Levels Of Susceptibility Research Articles

Investigation of the Correlation Between the Visually Induced Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire and the Turkish Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire.

Visually induced motion sickness (VIMS) is a phenomenon similar to motion sickness frequently observed in users of visual technologies. The Visually Induced Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire (VIMSSQ), developed by Golding et al. (2006), is considered the most effective scale for assessing VIMS susceptibility levels. The main purpose of this study was to standardize the selection of participants for research conducted with virtual reality, especially motion sickness (MS) research. To achieve this, first, the Turkish version of the VIMSSQ was created to establish its validity and reliability, and subsequently, its correlation with the Turkish Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire Short form (HDDA), the expanded version of the Motion Sickness Susceptibility Questionnaire Short form (MSSQ), was examined. Subjects and. Linguistic equivalence assessment was obtained from ten experts by passing the VIMSSQ through the translation process. The VIMSSQ and the Turkish MSSQ forms were then administered to 49 subjects. This study statistically analyzed the validity and reliability of the VIMSSQ and its relationship with the MSSQ. Results showed that the Turkish version of the original questionnaire is highly reliable (Cronbach alpha=0.843). There is a moderate statistically significant positive correlation between the total MSSQ scores and the subfactors of the VIMSSQ. In this study, VIMSSQ was successfully adapted to Turkish, normative data demonstrated its validity, and all sub-factors were highly reliable. The Turkish version of the VIMSSQ can serve as a valuable tool for estimating individual susceptibility to VIMS.

Factors Influencing HPV Vaccine Intentions in Malaysian Men Who Have Sex with Men: A Cross-Sectional Study in Malaysia.

In the landscape of healthcare disparities and the marginalized status of men who have sex with men (MSM) in Malaysia, understanding the dynamics surrounding HPV vaccination is of paramount importance. The purpose of this study is to examine the knowledge and attitudes of MSM regarding HPV vaccination and to identify factors that may hinder or facilitate its uptake. The findings will contribute to the development of targeted interventions to promote HPV vaccination and reduce the burden of HPV-related health issues among Malaysian MSM. Between May 2019 and September 2022, an online cross-sectional survey was conducted to collect data through popular social media platforms targeting MSM in Malaysia. A multivariable logistic regression model was employed to investigate the associations between HPV vaccination intention and various influencing factors. Out of the total 411 respondents in the study, 266 (60.3%) indicated an intent to receive the HPV vaccination, falling under the categories of "certain to happen", "very likely", and "likely". The average knowledge score for participants was 6.82 (SD = 3.93, range 0-13) out of a total possible score of 13. In the multivariate logistic model, participants who identified themselves as bisexual (OR 6.93, 95% CI 2.35-20.41) and gay/homosexual (OR 4.36, 95% CI 1.66-11.42) showed a greater inclination to receive the HPV vaccine compared to heterosexual participants. High intent to be vaccinated for HPV infection was positively and significantly associated with a high level of knowledge (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.09-2.95). In the multivariable model, there was no significant association between all variables of attitudes towards HPV infection and HPV vaccinations and the intention to receive HPV vaccination. Study participants reported a low level of susceptibility to HPV infection despite their perception that HPV infection is severe. Two-thirds of participants expected to encounter stigma in healthcare settings during future implementation of HPV vaccination programs. This study underscores the importance of improving HPV vaccine acceptance among Malaysian MSM due to the moderate acceptance level observed. In Malaysia, promoting HPV awareness, enhancing risk perception, and addressing stigma and sensitivity surrounding HPV vaccination may be beneficial in increasing the vaccination willingness among MSM.

