Reduction In Population Research Articles

Eco-friendly green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from guajava leaves extract for controlling organophosphorus pesticides hazards, characterization, and in-vivo toxicity assessment

This study explores an eco-friendly approach to mitigate risks associated with organophosphorus insecticides, particularly Chlorpyrifos, by synthesizing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Psidium guajava leaf extract and preparing a nanocomposite (AgNPs/S18) with Chlorpyrifos pesticide. The green-synthesized AgNPs and AgNPs/S18 nanocomposite were characterized using various analytical techniques, confirming the successful synthesis of AgNPs with an average size of 37 nm and forming a stable nanocomposite. Antibacterial assays demonstrated significant activity against Staphylococcus aureus, with AgNPs showing an 87.8% reduction and the nanocomposite achieving a 72% reduction in bacterial population. Cytotoxicity evaluations on normal liver and liver cancer cell lines revealed enhanced cytotoxicity of the nanocomposite compared to AgNPs alone, suggesting potential applications in targeted therapies. In vivo studies on rats revealed the protective effects of AgNPs and the nanocomposite against Chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity in liver and kidney tissues. Histopathological and ultrastructural analyses showed both treatments, particularly the nanocomposite, significantly mitigated cellular damage caused by Chlorpyrifos exposure. These findings suggest that green-synthesized AgNPs and their nanocomposite with Chlorpyrifos offer a promising approach to reducing pesticide hazards while maintaining efficacy. This research contributes to developing safer alternatives in pest management, addressing the need for more environmentally friendly agricultural practices while protecting human health and ecosystems.

The Survivability of Bacterial Contaminants on a Retracted Stainless-Steel Needle Within a Novel Vascular Access Device

Highlights Abstract Background: Over-the-needle (OTN) peripheral intravenous catheters (PIVCs) are crucial in modern medicine. However, the OTN design allows for direct catheter-to-skin contact during insertion, leaving the sterile catheter at risk for bacterial contamination from the skin. A novel through-the-needle (TTN) PIVC design aims to minimize this risk by shielding the sterile catheter during insertion with the introducer needle. This needle then permanently retracts into the device housing and remains with the patient. In this study, we evaluate the survivability of bacterial contaminants on the retracted needle to address concerns about potential infection risks associated with this design. Methods: Fifteen TTN PIVC devices were inoculated with Staphylococcus aureus (101 to 102 CFU) on the outer surface of the needle. After needle retraction, devices were stored for 0, 24, 72, and 120 hours. At each time point, devices were processed, and bacterial survival was quantified using standard microbiological techniques. Results: The initial bacterial load (105.1 ± 51.4 CFU per device) decreased significantly over time. By 72 hours, bacterial count had reduced to 1.4 ± 2.4 CFU per device, representing a 98.7% reduction (P < 0.05). No significant change was observed between 72 and 120 hours. The most substantial decline occurred within the first 72 hours, with the difference between 0 hours and both 72 and 120 hours being statistically significant (P = 0.016 for both). Conclusions: The significant reduction in bacterial population on the retracted needle over time suggests a low risk of bacterial propagation within the TTN PIVC device. These findings indicate that the TTN design effectively addresses catheter contamination concerns during insertion without introducing additional infection risks due to needle retention.

Pasture and diurnal temperature are key predictors of regional Plains Spotted Skunk (Spilogale interrupta) distribution.

The Plains Spotted Skunk (Spilogale interrupta) is a small carnivore native to central North America that has experienced significant population reductions, and there is a lack of information about the species that could inform conservation. Our study aimed to address knowledge gaps about the distribution and habitat associations of the species in South Dakota using species distribution modeling. We used species location data collected from state natural resource managers, trappers, and members of online social media groups dedicated to hunting and wildlife conservation; environmental predictors; and 6 predictive modeling algorithms (i.e., artificial neural networks, artificial classification tree analysis, generalized boosting models, maximum entropy, multivariate adaptive regression splines, and random forests) to develop climate and landcover ensemble distribution models. The most important climate and landcover predictors were mean temperature diurnal range (i.e., average monthly differences between daily high and low temperatures) and proportion of area classified as pasture. Ensemble model concordance identified approximately 31,300 km2 of potential Plains Spotted Skunk habitat primarily in eastern South Dakota and between the watersheds of the Missouri and James rivers. Our results offer insights that can guide conservation and inform effective management strategies for conserving Plains Spotted Skunk populations in the northern Great Plains. The promotion of low-intensity agricultural practices such as maintaining pastures, farm buildings, fences rows, and the management of woodland encroachment may improve habitat suitability and facilitate the recovery of plains spotted skunks in the region.

