30-day Period Research Articles

Real-Time Biomarkers of Liver Graft Quality in Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion

Background: Hypothermic oxygenated machine perfusion has emerged as a strategy to alleviate ischemic-reperfusion injury in liver grafts. Nevertheless, there is limited data on the effectiveness of hypothermic liver perfusion in evaluating organ quality. This study aimed to introduce a readily accessible real-time predictive biomarker measured in machine perfusate for post-transplant liver graft function. Methods: The study evaluated perfusate analytes over a 90-day postoperative period in 26 patients randomly assigned to receive a liver graft following dual hypothermic machine perfusion in a prospective randomized controlled trial. Machine perfusion was consistently conducted end-ischemically for at least 120 min, with real-time perfusate assessment at 30-min intervals. Graft functionality was assessed using established metrics, including Early Allograft Dysfunction (EAD). Results: Perfusate lactate concentration after 120 min of machine perfusion demonstrated significant predictive value for EAD (AUC ROC: 0.841, p = 0.009). Additionally, it correlated with post-transplant peak transaminase levels and extended hospital stays. Subgroup analysis revealed significantly higher lactate accumulation in livers with post-transplant EAD. Conclusions: Liver graft quality can be effectively assessed during hypothermic machine perfusion using simple perfusate lactate measurements. The reliability and accessibility of this evaluation support its potential integration into diverse transplant centers.

Intravaginal cooling provides symptom relief in women with vulvovaginal candidiasis and reduces immunopathology in an accompanying mouse model

Abstract Background Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), caused primarily by Candida albicans, is currently treated with either prescription or over-the-counter antifungal drugs, often with variable efficacy and relapses. New and improved therapeutic strategies, including drug-free treatment alternatives, are needed. Upon overgrowth or environmental triggers, C. albicans yeast transitions into hyphae that results in an aberrant immunopathologic response by neutrophils, contributing to the characteristic vulvovaginal symptoms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a patented intravaginal cooling device (Vlisse®) to provide symptom relief in women with VVC via putative reversal of C. albicans hyphae to the commensal yeast form, with additional proof of principle in an animal model. Methods This pilot clinical trial involved five women with VVC who used the device twice daily for three days. Vulvovaginal symptoms were monitored and scored for each use, followed by pelvic examination 30 days post-treatment. An established mouse model of VVC, using cooled magnetic micro stir rods for vaginal cooling, was employed to evaluate the effect on fungal morphology and vaginal immunopathology. Results Clinical cure, defined as complete reduction in symptoms without recurrence over a 30-day follow-up period, was achieved in all women. In the mouse model, the insertion of pre-cooled magnetic rods intravaginally for short periods, twice daily for 3 days, reduced the immunopathogenic neutrophil infiltration and hyphal presence. Conclusions Intravaginal cooling treatment provides clinical cure for VVC with strong proof of concept in an accompanying animal model. The therapeutic efficacy of Vlisse® warrants further testing in large-scale long-term clinical trials.

Surgical strategies for recurrent hiatal hernia: three-point fundoplication fixation

BackgroundThe management of a recurrent (symptomatic) hiatal hernia remains controversial. This study aimed to review the outcomes of patients who underwent recurrent repair of hiatal hernias.MethodsThirteen patients who underwent recurrent hiatal hernia repairs at our hospital between 2018 and 2024 were reviewed retrospectively. The postoperative outcomes and complications of these patients were investigated.ResultsThirteen patients were included in this study. The median time of reoperation from the previous hiatal hernia repair was 3 years (IQR, 2.5–5). Patients with a history of only one repair accounted for 76.9%, whereas those with two repairs accounted for 23.1%. All reoperations were completed laparoscopically. No deaths or readmissions during the 30-day postoperative period were recorded at an average of 30.5 ± 20.9 (6–68) months of follow-up. No other complications or symptoms were recorded, and oral medication was discontinued in eleven (84.6%) patients. The average GERD-Q score was 6.7 ± 1.3 postoperatively, whereas it was 10.4 ± 3.0 preoperatively.ConclusionWe present several surgical strategies for addressing the recurrence of hiatal hernias. The key is not only to accurately close the hernia ring but also to fix the fundoplication to reduce the impact on the tissue around the hiatus to reduce the incidence of recurrence. Our three-point fixation technique showed promising effects in preventing recurrence but needs further study.Clinical Trial NumberChiCTR2100049995.