Characterization of Rongchang piglets after infection with type 2 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus strains differing in pathogenicity.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) affects the production and health of pigs and causes severe economic losses to the swine industry worldwide. Different pig breeds have been reported to have different levels of susceptibility to PRRSV, and different PRRSV strains may also influence the infectivity and pathogenicity of the virus. In this study, the susceptibility of Rongchang pigs (a prominent local pig breed in China) to PRRSV infection was thoroughly investigated. Rongchang piglets were exposed to two PRRSV strains: HuN4 (highly pathogenic PRRSV) and SD53-1603 (moderately virulent NADC30-like PRRSV). We observed that Rongchang pigs infected with HuN4 displayed significant clinical manifestations, including fever, reduced body weight, and interstitial pneumonia lesions. Routine blood tests revealed that HuN4-infected pigs exhibited slightly decreased levels of red blood cells, hemoglobin, reticulocytes, and a notable increase in monocytes than control pigs. Additionally, the Rongchang pigs exhibiting severe clinical signs presented a higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and a lower lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio. In contrast, SD53-1603 infection did not cause considerable harm to Rongchang pigs, only resulting in slightly elevated leukocytes and lymphocytes. Furthermore, these two PRRSV strains elicited divergent cytokine responses, such that SD53-1603 infection induced higher levels of TNF-α and IFN-γ, whereas HuN4 infection upregulated IL-1β. These dissimilarities in clinical symptoms, pathological changes, viremia, cytokine expression, and routine blood indices between HuN4 and SD53-1603 infections are critical in understanding the mechanisms of PRRSV infection and developing rational prevention and control strategies against PRRSV.

Geo-Environment Vulnerability Assessment of Multiple Geohazards Using VWT-AHP: A Case Study of the Pearl River Delta, China

Geohazards pose significant risks to communities and infrastructure, emphasizing the need for accurate susceptibility assessments to guide land-use planning and hazard management. This study presents a comprehensive method that combines Variable Weight Theory (VWT) with Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assess geo-environment vulnerability based on susceptibility to various geohazards. The method was applied to the Pearl River Delta in China, resulting in the classification of areas into high vulnerability (5961.85 km2), medium vulnerability (19,227.93 km2), low vulnerability (14,892.02 km2), and stable areas (1616.19 km2). The findings demonstrate improved accuracy and reliability compared to using AHP alone. ROC curve analysis confirms the enhanced performance of the integrated method, highlighting its effectiveness in discerning susceptibility levels and making informed decisions in hazard preparedness and risk reduction. Additionally, this study assessed the risks posed by geohazards to critical infrastructures, roads, and artificial surfaces, while discussing prevention strategies. However, this study acknowledges certain limitations, including the subjective determination of its judgment matrix and data constraints. Future research could explore the integration of alternative methods to enhance the objectivity of factor weighting. In practical applications, this study contributes to the understanding of geo-environment vulnerability assessments, providing insight into the intricate interplay among geological processes, human activities, and disaster resilience.

Evaluation of Cocoa Full-Sib Progenies in Challenging Conditions in Cameroon

The improved vegetal material cultivated by cocoa farmers in Cameroon consists in full-sib progenies issued from pods harvested in bi-clonal seed gardens set up during the 1970s. Interviews of cocoa farmers revealed their general satisfaction with the yield level obtained from these progenies but also their disappointment with the high level of susceptibility to black pod disease, a disease caused by Phytophthora megakarya, which is a serious challenge for cocoa production in this country. In order to select new future varieties that would combine high yield and resistance to black pod disease, new progeny trial plots were set up from 2005, in research stations and on farm.
 23 cocoa full-sib progenies were assessed and compared to 3 control progenies. in a trial plot set up in 2005 in a research station located in the south western region of Cameroon. The cocoa trees were assessed during eight consecutive years of cocoa production. A large level of variation was observed among the progenies for mortality rate (ranging between 6 and 52%), annual potential yield (ranging between 151 and 1,808 kg/ha), annual actual yield (ranging between 114 and 1,159 kg/ha) and black pod disease incidence (ranging between 19 and 39,8%) caused by Phytophthora megakarya. Nine of the assessed full-sib progenies were identified as promising and the authors suggest how to confirm their performances before their release to farmers.

