Health Research Articles

Development of a Multi-Functional Human Health Monitoring System

Abstract: Today, in flow of innovations, the specialists are always looking for advanced electronic device to help in diagnosing abnormalities of the body. Next-generation structures in healthcare monitoring devices are due to the Internet of Things, which becoming an exciting development area. Load cells, ultrasonic, LM 35 sensor and pulse oximeter (MAX30100) are incorporated in the STM32F401CDU6 black pill development board (MCU) in this research work to design a muilti-functional human health monitoring system. A web based server (using HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP application) will be present and will get data from the device and also the body mass index of the patient and the body temperature, pulse rate and SpO2 level in the blood will be measured. The human data produced will be displayed on an LCD for initial analysis and also transferred over an ESP8266 WIFI module. All the data compiled for each patient can also be viewed from the web server for further study and evaluation. This device, however, will be quite useful in rural or remote areas it will enable nearby clinics to consult with city hospitals about the health conditions of their patients. The device will also enable people to have a normal checkup of their health which is very important in improving the standard and quality of the health sector.

Invasive Plants as a Source of Polyphenols with High Radical Scavenging Activity

The wide occurrence and expansive nature of invasive plant species are worldwide problems because these plants by their competitive character can lead to the loss of biodiversity. As a result, they significantly disrupt ecosystems, create economic damage and threats to human health, and diminish the quality of recreational resources. Therefore, sustainable, bio-based solutions are needed for their control, focusing on the utilization of their biomass after eradication. To better understand the potential application possibilities of invasive plants and their potential role in bioeconomy, species such as Lupinus polyphyllus—Lindl., Impatiens glandulifera Royle, Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden, Solidago canadensis L., Echinocystis lobata (Michx.), and Elodea canadensis Michx. were studied. These plants are not only widely spread but also form dense mono-stands and produce substantial amounts of biomass, which provides more options for their harvesting. In particular, their composition was analysed to assess the feasibility of their use for bioactive compound extraction. The amount of total polyphenols and flavonoids was determined in various parts of the studied invasive plants, and their corresponding radical scavenging activities were determined using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP and CUPRAC. The studied invasive plants are rich sources of polyphenols, and the highest concentrations were found in Impatiens glandulifera leaves, reaching a concentration of 7.78–11.75 g GAE/100 g DW, but in Lupinus polyphyllus, the highest concentrations of polyphenols were identified in the extracts of the flowers (12.77 g GAE/100 g DW) and leaves (11.88 g GAE/100 g DW) of the plant. Among the various plant parts studied, the leaves and flowers consistently showed the highest concentrations of polyphenols and flavonoids, as well as the greatest antioxidant and radical scavenging activities. These findings underscore the potential of invasive plant biomass as a source of valuable bioactive substances, particularly polyphenols, after the eradication of these invasive species.

EQ-5D-5L or EQ-HWB-S: Which is the Better Instrument for Capturing Spillover Effects in Parental Carers of Children with COVID-19?

'Caregiver health spillovers' refer to the broader impacts of an individual's illness and interventions on informal caregivers' health and well-being. This study focuses on the spillover effects experienced by parental carers of children with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), aiming to compare the psychometric properties of the EQ-5D-5L and the experimental EQ Health and Wellbeing Short version (EQ-HWB-S) in capturing these effects. A longitudinal study was conducted with 861 parental carers of children aged 0-18 years with COVID-19 and 231 parents of healthy children as the control group. The EQ-5D-5L and EQ-HWB-S were used to assess parental health and well-being. Analyses included known-groups validity (multivariable regression), test-retest reliability (Gwet's AC1, intraclass correlation coefficient) and responsiveness to health improvement (Glass' Δ effect size). Parents of infected children reported more problems than those of healthy controls. The EQ-HWB-S better discriminated between sub-groups defined by the child's COVID-19 presence, caring time and work impact. Test-retest reliability was fair to good for EQ-HWB-S dimensions (Gwet's AC1: 0.33-0.79), moderate to good for EQ-5D-5L (Gwet's AC1: 0.40-0.76), and good for index scores and EQ VAS (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.70-0.77). Parental health and well-being improved as children recovered, with the EQ-5D-5L showing slightly higher responsiveness (effect size: 0.77-0.87) than EQ-HWB-S (effect size: 0.62-0.74). Both EQ-HWB-S and EQ-5D-5L are valid, reliable and responsive for measuring parental spillover effects related to a child's COVID-19 infection. EQ-HWB-S outperformed in distinguishing social and emotional impacts of caregiving, while EQ-5D-5L better captured physical health improvements. The choice between tools may depend on study objectives.