Unraveling dengue dynamics with data calibration from Palu and Jakarta: Optimizing active surveillance and fogging interventions

Dengue fever is a complex infectious disease driven by multiple factors, including viral dynamics, mosquito behavior, environmental conditions, and human behaviours. The intricate nature of its transmission and outbreaks necessitates an interdisciplinary approach, integrating expertise from fields such as mathematics and public health. In this research, we examine the role of active case finding and mosquito population reduction through fogging in dengue control using a mathematical model approach. Active case finding aims to identify undetected dengue cases, both asymptomatic and symptomatic, which can help prevent further transmission and reduce the likelihood of severe symptoms by enabling earlier treatment. The model was developed using a system of nine-dimensional nonlinear ordinary differential equations. We conducted a mathematical analysis of the equilibria and their stability based on the basic reproduction number (R0). Our analysis shows that the disease-free equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable when R0<1. Furthermore, when R0=1, the model may exhibit backward bifurcation , depending on the death rate induced by dengue. The higher the dengue-induced death rate, the greater the likelihood of backward bifurcation at R0=1. We used dengue incidence data from two Indonesian provinces, Jakarta and Palu, to calibrate the model parameter values. Our global sensitivity analysis on the basic reproduction number indicates that active case findings are more crucial in Palu compared to Jakarta. Conversely, Jakarta is more sensitive to the infection parameter than Palu. Our numerical continuation simulation shows that implementing fogging to control the mosquito population should carefully consider the intensity, timing, and duration of the intervention to achieve a more optimal results.

Projected health benefits of air pollution reductions in a Swedish population.

A large part of the Swedish population is exposed to higher levels of air pollution than the health-centered air quality guidelines recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The aim of the study was to illustrate the potential health benefits of cleaner air in Sweden by conducting a comprehensive health impact assessment, using a population sample of 100,000 individuals representing the country's demographics. Exposure-response functions for various health outcomes were derived from epidemiological literature, mainly from systematic reviews and low-exposure settings. Two hypothetical scenarios were studied: a 1 µg/m3 decrease in particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter <2.5µm (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and a reduction in PM2.5 or NO2 from average exposure corresponding to Sweden's Clean Air objectives to WHO's air quality guidelines. The findings demonstrated that even a modest decrease in air pollution concentrations can yield significant health benefits. For example, reducing PM2.5 by 1 µg/m3 was projected to correspond to a 1% to 2% decrease in mortality, a 2% reduction in myocardial infarction cases, a 4% decrease in stroke incidence, a 2% decline in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and a 1% decreases in lung cancer and type 2 diabetes annually. Moreover, this reduction is estimated to lower childhood asthma cases, incidences of hypertension during pregnancy, and premature births by 3%, 3% and 2%, respectively, each year. The results highlighted that even minor enhancements in air quality would lead to substantial improvements in public health.

PGPR-Induced Biochemical Defense Mechanisms for Leafhopper (Amrasca devastans) Management in Okra Cultivation

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a widely grown vegetable in Asia, valued for its nutritional properties and culinary uses. Nevertheless, it is significantly threatened by leafhoppers (Cicadellidae), which can transmit various plant viruses. To promote sustainable production and protect the crop from pest damage, a field study was conducted on a microplot in Kasilingapuram, Karungulam block, Thoothukudi district, during the Rabi season of 2020 and the Summer of 2021. Different Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPRs) were applied to the hybrid COBh 4 okra cultivars via soil, seed, and foliar treatments, and their effects on leafhopper populations were evaluated. The results indicated a notable reduction in leafhopper population in Bacillus subtilis Bbv57 treated okra plants than untreated plants during both Rabi 2020 and Summer 2021 seasons. Likewise, the biochemical parameters were also observed in elevated levels in Bacillus subtilis Bbv57 treated plants in both the seasons. These findings suggest that the use of PGPRs may be an effective approach for managing leafhopper populations in okra cultivation.

