Search Results (1,630)

Mastitis, an inflammatory disease caused by the invasion of various pathogenic microorganisms into mammary gland tissue, is a core health issue plaguing the global dairy industry. The consequences of this disease are manifold. In addition to directly compromising the health and welfare of dairy cows, it also precipitates a substantial decline in lactation function, a precipitous drop in raw milk production, and alterations in milk composition (e.g., increased somatic cell counts and imbalanced ratios of milk protein to fat). These changes result in a marked degradation of milk quality and safety, and in turn, engender significant economic losses for the livestock industry. Therefore, the establishment and implementation of a comprehensive prevention and control system is a key strategy to effectively curb the occurrence of mastitis, reduce its incidence rate, and minimise economic losses. This review systematically explores the complex etiological factors and pathogenic mechanisms of mastitis in dairy cows, and summarises various diagnostic methods, including milk apparent indicators monitoring, pathogen detection, physiological parameter monitoring, omics technologies, and emerging technologies. Furthermore, it undertakes an analysis of treatment protocols for mastitis in dairy cows, with a particular emphasis on the significance of rational antibiotic use and alternative therapies. Moreover, it delineates preventive measures encompassing both environmental and hygiene management, and dairy cow health management. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive and scientific theoretical basis and practical guidance for dairy farming practices. This will help to improve the health of dairy cows, ensure a stable supply of high-quality dairy products, and promote the sustainable and healthy development of the dairy farming industry. Full article

Objectives: The adoption of telemedicine, which is the delivery of healthcare services through digital platforms, exploded during the COVID-19 pandemic as a means to ensure the continuity of care while minimizing infection risks. While this modality improved access and convenience for many, disparities in adoption have emerged, particularly in rural and underserved populations. This study aims to evaluate the impact of telemedicine on patient satisfaction before and during the pandemic, with a focus on chronic disease management—notably hypertension—and to identify factors influencing the equitable adoption of telehealth. Methods and Procedures: This study used a mixed method approach, combining quantitative survey data and causal loop modeling to analyze patient satisfaction levels and the interplay between telehealth adoption, healthcare access, and demographic disparities. Patient-reported satisfaction data were collected in two time periods—before and during the pandemic. Causal modeling was used to explore systemic relationships between provider support, technology access, patient engagement, and health equity. Results: The findings revealed that telemedicine significantly enhanced healthcare access during the pandemic, with a notable increase in patient satisfaction scores. Patients with chronic conditions, especially those diagnosed with hypertension, reported the improved continuity of care and reduced geographic barriers. However, disparities in telehealth access were more pronounced in non-metropolitan areas and among older adults and minority populations. Causal analysis highlighted key enablers of telehealth success, i.e., provider support, digital literacy, and access to reliable internet and devices. Conclusions: Telemedicine presents a transformative solution for equitable healthcare delivery, especially in chronic disease management. Strategic efforts are needed to address adoption disparities and ensure the sustained and inclusive integration of telehealth after the pandemic. Full article

Water quality monitoring and evaluation are essential across multiple sectors, including public health, environmental protection, agriculture and livestock management, industrial processes, and broader sustainability efforts. Conventional water analysis techniques, although accurate, are often constrained by their labor-intensive nature, extended processing times, and limited applicability for in situ, real-time monitoring. In recent years, spectroscopy-based methods have gained prominence as alternatives for water quality assessment, particularly when combined with chemometric analyses and advanced technological systems. This review provides an overview of the current advancements of spectroscopy-based water monitoring, with a focus on spectroscopy techniques operating within ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) and infrared (IR) spectral regions, which are currently applied for the assessment of a broad range of physicochemical and biological parameters relevant to livestock water management, including chemical oxygen demand (COD), dissolved organic carbon (DOC), nitrates, microbial contamination, and heavy metal ions. The findings highlight the growing utility of spectroscopy as a reliable tool in water quality assessment (e.g., COD detection with R² = 0.86 and nitrate detection with R² = 0.95 compared to traditional methods) and underpin the need for continued research into scalable, sensor-integrated solutions tailored for use in livestock farming environments. Full article