Evaluating the acceptability of a self-directed, self-management intervention for patients and caregivers facing advanced cancer.

Coping-Together is a self-directed, self-management intervention initially developed for patients in early-stages of cancer and their caregivers. This study evaluated its acceptability among patients with advanced cancer and their caregivers. Twenty-six participants (patients with advanced cancer n = 15 and their caregivers n = 11) were given the Coping-Together materials (6 booklets and a workbook) for 7 weeks. Participants were interviewed twice during this time to solicit feedback on the intervention's content, design, and recommended changes. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was conducted. Participants found Coping-Together was mostly relevant. All (n = 26, 100%) participants expressed interest and a desire to improve their self-management skills. Perceived benefits included learning to develop SMARTTER (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely, and done together) self-management plans, normalizing challenges, and enhancing communication within the dyad and with their healthcare team. Most (n = 25, 96%) identified strategies from the booklets that benefited them. Top strategies learned were skills to manage physical health (n = 20, 77%) (e.g., monitoring symptoms), emotional well-being (n = 21, 81%) (e.g., reducing stress by reframing thoughts), as well as social well-being (n = 24, 92%) (e.g., communicating with their healthcare team). Barriers included illness severity and time constraints. The unique advanced cancer needs that are to be integrated include support related to fear of death, uncertainty, palliative care and advanced care planning. Suggested modifications involved enhancing accessibility and including more advanced cancer information (e.g., end-of-life planning, comfort care, resources). Participants reported several benefits from using Coping-Together, with minimal adaptations needed. Creating SMARTTER self-management plans helped them implement self-management strategies. Specific areas for improvement addressed the need for improved accessibility and more content related to advanced cancer. Findings demonstrate how Coping-Together is acceptable for those living with advanced cancer and their caregivers, offering much of the support needed to enhance day-to-day quality of life.

Associations between lifestyle factors, physiological conditions, and epigenetic age acceleration in an Asian population

Epigenetic clocks use DNA methylation (DNAm) levels to predict an individual’s biological age. However, relationships between lifestyle/biomarkers and epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) in Asian populations remain unknown. We here explored associations between lifestyle factors, physiological conditions, and epigenetic markers, including HannumEAA, IEAA, PhenoEAA, GrimEAA, DunedinPACE, DNAm-based smoking pack-years (DNAmPACKYRS), and DNAm plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 level (DNAmPAI1). A total of 2474 Taiwan Biobank (TWB) individuals aged between 30 and 70 provided physical health examinations, lifestyle questionnaire surveys, and blood and urine samples. Partial correlation analysis (while adjusting for chronological age, smoking, and drinking status) demonstrated that 29 factors were significantly correlated with at least one epigenetic marker (Pearson’s correlation coefficient |r|> 0.15). Subsequently, by exploring the model with the smallest Akaike information criterion (AIC), we identified the best model for each epigenetic marker. As a DNAm-based marker demonstrated to predict healthspan and lifespan with greater accuracy, GrimEAA was also found to be better explained by lifestyle factors and physiological conditions. Totally 15 factors explained 44.7% variability in GrimEAA, including sex, body mass index (BMI), waist-hip ratio (WHR), smoking, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), creatinine, uric acid, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), hemoglobin, and five cell-type proportions. In summary, smoking, elevated HbA1c, BMI, WHR, GGT, and uric acid were associated with more than one kind of EAA. At the same time, higher HDL-C and hemoglobin were related to epigenetic age deceleration (EAD). These findings offer valuable insights into biological aging.