Landslide Susceptibility Assessment of a Railway Based on GIS Application

This study uses GIS-based maps to identify the potential for landslide movement on the railroad section between Prupuk Station and Purwokerto Station. The preparation was conducted by overlaying various maps obtained by online resource data, including rainfall, slope, geology, soil type, and land use, by using the DVMBG 2004 landslide prediction model. The distribution of landslide susceptibility levels shows that of the overall railway lines, 1.10% was very low, 17.29% was low, 63.16% was medium, 18.25% was high, and 0.21% was very high. The results of this study can be used as a reference for operators to provide information systems, landslide monitoring, and mitigation systems, especially for railroads in areas with high and very high vulnerability for landslides. Detailed conditions of landslide parameters and assessment of landslide occurrence on the location are needed to improve the accuracy of the models.

Incidence of Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease, Genetic Susceptibility, and Grip Strength Among Older Adults.

Grip strength has prognostic value for aging-related health outcomes. Whether the associations of grip strength with the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) vary by the genetic risk of AD and related dementias (ADD) is unknown. This study included 148 659 older adults of white British ancestry (aged ≥60 years) participating in UK Biobank with no dementia, and self-reported poor health status at baseline. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) for ADD were calculated based on 64 genetic variants. Grip strength was measured by hand dynamometers. The hazard ratios (HR) of dementia (n = 4 963) and AD (n = 2 373) for high genetic risk of ADD were 2.36 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.15-2.59) and 3.00 (95% CI: 2.61-3.44), respectively, compared with low genetic risk. Compared with the bottom tertile of grip strength, the top tertile of grip strength had a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.64-0.74) for incident dementia, and 0.74 (95% CI: 0.66-0.82) for incident AD, after adjustment for confounders and PRS for ADD. The risk of dementia and AD was lower with the top grip strength tertile within each level of genetic susceptibility to ADD. There was no evidence of multiplicative interaction between grip strength and genetic susceptibility to ADD for both dementia (p value: .241) and AD (p value: .314). Older adults with higher PRS for ADD are at higher risk of developing dementia and AD. The risk of dementia and AD was lower in individuals with higher grip strength, regardless of their level of genetic susceptibility to ADD.

Transcriptome profiling of Fraxinus excelsior genotypes infested by emerald ash borer

European ash, Fraxinus excelsior is facing the double threat of ongoing devastation by the invasive fungal pathogen, Hymenoscyphus fraxineus and the imminent arrival of the non-native emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis. The spread of EAB which is currently moving westwards from European Russia and Ukraine into central Europe, poses an additional substantial threat to European ash, F. excelsior. While the molecular basis for resistance or variation in resistance among European ash genotypes is heavily investigated, comparatively little is known about the molecular ash traits involved in resistance against EAB. In this study we have gathered transcriptomic data from EAB inoculated genotypes of F. excelsior that have previously shown different levels of susceptibility to EAB. Resultant datasets show differential gene expression in susceptible and resistant genotypes in response to EAB infestation. This data will provide important information on the molecular basis of resistance to the EAB and allow the development of management plans to combat a pending threat of a culturally and ecologically important European tree species.

Current status of phosphine resistance in Indian field populations of Tribolium castaneum and its influence on antioxidant enzyme activities

Resistance to phosphine is widely reported in several stored product insect pests globally. However, knowledge of its prevalence and the association of antioxidant enzymes with phosphine resistance is limited. Herein, we assessed the levels of phosphine susceptibility and estimated the antioxidant enzyme activities viz., superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), and catalase (CAT) in selected Indian populations of red flour beetle Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Dose–response probit assays revealed that the LC50 values ranged from 0.038 to 1.277 mg L−1 showing 2.11 to 70.94-fold resistance to phosphine compared to susceptible check. Activities of antioxidant enzymes varied significantly between the T. castaneum populations following phosphine exposure. The magnitude of SOD activity ranged from 8.77 to18.82 U mg−1 protein, while, the activities of POX and CAT varied between 52.42 and 408.32 and 61.11 to 247.49 µM H2O2 reduced min−1 mg−1 of protein, respectively. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive association of SOD (r = 0.89) and POX (r = 0.98) with increased resistance ratio, while the CAT (r = − 0.98) is negatively linked with resistance to phosphine. A principal component analysis identified phosphine resistance was closely associated with POX and SOD activities but was unrelated to the CAT activity. Our results throw light on the varied association of antioxidant enzyme activities in response to phosphine fumigation in field populations of T. castaneum. Further studies on the biochemical and molecular basis of phosphine stress in insects may help to devise suitable strategies to safeguard storage commodities and ensure a sustainable environment.

