Search Results (594)

The accelerated evolution of remote sensing technology has intensified the demand for real-time tile map generation, highlighting the limitations of conventional mapping approaches that rely on manual cartography and field surveys. To address the critical need for rapid cartographic updates, this study presents a novel multi-stage generative framework that synergistically integrates Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) with Diffusion Denoising Models (DMs) for high-fidelity map generation from remote sensing imagery. Specifically, our proposed architecture first employs GANs for rapid preliminary map generation, followed by a cascaded diffusion process that progressively refines topological details and spatial accuracy through iterative denoising. Furthermore, we propose a hybrid attention mechanism that strategically combines channel-wise feature recalibration with coordinate-aware spatial modulation, enabling the enhanced discrimination of geographic features under challenging conditions involving edge ambiguity and environmental noise. Quantitative evaluations demonstrate that our method significantly surpasses established baselines in both structural consistency and geometric fidelity. This framework establishes an operational paradigm for automated, rapid-response cartography, demonstrating a particular utility in time-sensitive applications including disaster impact assessment, unmapped terrain documentation, and dynamic environmental surveillance. Full article

Papillomaviruses (PVs) are double-stranded DNA viruses known to induce a variety of epithelial lesions in dogs, ranging from benign hyperplasia to malignancies. In regions of rich biodiversity such as the Western Amazon, data on the circulation and genetic composition of canine papillomaviruses (CPVs) remain scarce. This study investigated CPV types present in oral and cutaneous papillomatous lesions in domiciled dogs from Acre and Rondônia States, Brazil. Sixty-one dogs with macroscopically consistent lesions were clinically evaluated, and tissue samples were collected for histopathological examination and PCR targeting the L1 gene. Among these, 37% were histologically diagnosed as squamous papillomas or fibropapillomas, and 49.2% (30/61) tested positive for papillomavirus DNA. Sequencing of the L1 gene revealed that most positive samples belonged to CPV1 (Lambdapapillomavirus 2), while one case was identified as CPV8 (Chipapillomavirus 3). Complete genomes of three CPV1 strains were obtained via high-throughput sequencing and showed high identity with CPV1 strains from other Brazilian regions. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed close genetic relationships among isolates across distinct geographic areas. These findings demonstrate the circulation of genetically conserved CPVs in the Amazon and reinforce the value of molecular and histopathological approaches for the accurate diagnosis and surveillance of viral diseases in domestic dogs, especially in ecologically complex regions. Full article

The diversity and distribution of medical and veterinary-relevant fungal diseases in Africa underscore the critical need for a multisectoral One Health strategy to enhance cost-effective preparedness and prevention. This review explores the geographic spread and epidemiology of key medical and veterinary fungi, including Emergomyces, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Cryptococcus, Dermatophytes, Histoplasma, Sporothrix, Talaromyces, Paracoccidioides, Aspergillus, and Malassezia. Evidence indicates that many of these infections remain underdiagnosed and underreported, especially in vulnerable immunocompromised populations, due to limited surveillance, diagnostic capacity, and awareness. The increasing prevalence of these diseases, often in tandem with rising HIV rates and environmental changes, highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts across human, animal, and environmental health sectors. Implementing comprehensive, multisectoral interventions—focused on enhancing diagnostic capabilities, public awareness, surveillance, and cross-sector collaboration—is vital for effective prevention and control of these emerging fungal threats in Africa. Full article

Infrared ship detection plays a vital role in maritime surveillance systems. As a critical remote sensing application, it enables maritime surveillance across diverse geographic scales and operational conditions while offering robust all-weather operation and resilience to environmental interference. However, infrared imagery in complex maritime environments presents significant challenges, including low contrast, background clutter, and difficulties in detecting small-scale or distant targets. To address these issues, we propose an Infrared Ship Detection Network (IRSD-Net), a lightweight and efficient detection network built upon the YOLOv11n framework and specially designed for infrared maritime imagery. IRSD-Net incorporates a Hierarchical Multi-Kernel Convolution Network (HMKCNet), which employs parallel multi-kernel convolutions and channel division to enhance multi-scale feature extraction while reducing redundancy and memory usage. To further improve cross-scale fusion, we design the Dynamic Cross-Scale Feature Pyramid Network (DCSFPN), a bidirectional architecture that combines up- and downsampling to integrate low-level detail with high-level semantics. Additionally, we introduce Wise-PIoU, a novel loss function that improves bounding box regression by enforcing geometric alignment and adaptively weighting gradients based on alignment quality. Experimental results demonstrate that IRSD-Net achieves 92.5% ${\mathrm{mAP}}_{50}$ on the ISDD dataset, outperforming YOLOv6n and YOLOv11n by 3.2% and 1.7%, respectively. With a throughput of 714.3 FPS, IRSD-Net delivers high-accuracy, real-time performance suitable for practical maritime monitoring systems. Full article

