Control Program Research Articles

Evolving the Role of Black Race in Hypertension Therapeutics.

Black race has been used to guide antihypertensive drug selection for Black patients based on predominant between race (same drug) and intra-race (different drugs) BP response patterns. Accordingly, thiazide diuretics and calcium antagonists have been recommended over renin angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors (angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors) and beta blockers for Black patients. Current antihypertensive drug prescribing reflects historical guidance as calcium antagonist and thiazide diuretics are prescribed more and RAS blockers less in Black than White patients. Hypertension control rates in Blacks, lag those for Whites despite their greater use of combination drug therapy and lesser use of monotherapy. This is also true across drug regimens containing any of the four recommended classes for initial therapy as well as for evidence-based combination drug therapy (calcium antagonist or thiazide diuretic + RAS blocker) regimens for which there is no known racial disparity in BP response. Current recommendations acknowledge the need for combination drug therapy in most, especially in Black patients. One exemplar comprehensive hypertension control program achieved > 80% control rates in Black and White patients with minimal racial disparity while utilizing a race-agnostic therapeutic algorithm. Black patients manifest robust, if not outsized, BP responses to diet/lifestyle modifications. Importantly, race neither appears to be a necessary nor sufficient consideration for selection of effective drug therapy. Accordingly, we urge the initiation of adequately intense race-agnostic drug therapy coupled with greater emphasis on diet/lifestyle modifications for Black patients as the cornerstone of a race-informed approach to hypertension therapeutics.

‘We may need some help; we are just parents who have chosen to engage in football’: a qualitative study on amateur coaches’ experiences of use of and support for injury prevention training in Sweden

IntroductionAchieving sufficient adherence with injury prevention exercise programmes is a challenge. The aim was to explore how amateur football coaches experience the use of and support for injury prevention training...

Performance and acceptability of the STREAM Disinfectant Generator for infection prevention and control practices in primary health care facilities in Uganda

BackgroundEffective infection prevention and control programs can positively influence quality of care, increase patient safety, and protect health care providers. Chlorine, a widely used and effective chemical disinfectant, is recommended for infection prevention and control in health care settings. However, lack of consistent chlorine availability limits its use. Electrolytic chlorine generators can address limited chlorine supply and stockouts by enabling onsite production of readily usable, high-quality chlorine cost-effectively. We report the feasibility (i.e., performance, acceptability, chlorine availability, and cost) of the electrolytic STREAM Disinfectant Generator (Aqua Research, New Mexico, USA) device for infection prevention and control in primary health care facilities in Uganda.MethodsWe installed STREAM devices in 10 primary health care facilities in central and western Uganda. Commercial chlorine inventory records (stock cards) were reviewed in each facility to calculate average liters of chlorine received and used per month. These values were compared with actual STREAM chlorine production volumes over the study period to determine its impact on chlorine availability. We collected acceptability data from a purposive sample of device users (n = 16), hospital administrators (n = 10), and district health officers (n = 6) who had been directly involved in the operation or supervision of the STREAM device. We descriptively analyzed the acceptability data by user group and evaluated qualitative responses manually using a thematic approach. Cost data were normalized and modeled to determine a break-even and cost-savings analysis across a five-year period (the minimum expected lifespan of the STREAM device).ResultsChlorine was consistently available without any reported stockouts during the evaluation period. STREAM chlorine production resulted in a 36.9 percent cost-savings over a five-year period compared to commercial chlorine. User acceptability of the STREAM device was high among STREAM operators, hospital administrators, and district health officers, with all respondents reporting that STREAM moderately or significantly improved infection prevention and control practices in the health facility. Overall, 88 percent of device users and 100 percent of hospital administrators wished to continue using the STREAM device instead of commercial chlorine products.ConclusionThe STREAM device has demonstrated significant potential to strengthen infection prevention and control practices in health care facilities in Uganda. Based on the preliminary results, the STREAM device should be considered a promising tool for district hospitals and large health centers facing infection prevention and control challenges in Uganda and elsewhere, provided water and electricity are available. Going forward, implementation of the STREAM device could also be considered in smaller health care facilities in Uganda and elsewhere.

