Health Economic Losses Research Articles

Evaluation of a Temperature/Humidity Data Logger for the Usage in Cattle Barns

Climate change is a worldwide problem that is manifested in livestock farming with a decrease in animal health and welfare and economic losses due to heat stress. Therefore, a precise and continuous recording of the barn climate is essential to be able to implement actions at a certain threshold. The aim of this study was to evaluate a logger for temperature and humidity (Kestrel Drop D2) marketed for on-farm use in comparison to various other temperature/humidity data loggers under field conditions. Four different sensors were used and placed in different settings in cattle barns to correlate temperature and humidity measurements. Data were recorded for over a year in total. The data were very highly correlated. Furthermore, the area under the curve for the evaluated logger in comparison to the other ones was 0.99 to 1.0, using a temperature–humidity index cut-off of 72, often set to define heat stress. In conclusion, the evaluated logger performed equally well as the other used devices. For on-farm use, it is suitable.

Integrating AI in food contaminant analysis: Enhancing quality and environmental protection

This paper marks a groundbreaking step toward ensuring food safety by applying artificial intelligence (AI) in the detection of food contaminants. It argues that AI offers a significant advantage over traditional methods, addressing both food safety and environmental risk issues. We aim to make rapid, precise online analysis of chemical contaminants a reality. While traditional methods work well, they struggle with the demands for simplicity, large datasets and speed. In contrast, AI excels with its data manipulation and predictive analytics. This paper explores AI's applications and future perspectives in detecting, quantifying and reducing food contaminants, showcasing examples like machine learning, neural networks, and data mining techniques for identifying pests, heavy metals and mycotoxins. Additionally, AI-driven sensor technologies and spectroscopic methods are discussed for improving detection accuracy. AI's real-time detection capabilities can help prevent health crises and economic loss, while its predictive power supports sustainable agriculture by reducing the use of harmful chemicals.

The Effectiveness of Consumer Protection Law in Overcoming Misleading Marketing in the Food and Beverage Industry

Evaluate the effectiveness of consumer protection law in addressing misleading marketing in the food and beverage industry, which often involves inaccurate product information. On the other hand, misleading marketing not only harms consumers economically, but can also have a serious impact on public health. Therefore, the active role of consumers in verifying product information is becoming increasingly important amidst the rise of misleading claims in the food and beverage sector. This research uses a normative juridical method with a statutory and conceptual approach to analyze Law No. 8/1999 on Consumer Protection. This method allows researchers to evaluate existing regulations and understand the concept of consumer protection in the context of misleading marketing. The results show that although regulations are in place, stricter implementation and enforcement are needed to protect consumers from health risks and economic losses due to misleading product information. The research suggests increased supervision by authorities, such as BPOM, as well as better collaboration between the government, businesses, and consumers to create a fairer and more transparent trading environment in the food and beverage sector.

EFFICACY OF SHRIMP SHELL SYNTHESIZED CHITOSAN AGAINSTPOST-HARVEST SPOILAGE FUNGI OF Sesamum indicum

Contamination of Agricultural commodities by moulds poses significant challenges due to conducive climatic conditions. Mycotoxins produced by moulds like Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Fusarium present health risks and economic losses. Traditional control measures such as the use of fungicides have drawbacks, necessitating the exploration of eco-friendly alternatives. One such alternatives is the use of Chitosan, a biopolymer derived from chitin found in crustacean exoskeletons. This study evaluated the efficacy of chitosan synthesized from shrimp shells in inhibiting the growth of Aspergillus niger, a common food borne mould of oil seeds such as Sesame. Synthesized Chitosan was characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and the degree of deacetylation was determined. FTIR analysis showed characteristic absorption peaks ranging from 3911.77 cm-1 to 794.70 cm-1, with higher wave numbers corresponding to stretching vibrations of the C-H, O-H, and N-H bonds functional groups. UV-visible spectroscopy displayed an absorbance peak at 232 nm with an absorbance value of 2.15. The degree of deacetylation of synthesized chitosan was determined to be 98.99%. In vitro experiments showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of A. niger growth by shrimp shell synthesized chitosan. The highest level of inhibition was seen at day 3 with 0.75mg/ml (50%) and 1.0mg/ml (52.1%), meaning the higher the concentration of shrimp shell synthesized chitosan the higher the inhibition. Results suggest chitosan as a potential anti-fungal agent for food preservation and agricultural protection against mould contamination and mitigate post harvest losses and ensure food safety.