The illegal sale of mussels is a persistent problem for food safety and public health in the Campania region, where bivalve molluscs are often sold without traceability, evading regulatory controls. In this study, ten batches of mussels seized from unauthorized vendors were analyzed to evaluate their microbiological safety and trace their geographical origin. High loads of Escherichia coli, exceeding European regulatory limits (Regulation (EC) No 2073/2005), were detected in all samples. In addition, Salmonella Infantis strains resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and azithromycin were isolated, raising further concerns about antimicrobial resistance. Of the 93 Vibrio isolates, identified as V. alginolyticus and V. parahaemolyticus, 37.63% showed multidrug resistance. Approximately 68.57% of the isolates were resistant to tetracyclines and cephalosporins. The presence of resistance to last-resort antibiotics such as carbapenems (11.43%) is particularly alarming. Near-infrared spectroscopy, combined with chemometric models, was used to obtain traceability information, attributing a presumed origin to the seized mussel samples. Of the ten samples, seven were attributed to the Phlegraean area. These findings have provided valuable insights, reinforcing the need for continuous and rigorous surveillance and the integration of innovative tools to ensure seafood safety and support One Health approaches. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a planetary health emergency, driven not only by the clinical misuse of antibiotics but also by diverse environmental dissemination pathways. This review critically examines the role of environmental compartments—water, soil, and air—as dynamic reservoirs and transmission routes for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs). Recent metagenomic, epidemiological, and mechanistic evidence demonstrates that anthropogenic pressures—including pharmaceutical effluents, agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, and airborne emissions—amplify resistance evolution and interspecies gene transfer via horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, biofilms, and mobile genetic elements. Importantly, it is not only highly polluted rivers such as the Ganges that contribute to the spread of AMR; even low concentrations of antibiotics and their metabolites, formed during or after treatment, can significantly promote the selection and dissemination of resistance. Environmental hotspots such as European agricultural soils and airborne particulate zones near wastewater treatment plants further illustrate the complexity and global scope of pollution-driven AMR. The synergistic roles of co-selective agents, including heavy metals, disinfectants, and microplastics, are highlighted for their impact in exacerbating resistance gene propagation across ecological and geographical boundaries. The efficacy and limitations of current mitigation strategies, including advanced wastewater treatments, thermophilic composting, biosensor-based surveillance, and emerging regulatory frameworks, are evaluated. By integrating a One Health perspective, this review underscores the imperative of including environmental considerations in global AMR containment policies and proposes a multidisciplinary roadmap to mitigate resistance spread across interconnected human, animal, and environmental domains. Full article

Wild boars (Sus scrofa) and their associated ticks represent important reservoirs and vectors for a variety of zoonotic pathogens, particularly Anaplasma spp. and Babesia spp. The aim of this review is to highlight the diagnostic methods employed throughout the past two decades to detect these pathogens in wild boars and their associated ticks, focusing especially on PCR methods (conventional and real-time), on sample origin (host or vector), and on specific primers. This review compiles data from studies conducted between 2005 and 2024, providing a comparative overview of targeted genes, such as groEL, msp2, and 16S rRNA for Anaplasma, and 18S rRNA for Babesia. Despite the prevalence of molecular diagnostic techniques, serological methods like ELISA have not been applied to wild boar or tick samples in this context. The review also analyzes geographical trends, with a higher research output noted in Central and Eastern Europe, Japan, and the United States. The performance of the methods is discussed based on reproducibility, sensitivity, specificity, pathogen prevalence, and technical variables. By synthesizing these findings, the review identifies methodological gaps and offers a reference framework for improving diagnostic accuracy in wildlife disease surveillance. Full article

Enteric diseases represent one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in poultry production, especially in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo), significantly affecting the profitability of the sector. Turkey enteric complex (PEC) is a multifactorial syndrome characterized by diarrhea, stunting, poor feed conversion, and increased mortality in young turkeys. Its aetiologia includes multiple avian enteric viruses, including astrovirus, rotavirus, reovirus, parvovirus, adenovirus, and coronavirus, which can act singly or in co-infection, increasing clinical severity. This study performs a systematic review of the literature on these viruses and a meta-analysis of their prevalence in different regions of the world. Phylogenetic analyses were used to assess the genetic diversity of the main viruses and their geographical distribution. The results show a wide regional and genetic variability, which underlines the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance. Health and production implications are discussed, proposing control strategies based on biosecurity, targeted vaccination, and optimized nutrition. These findings highlight the importance of integrated management to mitigate the impact of CSF in poultry. Full article