Dynamic changes in primary and secondary metabolites of monascal brown rice through γ-aminobutyric acid microcapsule supplementation and untargeted metabolomic analysis

Abstract This study aimed to study the effect of modification of monascal brown rice (MBR) solid-state fermentation through supplementation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) microcapsules from the emulsification/internal gelation technique on dynamic changes in primary and secondary metabolites during 25-day fermentation to conduct metabolomic analysis. During MBR fermentation, the d50 values of GABA microcapsules increased due to their swelling during the MBR fermentation. The lowest encapsulation efficiency (EE%) and highest cumulative release (CR%) of GABA microcapsules found after 25 days of the fermentation were 40.18% and 89.13%, respectively. It was an interesting point that supplementation of microencapsulated GABA into MBR substrate could expand the stationary phase (days 10–20 of the fermentation) of M. purpureus growth curve compared to the control (days 10–15 of the fermentation). During the stationary phase, the concentrations of alanine, phenylalanine, arginine, tyrosine, and tryptophan in MBR fermentation with GABA microcapsule supplementation rose by more than 1.2-fold relative to the control, whereas linolenic acid, linoleic acid, and oleic acid demonstrated increases of over 1.24, 1.31, and 1.42-fold, respectively. Following a 25-day fermentation period, the maximum concentration of GABA detected in the MBR supplemented with GABA microcapsules was 1,267.13 mg/kg, in comparison to the control. Considering HCA and variable importance in projection (VIP), the primary metabolites MBR from GABA microcapsule supplementation positively correlated with days 10 and 15 of the fermentation but days 20 and 25 of the fermentation for the secondary metabolites. The significant metabolic pathways based on the primary and secondary metabolites of MBR from GABA microcapsule supplementation were 1. starch and sucrose metabolism, 2. neomycin, kanamycin, and gentamicin biosynthesis, 3. biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, 4. phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis, 5. arginine and proline metabolism, 6. citrate cycle (TCA cycle), 7. fructose and mannose metabolism, and 8. pyruvate metabolism.

Burden of RSV infections among young children in primary care: a prospective cohort study in five European countries (2021-23).

