Search Results (2,254)

Background: Diet and inflammation are both associated with hypertension. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the dietary inflammation index (DII), dietary patterns, and the risk of hypertension among Xinjiang residents. Methods: A total of 930 residents aged 20–80 from Shihezi and Tumushuk were selected as participants using a stratified whole cluster random sampling method. General demographic information, dietary data, and physical examination results were collected from the participants and DII scores were calculated. Restricted cubic spline was used to analyze the dose–response relationship between the DII and the risk of hypertension. LASSO regression was used to screen dietary factors associated with hypertension. Factor analysis was used to extract dietary patterns. Finally, logistic regression modeling was used to analyze the association between the DII, dietary patterns, and the risk of hypertension. Results: The DII was linearly and positively associated with the risk of developing hypertension. Logistic regression analysis showed that the prevalence of hypertension was 2.23 (95% CI: 1.53, 3.23) and 3.29 (95% CI: 2.26, 4.79) in the T2 and T3 groups, respectively, compared with the T1 group. Riboflavin and folate were associated with the risk of hypertension. In the vegetable–egg dietary pattern, the risk of hypertension was reduced by 33%, 39%, and 37% in groups Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively, compared with group Q1 (Q2: OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.45, 0.99; Q3: OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.41, 0.92; Q4: OR = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.42, 0.96). Conclusions: The higher the DII score, the higher the risk of hypertension among residents of Xinjiang. In addition, vegetable–egg dietary patterns can reduce the risk of hypertension. Therefore, local residents should be scientifically instructed to increase their intake of vegetables and eggs. Full article

While the impact of air pollution on acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) has been widely studied, its effect on hospitalization outcomes remains less explored. This study examines the influence of short-term air pollution exposure on adverse hospitalization outcomes—mortality, mechanical ventilation use, and prolonged hospitalization—in patients with non-infectious severe AECOPD in Novi Sad, Serbia. Using a five-year time-series analysis, concentrations of selected air pollutants (PM₁₀, PM_2.5, SO₂, and NO₂) and meteorological data were integrated with hospitalization outcomes. Distributed lag non-linear models (DLNMs) revealed significant associations between rising air pollutant levels and some unfavorable outcomes. Exposure to rising PM_2.5 (urban background) and SO₂ (urban traffic) concentrations were linked to higher risks of mechanical ventilation (cumulative OR 21.95 (95% CI 1.07–449.45) and 11.37 (95% CI 1.25–103.27), respectively) and prolonged non-infectious AECOPD hospitalization (cumulative RR 2.27 (95% CI 1.14–4.52) and 2.24 (95% CI 1.38–3.64), respectively). No cumulative lag effects on mortality were observed, though specific patterns emerged in individual lag models. These findings highlight the critical role of improving air quality in reducing some COPD-related hospitalization risks. Full article

The fungal pathogens Fusarium keratoplasticum and Fusarium falciforme are responsible for the emerging infectious disease named sea turtle egg fusariosis (STEF). This disease affects all sea turtle species throughout the world, causing low hatching success and mass mortalities. In this study, we investigated the potential use of widely available and easy-to-handle eggs of the invasive alien red-eared slider turtle, Trachemys scripta, as part of an in vivo host model to improve our knowledge of the biological properties of the pathogens responsible of the STEF. Specifically, we performed in vivo experiments, in which T. scripta eggs were challenged with conidia of F. keratoplasticum isolated from diseased sea turtle eggs. We found that the pathogen could colonize and develop similar signs to those observed in nature and fulfill Koch’s postulates. The pathogen showed high virulence properties (e.g., high disease incidence, severity, and low hatching success) and its ability to modify the pH in both the egg surface and culture media, confirming previously described fungal pathogen models. These results support the use of T. scripta as an experimental in vivo host model for studying the biological characteristics of STEF, thus providing valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the emergence of this fungal disease. Full article

Over the last two decades, the insects-as-food-and-feed industry has rapidly emerged. Its growth is largely because insects require substantially less resources (water, food, and energy) to produce than traditional sources of animal protein, making it a sustainable alternative food option. As this industry continues to grow, veterinarians will likely be called upon to assist in identifying food safety concerns, assessing animal health, implementing biosecurity measures, and formulating/prescribing treatment protocols comparable to what we have seen with the honeybee industry and the institution of veterinary feed directives (VFDs). Similar to other agricultural markets, high animal densities and management practices put insects at high risk for infectious diseases. Veterinarians interested in working with these species will need to become knowledgeable regarding the diseases afflicting the feeder insect industry and how best to diagnose and treat pathogens of concern. Using the edible cricket industry as an example, this review will highlight health and production issues while drawing similarities to other traditional livestock operations. If the insects-as-feed-and-food industry is going to be viable, veterinary involvement will be essential to ensure that insects can be used as a safe source of food for all. Full article