PSVIII-23 Attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response improves gut integrity in piglets after infection

Abstract Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a primary cause of post-weaning diarrhea in piglets, leading to serious health issues and economic loss in the swine industry. Increased oxidative stress and inflammation have detrimental effects on gut health. The present study aimed to investigate the regulation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response in a piglet model challenged with ETEC and to evaluate whether the chosen probiotic could improve intestinal function in piglets. A total of 24 weaned piglets susceptible to ETEC F4 infection were randomly divided into four groups: Group 1 (control), Group 2 (E. coli infection), Group 3 (E. coli infection received antibiotic avilamycin), and Group 4 (E. coli infection received B. licheniformis HG76). Group 2, Group 3 and Group 4 were infected with E. coli by an oral gavage of ETEC F4 (5 mL, 1 × 106 CFU/mL). Five days after infection, piglets in all groups were euthanized. The blood and intestine samples (a mid-jejunum segment) were collected, and serum was prepared. ETEC infection significantly increased serum and jejunal malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (P < 0.05). ETEC infection also significantly decreased tight-junction proteins (ZO1, occludin), superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) expression (P < 0.05). Furthermore, ETEC infection significantly increased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines [interlueken (IL) -6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α] in the intestine (P < 0.05). Antibiotic or probiotic supplementation mitigated oxidative stress and inflammation, as evidenced by decreased oxidative stress biomarkers, increased expression of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, HO-1) and downregulated the expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-α; P < 0.05). Antibiotic or probiotic supplementation also improved intestinal integrity, as demonstrated by decreased DAO activity and increased tight-junction proteins expression (P < 0.05). These results suggest that attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammatory response can improve piglet gut integrity after ETEC infection.

From risk to reward: Japan’s potential for health and economic improvements

This study examines the relationship between risky consumption behaviors, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and socioeconomic costs in Japan using the Preventable Risk Integrated ModEl (PRIME). We assess the potential impact of healthier lifestyle choices on NCD incidences and costs in 2019. Japan's rising healthcare expenditures threaten its economic future. Excessive intake of salt, tobacco, and alcohol, along with insufficient fiber and fruit consumption, significantly contribute to high NCD rates. Our analysis shows that healthier behaviors could have prevented 564,000 NCD cases, potentially saving $35 billion in health costs and economic losses in 2019. We consider scenarios where smokers switch to heated tobacco products (HTPs), applying conservative risk reduction estimates. Higher risk reduction levels could triple smoking-attributable savings. Projecting these savings over ten years would increase economic benefits tenfold. The study emphasizes the need for comprehensive public health strategies promoting healthier lifestyles. Targeted interventions, such as stricter regulation of high-risk products and incentives for healthier alternatives, could reduce NCD incidences and healthcare costs. While PRIME provides valuable insights, further research is needed to refine our understanding of risk factor-disease relationships.

Prevalence of Work Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Associated Factors Among Coffee Processing Factory Workers in Addis Ababa and Gelan City in Ethiopia, 2023

<i>Background</i>: Globally, work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) account for around 40% of the total compensated cost of occupational diseases and injuries. It has a huge impact on the public health problems and economic loss of the society. There was few information about prevalence and risk factors for musculoskeletal diseases associated with job among coffee processors in Ethiopia. <i>Objective</i>: The study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among coffee processing factory workers. <i>Methods</i>: A cross-sectional study was utilized to assess the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders from March to June-2023. Data were collected by face-to-face interview using a standardized Nordic questionnaire. Simple random sampling method was used to select 633 of study participants. EPInfo version 7.1 was used to enter and cleaned up the data and exported into SPSS version 23 software for further statistical analysis. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis were used to determine potential predictors of MSDs. <i>Results</i>: The prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders over the course of a year was 529 (83.6%). The limbs (64.5%) and shoulders (64.5%) were most commonly affected, followed by the neck (61.8%), upper back (60.2%), lower back (54.0%), and hands (51.2%). The final multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male [AOR: 1.8, 95%CI: 1.1, 2.9], married [AOR: 2.2, 95%CI: 1.3, 3.8], physical activity habit [AOR: 2.2, 95%CI: 1.1, 4.2], work-related stress [AOR: 2.0, 95%CI: 1.3, 3.4], health and safety training [AOR: 2.6, 95%CI: 1.1, 5.9], working hours [AOR: 3.0, 95%CI: 1.2, 7.5] and repetitive work [AOR: 2.0, 95%CI: 1.1, 3.5] were found to be statistically significant associating factors with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. <i>Conclusion</i>: In this study the prevalence of work related musculoskeletal disorder was high. Sex, marital status, habit of doing physical exercise, job related stress, work hours, health and safety training work place were statistically significant factors to work related musculoskeletal disorder.

