Bridging the Gaps: The Transformative Effect of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Preventive Measures Among Medical and Health Sciences College Students in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.

Background The global impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has disrupted the activities of medical and health profession education institutions. This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 on medical and health profession education students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward preventive measures and their commitment to precautionary measures before, during, and after the pandemic. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out from January to March 2023 using an online, structured, validated questionnaire survey to gather information from medical and health sciences students from three universities, encompassing five colleges in Madinah, Saudi Arabia. The minimum required sample size was estimated using the Epi Info software as 380. The data was analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20.0 (Released 2011; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Statistical tests including Student's t-test, chi-squared test, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test were applied. Results The findings revealed that personal experiences with COVID-19 infection had a significant impact on students' attitudes and commitment to preventive measures (p<0.05). Among the participants, 172 students (45%) reported having contracted COVID-19. Students with clinical exposure showed a higher level of understanding and adherence to preventive measures (248 students, 68%), compared to pre-clinical students (198 students, 52%) (p<0.05). Positive attitudes were observed toward practices such as sneezing etiquette (289 students, 76%) and flu vaccination (314 students, 83%) (p<0.05). However, negative attitudes were observed toward mask-wearing (155 students, 41%) and social distancing (144 students, 38%), particularly among male students (p<0.05). Conclusion The study provided valuable insights into the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on medical and health sciences students' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward preventive measures and the importance of introducing COVID-19 prevention measures in the pre-clinical phase as well as mental health support to promote positive attitudes and enhance adherence to preventive measures.

Knowledge, attitude and preventive practice toward Covid-19 and associated factors among outpatients in a rural hospital in Vietnam.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the critical role of public knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in disease containment. Understanding these aspects can guide health promotion initiatives and policy decisions. Design and methods: This cross-sectional study examined the KAP concerning COVID-19 prevention in Vietnam. Participants' sociodemographic data, along with KAP toward COVID-19, were collected in a survey utilizing a standardized questionnaire. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with poor level of KAP. Results: Of 335 participants, 97 (28.9%) had poor knowledge, 52 (15.5%) poor attitude, and 48 (14.3%) poor practices. Older age (OR = 2.23; p = 0.024), minority non-Kinh ethnicity (OR = 3.05; p = 0.03), education below high school (OR = 8.80; p < 0.001), limited social media access (OR = 2.86; p = 0.002), and limited mobile phone usage (OR = 3.08; p = 0.001) increased poor knowledge risks. Non-Kinh ethnicity (OR = 5.00; p = 0.005) and lower education (OR = 14.79; p < 0.001) were linked to poor attitude. Older age (OR = 2.26; p = 0.035), lower education (OR = 5.74; p = 0.003), and poor knowledge (OR = 3.33; p = 0.005) were associated with poor practices. Conclusions: Elderly individuals, those with low education, and limited media access had elevated risks of poor KAP. Emphasizing public health media and targeted education, especially for underserved groups, is vital for effective epidemic management and future strategy planning.

Biosecurity practices in the dairy farms of southern Brazil.

Biosecurity refers to a set of practices that prevents and/or controls the introduction, spread, and elimination of harmful biological agents in a production system. In this study, we aimed to survey the biosecurity practices and determine their correlation with the size of production systems. A biosecurity assessment form was provided to 69 farms in the Campos Gerais region of Paraná, Brazil. The questionnaire was divided into two sections: general and bovine viral diarrhea virus- and bovine herpesvirus type-1-specific sections. The general section covered topics on traffic control, quarantine and animal isolation, hygiene practices, carcass disposal, and disease monitoring/control. The specific section consisted of questions on the reproductive and respiratory factors, use of antimicrobials, and vaccination schedule. The 69 farms were also classified into small (≤ 61), medium (62-201), and large (≥ 202) size farms based on the number of lactating cows. Moreover, multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) was performed between the biosecurity measures and farm size. The main risk factors and variability were related to the traffic control of people, animals, and vehicles/equipment, animal quarantine/isolation, and hygiene practices. MCA revealed that the small farms exhibited a lack of biosecurity measures, including those related to traffic control, animal quarantine, and hygiene. In medium-size farms, contact between bovine animals of different ages and difficulty in animal isolation in the quarantine system were among the main risk factors. In contrast, isolation of sick animals was easy, but the need to frequently purchase cattle was an important risk factor in large farms. These results highlight the relationship between biosecurity measures and farm size, providing valuable insights for the development of better biosecurity plans for production systems.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): State of the Art and Future Directions.

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a type of death that occurs suddenly and without any apparent explanation, affecting infants between 28 days of life and up to a year. Recognition of this entity includes performing an autopsy to determine if there is another explanation for the event and performing both an external and internal examination of the different tissues to search for possible histopathological findings. Despite the relative success of awareness campaigns and the implementation of prevention measures, SIDS still represents one of the leading causes of death among infants worldwide. In addition, although the development of different techniques has made it possible to make significant progress in the characterization of the etiopathogenic mechanisms underlying SIDS, there are still many unknowns to be resolved in this regard and the integrative consideration of this syndrome represents an enormous challenge to face both from a point of view scientific and medical view as humanitarian. For all these reasons, this paper aims to summarize the most relevant current knowledge of SIDS, exploring from the base the characterization and recognition of this condition, its forensic findings, its risk factors, and the main prevention measures to be implemented. Likewise, an attempt will be made to analyze the causes and pathological mechanisms associated with SIDS, as well as potential approaches and future paths that must be followed to reduce the impact of this condition.