The impact of geopolitical risk on energy security: Evidence from a GMM panel VAR approach

Energy security plays a crucial role in a country's long-term economic development. This study investigates the impact of geopolitical risks on energy security in China by employing a panel VAR model, and using provincial panel data from 1994 to 2021. The findings reveal that the relationship between geopolitical risk and energy security is dynamic and inconsistently negative. Notably, variations in regional resource endowments within China contribute to varying levels of susceptibility to geopolitical risks. Specifically, the eastern region demonstrates heightened sensitivity, experiencing significant impacts, while the western region is comparatively less affected. This study recommends Maintaining stable geopolitical risks will improve regional energy security. In addition, promoting renewable energy will also enhance national energy security. This study suggests the fluctuating relationship between geopolitical risks and energy, and suggests strengthening industrial transformation and renewable energy utilization to improve energy security.

Evaluation of insecticide resistance among Malaysian Aedes albopictus Skuse larvae based on revised diagnostic doses of larvicides.

The susceptibility levels of Malaysian Aedes albopictus larvae sampled from several agricultural, fogging-free residential and dengue prone residential areas against different larvicides were evaluated using revised diagnostic doses derived from the 2xLC99 values of the reference strain. Upon 24-hour recovery period of WHO larval bioassay, incipient resistance was observed among Ae. albopictus larvae from rubber estates against fenitrothion (96.67% mortality) and permethin (97.00% mortality) while Ae. albopictus larvae from rice cultivation areas were moderately resistant to fenthion (94.33% mortality). Aedes albopictus larvae from dengue prone residential areas developed moderate to high resistance against dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), fenitrothion, fenthion, propoxur and permethrin (79.67% - 97.33% mortality). Moderate to high resistance were also demonstrated among all populations of Ae. albopictus larvae against temephos and chlorpyrifos (63.00% - 97.67% mortality). Except for Ae. albopictus larvae from oil palm plantations, all Ae. albopictus larval populations were also highly resistant to bendiocarb (65.67% - 89.67% mortality). Cross resistance between larvicides from similar and different insecticide classes were also revealed in this study. The use of revised diagnostic doses established from the local reference strain could reduce the possibility of underestimation or overestimation of the insecticide susceptibility status of field strain populations.

Performance of Imidacloprid or Phorate Co-Applied In-Furrow with Superabsorbent Polymer and Evaluation of Aldicarb

Management decisions mitigating thrips injury and tomato spotted wilt infection are primarily limited to being enacted at the beginning of the growing season. Previous work explored corresponding potential management contribution of concurrent insecticide application with a superabsorbent polymer in-furrow but reported effects to be marginal or variable across experiments. To more thoroughly probe this potential, data from a collection of 40 experiments conducted from 2009 through 2022 was analyzed to examine the efficacy of insecticides (aldicarb, imidacloprid, imidacloprid plus fluopyram, and phorate, in addition to a nontreated check) applied in-furrow at planting for peanut production. In addition to treatments applied individually, experiments included imidacloprid (n = 11) or phorate (n = 18) applied in the presence of 2.2 kg/ha superabsorbent polymer. Results indicated that neither imidacloprid nor phorate alone significantly varied with regard to stand count (P > 0.35), thrips injury (P > 0.27), tomato spotted wilt incidence (P > 0.08), or yield (P > 0.37) when compared to their co-application with the polymer. These results were consistent across variety susceptibility levels to tomato spotted wilt. The fitted models were determined to be robust to the treatment composition of screened studies (P > 0.089). Where there were differences in projected returns above the nontreated check, phorate or aldicarb were the most consistently profitable treatments.

Analysis of Cumulative Antibiogram Reports in Search for Optimal Empirical Urinary Tract Infection Treatment at the Central Teaching Hospital of the Medical University of Lodz, Poland: Results of a 3-Year Surveillance.

Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections, accounting for about two-fifths of all healthcare-associated infections. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy is crucial, e.g., to avoid prolonged hospitalization and limit antimicrobial resistance spread. This study was performed to analyze the microbiological profiles of urinary tract infections in the Central Teaching Hospital in Lodz, Poland, and develop local empirical therapy guidelines. This study was a 3-year retrospective surveillance of the cumulative antibiograms from urine cultures. The procedures were based on the current EUCAST and CLSI guidelines. In 2020-2022, a total of 4656 urine cultures were performed, of which 1134 were positive. The most common bacterial isolates were Escherichia coli, followed by Klebsiella spp. and Enterococcus spp. High levels of susceptibility (>90%) have been observed for carbapenems, piperacillin/tazobactam, amikacin, and nitrofurantoin. Development of the appropriate empirical antimicrobial is a challenging task with persistently high levels of resistance to commonly used antimicrobials. Eventually, we separated the uncomplicated and complicated urinary tract infections in local guidelines and recommended nitrofurantoin and amikacin, respectively, in empiric therapy. The clinicians should make a decision based on the presented symptoms and then-with the urine culture result-correct or continue the therapy.

The Mechanical Characterization of Pyroclastic Deposits for Landslide Early Warning Systems

Broad mountainous areas in the western Campania (southern Italy), where young pyroclastic deposits extensively outcrop, frequently experience rainfall-induced slope movements of different degrees of mobility, causing heavy damage and fatalities. Such landslides cannot be easily mitigated, and the implementation of physically based early warning systems is still not able to predict the post-failure evolution of slope movements and the exposed areas at risk. This paper is devoted to overcoming this limit. To this end, the mechanical characterization of pyroclastic soil, carried out through an extensive laboratory testing program, is presented and compared with those of two other ashy soils of different depositional mechanisms. The results show that the depositional mode influences soil properties; to begin with, it affects the unsaturated shear strength, whose intercept of cohesion is up to 5 kPa higher in ashes of flow deposition than in airfall ash deposits. The saturated undrained soil response allowed for the identification of different levels of susceptibility to the liquefaction of pyroclastic deposits, which is one of the main factors governing the post-failure evolution of landslides. Gathering all the acquired information, including saturated and unsaturated soil shear strength, permeability function, and water retention curves, into a soil database, it was possible to present all data under a unitary framework. Finally, the implementation of the proposed flowchart for a simplified assessment of post-failure evolution to be employed in regional early warning systems can enhance our knowledge of the areas at risk.

A reliable numerical investigation of an SEIR model of measles disease dynamics with fuzzy criteria

The terms susceptibility, exposure, infectiousness, and recovered all have some inherent ambiguity because different population members have different susceptibility levels, exposure levels, infectiousness levels, and recovery patterns. This uncertainty becomes more pronounced when examining population subgroups characterized by distinct behaviors, cultural norms, and varying degrees of resilience across different age brackets, thereby introducing the possibility of fluctuations. There is a need for more accurate models that take into account the various levels of susceptibility, exposure, infectiousness, and recovery of the individuals. A fuzzy SEIR model of the dynamics of the measles disease is discussed in this article. The rates of disease transmission and recovery are treated as fuzzy sets. Three distinct numerical approaches, the forward Euler, fourth-order Runge-Kutta, and nonstandard finite difference (NSFD) are employed for the resolution of this fuzzy SEIR model. Next, the outcomes of the three methods are examined. The results of the simulation demonstrate that the NSFD method adeptly portrays convergent solutions across various time step sizes. Conversely, the conventional Euler and RK-4 methods only exhibit positivity and convergence solutions when handling smaller step sizes. Even when considering larger step sizes, the NSFD method maintains its consistency, showcasing its efficacy. This demonstrates the NSFD technique’s superior reliability when compared to the other two methods, while maintaining all essential aspects of a continuous dynamical system. Additionally, the results from numerical and simulation studies offer solid proof that the suggested NSFD technique is a reliable and effective tool for controlling these kinds of dynamical systems.The convergence and consistency analysis of the NSFD method are also studied.