Flooding, Sociospatial Risk, and Population Health.

Climate change and population settlement patterns are altering the severity and spatial dimensions of flooding. Despite associational evidence linking flood exposure to population health in the United States, few studies have used counterfactual strategies to address confounding or examined how sociospatial determinations of risk, such as floodplain delineation, affect well-being. Using the case of Hurricane Harvey, I leverage novel, repeated cross-sectional health survey data from Houston immediately predisaster (N = 2,540) and six to nine months postdisaster (N = 2,798), linked to local flood inundation and floodplain data. Difference-in-differences models show that the probability of psychological distress and fair/poor health increased significantly in the flooded treatment group, with mixed evidence on unhealthy mental health days and no change in unhealthy physical health days. Triple-difference estimators further reveal buffered mental health adversity for those in flooded areas with high floodplain areal coverage relative to little or no floodplains. Descriptive analyses of mechanisms suggest that floodplain coverage did not differentiate individual-level disaster exposure but increased the likelihood of disaster preparedness and evacuation. This article offers insights into the climate-health nexus empirically by using a causal framework to improve credibility and conceptually by demonstrating how an underexamined dimension of vulnerability-sociospatial risk determinations-can stratify population health.

The Role of Well-Being as a Value in Students’ Health-Conscious Lifestyles in the Context of the Role of Daily Physical Education

Abstract The Geneva Charter for Well-being (2021) states that for the health and well-being of the planet, society, community and individuals, we must support changes in social structures that help people take control of their own lives and health. The crisis of sport and health as values may also indirectly affect the value preferences of the younger generation regarding their lifestyle choices and the vision of society. The research investigates the impact of value transfer beyond the apparent boundaries of sport on the lifestyle and well-being of university students who regularly participate in sport and those who are physically passive. 1521 students learning at the University of Debrecen and the University of Nyíregyháza completed our online questionnaire, which integrated questions on socio-demographic background, physical health status, mental status, stress workload, risk index, physical activity index, eating patterns and value preferences. Univariate and multivariate analysis methods were applied. Our study values suggest an increasing search for a sense of safety in the age group, independent of sporting activity (this may also raise questions about the social background of the disadvantaged region). Our results show that students mainly emphasised the “open” or post-material value dimension of individual autonomy in the relationship between sports activity and value orientation. A complex mechanism of action can be experienced when examining value orientations, so we cannot show any causal links in our analysis. This study highlights the complex relationships between personal values and health behaviours among university students. It reveals that material, traditional and autonomy-oriented values influence health perceptions and certain lifestyle choices The relevance and novelty of our study is that the new generation of students who have already participated in the new implementation process in physical education and who have already been involved in the public education system has not yet been studied from this point of view.

Intubating conditions during rapid sequence induction with either rocuronium or suxamethonium in elderly patients. A randomised study.

