The early 20th-century discovery of heterosis and the establishment of heterotic groups transformed maize (Zea mays L.) into a keystone of global agriculture. However, maize breeding faces two significant challenges: the gradual decline of general combining ability (GCA) variance within heterotic groups and the impracticality of testing all possible single crosses in the early stages of a breeding program. Here, we developed genomic best linear unbiased prediction (GBLUP)-based multi-kernel models, using additive and two alternative non-additive genomic relationship matrices, to estimate the variance components associated with the GCA of Stiff Stalk (SS) and Non-Stiff Stalk (NSS) heterotic groups and the specific combining ability (SCA) arising from their crosses. We further applied these models to predict the performance of untested single-cross combinations under varying levels of parental information. We showed that the SS and NSS groups retained significant GCA variance across traits in both early- and late-maturity groups. The SS group, in contrast, exhibited no detectable GCA variance in grain yield for the intermediate-flowering subset of hybrids, highlighting a limitation for future genetic improvement. Furthermore, our results showed that GBLUP-based multi-kernel models effectively identified superior hybrids when parental information was available. In the absence of this information, however, these models underperformed compared to covariance-based approaches. Both non-additive matrices yielded similar results, indicating that they capture comparable genetic relationship patterns despite their distinct formulations. Overall, this study sheds light on the future use of US maize commercial germplasm and demonstrates how GBLUP-based multi-kernel models can improve the efficiency of hybrid breeding programs.
Bacterial screening is an important measure to ensure food safety. In this study, a gravity-driven microfluidic platform was newly developed for POCT of pathogens by integrating magnetic immunocapture, nanozymatic signal amplification, and gravity-driven fluidic control. First, magnetic beads, bacteria and nanozymes were reacted to form bead-bacteria-nanozyme conjugates. After the conjugates were captured against the magnet and washed with washing buffer, they were then used to catalyze substrate to blue product. Finally, the images of product were collected and measured to determine bacterial concentration. All bacterial detection procedures from sample loading to colorimetric determination were sequentially conducted in the microfluidic chip through gravity-driven control of reagents to achieve designated reactions in designated chambers at designated time. This power-free platform was capable of detecting Salmonella from 7.4 × 101 to 7.4 × 106 CFU/mL with a detection limit of 7 CFU/200 μL and the procedure from sample loading to colorimetric determination was completed in 30 min.
Grazing ruminants consuming CP- and phosphorus (P)-deficient pastures experience reduced voluntary feed intake and liveweight gain, indicating systemic metabolic changes. Because mitochondrial abundance reflects oxidative capacity and metabolic investment, altered mitochondrial content may provide insight into how sheep adapt to nutrient-deficiency-induced reduction of feed intake. This study aimed to determine whether reduced intake caused by CP and P deficiency, or by restriction of an otherwise adequate diet, alters tissue mitochondrial content in young sheep. Forty Merino wethers (7 months old, 23.7 ± 1.4 kg liveweight) underwent a 63-day feeding trial where they were fed one of five nutritional treatments (n = 8/treatment). Four treatment diets were fed ad libitum, with combinations of either high or low CP (110 and 55 g/kg DM) with high or low P (2.5 and 0.7 g/kg DM). Another treatment (Restricted) restricted intake of the High CP, High P diet to model hunger. Mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNA-CN) was quantified from rumen, duodenum, liver, heart, M. semitendinosus and M. soleus samples using a newly developed quantitative PCR test for sheep, as a high-throughput proxy for tissue mitochondrial content. This assay was validated against transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and mtDNA-CN correlated with TEM-derived mitochondrial content (ρ = 0.67, P < 0.01). Duodenum and rumen mtDNA-CN were also positively correlated (ρ = 0.41, P = 0.01), indicating functional metabolic relationships among these tissues. Liver mtDNA-CN was significantly higher in the wethers fed the High CP, High P diet than those fed nutrient-deficient and restricted diets (P < 0.02), with as much as a two-fold difference between this group and those fed the dual-deficient diet (High CP, High P v. Low CP, Low P). Wethers fed the High CP, High P diet also had 45% greater mitochondrial content in the M. semitendinosus compared to wethers fed the High CP, Low P and Low CP, High P diets (P < 0.03). Across individuals, liver mtDNA-CN was positively associated with liveweight gain after accounting for DM intake and diet (β = 34.7 ± 12.2 g/day, P < 0.01; ΔR2 = 0.017). These results show that hepatic mitochondrial content declines under both feed restriction and nutrient-deficiency-induced intake reduction, and that higher liver mitochondrial content is positively associated with growth. Together, the findings support the liver as a metabolically responsive tissue under nutritional constraint and suggest that reduced mitochondrial abundance may form part of the adaptive response to chronic energy deficit.
