Prevalence Of High Levels Research Articles

Co-Infection of Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus and Pepino Mosaic Virus in Grocery Tomatoes in South Florida: Prevalence and Genomic Diversity.

Tomato brown rugose fruit virus (ToBRFV) is an economically important seed and mechanically transmitted pathogen of significant importance to tomato production around the globe. Synergistic interaction with pepino mosaic virus (PepMV), another seed and mechanically transmitted virus, and long-distance dissemination of these two viruses via contaminated tomato fruits through global marketing were previously suggested. In 2019, we detected both viruses in several grocery store-purchased tomatoes in South Florida, USA. In this study, to identify potential sources of inoculum, co-infection status, prevalence, and genomic diversity of these viruses, we surveyed symptomatic and asymptomatic imported tomatoes sold in ten different groceries in four cities in South Florida. According to the product labels, all collected tomatoes originated from Canada, Mexico, or repacking houses in the United States. With high prevalence levels, 86.5% of the collected samples were infected with ToBRFV, 90% with PepMV alone, and 73% were mixed-infected. The phylogenetic study showed no significant correlations between ToBRFV genomic diversity and the tomato label origin. Phylogenetic analysis of PepMV isolates revealed the prevalence of the PepMV strains, Chilean (CH2) and recombinant (US2). The results of this study highlight the continual presence of PepMV and ToBRFV in imported tomatoes in Florida grocery stores.

Teacher’s Use of Arts on Children with Special Needs: Its Prevalence and Importance

This study aims to know the level of importance and level of prevalence among the SPED teachers who use arts on on children with Special Needs. All of the 21 SPED teachers from these schools served as respondents using a take-all sampling procedure. Statistically, there is a high level of importance and a high level of prevalence in terms of the use of arts among children with special needs. There is a significant relationship between these two variables. In conclusion, teachers were aware of the need for updated special education training that would equip them in teaching art and handling learners’ behavior who will likely not to participate in art activities. Teachers were favorable to teaching art but seeks to be trained and would have better collaboration with administrators, special education teachers, and parents. There is a need to know the students like and dislike, a predictor to the success of teaching art to children with special needs. As such, these inferences become bases for formulating and adapting the enhanced professional development plan in incorporating arts in teaching children with special needs.

Lobomycosis Like Disease in Bottlenose Dolphins Tursiops truncatus (Artiodactyla: Delphinidae) from Costa Rica Pacific Waters

Introduction: Lobomycosis, is a chronic mycotic disease of the skin and sub-dermal tissue caused by Paracoccidioides ceti, which affects dolphins worldwide. In Costa Rica, the incidence of lobomycosis Like Disease (LLD) has been documented in inshore common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) from the waters of Golfo Dulce, South Pacific.
 Objective: Examine the prevalence pattern of LLD in inshore T. truncatus from Costa Rica Pacific waters, specifically in Golfo Dulce and Golfo de Nicoya.
 Methods: We examined over 20 000 photographs of T. truncatus, collected during long-term research on cetaceans in 2005-2020 (n = 476 surveys), in Golfo Dulce, as well of nine sightings T. truncatus from the Golfo de Nicoya , obtained during 17 samplings events in 2014-2022, these records for the presence of LLD allowed to calculate the prevalence rate with a confidence interval.
 Results: The prevalence rate of LLD in adult photo-identified individuals was 13.1 % (CI: 12 -14.2) in Golfo Dulce, and 100 % in Golfo de Nicoya, considering the size of the population for the period of 2022.
 Conclusion: The persistence and high prevalence levels of LLD in small, localized, communities of T. truncatus are a cause for serious concern.