Management of Yellow Mosaic Disease in Soybean

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is a valuable crop known for its high protein content of 40 % and quality oil content of 20 %. However, its production is often hampered by pests and diseases, with yellow mosaic disease being a major concern. This disease is caused by mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) and mungbean yellow mosaic India virus, transmitted by the whitefly (Bemisia tabaci), posing a significant threat to soybean cultivation globally. A study conducted at the Agricultural Research Station (ARS) in Bidar, India, in the summer of 2024 aimed to test effectiveness of chemical insectides to manage yellow mosaic disease by controlling its vectors. All treatments were significantly better than the control, with seed treatment using imidacloprid 600 FS and two foliar sprays of flonicamid 50 WG at 0.03 % at 20 and 35 days after sowing had least whitefly population of 3.0 per plant (63 % population reduction over control), minimum disease incidence of 26.00 % (72 % reduced disease incidence over control) and highest yield of 15.07 q/ha (11.83 q yield improvement over control) proving to be the most effective compared to other treatments.

Inactivation of bacteria using synergistic hydrogen peroxide with split-dose nanosecond pulsed electric field exposures.

The use of pulsed electric fields (PEF) as a nonthermal technology for the decontamination of foods is of growing interest. This study aimed to enhance the inactivation of Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, and Salmonella enterica in Gomori buffer using a combination of nsPEF and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Three sub-MIC concentrations (0.1, 0.3, and 0.5%) of H2O2 and various contact times ranging from 5-45 min were tested. PEF exposures as both single (1000 pulse) and split-dose (500+500 pulse) trains were delivered via square-wave, monopolar, 600 ns pulses at 21 kV/cm and 10 Hz. We demonstrate that >5 log CFU/mL reduction can be attained from combination PEF/H2O2 treatments with a 15 min contact time for E. coli (0.1%) and a 30 min contact time for L. innocua and S. enterica (0.5%), despite ineffective results from either individual treatment alone. A 5 log reduction in microbial population is generally the lowest acceptable level in consideration of food safety and represents inactivation of 99.999% of bacteria. Split-dose PEF exposures enhance lethality for several tested conditions, indicating greater susceptibility to PEF after oxidative damage has occurred.

Intravenous gene therapy improves lifespan and clinical outcomes in feline Sandhoff Disease.

Sandhoff Disease (SD), a fatal neurodegenerative disorder, is caused by the absence of ß-hexosaminidase (Hex) and subsequent accumulation of GM2 ganglioside in lysosomes. Previous studies have led to adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapy for children with GM2 gangliosidosis in both expanded access and Phase I/II clinical trials via intracranial and/or cerebrospinal fluid-based delivery. The current study investigated intravenous (IV) gene therapy of SD cats, treated at one month of age with a bicistronic AAV vector. While untreated SD cats lived to 4.3±0.2 months, cats treated with low and high doses lived to 8.3±1.2 and 12.4±2.7 months, respectively. In-life assessments revealed clear clinical benefit of AAV treatment, with the most dramatic improvement seen in the reduction of overt full-body tremors. Cerebrospinal fluid levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were decreased, indicating a reduction of cell damage within the central nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) acquired on a 7 Tesla scanner indicated that structural pathology and metabolite abnormalities are partially normalized by AAV treatment. Dose-dependent reduction of GM2 ganglioside storage and increases in Hex activity were most substantial in the caudal regions of the brain and in the spinal cord. Immunohistochemistry revealed reduction in neuroinflammatory cell populations and partial correction of myelin deficits. These results support the dose-dependent efficacy of AAV delivered IV for significant restoration of clinical metrics and Hex function in a feline model of SD.

Measurements and kinetic modeling of O2 vibrational Kknetics in O2-Ar mixtures partially dissociated by a Ns pulse discharge

