Search Results (88)

The foliar pathogens of wheat, particularly Zymoseptoria tritici and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis, represent a significant threat to yield. We used a SEIR (Susceptible–Exposed–Infected–Removed) model to quantify epidemic dynamics based on different fungicide application strategies, focusing on the daily dynamic growth rate r(t) (net infection increase) and the removal rate γ(t) (loss infectious tissue) after BBCH 37. In Scenario A (treatment of seed with Systiva^®), the r(t) of Z. tritici was positive only during the early phase of the epidemic, followed by progressive suppression over time, while the r(t) for P. tritici-repentis remained negative throughout. Scenario B (seed treatment combined with foliar propiconazole) resulted in uniformly negative r(t) values for both pathogens, indicating stronger and sustained suppression. These findings highlight the practical utility of epidemic growth rate modeling for evaluating fungicide strategies and support integrated seed + foliar applications as a robust approach to disease management in wheat. Full article

An investigation on a discrete-time infectious disease model that incorporating vertical transmission is presented in this paper. Departing from prior research centered on continuous-time frameworks, our study adopts a discrete-time formulation to better capture the complex epidemiological dynamics. We establish a model and conduct a bifurcation analysis of its equilibrium points. In particular, sufficient conditions for the local stability and the emergence of Neimark–Sacker and flip bifurcations are rigorously derived and analytically verified. As anticipated, variations in the bifurcation parameter give rise to distinct periodic regimes in the system response. To mitigate the instabilities and chaotic behaviors resulting from these bifurcations, we propose and validate two control strategies, which are Hybrid Control Method and State Feedback Control. Numerical simulations futher substantiated the analytical results, demonstrating that appropriate parameter adjustments can shift the system behavior from chaotic attractors and limit cycles toward stable equilibria. Our results show that by dynamically adjusting the intensity of prevention and control measures to mitigate unstable factors such as vertical transmission and high infection rates, or reducing the frequency of system updates to slow down the growth of infections, the epidemic can be transitioned from repeated outbreaks to a stable and manageable state. Full article

Although vaccination for COVID-19 and mask wearing were two of the main preventive measures against infection, their impact is unclear. In the present study, by using national surveillance data in Japan, we compared the incidence rate and weekly case increase ratios of COVID-19 with the domestic stocks of masks and vaccination coverage. The trajectory of epidemic growth increased rapidly in the summer of 2021, concomitant with the launch of the mass national vaccination program. The most rapid spread of the epidemic was found in 2022, approximately 6 months after the national mass vaccination started, with the emergence of the Omicron variant. From 2022, two annual epidemic peaks occurred with seasonal changes. Whilst the winter peak follows the expected seasonal trend in respiratory infections, the summer peak may reflect a combination of short-term herd immunity and behavioral patterns. Nevertheless, these epidemic peaks continued irrespective of vaccine coverage and mask use. Further analysis into the duration of protective efficacy of the vaccines and mask use is required. Full article

White leaf spot disease [Neopseudocercosporella capsellae (Ellis & Everhart) S.I.R.Videira & P.W.Crous] poses a significant threat to rapeseed production globally. The herbicides atrazine and glyphosate are widely applied to herbicide-tolerant major crops, including rapeseed. Herbicides can affect disease levels directly and indirectly by stressing host plants, influencing pathogens, and altering abiotic and biotic stress levels in the environment. The specific effects of herbicides on the dimorphic pathogen N. capsellae regarding hyphal growth, conidial germination rate, and the morphological transformation from multi-celled hyphae or conidia into numerous single-celled blastospores remain unknown. Hence, studies were performed on two agar media [malt extract agar (MEA) and water agar (WA)] to determine how atrazine and glyphosate, each applied at 1 g a.i. L⁻¹ or the commercial recommended concentrations of 10 and 7.8 g a.i. L⁻¹, respectively, affect these characteristics in four highly pathogenic isolates of N. capsellae. Across a 32-day assessment period, the hyphal growth of all four isolates subcultured individually on MEA or WA was significantly restricted by both concentrations of atrazine and glyphosate. For both atrazine and glyphosate, restriction of hyphal growth was much greater at the higher commercial recommended concentration. Glyphosate restricted hyphal growth more than atrazine for each comparative concentration. Using a mixture of all four isolates, a similar trend of suppression by atrazine or glyphosate occurred in relation to conidial germination and the morphological transformation from multi-celled hyphae or conidia into numerous single-celled blastospores. These new insights into how herbicides constrain hyphal growth, conidial germination, and morphological transformation suggest their potential as a control measure in herbicide-tolerant crops to limit the epidemic spread and development of not only N. capsellae in rapeseed but other dimorphic fungal pathogens as well. Full article

