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Mobile applications, websites and social media networks are now widely used communication tools. With the emergence of communication-related technologies in our lives and, consequently, the rise of social media networks and mobile applications, nutrition-related applications have become popular. Smartphones and other artificial intelligence technologies have become very useful tools for delivering nutrition-related interventions because they are very accessible and cost-effective. Digital interventions are also able to serve a larger number of communities than traditional interventions. Nutrition is not a field that has remained on the sidelines of these technological advances, and numerous mobile applications and technological tools have emerged that are intended to provide dietary advice or guidelines on the process of recovering from a disease. However, many of these applications have limitations and barriers that are important to consider. The aim of this review was to analyze the most current and widely used mobile applications related to nutrition, as well as their complementary tools (activity bracelets and smart scales, among others), highlighting their importance in improving lifestyle habits. In addition, their advantages and disadvantages are discussed and future directions are proposed.

The first detection of the European grapevine moth in North America triggered the establishment of federal and state regulatory programs that (1) identified the insect's geographic range in California, (2) developed and implemented detection and management programs, (3) regulated the movement of plant material and equipment to minimize the threat of dispersal, (4) incorporated research-based information developed by subject-matter experts into policy decisions and (5) promoted a wide-reaching educational program for grape growers, the public and local officials. The action plan, developed and carried out through a coordinated program that included multiple government agencies, university scientists and the agricultural community, drastically reduced insect populations and limited the distribution in California vineyards such that some previously infested areas were removed from quarantine regulation.

New Zealand's major fruit industries are dependent upon producing high-quality crops for export with a very low incidence of pest damage. Light brown apple moth was an economically important pest within the fruit sector in the 1960s through the 1980s, and it developed resistance to broad-spectrum insecticides. The increase in its pest status focused research on biological control, and existing native natural enemies were augmented with new introductions from Australia in the late 1960s. By the early 1990s, this effort resulted in substantially reduced leafroller populations and fruit damage. The implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) programs in the New Zealand fruit sector in the mid-to late 1990s practically eliminated the use of broad-spectrum organophosphate insecticides, further enhancing natural control. Today light brown apple moth is successfully managed in IPM and organic programs through a combination of biological control and threshold-based applications of selective insecticides.

Liquid ant baits are an alternative to broad-spectrum insecticide sprays conventionally used to control Argentine ants. We review the development of liquid ant baits, which capitalize on the ants' sugar-feeding requirements and social structure to deliver small doses of toxicant throughout the colony. The ant bait program described here, developed for commercial vineyards, also has the potential to facilitate the use of biological controls for mealybug and scale pests. The implementation of an Argentine ant bait program will enable grape growers to target other pests more selectively with insecticides, further contributing to their sustainable viticulture practices.

The red gum lerp psyllid is an insect native to Australia, where it feeds upon eucalyptus species. Since 1998 this psyllid has spread throughout California, resulting in millions of dollars in damage and control costs. To help suppress the red gum lerp psyllid, a biological control program was initiated and a psyllid-specific parasitic wasp was imported from Australia in 1999 and released in 2000. In most coastal regions this biological control agent has provided substantial control, but in some interior regions the psyllid still remains a problem. Researchers are continuing their investigations to determine if full statewide suppression will be realized eventually, or if further importation of new parasitoid species is needed.

Insecticide applications made to Douglas fir Christmas trees vary in their ability to suppress Cooley spruce gall adeigid, a sucking insect that causes needle distortion and discoloration. A field experiment in Napa County showed that organophosphate systemics are ineffective at controlling adelgids, but imidacloprid, a newly registered systemic insecticide, is highly effective. Horticultural oil is effective, but causes slight needle yellowing. This side effect can be mitigated by precisely timing the oil application before bud break when the overwintering adelgids are transforming to adults but before they lay eggs.