The majority of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in young children are managed in primary care, however, the disease burden in this setting remains poorly defined. We did a prospective cohort study in primary care settings in Belgium, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and the UK during the RSV seasons of 2020-21 (UK only; from Jan 1, 2021), 2021-22, and 2022-23. Children aged younger than 5 years presenting to their general practitioner or primary care paediatrician with symptoms of an acute respiratory tract infection were eligible for RSV testing. Children who tested positive for RSV were consented and followed up for 30 days via a physician clinical report (initial primary care visit on day 1) and two parent-report questionnaires (days 14 and 30). We assessed the burden of RSV in terms of clinical course (symptoms, illness duration, and complications), health-care resource utilisation (primary care visits, emergency department visits, hospitalisation rate, and medication use), and societal impact (daycare or school absence and parental work absence) for the 30-day follow-up period. Among 3414 tested children, 1124 (32·9%; 95% CI 31·3-34·5) tested positive for RSV. Among children with data on age, RSV positivity rate was 38·9% (36·1-41·7; n=466 of 1198) in children younger than 1 year and 25·9% (24·0-27·9; n=513 of 1979) in those aged 1 to <5 years. Of the 1124 RSV-positive children, 878 (78·1%) were enrolled and had day 1 data collected (median age 11·1 months [IQR 6·0-22·0]; 446 [50·9%] boys and 431 [49·1%] girls [N=877]). RSV illness lasted a mean of 11·7 days (95% CI 11·2-12·2; n=794). At day 14 and day 30, any remaining symptoms were reported in 451 of 804 (56·1% [95% CI 52·6-59·6]) and 261 of 724 (36·0% [32·6-39·7]) children. The mean number of primary care visits per child ranged from 1·4 (95% CI 1·2-1·6; the Netherlands) to 3·0 (2·8-3·3; Spain), and was higher in children younger than 1 year (2·7 visits [2·4-2·9]) than in those aged 1 to <5 years (2·1 [1·9-2·2]). Prescribed medication use varied, from 25 of 96 children (26·0% [95% CI 17·6-36·0]; the UK) to 228 of 297 children (76·8% [71·5-81·5]; Italy), with bronchodilators and antibiotics being the most commonly prescribed medicines across all countries. Prescribed medication use was reported in 258 of 418 children aged 1 to <5 years (61·7% [56·9-66·4]) and 196 of 394 children younger than 1 year (49·7% [44·7-54·8]). Missed working days by parents due to their child's RSV illness were reported in 340 of 744 cases (45·7% [42·1-49·4]); the mean number of missed workdays ranged from 1·3 days (95% CI 0·5-2·2) in Spain to 4·1 days (3·3-5·0) in Belgium. RSV infections in children younger than 5 years in primary care are associated with substantial symptomatology, health-care utilisation, and parental work absence. Notable differences in RSV burden existed across countries, likely due to differences in primary health-care systems, clinical practice, and health-care-seeking behaviour. This study emphasises the importance of considering country-specific primary care burden estimates when considering the implementation of RSV immunisations programmes. Sanofi and AstraZeneca.

A Listeriosis Case Associated with Ice Cream Consumption in China in 2019.

During the 2019 Chinese National Microbiological Food Safety Surveillance program, Listeria monocytogenes was detected in ice cream samples produced by Manufacturer A. By comparing the sequences of isolates derived from the ice cream with those of isolates derived from humans, we identified one human-derived isolate that was genetically indistinguishable from one ice cream-derived isolates. The patient was hospitalized with listeriosis in Beijing, China in March 2019. Food history obtained from the patient indicated that he had consumed ice cream produced by Manufacturer A during the 30-day period before the onset of illness. No cases of listeriosis were detected after the ice cream produced by Manufacturer A was removed from the shelves. Overall, this report presents the first case of L. monocytogenes infection associated with ice cream in China.

Assessing Physician Assistant Students' Ability to Accurately Identify the Regional Landmarks of the Fascia Iliaca Compartment With Point of Care Ultrasound After a Brief Training Session.

Regional anesthesia, specifically fascia iliaca compartment blocks (FICB), is highly effective in managing pain, especially in military settings. However, a significant barrier to its implementation is the lack of provider confidence in performing ultrasound-guided procedures. This study evaluates the ability of physician assistant (PA) students, who are often first-line providers in austere locations, to identify the fascia iliaca compartment (FIC) using point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) after a brief training session and assesses their retention of this skill over a 60- to 90-day period. We conducted this prospective observational study involving 10 PA students at an Air Force hospital. Participants underwent a brief training course on FIC identification using POCUS. Their ability to identify 4 anatomical landmarks (fascia iliaca, fascia lata, iliopsoas muscle, and femoral artery) was assessed immediately post-training and again after 60 to 90 days. Initially, participants demonstrated a high success rate in identifying the FIC, with 47 out of 60 attempts (78%) correctly identified. However, follow-up evaluations showed a significant decline, with only 7 out of 54 attempts (13%) correctly identified after 60 to 90 days (P < .001). Identification rates for specific landmarks also declined significantly, except for the femoral artery, which remained the most accurately identified landmark. This study demonstrates that PA students can accurately identify the FIC using POCUS after a brief training session. However, there was a significant decline in skill retention over a 60- to 90-day period, underscoring the need for continuous education and practice to sustain proficiency. Further research with larger sample sizes and diverse settings is needed to develop effective training protocols and ensure long-term retention of U.S.-guided procedural skills.