Population genomic workflows frequently rely on fragmented command-line utilities, custom conversion scripts, and programming language-specific environments, complicating computational reproducibility and obscuring data provenance. As analytical workflows become increasingly automated and computationally intensive, dependence on disparate preprocessing tools can introduce friction between raw genotype files, quality-control decisions, statistical analyses, and downstream workflows. We developed SNPio, a Python-native framework that consolidates single nucleotide polymorphism data parsing, filtering, visualization, numerical genotype encoding, and population genomic summary-statistic calculation within a unified software architecture. VCF file parsing and filtering benchmarks were compared against vcfR and SNPfiltR. SNPio demonstrated faster execution times but used more memory than its R-based comparators, reflecting SNPio's retention of genotype arrays, metadata, and provenance-tracking attributes. Pairwise Weir and Cockerham's FST and Nei's genetic distance estimates aligned with HierFstat expectations based on Pearson correlations and aggregate error metrics. D-statistics conformed to theoretical expectations across eleven simulated datasets spanning a range of introgression signal strengths. SNPio provides a reproducible Python-native workflow for processing, filtering, encoding, visualizing, and analyzing SNP datasets. It integrates common early-stage population genomic operations into a transparent, scriptable framework, which ultimately promotes workflow provenance and reduces reliance on disjointed software tools, unsaved terminal commands, and custom scripts. SNPio is particularly suited for population genomic studies of non-model organisms in ecological, evolutionary, and conservation contexts, where reproducible preprocessing and interoperability with downstream analyses are becoming increasingly important.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health threat driven by microbial responses to anthropogenic disturbances. Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents are important sources of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), antimicrobial resistant bacteria (ARB), antimicrobials, and metals in surface waters, yet their associated exposure risks remain poorly characterized. In this study, predicted environmental concentrations (PECs) of class 1 integron integrase (intI1), ARGs (sulfonamide, β-lactamase and tetracycline resistance (sul1), (blaTEM), (tetW) genes), metals (copper, zinc, lead, and mercury), and antibiotics (sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and ampicillin) were modeled downstream of WWTP outfalls across the contiguous United States using geospatially derived river dilution factors (DFs). A Waterborne AMR Exposure Index (WAMREI) was developed to identify priority HUC8 watersheds for monitoring and mitigation. Annual mean DF analysis identified 13,178 km of streams with DF < 2, with DFs lowest during August-October and highest in March. PECs of intI1 and ARGs showed similar spatial patterns, with elevated concentrations in southern, western, and central U.S. watersheds, indicating strong control by wastewater loading and hydrologic dilution. Ampicillin exceeded Predicted No-Effect Concentrations (PNECs) in 74% of HUC8s, while Minimum Co-Selection Concentration (MCSC) exceedances occurred for copper (7%), zinc (24%), and mercury (9%), with no exceedances for lead. WAMREI identified elevated AMR exposure in the Upper Midwest-Great Lakes, Ohio-Mississippi basin, Southeast, and parts of the West, while hotspot analysis showed significant spatial clustering. Overall, hydrologic dilution strongly structured national-scale AMR exposure patterns, and WAMREI provides a scalable screening-level tool for prioritizing watersheds under a One Health framework.