“Survive, learn to live with it … or not”: A narrative analysis of women's repeat victimization using a lifecourse perspective

Violence against women is a global public health concern, with high levels of prevalence and debilitating consequences for victims, including a higher risk of revictimization. Quantitative evidence shows a strong association between previous experiences of sexual victimization, particularly in childhood, and future victimization. However, there is limited rigorous qualitative scholarship that advances understanding about revictimization experienced from childhood into adulthood. In this study, we address this gap offering a novel contribution to qualitative insights on revictimization using a life-course perspective. We conducted a rigorous qualitative secondary analysis, adopting a feminist narrative approach, to explore how individuals make sense of their experiences of abuse. Findings showed five main themes about survivors' experiences of repeat victimization across the life-course including: abuse experiences in childhood and adolescence; mental health and ‘risky’ coping mechanisms; naming abuse in early adulthood; seeking support in adulthood; surviving and a life beyond abuse. Most participants experienced multiple incidents of sexual abuse in childhood, which led to helplessness, shame, blame, and normalization of their experiences, creating a vulnerability to repeat victimization. Childhood abuse had later mental health impacts. Many participants used risky coping mechanisms, such as substance use. Survivors tended to be seen through the lens of their mental health diagnosis and addiction rather than through the lens of how abuse caused complex trauma. To address the impacts of revictimization and complex trauma affecting women across the globe, healthcare policy and services need a narrative and trauma-informed approach, over the short-, medium- or longer-term, enabling survivors to make sense of the connected nature of their experiences and accumulated vulnerability resulting from the abuse by others, rather than factors associated with the individual (their mental ill health, for example, or substance use). This is important as women's individual understanding is critical to processing trauma and abuse, and to longer-term recovery.

The acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of a supported online self-help treatment program for binge-eating disorder.

Studies in transdiagnostic eating disorder (ED) samples suggest supported online self-help programs (eTherapies) are effective and may improve access to treatment; however, their evaluation in those with binge-eating disorder (BED) is limited. Given BED's high prevalence and low levels of treatment uptake, further eTherapy evaluation is needed to broaden access to effective, evidence-based treatment options. The aim of this study was to investigate the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of a supported eTherapy for those with BED or subthreshold BED, and to examine symptom change across the duration of therapy. Nineteen women with BED completed a supported, 10-session Cognitive Behavioural Therapy-based eTherapy in an uncontrolled, pre-post, and 3 months follow up intervention study. Key outcomes were assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q): objective binge episode (OBE) frequency and ED psychopathology. Feasibility was evaluated via program adherence and dropout, whilst acceptability was assessed through participant feedback post-treatment. Weekly symptom change (ED psychopathology) during treatment was assessed by the Eating Disorder Examination - Questionnaire Short (EDE-QS). Generalised estimating equations showed statistically and clinically significant reductions in OBEs and ED psychopathology (large effects) post-treatment, with these decreases maintained at follow up. Across weekly assessment, a marked slowing in the rate of change in ED psychopathology was observed after four sessions of the program. Program feasibility was high (i.e., 84% of content completed), as was program acceptability (i.e., 93% of participants expressed high levels of satisfaction). These results support the acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of a supported eTherapy program for those with BED and suggest the variability of symptom change across the duration of therapy. Future research should further investigate findings in an adequately powered randomised controlled trial.

DYNAMICS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF THE GLYCEMICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE AND OBESITY AFTER TREATMENT

Introduction. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) have the status of an epidemic, as they have high levels of prevalence and are the main cause of disability and mortality both in Ukraine and in the world and cause a significant increase in health care costs. Among all CVDs, coronary heart disease (CHD) ranks first. Many studies confirm a high percentage of CHD among all CVDs, especially in comorbidity with hyperlipidemia and obesity. Therefore, when treating CHD disease with obesity, it is necessary to take into account the effectiveness of the applied pharmacological agents and determine the dynamics of pharmacological intervention.
 The aim. To determine the dynamics of indicators of the glycemic profile in the comorbid course of CHD and obesity after the treatment.
 Materials and methods. It was conducted a randomized controlled single-center prospective study case-control, which is based on the analysis of the results of 130 people aged 25–85 were examined, who were divided into 3 groups: 70 persons (main group) with CHD on the background of obesity and 35 people with isolated coronary artery disease (comparison group) and control group (25 practically healthy people). The studied groups were randomized by age and gender.
 Results. Before treatment, a probable predominance of daily glucose levels was determined in patients main group to the patients comparison group and controls. According to the results of the glucose tolerance test (GTT), an improbable excess of fasting glucose levels and after a glucose load was determined in CHD with obesity (respectively 5.64±1.92 and 7.08±2.25 mmol/l) compared to the isolated of CHD (respectively 5, 15±2.22 (p=0.791) and 6.20±3.15 (p=0.403) mmol/l) and control group (respectively 5.32±0.49 (p=0.685) and 5.42±0, 51 (p<0.001) mmol/l). After treatment, recovery of blood glucose levels was determined.
 Conclusions. It was established that the characteristics of the dynamics of glucose metabolism indicators can be used as an indicator of the effectiveness of the treatment in the comorbidity of obesity and CHD. The obtained results indicate that the characteristics of glucose metabolism in the comorbidity of CHD and obesity must be taken into account to ensure therapeutic and preventive measures.