Maedi-visna virus (MVV), a small ruminant lentivirus causing chronic multisystemic disease in sheep, poses significant economic burdens due to reduced productivity and a lack of effective treatments. Despite its worldwide prevalence, epidemiological data from Algeria remain absent. This first national seroprevalence study aimed to elucidate MVV distribution, risk factors, and transmission dynamics in Algerian sheep herds. A cross-sectional survey of 1400 sheep across four regions (East, Center, West, South) was conducted, with sera analyzed via indirect ELISA (IDvet). Risk factors (geography, age, sex, breed, farming system) were evaluated using chi-square tests and Cramer’s V. Overall seroprevalence was 9.07% (95% CI: 7.57–10.57), with significant variation by sex (females: 20.44% vs. males: 3.68%; p < 0.05), age (1–5 years: 6.86% vs. <1 year: 0.29%; p = 0.01), and region (Central: 3.36% vs. Eastern: 0.86%; p < 0.05). Notably, no association was found with breed or farming system (p ≥ 0.08), contrasting prior studies and suggesting region-specific transmission dynamics. Females exhibited heightened seropositivity, implicating prolonged herd retention and vertical transmission risks. Geographic disparities highlighted industrialized farming in central Algeria as a potential transmission amplifier. Strikingly, seronegative animals in high-prevalence herds hinted at genetic resistance, warranting further investigation. This study provides foundational insights into MVV epidemiology in North Africa, underscoring the need for targeted surveillance, ewe-focused control measures, and genetic research to mitigate transmission. The absence of prior national data elevates its significance, offering actionable frameworks for resource-limited settings and enriching the global understanding of SRLV heterogeneity. Full article

Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV), a tick-borne Orthoflavivirus endemic to the Indian subcontinent, is a public health threat due to its recurrent outbreaks and expanding geographic range. This review provides a comprehensive overview of KFDV, encompassing its epidemiological trends, transmission dynamics, and ecological determinants that influence its spread. We delve into the current understanding of KFDV pathogenesis, highlighting key viral and host factors that drive infection and disease progression. Despite the absence of targeted antiviral therapies, recent advances have spurred the development of candidate therapeutics, including broad-spectrum antivirals and immunomodulators. We also discuss progress in vaccine development, with an emphasis on the limitations of the existing formalin-inactivated vaccine and the promise of next-generation platforms. Furthermore, we explore recent innovations in diagnostics, including molecular and serological tools, that aim to improve early detection and surveillance. A multidisciplinary approach integrating virology, immunology, ecology, and public health is essential for the effective management and eventual control of KFDV outbreaks. Full article

Chemometrics has emerged as a powerful approach for deciphering complex environmental systems, enabling the identification of pollution sources through the integration of faunal community structures with physicochemical parameters and in situ analytical data. Leveraging advanced technologies—including satellite imaging, drone surveillance, sensor networks, and Internet of Things platforms—chemometric methods facilitate real-time and longitudinal monitoring of both pristine and anthropogenically influenced ecosystems. This review provides a critical and comprehensive overview of the foundational principles underpinning chemometric applications in environmental science. Emphasis is placed on identifying pollution sources, their ecological distribution, and potential impacts on human health. Furthermore, the study highlights the role of chemometrics in interpreting multidimensional datasets, thereby enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of modern environmental monitoring systems across diverse geographic and industrial contexts. A comparative analysis of analytical techniques, target analytes, application domains, and the strengths and limitations of selected in situ and remote sensing-based chemometric approaches is also presented. Full article