Post-concussion symptom burden and dynamics: Insights from a digital health intervention and machine learning.

Individuals who sustain a concussion can experience a range of symptoms which can significantly impact their quality of life and functional outcome. This study aims to understand the nature and recovery trajectories of post-concussion symptomatology by applying an unsupervised machine learning approach to data captured from a digital health intervention (HeadOn). As part of the 35-day program, patients complete a daily symptom diary which rates 8 post-concussion symptoms. Symptom data were analysed using K-means clustering to categorize patients based on their symptom profiles. During the study period, a total of 758 symptom diaries were completed by 84 patients, equating to 6064 individual symptom ratings. Fatigue, sleep disturbance and difficulty concentrating were the most prevalent symptoms reported. A decline in symptom burden was observed over the 35-day period, with physical and emotional symptoms showing early rates of recovery. In a correlation matrix, there were strong positive correlations between low mood and irritability (r = 0.84), and poor memory and difficulty concentrating (r = 0.83). K-means cluster analysis identified three distinct patient clusters based on symptom severity. Cluster 0 (n = 24) had a low symptom burden profile across all the post-concussion symptoms. Cluster 1 (n = 35) had moderate symptom burden but with pronounced fatigue. Cluster 2 (n = 25) had a high symptom burden profile across all the post-concussion symptoms. Reflecting the severity of the clusters, there was a significant relationship between the symptom clusters for both the Rivermead (p = 0.05) and PHQ-9 (p = 0.003) questionnaires at 6-weeks follow-up. By leveraging digital ecological momentary assessments, a rich dataset of daily symptom ratings was captured allowing for the identification of symptom severity clusters. These findings underscore the potential of digital technology and machine learning to enhance our understanding of post-concussion symptomatology and offer a scalable solution to support patients with their recovery.

Low-velocity impact behaviors of TFMLs in hydrothermal and thermal-cycling environments

Thermoplastic fiber metal laminates (TFMLs) have garnered significant attention due to their excellent impact resistance. However, the influence of practical environmental factors on the impact resistance of TFMLs remains inadequately explored. This study endeavor to investigate the impact behaviors and damage tolerance of TFMLs, employing a novel thermoplastic resin, Elium®188, under two simulated marine environments: a thermal-cycling condition (involving 90 days of exposure to 70℃ for 6 h followed by 18 h at room temperature daily) and a hydrothermal environment (consisting of 90 days of immersion in distilled water at 70℃). The impact response and damage characteristics were analyzed through low-velocity impact (LVI) and compression-after-impact (CAI) tests. The findings indicated that under thermal-cycling, the LVI resistance decreased as a result of resin aging, but the resin hardened during aging led to a 48 % increase in CAI strength over the 90-day period. In the hydrothermal environment, the absorbed energy decreased by 5.6 % and CAI strength decreased by 13.7 % after 90 days, primarily due to resin hydrolysis and erosion of the TFMLs’ internal structure by water molecules. This research offers valuable insights into the impact resistance and damage tolerance of TFMLs, serving as a vital reference for practical applications in marine settings.

Fidelidade do manequim: efeito na satisfação e autoconfiança de estudantes de enfermagem

Abstract Objective To compare the effect of the manikin in the simulation on levels of satisfaction and self-confidence with the learning of undergraduate nursing students in relation to the administration of intravenous medication to critically ill patients. Methods Randomized, parallel, double-blind clinical trial. Study participants were allocated to the Experimental Group (high-fidelity manikin) and Control Group (low-fidelity manikin) and exposed to the simulation session. Before, immediately after and 30 days after the simulation, students filled out the Student Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale. The Mann Whitney, Chi-square, Wilcoxon test and Fisher’s exact statistical tests were used. A significance level of 5% was adopted, with results considered significant with a p-value ≤ 0.05. Results 60 students were evaluated (31 in the Experimental Group and 29 in the Control Group). There was a significant reduction in satisfaction (p = 0.02) and self-confidence (p &lt; 0.001) over the 30-day period in the control group. In the experimental group, levels of satisfaction and self-confidence were maintained in the different stages of the study. Conclusion The high fidelity of the manikin was not effective for the development of non-technical skills such as satisfaction and self-confidence when compared to low fidelity in the administration of intravenous medications to critically ill patients by nursing students. ClinicalTrials.gov register: NCT03828526

Riluzole is associated with reduced risk of heart failure.