Background/Objectives: To face antimicrobial resistance, antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) have been implemented in the pediatric age, but the area of urgency remains understudied. We aimed to assess the impact of an educational program on optimizing antibiotic appropriateness in a pediatric ED. Methods: We conducted a pre-post observational study with an audit, intervention, and feedback given to prescribers. We recorded all systemic antibiotic prescriptions for children attending our pediatric ED from January to March and from July to September 2020. The study’s team assigned a score to each prescription, regarding the appropriate molecule, dose, and duration of therapy, according to the diagnosis. From April to June 2020, we held weekly meetings focusing on different pediatric infectious diseases, with interaction between one to three ED physicians and the infectious disease (ID) specialist of the study’s team. We then distributed synthetic digital guidelines adapted to our reality to all prescribers. Results: Optimal antibiotic prescriptions increased after the intervention, with statistical significance (p < 0.001) in four main aspects (overall adequacy: 13% PRE vs. 43% POST; need of antibiotics: 53% vs. 68%; adequacy of the spectrum: 55% vs. 63%; adequacy of the chosen molecule: 54% vs. 62%). We observed an improvement in all the main infectious diseases and concerns all the ED physicians. The prescription of first-choice drugs increased in specific and common illnesses such as otitis and pharyngotonsillitis. Conclusions: An antimicrobial stewardship program is a relevant method for improving the appropriateness of antimicrobial use also in the complex setting of a pediatric ED. Full article

Canine parvovirus (CPV-2) was first identified in the late 1970s and has since become one of the most significant infectious agents affecting dogs. CPV-2 causes severe diseases such as hemorrhagic gastroenteritis and myocarditis, posing a major threat to canine health, particularly with a high mortality rate in puppies. It is globally recognized as a highly contagious and lethal pathogen. CPV is prone to rapid mutation, leading to the emergence of new variants. Despite widespread vaccination efforts, CPV remains one of the primary causes of acute gastroenteritis and death in young and juvenile dogs. Furthermore, the detection of CPV in swine populations has introduced additional challenges to its control. This review summarizes the current epidemiological status of CPV, highlighting recent advancements in diagnostic techniques and vaccine development. Additionally, it discusses the latest research on the pathogenesis of the virus and the development of antiviral agent research and proposes prevention and control suggestions for CPV under the One Health concept. In particular, there is a need to enhance surveillance of viral dynamics, accelerate the development of novel vaccines, and deepen the exploration of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms. This review aims to provide a scientific foundation for effective control of CPV and to guide future research directions. Full article

Safeguarding patients from emerging infectious diseases demands strategies that prioritise patient well-being and protection. Immunobridging is an established trial methodology which has been increasingly employed to ensure patient protection and provide clinicians with swift access to vaccines. It uses immunological markers to infer the effectiveness of a new drug through a surrogate measure of efficacy. Recently, this method has also been employed to authorise novel drugs, such as COVID-19 vaccines, and this article explores the concepts behind immunobridging trials, their advantages, issues, and significance in the context of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases. Our goal is to improve awareness among clinicians, patient groups, regulators, and health leaders of the opportunities and issues of immunobridging, so that fewer patients are left without protection from infectious diseases, particularly from major pathogens that may emerge. Full article

Plasmodium, Leishmania, and Trypanosoma parasites are responsible for infectious diseases threatening millions of people worldwide. Despite more recent efforts devoted to the search for new antiprotozoal agents, efficacy, safety, and resistance issues still hinder the development of suited therapeutic options. The lack of robustly validated targets and the complexity of parasite’s diseases have made phenotypic screening a preferential drug discovery strategy for the identification of new chemical entities. However, via this approach, no information on biological target(s) and mechanisms of action of compounds are provided. Among the target deconvolution strategies useful to fill this gap, photoaffinity labeling (PAL) has emerged as one of most suited to enable investigation in a complex cellular environment. More recently, PAL has been exploited to unravel the molecular basis of bioactive compounds’ function in live parasites, allowing elucidation of the mechanism of action of both approved drugs and new chemical entities. Besides highlighting new potential drug targets, PAL can provide valuable information on efficacy and liabilities of small molecules at the molecular level, which could be exploited to greatly facilitate the rational optimization of compounds in terms of potency and safety. In this review, we will report the most recent studies that have leveraged PAL to disclose the biological targets and mechanism of action of phenotypically active compounds targeting kinetoplastid diseases (i.e., human African trypanosomiasis, leishmaniasis, and Chagas disease) and malaria. Moreover, we will comment on potential perspectives that this innovative approach can provide in aiding the discovery and development of new antiprotozoal drugs. Full article