Diabetes is a global and local epidemic, with an exponential growth trend in prevalence rates. This article presents data collected through a survey administered to a probabilistic sample of patients enrolled in a diabetes control program within a network of health institutions in Cali, Colombia. The purpose of the survey was to explore knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to diabetes. The survey was designed as part of the quantitative component of a mixed methods macroproject, and the questionnaire was developed based on a review of the literature and the research team’s expertise in the field. The results of the article correspond to the description of the database and combine raw survey data with additional analytical variables derived from grouped response options or recoded items. The data provides a valuable source of information for further research and for decision-makers interested in diabetes risk management. In conclusion, this database enables other broader studies on factors related to adherence to conventional treatments and the use of nonconventional treatments for type 2 diabetes. Full article

Background: The early months of the COVID-19 pandemic were characterized by high transmission rates and mortality, compounded by the emergence of multiple SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including Variants of Concern (VOCs). This study investigates the phylodynamic and spatio-temporal trends of VOCs during the peak of the pandemic in Nigeria. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from three major VOCs circulating in Nigeria, B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.617.2 (Delta), and B.1.1.529 (Omicron), were analyzed using tools such as Nextclade, R Studio v 4.2.3, and BEAST X v 10.5.0. The spatial distribution, evolutionary history, viral ancestral introductions, and geographic dispersal patterns were characterized. Results: Three major lineages following WHO nomenclature were identified: Alpha, Delta, and Omicron. The Delta variant exhibited the widest geographic spread, detected in 14 states, while the Alpha variant was the least distributed, identified in only eight states but present across most epidemiological weeks studied. Evolutionary rates varied slightly, with Alpha exhibiting the slowest rate (2.66 × 10⁻⁴ substitutions/site/year). Viral population analyses showed distinct patterns: Omicron sustained elevated population growth over time, while Delta declined after initial expansion. The earliest Times to Most Recent Common Ancestor (TMRCA) were consistent with the earliest outbreaks of SARS-CoV-2 globally. Geographic transmission analysis indicated a predominant coastal-to-inland spread for all variants, with Omicron showing the most diffuse dispersal, highlighting commercial routes as significant drivers of viral diffusion. Conclusion: The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Nigeria was characterized by multiple variant introductions and a dominant coastal-to-inland spread, emphasizing that despite lockdown measures, commercial trade routes played a critical role in viral dissemination. These findings provide insights into pandemic control strategies and future outbreak preparedness. Full article

Population mobility links cities, propelling the spatiotemporal spread of urban pandemics and adding complexity to disease dynamics. It also closely shapes, and is shaped by, the selection and intensity of intervention measures. Revealing the multistage spatial-temporal dynamics of cross-regional epidemic continuity under this interaction is often overlooked but critically important. This study innovatively applies a self-organizing map (SOM) neural network to classify cities into six distinct types based on population mobility characteristics: high-inflow core (HIC), low-inflow core (LIC), low-inflow sub-core (LISC), high-outflow semi-peripheral (HOSP), equilibrious semi-peripheral (ESP), and low-outflow peripheral (LOP). Building on this, we propose a novel SEIR-AHQ theoretical framework and construct an epidemiological model using network-coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs). This model captures the dynamic interplay between inter-city population mobility and intervention measures, and quantifies how heterogeneous city types shape the evolution of epidemic transmission across the coupled mobility network. The results show that: (1) Cities with stronger population mobility face significantly higher infection risks and longer epidemic durations, characterized by “higher peaks and longer tails” in infection curves. HIC cities experience the greatest challenges, and LOP cities experience the least. (2) Both higher transmission rates and delayed intervention timings lead to exponential growth in infections, with nonlinear effects amplifying small changes disproportionately. (3) Intervention efficacy follows a “diminishing marginal returns” pattern, where the incremental benefits of increasing intervention intensity gradually decrease. This study offers a novel perspective on managing interregional epidemics, providing actionable insights for crafting tailored and effective epidemic response strategies. Full article

