The study investigated the effect of encapsulated Medinilla javanensis fruit extract on performance, protein digestibility, and health of broilers. A total of 200 Cobb broiler chicks were divided into five treatments with four repetitions, including T0 (basal diet), T1 (basal diet + 200 mg/kg encapsulated Medinilla javanensis fruit extract), T2 (basal diet + 400 mg/kg encapsulated Medinilla javanensis fruit extract), T3 (basal diet + 600 mg/kg encapsulated Medinilla javanensis fruit extract), and T4 (basal diet + 800 mg/kg encapsulated Medinilla javanensis fruit extract). Sample collection was conducted on day 35 of age. Results showed that increased encapsulated Medinilla javanensis fruit extract levels in feed linearly increased (P<0.05) body weight, body weight gain, intestinal lactic acid bacteria counts, protein digestibility and serum superoxide dismutase levels, while linearly decreasing (P<0.05) feed conversion ratio, intestinal Escherichia coli counts, small intestinal pH values and serum malondialdehyde levels. In conclusion, encapsulated Medinilla javanensis fruit extract improved growth performance, protein digestibility intestinal health and antioxidant status of broilers. The encapsulated Medinilla javanensis fruit extract at a level of 600 mg/kg exerted the best performance and health of broilers.

Emotional state can influence the dynamics of the learning environment. Both educators and parents need to acknowledge the integral role that emotions have in learning. Emotions are the embodied response to a stimulus. Phylogenetically, olfactory stimulation has unique relation with emotion. Hence, it is important to take the ambient smells surrounding us into consideration to enhance our “ Well-being”, which is defined as the combination of feeling good and functioning well; by experiencing positive emotions such as happiness and contentment as well as the development of one’s potential. It has been proven that aromatherapy using specific ambient scents is a positive tool in learning process affecting cognitive skills from one side and psychological condition for everyone involved. Aromatherapy is practiced via inhalation or topical application as a natural way of healing a person’s mind, body and soul. The practice will be depended on specific essential oils proven to have multiple aspects of neural and mental development, emitted from an aromatherapy burner - in both schools and homes- and continuously burned throughout the teaching period. Inhaling essential oils will stimulate the olfactory system. As the molecules would reach the brain, they will affect limbic system, which is linked to emotions, memory and stress, reflecting on the well- being of all who are involved in the learning process, building sustain and positive emotions of appreciation for the world around them.

Pathogenic Escherichia coli (E. coli) is a significant foodborne pathogen that poses a serious global public health risk. These pathogenic strains of E. coli can be found in various environments such as soil, water, livestock, livestock products, and humans. This review aims to evaluate the role of livestock and the environment as potential sources and reservoirs of pathogenic E. coli in Malaysia over the past two decades. A systematic search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases using standardized keywords (Escherichia coli, Livestock, Abattoir workers, Farm workers, and Malaysia) to identify relevant original research articles published between 2001 and 2023 and our systematic review protocol was published in Prospero (Registration number: CRD42023433199). A total of 20 eligible articles were included in this review. The prevalence of multi-drug resistant E. coli among livestock production system and the environment, ranged from 4% to 100%. E. coli strains isolated from livestock production systems and environment in Malaysia exhibited high potential for pathogenicity, with diverse enterotoxins, genes associated with antimicrobial resistance, and virulence factors. Phylogroup B and D were noted among the E. coli isolates indicating that the strains in Malaysia are highly virulent and extra-intestinal. High levels of resistance to antimicrobials particularly ESBL and colistin which are last resort antimicrobials were noted. Butchering or processing of livestock, contamination of plants via contaminated waterways or livestock manure are the main sources and reservoir for E. coli to spread in Malaysia. Continued surveillance, monitoring and a comprehensive 'One Health' approach are recommended to effectively prevent and control livestock drug-resistant E.coli strains throughout the country.

Mycotoxin-contaminated feed is one of the main causes of contamination that may increase broiler mortality and impair their production. A total of 161 in vivo data acquired from 31 published articles were used as a database for determining the effectiveness of mycotoxin binders on performance and health of broiler. The Hedges’ d value was employed as a measure of effect size (ES) in the present meta-analysis. Increasing mycotoxin binder in feed enhanced body weight (ES=0.784; P<0.001), decreased feed conversion ratio (ES=-0.87; P<0.001), and decreased mortality (ES=-3.98; P<0.001). In terms of average daily gain and mortality suppression, the finisher phase demonstrated the greatest effectiveness of the binder usage compared to the starter and finisher phases. The effectiveness of binders in lowering the incidence of mycotoxin in feed was beneficial in reducing mortality and enhancing broiler performance. In addition, its application into feed may enhance the health condition of broilers by enhancing organ weights and gastrointestinal health.