Immune thrombocytopenia, formerly idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura (ITP), is an autoimmune disease characterized by the depletion of platelets below 100,000/µL when other causes of thrombocytopenia have been ruled out. It is associated with several infectious pathologies, disease states, and as a known side effect and complication of several drugs and chemotherapies. Standard treatment calls for glucocorticoid-mediated immunosuppression, intravenous immunoglobin transfusion, platelet stimulation, platelet transfusion, and splenectomy in instances of chronic and severe disease. While standard treatments are often effective, some cases prove resistant, and more commonly, some patients are unable to tolerate standard treatment protocols or opt out of surgical intervention. In addition, second-line therapies can be unfeasibly expensive and are associated with side effects themselves. Therefore, for a subset of patients afflicted by immune thrombocytopenia, the exploration of alternative treatment methods is needed in order to ease their burden of disease. Emerging evidence suggests that plant-derived extracts, traditionally used in regions such as Asia and Africa to manage acute thrombocytopenia, hold promise as alternative or adjunctive therapies for the mentioned subset of patients. These natural compounds may provide a cost-effective and less invasive option, potentially bridging gaps in current treatment regimens. We propose these extracts may play a role in fulfilling this deficiency in current treatment protocols. With this review, we aim to characterize and compile evidence that various organic extracts and compounds may be utilized to improve outcomes in these patients. By highlighting their clinical relevance and potential for integration into ITP treatment protocols, this manuscript underscores the importance of expanding the alternative therapies for ITP to improve patient outcomes and reduce treatment burdens. Full article

Vaccines are critical for combating infectious diseases, saving millions of lives worldwide each year. Effective immunization requires precise vaccine delivery to ensure proper antigen transport and robust immune activation. Traditional vaccine delivery systems, however, face significant challenges, including low immunogenicity and undesirable inflammatory reactions, limiting their efficiency. Encapsulating or binding vaccines within biomaterials has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations. Among biomaterials, hydrogels have gained considerable attention for their biocompatibility, ability to interact with biological systems, and potential to modulate immune responses. Hydrogels offer a materials science-driven approach for targeted vaccine delivery, addressing the shortcomings of conventional methods while enhancing vaccine efficacy. This review examines the potential of hydrogel-based systems to improve immunogenicity and explores their dual role as immunomodulatory adjuvants. Innovative delivery methods, such as microneedles, patches, and inhalable systems, are discussed as minimally invasive alternatives to traditional administration routes. Additionally, this review addresses critical challenges, including safety, scalability, and regulatory considerations, offering insights into hydrogel-guided strategies for eliciting targeted immune responses and advancing global immunization efforts. Full article

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are a threat to human and animal health worldwide. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the knowledge, attitudes/practices, and perceptions (KAP) of 86 farmers of extensive sheep farming systems across different agro-ecological areas in Tunisia. The response rate was about 91.3%. Overall, 68.5% of the questions referring to knowledge and perceptions were answered correctly. Indeed, about half of the respondents were aware that ticks infest animals, with weight loss given as the major consequence. However, more than half of the farmers were unaware of the transmission and vectorial role of ticks. Those who knew that ticks are vectors cited microbes and icterus as the main concerns. A broad majority of farmers (70.9%) stated that they removed the attached ticks manually and 45.3% crushed them. As acaricides were perceived to be efficient for fighting ticks, according to 97.7% of the sheep farmers, they were used for both the animals and their sleeping areas. Although the toxicity of acaricides is known, 59.3% of the respondents did not use personal protection equipment when applying these products. Taken together, gaps in KAP among sheep farmers were identified. It can be used to better design awareness communication tools for TBPs. Full article