“NOVA Tracker”: Statistical validation of the “NOVA Tracker” as an instrument that captures ultra-processed food consumption

In Ecuador, overweight and obesity (ow/ob) reach alarmingly high levels of prevalence in adult and adolescent population. Sedentary habits, loss of dietary diversity and consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPF) are among the identified factorsthat increase the prevalence of ow/ob, which are part of a phenomenon identified as nutritional transition. The development of the agro-industrial sector, along with the urban lifestyle, contributes to a shift in eating patterns, increasing the risks ofchronic non-communicable diseases. This transition occurs when “traditional” diets are replaced with fewer basic foods and greater UPF consumption.

Prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and its impact on the health-related quality of life among the cricketers

Cricket is that the hottest sport in India far and away, and is played almost everywhere. It is increasingly demanding sports, so require skilled movement and physical fitness. The continuous changing posture of the bats man are causing the complications like pain and discomfort affecting the day to day functions, so as quality of life. A necessity was felt to assess the health status and quality of life of the cricketers for which Occupational Therapy treatment can be implemented to overcome the physical discomfort and to give better quality of life. This study aims to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and its impact on physical and mental health-related quality of life among the cricketers. The study included a quantitative cross-sectional design which was conducted among the male cricketers sampling from different cricket and cricket club in Tamilnadu. Modified Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire was used to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal problems and RAND 36-Item Health Survey 1.0 Questionnaire was used to determine the impact of musculoskeletal problems on the physical and mental health- related Quality of Life. Based on convenience sampling 50 male cricket players were included with age range of 18-33 years and the study results concluded that, out of 50 participants 48 (96%) of the population have trouble in last 12 months (such as musculoskeletal ache, pain, discomfort, numbness) in different parts of body. The Physical composite score and Mental composite score mean was 39.95 and 49.58 respectively which associated with a lower health-related quality of life among cricket players specifically in the domains of physical functioning, physical health, bodily pain as well as emotional problems and energy/fatigue resulted in considerably lower HRQoL. The relationship impact of variables having trouble in last 12 months, showed a p-value for variables of shoulder (p = 0.00526) and wrists/hands (p = 8.4e-06) were significant in impacting the PCS and the p-value for variable Wrists/Hands (p = 0.0439) was significant in impacting MCS. Similarly, the correlation impact variables of having trouble in last 12 months of being prevented from carrying out the normal activities, showed a p-value for variables of shoulder (p = 0.000362) and wrists/hands (p = 0.002213) were significant in impacting the PCS. This study concluded that male cricketers have a high level of prevalence of musculoskeletal problems especially in shoulder, wrists/hands and neck followed by the lower extremity and these high prevalence (i.e., variables of shoulders, wrists/hands and neck) musculoskeletal problems have significant impact in their physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) health-related quality of life.

Dynamics ofthe rice yellow mottle disease inwestern Burkina Faso: Epidemic monitoring, spatio-temporal variation ofviral diversity, andpathogenicity ina disease hotspot.

The rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is a model in plant virus molecular epidemiology, with the reconstruction of historical introduction routes at the scale of the African continent. However, information on patterns of viral prevalence and viral diversity over multiple years at a local scale remains scarce, in spite of potential implications for crop protection. Here, we describe a 5-year (2015-9) monitoring of RYMV prevalence in six sites from western Burkina Faso (geographic areas of Bama, Banzon, and Karfiguela). It confirmed one irrigated site as a disease hotspot and also found one rainfed lowland (RL) site with occasional high prevalence levels. Within the studied fields, a pattern of disease aggregation was evidenced at a 5-m distance, as expected for a mechanically transmitted virus. Next, we monitored RYMV genetic diversity in the irrigated disease hotspot site, revealing a high viral diversity, with the current coexistence of various distinct genetic groups at the site scale (ca. 520 ha) and also within various specific fields (25 m side). One genetic lineage, named S1bzn, is the most recently emerged group and increased in frequency over the studied period (from 20 per cent or less in 2015-6 to more than 65 per cent in 2019). Its genome results from a recombination between two other lineages (S1wa and S1ca). Finally, experimental work revealed that three rice varieties commonly cultivated in Burkina Faso were not different in terms of resistance level, and we also found no significant effect of RYMV genetic groups on symptom expression and viral load. We found, however, that infection outcome depended on the specific RYMV isolate, with two isolates from the lineage S1bzn accumulating at the highest level at early infections. Overall, this study documents a case of high viral prevalence, high viral diversity, and co-occurrence of divergent genetic lineages at a small geographic scale. A recently emerged lineage, which comprises viral isolates inducing severe symptoms and high accumulation under controlled conditions, could be recently rising through natural selection. Following up the monitoring of RYMV diversity is required to confirm this trend and further understand the factors driving the local maintenance of viral diversity.

The Influence The Five Pillars of STBM Against Stunting Incidence

Stunting is defined as a growth and child development disorder caused by repeated infections and sustainable nutritional deprivation. Maros Regency is in the third highest level of prevalence in South Sulawesi with 42.3%. In Camba District the case of Stunting by 20.8% in 2022. The purpose of this study was to know the effect of five CBTS pillars against the stunting incidence in Camba District of Maros Regency. This research uses Case Control research method with quantitative approach. This study was conducted on May 24 - June 28, 2023, with a population of 855 family card. The sample used in this study consisted of 58 toddlers stunting and 90 toddlers were not sufferer in the village of Camba District of Maros Regency. With sampling methods random sampling with the following criteria of toddlers of stunting patients and toddlers are not stunting. The data is processed and analyzed using Chi Square P <0.05. The instrument used in this study is to use the leisurely then input into the CBTS template and processed using the SPSS application, then the result is present in the form of the distribution table. The results of the research obtained on the pillars of I Stop BABS (p = 0.392), pillar II CTPS (p = 0.044), pillar III PAMM-RT (p = 0.000), pillar IV (p = 0.000), pillar V (p = 0.000), and 5 pillar CBTS (p = 0.002). From the five pillar CBTS there are only 1 pillar that is no effect (Stop Babs). It can be concluded that there is an influence of five CBTS pillars against the stunting incidence in Camba District of Maros Regency. As a suggestion to the government, private, or cross sectoral to pay more attention to increased the achievement of CBTS pillars in the community and support the fulfillment of facilities or sanitation facilities in the community so as to encourage the change of public behavior to the CBTS village capable of suppressing the stunting incidence.

Oscillations in SIR behavioural epidemic models: The interplay between behaviour and overexposure to infection

Oscillations in epidemic models including human behaviour indicate that the human factor might play a key role in the occurrence of periodically high levels of incidence and prevalence of the disease. Such phenomena can be captured even with minimal models, i.e. basic SIR or SEIR models with a reduced mathematical complexity. In such models, the effects of information-dependent changes in contact patterns are strongly affected by the function used to describe the memory of the population. In particular, the endemic equilibrium cannot be destabilized in case of exponentially fading memory but sustained oscillations are possible when the memory of the population is described by certain unimodal functions. In this work, we introduce a behavioural SIR-like model with information-dependent social distancing to investigate the interplay between individuals’ behaviour and overexposure to infection due to unconscious exposure to contagion. We use spectral analysis to show that sustained oscillations may take place even with exponentially fading memory. We show that this result holds both in case of prevalence-based and incidence-based social distancing. Furthermore, we show that the individual’s behavioural response to information may stabilize the oscillations induced by overexposure.

Leishmania Seroprevalence in Dogs: Comparing Shelter and Domestic Communities.