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection induces severe, often fatal, watery diarrhea and vomiting in neonatal piglets, characterized by profound dehydration, villus atrophy, and catastrophic mortality rates approaching 100% in unprotected herds. This study developed a composite probiotic from Min-pig-derived Lactobacillus crispatus LCM233, Ligilactobacillus salivarius LSM231, and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LPM239, which exhibited synergistic growth, potent acid/bile salt tolerance, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against pathogens. In vitro, the probiotic combination disrupted pathogen ultrastructure and inhibited PEDV replication in IPI-2I cells. In vivo, PEDV-infected piglets administered with the multi-strain probiotic exhibited decreased viral loads in anal and nasal swabs, as well as in intestinal tissues. This intervention was associated with the alleviation of diarrhea symptoms and improved weight gain. Furthermore, the multi-strain probiotic facilitated the repair of intestinal villi and tight junctions, increased the number of goblet cells, downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, enhanced the expression of barrier proteins, and upregulated antiviral interferon-stimulated genes. These findings demonstrate that the multi-strain probiotic mitigates PEDV-induced damage by restoring intestinal barrier homeostasis and modulating immune responses, providing a novel strategy for controlling PEDV infections. Full article

The novel goose parvovirus (NGPV) and the novel duck reovirus (NDRV) are pathogens that can substantially affect the growth and development of ducklings, causing considerable economic losses to duck farms. Therefore, a timely, rapid, accurate, and high-throughput diagnosis and identification of viral infections are critical for preventing the spread of epidemics. In this study, a TaqMan probe-based duplex one-step RT-qPCR was established for the simultaneous detection and qualitative and quantitative identification of the two viruses. It demonstrated greater sensitivity than conventional PCR, detecting as low as 2.42 copies/μL of NGPV genome and 70.1 copies/μL of NDRV genome. Additionally, it exhibited remarkable specificity, responding exclusively to the nucleic acids of target pathogens. It also demonstrated excellent reproducibility and availability, particularly in clinical settings, with a coinfection detection rate of 13.3%, contributing to the development of NGPV- and NDRV-testing technologies. Full article

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) represents a major global health burden, with prevalence rates escalating due to rapid urbanization, economic growth, and the obesity epidemic. Despite intensive research, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood, with emerging evidence suggesting multifactorial origins involving genetic, epigenetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Methods: This review synthesizes current epidemiological data on T2DM prevalence, risk factors, and demographic patterns from 1990 to 2017, and discusses projected trends through 2030. We examine the role of intestinal barrier dysfunction and gut microbiota dysbiosis in T2DM pathogenesis, highlighting key mechanistic insights. Furthermore, we analyze recent findings on the role of butyrate, a major short-chain fatty acid, in preserving gut integrity and its potential therapeutic effects on metabolic health. Results: Global T2DM prevalence has risen markedly across all age groups, with particularly high rates in Western Europe and Pacific Island nations. Disruption of the intestinal barrier (“leaky gut”) and gut microbiota alterations contribute significantly to systemic inflammation and insulin resistance, which are pivotal features in T2DM development. Butyrate plays a central role in maintaining epithelial barrier function, modulating immune responses, and regulating glucose metabolism. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that sodium butyrate supplementation improves gut integrity, reduces systemic endotoxemia, and ameliorates metabolic parameters. Emerging clinical evidence suggests benefits of sodium butyrate, particularly when combined with prebiotic fibers, in improving glycemic control and reducing inflammatory markers in T2DM patients. Conclusions: Gut barrier integrity and microbiota composition are critical factors in T2DM pathogenesis. Sodium butyrate shows promise as a complementary therapeutic agent in T2DM management, although further large-scale, long-term clinical trials are required to confirm its efficacy and safety. Targeting gut health may represent a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of T2DM. Full article