Child vulnerable road user crash injury severity

Road traffic crashes (RTC) are the main cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability for children globally as well as in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Although vehicle occupants usually account for the majority of children involved in RTC in developed countries and in the UAE, injuries sustained by child vulnerable road users (VRUs) are usually more severe due to their lack of protection compared to child occupants. Such injuries are known to result in long-term suffering for children including disabilities in some cases, thereby posing a severe public health burden and economic losses to the population. However, despite the severity of injuries to child VRUs involved in RTC, studies in the UAE have mostly focused on vehicle occupants for both children and adults. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first dedicated study on child VRU RTC injuries in the UAE. Additionally, the UAE government is promoting an active transportation policy among children in a bid to curb childhood obesity. Hence, this study examined the factors contributing to RTC injury severity for child VRUs in the UAE. The results of this study will help in enhancing the safety outcomes of child VRU RTC injuries as well as providing policy recommendations for safe active transport among children in the country.

Antimicrobial Resistance in Equines: A Growing Threat to Horse Health and Beyond-A Comprehensive Review.

The equine industry holds substantial economic importance not only in the USA but worldwide. The occurrence of various infectious bacterial diseases in horses can lead to severe health issues, economic losses, and restrictions on horse movement and trade. Effective management and control of these diseases are therefore crucial for the growth and sustainability of the equine industry. While antibiotics constitute the primary treatment strategy for any bacterial infections in horses, developing resistance to clinically important antibiotics poses significant challenges to equine health and welfare. The adverse effects of antimicrobial overuse and the escalating threat of resistance underscore the critical importance of antimicrobial stewardship within the equine industry. There is limited information on the epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections in horses. In this comprehensive review, we focus on the history and types of antimicrobials used in horses and provide recommendations for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections in horses. This review also highlights the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in horses, emphasizing the public health significance and transmission dynamics between horses and other animals within a One Health framework. By fostering responsible practices and innovative control measures, we can better help the equine industry combat the pressing threat of AMR and thus safeguard equine as well as public health.

Unacknowledged health costs of subway transportation: Commuting time dominant environmental inequality in PM2.5 exposure

IntroductionThe subway network offers economical and swift transportation for long-distance commuters, simultaneously mitigating urban congestion and environmental challenges in sprawling metropolises. Nonetheless, studies have revealed that subway represent a microenvironment with heightened exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), a facet of air pollution overlooked by the majority of commuters. Focusing on the case of Beijing's subway commuters, we assess the health and economic impact of personal exposure to PM2.5 during their commuting, as well as the distributional effects of these impacts across subgroups of populations with different daily commuting durations. MethodThis study adopts an integrated process to estimate the health outcomes and associated economic loss caused by subway commutes under different exposure scenarios. The overall daily exposure was estimated by aggregating exposure in different microenvironments using the microenvironmental exposure model. The health impact was then evaluated using the integrated exposure-response (IER) model. The economic value of the health impact was assessed based on the value of statistical life (VSL) of the affected population. ResultOur findings indicate that subway commutes lead to an increase of 11.6% and 26.3% in health damage and corresponding economic loss attributable to PM2.5 exposure through “crowding out” of exposure duration in relatively “cleaner” microenvironments in 2017 and 2020, respectively. Long-distance commuters who travel over 100 min per day, make up 25% of subway commuters and are disproportionately responsible for 40% of the total health damages and economic losses caused by subway PM2.5 exposure. Reducing PM2.5 concentration in subway cabins can more effectively offset the additional impacts brought about by the extended and rather inelastic subway commuting. ConclusionThe result unearthed by our study advocates for urgent measures to ameliorate the air quality within subway systems, a move that promises to mitigate the unequal burdens and rectify the inequities borne by at-risk demographics.