During rapid sequence induction, either rocuronium 1.0 mg kg-1 or suxamethonium 1.0 mg kg-1 can be administered to facilitate endotracheal intubation. We hypothezised that rocuronium provided a larger proportion of excellent intubating conditions compared to suxamethonium in elderly patients. A total of 90 patients 80 years or above with American Society of Anesthesiologists physical health Classes I-IV, and a body mass index < 35 kg m-1-2 were randomised to either rocuronium 1.0 mg kg-1 or suxamethonium 1.0 mg kg-1 during rapid sequence induction with intubation using a video laryngoscope. After 60 s, tracheal intubating conditions were evaluated using the Fuchs-Buder scale by a blinded investigator, and the primary outcome was the proportion of patients with excellent intubating conditions. Further outcomes included first pass success rate, intubating conditions according to the intubating difficulty scale (IDS), onset time and postoperative occurrence of muscle soreness, hoarseness and sore throat. All patients were evaluated for the primary outcome. Excellent intubating conditions occurred in 36 patients (73%) versus 31 (75%) in the rocuronium group and suxamethonium group, respectively (95% confidence interval [CI]: -16 to 20) (p = .82). The first pass success rate was 48 (98%) versus 40 (98%) comparing the rocuronium group with the suxamethonium group, respectively (p = .90). No difference in IDS score was found; median 0 (interquartile ranges [IQR]: 0-1) versus median 0 (IQR: 0-1) (p = .48). Onset time was significantly shorter in the suxamethonium group 99 versus 131 s (p = .01) (95% CI: 7 to 57). Finally, no difference was found in the occurrence of muscle soreness, hoarseness or sore throat postoperatively. No important difference in intubating conditions was found during rapid sequence induction after the administration of either rocuronium 1.0 mg kg-1 or suxamethonium 1.0 mg kg-1 in patients 80 years or above. This reports a superiority trial comparing standardised doses of rocuronium and suxamethonium at 60 s for quality of intubating conditions in the rapid sequence context, and this in an elderly cohort. The findings showed no difference between the drugs concerning intubation outcomes, though the onset or time to peak effect was shorter for suxamethonium, again demonstrated in a cohort 80 years old or older.

Return on Investment of Enhanced Behavioral Health Services.

Employer-sponsored benefit programs aim to increase access to behavioral health care, which may help contain health care costs. However, research has either focused solely on clinical outcomes or demonstrated reductions in medical claims without accounting for the costs of behavioral health services, leaving the financial return on investment unknown. To determine whether a clinically effective employer-sponsored behavioral health benefit is associated with net medical cost savings. This retrospective cohort study included participants eligible for an employer-sponsored behavioral health benefit between November 1, 2019, and May 31, 2023. Eligibility criteria included having a behavioral health diagnosis and, in the program group, attending at least 1 behavioral health appointment. Program users were matched to nonusers on medical risk scores, behavioral health diagnoses, date of diagnosis, age, sex, and employer. Participants were followed up for 1 year before and after the benefit launch. A digital platform screened individuals for common behavioral health conditions and provided access to video and in-person psychotherapy, medication management, care navigation, and self-guided digital content. Primary outcomes were per member per month (PMPM) medical spending, inclusive of all medical claims and program costs. A difference-in-differences analysis was used to compare changes in net medical spending between groups from the year before and up to 1 year after an index mental health diagnosis. This study included 13 990 participants: 4907 of 4949 (99.1%) eligible program group members were matched to 9083 control participants. Their mean (SD) age was 37 (13.2) years, and most participants (65.5%) were female. Costs decreased in the program group relative to the control group, with a net difference-in-differences of -$164 PMPM (95% CI, -$228 to -$100 PMPM), corresponding to savings of $1070 per participant in the first program year and a return on investment of 1.9 times the costs (ie, every $100 invested reduced medical claims costs by $190). Behavioral health costs in the program group increased relative to the control group but were more than offset by decreases in physical health care costs. Savings were larger for participants with higher medical risk. In this cohort study, every $100 invested in an employer-sponsored behavioral health program with fast access to psychotherapy and medication management was associated with a reduction in medical claims costs by $190. These findings suggest that expanding access to behavioral health care may be a financially viable cost-reduction strategy for health care buyers.

Examining general, physical, and mental health disparities between transgender and cisgender adults in the U.S.