Incidence of Diabetes Mellitus in the Kyrgyz Republic and the World. Factors Influencing Its Course

In recent years, large-scale studies based on data from administrative databases have reported changes in diabetes incidence over time. Different countries show various trends: stable incidence, decreases, and increases. High-income countries have seen a decline in diabetes incidence, possibly linked to changes in diagnosis and screening practices. The number of children and adolescents with diabetes, particularly type 2, is increasing, significantly impacting society. Diabetes is a cause of premature mortality and disability, negatively affecting the economy. In the USA, premature mortality is estimated to cost 19.9 billion dollars annually. In Kyrgyzstan, the burden of non-communicable diseases, including type 2 diabetes, is growing. Measures to combat diabetes in the country include free provision of insulin and medications, the approval of clinical guidelines and protocols, and the implementation of national prevention and control programs. The State Guarantee Program ensures free medication assistance for diabetes patients. Despite these efforts, issues with funding and resource efficiency remain. Improving the quality of medical care, intersectoral cooperation, and increasing accountability for public health are necessary. Enhancing the quality of pharmaceutical care and the efficient use of public funds are also priorities for improving the diabetes situation in Kyrgyzstan. Early diagnosis and treatment of diabetes complications, as well as the implementation of new prevention strategies, are crucial for reducing incidence and improving the quality of life for patients.

Preclinical SPECT and PET: Joint EANM and ESMI procedure guideline for implementing an efficient quality control programme.

The aim of this guideline is to provide recommendations for the implementation of an effective and efficient quality control (QC) programme for SPECT and PET systems in a preclinical imaging lab. These recommendations aim to strengthen the translational power of preclinical imaging results obtained using preclinical SPECT and PET. As for clinical imaging, reliability, reproducibility, and repeatability are essential when groups of animals are used in a longitudinal imaging experiment. The larger the variability of the imaging endpoint, the more animals are needed to be able to observe statistically significant differences between groups. Therefore, preclinical imaging requires quality control procedures to maintain reliability, reproducibility, and repeatability of imaging procedures, and to ensure the accuracy and precision of SPECT and PET quantification. While the Physics Committee of the European Association of Nuclear Medicine (EANM) has already published excellent procedure guidelines for Routine Quality Control Recommendations for Nuclear Medicine Instrumentationthat also includes procedures for small animal PET systems, and important steps have already been made concerning preclinical quality control aspects, this new guideline provides a review and update of these previous guidelines such that guidelines are also adapted to new technological developments.

Development and Control of Virtual Industrial Process using Factory IO and MATLAB

In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the strategic adoption of virtual manufacturing methods has emerged as a key driver for companies seeking to streamline operations and expedite product launches in a cost-effective manner. This progressive approach involves the creation of a synthetic and interconnected environment, empowered by advanced software tools and systems, including Virtual Reality and Simulation technologies, tailored to optimize industrial processes. Our methodology employs a unique combination of two simulation software tools: Factory I/O for process development and MATLAB for control program implementation. Furthermore, we explore the use of the Modbus TCP/IP communication protocol as the framework for seamless interaction between these software tools during simulation. This research presents practical insights into the transformative potential of virtual manufacturing, showcasing its real-world application in enhancing operational efficiency and agility within industrial settings.