Drought is the major abiotic stress limiting soybean growth and yield, yet accurately identifying genotypes that sustain yield under rainfed conditions remains a major bottleneck in soybean breeding. Canopy wilting scores are widely used as a proxy for evaluating plant responses to drought stress. However, most assessments rely on leaf-level visual observations that are inherently subjective and typically based on single time-point scores, providing only a snapshot of stress expression and failing to capture their relationship with yield retention under rainfed conditions. To address these limitations, this study used Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)-based high-throughput phenotyping at a single growth stage (R4/R5) as a more quantitative and objective alternative to visual scoring, with closer relevance to yield performance under drought conditions. From 2023 to 2025, a total of 85 soybean genotypes developed by soybean breeding programs in Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and North Carolina, along with commercial checks, were evaluated under irrigated and rainfed conditions in Stuttgart, Arkansas. Visual canopy wilting scores were recorded at R4/R5, along with vegetation indices captured using UAV-based multispectral imagery. UAV-derived indices showed significant correlations with yield (r = 0.22 to 0.45, p<0.05) under rainfed conditions. In contrast, visual canopy wilting scores displayed weak and inconsistent associations with yield (r = -0.28 to 0.35, p<0.05), suggesting limited ability to capture yield retention under rainfed conditions. Unsupervised k-means clustering (n = 2) of UAV-derived vegetation indices separated genotypes into two distinct canopy response groups that were consistent across 2023 to 2025 rainfed seasons. Significant differences were observed among clusters for several vegetation indices (ARI, CIG, CIRE, GSAVI, GNDVI, GOSAVI, OSAVI, NDVI), indicating contrasting canopy stress responses. Under rainfed conditions, these UAV-defined clusters also differed for grain yield (2023: 1,925.6 vs 1,703.1 kg/ha; 2024: 1,849.9 vs 1,229.2 kg/ha; 2025: 2,056.7 vs 1,773.8 kg/ha), whereas visual wilting scores failed to distinguish yield-retaining genotypes. Overall, UAV-based high-throughput phenotyping offers a robust and yield-relevant alternative to visual wilting scores, supporting the development of drought-tolerant soybean germplasm and cultivars.
Exposure to poorly maintained sanitation infrastructure, such as sewage pits, presents significant and often underappreciated toxicologic risks beyond microbial contamination. This case report details a Syrian national in his twenties who, following an accidental fall into a sewage pit, rapidly developed altered consciousness, emesis, and seizure activity, necessitating emergency medical stabilization and intubation by a U.S. medical team at a Role 2 facility. We explore the potential pathophysiology and toxicology underlying this acute event, focusing on common sewage-derived gases such as methane (CH4), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), and cyanide (CN-). Furthermore, this report discusses the broader operational repercussions of such environmental hazards in austere or underdeveloped settings, underscoring the critical importance of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) training for personnel operating in these environments.
Although lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have dominated portable electronics, they are still not desirable for transportation. In this regard, new electrode chemistries have been undergoing intensive investigation. To this end, silicon (Si) is very promising as an anode, ascribed to its exceptionally high capacity and cost effectiveness. However, its practical application has been severely hindered by substantial volume changes during cycling. To tackle these issues, in this work, we applied a novel lithium-containing cross-linked polymer coating over Si electrodes conformally, which was deposited via a molecular layer deposition (MLD) process using lithium tert-butoxide (LTB) and glycerol (GL) as precursors. This MLD coating has been demonstrated in our group's previous studies to provide excellent protective effects on Li metal electrodes. Building on this, our study shows that the resulting polymeric LiGL-coated Si electrodes deliver a reversible capacity of ∼838 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 0.1C. We found that the LiGL coating was highly ion-conductive and served as an artificial solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), which protected Si electrodes from undesirable reactions, accommodated their volume changes, and improved their mechanical integrity. As a result, this study presents a new route for addressing the issues of Si electrodes while MLD offers new solutions to battery issues.