With the proliferation of anti-transgender policies in some U.S. jurisdictions, this study examines the general, mental, and physical health of transgender and cisgender populations. Data from the 2020-2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed to examine associations between gender identity and health outcomes. Propensity score weighting was used to address potential imbalances among group characteristics. We conducted logistic regression for the binary outcome of self-rated health and quasi-Poisson regression for the number of days reporting poor mental and physical health. Results reveal significant disparities in health outcomes, with transgender individuals reporting lower proportions of good general health and more days of poor mental and physical health compared to cisgender individuals. In the adjusted analyses, transgender individuals were significantly less likely to report good general health compared to cisgender peers (OR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.52-0.69). Gender nonconforming (GNC), male-to-female (MTF), and female-to-male (FTM) individuals had lower odds of reporting good general health compared to cisgender individuals (GNC, OR = 0.46, 95% CI = 0.35-0.61; MTF, OR = 0.67, 95% CI = 0.53-0.85; FTM, OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.57-0.87). GNC individuals had an 86% higher frequency of poor mental health days (IRR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.57-2.21) and a 37% higher frequency of poor physical health days (IRR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.15-1.63) compared to cisgender counterparts. Similarly, MTF and FTM individuals had significantly higher frequencies of poor mental and physical health days. The study highlights significant health disparities faced by transgender individuals, who report poorer general, mental, and physical health. These findings underscore the need to address the unique challenges and improve health outcomes within the transgender community.

Physical Health in Psychosis: a Perspective on the Recovery Paradigm.

This paper explores the intersection of physical health and recovery-oriented approaches in psychosis, offering a unique perspective through autoethnography. By combining personal experience with a broader analysis of existing mental health frameworks, the paper highlights the often overlooked importance of physical health in the recovery process for individuals with psychosis. The autoethnographic narrative reveals the complex challenges posed by antipsychotic medications, including weight gain and metabolic complications, and their impact on overall well-being. It emphasizes the dual stigma of mental health challenges and weight gain, highlighting the need for a more integrated, holistic approach to mental health care. Recommendations include enhanced education for healthcare providers, personalized care plans, and a multidisciplinary approach aimed at bridging the gap between physical and mental health in psychosis recovery.

Comparative effects of Health Qigong and closed motor exercise on the physical and mental health of female drug rehabilitation participants: a randomized controlled trial.

Drug rehabilitation is a challenging process that impacts both the physical and mental health of individuals. Traditional martial arts, such as Health Qigong, and closed motor exercises, such as power cycling, have shown potential benefits in improving health outcomes. This study aims to compare the effects of Health Qigong, closed motor exercises, and their combination on the physical and mental health of female drug rehabilitation participants. In this randomized controlled trial, female participants from the Jilin Province Women's Compulsory Isolation Drug Rehabilitation Center were randomly assigned to three groups: Health Qigong (QigongG), Closed Motor Exercise (ClosedG), and Combined Health Qigong and Closed Motor Exercise (CombinedG). Measurements were taken at baseline, mid-intervention, and post-intervention and included resting heart rate, vital capacity, choice reaction time, sleep quality, and relapse tendency. At the study's conclusion, the ClosedG group showed significant improvements in relapse tendency, vital capacity, and sleep quality compared to baseline. The QigongG showed significant improvements in relapse tendency, sleep quality, and choice reaction compared to baseline. The CombinedG group demonstrated significant improvements in relapse tendency, vital capacity, sleep quality, and choice reaction time, outperforming the ClosedG groups in reaction time, and outperforming QigongG groups in vital capacity. The CombinedG group exhibited the most notable overall improvements. The combined intervention of Health Qigong and closed motor exercises is more effective in improving physical and mental health metrics among female drug rehabilitation participants than either intervention alone. These findings suggest that incorporating a combination of traditional martial arts and closed motor exercises could enhance rehabilitation programs for drug rehabilitation. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06454565. The date of registration is 2024.07.11 (Retrospectively registered).

Mango (Mangifera indica L.) By-products in Food Processing and Health Promotion.