Apple growers are interested in organic production to take advantage of higher market prices while reducing pesticide inputs. In a Sonoma County study, it was relatively easy and comparable in cost to maintain good tree vigor organically. However, severe insect and disease problems greatly reduced the yield and market value of organic apples compared to conventionally grown apples. The organic production system was also more expensive and more complicated to manage, creating greater risk for the grower. Although organically grown fruit could be sold at higher prices, the price differential was not sufficient to justify the losses, the need for increased management and the additional risk involved.

Light brown apple moth is an exotic pest that was confirmed in California in March 2007. It is a tortricid leaf-roller moth native to Australia, which has a broad range of plant hosts with the capacity to cause damage across a wide array of crops, natural areas and ornamental plants. California and federal agencies have issued quarantine orders affecting production and retail nurseries, and potentially fruit and vegetable exports. It is found thus far primarily in nurseries near urban areas. Eradication efforts are under way to prevent its spread into California crop areas and throughout the United States.

Badgers (Meles meles) are a major tuberculosis (TB) reservoir in Europe, with the potential to transmit infection to cattle. Here we assessed whether a recently described oral tuberculosis vaccine based on heat-inactivated Mycobacterium bovis (HIMB), delivered as edible baits, can protect badgers from infection. Eight badgers were given individually five baits, each one consisting of a ball of peanut butter, natural peanut and oat flakes including a dose of the vaccine containing 5 × 107 colony-forming units. In parallel, a control group of seven badgers did not receive the vaccine. One month and a half later a second dose of the vaccine was offered to the vaccinated group. Ninety-four days after the second dose, all badgers were challenged with M. bovis (103 colony-forming units per animal) delivered endobronchially to the right middle lung lobe. Clinical, immunological, pathological and bacteriological variables were measured throughout the whole study to assess the efficacy of the vaccine. Two vaccinated animals showed high bacterial load of M. bovis and worsening of pathological lesions of TB. Conversely, the other six vaccinated animals showed slight improvement in bacterial load and pathology with respect to the control group. These results suggest that delivering the TB vaccine via food bait can partially protect wild badger populations, although vaccination can lead to either protection or tolerization, likely depending on the animal's immune status and general condition at the time of vaccination. Further optimization of the vaccination trial/strategy is needed to reduce the rate of tolerization, such as altering vaccine dose, number of doses, type of bait, use of adjuvants or route of administration.

Smart glasses (SG) could be a breakthrough in emergency situations, so the aim of this work was to assess the potential benefits of teleassistance with smart glasses (SG) from a midwife to a lifeguard in a simulated, unplanned, out-of-hospital birth (OHB). Thirty-eight lifeguards were randomized into SG and control (CG) groups. All participants were required to act in a simulated imminent childbirth with a maternal–fetal simulator (PROMPT Flex, Laerdal, Norway). The CG acted autonomously, while the SG group was video-assisted by a midwife through SG (Vuzix Blade, New York, NY, USA). The video assistance was based on the OHB protocol, speaking and receiving images on the SG. The performance time, compliance with the protocol steps, and perceived performance with the SG were evaluated. The midwife’s video assistance with SG allowed 35% of the SG participants to perform the complete OHB protocol. No CG participant was able to perform it (p = 0.005). All OHB protocol variables were significantly better in the SG group than in the CG (p < 0.05). Telemedicine through video assistance with SG is feasible so that a lifeguard with no knowledge of childbirth care can act according to the recommendations in a simulated, unplanned, uncomplicated OHB. Communication with the midwife by speaking and sending images to the SG is perceived as an important benefit to the performance.

