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Copyright of Veterinarska Stanica is the property of Croatian Veterinary Institute and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Congenital anomalies are one of the major causes of the global burden of diseases, and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are disproportionately affected. This review assesses the prenatal and postnatal screening methods and compares the prevalence of major congenital anomalies in LMICs. Methodology: We conducted a systematic search in MEDLINE/PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane databases of systematic reviews, clinical trials.gov for relevant studies using Medical Subject Headings and keywords. We categorized the studies into different systems and screening methods depending on the time the tests were conducted (prenatal or postnatal). The studies were then subjected to detailed descriptive analysis. Results: A total of 59 studies were selected for analysis; these focused on screening methods for congenital anomalies and compared their prevalence with regards to different systems. The most common screening techniques both prenatal and postnatal included antenatal ultrasound, fetal echocardiography, pulse oximetry, and clinical examination. The most common congenital abnormalities involved the central nervous system (neural tube defects) and musculoskeletal (clubfoot), followed by gastrointestinal (omphalocele and gastroschisis) and cardiovascular (structural heart defect). Overall, different systems had varying prevalences of different birth defects, ranging from 0.28 to 8.5%. In contrast, the prevalence of musculoskeletal system disorders varied from 1.01% to 3.96%, in the cardiovascular system from 0.57% to 10.4%, and in the urogenital group from 0.83% to 5.9%. Conclusion: The review highlights the lack of screening programs and studies, especially in the primary and secondary care settings in LMICs, and limited studies do indicate a high burden of various congenital anomalies. There is a need for guidelines and programs in global maternal and child health programs to include timely screening and management of common birth defects in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling mental disorder that significantly impacts individuals’ lives. Long-term treatment with antipsychotic drugs, coupled with the complications of the disease itself, increases the risk of dysphagia in patients. These disorders further heighten the likelihood of choking and asphyxia death among this population. This project aims to comprehensively review the pathological mechanisms behind dysphagia in schizophrenia, alongside proposing early screening and evaluation methods. It also suggests treatment recommendations to mitigate the risks and complications associated with dysphagia in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women worldwide. Mortality from breast cancer can be reduced through early detection and prevention. Despite the availability of breast cancer screening methods, the uptake of screening services remains very low, especially in low-resource countries like Tanzania. This low uptake of screening services may be attributed to a lack of awareness regarding the importance of early detection of the disease. Objectives: This study was set to determine breast cancer awareness and the uptake of breast cancer screening services among undergraduate female students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Design: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study using the quantitative approach. Methods: The sample size calculated for this study was 434 undergraduate female students. The tool used for data collection was self-administered questionnaires, with data collection taking place in July 2022. Data were analyzed using Stata Version 15 and presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: We found that most of the participants (92.38%) had heard about breast cancer, and only 39% of the participants were able to correctly identify the risk factors for breast cancer. Participants who had ever used breast cancer screening services by at least 1 method were 37 (9.23%), and the most common screening method practiced by the study participants was breast self-examination (48.65%). Conclusions: Most of the participants were not aware of the screening methods for early detection of breast cancer. In addition, they lacked knowledge of some of the risk factors as evidenced by the low uptake of breast cancer screening services among the study participants. This calls for an awareness-raising campaign on the importance of breast cancer screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the gold standard for detecting gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, screening practices were reevaluated due to the risk of infection associated with the prolonged hospital visit required for the OGTT. Some countries have published novel screening protocols for GDM, suggesting the utilization of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), random plasma glucose (RPG), or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in favor of OGTTs during the pandemic. Therefore, differences in screening methods before and after the epidemic need to be examined. Methods A systematic search was carried out across five electronic databases (Cinahl, Medline, Embase, Pubmed, and Web of Science) between 2016 and 2023. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist for cohort studies was used to evaluate the quality of included papers. Results A total of 13 eligible studies were included. Prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the OGTT was the recommended measure to screen GDM, internationally based on various official guidelines. During the pandemic, it was recommended that HbA1c or FPG, or RPG be used as a substitute for OGTTs. However, the new methods have low sensitivity, may not reflect accurately the prevalence of GDM, and may lead to many false‐negative results in women and to adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Conclusion The new screening methods for GDM have poor accuracy and a high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Comparatively, targeted screening tests to detect GDM according to the risk level are more effective in an emergency. In the future, the alternatives to OGTTs still need to be further explored in more depth.