The edible and nonedible parts of the mango (Mangifera indica L.) contain vitamins, phytocompounds, fiber, and fatty acids. This review highlights the uses of mango by-products in the food industry and their effects on human health. The literature offers many new possibilities for the usage of mango secondary products in the food industry, such as the production of functional foods and bakery products, in addition to the potential for extraction of antioxidants and enzymes. Furthermore, due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the consumption of various mango by-products, in the form of peel and leaf (powder or extract), can improve glycemia, plasma lipid levels, satiety, and endothelial function, suggesting that these compounds can prevent or improve various risk factors for cardiovascular complications and metabolic syndrome. Clinical trials show that the discarded parts of mango fruits and leaves can be used to treat diabetes mellitus, obesity, and cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, mango by-products can be utilized to improve the functional characteristics of foods, may be incorporated as fat replacers, and have the potential to leverage agribusiness and reduce environmental damage resulting from the disposal of discarded materials, in addition to reducing waste and the complex chain of environmental damage. Mango by-products also have the potential to produce nutraceutical food items. The use of new technologies can bring to light the production of numerous products made from by-products, contributing to the development of industrial functional foods. In addition, products for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries may also be developed. Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products could have lower prices and could, therefore, be used by low-income populations. The utilization of mango by-products meets the current trend and growing market for better and healthier products. However, more clinical trials are necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of mango by-products on human health, and new technologies can improve industrial applications.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus: An Overview of the Viability in Fruit and Vegetable Juices and Their Potential Effects on Human Health.

Consumer demand for health-enhancing foods is growing, with plant-based probiotic foods gaining prominence. Fruit and vegetable juices offer promising matrices for delivering probiotic strains due to their rich bioactive compound content, which holds nutritional and technological significance. Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus is commonly employed in viability studies, offering both technological benefits and potential health advantages for consumers. The main databases were searched to bring together a compilation of studies that assessed the feasibility and technological parameters of fruit and vegetable juices enriched with Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus. In addition, this review aims to analyze promising points, gaps, and challenges in the development of these products, such as the relationship between the technological aspect of manufacturing this type of food and impacts on human health. The strain most used in the studies was Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG. More than half of the formulations maintained viability above 8 log CFU/mL. Low pH, high dissolved oxygen concentrations, and low free amino acid concentrations can all be obstacles to preserving viability in fruit and vegetable juices. Various techniques, including microencapsulation, prebiotic supplementation, and pH adjustments, have been employed by researchers to achieve more favorable results. Despite numerous meta-analyses on supplementation alone, human studies on the consumption of probiotic-enriched juices remain scarce, which highlight the need for more research.

Social determinants of health, driving time to trauma hospitals, racial composition, and firearm violence in South Carolina

BackgroundNeighbourhood-level social determinants of health (‘SDOHs’) have been linked to negative health outcomes which may include elevated risk of firearm-related injury. This study investigates whether certain SDOHs, including average drive...

MeJA inhibits fungal growth and DON toxin production by interfering with the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway in the wheat scab fungus Fusarium graminearum.