Abstract Vibrational kinetics of O2 is studied during the O atom recombination in an O2-Ar mixture, partially dissociated by a burst of ns discharge pulses in a heated plasma flow reactor. The time-resolved temperature in the discharge afterglow is determined by Rayleigh scattering. Time-resolved O atom number density is measured by ps Two-Photon absorption Laser Induced Fluorescence (TALIF), calibrated in xenon. Time-resolved vibrational level populations of molecular oxygen, O2(v=8-20), are measured by ps Laser Induced Fluorescence (LIF), with the absolute calibration by NO LIF. Time-resolved ozone number density is monitored by broadband UV absorption. The results are compared with the predictions of a state-specific kinetic model. The experimental data indicate a rapid initial decay of O2(v) populations generated by electron impact in the discharge, due to the vibration-translation (V-T) relaxation by O atoms. This is followed by a slower population reduction, on the time scale much longer compared to that for V-T relaxation or vibration-vibration (V-V) exchange. Both O atoms and the O2(v) populations decay on the same time scale, indicating that chemical reactions initiated by the O atom recombination result in the generation of vibrationally excited O2 molecules. These trends are reproduced by the kinetic model, which shows that the reaction of O atoms with ozone is the dominant pathway of O2(v) generation at the present conditions. The predicted relative O2(v) populations are close to the experimental results, but absolute number densities differ from the experimental data. This is likely due to uncertainties in the absolute calibration of LIF measurements and in the spectroscopic model used in the data reduction. The present work demonstrates the capability for the absolute, time-resolved measurements of vibrationally excited O2 in recombining gas flows, to quantify the energy partition in the recombination reactions.

Effect of intercropping apple trees with basil (Ocimum basilicum) or French marigold (Tagetes patula) on the rosy apple aphid regulation (Dysaphis plantaginea) and the abundance of its natural enemies.

In a global context of pesticide reduction, the sustainable management of aphids is a major challenge in maintaining economically viable fruit production. Intercropping with companion plants (CPs) that emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with repellent or attractive properties could be successful in the laboratory. Still, their effects on the orchard have been little documented. We tested in 2018 and 2019 the hypotheses that the introduction of basil or French marigold, decreases the populations of Dysaphis plantaginea Passerini, the rosy apple aphid (RAA) and increases the abundance of its natural enemies (NEs) in an apple orchard in the south of France. Laboratory tests confirmed that both CPs altered RAA reproduction performance. In orchards, they attracted more NEs around the pots and at some dates in the aphid colonies near the pots in both years (apart from basil in 2019), without a significant reduction in aphid populations in 2018. In contrast, in 2019, the number and spatial expansion of aphid colonies were significantly lower, close to basil. Further investigation is needed to disentangle the mechanisms explaining the observed effects (e.g., repellent action in autumn, etc.) but the results highlight the potential of CPs to control aphids in orchards and contribute to agroecological production of apple. Thus, this study shows the potential of CPs in a strategy combining aphid repellency and NEs attraction to control aphids in orchards, provided that CP installation lasts over several consecutive years. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Impact of continuous cropping on tobacco growth, stress resistance, and soil microecological structure

Tobacco fields have been continuously cropped for several years because of the high demand for tobacco leaves and limited land resources. To explore the effects of continuous cropping on tobacco growth and soil microecological community structure, this study compared the agronomic traits and physiological resistance characteristics of tobacco plants grown in noncontinuous cropping soil and soil with different continuous cropping years. High-throughput sequencing technology was used to analyze and predict the microbial community structure and functional gene variation patterns of tobacco soil. The results demonstrated that continuous cropping significantly impacted the average height, leaf area, and stem diameter of tobacco plants, as well as the contents of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and glutathione in tobacco leaves that were continuously cropped. The relative abundances of Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Gemmatimonadetes in tobacco soil decreased with an increase in continuous cropping years, while relative abundance of Acidobacteria increased. The biodiversity index of tobacco soil samples showed a decreasing trend with an increase in continuous cropping years, with the sample with the longest continuous cropping year (33 years) having the lowest biodiversity index. Prediction of the potential functions of soil samples with different continuous cropping years revealed that the Z-scores of each pathway in noncontinuous cropping soil samples ranged from 1.12 to 0.078, while those in 33-year continuous cropping samples decreased from −0.10 to −1.41. Our findings indicate that continuous cropping has negative impacts on soil health and microecology, leading to a reduction in beneficial microbial population and microbial diversity.