AbstractModels are used in a wide variety of scientific disciplines to mathematically and simply represent real phenomenon, to understand and explain observed behaviors, and to make predictions of future behaviors. A compartmental model is a type of model that is used to evaluate an experimental investigation concerning transport of material in a system of the real world. Sensitivity analysis (SA) of models is required to investigate the effects of changes in the inputs on the model output(s). When dealing with large, complex, computationally expensive models, screening methods are essential to reduce the dimensionality of the input space for a subsequent SA which can help to determine and quantify the change in model behavior as model factors change. In this study, our focus is on the application of screening designs to a 25-compartment global carbon cycle model, which help us identify the most important input factors that control most of the output uncertainty. We explore similarities and dissimilarities in the results from these screening methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), a superfamily of enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), are recognized as a therapeutic target for various diseases. However, the current screening methods for PDE inhibitors usually experience problems due to complex operations and/or high costs, which are not conducive to drug development in respect of this target. In this study, a new method for screening PDE inhibitors based on GloSensor technology was successfully established and applied, resulting in the discovery of several novel compounds of different structural types with PDE inhibitory activity. Compared with traditional screening methods, this method is low-cost, capable of dynamically detecting changes in substrate concentration in live cells, and can be used to preliminarily determine the type of PDEs affected by the detected active compounds, making it more suitable for high-throughput screening for PDE inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is the gold standard for detecting gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, during the COVID‐19 pandemic, screening practices were reevaluated due to the risk of infection associated with the prolonged hospital visit required for the OGTT. Some countries have published novel screening protocols for GDM, suggesting the utilization of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), random plasma glucose (RPG), or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in favor of OGTTs during the pandemic. Therefore, differences in screening methods before and after the epidemic need to be examined. Methods: A systematic search was carried out across five electronic databases (Cinahl, Medline, Embase, Pubmed, and Web of Science) between 2016 and 2023. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) checklist for cohort studies was used to evaluate the quality of included papers. Results: A total of 13 eligible studies were included. Prior to the COVID‐19 pandemic, the OGTT was the recommended measure to screen GDM, internationally based on various official guidelines. During the pandemic, it was recommended that HbA1c or FPG, or RPG be used as a substitute for OGTTs. However, the new methods have low sensitivity, may not reflect accurately the prevalence of GDM, and may lead to many false‐negative results in women and to adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Conclusion: The new screening methods for GDM have poor accuracy and a high risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Comparatively, targeted screening tests to detect GDM according to the risk level are more effective in an emergency. In the future, the alternatives to OGTTs still need to be further explored in more depth. This study aims to compare the screening methods for gestational diabetes mellitus before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The new screening methods for GDM had poor sensitivity, which resulted in many misdiagnosed pregnant women. It also prompts reflection on the post‐pandemic era. OGTTs remain the gold standard, and there must be future planning so that future pandemics or emergencies do not significantly alter the effectiveness of screening practices for GDM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herbal medicines (HMs) are one of the main sources for the development of lead antiviral compounds. However, due to the complex composition of HMs, the screening of active compounds within these is inefficient and requires a significant time investment. We report a novel and efficient virus‐based screening method for antiviral active compounds in HMs. This method involves the centrifugal ultrafiltration of viruses, known as the virus‐based affinity ultrafiltration method (VAUM). This method is suitable to identify virus specific active compounds from complex matrices such as HMs. The effectiveness of the VAUM was evaluated using influenza A virus (IAV) H1N1. Using this method, four compounds that bind to the surface protein of H1N1 were identified from dried fruits of Terminalia chebula (TC). Through competitive inhibition assays, the influenza surface protein, neuraminidase (NA), was identified as the target protein of these four TC‐derived compounds. Three compounds were identified by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS), and their anti‐H1N1 activities were verified by examining the cytopathic effect (CPE) and by performing a virus yield reduction assay. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that these three compounds directly bind to NA and inhibit its activity. In summary, we describe here a VAUM that we designed, one that can be used to accurately screen antiviral active compounds in HMs and also help improve the efficiency of screening antiviral drugs found in natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest cancer and the leading cause of cancer deaths among women. However, information about breast cancer is still limited in most parts of the developing world among reproductive-aged women, i.e. aged between 18 and 60 years. This has consequences for timely diagnosis and intervention, resulting in high mortalities in most cases. Effective breast screening practices such as; screening by trained healthcare professionals, mammography, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging play a vital role in early detection and treatment of breast cancers. The aim of this study was to assess the awareness and practice of breast cancer screening examination among reproductive aged women in Ghana. A cross-sectional descriptive survey of 1672 reproductive-aged women (between 18–60 years) was conducted in the northern (Tamale) and southern (Accra) sectors of the country. According to the population and housing census 2020, women are 16.5 million (50.1%) of which approximately 10.5 million (63.6%) are in the aged bracket of 18 to 60 years. All participants consented, were sampled randomly from communities in Tamale and Accra, and never reported to any health facility for any breast-related complications. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain responses about; awareness of breast screening programmes, knowledge of breast screening methods, knowledge of self-breast examination, willingness to undergo clinical-breast examination, and practice of self-breast examination. Results: Responses were presented as frequency tabulations, while associations between the responses and age, education, marital status, employment status and religion were assessed by Chi-squared analysis, significant at p < 0.05. The results showed that awareness and practice of breast cancer screening methods were higher among the younger women (aged 18–30 years), with tertiary level education, married, employed and were predominantly Christians. Significant associations were found between knowledge, practice and all the factors except religion. Finally, even though 84% ot the participants were aware of breast cancer and mammography as the commonest and most effective and appropriate examination method, practice of breast cancer screening examination among the women were less than 10%. Conclusion: In conclusion, despite the high awareness level of breast cancer screening examination of approximately 84%, practice of any of the known screening methods were just about 10%. We therefore recommend educational and health policies targeted at behavioral change that will stimulate a positive attitude to breast cancer screening practices. Additionally, efforts should be made by government and other stakeholders in healthcare to design targeted policies and improve public education techniques to promote the practice of breast cancer screening among women in Ghana. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a detection method for flagging bid-rigging cartels, particularly useful when cartels are incomplete. Our approach combines screens, i.e., statistics derived from the distribution of bids in a tender, with machine learning to predict the probability of collusion. As a methodological innovation, we calculate such screens for all possible subgroups of three or four bids within a tender and use summary statistics like the mean, median, maximum, and minimum of each screen as predictors in the machine learning algorithm. This approach tackles the issue that competitive bids in incomplete cartels distort the statistical signals produced by bid rigging and it outperforms previously suggested methods in applications to incomplete cartels based on empirical data from Switzerland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Oral cancer is a significant global health concern with substantial morbidity and mortality rates. Early detection during routine dental check-ups is crucial for improved patient outcomes. Dental professionals play a pivotal role in conducting oral cancer screenings, but the frequency and methods they employ remain understudied. Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the frequency of oral cancer screenings during routine dental check-ups conducted by dental professionals and the methods they commonly use. Materials and Methods: A survey was administered to 500 dental professionals, including dentists and dental hygienists, representing diverse demographics and practice settings. The survey collected data on the frequency of oral cancer screenings and the primary methods employed. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis. Results: The study found that 85% of dental professionals conduct oral cancer screenings during routine dental check-ups, with 48% performing them annually and 33% at every visit. Visual inspection (97%) and palpation (83%) were the most commonly used methods, while adjunctive screening tools (45%) were less frequently incorporated. Conclusion: Dental professionals are actively engaged in oral cancer screenings during routine dental check-ups, demonstrating a commitment to early detection. Visual inspection and palpation are commonly employed methods, but there is room for improvement in the adoption of adjunctive screening tools.