Deoxynivalenol (DON), a mycotoxin primarily produced by Fusarium species, is commonly found in cereal grains and poses risks to human and animal health, as well as global grain trade. This study demonstrates that methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a natural plant hormone, inhibits the growth and conidiation of Fusarium graminearum. Importantly, MeJA significantly reduces DON production by suppressing TRI gene expression and toxisome formation. To explore the molecular mechanism, we identified MeJA-tolerant mutants, including a transcription factor MRT1 and cAMP-PKA pathway-related genes (FgGPA1 and FgSNT1). MeJA treatment reduced PKA activity and intracellular cAMP levels in F. graminearum, suggesting it targets the cAMP-PKA pathway. Notably, the MeJA-resistant mutant FgGPA1R178H enhanced fungal growth, DON production, and cAMP levels in the presence of MeJA. Exogenous cAMP alleviated MeJA's inhibitory effects on DON production, further supporting this pathway's involvement. Interestingly, MeJA had no effect on all three MAP kinase pathways (Mgv1, Gpmk1, and FgHog1). Truncated and phospho-mimicking mutations in Mrt1 or FgSnt1 conferred MeJA resistance, suggesting they may act downstream of the cAMP-PKA pathway. In conclusion, MeJA presents a promising approach to control F. graminearum growth and DON production.IMPORTANCEDeoxynivalenol (DON) poses significant risks to both human and animal health and severely disrupts the global grain trade due to its prevalence as a common contaminant in wheat grains. With rising public concern over food safety, finding effective and sustainable methods to reduce DON contamination becomes increasingly urgent. In our study, we found that methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a natural plant hormone, can effectively inhibit the vegetative growth of F. graminearum and significantly reduce its DON toxin production. To explore the underlying molecular mechanism, we identified the mutations in MeJA-tolerant mutants and revealed that MeJA effectively exerts its antifungal activities by inhibiting the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway in F. graminearum. Our work provides a promising natural solution to reduce DON toxin contamination in cereal grains, enhancing food safety while decreasing the reliance on chemical fungicides and their associated environmental impact.

National-Level Consumption of Antimicrobials in the Veterinary Sector in Uganda: A Report on Analysis of Import Data for 2021

Background: Antimicrobials are crucial for animal health and food security. However, their overuse in animals can lead to the emergence of resistant microorganisms. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global public health threat that impacts both animal and human health. The objective of this study was to estimate the antimicrobial consumption (AMC) of veterinary antimicrobials at the national level using import data from January to December 2021, available from the Uganda National Drug Authority (NDA). Methods: The World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) methodology was applied using the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification codes for veterinary medicines. Results: Approximately 88,387.37 kg (88.39 tonnes) of veterinary antimicrobials were consumed in 2021. Parenteral veterinary antimicrobials accounted for 63.8% (56,375.65 kg) and oral veterinary antibacterials accounted for 36.2% (32,011.71 kg). Tetracyclines were the single most consumed veterinary antimicrobial class, accounting for 62.7% of total consumption. Oxytetracycline was the most consumed antibacterial (58.4%), followed by sulphadiazine + trimethoprim (11.1%), penicillin g/dihydrostreptomycin (7.4%), penicillin G procaine + dihydrostreptomycin (6.8%), and tetracycline (3.5%), respectively. Out of all imported veterinary antimicrobials, 76% belonged to the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Highly Important Antimicrobials (HIA) category, 16% to the Critically Important (CIA), and 9% to the Highest Priority Critically Important (HPCIA) categories. Imported colistin accounted for 0.1% of total veterinary consumption. Conclusions: This study contributes to understanding antimicrobial consumption in Uganda’s livestock sector and, for the NDA, leaves in place a system for routine surveillance at a national level. We recommend strict regulatory oversight on the importation and use of colistin and macrolides to address AMR.

Core‐shell architectures: Tailoring the electromagnetic properties for enhanced absorption

AbstractAs wireless communication technology advances, the risks of electromagnetic (EM) pollution to both electrical infrastructure and human health are escalating. EM absorbers stand out as a superior solution for their ability to effectively absorb and attenuate EM waves. In the quest for optimal EM absorption capabilities, the innovative application of microstructural geometrical effects breathes fresh life into the evolution of EM absorbers. The incorporation of a core‐shell structure markedly amplifies the performance of EM wave absorption by synergizing various mechanisms, including geometrical influences, interfacial polarization, electronic conduction, and the coupling of magnetic and dielectric properties. This review meticulously reviews the state‐of‐the‐art in core‐shell structured EM absorbing materials, highlighting materials such as metals, carbon, and high‐entropy materials. Subsequently, the key strategies for performance tailoring such as material selection, crystal defects, and geometrical morphology are consequently introduced. Furthermore, the discussion culminates in a comprehensive overview of the core‐shell structured EM absorbers, offering an in‐depth analysis and a forward‐looking perspective on their prospective applications in the future landscape of technology.