Non-antibiotic disinfectant synchronously interferes methane production and antibiotic resistance genes propagation during sludge anaerobic digestion: Activation of microbial adaptation and reconfiguration of bacteria-archaea synergies

Waste activated sludge (WAS) presents both resource recovery potential and pollution risks, making its efficient treatment challenging. Anaerobic digestion is broadly recognized as a green and sustainable approach to WAS treatment, whose efficiency is easily impacted by the exogeneous pollutants in WAS. However, the impact of polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG), as a widely-used non-antibiotic disinfectant, on WAS digestion under semi-continuous flow conditions remains unclear. In this study, CH4 production decreased from 16.1 mL/g volatile suspended solids (VSS) in the control to 13.2 mL/g VSS and 0.3 mL/g VSS under low and high PHMG exposure, respectively, while PHMG increased the number of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) copies per bacterium by 4.6-12.7 %. Molecular docking analysis revealed that PHMG could spontaneously bind to and disintegrate WAS (binding energy:2.35 and -9.62 kcal/mol), increasing the likelihood of microbial exposure to PHMG. This led to an increase in bacterial abundance and a reduction in archaeal populations, resulting in bacterial dominance in ecological niches. The network topology index in PHMG-treated reactors was consistently lower than in the control, with a higher proportion of negatively correlated links, indicating a more antagonistic relationship between bacteria and archaea. Consequently, PHMG significantly interfered with key genes involved in CH4 biosynthesis (e.g., mch and mtd). Interestingly, methanogenic activity and archaeal chemotaxis (e.g., rfk and cheA) partially recovered under low PHMG exposure due to archaeal adaptation through quorum sensing and two-component systems. However, this adaptation process also contributed to the propagation of ARGs through horizontal gene transfer, facilitated by the enhancement of mobile genetic elements and ARGs hosts. These findings confirm the ecological risks of PHMG and highlight the need for effective WAS disposal strategies.

Application of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) for processing of raw bovine colostrum: Investigation of antimicrobial efficacy of different ACP treatments

As a rich source of bioactive components, bovine colostrum (BC)1 can be used to produce valuable nutraceuticals. Achieving this goal with common thermal pasteurization processes is challenging due to the heat-sensitive nature of raw BC. This research aimed to investigate the potential of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) as a novel non-thermal process in inactivating the microbial population in BC. Raw BC was treated with different ACP treatments, including direct dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) in both static and continuous modes, indirect DBD, corona discharge, and gliding arc discharge. The occurrence of creaming and curdling of BC during the treatments was one of the challenges of this research, which was the most and least severe during static and continuous treatments, respectively. The continuous and the indirect DBD treatments were the most and least effective in terms of microbial inactivation. The inactivation of natural microflora with the continuous ACP at the voltage of 15 kV for 20 min was approximately 98%. The indirect DBD treatment led to an increase in the microbial population of BC. In addition, the initial microbial population significantly affected the antimicrobial efficacy of ACP. Treatment voltage and time had a significant effect on the creaming and curdling, natural microflora population, and the total coliform population of the treated samples. The voltage of 14.5 kV and the exposure time of 14.2 min were determined as optimal treatment conditions by response surface methodology (RSM) to achieve the maximum reduction of microbial population, without pH changing of ACP-treated BC. The optimal treatment conditions of ACP reduced the total plate count and total coliform count of raw BC by 1.41 and 3.55 log CFU/ml, respectively, with a minor change in pH. These results promise the potential of ACP technology for BC processing.

Abstract 4117454: PCSK9 Inhibitors for ASCVD Risk Reduction in Asian Populations — a meta-analysis of efficacy and safety profiles

Background: Dyslipidemia is increasingly prevalent in the Asia-Pacific region, correlating with higher mortality rates for ASCVD among this population. Statins, the cornerstone for dyslipidemia management, face higher intolerance in Asians compared to other races. PCSK9 inhibitors have emerged as a promising therapeutic additive to other lipid-lowering therapies. However, current trials predominantly involve caucasian populations, emphasizing the need for efficacy data across other ethnic groups. This meta-analysis aims to analyze the efficacy and safety profile of PCSK9i in Asian populations at high risk for ASCVD. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane for RCTs from the past 10 years on PCSK9i vs. placebo in Asian populations at risk for ASCVD. Efficacy was measured by the mean difference in LDL levels from baseline. Safety parameters included ALT/AST, CK levels, and binding antibodies. Analysis was done with Review Manager, assessing heterogeneity with I^2 statistics. Results: Eleven studies in Singapore, Japan, the Philippines, India, South Korea, China, and Taiwan included 5443 patients (73% male, mean age 60.6, mean baseline LDL 114 mg/dL) with follow-up from 12 weeks to 16 months. Inclisiran was used in 3 studies, evolocumab in 5, alirocumab in 2, and tafolecimab in 1, alongside statins or ezetimibe. PCSK9i reduced LDL by -74.21 mg/dL and increased the likelihood of &gt;50% LDL reduction compared to placebo (RR: 37.41, 95% CI: 16.31-85.82, P &lt; 0.00001; I^2: 0%). PCSK9i significantly improve the achievement of LDL levels &lt;70 mg/dL compared to placebo (RR: 15.77; 95% CI: 7.12 - 34.91, P &lt; 0.00001; I^2: 82%) Adverse events showed a non-significant risk of &gt;3x ULN increase in ALT/AST ( RR 0.58; 95% CI: 0.33-1.05; P = 0.78, I^2: 0%) and &gt;5x ULN increase in creatine kinase (RR 0.32; 95% CI: 0.07-1.49; P = 0.97; I^2 = 0%). No significant difference in binding antibodies was observed (RR: 2.50, 95% CI: 0.13-49.47, P = 0.55; I^2 = 65%) Conclusion: In Asian populations, PCSK9 inhibitors effectively lower LDL levels without significant adverse events. The considerable heterogeneity in LDL reduction may result from variations in dosing, different agents used, baseline LDL levels, and geographical diversity. Future research should explore effects across more ethnicities to enhance generalizability.