Two-Pass Weed Management Programs for White Bean

It is essential to implement effective weed management programs to minimize white bean yield loss from weed interference. Four field experiments were conducted during 2022 and 2023 to determine the efficacy of one-pass compared to two-pass weed control programs. This study evaluated trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr or trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron applied preplant incorporated (PPI), bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl applied postemergence (POST), and trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr or trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron applied PPI followed by (fb) bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl applied POST in white bean. There was minimal white bean injury (≤ 5%) with the herbicide programs evaluated. Weed interference decreased white bean yield 44%. Weed interference with bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl applied POST resulted in a 24% decrease in white bean seed yield compared to the weed-free control; however, all other PPI and PPI fb POST herbicide programs resulted in white bean seed yield that was similar to the weed-free control. Weed interference with the one-pass herbicide programs (PPI or POST) resulted in 17% lower white bean seed yield compared to the two-pass herbicide programs (PPI fb POST). Trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr, applied PPI, controlled velvetleaf 85%, common ragweed 35%, common lambsquarters 96%, and green foxtail 80% at 8 weeks after the POST application (WAT). Trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron, applied PPI, controlled velvetleaf 68%, common ragweed 87%, common lambsquarters 94% and green foxtail 56% at 8 WAT. Bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl, applied POST, controlled velvetleaf 86%, common ragweed 97%, common lambsquarters 34%, and green foxtail 29% at 8 WAT. Trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr, applied PPI, followed by bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl, applied POST, controlled velvetleaf, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and green foxtail 98, 97, 96, and 94%, respectively at 8 WAT. Trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron, applied PPI, followed by bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl, applied POST, controlled velvetleaf, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and green foxtail 97, 99, 97 and 93%, respectively at 8 WAT. Based on orthogonal contrast, the two-pass herbicide programs provided 17, 21, 20, and 38% greater control of velvetleaf, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, and green foxtail in comparison to the one-pass herbicide programs, respectively at 8 WAT. This study concludes that the two-pass herbicide programs of trifluralin + S-metolachlor + imazethapyr or trifluralin + S-metolachlor + halosulfuron applied PPI followed by bentazon + fomesafen + quizalofop-p-ethyl applied POST provides the most consistent weed control in white bean in Ontario.

Continued Increase in Incidence of Kidney Cancer in Iran and its 31 Provinces

Background: Kidney cancer in adults includes malignant tumors originating from the parenchyma and pelvis and is the most lethal urogenital cancer. Available data in Iran indicate that the incidence and pattern of this cancer are changing. Objectives: Our study aimed to present an updated incidence rate of kidney cancer in Iran and its 31 provinces and their trends, and climate zones distribution of the disease. Methods: In this study, the age standard incidence rate (ASIR) of kidney cancer based on provinces, age groups, and gender has been calculated using the available data in the national cancer registration system of the Ministry of Health from 2003 to 2016. Results: Overall ASIR of kidney cancer was 1.28 per 100,000 from 2003 to 2016. ASIR of this cancer in men has increased from 0.96 in 2003 to 3.66 in 2016 and similarly, reached from 0.61 in 2003 to 2.24 in 2016 in Iran. Fars, Yazd, Tehran and Isfahan provinces had the highest ASIR in Iran. Hot climate zones are associated with a higher incidence of kidney cancer while moderate climate is linked to lower incidence rates in Iran. Conclusions: Although the incidence rate of kidney cancer in Iran and its provinces is low, the increasing trend is concerning particularly among men. Therefore, it is crucial to develop cost-effective screening tests and implement control and prevention programs in the high-incidence provinces.

Treatment Related Factors Associated with Non-adherence to Anti-Tuberculosis Treatment

Background: Non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment may result in persistent infectiousness on the part of the patient and a higher rate of treatment failure, relapse and drug resistance and therefore, is a significant barrier to the success in tuberculosis control. Objective: To determine the treatment related factors associated with non-adherence to anti-tuberculosis treatment among tuberculosis patients. Materials and method: This case control study was carried out among purposively selected 47tuberculosis patients non-adherent to treatment (cases) and 94 tuberculosis patients adherent to treatment (controls) and were interviewed with a semi-structured questionnaire and checklist in selected DOTS centres of Dhaka city. Results: Statistical analysis shows that, factors like delay in seeking tuberculosis treatment for >6 weeks (OR=4.57; 95% CI, 1.48-14.1) and getting medicine weekly once (OR=2.8; 95% CI, 1.13-6.77) were more likely to be associated with non-adherence to treatment. Lessfrequent visit by health providers (p=0.02), no support for side effect (p=0.042) and non-observation of medication (p=0.009) were also found significant. The reasons behind missing anti-TB doses among non-adherent cases were due to feeling better (53.2%), personal reason (25.5%), feeling worse (19.1%) and forgot to take medicine (2.2%). Conclusion: Mass awareness among the tuberculosis patients is required to improve attitude towards anti-tuberculosis treatment and activities of tuberculosis control programme require further strengthening especially in targeting the patients of low economic status. Delta Med Col J. Jan 2021;9(2): 96-100