Association between heat and upper urinary tract stones morbidity and medical costs: A study in the subtropical humid climate zone

Urolithiasis is a heat-specific disease. Exploring heat-related urolithiasis susceptibility subtypes, economic burden, and modifying factors could assist governments in targeting interventions to reduce the heat-related health risks of urolithiasis morbidity. We collected data on 23,492 patients with upper urinary tract stones (main subtypes of urolithiasis) from 2013 to 2017 in Nanjing, China. We adopted generalized additive quasi-Poisson models to examine the associations between daily mean temperatures and morbidity of upper urinary tract stones, while generalized additive Gaussian models were used to explore the relationships between temperatures and log-transformed medical costs. We examined the modification effects of disease subtypes (kidney and ureteral calculus), sex, and age through stratified analyses and the modification effects of other meteorological factors by introducing interaction terms in the models. We found that short-term summer heat exposure has a statistically significant effect on ureteral calculus morbidity but not on kidney calculus morbidity. For ureter calculus, a 1 °C temperature increase was associated with a 4.36% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.94%, 6.83%) increase in daily hospitalization and a 5.44% (95% CI: 2.71%, 8.25%) increase in daily medical costs. The attributable fraction associated with heat (greater than the median value of daily mean temperature, 26.8 °C) was 7.85% (95% empirical confidence interval [eCI]: 3.64%, 11.44%) for hospitalization and 9.36% (95% eCI: 4.91%, 13.14%) for medical costs. The effects of heat on ureter calculus morbidity were significantly higher among the males and those with high sunshine duration than females and those with low sunshine duration. Short-term summer heat exposure was associated with increased morbidity and medical costs of ureteral calculus. Relevant government organizations should take effective intervention measures, including community health education, to reduce the health hazards and economic losses caused by heat.

Emission characteristics and health effects of PM2.5 from vehicles in typical areas.

Vehicle emissions have become an important source of urban air pollution, and the assessment of air pollution emission characteristics and health effects caused by specific pollution sources can provide scientific basis for air quality management. In this paper, vehicle PM2.5 pollution in typical urban agglomerations of China (the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration (BTHUA), the triangle of the Central China urban agglomeration (TCCUA) and the Chengdu-Chongqing urban agglomeration (CCUA)) were used as research samples to evaluate the emission characteristics, health effects and economic losses of vehicle PM2.5 pollution based on the emission inventory, air quality model and exposure-response function from 2010 to 2020. The results indicated that PM2.5 emissions from vehicles in the three urban agglomerations during 2010-2020 first showed an upward yearly trend and then showed a slow decrease in recent years. Heavy-duty trucks and buses are the main contribution vehicles of PM2.5, and the contribution rates of light-duty vehicles to PM2.5 is increasing year by year. The contribution rate of PM2.5 in Beijing decreased significantly. In addition to capital cities and municipalities directly under the central Government, the emission of pollutants in other cities cannot be ignored. The evaluation results of the impact of PM2.5 pollution from vehicles on population health show that: the number of each health endpoint caused by PM2.5 pollution from vehicles in the BTHUA and CCUA showed an overall upward trend, while the TCCUA showed a downward trend in recent years. Among them, PM2.5 pollution from vehicles in the three major urban agglomerations cause about 78,200 (95% CI: 20,500-138,800) premature deaths, 122,800 (95% CI: 25,600-220,500) inpatients, and 628,400 (95% CI: 307,400-930,400) outpatients and 1,332,400 (95% CI: 482,700-2,075,600) illness in 2020. The total health economic losses caused by PM2.5 pollution from vehicles in the three major urban agglomerations in 2010, 2015 and 2020 were 68.25 billion yuan (95% CI: 21.65-109.16), 206.33 billion yuan (95% CI: 66.20-326.20) and 300.73 billion yuan (95% CI: 96.79-473.16), accounting for 0.67% (95% CI: 0.21-1.07%), 1.19% (95% CI: 0.38%-1.88%) and 1.21% (95% CI: 0.39%-1.90%) of the total GDP of these cities. Due to the differences in vehicle population, PM2.5 concentration, population number and economic value of health terminal units, there are differences in health effects and economic losses among different cities in different regions. Among them, the problems of health risks and economic losses were relatively prominent in Beijing, Chengdu, Chongqing, Tianjin and Wuhan.