Efficient Identification of Monoclonal Antibodies Against Rift Valley Fever Virus Using High-Throughput Single Lymphocyte Transcriptomics of Immunized Mice

Background: Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is a zoonotic virus that poses a significant threat to both livestock and human health and has caused outbreaks in endemic regions. In humans, most patients experience a febrile illness; however, in some patients, RVF disease may result in hemorrhagic fever, retinitis, or encephalitis. While several veterinary vaccines are being utilized in endemic countries, currently, there are no licensed RVF vaccines or therapeutics for human use. Neutralizing antibodies specifically targeting vulnerable pathogen epitopes are promising candidates for prophylactic and therapeutic interventions. In the case of RVFV, the surface glycoproteins Gc and Gn, which harbor neutralizing epitopes, represent the primary targets for vaccine and neutralizing antibody development. Methods: We report the implementation of advanced 10x Genomics technology, enabling high-throughput single-cell analysis for the identification of rare and potent antibodies against RVFV. Following the immunization of mice with live attenuated rMP-12-GFP virus and successive Gc/Gn boosts, memory B cell populations (both general and antigen-specific) were sorted from splenocytes by flow cytometry. Deep sequencing of the antibody repertoire at a single-cell resolution, together with bioinformatic analyses, was applied for BCR pair selection based on their abundance and specificity. Results: Twenty-three recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) were selected and expressed, and their antigen-binding capacities were characterized. About half of them demonstrated specific binding to their cognate antigen with relatively high binding affinities. Conclusions: These antibodies could be used for the future development of efficacious therapeutics, as well as for studying virus-neutralizing mechanisms. The current study, in which the single-cell sequencing approach was implemented for the development of antibodies targeting the RVFV surface proteins Gc and Gn, demonstrates the effective applicability of this technique for antibody discovery purposes.

Unveiling the nutraceutical potential of indigenous and exotic eggplant for bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity as well as its suitability to the nutraceutical industry

Eggplant is a nutritionally rich crop that has beneficial effects on human health. Wide diversity exists in eggplant in terms of biochemical content; however, extensive research work has not been undertaken to gain more in-depth knowledge on its antioxidant capacity to improve the quality of the existing popular cultivated varieties and develop/identify nutrient-rich germplasms. Therefore, a total of 57 genotypes were chosen for the study, and they were evaluated for various biochemical compounds. The biochemical traits taken were an average of three replications and these values were used for statistical analysis. The analysis of variance for five fruit quality parameters indicated a high variability among the eggplant genotypes, which signifies that at least one of the genotypes is statistically different from the rest. The total phenolics ranged from 39.63 to 312.65 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g with the highest being observed in Pusa Krishna. The flavonoid content ranged from 7.83 to 65.09 mg/100 g FW. The antioxidant assays, viz., cupric reducing antioxidant activity (CUPRAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), were evaluated which ranged from 51.48 to 200.36 mg GAE/100 g for CUPRAC and 35.36 to 214.01 mg GAE/100 g for FRAP. Principal component analysis (PCA) generated a total of five principal components, and the maximum variance of 90.72% was exhibited by the first three PCs. The agglomerative hierarchical clustering (AHC) revealed similar results to the PCA by identifying three major clusters. Cluster 1 had a maximum number of genotypes grouped together, i.e., 48, followed by cluster 2 with six genotypes, viz., Pusa Krishna (G-32), G-5, Mayurbhanj Local, HABI-2, Solanum gilo, and Solanum sisymbrifolium, and cluster 3 had only three genotypes, namely, Solanum insanum, Solanum khasianum, and Solanum xanthocarpum. Furthermore, the wild species S. insanum, S. khasianum, and S. xanthocarpum can also be utilized as a donor line for carrying out the nutritional breeding program as they are the reservoir of many important biochemical genes.