The consumption of animal- and plant-based protein food is increasing as the world population grows. Alternative protein sources that are nutritious, safe and sustainable are needed. There is a growing research interest in integrating wheat-based staple foods, such as pasta, with new ingredients that could also provide nutritional and health benefits. Despite their unquestionable nutritional value, new pasta formulations need to be evaluated in terms of technological/sensory quality. In this study, we assessed the quality and flavour of traditional egg pasta fortified with two alternative protein sources: hazelnut flour and cricket powder. It is known that a quality pasta tends to lose fewer solids during cooking. In parallel with classical evaluation of cooking and sensory characteristics, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) spectroscopy of the metabolites released during the cooking process and volatile fingerprint analysis with quartz microbalance (QMB) electronic nose (E-nose) were performed. These approaches showed results complementary to those obtained from classical quality and sensory analyses, thus demonstrating the potential of ¹H NMR and E-nose in pasta quality assessment. Overall, the pasta fortification with cricket powder and hazelnut flour affected the matrix mobility by modulating the release of chemical components into the water during cooking and overcooking processes; moreover, it significantly altered the pasta sensory profile in terms of aroma and texture. This finding highlights the complexity of balancing technological improvement with sensory appeal in food product development. Full article

Universities play a critical role in shaping sustainable mobility strategies, especially in urban contexts where the institutional transport system can influence environmental and social outcomes. This study integrates Environmental and Social Life Cycle Assessment (E-LCA and S-LCA) to evaluate the current university transport system from internal combustion engines, diesel, and compressed natural gas (CNG), focusing on the operation and maintenance phases. Also, it compares seven scenarios, including electric, renewable sources, and biodiesel technologies. Environmental impacts were assessed using the ReCiPe 2016 midpoint method, which considers the following impact categories: Global Warming Potential (GWP); Ozone Formation, Human Health (OfHh); Ozone Formation, Terrestrial Ecosystem (OfTe); Terrestrial Acidification (TA); and Fine Particulate Matter Formation (FPmf). The sensitivity analysis explores scenarios to assess the effects of technological transitions and alternative energy sources on the environmental performance. Social impacts are assessed through a Social Performance Index (SPI) and Aggregated Social Performance Index (ASPI), which aggregates indicators such as safety, travel cost, punctuality, accessibility, and inclusive design. Accessibility emerged as the lowest indicator (ranging from 0.61 to 0.67), highlighting opportunities for improvement. Our findings support decision-making processes for integrating sustainable transport strategies into a University Mobility Plan, emphasizing the importance of combining technical performance with social inclusivity. Full article

Telemedicine has transformed obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN), accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to synthesize evidence on the adoption, effectiveness, barriers, and technological innovations of telemedicine in OB/GYN across diverse healthcare settings. This scoping review synthesized 63 peer-reviewed studies (2010–2023) using PRISMA-ScR guidelines to map global applications, outcomes, and challenges. Key modalities included synchronous consultations, remote monitoring, AI-assisted triage, tele-supervision, and asynchronous communication. Results demonstrated improved access to routine care and mental health support, with outcomes for low-risk pregnancies comparable to in-person services. Adoption surged >500% during pandemic peaks, stabilizing at 9–12% of services in high-income countries. However, significant disparities persisted: 43% of rural Sub-Saharan clinics lacked stable internet, while socioeconomic, linguistic, and cultural barriers disproportionately affected vulnerable populations (e.g., non-English-speaking, transgender, and refugee patients). Providers reported utility but also screen fatigue (41–68%) and diagnostic uncertainty. Critical barriers included fragmented policies, reimbursement variability, data privacy concerns, and limited evidence from conflict-affected regions. Sustainable integration requires equity-centered design, robust policy frameworks, rigorous longitudinal evaluation, and ethically validated AI to address clinical complexity and systemic gaps. Full article

The escalating challenge of resistance to insecticides among agricultural and public health pests poses a significant threat to global food security and vector-borne disease control. This review synthesizes current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning resistance, including well-characterized pathways such as target-site mutations affecting nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), acetylcholinesterase (AChE), voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSCs), and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, and metabolic detoxification mediated by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases (CYPs), esterases, and glutathione S-transferases (GSTs). Emerging resistance mechanisms are also explored, including protein sequestration by odorant-binding proteins and post-transcriptional regulation via non-coding RNAs, such as microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). Focused case studies on Aedes aegypti and Spodoptera frugiperda illustrate the complex interplay of genetic and biochemical adaptations driving resistance. In Ae. aegypti, voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSCs) mutations (V410L, V1016I, F1534C) combined with metabolic enzyme amplification confer resistance to pyrethroids, accompanied by notable fitness costs and ecological impacts on vector populations. In S. frugiperda, multiple resistance mechanisms, including overexpression of cytochrome P450 genes (e.g., CYP6AE43, CYP321A8), target-site mutations in ryanodine receptors (e.g., I4790K), and behavioral avoidance, have rapidly evolved across global populations, undermining the efficacy of diamide, organophosphate, and pyrethroid insecticides. The review further evaluates integrated pest management (IPM) strategies, emphasizing the role of biopesticides, biological control agents, including entomopathogenic fungi and parasitoids, and molecular diagnostics for resistance management. Taken together, this analysis underscores the urgent need for continuous molecular surveillance, the development of resistance-breaking technologies, and the implementation of sustainable, multifaceted interventions to safeguard the long-term efficacy of insecticides in both agricultural and public health contexts. Full article