A Metric of Societal Burden Based on Virus Succession to Determine Economic Losses and Health Benefits of China's Lockdown Policies: Model Development and Validation.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on the global health system and economic structure. Although the implementation of lockdown measures achieved notable success in curbing the spread of the pandemic, it concurrently incurred substantial socioeconomic costs. The objective of this study was to delineate an equilibrium between the economic losses and health benefits of lockdown measures, with the aim of identifying the optimal boundary conditions for implementing these measures at various pandemic phases. This study used a model to estimate the half-lives of the observed case fatality rates of different strains. It was based on global infection and death data collected by the World Health Organization and strain sequence time series data provided by Nextstrain. The connection between the health benefits and economic losses brought by lockdown measures was established through the calculation of disability-adjusted life years. Taking China's city lockdowns as an example, this study determined the cost-benefit boundary of various lockdown measures during the evolution of COVID-19. The study reveals a direct proportionality between economic losses due to lockdowns and the observed case fatality rates of virus strains, a relationship that holds true irrespective of population size or per capita economic output. As SARS-CoV-2 strains evolve and population immunity shifts, there has been a notable decrease in the observed case fatality rate over time, exhibiting a half-life of roughly 8 months. This decline in fatality rates may offset the health benefits of maintaining unchanged lockdown measures, given that the resultant economic losses might exceed the health benefits. The initial enforcement of lockdown in Wuhan led to significant health benefits. However, with the decline in the observed case fatality rate of the virus strains, the economic losses increasingly outweighed the health benefits. Consequently, it is essential to consistently refine and enhance lockdown strategies in accordance with the evolving fatality and infection rates of different virus strains, thereby optimizing outcomes in anticipation of future pandemics.

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis in cattle in Eastern Bhutan.

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic zoonotic disease affecting cattle of all age groups including wild animals. It poses a significant threat to public health and high economic losses to dairy farmers. While the disease has been eradicated from most of the developed countries through extensive surveillance, testing and culling strategy, it is endemic in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East countries. Currently, there is limited research regarding the prevalence of bTB in cattle in Bhutan. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of bTB in cattle in six districts of eastern Bhutan. A two-stage probability proportional to size (PPS) sampling strategy was used to determine the number of animals from which serum samples needed to be collected in each district and sub-district. All farms and cattle for sampling were randomly selected from the data in the annual livestock census of 2020. The samples were tested using bTB ELISA test kit. The seroprevalence and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess the influence of various individual animal and environmental risk factors (breed, age, sex, source of animal, body condition scores of animals, respiratory system status) associated with sero-positivity in animals. The study revealed an apparent seroprevalence of 2.57% (25/971 cattle; 95% CI:1.58-3.57), with an estimated true seroprevalence of 0.91% (95% CI: 0.0-2.81). However, none of the variables were found to be significantly associated with bTB seroprevalence in cattle. We recommend, further sampling and employment of confirmatory testing to fully ascertain the extent of bTB in the cattle herds in eastern Bhutan for prevention and control.

Exploring the Burden of PM2.5-Related Deaths and Economic Health Losses in Beijing.

Air pollution is one of the major global public health challenges. Using annual fine particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration data from 2016 to 2021, along with the global exposure mortality model (GEMM), we estimated the multi-year PM2.5-pollution-related deaths divided by different age groups and diseases. Then, using the VSL (value of statistical life) method, we assessed corresponding economic losses and values. The number of deaths attributed to PM2.5 in Beijing in 2021 fell by 33.74 percent from 2016, while health economic losses would increase by USD 4.4 billion as per capita disposable income increases year by year. In 2021, the average annual concentration of PM2.5 in half of Beijing's municipal administrative districts is less than China's secondary ambient air quality standard (35 μg/m3), but it can still cause 48,969 deaths and corresponding health and economic losses of USD 16.31 billion, equivalent to 7.9 percent of Beijing's GDP. Therefore, it is suggested that more stringent local air quality standards should be designated to protect public health in Beijing.