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) poses a critical threat to livestock health and food safety, particularly in regard to misuse of antimicrobial agents, which have accelerated the evolution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) ETEC strains, reshaping their virulence landscapes and epidemiological trajectories. In this study, 24 ETEC isolates from porcine diarrheal samples undergo genomic and phenotypic profiling, including virulence genotyping, bacterial adhesion, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) analysis. Results show that multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) outputs (ST88, ST100) and serotypes (O9:H19, O116:H11, O149:H10) exhibited enhanced virulence, with F18ab-fimbriated strains carrying Shiga toxin genes (stx2A) demonstrating higher cytotoxicity than non-stx strains. There exists a significant negative correlation between bacterial growth rates and intestinal epithelial adhesion, with the expression of ETEC adhesion and virulence genes being growth-time-dependent. These relationships suggest evolutionary trade-offs favoring either rapid proliferation or virulence. Among these isolates, 95.8% were MDR, with alarming resistance to quinolones and aminoglycosides. Geospatial analysis identified region-specific AMR gene clusters, notably oqxB-aac(3) co-occurrence networks in 79% of ETEC isolates. These results highlight the urgent need for precision interventions, including vaccines targeting epidemic serotypes and AMR monitoring systems to disrupt resistance propagation across swine production networks. By underscoring the importance of current virulence and AMR profiles, this study provides actionable strategies to mitigate ETEC-associated threats to both animal welfare and meat safety ecosystems. Full article

Pepper Phytophthora blight caused by Phytophthora capsici results in substantial losses in global pepper cultivation. The use of biocontrol agents with the dual functions of disease suppression and crop growth promotion is a green and sustainable way of managing this pathogen. In this study, six biocontrol strains of Trichoderma with high antagonistic activity against P. capsici were isolated and screened from the rhizosphere soil of healthy peppers undergoing long-term continuous cultivation. Morphological identification and molecular biological identification revealed that strains 2213 and 2221 were T. harzianum, strains 5111, 6311, and 6321 were T. brevicompactum, and strain 7111 was T. virens. The results showed that T. brevicompactum 6311 had the greatest inhibitory effect against P. capsici. The inhibition rate of 6311 on the mycelial growth of P. capsici was 82.22% in a double-culture test, whereas it reached 100% in a fermentation liquid culture test. Meanwhile, the pepper fruit tests showed that 6311 was 29% effective against P. capsici on pepper, and a potting test demonstrated that the preventive and controlling effect of 6311 on pepper epidemics triggered by P. capsici was 55.56%. The growth-promoting effect, germination potential, germination rate, radicle-embryonic axis length, germination index, and fresh weight of peppers cultured in the 6311 fermentation broth were significantly increased compared with the results for the control group. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that 6311 achieved the parasitism of P. capsici, producing siderophores and the growth hormone indoleacetic acid (IAA) to achieve disease-suppressive and growth-promoting functions. Transcriptomic results indicated that genes encoding proteins involved in plant disease resistance, namely flavanone 3-hydroxylase (F3H) and growth transcription factor (AUX22), were generally upregulated after the application of 6311. This study demonstrated that 6311 exhibits significant bioprotective and growth-promoting functions. Full article