Comparative evaluation of biological control programs and chemical pesticides for managing insect and mite pests in cucumber greenhouses: a sustainable approach for enhanced pest control and yield

BackgroundCucumber plants are susceptible to several economically damaging pests, including whiteflies, aphids, thrips and spider mites. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two biological control programs, utilizing different releases of bio-agents, in comparison with chemical control method. The bio-agents used were the aphid parasitoid Aphelinus albipodus Hayat and Fatima (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae), the green lacewing Chrysoperla carnea (Steph.) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae) and the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in two release rates; low and high. Additionally, a chemical pesticides treatment was included for comparison in managing the pests in cucumber greenhouses during the winter seasons of 2022 and 2023, in Egypt. Abundances of whitefly, aphids, thrips and spider mites were recorded weekly throughout the study.ResultsThe aphid population in the greenhouse with high release rate (BIO 2) showed the highest reduction, with percentages of 84.55 and 89.88% in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Both greenhouse with low release rate (BIO 1) and BIO 2 exhibited significant reductions in the whitefly population, with proportions of 71.31 and 72.01% in 2022, and 82.05 and 85.94% in 2023, respectively. The thrips population also experienced notable reductions in both BIO 1 and BIO 2 greenhouses, with percentages of 72.08 and 75.71% in 2022, and 59.93 and 61.38% in 2023, respectively. However, the pesticide treatment demonstrated the lowest reduction in populations of aphids, whitefly and thrips in both seasons. Nevertheless, in all treatments in the two evaluated seasons, the high release rate of the predatory mite, P. persimilis (15 individuals/m2), proved to be highly effective in maintaining the mite populations below the economic threshold level. However, the population density of the two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch. (Acari: Tetranychidae), increased in the pesticide-treated greenhouse, indicating the development of resistance to pesticides. Although the tested programs resulted in similar yields, the biological control approach offered the advantage of pesticide-free produce and reduced production costs.ConclusionFor pest management in cucumber growing in greenhouses during winter, it is recommended to use biological control agents at a low release rate at the early occurrence of pests. This approach can help minimize pest populations effectively.

Symbolic violence, social control, and student loan programmes: the subterranean complexes

ABSTRACT Government-backed student loans are not a panacea for educational inequality or social ills. By examining student loans as a means of social control, Bourdieu’s concept of symbolic violence can provide novel ways to encapsulate debt-response patterns across cultures and geographies. This gentle, invisible violence creeps in via misrecognition, a process that encompasses rationalising indebtedness and attaching latent meaning or emotional weight to student debt. Student debt is, first, internalised as a regular and reliable part of life, whether through income-contingent repayment or traditional mortgage-style programmes. Also present is the gradual internalisation of gratitude, trust, and obligation. Deferment or delinquency is subsequently interpreted as a sign of personal inadequacy. In essence, symbolic violence establishes a missing link between an individual’s subjective experience and institutional structural barriers. It disrupts commonly held assumptions on marketisation, private return, and individual responsibility in top-down neo-liberal discourse, informing student loan policy through a multidimensional lens.

The potential application of Czenspinskia transversostriata in biological control.