Benzene, a well-established human carcinogen and major industrial pollutant, poses significant health risks through occupational exposure due to its no-threshold effect, leading to multi-system damage involving the hematopoietic, nervous, and immune systems. This makes the investigation of its toxic mechanisms crucial for precise prevention and control of its health impacts. Programmed cell death (PCD), an orderly and regulated form of cellular demise controlled by specific intracellular genes in response to various stimuli, has emerged as a key pathway where dysfunction may underlie benzene-induced toxicity. This review systematically integrates evidence linking benzene toxicity to PCD dysregulation, revealing that benzene and its metabolites induce abnormal subtypes of PCD (apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis) in hematopoietic cells. This occurs through mechanisms including activation of Caspase pathways, regulation of long non-coding RNAs, and epigenetic modifications, with recent research highlighting the IRP1-DHODH-ALOX12 ferroptosis axis and oxidative stress–epigenetic interactions as pivotal. Additionally, this review describes a comprehensive monitoring system for early toxic effects comprising benzene exposure biomarkers (urinary t,t-muconic acid (t,t-MA), S-phenylmercapturic acid (S-PMA)), PCD-related molecules (Caspase-3, let-7e-5p, ACSL1), oxidative stress indicators (8-OHdG), and genetic damage markers (micronuclei, p14ARF methylation), with correlative analyses between PCD mechanisms and benzene toxicity elaborated to underscore their integrative roles in risk assessment. Furthermore, the review details analytical techniques for these biomarkers, including direct benzene detection methods—direct headspace gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (DHGC-FID), liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), and portable headspace sampling (Portable HS)—alongside molecular imprinting and fluorescence probe technologies, as well as methodologies for toxic effect markers such as live-cell imaging, electrochemical techniques, methylation-specific PCR (MSP), and Western blotting, providing technical frameworks for mechanistic studies and translational applications. By synthesizing current evidence and mechanistic insights, this work offers novel perspectives on benzene toxicity through the PCD lens, identifies potential therapeutic targets associated with PCD dysregulation, and ultimately establishes a theoretical foundation for developing interventional strategies against benzene-induced toxicity while emphasizing the translational value of mechanistic research in occupational and environmental health. Full article

As the Metaverse continues to evolve as a transformative digital ecosystem, its environmental implications remain insufficiently examined within academic discourse. Despite growing interest in its technological and societal impacts, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluations that synthesize existing knowledge on its sustainability potential. This interdisciplinary narrative review addresses this gap by critically exploring how Metaverse technologies intersect with environmental sustainability across key sectors, including education, healthcare, tourism, e-commerce, manufacturing, and urban development. Employing a narrative review methodology informed by a systematic selection of scholarly and industry sources, the study consolidates current practices, emerging opportunities, and notable trade-offs. While the Metaverse presents promising avenues for reducing material consumption, optimizing urban planning through digital twins, and lowering emissions via virtual alternatives to physical travel, it also raises pressing environmental concerns, particularly related to high energy consumption, short hardware lifespans, and the rebound effects of intensified digital engagement. The findings suggest that environmental sustainability within the Metaverse is not inherent to its virtual nature but hinges on deliberate design, regulatory foresight, and the broader energy systems it depends on. This review offers timely insights for policymakers, technology developers, and sustainability advocates seeking to align immersive digital innovation with ecological responsibility and long-term planetary health. Full article