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is a chronic, systemic, and often severe disease. The main causative agent of CanL is a protozoan parasite, Leishmania infantum, with phlebotomine sand flies acting as vectors. In Europe and other continents, L. infantum is also responsible for leishmaniosis in other animals, such as cats, horses, and humans. In Portugal, animal and human leishmaniosis is endemic, and high prevalence levels of infections and disease have been reported in dogs. There is a prejudice against stray animals and also those housed in shelters, assuming they have higher levels of infection with vector-borne pathogens, including L. infantum, when compared to domestic animals. In northeastern Portugal, serum samples were obtained from March to May 2022 in three shelters (n = 179) and thirteen veterinary clinics (n = 164), resulting in 343 dogs being analyzed for antibodies to Leishmania spp. by the direct agglutination test (DAT). The overall seroprevalence was 9.9%, with 15.2% seroprevalence in domestic dogs and 5.0% in the shelter ones (p = 0.003). The fact that shelter dogs had a lower seroprevalence could be explained by more regular veterinary care provided in shelters regarding preventive measures, including insecticides with an antifeeding effect, in comparison with domestic dogs.

Elevated blood pressure among adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis

More people from sub-Saharan Africa aged between 20 years and 60 years are affected by end-organ damage due to underlying hypertension than people in high-income countries. However, there is a paucity of data on the pattern of elevated blood pressure among adolescents aged 10-19 years in sub-Saharan Africa. We aimed to provide pooled estimates of high blood pressure prevalence and mean levels in adolescents aged 10-19 years across sub-Saharan Africa. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched PubMed, Google Scholar, African Index Medicus, and Embase to identify studies published from Jan 1, 2010, to Dec 31, 2021. To be included, primary studies had to be observational studies of adolescents aged 10-19 years residing in sub-Saharan African countries reporting the pooled prevalence of elevated blood pressure or with enough data to compute these estimates. We excluded studies on non-systemic hypertension, in African people not living in sub-Saharan Africa, with participant selection based on the presence of hypertension, and with adult cohorts in which we could not disaggregate data for adolescents. We independently extracted relevant data from individual studies using a standard data extraction form. We used a random-effects model to estimate the pooled prevalence of elevated blood pressure and mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels overall and on a sex-specific basis. This study is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022297948). We identified 2559 studies, and assessed 81 full-text studies for eligibility, of which 36 studies comprising 37 926 participants aged 10-19 years from ten (20%) of 49 sub-Saharan African countries were eligible. A pooled sample of 29 696 adolescents informed meta-analyses of elevated blood pressure and 27 155 adolescents informed meta-analyses of mean blood pressure. Sex data were available from 26 818 adolescents (14 369 [53·6%] were female and 12 449 [46·4%] were male) for the prevalence of elevated blood pressure and 23 777 adolescents (12 864 [54·1%] were female and 10 913 [45·9%] were male) for mean blood pressure. Study quality was high, with no low-quality studies. The reported prevalence of elevated blood pressure ranged from 4 (0·2%) of 1727 to 1755 (25·1%) of 6980 (pooled prevalence 9·9%, 95% CI 7·3-12·5; I?=99·2%, pheterogeneity<0·0001). Mean SBP was 111 mm Hg (95% CI 108-114) and mean DBP was 68 mm Hg (66-70). 13·4% (95% CI 12·9-13·9; pheterogeneity<0·0001) of male participants had elevated blood pressure compared with 11·9% (11·3-12·4; pheterogeneity<0·0001) of female participants (odds ratio 1·04, 95% CI 0·81-1·34; pheterogeneity<0·0001). To our knowledge, this systematic review and meta-analysis is the first systematic synthesis of blood pressure data specifically derived from adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Although many low-income countries were not represented in our study, our findings suggest that approximately one in ten adolescents have elevated blood pressure across sub-Saharan Africa. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to improve preventive heart-health programmes in the region. None.

Long-term prevalence follow-up (1967-2022) of HTLV-2 among vulnerable indigenous populations in the Amazon region of Brazil.