Phytoseiid predatory mites are one of the most important groups of biocontrol agents, commonly used in biological control. The ability to produce these predatory mites economically, at high density on cheap factitious food sources, is a major contributor to their success. Astigmatid mites are the most widely used factitious food for this purpose. In this study, we investigated the potential application of the leaf-dwelling astigmatid mite Czenspinskia transversostriata (Oudemans) (Acari: Winterschmidtiidae) as a prey mite in biological control. We tested whether C. transversostriata is a suitable food source for the predatory mite Amblyseius swirskii Athias-Henriot (Acari: Phytoseiidae), both in the laboratory and on cucumber plants. Based on a reproduction trial, C. transversostriata proved to be an equally good food source compared to both pollen of Typha angustifolia L. (Poales: Typhaceae) and a frequently used prey mite Carpoglyphus lactis L. (Acari: Carpoglyphidae). In a pre-establishment trial on cucumber plants, populations of A. swirskii reached equally high densities when supplemented with C. transversostriata, compared to C. lactis. Lastly, we show that C. transversostriata is capable of feeding and reproducing on powdery mildew growing on cucumber plants, thereby slowing down the development of the pathogenic fungus. Results derived from this study show that C. transversostriata may have multiple potential applications in biological control programs.

Assessment of non-target toxicity of insecticides on Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) in laboratory and field conditions.

G1 strain Ganaspis brasiliensis (Ihering) has been recently released in both Europe and America as a biological control agent of the spotted wing drosophila, Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura). In initial phases of classical biological control programs, it becomes imperative to evaluate the susceptibility of parasitoids to insecticides, to identify the best alternatives to adopt in an integrated pest management and organic perspective. In this study, we evaluated lethal and sublethal effects of topical application of five different insecticides classes: neonicotinoids, diamides, pyrethroids, organophosphates and spinosyns. Additionally, we tested residual toxicity in field trials in vineyards and sweet cherry orchards. Adult wasps' susceptibility to different insecticides' classes were consistent between laboratory and field. Spinosad exhibited the highest toxicity, with a median lethal concentration (LC50) of 0.00372 of the maximum field dose, and the highest knock-down effect in field trials, causing 92.5 ± 5% of mortality at T0. λ-cyhalothrin showed sublethal effects on both male and female insects' longevity when applied at LC30. In field trials, deltamethrin showed the highest persistence, causing significant parasitoid mortality up to 14 days after treatment. Conversely, cyantraniliprole was the least toxic active ingredient according to both topical and residual bioassays, even though its residues caused mortality up to 7 days after the treatment in the field. Our results indicate that spinosad and λ-cyhalothrin are highly toxic to G. brasiliensis, making them incompatible with classical biological control programs. Cyantraniliprole exhibited lower toxicity, and may be considered a selective pesticide for the integrated management of D. suzukii. © 2024 The Author(s). Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Lethal wolf control elicits change in moose habitat selection in unexpected ways

AbstractMoose (Alces alces) and woodland caribou (Ranger tarandus caribou) are the 2 large prey species for wolves (Canis lupus) in the Nearctic boreal forest in North America. Caribou have declined, with widespread anthropogenic disturbance as the ultimate cause and wolf predation as the proximal cause. To conserve caribou the government of Alberta, Canada initiated a wolf control program to reduce predation rates on caribou populations and contribute to caribou population recovery. Predators play an important role in shaping the structure and function of ecosystems through top‐down forces. We hypothesized that the strongest factors influencing moose occurrences would reflect changes in predation risk before and after the onset of wolf control. We weighed evidence for competing hypothesis by deploying cameras across a highly industrialized landscape in Alberta for 3 years after wolf control (2017–2020), capitalizing on 3 years of existing data before the onset of wolf control (2011–2014). We created generalized linear models representing competing hypotheses about moose response to natural and anthropogenic landscape features before and after wolf control, examining support for each in an information‐theoretic framework. Prior to wolf control, the model containing landscape features providing security cover was best‐supported, but this was scale‐dependent. After wolf control, the model containing landscape features that offer increased forage opportunities was best‐supported. Unexpectedly, the direction of effect was often opposite to predictions, with moose avoiding some features thought to provide security and forage. We demonstrate that lethal predator control affects the spatial distribution of its primary prey species but in ways we do not fully comprehend, highlighting the need for a better understanding of community dynamics following wolf control.

Plasmodium vivax genomic surveillance in the Peruvian Amazon with Pv AmpliSeq assay.