Policy and health system changes have encouraged a shift towards home deaths at End-of-Life (EOL), with important implications for informal caregiving. We provide updated estimates of EOL informal caregiving with a focus on home deaths. We conducted secondary data analysis of 11 waves (2002-2022) of Health and Retirement Study (HRS) proxy exit interviews of decedents aged ≥65 (N = 8,298). We employed two-part models and quantile regression methods to examine how home deaths affect informal caregiving. Multivariate logistic regression examined associations between informal caregiving and symptom management. Decedents dying at home received more hours of informal caregiving per day than those dying in institutions with stronger associations post 2010. Quantile regression showed differential association of home deaths across different quantiles of informal caregiving. There was no association between informal caregiving intensity and symptom management. Findings suggest increasing dependence on under-resourced informal caregiving in the context of shifting EOL care patterns.
Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) promote optimal antimicrobial use in pediatrics; however, data describing structure, personnel effort allocation, and activity distribution across regular and after-hours workflows remain limited. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of pediatric ASPs across the U.S. from September to October 2024 using ASP/ID-related listservs. Respondents reported institutional structure, personnel effort allocation, initiatives, and participation in an after-hours ASP on-call model, with additional details from programs reporting on-call participation. Twenty-two pediatric ASP responses were included, most from academic medical centers (81.8%) and programs covering 101-250 beds (41%). Median physician full-time equivalents (FTEs) increased with institutional size, ranging from 0.1 for institutions with < 100 beds to 0.8 for those with >500 beds. Pharmacist FTEs were a median of 1 for institutions with ≤ 500 beds and increased to 2.25 for programs >500 beds. Most programs reported to Quality and Safety (45%) or discipline-specific departments (41%), with funding primarily attributed to Pharmacy (73%). During regular working hours, nearly all programs performed prospective audit and feedback (100%), responded to ASP-related inquiries (95.5%), and facilitated antimicrobial de-escalation (90.9%). Six programs (27.4%) reported participation in an ASP on-call model, most commonly providing remote coverage during evenings, weekends, and holidays. After-hours activities were largely limited to time-sensitive interventions, including preauthorization and responding to inquiries. Pediatric ASPs demonstrate variability in structure, personnel effort allocation, and stewardship activities. ASP on-call coverage remains uncommon and is typically focused on time-sensitive interventions, reflecting targeted deployment of stewardship resources outside regular working hours.
Female insects exhibit oviposition preferences that maximize the survival and development of their progeny. Although kaolin-based particle films are reported as physical repellents against herbivory, a significant research gap exists in their impact on herbivore feeding behavior and modulation of physio-chemical dynamics in row crop systems. We investigated how foliar application of kaolin impacts soybean defenses against two generalist and highly destructive insect pests, soybean looper (SBL, Chrysodeixis includens) and southern green stink bug (SGSB, Nezara viridula). Our results show that gravid females exhibited significant avoidance (>70%) of kaolin and insecticide-treated plants during the oviposition choice assays. Evidence from behavioral choice assays using larvae/nymphs indicated that kaolin strongly enhances soybean defenses against herbivore attack. Significant reduction (>75%) in the survival of immature stages on kaolin plus insecticide treated plants indicated that kaolin adversely affects early insect development. Analyses of plant physiological and biochemical traits showed that kaolin particles not only facilitate as physical barriers but also improve plant physio-chemical resilience. Moreover, field applications further showed that insect pest abundance was significantly lower on kaolin treated plants, compared to untreated control plants, mimicking insecticidal effects. Together, these findings highlight kaolin's dual role as a physical barrier and as an ovipositional deterrent, reinforcing its potential as a sustainable, non-chemical strategy for integrated pest management aimed at restricting early pest establishment and mitigating overall pest pressure under field conditions. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA.