Forever chemicals don't make hero mutant ninja turtles: Elevated PFAS levels linked to unusual scute development in newly emerged freshwater turtle hatchlings (Emydura macquarii macquarii) and a reduction in turtle populations

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent environmental contaminants known to pose significant risks to human and wildlife health. Freshwater turtles (Emydura macquarii macquarii), as long-lived species inhabiting aquatic ecosystems, are particularly vulnerable to PFAS bioaccumulation. This study investigated the multifaceted impact of PFAS contamination on these turtles, focusing on metabolic disruptions, reproductive success, hatchling health, and population impacts. Comprehensive analyses, including proteomics, lipidomics, metabolomics, and histopathology, were conducted on turtles from PFAS-impacted, control, and reference sites. The findings reveal significant metabolic disruptions in PFAS-exposed turtles, with alterations in amino acid and lipid metabolism, energy production, and oxidative stress responses. Proteomic analysis identified several health biomarkers indicative of early disease progression. Despite high levels of PFAS in tissues and organs, no gross or histopathological phenotypical abnormalities were directly linked to PFAS exposure. Gravid females from contaminated sites exhibited altered egg composition, particularly in magnesium to calcium ratios, potentially affecting eggshell strength. Biochemical profiles of egg albumin and yolk indicated significant differences in metabolites and lipids between contaminated and reference sites, suggesting potential impacts on embryo development. Hatchling deformities were notably higher and with increased frequency in terms of the types of deformities at the PFAS-impacted sites, with common defects including abnormal intergular scale shapes and marginal scale counts. Furthermore, the demographic profile of the turtle population showed a lack of juvenile turtles at contaminated sites, indicating reduced recruitment and potential long-term population declines. This indicates a field-based demonstration of an Adverse Outcome Pathway, from elevated levels of PFAS in the turtles, to biochemical perturbations within the animals, and finally population effects. These findings underscore the urgent need for regulatory measures to address PFAS contamination and its detrimental effects on wildlife.

Climate change, global population and the capitalist axiomatic: making sense of Malthus

ABSTRACT This paper critiques the neo-Malthusian proposition that drastic global population reduction is essential to counteract the current climate emergency. It applies a new materialist, rhizomatic and more-than-human ontology of capitalism based Deleuze and Guattari’s analysis of the ‘capitalist axiomatic’: the free flows of commodities, capital and labour characteristic of capitalist production. Three sections address these rhizomatic flows, considering ‘extractive capitalism’, economic growth, and population growth through this DeleuzoGuattarian lens. The paper concludes, contra Malthus, that while growth in the global human population is placing strain on the environmental capacity to support it, it is the complex, rhizomatic interactions within the capitalist axiomatic that are producing anthropogenic climate change. Remedies short of a wholesale global shift from a capitalist economy are proposed to address this global crisis.

Utilization of Purple Napier Grass Silage on Milk Quality and Blood Antioxidant Activity in Lactating Dairy Goats.