In the quest for the discovery of new therapies, the identification of the initial active molecules is a major challenge. Although significant progress in chemistry and biology has been made in recent years, the process remains difficult. In this mini-review, we will explain the major approaches and experimental methods that can be used to identify these molecules. Two main approaches are described, target-based and phenotypic-based and a focus is made on some high throughput technologies and biophysical methods.

Introduction: breast cancer stands as one of the deadliest forms of cancer among women globally, breast cancer has become a significant global health issue. Knowledge of the risk factors and the various early detection methods is pivotal in ensuring timely treatment initiation. This study aimed at assessing the awareness of the breast cancer (BC) screening methods and risk factors among women attending two health facilities in Windhoek, Namibia. Methods: a quantitative correlational design was used to determine the knowledge of breast cancer screening methods and risk factors; This study sampled a total of 260 purposively recruited women aged 20 years and older who attended the two hospitals' outpatient departments. Results: findings suggest that participants had an average knowledge of BC risk factors, screening methods, and signs and symptoms. Kruskal-Wallis H test with post hoc analysis revealed that several demographic variables were significantly associated with knowledge of screening methods (participants' occupations, p=0.04; educational level, p=0.01; gravidity, p=0.04), knowledge of risk factors (presenting with breast problem, p=0.05) and knowledge of signs and symptoms (age, p=0.008; presenting with breast problem, p=0.03). Conclusion: this study found that participants have an average understanding of breast cancer risk factors, symptoms, and screening methods, with significant associations found between these knowledge areas and factors such as occupation, presence of a breast problem, educational qualifications, and history of pregnancy. There's a need for expanded education and awareness initiatives in Namibia. Utilising social media for these campaigns could improve their reach and impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant global health concern, and its early detection through regular screening plays a pivotal role in reducing its burden. However, awareness levels among healthcare workers regarding CRC and its screening methods remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess CRC awareness among healthcare workers, to analyze their demographic characteristics, understanding of CRC, and screening preferences, and to highlight the potential for tailored educational interventions. Methods: The study employed a quantitative approach to analyze CRC awareness data. It included 108 participants who were randomly selected from hospital staff. The participants’ demographic information, CRC understanding, and screening preferences were collected and analyzed. Data integrity checks were conducted, descriptive statistics were calculated, and relationships between categorical variables were examined using chi-square and parametric tests. Results: The study included 108 participants, with an average age of 54.8±12.1 years. The sex distribution was 56 males (51.9%) and 52 females (48.1%). The participants’ demographic characteristics, including age ranges, marital status, education level, occupation, and healthrelated factors, were documented. The participant responses revealed varying levels of CRC awareness, symptom recognition, and screening method preferences. Significant disparities in awareness were observed based on sex, occupation, and age group. Physicians exhibited the highest levels of awareness, while drivers exhibited the lowest (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of healthcare workers as key agents in enhancing CRC awareness. While healthcare workers generally exhibit higher awareness levels than the general population, disparities remain based on demographic factors. The findings emphasize the need for targeted educational interventions to address these disparities and ensure comprehensive CRC knowledge dissemination among different occupational categories, sexes, and age groups. Ultimately, empowering healthcare workers as advocates and educators can contribute significantly to reducing the burden of CRC through early detection and effective prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using simple screening methods to determine zooplankton biomass in ponds. Among the applicable methods, we selected sedimentation determination of wet biomass and dry biomass determination. Of the 369 samples analysed, the median volumetric zooplankton biomass was 0.012 ml.l-1 and the median dry weight of the samples was 0.44 mg.l-1. There was a relatively close relationship between the volumetric biomass determination and the zooplankton dry weight determination, allowing only one of these methods to be used. Due to the variation of results over a wide range of values, it is more appropriate to use a logarithmic expression for the correlation. No statistically conclusive relationship was found between the zooplankton biomass determined and any of the other physico-chemical or production parameters. Nevertheless, it was possible to trace the influence of fish production, altitude and nutrient content (nitrogen and phosphorus) on the size of zooplankton biomass. The use of screening determination methods can be recommended especially for long-term monitoring of sites to get a quick overview of zooplankton biomass in ponds. It is clear from the above data that predicting the development of the zooplankton community in ponds is highly problematic. Standard determination of zooplankton biomass at regular intervals during the growing season is usually not realistic outside scientific studies due to its technical and time-consuming nature. Therefore, for long-term monitoring of the zooplankton community at a given site, it is advisable to use relatively quick and inexpensive methods of determining zooplankton biomass, such as bulk biomass or dry weight. Although these methods do not give a detailed picture of the species structure of zooplankton, they do give information on the size of the total zooplankton biomass. Together with the determination of basic physico-chemical parameters and especially chlorophyll-a, a fairly good inference can then be made on the development of plankton communities.