Persistent quadriceps weakness remains a major concern following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), and graft harvest site may influence postoperative strength recovery. The purpose of this study was to compare quadriceps strength recovery at 12 months following ACLR using rectus femoris (RF), quadriceps tendon (QT), or hamstring (HS) autografts. We hypothesised that RF reconstruction would demonstrate quadriceps recovery that is non-inferior to QT and HS autografts. A prospective comparative cohort study was conducted, including 90 patients undergoing primary ACLR (30 RF, 30 QT and 30 HS). Isokinetic assessment was performed at 12 months. The primary outcome was quadriceps peak torque limb symmetry index (LSI) at 60°/s. A non-inferiority margin of 10% points was predefined. Outcomes were analysed using analysis of covariance adjusted for age, body mass index and sex. Estimated marginal means (EMMs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Adjusted EMMs for quadriceps peak torque LSI at 60°/s were 81.4% (95% CI 73.2-89.6) for RF, 73.4% (95% CI 65.2-81.6) for QT and 71.5% (95% CI 63.2-79.7) for HS. No differences between groups were detected (p = 0.204). Pairwise adjusted differences were 7.9% for RF versus QT (95% CI -6.3 to 22.2; p = 0.529) and 9.9% for RF versus HS (95% CI -4.3 to 24.1; p = 0.280). Under the predefined non-inferiority margin, RF was non-inferior to both QT and HS autografts. No significant differences were observed for secondary isokinetic parameters or hamstring-to-quadriceps ratios. At 12 months following ACL reconstruction, quadriceps strength recovery after RF autograft was similar to that observed after QT or HS grafts. When evaluated within a clinically relevant non-inferiority framework and adjusted for biological covariates, ACLR with RF autograft does not appear to yield worse extensor performance at mid-term follow-up relative to other common graft types. Level II.
In patients requiring respiratory support, clinicians rely on physical exam, radiologic, laboratory, and ventilator-derived measures for the provision of sufficient support while minimizing ventilator and "work of breathing" induced lung injury. Point of care lung ultrasound (LUS) is a widely available tool in hospital and clinic environments. To date, LUS has not been used to evaluate lung strain. We collected LUS images in four anesthetized, neuromuscularly blocked, and mechanically ventilated pigs being used for another experiment. A feature tracking tool was developed which tracked echo-bright lung structures in 8-10 s clips obtained in triplicate of the right and left, upper and lower lung fields using tidal volumes of 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 mL/kg. Pleural lines were manually drawn and a program for quantifying lung strain developed with assistance from Anthropic Claude Artificial Intelligence tool. Structures were identified in inspiratory and expiratory frames and tracked bidirectionally with median strain per clip used for calculations. Triplicate measures of lung ultrasound images in four pigs had a median coefficients of variation of 35% (23-47% IQR) and linear modeling of strain with tidal volumes of 4-12 mL/kg showed positive correlation with R2 value ranging from 0.89 to 0.97. Strain measurements were similar after bronchial administration of 1.5 M hydrochloric acid. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of quantifying regional lung strain using LUS and support its further development as a tool for respiratory support management.
The rice stink bug (Oebalus pugnax; RSB) is a major agricultural pest that poses significant threats to rice production throughout the United States. Yet, despite its economic significance, almost nothing is known about genome structure, function, and evolution in this species. Here, we sequenced, assembled, and annotated the first high-quality reference genome for RSB and conducted comparative analyses with related hemipteran genomes to understand its historical evolutionary context. The assembly spans 826.62 Mb across 211 contigs, with an N50 of 17.25 Mb, the largest contig of 67.15 Mb, and a BUSCO representation of 99.30% completeness. Hi-C-based scaffolding supported six putative chromosome-scale scaffolds. Genome-wide repeats comprised 47.55% of the genome, consisting largely of interspersed elements, including DNA transposons, LINEs, and LTRs, with evidence of recent expansions. Our annotation identified 13,175 putative genes, with predicted functions for 97.87% of them. We further uncovered candidate genes and enzyme families involved in detoxification and insecticide resistance, including cytochrome P450s, UDP-glycosyltransferases, and glycoside hydrolases. Comparative analyses revealed rapid expansion and contraction of gene families associated with feeding, host specialization, and insecticide resistance. Together, these resources provide a new framework for future investigations into genome structure, function, and evolution in this ecologically and economically important insect clade.