Reduction of intracellular Na+ accumulation through late Na+ current inhibition has been recognized as a target for cardiac Ca2+ handling which underlies myocardial contractility and relaxation in heart failure (HF). Riluzole, an Na+ channel blocker with enhancement of Ca2+-activated K+ channel function, used for management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is effective in suppressing Ca2+ leak and therefore may improve cardiac function. The study aim was to investigate whether riluzole lowers HF incidence. Rates of HF incident were compared using a commercial insurance and Medicare supplement claims databases. Patients with a filled riluzole prescription (treatment) between 06/2009 and 12/2019 were compared to those with no-riluzole (control). We excluded HF patients during the 180-day baseline period. Study endpoint was the first HF diagnosis from the index riluzole prescription or ALS diagnosis. HF onset was compared between the propensity score matched treatment and control cohorts. The matched cohort consisted of 4060 pairs of riluzole/control patients. The 24-month cumulative incidence of HF onset for riluzole versus control patients was 4.96% versus 7.27%, calculating hazard ratio (HR) [95% CI, p-value] of 0.55 [0.40-0.76, p < 0.01]. The HR estimates favoring riluzole over the ALS control were consistent across the 3 months to 2-year follow-up. The clinically and statistically significant effect on HF onset was driven by the lower rate of HFrEF with the 2-year HR [95% CI] of 0.46 [0.21-0.99]. Riluzole is associated with a lower rate of HF onset, suggesting a potential prevention strategy for early management.

Seed germination of the medicinal plant Ferula gigantea

Ferula gigantea is a perennial herb valued for its medicinal and ornamental properties. The declining survival rate of F. gigantea in its natural habitat has prompted research on seed germination to aid relocation and conservation efforts. Here, we examined seed morphology through controlled experiments and investigated the impact of gibberellic acid (GA3) soaking and low-temperature stratification on seed germination. A 90-day low-temperature stratification period yielded the highest germination of 86.7%. In conclusion, pre-sowing low temperature stratification for 90 days is an effective method for improving seed germination in F. gigantea.

Bioprospecting indigenous bacteria from landfill leachate for enhanced polypropylene microplastics degradation.

Plastic pollution, especially microplastics (MPs), is a severe environmental threat. Due to the significant environmental issues posed by plastics, it is critical to use an effective and sustainable degradation technique. The study aimed to isolate and identify Indigenous bacterial strains from landfill leachate (LL) to evaluate its potential for degrading Polypropylene microplastics (PPMPs). The investigation identified two bacterial strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and novel Staphylococcus haemolyticus, through 16S rRNA analysis, capable of decomposing PPMPs. Following a 30-day treatment period, it was noted that Staphylococcus haemolyticus reduced the dry weight of PPMPs by 25.46 % ± 1.35 %, whereas Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain reduced it by 7.01 % ± 0.85 %. Multiple tests, including weight loss, pH, optical density, total biomass yield, and BATH test of the medium, validated the growth of bacterial strains. The biochemical characteristics of the isolated strains were assessed through Biochemical tests. The study also investigated the surface, chemical, and structural changes in treated PPMPs using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and Ion Chromatography (IC) tests. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) study also showed the creation of alcohol, methyl, as well as carbonyl groups due to hydrolysis and oxidation by both bacterial strains. This study implies that the Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial strains are secure and efficient for PPMP bioremediation.

Mortality-associated plasma proteome dynamics in a prospective multicentre sepsis cohort.