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), a superfamily of enzymes that hydrolyze cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), are recognized as a therapeutic target for various diseases. However, the current screening methods for PDE inhibitors usually experience problems due to complex operations and/or high costs, which are not conducive to drug development in respect of this target. In this study, a new method for screening PDE inhibitors based on GloSensor technology was successfully established and applied, resulting in the discovery of several novel compounds of different structural types with PDE inhibitory activity. Compared with traditional screening methods, this method is low-cost, capable of dynamically detecting changes in substrate concentration in live cells, and can be used to preliminarily determine the type of PDEs affected by the detected active compounds, making it more suitable for high-throughput screening for PDE inhibitors.

Background: Oral cancer is a significant global health concern with substantial morbidity and mortality rates. Early detection during routine dental check-ups is crucial for improved patient outcomes. Dental professionals play a pivotal role in conducting oral cancer screenings, but the frequency and methods they employ remain understudied. Aim: This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the frequency of oral cancer screenings during routine dental check-ups conducted by dental professionals and the methods they commonly use. Materials and Methods: A survey was administered to 500 dental professionals, including dentists and dental hygienists, representing diverse demographics and practice settings. The survey collected data on the frequency of oral cancer screenings and the primary methods employed. Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used for data analysis. Results: The study found that 85% of dental professionals conduct oral cancer screenings during routine dental check-ups, with 48% performing them annually and 33% at every visit. Visual inspection (97%) and palpation (83%) were the most commonly used methods, while adjunctive screening tools (45%) were less frequently incorporated. Conclusion: Dental professionals are actively engaged in oral cancer screenings during routine dental check-ups, demonstrating a commitment to early detection. Visual inspection and palpation are commonly employed methods, but there is room for improvement in the adoption of adjunctive screening tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic germination is one of the important traits for direct seeded rice cultivation. Identification of tolerant rice genotypes is needed for improving early vigour under anaerobic germination. This study was aimed to identify a rapid and reliable protocol to identify the tolerant rice genotypes for anaerobic germination. Four screening methods viz., protrays, plastic trays, plastic tumbler and mud tumbler methods were developed and 22 rice genotypes were subjected to anoxic stress. Mud tumbler method was identified as the best screening protocol. Mud tumblers are eco friendly and also mimic the pot culture experiments. Principal component and cluster analysis revealed, Karuppukavuni and Kalanamak as tolerant genotypes. They recorded higher coloeptile traits and showed enhanced germination under early flooding. TKM13 and Anna R4 were identified as moderately tolerant genotypes under anaerobic germination. Higher genotypic coefficient of variance, phenotypic coefficient of variance coupled with high heritability was noticed in shoot length, crude protein and proline indicating scope for enhancing anaerobic germination tolerance.

Lipophilic marine biotoxins (LMBs) are one of the main risks associated with the consumption of mussels and oysters. Sanitary and analytical control programs are developed to detect the occurrence of these toxins in seafood before they reach toxic levels. To ensure quick results, methods must be easy and fast to perform. In this work, we demonstrated that incurred samples were a viable alternative to validation and internal quality control studies for the analysis of LMBs in bivalve mollusks. These samples were used to optimize, validate, and monitor a simple and fast ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) procedure. An internal quality control material containing okadaic acid (227 ± 46 µg kg−1) was produced and characterized. This material had its homogeneity and stability verified and was included as a quality control in all batches of analytical routine. Besides, a sample pooling protocol for extracts analysis was developed, based on tests for COVID-19. Up to 10 samples could be analyzed simultaneously, reducing the instrumental time of analysis by up to 80%. The UAE and sample pooling approaches were then applied to more than 450 samples, of which at least 100 were positive for the okadaic acid group of toxins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of microorganisms in industry has enabled the (over)production of various compounds (e.g., primary and secondary metabolites, proteins and enzymes) that are relevant for the production of antibiotics, food, beverages, cosmetics, chemicals and biofuels, among others. Industrial strains are commonly obtained by conventional (non-GMO) strain improvement strategies and random screening and selection. However, recombinant DNA technology has made it possible to improve microbial strains by adding, deleting or modifying specific genes. Techniques such as genetic engineering and genome editing are contributing to the development of industrial production strains. Nevertheless, there is still significant room for further strain improvement. In this review, we will focus on classical and recent methods, tools and technologies used for the development of fungal production strains with the potential to be applied at an industrial scale. Additionally, the use of functional genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics together with the implementation of genetic manipulation techniques and expression tools will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) is underdiagnosed and current screening is costly. We aimed: (a) to develop an expert system (ES) based on machine learning that calculates the risk of OD from the electronic health records (EHR) of all hospitalized older patients during admission, and (b) to implement the ES in a general hospital. In an observational, retrospective study, EHR and swallowing assessment using the volume-viscosity swallow test for OD were captured over 24 months in patients > 70 yr admitted to Mataró Hospital. We studied the predictive power for OD of 25,000 variables. ES was obtained using feature selection, the final prediction model was built with non-linear methods (Random Forest). The database included 2809 older patients (mean age 82.47 ± 9.33 yr), severely dependent (Barthel Index 47.68 ± 31.90), with multiple readmissions (4.06 ± 7.52); 75.76% had OD. The psychometrics of the ES built with a non-linear model were: Area under the ROC Curve of 0.840; sensitivity 0.940; specificity, 0.416; Positive Predictive Value 0.834; Negative Predictive Value 0.690; positive likelihood ratio (LH), 1.61 and negative LH, 0.146. The ES screens in 6 s all patients admitted to a 419-bed hospital, identifies patients at greater risk of OD, and shows the risk for OD in the clinician's workstation. It is currently in use at our institution. Our ES provides accurate, systematic and universal screening for OD in real time during hospital admission of older patients, allowing the most appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to be selected for each patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The abusive use of antimicrobial compounds and the associated appearance of antimicrobial resistant strains are a major threat to human health. An improved antimicrobial administration involves a faster diagnosis and detection of resistances. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) are the reference techniques for this purpose, relying mainly in the use of culture techniques. The long time required for analysis and the lack of reproducibility of these techniques have fostered the development of high-throughput AST methods, including electrochemical biosensors. In this review, recent electrochemical methods used in AST have been revised, with particular attention on those used for the evaluation of new drug candidates. The role of nanomaterials in these biosensing platforms has also been questioned, inferring that it is of minor importance compared to other applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of present study is to identify the breast cancer screening barriers among the women with breast cancer of Malwa region of Punjab, India. The study was conducted at three government hospitals representing almost all districts of Malwa region. Methods: The quantitative research design was followed using empirical research methods. Study was carried out by one-to-one interview by the field investigator and research assistant. Total of 363 breast cancer patient has been interviewed through the scheduled questionnaire and results has been recorded for further analysis. In this study, five barriers are described namely as personal barriers, socio-cultural barriers, economic barriers, healthsystem barriers, and treatment barriers which contains various questions regarding barriers to breast cancer screening. Univariate analysis methods have been used for the analysis to access the socio-demographic profile of women. Data has been obtained with the help of 5-point liker scale. Binary logistic model was chosen. Results: Majority of participants were in the age groups 50-< 60 years (38.6%, 140/363) and = 60 years (31.1%, 112/363). Majority of these women (47.4%, 171/363) were illiterate and most of them were housewives. The major barriers to breast cancer screening faced by most of the women were having no knowledge about screening services (90.9%, 329/363), the importance of early diagnosis (90.9%, 329/363), different screening methods (95.5%, 347/363) and place of availing screening services (91.2%, 330/363) misguided belief in God and fate (81.5%, 295/363) and preferring duties than taking care of health (70.2%, 254/363). Education qualification (odds ratio [OR] 0.74, ' = - 0.309, t = - 5.357, P = 0.000) and socioeconomic class (OR 1.43, = 0.354, t = 3.399, P = 0.001) were found to be significant determinant of the barriers among women. Conclusion: The survey was conducted in the women between the age 40-60 years and as an outcome, the unawareness about screening services, fatalistic attitude, fear of being diagnosed with the cancer, low per capita income was found out significant factors that restricted the women for early check-up for the breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iraqi Journal of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using simple screening methods to determine zooplankton biomass in ponds. Among the applicable methods, we selected sedimentation determination of wet biomass and dry biomass determination. Of the 369 samples analysed, the median volumetric zooplankton biomass was 0.012 ml.l-1 and the median dry weight of the samples was 0.44 mg.l-1. There was a relatively close relationship between the volumetric biomass determination and the zooplankton dry weight determination, allowing only one of these methods to be used. Due to the variation of results over a wide range of values, it is more appropriate to use a logarithmic expression for the correlation. No statistically conclusive relationship was found between the zooplankton biomass determined and any of the other physico-chemical or production parameters. Nevertheless, it was possible to trace the influence of fish production, altitude and nutrient content (nitrogen and phosphorus) on the size of zooplankton biomass. The use of screening determination methods can be recommended especially for long-term monitoring of sites to get a quick overview of zooplankton biomass in ponds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recent pandemic situation created by the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) across the globe is a great concern. So, the discovery of novel antiviral agents is desirable to address this challenge. In this context, the antiviral peptides (AVPs) possess an enormous potential and can be considered to develop novel therapeutic strategies to combat SARS-CoV-2 infection. The anti-viral peptides are mostly preferable over small inhibitor molecules for having high target specificity and lower side effects. The spike protein is an important structural protein of SARS-CoV-2 that binds with the human angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 leading to host entry of the virus. Hence, the activity of the anti-viral peptides will be based on the interference of the peptide inhibitor between the binding site of spike protein, and the ACE2 protein ultimately will prevent the virus invasion process. Several database resources are available that contain many anti-viral peptides from natural sources. However, the experimental basis of establishing the therapeutic importance of every protein from the database is a difficult and time-consuming task. Hence the available bioinformatics tools and techniques can be suitably used to screen, structure prediction, evaluation of ant-viral peptide- SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interaction, toxicity prediction, molecular dynamics simulation, and so on. In this review, the implementation of some of the major computational tools, their availability, and effectiveness in predicting the peptides against the Spike protein have been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine microbes are known for their bioactive compounds in various industries. Similarly, marine bacteria are vital in sustainability of aquaculture around the world. Despite its essential role in synthesis of bioactive compounds, commercial use of marine bacteria as probiotics in aquaculture industry is the neglected sector in the world. Few developed countries are utilizing the probiotics in aquaculture industry while rest of