Abstract Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the agent of tick-borne fever, equine, canine and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The common route of A. phagocytophilum transmission is through a tick bite, the main vector in Europe being Ixodes ricinus. Despite the apparently ubiquitous presence of the pathogen A. phagocytophilum in ticks and various wild and domestic animals from Europe, up to date published clinical cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) remain rare compared to the worldwide status. It is unclear if this reflects the epidemiological dynamics of the human infection in Europe or if the disease is underdiagnosed or underreported. Epidemiologic studies in Europe have suggested an increased occupational risk of infection for forestry workers, hunters, veterinarians, and farmers with a tick-bite history and living in endemic areas. Although the overall genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum in Europe is higher than in the USA, the strains responsible for the human infections are related on both continents. However, the study of the genetic variability and assessment of the difference of pathogenicity and infectivity between strains to various hosts has been insufficiently explored to date. Most of the European HGA cases presented as a mild infection, common clinical signs being pyrexia, headache, myalgia and arthralgia. The diagnosis of HGA in the USA was recommended to be based on clinical signs and the patient’s history and later confirmed using specialized laboratory tests. However, in Europe since the majority of cases are presenting as mild infection, laboratory tests may be performed before the treatment in order to avoid antibiotic overuse. The drug of choice for HGA is doxycycline and because of potential for serious complication the treatment should be instituted on clinical suspicion alone.

Animal tuberculosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused principally by Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC). In southern Iberian Peninsula, wild reservoirs such as the wild boar, among other factors, have prevented the eradication of bovine tuberculosis. However, most of the studies have been focused on south-central Spain, where the prevalence of tuberculosis is high among wild ungulates and cattle herds. In northern regions, where wild boar density and bovine tuberculosis prevalence are lower, fewer studies have been carried out and the role of this species is still under debate. The aim of this study was to describe the temporal and spatial distribution of antibodies against MTC in wild boar from the Basque Country, northern Spain. Sera from 1902 animals were collected between 2010 and 2016. The seroprevalence was determined with an in house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the search of risk factors was assessed by Generalized Linear Models. Overall, 17% of wild boars (326/1902; 95%CI, [15.5%-18.9%]) showed antibodies against MTC. Risk factors associated with seropositivity were the year and location of sampling, the number of MTC positive cattle, the distance to positive farms and the percentage of shrub cover. Younger age classes were associated with increased antibody titres among seropositive individuals. The seroprevalence detected was higher than those previously reported in neighbouring regions. Hence, further studies are needed to better understand the role of wild boar in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in low tuberculosis prevalence areas and consequently, its relevance when developing control strategies.

Interactions taking place between sympatric wildlife and livestock may contribute to interspecies transmission of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex or non-tuberculous mycobacteria, leading to the spread of relevant mycobacterioses or to interferences with the diagnosis of tuberculosis. The aim of this study was to characterize the spatiotemporal patterns of interactions between wildlife and cattle in a low bovine tuberculosis prevalence Atlantic region. Camera traps were set during a one-year period in cattle farms with a history of tuberculosis and/or non-tuberculous mycobacterioses. The frequency and duration of wildlife visits, and the number of individuals per visit, were analysed through generalized linear mixed models. The seasons, type of place, type of point, and period of the day were the explanatory variables. A total of 1293 visits were recorded during 2741 days of camera observation. Only 23 visits showed direct contacts with cattle, suggesting that mycobacteria transmission at the wildlife–livestock interface would occur mainly through indirect interactions. Cattle pastures represented the most appropriate habitat for interspecies transmission of mycobacteria, and badgers’ latrines appear to be a potential hotspot for mycobacteria circulation between badgers, wild boars, foxes, and cattle. According to both previous epidemiological information and the interaction patterns observed, wild boars, badgers, foxes, and small rodents are the species or group most often in contact with livestock, and thus may be the most involved in the epidemiology of mycobacterioses in the wildlife–livestock interface in this area.