Background and significance: The coronary artery disease (CAD) epidemic has seen a logarithmic increase in morbidity and mortality over the past decade. Cardiovascular diseases account for about 19.1 million deaths annually—with 80% of reports coming from low and middle-income countries, which have been attributed to a lack of infrastructure, human resources, and financial coverage. In tandem with the developed world, India has also seen significant growth in interventional and surgical cardiovascular care. The dominance of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedures in India has attracted the attention of the world. With this review, the authors aim to highlight the role of cardiac surgeons in India as the “unsung heroes” of coronary interventions. Observations: A pernicious atherosclerotic pathology develops in thendian population as a result of genetic and socio-cultural predispositions, which is further complicated by anatomical and physiological differences. The pathology manifests as a diffuse disease in relatively small caliber coronary arteries, necessitating the consideration of CABG over interventional procedures. Indian cardiac surgeons have stood up to the challenge and have powered health tourism to India from around the world due to the excellent success rate and long-term outcomes at a 50–80% lesser cost than most developed countries. Beyond the costs, a major highlight is the high rate of arterial bypass and off-pump surgery. These balance the unbridled exuberance of the interventional cardiology medical–industrial complex, providing a critical balance that benefits patients and improves acute and long-term outcomes. Conclusions: Indian cardiac surgery is now known globally not only for its affordability but also for the skill set and the quality of surgeons. The surgeons’ vast experience and risk-taking capacity have made them an indispensable part of the interventional cardiology team and has allowed a multidisciplinary collaboration that inspires the world. This is evident from the rising trend of medical tourism to India. Full article

Piglet diarrhea poses significant economic losses to the pig industry, posing a worldwide challenge that urgently needs to be addressed in pig breeding practices. Porcine rotavirus (PoRV) is an important viral diarrhea pathogen in piglets, with a high incidence rate and a tendency to cause growth retardation. To enhance the sensitivity and specificity of PoRV detection, we sequenced the NSP3 gene of G5 and G9 genotypes of rotavirus A (RVA), enabling simultaneous detection of the two serotypes. Subsequently, we developed a rapid PoRV detection method using a combination of recombinase-aided amplification (RAA) and CRISPR/Cas12a. In this method, Cas12a binds to RAA amplification products, guided by CRISPR-derived RNA (crRNA), which activates its cleavage activity and releases fluorescence by cutting FAM-BHQ-labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). In the optimized reaction system, the recombinant plasmid PoRV can achieve a highly sensitive reaction within 30 min at 37 °C, with a detection limit as low as 2.43 copies/μL, which is ten times higher in sensitivity compared to the qPCR method. Results from specificity testing indicate that no cross-reactivity was observed between the RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a analysis of PoRV and other viral pathogens, including PoRV G3, PoRV G4, porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine epidemic diarrhea (PDCoV), and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV). In the clinical sample detection using the RAA-CRISPR/Cas12a method and qPCR, Cohen’s Kappa value reached as high as 0.952. Furthermore, this approach eliminates the need for large-scale instrumentation, offering a visual result under an ultraviolet lamp through fluorescence signal output. Full article

In this study, the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii was engineered to secrete the antiviral lectin griffithsin. Twelve genetic tools with the griffithsin gene were cloned into the vector pSF-TEF1-URA3 and introduced into S. boulardii. In the recombinant strains, a 16.9 kDa band was detected using SDS-PAGE and further recognized by griffithsin antibody with Western blotting. S. boulardii strains FM, FT, HC, and HE with a high yield of griffithsin were acquired for property characterization in vitro. The four recombinant strains displayed a similar growth pattern to that of the control strains, while their morphological characteristics had changed according to scanning electron microscopy. In simulated gastrointestinal digestive fluids, the survival rates of S. boulardii FM, FT, and HC were significantly decreased (86.32 ± 1.49% to 95.36 ± 1.94%) compared with those of the control strains, with survival rates between 95.88 ± 0.00% and 98.74 ± 1.97%. The hydrophobicity of S. boulardii FM, the strain with the highest griffithsin production, was significantly increased to 21.89 ± 1.07%, and it exhibited a reduced auto-aggregation rate (57.64 ± 2.61%). Finally, Vero cells infected with porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) were used to evaluate the strains’ antiviral activity, and the rate at which S. boulardii FM inhibited PEDV reached 131.36 ± 1.06%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group. Full article