Estimating risk to prevent damage: predicting and preventing coypu (Myocastor coypus) damage to transport infrastructure.

BACKGROUND: A major impact of invasive Myocastor coypus in their introduction range is the collapse of riverbanks and nearby infrastructure, such as railway lines, due to the species' burrowing activities. Because widespread implementation of preventive measures along watercourses is unfeasible, identifying susceptible areas is key to guide targeted management actions. This study used species-habitat models to: (i) identify local environmental features of the railway line/watercourse intersections (RLWIs) that make them particularly susceptible to coypu damage, and (ii) predict species occurrence probability over a wide lowland-hilly area of northern Italy (Lombardy) to identify priority areas for monitoring. RESULTS: Local-scale models identified that the RLWIs most susceptible to burrowing were those surrounded by arable land with interspersed hedgerows locally characterized by high herbaceous vegetation and clay soil. In urbanized areas and areas of intensive agriculture, coypu dens were generally located significantly closer to the railway, increasing the risk of collapse. A landscape-scale species distribution model showed that lowland areas along major rivers and lake shores, and also agricultural areas with a dense minor hydrographic network, particularly in the southeast of the study area, are more likely to be occupied by coypu. CONCLUSION: Local-scale models showed that specific environmental characteristics increase the risk of burrowing near RLWIs. The landscape-scale model allowed us to predict which areas require thorough monitoring of RLWIs to search for such local characteristics to implement preventive management measures. The proposed model-based framework can be applied to any geographical context to predict and prevent coypu damage. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Natural feed additives and bioactive supplements versus chemical additives as a safe and practical approach to combat foodborne mycotoxicoses.

This review highlights the possible hazard of mycotoxins occurrence in foods and feeds in regards to foodborne diseases. The possible management of the risk of contamination of foods and feeds with mycotoxins by using natural feed additives, protecting against deleterious effects of mycotoxins or inhibiting the growth of fungi and mycotoxin production, is deeply investigated in the available literature and some effective measures for safe utilization of mycotoxin contaminated feed/food are proposed. The biological methods of decontamination, degradation or biotransformation of mycotoxins are deeply analyzed and discussed. Some natural antagonists against target fungi are also reviewed and a comparison is made with conventional fungicides for ensuring a safe prevention of mycotoxin contamination. The most common and useful chemical methods of mycotoxins decontamination of agricultural commodities or raw materials are also investigated, e.g., chemical additives inactivating or destroying and/or adsorbing mycotoxins as well as chemical additives inhibiting the growth of fungi and mycotoxin production. The practical use and safety of various kind of feed/food additives or herbal/biological supplements as possible approach for ameliorating the adverse effects of some dangerous mycotoxins is deeply investigated and some suggestions are given. Various possibilities for decreasing mycotoxins toxicity, e.g., by clarifying the mechanisms of their toxicity and using some target antidotes and vitamins as supplements to the diet, are also studied in the literature and appropriate discussions or suggestions are made in this regard. Some studies on animal diets such as low carbohydrate intake, increased protein content, calorie restriction or the importance of dietary fats are also investigated in the available literature for possible amelioration of the ailments associated with mycotoxins exposure. It could be concluded that natural feed additives and bioactive supplements would be more safe and practical approach to combat foodborne mycotoxicoses as compared to chemical additives.

Male Youth Tobacco Usage Pattern in Banned Smoking Area in Comparison With Non-banned Smoking Area: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the impact of smoking bans in schools on smoking prevalence and behavior among Saudi male youth aged 13-15 years. METHODS: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted involving students from two intermediate schools in Jeddah - one with a smoking ban and the other without. Data collection utilized the Global Youth Tobacco Survey questionnaire, and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 21.0. RESULTS: The study had a 93.9% response rate, with 659 students participating. Notably, a lower percentage of ever-smoking was observed in the banned area compared to the non-banned area (39.6% vs. 50.9%; p=0.002). Current smoking rates were also lower in the banned area (14.2% vs. 23.8%; p=0.014). Family and peer influences on smoking were reduced in the banned area, and more students discussed the harmful effects of smoking with family (72.8% vs. 59.8%; p=0.003). Students in the non-banned area found it easier to access cigarettes. A significantly higher percentage of students in the banned area were resolute in not smoking if offered a cigarette by their best friend (65.0% vs. 59.2%; p=0.006). Students in the non-banned area reported higher exposure to cigarette smoke at home and in other places compared to those in the banned area (15.8% vs. 10.8%; p=0.008), respectively. A higher percentage of smokers in the banned area expressed a desire to quit smoking, though the difference was not statistically significant. More anti-smoking media messages were reported in the banned area (35.6% vs. 33.6%; p=0.004). Fewer respondents in the banned area had items with cigarette brand logos (13.6% vs. 19.9%; p=0.03). CONCLUSION: The findings underscore the effectiveness of smoking bans in schools in reducing smoking prevalence among students. This suggests a broader societal shift in attitudes toward smoking, highlighting the need for comprehensive bans as part of public health strategies. However, there remains a need for targeted interventions to address the complexities of smoking behavior in both banned and non-banned areas.