Single-use medical gloves achieve their purpose only when properly used. Proper use also helps avoid undesired consequences such as excessive waste and CO2 emissions, as well as inadequate hand hygiene. In this selective review of the primary scientific literature, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the use of single-use medical gloves in the health-care sector. We also provide further information from national recommendations, guidelines, and regulatory provisions. Single-use medical gloves mainly serve to protect the health-care professional and are only rarely meant to promote patient safety. For reasons of occupational safety and self-protection, hand hygiene should be performed after single-use medical gloves are removed. A study on single-use medical gloves from open boxes revealed that 13% bore human pathogenic bacteria. It was found in a meta-analysis that wearing single-use medical gloves can lower the risk of nosocomial infection (incidence rate ratio, IRR: 0.77 [0.67; 0.89]. In a randomized controlled trial, adherence for putting on single-use medical gloves without prior hand disinfection was 87%. On the other hand, where hand disinfection was expected to be performed before putting on gloves, adherence was 41%. Proper use can lower the rate of occupational skin diseases and improve adherence to hand hygiene for the five moments in which it is recommended (before and after patient contact, before aseptic procedures, after contact with potentially infectious material, and after contact with the immediate patient environment). Limiting the use of single-use medical gloves to its proper indications promotes the safety of health-care professionals and patients and has beneficial ecological and economic effects as well.

AIM: To investigate the association between juvenile open angle glaucoma (JOAG) and mental health among Koreans. METHODS: This study used nationally representative data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2021. Glaucoma diagnosis followed the International Society of Geographical and Epidemiological Ophthalmology criteria based on glaucomatous structural defects, visual field defects, corrected vision, and intraocular pressure. As outcomes, suicidal behaviors, psychiatric counseling, and depression were evaluated through mental health questionnaires. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using logistic regression models, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: Among 7090 participants, 3446 met the inclusion criteria for analysis, and 88 (2.6%) were diagnosed with open angle glaucoma (OAG). After adjusting for age, sex, and best-corrected visual acuity (VA), participants with OAG were revealed to have significantly higher odds of suicidal behaviors (i.e., ideation, planning, or attempts) compared with those without OAG (OR: 2.70; 95%CI: 1.12-6.54; P=0.028). This association remained significant after further adjustments for socioeconomic status, lifestyle factors, and presence of chronic conditions (P=0.031 and 0.035, respectively). However, there was no significant difference for the other two outcomes, psychiatric counseling and depression. An age-stratified analysis revealed a stronger association between OAG and suicidal behaviors in younger JOAG participants (<40y) than in older OAG participants (≥40y; OR: 3.80 vs 2.22; 95%CI: 0.79-18.22 vs 0.56-8.80, respectively). CONCLUSION: OAG patients show a higher risk of suicidal behaviors than those without glaucoma particularly in JOAG patients.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) represents a global health threat. MASH pathophysiology involves hepatic lipid accumulation and progression to severe conditions like cirrhosis and, eventually, hepatocellular carcinoma. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-19 has emerged as a key regulator of metabolism, offering potential therapeutic avenues for MASH and associated disorders. We evaluated the therapeutic potential of non-mitogenic (NM)-FGF19 mRNA formulated in liver-targeted lipid nanoparticles (NM-FGF19-mRNAs-LNPs) in C57BL/6NTac male mice with diet-induced obesity and MASH (DIO-MASH: 40% kcal fat, 20% kcal fructose, 2% cholesterol). After feeding this diet for 21 weeks, NM-FGF19-mRNAs-LNPs or control (C-mRNA-LNPs) were administered (0.5 mg/kg, i.v.) weekly for another six weeks, in which diet feeding continued. NM-FGF19-mRNAs-LNPs treatment in DIO-MASH mice resulted in reduced body weight, adipose tissue depots, and serum transaminases, along with improved insulin sensitivity. Histological analyses confirmed the reversal of MASH features, including steatosis reduction without worsening fibrosis. NM-FGF19-mRNAs-LNPs reduced total hepatic bile acids (BAs) and changed liver BA composition, markedly influencing cholesterol homeostasis and metabolic pathways as observed in transcriptomic analyses. Extrahepatic effects included the down-regulation of metabolic dysfunction-associated genes in adipose tissue. This study highlights the potential of NM-FGF19-mRNA-LNPs therapy for MASH, addressing both hepatic and systemic metabolic dysregulation. NM-FGF19-mRNA demonstrates efficacy in reducing liver steatosis, improving metabolic parameters, and modulating BA levels and composition. Given the central role played by BA in dietary fat absorption, this effect of NM-FGF19-mRNA may be mechanistically relevant. Our study underscores the high translational potential of mRNA-based therapies in addressing the multifaceted landscape of MASH and associated metabolic perturbations.

The gut microbiome is an extensive variety of bacteria with a range of metabolic capabilities that can be pathogenic, beneficial, or opportunistic. Changes in the gut microbiota's composition can affect the link between gut integrity and host health as well as cause disruptions to numerous neurological systems. The second most prevalent mental health problem, insomnia has a negative social and economic impact. Currently, it is becoming increasingly obvious how crucial it is to preserve the delicate balance of gut microbiota to treat illness-related symptoms like insomnia. Although traditional Chinese medicine has proposed an effective strategy against insomnia through gut microbiota alteration in animal models, studies in human models are limited. This decreases the predictive value of the studies in terms of human outcomes. This editorial places an emphasis on cultural sensitivity rather than scientific reasoning that promotes the use of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). We aim to emphasize the concern that promoting TCM could divert resources from conventional medical research, leading to suboptimal care.