Plasmodium vivax is the most predominant malaria species in Latin America, constituting 71.5% of malaria cases in 2021. With several countries aiming for malaria elimination, it is crucial to prioritize effectiveness of national control programs by optimizing the utilization of available resources and strategically implementing necessary changes. To support this, there is a need for innovative approaches such as genomic surveillance tools that can investigate changes in transmission intensity, imported cases and sources of reintroduction, and can detect molecular markers associated with drug resistance. Here, we apply a modified highly-multiplexed deep sequencing assay: Pv AmpliSeq v2 Peru. The tool targets a newly developed 41-SNP Peru barcode for parasite population analysis within Peru, the 33-SNP vivaxGEN-geo panel for country-level classification, and 11 putative drug resistance genes. It was applied to 230 samples from the Peruvian Amazon (2007-2020), generating baseline surveillance data. We observed a heterogenous P. vivax population with high diversity and gene flow in peri-urban areas of Maynas province (Loreto region) with a temporal drift using all SNPs detected by the assay (nSNP = 2909). In comparison, in an indigenous isolated area, the parasite population was genetically differentiated (FST = 0.07-0.09) with moderate diversity and high relatedness between isolates in the community. In a remote border community, a clonal P. vivax cluster was identified, with distinct haplotypes in drug resistant genes and ama1, more similar to Brazilian isolates, likely representing an introduction of P. vivax from Brazil at that time. To test its applicability for Latin America, we evaluated the SNP Peru barcode in P. vivax genomes from the region and demonstrated the capacity to capture local population clustering at within-country level. Together this data shows that P. vivax transmission is heterogeneous in different settings within the Peruvian Amazon. Genetic analysis is a key component for regional malaria control, offering valuable insights that should be incorporated into routine surveillance.

Implementation of School Nutrition Policies to Address Noncommunicable Diseases in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, account for over 80% of mortality in Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan in 2019, and unhealthy dietary behaviors are a major risk factor for NCDs in both countries. In 2021, national stakeholders, in consultation with the World Health Organization, identified school nutrition policies (SNPs) as a major approach to reducing the burden of NCDs in both countries. The SNPs included interventions implemented through a multistakeholder and multisectoral arrangement that aimed to improve the health and nutrition status of children and young people by providing healthy food/beverages and restricting unhealthy foods or beverages in schools. We used a multimethod approach of document review, participatory workshops, and key informant interviews to generate theories of change for the large-scale implementation of SNPs and describe the implementation processes to date, including key implementation and health system challenges, salient implementation strategies, and implementation outcomes in both countries. Multiple pathways for enacting and implementing SNPs successfully were identified. However, significant health system challenges, such as the lack of accountability for contracting and tender processes and coordination among different sectors, continue to hamper the large-scale implementation of these policies in both countries. The pathways, theories, and implementation outcomes identified will facilitate the development of implementation strategies and systematic learning and evaluation around SNPs for NCD prevention and control programs in the Central Asian region and other low- and middle-income countries more broadly.

Toxicity of cockroach gel baits to the oothecal parasitoid Aprostocetus hagenowii (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) and implications for cockroach integrated pest management.

Aprostocetus hagenowii (Ratzeburg) is a parasitoid wasp that parasitizes the oothecae of peridomestic pest cockroaches. A. hagenowii has been used in integrated pest management (IPM) programs for cockroach control but little is known about how this parasitoid responds to the insecticides commonly used for cockroach management. Five insecticidal gel bait products containing indoxacarb, clothianidin, fipronil, dinotefuran, or abamectin B1 were tested for their toxicity towards A. hagenowii and the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (L.; Blattodea: Blattidae), a host of A. hagenowii and a common pest. All baits were tested as fresh and 1-d aged deposits. Indoxacarb was the only active ingredient that did not cause significant (P < 0.05) A. hagenowii mortality compared to the control in both the fresh and aged gel experiments (Median survival time [MST]s: 168h fresh, 72h aged). Clothianidin caused the lowest A. hagenowii MSTs across experiments (24h, fresh and aged). All baits caused significant P. americana mortality as fresh and 1-d aged deposits (P < 0.05). Indoxacarb appears most compatible with A. hagenowii in cockroach IPM.