Potential Factors of Landslide Recurrence in Uttaradit, Thailand: A Case Study in Laplae, Mueang Uttaradit, and Tha Pla Districts

Laplae, Mueang Uttaradit, and Tha Pla district, Uttaradit province, Thailand are considered as high potential landslide areas. Still, this disaster is difficult to address because of complex factors controlling its occurrence. Therefore, the prediction of the potential landslide area using a landslide susceptibility map has been able to accomplish as a great strategy for the disaster. A landslide susceptibility map was produced by the geographic information system (GIS) data. The methods were initially conducted by the selection of potential factors related to landslides, which were lithology, slope, aspect, plan curvature, profile curvature, distance to stream, land use, and rainfall. All factors were assigned coefficients weight, and analyses frequency ratio (FR). Then, the weighted variables have been combined and ranked into five different susceptibility levels, which were very low, low, medium, high, and very high. Finally, the produced landslide susceptibility map has been validated by the success rate and prediction rate. After the analysis, the high and the very high landslide susceptibility area were dominantly covered in the northern and northwest parts of the study area; and the factor of slope, land use, and lithology potentially caused the landslide risk indicated by high frequency ratio values. In addition, the produced landslide susceptibility map had high accuracy, about 90% of success rate and prediction rate, calculated from the area under the curve (AUC), this map would be beneficial for geological hazard management and land use planning. The landslide susceptibility map and the GIS-based methods can be applied to the regional area with additional benefits to well-being, society, and the environment.

Inflammation in Cardiovascular Disease: A Comprehensive Review of Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets.

Cardiovascular disorders (CVDs) represent a global challenge and are regarded as one of the leading causes of mortality. The role of inflammation as a risk factor in these disorders has been studied, with the accelerated atherosclerotic process being a crucial factor in the pathogenesis. Several inflammatory biomarkers such as C-reactive protein (CRP), Interleukins (ILs), Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), and others have been identified that play a role in the atherosclerotic process, thus linking systemic inflammatory conditions with CVDs, including acute myocardial infarction (AMI), chronic heart failure (CHF), venous thromboembolism (VTE) and others. These markers could be used to predict the risk of CVDs. Understanding the precise mechanisms can lead to therapeutic strategies targeted at pro-inflammatory processes. We aim to provide an overview of the existing literature on the role of inflammation in various cardiovascular disorders and identify different inflammatory biomarkers and therapeutic targets in this comprehensive literature review. We reviewed 190 references published between 2013 and August 3, 2023, in well-reputed journals and analyzed eight selected papers in-depth. We describe the pathophysiologic pathways that lead to atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular pathologies. Several inflammatory cytokines encompassing various groups were identified to be causing endothelial dysfunction, leading to an increased risk for CVDs. Polymorphisms in the genes for different cytokines also led to different levels of susceptibility to CVDs. Nevertheless, future research detailing the inflammatory pathways and their link with CVDs would lead to better outcomes for patients with preexisting and new onset of CVDs as well as chronic inflammatory disorders.

Daily stair climbing, disease susceptibility, and risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease: A prospective cohort study