In-vivo evaluation of the adverse effects of ochratoxin A on broiler chicken health and adsorption efficacy of indigenous and commercial clay of Balochistan, Pakistan

Mycotoxins in animal feed pose health risks and economic losses, but using various adsorbent types could potentially protect animals from mycotoxicosis. The study aimed to assess the effect of OTA on the health of broiler chickens and to envisage the ameliorative potential of clay adsorbents. The objectives of this in vivo study were to investigate the effects of OTA on productivity, biochemical parameters, fecal residues, and the preventive effects of indigenous and commercial clay of Balochistan as adsorbents to alleviate the adverse effects of exposure. Male broiler chickens (n = 160) were treated with 400 μg/kg OTA and 0.5 g/kg clay adsorbent for 42 days, with feed and water available in an ad libitum manner. The amount of OTA in diet and fecal residues was assessed through HPLC. The administration of OTA in the diet, resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) while increasing the feed conversion ratio (FCR) as compared to the control group. Furthermore, no significant (p > 0.05) differences were found between the weight gain of broiler chickens fed without OTA (positive control) and that of chickens fed adsorbent. The group given a diet containing OTA without adsorbents as compared to the control and adsorbent-supplemented group has shown a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the relative weight of the liver, kidney, gizzard, and proventriculus while decreasing the relative weight of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius. Alterations in the levels of serum total protein (TP), cholesterol (CHL), serum urea (SU), enzymatic activity (aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT)), and creatinine were observed in the OTA-intoxicated and adsorbent-supplemented groups as compared to the control group. Adsorbent supplementation resulted in a significantly (p < 0.05) higher OTA content in the faeces. It can be concluded from the results of this study, that OTA intoxication negatively affects the health of broiler chickens, and the clay of Balochistan has shown effective adsorption potential against OTA.

Listeria monocytogenes from Food Products and Food Associated Environments: Antimicrobial Resistance, Genetic Clustering and Biofilm Insights.

Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen, exhibits high adaptability to adverse environmental conditions and is common in the food industry, especially in ready-to-eat foods. L. monocytogenes strains pose food safety challenges due to their ability to form biofilms, increased resistance to disinfectants, and long-term persistence in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence and genetic diversity of L. monocytogenes in food and related environmental products collected from 2014 to 2022 and assess antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation abilities. L. monocytogenes was identified in 13 out of the 227 (6%) of samples, 7 from food products (meat preparation, cheeses, and raw milk) and 6 from food-processing environments (slaughterhouse-floor and catering establishments). All isolates exhibited high biofilm-forming capacity and antibiotic susceptibility testing showed resistance to several classes of antibiotics, especially trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and erythromycin. Genotyping and core-genome clustering identified eight sequence types and a cluster of three very closely related ST3 isolates (all from food), suggesting a common contamination source. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis revealed resistance genes conferring resistance to fosfomycin (fosX), lincosamides (lin), fluoroquinolones (norB), and tetracycline (tetM). In addition, the qacJ gene was also detected, conferring resistance to disinfecting agents and antiseptics. Virulence gene profiling revealed the presence of 92 associated genes associated with pathogenicity, adherence, and persistence. These findings underscore the presence of L. monocytogenes strains in food products and food-associated environments, demonstrating a high virulence of these strains associated with resistance genes to antibiotics, but also to disinfectants and antiseptics. Moreover, they emphasize the need for continuous surveillance, effective risk assessment, and rigorous control measures to minimize the public health risks associated to severe infections, particularly listeriosis outbreaks. A better understanding of the complex dynamics of pathogens in food products and their associated environments can help improve overall food safety and develop more effective strategies to prevent severe health consequences and economic losses.

Wildfire susceptibility mapping by incorporating damage proxy maps, differenced normalized burn Ratio, and deep learning algorithms based on sentinel-1/2 data: a case study on Maui Island, Hawaii