Directly switching the type of electron transfer from Type-II to S-scheme at the heterojunction interfaces of a two-component photocatalyst is crucial for improving charge separation efficiency in semiconductor-based photocatalysis technology. A major challenge lies in the effective control of the interfacial band-edge position or electronic properties of a two-component photocatalyst. Here, we constructed a "directional valve" in a ZnxCd2-xS2-crystalline carbon nitride (ZnxCd2-xS2-CN) heterojunction through Fermi level modulation to selectively switch Type-II to S-scheme charge transfer. Experimental validation using advanced scanning probe microscopy and in situ photoemission directly observed the switched electron transfer dynamics. The metal probe-assisted in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) directly demonstrates the electron transition from Type-II to S-scheme pathways at the interface, corroborated by illumination-induced surface potential shifts. Furthermore, the S-scheme charge transfer in ZnxCd2-xS2-CN heterojunction contributed to a four times higher CO2 photoreduction activity than the Type-II one. This study provides a new paradigm for rationally controlling interfacial charge dynamics through band engineering.
Background/Objectives: Seasonal crude protein (CP) and phosphorus (P) deficiency in northern Australian pastures reduces feed intake and growth of grazing ruminants, but the hepatic mitochondrial mechanisms underlying this response remain unclear. We characterized the hepatic mitochondrial transcriptome of sheep exposed to CP-P deficiency or matched-intake feed restriction. Methods: Merino wethers were assigned for 63 d to one of three treatments (n = 8/group): High CP-P, Low CP-P, or Restricted, in which High CP-P feed was offered at the same energy intake as the Low CP-P group. Liver RNA was sequenced, and transcripts encoding mitochondrial proteins were identified using MitoCarta 3.0. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined as adjusted p < 0.05 and |log2FC| ≥ 0.585. Results: Of 804 mitochondrial genes detected, 83 were differentially expressed in at least one pairwise comparison. The greatest transcriptional response occurred in contrasts against High CP-P (Low CP-P vs. High CP-P: 38 DEGs in 8 enriched pathways; Restricted vs. High CP-P: 37 DEGs in 10 enriched pathways). In both low-intake treatments, ALDH1L2, ALDH1L1, SHMT2, and DMGDH were upregulated, suggesting altered folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism. Restricted sheep also showed higher expression of several SLC25A transporters (SLC25A4, SLC25A28, SLC25A29, SLC25A33, and SLC25A34), indicative of enhanced mitochondrial nucleotide and metabolite exchange under CP-P adequate energy restriction. In contrast, Low CP-P sheep showed higher expression of SLC25A15 and SLC25A25 relative to either High CP-P or Restricted sheep, a nutrient-deficiency specific transporter response. CKMT2 expression was also higher in Restricted sheep than in both other groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that reduced metabolizable energy intake was associated with the bulk of the hepatic mitochondrial transcriptional response, particularly in folate-mediated one-carbon metabolism, whereas CP-P deficiency was associated with a smaller but distinct transporter signature. The liver mitochondrial transcriptome may provide mechanistic insight into nutritional adaptation under CP and P deficiency in grazing sheep.
In tropical countries, broiler chickens are exposed to elevated ambient temperatures and humidity, which are sometimes exacerbated by high stocking densities and poor litter quality, thereby predisposing birds to severe stress, weakening immune function, and promoting BCO lameness progression. BCO lameness causes tremendous economic losses to the poultry industry and increases the risk of foodborne disease. BCO is frequently underdiagnosed in live populations, resulting in an iceberg phenomenon in which subclinical lesions are more prevalent than clinically apparent lameness. Therefore, a total of 500 Cobb500 broiler chickens from five commercial broiler flocks in Central Java, Indonesia, were randomly selected, weighed, slaughtered, and necropsied to evaluate the prevalence of BCO lameness lesions in the proximal femoral and tibial heads across distinct market ages ranging from 33 to 43 days. The ambient housing temperature in the region can reach 28-29 °C during the day. The results showed that more than 80% of the samples had normal femora at 33 days of age with an average body weight of 1.9 kg. A significant increase in the frequency and severity of femoral and tibial lesions was recorded at 35 to 36 days of age, when the average body weight reached approximately 2.5 kg. The high frequency of worsening BCO lesions observed during the 5th week suggests an age-related pattern in BCO occurrence during the late stages of grow-out. These findings suggest that improvements in nutrition, environment, and production management strategies before 36 days of age are necessary to mitigate the impact of BCO lameness in the poultry industry.