Sepsis remains a leading cause of mortality in intensive care units. Understanding the dynamics of the plasma proteome of patients with sepsis is critical for improving prognostic and therapeutic strategies. This prospective, multicentre observational cohort study included 363 patients with sepsis recruited from five university hospitals in Germany between March 2018 and April 2023. Plasma samples were collected on days 1 and 4 after sepsis diagnosis, and proteome analysis was performed using mass spectrometry. Classical statistical methods and machine learning (random forest) were employed to identify proteins associated with 30-day survival outcomes. Out of 363 patients, 224 (62%) survived, and 139 (38%) did not survive the 30-day period. Proteomic analysis revealed significant differences in 87 proteins on day 1 and 95 proteins on day 4 between survivors and non-survivors. Additionally, 63 proteins were differentially regulated between day 1 and day 4 in the two groups. The identified protein networks were primarily related to blood coagulation, immune response, and complement activation. The random forest classifier achieved an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.75 for predicting 30-day survival. The results were compared and partially validated with an external sepsis cohort. This study describes temporal changes in the plasma proteome associated with mortality in sepsis. These findings offer new insights into sepsis pathophysiology, emphasizing the innate immune system as an underexplored network, and may inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies. European Regional Development Fund of the European Union. The State of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

Effect of pre-treatments and storage on quality of green chilli powder

India is one of the largest producers of commercial vegetables and spices, including chilli (Capsicum annuum L.). To reduce postharvest losses and enhance value addition, green chilli preparation and preservation are important. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of different chemical pretreatments on green chilli powder quality as well as the effect of storage on its quality. The experiment was laid out in the Factorial Completely Randomized Design (FCRD) with eight different pre-treatments and three storage intervals. The significantly lowest L*, a* and b* colour values and the significantly maximum solubility, total ash, crude fiber, acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenol and capsaicin were observed during 180-day storage period in the pre-treatment of green chilli with 1% ascorbic acid by dipping for 10 minutes. During the 180- day storage period, the Total Plate Count was increased but remained within permissible limit. The maximum protein content was observed in pre-treatment with 0.3% sodium metabisulphite, while the lowest Total Plate Count was recorded in pre-treatment with 0.5% chitosan. Based on the study of various parameters, dipping green chilli in 1% ascorbic acid for 10 minutes followed by tray drying produced superior quality. The green chilli powder was stored for a duration of 180 days under ambient conditions.

THE EFFECT OF UTILIZING ASIAN CLAM (Anodonta woodiana) AS A SUSPENSION FEEDER ON THE WATER QUALITY OF NILE TILAPIA (Oreochromis niloticus) IN A YUMINA BUMINA SYSTEM WITH MINIMAL LAND USE

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) has limitations in its application due to the requirement for large cultivation areas. To address this issue, the IMTA system has been modified into the yumina bumina system, utilizing freshwater mussels (Anodonta woodiana) as suspension feeders and water spinach (Ipomoea reptans) as nitrogen absorbers. This study employed a completely randomized design with three treatments: (A) Nile tilapia without freshwater mussels, (B) Nile tilapia with 25 freshwater mussels per 15L, and (C) Nile tilapia with 50 freshwater mussels per 15L, over a 30-day period. The results indicated that the addition of freshwater mussels increased nitrite and nitrate levels in treatments B and C, yet supported specific growth rates of Nile tilapia in terms of length and weight, with the highest values observed in treatment C (1.05%/day) and B (3.75%/day), respectively. The system also achieved a survival rate of Nile tilapia above 80% with acceptable water quality parameters, including neutral pH (7.86–8.16) and high dissolved oxygen levels (17.77–18.02 mg/L). This integration demonstrates significant potential for optimizing Nile tilapia production efficiently while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Short-term dynamics of fecal microbiome and antibiotic resistance in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) following antibiotic treatment and withdrawal