Human T-lymphotropic virus 2 (HTLV-2) has been described for more than 30 years as an endemic infection in Brazilian indigenous populations, with its occurrence varying by age and sex, maintained mainly by sexual intercourse and mother-to-child transmission, favoring intrafamilial aggregation. The epidemiological scenario of HTLV-2 infection has been described among communities of the Amazon region of Brazil (ARB), with the number of retrospective positive blood samples increasing for more than 50 years. Five publications were selected that showed the presence of HTLV-2 in 24 of 41 communities; the prevalence of infection was described among 5,429 individuals at five points in time. Among the Kayapó villages, the prevalence rates were described according to age and sex and reached up to 41.2%. Three communities (Asurini, Araweté, and Kaapor) were kept virus free for 27 to 38 years of surveillance. Low, medium and high prevalence levels of infection were defined, and two pockets of high endemicity were shown in the state of Pará, pointing to the Kikretum and Kubenkokrê Kayapó villages as the epicenter of HTLV-2 in the ARB. The prevalence rates over the years have shown a decline among the Kayapó (from 37.8 to 18.4%) and an apparent change to a higher prevalence among females, but not during the first decade of life, usually associated with transmission from mother to child. Sociocultural and behavioral aspects, as well as public health policies directed toward sexually transmitted infections, might have positively influenced the decline in HTLV-2 infections.

Areas of enduring COVID-19 prevalence: drivers of prevalence and mitigating strategies

BackgroundUK local authorities that experienced sustained high levels of COVID-19 between 1st March 2020 and 28th February 2021 were described by the UK Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies as areas of enduring prevalence. This research was carried out in order to examine the views of local authority Directors of Public Health, who played a crucial role in the local response to COVID-19, on reasons for sustained high levels of prevalence in some areas, alongside an investigation of the mitigation strategies that they implemented during the course of the pandemic.MethodsInterviews were conducted with Directors of Public Health in 19 local authority areas across England, between July and November 2021. This included nine areas identified as areas of enduring prevalence and ten ‘comparison’ areas.ResultsThe outcomes of this study suggests that the geographical differences in prevalence rates are strongly influenced by health inequalities. Structural factors including deprivation, employment, and housing, due to their disproportionate impact on specific groups, converged with demographic factors, including ethnicity and age, and vaccination rates, and were identified as the main drivers of enduring prevalence. There are key differences in these drivers both within and, to a lesser extent, between local authorities. Other than these structural barriers, no major differences in facilitators or barriers to COVID-19 mitigation were identified between areas of varying prevalence. The main features of successful mitigation strategies were a locally tailored approach and partnership working involving local authority departments working with local health, community, voluntary and business organisations.ConclusionsThis study is the first to add the voices of Directors of Public Health, who played a crucial role in the local COVID-19 response. Areas of enduring prevalence existed during the pandemic which were caused by a complex mix of structural factors related to inequalities. Participants advised that more research is needed on the effectiveness of mitigation strategies and other measures to reduce the impact of structural inequalities, to better understand the factors that drive prevalence. This would include an assessment of how these factors combine to predict transmission and how this varies between different areas.

Some questions that occur to me and most likely to other nephrologists

Through several questions, based on easily verifiable data, the author decided to contextualize the doubts currently existing in the field of nephrology in Portugal. The graphs that accompany the questions show the existing data that support them. However, the questions remain unanswered, and at the moment, the only answer to all the questions asked would be "we don't know". The lack of explanation that justifies the questions makes it impossible to introduce appropriate and effective clinical measures to change the current paradigm: extremely high levels of incidence and prevalence in dialysis, with an enormous impact on the national health budget.

Natural transmission of Hematodinium perezi in juvenile blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus) in the laboratory

Hematodinium perezi is a dinoflagellate endoparasitic in marine crustaceans, primarily decapods. It occurs in juvenile blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus, at high prevalence levels and has severe pathogenic effects in this host. The life history outside the host has not been experimentally investigated and, until now, transmission using dinospores has not been successful. We investigated the natural transmission dynamics of H. perezi in the laboratory using small juvenile crabs, which are highly susceptible to infection in the field, and elevated temperatures, which are known to stimulate dinospore production. Natural water-borne transmission to naïve crabs varied between 7 and 100% and was not correlated with dinospore densities measured from their aquaria water. Infections appeared to develop quickly in naïve hosts at 25 °C, suggesting that elevated temperatures as seen in the late summer and early autumn have a strong influence on the transmission of H. perezi in natural systems.