Mycobacterial infections caused by the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are of great medical and veterinary relevance. The aim of this research was to study whether small mammals play a role in the epidemiology of mycobacterioses. Four samplings of 100 traps were performed in each of three cattle farms with previous history of tuberculosis or NTM between 2017 and 2018. A total of 108 animals belonging to seven species were trapped, classified, and necropsied, and tissues were submitted to microbiological and molecular methods for mycobacteria identification. The wood mouse (Apodemus sylvaticus) was the most abundant species (87%). No MTC was detected but six different NTM were identified (M. intracellulare, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, M. gordonae, M. celatum, M. fortuitum, and a not determined Mycobacterium sp.), showing a prevalence of 6.5%. No significant association was found between mycobacteria prevalence and the analyzed factors. Although a role in the epidemiology of MTC could not be attributed to small mammals, A. sylvaticus carries NTM that could be pathogenic or interfere with the diagnosis of tuberculosis. According to our results, there is a risk of NTM transmission at the wildlife−livestock interface through potential indirect contacts between small mammals and cattle.

Introducción: dada la frecuente consulta de pacientes en el Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell (CHPR) cursando embarazos no controlados, surge la necesidad de contar con información sobre las razones por las cuales dichas mujeres no se controlan. Objetivo: analizar las características sociales y culturales de las pacientes que llegan al CHPR en trabajo de parto o puerperio inmediato, y que no han controlado sus embarazos, con el fin de determinar las causas que llevan a estas mujeres a no controlarse. Material y método: estudio descriptivo, observacional, analizándose los datos en forma cuantitativa. Se recolectaron datos del total de embarazos sin control entre los días 1º de mayo al 10 de julio de 2009 en el CHPR o referidas al mismo. La muestra fue de 135 pacientes, en un total de 1.576 nacimientos registrados en dicho período, lo que corresponde a 8,6%. Resultados: se analizaron las características sociales y culturales de la población estudiada. Con respecto al análisis de las causas por las cuales estas pacientes no controlan sus embarazos, 48,9% refiere falta de interés frente al control, siendo la más frecuente independientemente de la edad y paridad de la paciente, seguida de 17,8% que refiere no poder concurrir por tener hijos a su cargo; 10,4% por falta de carné de asistencia; 7,4% por falta de ginecólogo o partera en policlínica de referencia; 4,5% por falta de dinero, y 3,6% por policlínica distante.

Se probó el efecto de siete consorcios de hongos micorrízicos arbusculares (HMA) aislados de fincas cafetaleras con diferente nivel de tecnología (bajo, medio y alto) del estado de Veracruz, en el crecimiento de plantas de café (Coffea arábica L.) var. Garnica en condiciones de invernadero y de campo. El grado de tecnificación influyó en la composición de especies de HMA, a mayor tecnificación menor número de especies de HMA encontradas. En condiciones de invernadero, los consorcios incrementaron la altura en un 91 % con respecto al testigo absoluto y al testigo fertilizado con fósforo (800 mg Ca(PO4)3 L-1). A los 130 días después de la inoculación (DDI), el mejor consorcio fue La Estanzuela (ES). En condiciones de campo, a los 290 DDI, las plantas inoculadas con los consorcios ES, Miradores (MI), y Paso Grande (PG) tuvieron mayor supervivencia (> 80 %). Los consorcios más efectivos en la promoción de la altura y supervivencia de las plantas en condiciones de campo, procedieron de agroecosistemas con nivel de tecnología medio (MI y ES), mismos que tuvieron mayor número de especies de HMA.Seven arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) consortia isolated from coffee plantations with different agricultural inputs (low, intermediate, and high) at several sites of Veracruz State were tested on their effects on the growth of coffee plants (Coffea arábica L.) var. Garnica under nursery and field conditions. Agricultural input influenced the AMF-composition, in which the highest input the lowest number of AMF-species. At greenhouse conditions, AMF-consortia significantly increased plant height (91 %) in comparison to the control and to the P-fertilized control (800 mg Ca(PO4)3 L-1). After 130 days of inoculation (DAI), the best AMF-consortium was La Estanzuela (ES). At field conditions, after 290 DAI, the plants inoculated with the consortia ES, Miradores (MI), and Paso Grande (PG) had greater survival (> 80 %). The most effective AMF-consortia on plant growth promotion and survival under field conditions were collected from intermediate-input agricultural plantations (MI and ES), which also had the greatest number of AMF-species.