Background/Objectives: Introducing new transformative surgical technology involves navigating a complex process from design to implementation, often hindered by various barriers that delay the transition into clinical practice. This review critically examines the barriers, proposes a unified guide for medical device implementation in the Australian healthcare system utilising the validated Medtech Innovation Guide, and compares regulatory frameworks in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. Methods: We conducted a literature review using MEDLINE and EMBASE with MeSH terms or emtree terms and keywords “new OR novel” AND “surgical device OR medical device OR health technology OR surgical technology OR surgical instrument OR transformative technology OR technological innovation OR technological change” AND “implementation OR adoption OR innovation adoption” AND “surgery OR surgical” AND “Australia”. We also assessed governmental websites (gov.au) and documents as well as the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) website, policies, and position statements. Furthermore, Australian medical technology start-up companies were asked for any published roadmaps. Results: Four key stakeholder groups were identified: medical professionals, government, hospitals, and patients/consumers. Barriers include surgeon scepticism, regulatory hurdles (e.g., Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods), hospital clearance processes, and meeting patient expectations. To address these challenges, we propose a five-phase system: surgical device development (phase one), compliance with regulatory processes (phase two), research and experimentation (phase three), finalisation for product launch (phase four), and product launch and assessment (phase five). Conclusions: By following our five-phase guide, innovators may better navigate the complexities of integrating transformative surgical technologies into Australian healthcare. Although there are limitations, this approach is based on the validated Medtech Innovation Guide and may help both experienced and inexperienced practitioners better implement innovative technology; however, real-world validation is required. Full article

Background: To identify the mental health care needs of resettled refugees, researchers have studied the perspectives of mental health service providers but have paid limited attention to the perspectives of individuals who work directly in resettlement agencies or in agencies that exclusively provide services to promote refugees’ self-sufficiency and integration—the refugee resettlement workforce—who routinely provide support, make referrals, and coordinate mental health care. To better inform programming and service delivery, this qualitative case study focuses on the perspectives of the resettlement workforce. Methods: Focus group interviews conducted with 48 refugee resettlement workforce members were analyzed for their perspectives on refugee mental health needs and care. Results: Thematic analysis revealed that their perspectives centered on barriers to (i.e., resettlement challenges, notions about mental illness, stigma associated with mental illness, inadequate access to mental health care, and limited technology literacy) and facilitators of (i.e., promoting mental health literacy, addressing stigma, providing specific and targeted training, mental health coordination, allies, and building programming capacity) refugee mental health care. A set of recommendations to minimize barriers and promote facilitators is presented. Conclusions: These findings corroborate previous research and inform the practices, programs, and policies that should be developed and implemented to support refugees’ mental health wellbeing, self-sufficiency, and community integration post-resettlement. Full article

Background: Between 2014 and 2024, Poland underwent a significant digital transformation in its healthcare sector, evolving from isolated initiatives to a cohesive national eHealth ecosystem. This review examines the development, clinical significance, and research trends in telemedicine in Poland, providing comparative insights from 1995 to 2015 and assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A narrative review was conducted using the PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases to identify peer-reviewed articles published between January 2014 and December 2024. A total of 1012 records were identified, and 212 articles were included after applying predefined inclusion criteria. These articles were categorized by medical specialty, study type, COVID-19 relevance, and clinical versus nonclinical focus. Gray literature and policy reports were examined only to provide a context for the findings. Results: Ninety-six publications were included in the clinical studies. The most common specialties are cardiology, psychiatry, geriatrics, general practice, and rehabilitation. In earlier years, survey-based and observational designs were predominant, whereas later years saw an increase in interventional trials and studies enabled by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on research activity, accelerating the adoption of digital technologies in previously underrepresented fields, such as pulmonology and palliative care, as well as in the routine use of modern Internet communication technologies for daily patient–doctor interactions. Discussion: Advancements in digital health (including eHealth and telemedicine) in Poland have been driven by policy reforms, technological advancements, and epidemiological events, such as COVID-19. Various fields have evolved from feasibility studies to clinical trials, and emerging specialties have focused on user experience and implementation. However, the adoption of AI and its interoperability remains underdeveloped, primarily because of regulatory and reimbursement challenges. Conclusions: Poland has made significant strides in institutionalizing digital health; however, ongoing innovation necessitates regulatory alignment, strategic funding, and enhanced collaboration between academia and industry. As the country aligns with the European Union (EU) initiatives, such as the European Health Data Space, it has the potential to lead to regional integration in digital health. Full article

