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Comparing ChatGPT and validated questionnaires in assessing loneliness and online social support among college students: a cross-sectional study
Potential blocker of SARS-CoV entry and a narrow functionality of its spike protein motifs on Qubevirus platform
Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli in broiler farms, Wakiso district, Uganda
Background The emergence and re-emergence of zoonotic bacterial infections and the upsurge reflected in current trends of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a major global concern. Salmonella spp and Escherichia coli (E. coli) are the two most important food-borne pathogens of public health interest incriminated in poultry products worldwide. AMR in poultry farming poses a significant public health risk in Uganda, as the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in livestock can lead to the emergence of resistant pathogens that may transfer to humans through direct contact, consumption of contaminated poultry products, or environmental exposure, further complicating the management of infection hence necessitating constant monitoring of microbial food safety measures. Methods This study was a cross-sectional study that used a total of two hundred sixteen poultry samples from cloacae swabs and fecal swabs collected from broiler poultry farms. These were cultured on Chromagar TM Salmonella and Sorbitol MacConkey agar. Biochemical tests, minimum inhibitory concentration, and polymerase chain reaction were utilized. Data was analyzed by descriptive statistics, and Chi-square (χ²) Test statistical significance of quantitative data. Results A total of 40 (18.5%) Salmonella and 120 (55.6%) pathogenic E. coli were isolated while extended beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was detected in 18 Salmonella and 57 pathogenic E. coli isolates. Prevalence of blaTEM gene was expressed in 7/18 (39%) Salmonella isolates and 42/57 (73.8%) Pathogenic E. coli isolates The significant associated factors that predisposed these farms to Salmonella spp was source of poultry feeds (p-value = 0.066) while factors associated with pathogenic E. coli included contact of poultry with other birds and livestock (p-value = 0.020), movement from one pen to the other by farm-handlers (p-value = 0.017), use of untreated water (p-value = 0.018) and food contamination of commercial poultry feeds (p-value = 0.0021). Conclusion The findings of this study highlight the significant presence of Salmonella and pathogenic E. coli in poultry farms, underscoring the potential risks to public health. The high prevalence of antimicrobial resistance observed among these isolates calls for urgent interventions to curb the misuse of antibiotics in poultry farming.
CDA-mamba: cross-directional attention mamba for enhanced 3D medical image segmentation
Verification of temporal consistency constraints in the evolution of software for intelligent unmanned systems driven by model checking
Optimization of heat inactivation protocols for Orientia and Rickettsia species
Abstract Heat treatment, or thermal disinfection, is one of the simplest and most widely used methods for microbial inactivation. Proper heat inactivation protocols are essential to ensure the safe transportation and handling of infectious materials, particularly for organisms in risk group 3, such as Rickettsia and Orientia. In this study, we examined the inactivation of four bacterial species—Orientia tsutsugamushi, Rickettsia typhi, Rickettsia conorii, and Rickettsia honei—at temperatures of 56 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C for durations of 5, 15, 30, and 60 min. Observations were made at 0, 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 days post-infection (dpi) to assess bacterial infectivity by monitoring bacterial DNA copies in newly infected cells. Our results indicate that 56 °C for 5 min was the minimum temperature and time required to inactivate O. tsutsugamushi, R. typhi, R. conorii, and R. honei. O. tsutsugamushi exhibited a higher reduction factor at 56 °C compared to R. typhi, R. conorii, and R. honei. Additionally, a strong inverse correlation between incubation time and log10 reduction factor was observed for O. tsutsugamushi and R. typhi, underscoring the importance of both time and temperature in effective heat treatment. However, no such correlation was observed for R. conorii and R. honei. These findings highlight the variable responses of bacteria to heat, emphasizing the need for pathogen-specific approaches in inactivation protocols. Optimizing heat treatment strategies based on these insights is critical for enhancing biosafety and ensuring effective pathogen eradication.
Single cell sequencing and computational findings reveal anti-estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer roles of formononetin
Angiogenic and Immunomodulatory effects of embryonic stem cell derived mesenchymal stem cells in a murine model of ischemic hindlimb
Abstract In critical limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), failed revascularization and pharmacotherapy substantially increase amputation and mortality risks. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic option for CLTI. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects of embryonic stem cell-derived MSCs (E-MSCs) on inflammation and angiogenesis under ischemic conditions across different E-MSC doses. Hindlimb ischemia was induced in 85 BALB/c nude mice by cauterizing the femoral and branched arteries. The mice were divided into five groups: non-ischemia (G1); saline-treated ischemia (G2); and ischemia treated with E-MSCs at low, medium, and high doses (G3–G5). Therapeutic effects were assessed using the rotarod test, blood perfusion ratio, and histological and cytokine analyses. G1 exhibited normal blood perfusion and motor function, whereas E-MSC-treated groups (G3–G5) demonstrated improved perfusion compared to G2. Although the medium-dose group (G4) showed numerically greater recovery, differences between G3, G4, and G5 were not statistically significant, suggesting no dose-response. All E-MSC-treated groups exhibited reduced inflammation and increases in motor function and angiogenic factors. Histological analysis revealed enhanced myofiber regeneration, reduced inflammatory infiltration, and diminished collagen deposition in the ischemic muscle of G3–G5. These changes were observed across all dose groups without significant dose-dependent differences. These results suggest E-MSCs enhance blood perfusion and modulate inflammation and angiogenesis in ischemic limbs, regardless of dose. These findings support the therapeutic potential of E-MSCs in CLTI, although further investigation is needed to optimize dosing and elucidate the mechanisms involved.
Latent profile analysis of five childhood maltreatment subtypes and its associations with smartphone addiction among Chinese adolescents
Relationship between intraocular pressure and pulmonary function
Blood supply of the human carotid body
How short is too short for amyloid fibrils?: Molecular dynamics of oligomers of infectious prion core structures
Valorization of coir peat in green extraction of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries
This research investigates an eco-friendly hydrometallurgical process for extracting valuable metals such as Li, Co, Ni, and Mn from spent lithium-ion batteries using biodegradable mixed organic acids, supported by coir peat as a natural reductant. Optimal leaching conditions (slurry density: 20 g/L, temperature: 55 °C, time: 55 minutes, stirring speed: 460 rpm, acid concentration: 50:50 mM ascorbic acid/citric acid) achieved metal efficiencies up to 85%. Incorporation of coir peat further enhanced the leaching efficiencies 98% for Li, 84.6% for Co, 85.6% for Ni, and 79.8% for Mn. Kinetic modeling revealed a chemically controlled dissolution process, with apparent activation energies of 43 kJ/mol (Li), 68 kJ/mol (Co), 47.8 kJ/mol (Ni), and 46 kJ/mol (Mn). Characterization through SEM confirms the morphological changes from spherical to uneven particle surfaces, FT-IR and XRD confirms the structural transformation of of cathode material before and after leaching, and UV-Vis spectroscopy showed the Co-complexes, Mn-complexes, and Ni-complexes at peaks around 380nm, 425 nm to 450 nm respectively due to reduction of metal complexes. The finding highlights the potential of biodegradable reagent and agro-waste material in developing sustainable battery recycling methods.