the world has not considered it as an option. Probiotics can target wide spectrum of issues in aquaculture industry from reducing pollutants to a source of disease treatment that can be exploited accordingly. Marine bacteria are selected via rigorous processes to isolate potential probiotic. These probiotics are known for targeting various sites for competition, chemicals present in the environment, produce inhibitory substances to prevent fungal, bacterial, viral infection, augment stress conditions, and boost immunity. In this review we will highlight the importance of marine bacteria as potential source of probiotics in aquaculture industry. We aimed to highlight the challenges faced by aquaculture industry to emphasize the gravity of this issue. Finally, we stress on the advantages on marine probiotics and the methods that can be employed to identify potential probiotics. Marine bacteria are identified via series of processes involving pre-experimental screening in which the marine bacteria are isolated, cultured and tested for its activities in favor of host health. Second is experimental screening in which the microbe is delivered to aquaculture host and the results are observed. If the results are substantially robust in terms of improving health, the probiotic is approved for final screening tests. Finally, in postexperimental screening, the marine bacteria are identified to its strain level and assessed whether it has the potential to be used as probiotics and can be produced as mass culture. Further research is essential to identify promising bacteria and effectively utilize them in the aquaculture culture industry. It is crucial to aware farmers regarding the economic importance of aquaculture at an industrial scale to boost economy but produce quality seafood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proficiency testing (PT) is an important tool for evaluation of the competences of laboratories which test milk for residues of antimicrobial substances. It also warrants the reliability of the obtained test results, which is important to the clients of a laboratory. In 2017–2021, the Polish National Reference Laboratory organized 10 rounds of proficiency testing on raw milk samples according to the ISO/IEC 17043 standard. The milk samples were fortified with selected antimicrobial substances. All participating laboratories used commercial receptor and/or microbiological diagnostic kits in the proficiency tests. The results obtained by the laboratories were compared to assigned results and were defined as compliant or non-compliant. In total, 7533 results were obtained, and 104 (1.4%) were assessed as non-compliant. The percentage of laboratories which obtained a positive result in proficiency tests ranged by testing round from 81.8% to 100%. Based on proficiency testing results, it can be concluded that laboratories carry out tests correctly. The proven proficiency by a laboratory increases the confidence of its clients in its service of antimicrobial residue monitoring in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the ecological risk, physico-chemical properties, and the impact of anthropogenic sources on permanent eighteen samples of grass vegetation soils (PGVS) and agricultural soils (AS) near the U.S. Steel company in Košice city, Eastern Slovakia. Methods: In this study, permanent grass vegetation soils (PGVS) and agricultural soils (AS) samples were analyzed. Samples were taken from the following localities (L): PGVS1a-1c; AS1a-1c from U.S. Steel-slag heap (L1), PGVS2a-2c; AS2a-2c from Gomboš (L2), PGVS3a-3c; AS3a-3c from U.S. Steel plant (main gate of U.S. Steel) (L3). The physico-chemical properties were determined using methods, such as thermal analysis (TG, DTG/DTA), X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), CHNS spectrometry, granulometry, and X-ray powder diffractometry (XRPD). Results: The environmental quality index of Cd and Co in all samples was found to be ˃3 and indicated high pollution of the studied area by these elements. This assumption was confirmed by XRF spectrometry. For all the analyzed samples, the permitted limits for the elements Cd, Cr, and Co were largely exceeded, that also corresponded to the area from which they were taken. In all the studied samples, the C, H, N, and S concentrations were higher in the permanent grass soil samples than the concentrations in agricultural soil samples. The quartz was found as the major mineral; the others such as chlorite, albite, muscovite, or microcline were detected in smaller amounts. All samples were thermaly stable up to 40 °C. Conclusions: In the surveyed area, the major source of heavy metal pollution was from industrial discharge. This demonstrates that effective management strategies could be developed to safeguard the environmental quality of agricultural soils and permanent grass vegetation in the studied area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: Disclosure of bid-rigging is not a trivial process. The main difficulty lies in the secrecy of such an agreement. Also, the signals of collusion can be ambiguous. It, therefore, appears that only a tiny percentage of such collusive agreements are disclosed. Of the disclosed conspiracies, a significant proportion was identified due to information from contracting authorities. We have a catalogue of indicators for collusion, and statistical methods are particularly effective. What is the role of statistical methods in revealing bid-rigging? What determines their use in practice? In order to answer these questions, a questionnaire study was carried out. The survey covered local government units — the dominating group of contracting authorities. Aim: The research aimed to identify the factors characterising local government units that foster statistical methods as a standard bid evaluation tool. Results: The survey results indicate that using a statistical method as standard practice in the process of bids evaluation is related to the level of staff’s professional expertise, the size of the procurement team and the size of the local authority. Concerning the risk of collusive bidding, respondents recognise it but believe that it does not significantly impact the achievement of procurement policy objectives. Despite a sense of responsibility for combating bid-rigging, respondents are reluctant to use statistical methods on a daily basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and disabling mental disorder that significantly impacts individuals' lives. Long-term treatment with antipsychotic drugs, coupled with the complications of the disease itself, increases the risk of dysphagia in patients. These disorders further heighten the likelihood of choking and asphyxia death among this population. This project aims to comprehensively review the pathological mechanisms behind dysphagia in schizophrenia, alongside proposing early screening and evaluation methods. It also suggests treatment recommendations to mitigate the risks and complications associated with dysphagia in these patients., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wang, Gao, Fu and Li.)