Study on Identification and Prevalence of Ixodid Ticks Genera Infestation in Cattle in the Case of Areka District, Wolaita Zone, and Southern Ethiopia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to July 2022 to determine the prevalence and identify major ixodid ticks of cattle and associated risk factors in the case of Areka District, Woliata Zone, and Southern Ethiopia. Standard physical and direct stereomicroscopy techniques were employed for identification of tick genera. Descriptive statistics and chi-squared test analyses were used for data analysis and P < 0.05 was considered as significant. During the study period, a sample of 384 local breed cattle's were taken by random selection and a total of 683 adult ixodid ticks were collected from different body parts of infested animals. Among 384 examined animals, 275 (71.6%; 95% CI: 62.8-80.4) animals were infested with one or more ixodid tick genera. In current study, the major ixodid tick genera infesting cattle were Ambylomma (32.2%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) (30%), Haylomma (16.8%), and Rhipicephalus (21%), and most of the genera preferred dewlap and sternum body part of animal for attachment. Out of 184 male and 200 female cattle examined, 144 males (78.3%) and 131 females (65.5%) were positive for one or more adult ixodid tick genera. The difference also found statically significant (P < 0.05). The overall prevalence of hard tick's infestation was statistically significant (P < 0.05) across the age, origin, and body condition of cattle. In conclusion, the high level of prevalence of hard ticks infestation in the present study represent the most important problems of cattle and detrimental to production. According to this finding, it is recommended that owners who keep cattle should practice good management and regular deworming using acaricides and it is also important to create awareness among livestock owners about the veterinary importance of ticks for the integrated tick control.

A coral disease outbreak highlights vulnerability of remote high-latitude lagoons to global and local stressors

Outbreaks of coral disease are often associated with global and local stressors like changes in temperature and poor water quality. A severe coral disease outbreak was recorded in the primary reef-building taxa Montipora spp. in a high-latitude lagoon at Norfolk Island following heat stress and pollution events in 2020. Disease signs suggest the occurrence of a Montiporid White Syndrome with four distinct phases and maximum measured tissue loss of 329mm-2 day-1. In December 2020 and April 2021, 60% of the Montipora community were impacted and disease severity increased by 54% over this period. Spatial patterns in prevalence indicate the disease is associated with exposure to poor water quality in addition to size class of coral colonies. High prevalence levels make this event comparable to some of the most severe coral disease outbreaks recorded to date demonstrating the vulnerability of this system to combined impacts of warming and pollution.

Genetic Interference of FGFR3 Impedes Invasion of Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma Cells by Alleviating RAS/MAPK Signal Activity.

Upper tract urothelial cancer (UTUC) is a less common disease in Western countries but has a high level of prevalence in Asian populations. Compared to bladder cancer, unique etiologic and genomic factors are involved in UTUC. Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) up-regulation has been proposed as a promising target for bladder cancer therapy. In this study, we aimed to profile the expression of FGFR3 in Asian and Caucasian UTUC tissues and to evaluate the in vitro therapeutic efficacy of small interference RNA (siRNA)-mediated FGFR3 silencing in UTUC treatment. The FGFR3 expression levels in renal pelvis tissues and microarray sections from Asian and Caucasian patients with UTUC, respectively, were measured via immunohistochemistry. The BFTC-909 and UM-UC-14 UTUC cell lines were used to examine the effects of FGFR3 silencing on proliferation, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker expression, and signaling machinery. FGFR3 expression increased as the TNM stage increased in both Asian and Caucasian UTUC tumors, and no statistical difference was identified between the two groups. In vitro studies demonstrated that FGFR3 siRNA delivery significantly inhibited proliferation and migration and suppressed the expression of EMT markers and transcription factors in UTUC cells. Mechanistically, FGFR3 silencing alleviated the constitutive expression of RAS and the phosphorylation of MAPK signaling mediators, including ERK1/2 and JNK1/2. FGFR3 silencing elicited an apoptosis-inducing effect similar to that of FGFR inhibition. Conclusion: siRNA-targeted FGFR3 expression may impede the expansion and invasion of UTUC cells by alleviating the RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. The genetic interference of FGFR3 expression via siRNA in UTUC cells may constitute a useful therapeutic strategy.