No effective vaccines or treatments are currently available for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), a fatal tick-borne infectious disease caused by the SFTS virus (SFTSV). This study evaluated the potential of ¹¹¹In-labeled anti-SFTSV antibodies targeting SFTSV structural proteins as single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging agents for the selective visualization of SFTSV-infected sites. This study used nuclear medicine imaging to elucidate the pathology of SFTS and assess its therapeutic efficacy. Immunostaining experiments confirmed that the anti-SFTSV antibody (N-mAb), which targets the N protein, specifically accumulated in SFTSV-infected Vero E6 cells. ¹¹¹In-labeled N-mAb was successfully prepared using a diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) chelator, resulting in [¹¹¹In]In-DTPA-N-mAb with high radiochemical purity exceeding 95% and a radiochemical yield of 55%. Cell-binding assays using SFTSV-infected Vero E6 cells demonstrated that [¹¹¹In]In-DTPA-N-mAb binding was detectable even without membrane permeabilization, with the binding intensity correlating with infection levels. In vivo studies using SFTSV-infected A129 mice showed high spleen accumulation of [¹¹¹In]In-DTPA-N-mAb (87.5% ID/g), consistent with SFTSV tropism, compared to 12.3% ID/g in mock-infected mice. SPECT/CT imaging clearly revealed high radioactivity in these regions. Although nonspecific accumulation was noted in the liver and spleen, this issue may be mitigated through antibody modifications such as fragmentation or PEGylation. Overall, [¹¹¹In]In-DTPA-N-mAb is a promising imaging agent for non-invasive visualization of SFTSV-infected sites and may aid in elucidating SFTS pathology and assessing therapeutic efficacy. Full article

The prognosis of spinal cord injury (SCI) is closely linked to secondary injury processes, predominantly driven by neuroinflammation. Interleukin-18 (IL-18) plays a pivotal role in this inflammatory response. In previous work, we developed an anti-IL-18 antibody capable of neutralizing the active form of IL-18. This study evaluated the functional effects of this antibody in a mouse model of SCI. IL-18 expression was significantly upregulated in the spinal cord following injury. In a mouse model of SCI (C57BL/6J strain), mice were administered 150 μg of the anti-IL-18 antibody intraperitoneally. IL-18 inhibition via antibody treatment facilitated motor functional recovery post-injury. This intervention reduced neuronal death, reactive gliosis, microglia/macrophage activation, and neutrophil infiltration. Additionally, IL-18 inhibition lowered the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, such as IL-1β and the M1 microglia/macrophage marker Ccl17, while enhancing the expression of the M2 microglia/macrophage marker Arginase 1. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that IL-18 inhibition promotes motor recovery and facilitates the polarization of M1 microglia/macrophages to the M2 phenotype, thereby fostering a neuroprotective immune microenvironment in mice with SCI. Full article

The persistent threat of COVID-19, particularly with the emergence of new variants, underscores the urgency for innovative therapeutic strategies beyond conventional antiviral treatments. Current immunotherapies, including IL-6/IL-6R monoclonal antibodies and JAK inhibitors, exhibit suboptimal efficacy, necessitating alternative approaches. Our review delves into the significance of NAD+ metabolism in COVID-19 pathology, marked by decreased NAD+ levels and upregulated NAD+-consuming enzymes such as CD38 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs). Recognizing NAD+’s pivotal role in energy metabolism and immune modulation, we propose modulating NAD+ homeostasis could bolster the host’s defensive capabilities against the virus. The article reviews the scientific rationale behind targeting NAD+ pathways for therapeutic benefit, utilizing strategies such as NAD+ precursor supplementation and enzyme inhibition to modulate immune function. While preliminary data are encouraging, the challenge lies in optimizing these interventions for clinical use. Future research should aim to unravel the intricate roles of key metabolites and enzymes in NAD+ metabolism and to elucidate their specific mechanisms of action. This will be essential for developing targeted NAD+ therapies, potentially transforming the management of COVID-19 and setting a precedent for addressing other infectious diseases. Full article

Effective control of animal infectious diseases is crucial for maintaining robust livestock production systems worldwide. Porcine meat constitutes approximately 35–40% of global meat production with the largest producers being China and the European Union (EU). Emerging viral pathogens in swine, like porcine bocavirus (PBoV), have not garnered significant attention, leaving their pathogenic characteristics largely unexplored. This review aims to bridge this knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive analysis of the existing literature on PBoV. We explore the virus’s genome structure, discovery, classification, detection methods, pathogenesis, and its potential public health implications. Additionally, we discuss the distribution and economic impact of PBoV, which includes potential losses due to decreased productivity, increased veterinary costs, and trade restrictions. By highlighting the current state of knowledge, this review seeks to enhance the understanding of PBoV, thereby aiding in its prevention and control, and mitigating its economic impact on the swine industry. Full article