BackgroundIn aquaculture, the secretions of cultured organisms contribute to the development of aquatic antibiotic resistance. However, the antibiotic-induced changes in fish feces remain poorly understood. This study aimed to assess the short-term dynamics of fecal microbiome and antibiotic resistance in juvenile rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) upon antibiotic treatment and withdrawal period.MethodsFish were orally administered diets supplemented with oxytetracycline (OTC) or sulfadiazine/trimethoprim (SDZ/TMP) for 10 consecutive days, followed by a 25-day withdrawal period. Fecal samples were collected before antibiotic treatment (day 0), and at 1, 3, 7, and 10 days post antibiotic administration (dpa), as well as 1, 3, 7, 14, and 25 days post antibiotic cessation (dpc). The fecal microbiome community was profiled using both culture-dependent and -independent methods. The relative abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and the class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) in the feces were quantified using real-time PCR.ResultsAntibiotic treatment disrupted the fecal microbial communities, and this alteration persisted even after antibiotic cessation. Moreover, OTC treatment increased the relative abundance of tet genes, while sul and dfr genes increased in the SDZ/TMP-treated group. Notably, Flavobacterium, Pseudomonas, and Streptococcus exhibited a significant correlation with the abundance of ARGs, suggesting their potential role as carriers for ARGs.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the antibiotic-induced changes in the fecal microbiome and the increase of ARGs in rainbow trout feces. These findings provide novel insights into the dynamics of microbiome recovery post-antibiotic cessation and suggest that fish feces provide a non-invasive approach to predict changes in the fish gut microbiome and resistome.

A New Soil-Based Solution for Reducing the Persistence of Parasites in Zoos

Controlling parasites in zoo animals is a significant challenge, making practical infection prevention methods essential. This study evaluated a novel solution using parasitophagous fungi-treated forage seeds to reduce soil parasite persistence. We conducted two experiments to assess the soil distribution of the fungi Mucor circinelloides (ovicidal) and Duddingtonia flagrans (larvicidal). Forage seeds were immersed in a submerged culture containing 106 spores/mL and subsequently sown in plastic trays (trial 1) and demarcated ground plots (40 × 30 cm) framed with wood (trial 2). Fifteen days later, Ascaris suum and cyathostomin eggs were placed above the germinated vegetation. After a 25–30-day period, the viability of roundworm eggs reduced by 62%, and half of them remained undeveloped; a 64% reduction in the counts of L3 cyathostomins was recorded. In trial 2, viability decreased by 55% in roundworm eggs, with an infectivity rate of 30%, while L3 counts lessened by 57%. It has been concluded that the risk of infection by ascarids and cyathostomins can be reduced by at least half by sowing the soil with forage seeds pre-treated with fungi, providing a practical solution for parasite control in zoos.

Opioid consumption in the first 30 days after surgery was independently associated with new persistent opioid use

IntroductionPrevious studies suggest that new persistent opioid use (NPOU) after surgery was associated with larger perioperative opioid prescriptions, but the association between NPOU and postoperative opioid consumption is unknown.MethodsThis retrospective...

Deciphering chaos in the Madden-Julian oscillation

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), having far-reaching impact on Earth’s climate and human society, is an important tropical phenomenon characterized by a typical 30–90-day period in phase evolution. The MJO was hardly being connected to chaos, which is featured with aperiodicity. However, unlike the quasi-periodic phase evolution, the event-to-event changes of MJO, to some extent represented by its amplitude evolution, is irregular. By presenting multiple evidence, we demonstrate that the MJO’s amplitude evolution is deterministically chaotic. Combining eigen-time-delay embedding and Koopman operator into a regression model, we further reveal the cause of chaos through a data-drive approach. We show that the dynamics of MJO amplitude can be decomposed into multiple periodic obits and nonlinear interaction between them. The aperiodic motion resulted from these nonlinear interactions disturbs the periodic obits asynchronously, leading to chaotic evolution of MJO amplitude. The findings here unveil the strong nonlinear nature of the MJO, explaining the difficulties in the long-term MJO prediction and providing new insight into MJO’s complexity.