Exposure to second-hand smoke and risk of lung cancer among Iranian population: A multicenter case-control study.

Despite the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) program in Iran, the regulation of second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure-an often-overlooked hazard-, still requires improvement. We employed a multi-center case-control study to investigate the association between exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) from various tobacco products (cigarettes, water-pipes, pipes, and chopogh), opium use, and the risk of lung cancer. We included 627 lung cancer cases and 3477 controls. Exposure to SHS tobacco and SHS opium was collected through a questionnaire. We used mixed-model logistic regressions to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Among the overall population exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke (SHTS), the odds ratio (OR) compared to those never exposed was 1.35 (95% CI: 1.08-1.71). Never smokers who were ever exposed to second-hand tobacco smoke (SHTS) had 1.69-fold risk of lung cancer compared to those who were never exposed (95% CI: 1.13-2.52). Exposure to SHTS between 2-3 per day (OR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.13-4.53) and more than three hours per day (OR = 2.29, 95% CI: 1.20-4.37) can increase the risk of lung cancer compared with the no exposure group (P-trend <0.01). We did not observe any association between exposure to second-hand opium smoke (SHOS) and the risk of lung cancer, either in the overall population or among never-smokers. Our study estimates the impact of second-hand tobacco smoke (SHTS) on lung cancer risk in both the overall population and never-smokers. Additional studies are required to evaluate the association between exposure to second-hand smoke from opium and other type of tobacco, including water-pipe and the risk of lung cancer.

Parallel evolution in mosquito vectors - a duplicated esterase locus is associated with resistance to pirimiphos-methyl in An. gambiae.

The primary control methods for the African malaria mosquito, Anopheles gambiae, are based on insecticidal interventions. Emerging resistance to these compounds is therefore of major concern to malaria control programmes. The organophosphate, pirimiphos-methyl, is a relatively new chemical in the vector control armoury but is now widely used in indoor residual spray campaigns. Whilst generally effective, phenotypic resistance has developed in some areas in malaria vectors. Here, we used a population genomic approach to identify novel mechanisms of resistance to pirimiphos-methyl in Anopheles gambiae s.l mosquitoes. In multiple populations, we found large and repeated signals of selection at a locus containing a cluster of detoxification enzymes, some of whose orthologs are known to confer resistance to organophosphates in Culex pipiens. Close examination revealed a pair of alpha-esterases, Coeae1f and Coeae2f, and a complex and diverse pattern of haplotypes under selection in An. gambiae, An. coluzzii and An. arabiensis. As in Cx. pipiens, copy number variants have arisen at this locus. We used diplotype clustering to examine whether these signals arise from parallel evolution or adaptive introgression. Using whole-genome sequenced phenotyped samples, we found that in West Africa, a copy number variant in Anopheles gambiae is associated with resistance to pirimiphos-methyl. Overall, we demonstrate a striking example of contemporary parallel evolution which has important implications for malaria control programmes.

Investigation of hereditary cholesterol deficiency (CD) in Holstein Cattle at the state farms in Türkiye

Türkiye is exposed to international animal and semen movements. For this reason, Türkiye is very affected by diseases and hereditary disorders. State Farms is a state organization that raises and distributes breeding cattle. This study was aimed at investigating the presence and distribution of mutant alleles causing cholesterol deficiency (CD) disorder in Holstein cattle on state farms. For this purpose, blood and sperm samples were collected from 466 Holstein cattle. The real-time PCR method was used for genotyping. A total of seven cattle were found to be heterozygous. The frequency of the mutant allele was determined to be 0.75%. The kinship of four cattle carrying the mutant allele with Mauglin Storm, the bull in which this disease was first detected, was determined. The presence of cattle carrying the mutant allele in Türkiye is quite low compared to other countries. The Apolipoprotein-B (APOB) mutant allele was found at low frequencies and detected for the first time at the State Farms in Türkiye. Therefore, it is necessary to develop control programs by screening other Holstein herds.