Background and aimsThe associations between intensity of stair climbing and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and how these vary by underlying disease susceptibility are not fully understood. We aim to evaluate the intensity of stair climbing and risk of ASCVD types and whether these vary with the presence of ASCVD risk factors. MethodsThis prospective study used data of 458,860 adult participants from the UK Biobank. Information about stair climbing, sociodemographic, and lifestyle factors was collected at baseline and a resurvey 5 years after baseline. ASCVD was defined as coronary artery disease (CAD), ischemic stroke (IS), or acute complications. Associations between flights of stair climbing and ASCVD were examined as hazard ratios (HRs) from Cox proportional hazards models. The modification role of disease susceptibility on such associations was assessed by analyses stratified by levels of genetic risk score (GRS), 10-year risks of ASCVD, and self-reported family history of ASCVD. ResultsDuring a median of 12.5 years of follow-up, 39,043 ASCVD, 30,718 CAD, and 10,521 IS cases were recorded. Compared with the reference group (reported climbing stairs 0 times/day at baseline), the multivariable-adjusted HRs for ASCVD were 0.97 (95% CI, 0.93–1.01), 0.84 (0.82–0.87), 0.78 (0.75–0.81), 0.77 (0.73–0.80) and 0.81 (0.77–0.85) for stair climbing of 1–5, 6–10, 11–15, 16–20 and ≥21 times/day, respectively. Comparable results were obtained for CAD and IS. When stratified by different disease susceptibility based on the GRS for CAD/IS, 10-year risk, and family history of ASCVD, the protection association of stair climbing was attenuated by increasing levels of disease susceptibility. Furthermore, compared with people who reported no stair climbing (<5 times/d) at two examinations, those who climbed stairs at baseline and then stopped at resurvey experienced a 32% higher risk of ASCVD (HR 1.32, 95% CI:1.06–1.65). ConclusionsClimbing more than five flights of stairs (approx 50 steps) daily was associated with a lower risk of ASCVD types independent of disease susceptibility. Participants who stopped stair climbing between baseline and resurvey had a higher risk of ASCVD compared with those who never climbed stairs.

Predominance Biofilm Proteus mirabilis Isolates in the Skin Wound Infections, and Assessment Action of Antimicrobial Agents

Proteus mirabilis (P mirabilis) is the major pathogenic bacteria, an etiological agent of wound infections, particularly skin wound infections. Infection of wounds is the cause of morbidity and mortality on a universal scale. Different pathogens infecting wounds can colonize and multiply in the wounds, damaging the host tissue. This work aimed to determine biofilm formation, detect some virulence factors, and estimate the action of different antimicrobial agents i.e., antibiotics and probiotics Lactobacillus spp. P mirabilis was collected from different specimens of humans. Virulence factors of P mirabilis, especially atfA,rsbA, and mrpA, were observed in the isolates of P mirabilis through PCR technique. Isolates P mirabilis virulence factors were detected in more than 90%. The rate of susceptibility was 35 (94.6%) for cefoxitin, 29 (78.4%) for tobramycin, 22 (59.5%) for imipenem, followed by amikacin [16 (43.2%)], cefotaxime [11(29.7%)], ciprofloxacin [9 (24.3%)], ampicillin [1 (2.7%)]. As well as, different virulence biofilm genes related to the susceptibility for different antimicrobial agents, whether antibiotics or probiotics, such as rsbA [21 (100%)], atfA [20 (95.2%)] and mprA [19 (90.5%)]. Furthermore, probiotic lactobacilli spp. Such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus casei shirota demonstrated high sensitivity against pathogens compared with antibiotics in different methods, such as agar spot (22-26 mm) and well diffusion (8-13 mm). In conclusion, P mirabilis demonstrated a high level of susceptibility to antibiotics against cefoxitin, tobramycin and imipenem and high resistance to ampicillin and others. Also, Lactobacillus spp. Demonstrated high sensitivity against pathogens compared with antibiotics. Keywords: Proteus mirabilis, biofilm, virulence factor genes, antibiotics, and probiotics

Mapping Landslide Susceptibility Areas Using GIS Analysis in Cilawu Sub-district, Garut, West Java

A landslide is the movement of soil mass down a slope. Landslides can be influenced by some factors including rainfall, soil type, land slope, land cover, and human activities. Cilawu Sub district, Garut, West Java is one of the most frequently experienced landslide areas which cause severe losses. This mapping aims to provide information about the landslide susceptibility areas in Cilawu Sub-district, Garut, West Java by using a Geographic Information System (GIS). This study used Digital Elevation Model (DEM) image, Landsat image, rainfall, geology, and soil types data which were then mapped using ArcGIS software. The analysis process used the overlay method, scoring method, and weighting method. The final result was a landslide map with 4 susceptibility levels covering low susceptibility, medium susceptibility, high susceptibility, and very high susceptibility. Based on this analysis, Cilawu District was dominated by the following classes: high susceptibility with an area of 5470.07 Ha, medium susceptibility with an area of 1627.78 Ha, very high susceptibility with an area of 515.96 Ha, and low susceptibility with an area of 366.16 Ha.