Plasmodium vivax malaria continues to pose a significant and enduring public health challenge across the Americas. Transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs), which target gametocyte surface antigens such as Pvs47 and Pvs48/45, are being investigated as promising tools to interrupt transmission and advance toward disease elimination. To investigate the genetic diversity and phylogeographic structure of the pvs47 and pvs48/45 genes in P. vivax, we conducted molecular analyses on samples collected from seven malaria-endemic regions of Honduras using PCR-based sequencing, population genetics, and phylogenetic approaches. This study presents the first complete characterization of the pvs47 gene and expands the available data on pvs48/45 in P. vivax from Honduras. We observed a low level of genetic diversity with no evidence of geographic structuring within the country. At a global scale, Honduran sequences shared variants with other Latin American strains and exhibited region-specific amino acid signatures. These findings suggest that local selective pressures, possibly driven by mosquito vector compatibility, are shaping the evolution of these TBV candidate genes. Our results underscore the importance of regional surveillance to inform the development and deployment of effective transmission-blocking strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study evaluates the performance of a large language model (lLm) in providing geographically tailored colorectal cancer screening and surveillance recommendations to gastrointestinal surgeons. Methods: Fifty-four patient cases, varying by age and family history, were developed based on colorectal cancer guidelines. Standardized prompts with predefined query terms were used to query ChatGPT-4.5 on 18 April 2025, from four locations: Canada, Italy, Romania, and the United Kingdom. Responses were classified as “Correct,” “Partially Correct,” or “Incorrect” based on clinical guidelines and expert recommendations for each country. Outcomes were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: ChatGPT provided recommendations on screening eligibility, test interpretation, the management of positive results, and surveillance intervals. Correct recommendations were given for 50.0% (27/54) of cases in Canada, 63.0% (34/54) of cases in Italy, 40.7% (22/54) of cases in Romania, and 55.6% (30/54) of cases in the United Kingdom. Queries in Italian yielded correct guidance for 64.8% (35/54) of cases, while Romanian queries were accurate for 40.7% (22/54) of cases. Notably, Romania and Italy lacked detailed guidelines for polyp management and post-test surveillance. A key finding was the inconsistency between ChatGPT-generated titles and corresponding recommendations, which may impact its reliability in clinical decision-making. Conclusions: ChatGPT-4.5’s performance varies by country and language, highlighting inconsistencies in geographically tailored recommendations. This study highlights limitations associated with the training data cutoff and the potential biases introduced by model-generated responses. Healthcare professionals should recognize these limitations and the possible gaps in guideline availability, particularly for high-risk screening, polyp management, and surveillance in certain European countries. Full article

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a pathogen that has caused various epidemics and sporadic localized cases. It is considered to be a public health problem worldwide. HEV is a small RNA virus with a significant genetic diversity, a broad host range, and a heterogeneous geographical distribution. HEV is mainly transmitted via the faecal–oral route. However, some animals are considered to be natural or potential reservoirs of HEV, thus elucidating the zoonotic route of transmission via the environment through contact with these animals or consumption of their by-products. Other routes of human-to-human transmission are not negligible. The various human–animal–environment entities, taken under one health approach, show the circulation and involvement of the different species (mainly Paslahepevirus balayani and Rocahepevirus ratti) and genotypes in the spreading of HEV infection. Regarding P. balayani, eight genotypes have been described, of which five genotypes (HEV-1 to 4 and HEV-7) are known to infect humans, while six have been reported to infect animals (HEV-3 to HEV-8). Furthermore, the C1 genotype of the rat HEV strain (HEV-C1) is known to be more frequently involved in human infections than the HEV-C2 genotype, which is known to infect mainly ferrets and minks. Contamination can occur during run-off, flooding, and poor sanitation, resulting in all of these genotypes being disseminated in the environment, contaminating both humans and animals. This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO 2025 CRD420251071192. This research highlights the importance of investigating the transmission routes and major circulating HEV genotypes in order to adopt a holistic approach for controlling its emergence and preventing future outbreaks. In addition, this article outlines the knowledge of HEV in Africa, underlining the absence of large-scale studies at the environmental, human, and animal levels, which could improve HEV surveillance on the continent. Full article

The excessive use of antimicrobials drives the emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacterial strains, which harbor resistance genes to survive under diverse drug pressures. Such resistance can result in life-threatening infections. The predominance of MDR Pseudomonas spp. poses significant challenges to public health and environmental sustainability, particularly in ecosystems affected by human activities. Characterizing MDR Pseudomonas spp. is crucial for developing effective diagnostic tools and biosecurity protocols, with broader implications for managing other pathogenic bacteria. Strains were diagnosed through 16S rRNA PCR and sequencing, complemented by phylogenetic analysis to evaluate local and global evolutionary connections. Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed extensive resistance across multiple classes, with MIC values surpassing clinical breakpoints. This study examined the genetic diversity, resistance potential, and phylogenetic relationships among Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain DG2 and Pseudomonas fluorescens strain FM3, which were isolated from solid waste dump sites (n = 30) and dairy farms (n = 22) in West Bengal, India. Phylogenetic analysis reveals distinct clusters that highlight significant geographic linkages and genetic variability among the strains. Significant biofilm production under antibiotic exposure markedly increased resistance levels. RAPD-PCR profiling revealed substantial genetic diversity among the isolates, indicating variations in their genetic makeup. In contrast, SDS-PAGE analysis provided insights into the protein expression patterns that are activated by stress, which are closely linked to MDR. This dual approach offers a clearer perspective on their adaptive responses to environmental stressors. This study underscores the need for vigilant monitoring of MDR Pseudomonas spp. in anthropogenically impacted environments to mitigate risks to human and animal health. Surveillance strategies combining phenotypic and molecular approaches are essential to assess the risks posed by resilient pathogens. Solid waste and dairy farm ecosystems emerge as critical reservoirs for the evolution and dissemination of MDR Pseudomonas spp. Full article