ABSTRACT Climate change has contributed to the recent increase in wildfire occurrences, vegetation failures, human health risks, physical damage, and economic losses. Wildfire susceptibility mapping is an essential technique for assessing areas prone to wildfires. In this study, we proposed the combination of the damage proxy map (DPM) and differenced normalized burn ratio (dNBR) method to generate a precise wildfire inventory map and used it to predict areas susceptible to wildfire. The wildfire susceptibility maps were produced using frequency ratio (FR), convolutional neural network (CNN), and long short-term memory (LSTM)-based deep learning and their performances were compared. We implemented the proposed method on Maui Island, Hawaii, where wildfires frequently occur. We started the process by generating a wildfire inventory map from 2019 to 2023 based on the DPM method applied to Sentinel-1 synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data combined with a dNBR map retrieved from Sentinel-2 data. The wildfire inventory was randomly divided into a training dataset (70%) and a testing dataset (30%). Fifteen wildfire-related factors, including topographical, meteorological, land use, environmental, and anthropological factors, were selected to predict wildfires. The wildfire-related factors were selected by conducting study literature and considering spatial correlation analysis based on the FR method, information gain ratio analysis (IGR), and multicollinearity assessment using tolerance (TOL) and variance inflation factor (VIF) metrics. The level of susceptibility of an area to wildfire is divided into five, namely very high, high, moderate, low, and very low. The FR, CNN, and LSTM produced wildfire susceptibility maps with similar patterns, significantly influenced by land use and rainfall factors. The highly susceptible areas are located on gentle slopes covered by agricultural land and unhealthy vegetation, and these areas have low rainfall intensity but receive high levels of solar radiation. Meanwhile, areas with relatively low susceptibility occur in forests with high levels of wet canopy evaporation. The prediction results were evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), and the CNN performed slightly better than the FR and LSTM, with AUC values of 0.879, 0.877, and 0.870, respectively. Hence, the use of the CNN algorithm in the proposed method is appropriate, specifically for the study area. In addition, the susceptibility map provides information on susceptible areas on Maui Island, Hawaii, to increase public awareness.

Size matters: how periodicity and depth of LIPSS influences E. coli adhesion on ferritic stainless steel

Bacterial adhesion is a serious problem in the healthcare and food industries, causing health problems and economic losses. This study evaluates the generation of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures (LIPSS) with different periodicities to reduce bacterial adhesion on ferritic stainless steels. LIPSS nanostructuring evolves from hydrophilic to hydrophobic with air exposure. Fresh samples with 870 nm LIPSS show nearly 50 % reduced E. coli adhesion, but this effect diminishes in stabilized samples. This effect on bacterial adhesion can be attributed to LIPSS periodicity being like bacterial size, which would allow bacteria to accommodate and provide a suitable environment for their adhesion. Our results show that, in stable samples when the LIPSS periodicity is around 400 nm, reductions by almost 30 % are achieved and this reduction reaches 35 % when periodicity is close to 270 nm. These results indicate that smaller spatial periods prevent bacteria from fitting into valleys, so they remain on the peaks, hindering bacterial adhesion. Additionally, deeper LIPSS produced by a higher Surface Density of Applied Energy (SDAE), enhance bacteria-material interaction and, thus, increases adhesion.

Optimizing Sustainability: Pemula Peternak Puyuh dan Inovasi Kompos Limbah Organik sebagai Pemacu Pertanian Berkelanjutan

The involvement of young quail farmers is essential for understanding their role in adopting practices such as composting quail manure. The participants in this Community Service activity are the younger generation, specifically the children of quail farmers in Grinting Village. This approach aims to cultivate environmentally conscious and committed young quail farmers dedicated to sustainable farming practices. The Community Service method is divided into three components: (1) Providing Insight on the Importance of Quail Livestock Waste Management for Young Beginner Farmers, (2) Composting Practice with Quail Manure, and (3) Completing the Compost Understanding Questionnaire. During this Community Service activity, straightforward yet easily comprehensible discussion material was presented on the preparation of young quail farmers. Their practical involvement in quail farming needs enhancement to foster a more comprehensive understanding. The primary focus is on establishing a fundamental understanding of quail farming as an economic potential, with a particular emphasis on ethical responsibility regarding livestock waste management, encompassing both manure and feed residues. The severe consequences of ineffective waste management are elucidated, including the impact of pollution on water and air, as well as associated health risks and economic losses. Awareness of the importance of adhering to environmental regulations is emphasized for the sustainability and safety of livestock. Technical solutions, such as optimal cage design and composting, are recommended to achieve a clean environment and enhance livestock productivity. Active participation of prospective farmers in waste management practices and collaboration with fellow farmers are strongly encouraged. Additional resources, in the form of guides and visual materials, are provided to support the implementation of these concepts