Diabetes, a common metabolic condition, is recognized by the worldwide public health community as a serious chronic illness. International new drug discovery has long been dominated by the study and creation of blood glucose-lowering medications. Important phases in the development process of these medications include the in vitro assessment model and screening methods, which can dramatically lower the costs and risks of subsequent clinical trials and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of drug development. This article reviews the classic and latest cutting-edge in vitro assessment models, principles, methods, and key technologies for blood glucose-lowering medications both domestically and internationally. By objectively evaluating their advantages, disadvantages, characteristics, applicability, experimental design, and data analysis, this article aims to improve the standardization and consensus of in vitro assessment models and screening methods and serve the research and development of blood glucose-lowering medications.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of methods for studying the neuropsychiatric development of children in regards to screening for the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with the example of educational institutions in the Irkutsk region. Methods and Results: Two groups of children in educational institutions of the Irkutsk region regional center were studied: 187 children of preschool age (from 5 to 6 years) and 154 children studying at school (from 7 to 11 years). This study used the methods of neuropsychiatric research used by the pediatric service and the methods of screening diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). It was shown that the level of obvious anxiety of schoolchildren (according to the scale developed by A.M. Prihozhan) was higher than in preschoolers and was 10.3±0.1% in girls and 10.6±0.2% in boys. Bad appetite was observed in 50.3±3.7% of preschool children and in 56.5±4.0% of schoolchildren. The selective appetite was observed in 16.6±2.7% of preschool children and in 7.1±2.1% of schoolchildren. The study of hyperactive traits showed that only 5.3±1.6% of parents of preschool children noted hyperactivity in their children while educators considered that 22.5±3.1% were hyperactive. The parents noted hyperactivity in 9.7±2.4% of children, and the teachers noted hyperactivity in 21.7±3.4% of children. The intellectual development of children, according to the Raven test, showed that the average IQ was observed in 47.6±3.7% preschoolers, and below-average IQ in 52.9±3.7% preschoolers. At the same time in schoolchildren, below-average IQ was found in 48.7±4.0% and average IQ in 51.3±4.0%. Conclusion: The study of the development of children’s mental processes and behavior is not informative for the early detection of ASD. Likewise, the screening methods for the detection of ASD known today and available to the pediatric service and based on the detection of social and communication disorders are poorly informative. However, if we consider ASD as a manifestation of genetic and cytogenetic pathology, we should look for screening methods in the field of genetics.

AimsThis study aimed to investigate maternal preferences for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) screening options in rural China to identify an optimal GDM screening strategy.MethodsPregnant women at 24–28 gestational weeks were recruited from Shandong province, China. A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to elicit pregnant women's preferences for GDM screening strategy defined by five attributes: number of blood draws, out-of-pocket costs, screening waiting-time, number of hospital visits, and positive diagnosis rate. A mixed logistic model was employed to quantify maternal preferences, and to estimate the relative importance of included attributes in determining pregnant women's preferences for two routinely applied screening strategies (“one-step”: 75 g oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT] and “two-step”: 50 g glucose challenge-test plus 75 g OGTT). Preference heterogeneity was also investigated.ResultsN = 287 participants completed the DCE survey. All five predefined attributes were associated with pregnant women's preferences. Diagnostic rate was the most influential attribute (17.5 vs. 8.0%, OR: 2.89; 95%CI: 2.10 to 3.96). When changes of the attributes of “two-step” to “one-step” strategies, women's uptake probability from full “two-step” to “one-step” significantly increased with 71.3% (95%CI: 52.2 to 90.1%), but no significant difference with the first step of “two-step” (−31.0%, 95%CI: −70.2 to 8.1%).ConclusionChinese pregnant women preferred the “one-step” screening strategy to the full “two-step” strategy, but were indifferent between “one-step” and the first step of “two-step” strategies.

We investigate the transnational transferability of statistical screening methods originally developed using Swiss data for detecting bid‐rigging cartels in Japan. We find that combining screens with machine learning (either a random forest or an ensemble method consisting of six different algorithms) to classify collusive versus competitive tenders entails (depending on the model) correct classification rates of 88%–97% when training and testing the method on the Okinawa bid‐rigging cartel. As in Switzerland, bid rigging in Okinawa reduced the variance and increased the asymmetry in the distribution of bids. When training the models in data from one country to test their performance in the data from the other country, imbalance increases between the correct prediction of truly collusive and competitive tenders for all machine learners and classification rates go down substantially when using the random forest as machine learner, due to some screens for competitive Japanese tenders being similar to those for collusive Swiss tenders. Demeaning the screens reduces such distortions due to institutional differences across countries such that correct classification rates based on training in one and testing in the other country amount to 85% and to 90% when using the ensemble method as machine learner, which generally outperforms the random forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Radish downy mildew (DM) caused by the oomycete Hyaloperonospora brassicae f. sp. raphani is a serious problem in radish crop, an edible root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family. The objective of this research was to assess radish germplasm for DM resistance and to evaluate the response of different radish organs to the disease under controlled conditions. Forty-four radish accessions were inoculated at cotyledons and true-leaves with H. brassicae isolate R10, collected in cotyledons of field plants. The roots were tested with isolates R10 and R6, this last one collected in roots of field radish. DM symptoms varied with the radish genotype and plant organ analysed. Twenty-seven resistant and partially resistant accessions were identified in all plant stages and are promising sources of resistance to DM, namely 16 commercial varieties, 10 breeding lines, and one landrace. A significant correlation was observed between cotyledon and leaf (1st and 2nd leaves) DM resistance, but low and no correlation was found between the resistance of true-leaves or cotyledons and roots, respectively. Cotyledon and leaf