As emerging pollutants, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) have been recognized as originating from diverse sources. Among these, the use of livestock feed and veterinary drugs was identified as the primary source of ARGs in livestock manure. ARGs were found to be widely distributed in global environments, particularly in agriculture-related soils, water bodies, and the atmosphere, posing potential threats to ecological environments and human health. This paper reviewed the degradation mechanisms of ARGs during aerobic composting of livestock manure and the safety evaluation of compost products. Aerobic composting was demonstrated to be an effective method for degrading ARGs, primarily through mechanisms such as high-temperature elimination of ARG-carrying microorganisms, reduction in host bacterial abundance, and inhibition of horizontal gene transfer. Factors including the physicochemical properties of the composting substrate, the use of additives, and the presence of antibiotic and heavy metal residues were shown to influence the degradation efficiency of ARGs, with compost temperature being the core factor. The safety of organic fertilizers encompassed multiple aspects, including heavy metal content, seed germination index, and risk assessments based on ARG residues. The analysis indicated that deficiencies existed in areas such as the persistence of thermotolerant bacteria carrying ARGs, the dissemination of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes (eARGs), and virus-mediated gene transfer. Future research should focus on (1) the removal of thermotolerant bacteria harboring ARGs; (2) the decomposition of eARGs or the blocking of their transmission pathways; (3) the optimization of ultra-high temperature composting parameters; and (4) the analysis of interactions between viruses and resistant hosts. This study reviews the mechanisms, influencing factors, and safety assessment of aerobic composting for degrading ARGs in livestock manure. It not only deepens the understanding of this important environmental biotechnology process but also provides a crucial knowledge base and practical guidance for effectively controlling ARG pollution, ensuring agricultural environmental safety, and protecting public health. Additionally, it clearly outlines the key paths for future technological optimization, thus holding significant implications for the environment, agriculture, and public health. Full article

Background/Objectives: Older adults (65+) are the fastest growing age group in Canada, comprising 18.8% of the country’s population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, use of virtual care, including telehealth and tele-medicine, increased dramatically among older adults in Canada who often face higher health risks, mobility limitations, and many barriers to accessing healthcare. Despite the rapid expansion in virtual care, no systematic review has focused specifically on virtual care among older adults in Canada. This review aims to explore the factors influencing virtual care adoption and the experiences of older Canadians during the pandemic through a systematic review. Methods: Conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the review involved a comprehensive search of PubMed, Scopus, ESCBOHost, and Web of Science on 2 May 2025, yielding 281 unique citations. After screening and applying eligibility criteria, 15 studies employing quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods designs, with sample sizes ranging from 15 to 2,282,798, were included and appraised using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Results: The review identified three domains of factors and the ways in which each factor shapes older adults’ virtual care experiences: (1) personal factors influencing virtual care use and demand (e.g., age, education, language, income, immigration status, community sizes), (2) resource factors impacting virtual care adoption (e.g., technology access, support), and (3) varying virtual care experiences among older adults (e.g., in assessment and communication efficacy, privacy, care quality, convenience, safety, and costs). Conclusions: This review highlights the complexities of virtual care engagement among older adults and underscores the need for inclusive, tailored strategies to improve the accessibility and effectiveness of virtual care delivery in both pandemic and post-pandemic contexts. Full article

With the growth of the global population and the increasing scarcity of arable land, traditional agricultural production is confronted with multiple challenges, such as efficiency improvement, precision operation, and sustainable development. The progressive advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technology has created a transformative opportunity for the intelligent upgrade of agricultural equipment. This article systematically presents recent progress in computer vision, machine learning (ML), and intelligent sensing. The key innovations are highlighted in areas such as object detection and recognition (e.g., a K-nearest neighbor (KNN) achieved 98% accuracy in distinguishing vibration signals across operation stages); autonomous navigation and path planning (e.g., a deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-optimized task planner for multi-arm harvesting robots reduced execution time by 10.7%); state perception (e.g., a multilayer perceptron (MLP) yielded 96.9% accuracy in plug seedling health classification); and precision control (e.g., an intelligent multi-module coordinated control system achieved a transplanting efficiency of 5000 plants/h). The findings reveal a deep integration of AI models with multimodal perception technologies, significantly improving the operational efficiency, resource utilization, and environmental adaptability of agricultural equipment. This integration is catalyzing the transition toward intelligent, automated, and sustainable agricultural systems. Nevertheless, intelligent agricultural equipment still faces technical challenges regarding data sample acquisition, adaptation to complex field environments, and the coordination between algorithms and hardware. Looking ahead, the convergence of digital twin (DT) technology, edge computing, and big data-driven collaborative optimization is expected to become the core of next-generation intelligent agricultural systems. These technologies have the potential to overcome current limitations in perception and decision-making, ultimately enabling intelligent management and autonomous decision-making across the entire agricultural production chain. This article aims to provide a comprehensive foundation for advancing agricultural modernization and supporting green, sustainable development. Full article