In this study, our subjects were 18 female crossbred Saanen lactating goats; the goats weighed approximately 43.25 ± 2.35 kg and had been producing milk for 14 ± 2 days. They were assigned to three equally sized experimental groups based on the cycle of the lactation period. In accordance with the randomized complete block design (RCBD), six animals were randomly assigned to the treatments in each block. There were three treatments: (1) control = Napier Pakchong-1 grass silage (NPS); (2) = sweet grass silage (SGS); and (3) = purple Napier silage (PNS). Our findings show that the goats fed with purple Napier grass silage had a higher DM intake (1805.97 g/day) than those that underwent a different treatment (1312.76 and 1443.43 g/day). The goats fed with purple Napier grass silage had higher protein digestibility (79.85) than those fed with Napier Pakchong-1 and sweet grass silage. There were significant differences in the ruminal ammonia nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen. Nevertheless, purple Napier grass silage significantly increased butyric acid 2 and 4 h after feeding and increased the number of microorganisms. In the dairy goats fed purple Napier grass silage, we observed a reduction in protozoa and methanogen populations. The levels of antioxidants shown by the plasma indices differed in the goats fed with purple Napier grass silage and showed enhanced milk composition, higher levels of total antioxidants, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase in the plasma, reduced protozoa methanogen, and a decreased level of malondialdehyde in the plasma. This study highlights that purple Napier grass silage has the potential to be a beneficial source of roughage for lactating dairy goats.

Assessing sepsis-induced immunosuppression to predict positive blood cultures.

Bacteremia is a life-threatening condition that can progress to sepsis and septic shock, leading to significant mortality in the emergency department (ED). The standard diagnostic method, blood culture, is time-consuming and prone to false positives and false negatives. Although not widely accepted, several clinical and artificial intelligence-based algorithms have been recently developed to predict bacteremia. However, these strategies require further identification of new variables to improve their diagnostic accuracy. This study proposes a novel strategy to predict positive blood cultures by assessing sepsis-induced immunosuppression status through endotoxin tolerance assessment. Optimal assay conditions have been explored and tested in sepsis-suspected patients meeting the Sepsis-3 criteria. Blood samples were collected at ED admission, and endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) challenge was performed to evaluate the innate immune response through cytokine profiling. Clinical variables, immune cell population biomarkers, and cytokine levels (tumor necrosis factor [TNFα], IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10) were measured. Patients with positive blood cultures exhibited significantly lower TNFα production after LPS challenge than did those with negative blood cultures. The study also included a validation cohort to confirm that the response was consistent. The results of this study highlight the innate immune system immunosuppression state as a critical parameter for sepsis diagnosis. Notably, the present study identified a reduction in monocyte populations and specific cytokine profiles as potential predictive markers. This study showed that the LPS challenge can be used to effectively distinguish between patients with bloodstream infection leading to sepsis and those whose blood cultures are negative, providinga rapid and reliable diagnostic tool to predict positive blood cultures. The potential applicability of these findings could enhance clinical practice in terms of the accuracy and promptness of sepsis diagnosis in the ED, improving patient outcomes through timely and appropriate treatment.

Cost-effectiveness of lung cancer screening with volume computed tomography in Portugal.

Aim: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in Portugal. The Dutch-Belgian lung cancer screening (LCS) study (NELSON), the biggest European LCS study, showed a lung cancer mortality reduction in a high-risk population when being screened. In this study, the cost-effectiveness of LCS, based on the NELSON study protocol and outcomes, was evaluated compared with no screening in Portugal. Methods: The present study modified an established decision tree by incorporating a state-transition Markov model to evaluate the health-related advantages and economic implications of low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) LCS from the healthcare standpoint in Portugal. The analysis compared screening versus no screening for a high-risk population aged 50-75 with a smoking history. Various metrics, including clinical outcomes, costs, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), life-years (LYs) and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), were calculated to measure the impact of LDCT LCS. Furthermore, scenario and sensitivity analyses were executed to assess the robustness of the obtained results. Results: Annual LCS with volume-based LDCT resulted in €558million additional costs and 86,678 additional QALYs resulting in an ICER of €6440 per QALY for one screening group and a lifetime horizon. In total, 13,217 premature lung cancer deaths could be averted, leading to 1.41 additional QALYs gained per individual diagnosed with lung cancer. Results are robust based on the sensitivity analyses. Conclusion: This study showed that annual LDCT LCS for a high-risk population could be cost-effective in Portugal based on a willingness to pay a threshold of one-time the GDP (€19,290 per QALY gained).