We comment on the recent retrospective cohort by Moreira and colleagues evaluating intracranial-compliance-guided mean arterial pressure management. The adjusted multivariable logistic regression in the published analysis includes ten estimated coefficients against 22 ICU deaths, producing an adjusted odds ratio reported with a confidence interval spanning more than two orders of magnitude. We outline why these features are consistent with model instability rather than a precise causal estimate, identify a corroborating signal within the same model, and raise two secondary questions about control selection and the headline cost figure. We support the authors' call for prospective evaluation while suggesting that the inferential claims of the present analysis warrant more cautious presentation.
Campylobacter is a major foodborne pathogen of significant public health concern, as it is one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. This bacterium has specialized growth requirements, such as specific temperature ranges, a microaerophilic environment (low oxygen levels), and nutrient-rich media. Consequently, the growth and detection of Campylobacter can be challenging, particularly for inexperienced laboratory personnel. Over time, researchers have developed various selective media to recover Campylobacter from diverse food and environmental matrices. However, the variable conditions of these media, along with ongoing efforts to optimize Campylobacter growth and detection, remain active areas of research. This review will focus on the factors that impact Campylobacter growth and recovery. By understanding the unique characteristics and growth requirements of this pathogen, researchers and laboratory personnel can improve their ability to identify and monitor Campylobacter, ultimately contributing to enhanced food safety and public health.
The Stages of Change model describes how individuals move through different levels of new behaviour adoption, supported by internal cognitive processes and external infrastructure. In Nigeria, mass gatherings were leveraged to raise awareness about antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We aimed to review the use of mass gatherings for AMR awareness in Nigeria from 2017 to 2022, describe the 2023 Joint External Evaluation (JEE) AMR findings, and propose a SoC model for sustainable behaviour change. A desk review of AMR awareness initiatives from 2017 to 2022 was conducted. Additionally, secondary analyses of a 2018 U-report survey and a 2021 qualitative study on antibiotic use and AMR were conducted. Further, the 2023 JEE-AMR findings for the country were reviewed. Frequencies and proportions were generated, and co-occurrence network analysis and thematic coding were performed for qualitative data. Overall, 125 AMR awareness activities were documented, mostly in 2019 (44%). Fifteen methods were used to engage stakeholders, including mass gatherings and social media. Behaviour change efforts occurred mainly in healthcare settings. Nigeria leveraged mass gatherings to launch a national Antibiotic Guardian Pledge Campaign virtually and to establish a hybrid multisectoral Community of Practice. A 2018 national poll showed that 49% of Nigerians had heard of AMR, while stating that taking antibiotics prevented AMR. A study in the Federal Capital Territory found that rural residents were unfamiliar with the term "AMR," while urban residents linked drug resistance to improper medicine use. Many respondents obtained antibiotics from pharmacies without a prescription. In selecting antibiotics, rural residents prioritised affordability, while urban residents focused on drug authenticity. The JEE-AMR score was 2.4/5 in 2023, with a multisectoral coordination mechanism for AMR response in place. However, the response was still mainly reliant on donor funding, and the enforcement of antibiotics being prescription-only was weak despite sustained awareness. Widespread practice of self-medication and purchasing antibiotics without prescriptions remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, driven by regulatory weaknesses and high healthcare costs. The SoC model emphasises the need for structural enablers to drive consistent behaviour change to combat AMR in Nigeria namely improving appropriate antibiotic use by strengthening the national antimicrobial stewardship programme and expanding access to health insurance .