evaluation cannot be used to predict root resistance response in radish. However, cotyledon resistance has its own value because non-infected cotyledons will act as a barrier to slow disease progression to true-leaves and roots. Interesting sources of DM resistance were identified that can be used in radish breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer of the breasts is a prevalent and possibly fatal disease that causes abnormal development of cells in breast tissue. It is the most prevalent tumor in women globally, and it has various subtypes that respond differently to treatments. Early detection, such as mammograms, is critical to enhancing outcomes since it allows for prompt intervention. Treatment options may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, and hormone therapy, either alone or in combination, depending on the features and stage of the cancer. Breast cancer has profound emotional and psychological effects on individuals and their families in addition to its physical effects Ongoing research, public awareness campaigns, and advances in personalized medicine all contribute to the collective efforts aimed at lowering the incidence of breast cancer, improving early detection, and improving the overall quality of life for those affected. By seamlessly integrating state-of-the-art deep learning models: pre-trained ResNet and U-Net, this study pioneers a transformative approach to breast cancer diagnosis. ResNet's expertise in hierarchical feature learning is combined with U-Net's segmentation prowess to focus on digital mammogram-based feature extraction and early-stage identification. The collaborative synergy provides a solid foundation for the accurate detection of breast abnormalities. A neural network is introduced to augment this process for classification, raising diagnostic capabilities to new heights. The combination of pre-trained ResNet and U-Net models creates a dynamic feature extraction pipeline for capturing intricate patterns and segmenting region-specific abnormalities. This collaborative methodology enables the model to detect subtle nuances indicative of early-stage breast cancer, thereby facilitating early detection and intervention. The seamless integration of these models addresses the complexities of mammographic data, providing a complete solution for accurate and nuanced breast cancer detection. A neural network is added to the diagnostic pipeline for more precise classification. The neural network refines the diagnostic process by analyzing the extracted features, reducing false positives, and increasing specificity. This multi-layered approach represents a significant step forward in breast cancer diagnosis, providing a comprehensive tool that integrates feature extraction, early-stage identification, and classification, with the potential to transform clinical practices and improve patient outcomes. Extensive validation and clinical testing validate this transformative model's efficacy and reliability in real-world healthcare scenarios. The responsible use of this transformative tool is supported by ethical considerations such as patient privacy safeguards and adherence to informed consent principles. This study, as a pioneering effort in breast cancer diagnosis, achieves outstanding performance with an accuracy of 99%, precision of 98.6%, recall of 99.01%, and specificity of 98.9%, showcasing superior metrics, lays the groundwork for future innovations, encouraging improved accuracy, personalized treatment strategies, and, ultimately, improved healthcare outcomes for patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: Cervical cancer is a preventable disease by appropriate screening programs, treatment of pre-invasive lesions, and vaccination. Thus, the knowledge of healthcare providers about this issue is crucial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of nurses and midwives who were working in the obstetrics and gynecology department about cervical cancer, screening programs, and human papillomavirus vaccination. Methods: The questionnaire comprising 17 questions about cervical cancer, screening programs, and the human papillomavirus that was created by the authors, was applied to midwives and nurses working in Bursa online. All participants were informed about the answers, cervical cancer and HPV vaccines adequately after finishing the questionnaire. Results: The number of participants volunteering to answer the survey was 510. Of these, the rate of participants claiming that cervical cancer is a preventable disease was 97.4%. Approximately 74% of them answered that the reason for cancer was a virus, and 97.8% said that it is screened with a cervical smear. Sixty percent of the participants answered the onset age of the cervical cancer screening program wrongly. There is a great lack of knowledge about the type of vaccines, administration age, and the population vaccinated. Only 2% of the participants had been vaccinated and 34% had offered the vaccination to someone. Conclusion: Midwives and nurses of the obstetrics and gynecology department working in Bursa have sufficient knowledge about cervical cancer, whereas they have a lack of knowledge about screening programmes and human papillomavirus vaccination. It is crucial to make everyone know that cervical cancer is preventable and that eradication is possible by vaccination. Community-based information about the cervical cancer screening program and HPV vaccines is essential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Early screening methods are very important in reducing morbidity and mortality, especially in breast cancer (BC) and cervical cancer (CC). This study aims to investigate the sociodemographic factors associated with utilization of BC and CC screening methods among women in Turkey. METHODS: The data were used from the Turkey Health Survey conducted by Turkish Statistical Institute in 2014. We included 8606 women aged 25 and over in the study. The utilization of early screening methods (breast self-examination [BSE], mammography, or Pap smear [PS] test) was the dependent variable. Chi-square test was used to assess the association between sociodemographic factors and utilization of early screening methods. RESULTS: As a result of the analysis, it was found that 46.5% of the women practiced BSE, 32.4% and 35.4% had mammography screening and PS test at least once, respectively. The results also indicated that there were statistically significant associations between sociodemographic factors such as age, marital status, education and income level, having chronic diseases, consulting a family physician, health status, and utilization of early screening methods. CONCLUSION: Improving access to early screening methods is of great importance in reducing mortality and morbidity related to BC and CC. It is believed that certain enhancements, such as increasing women's awareness about cancer screening, should become widespread to increase the number of women using these methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background The organized colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program in the canton of Vaud, Switzerland offers citizens the choice of the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) or colonoscopy via a visit with a family physician (FP). Given the central role of FPs in the program, this study aimed to compare their self-reported preventive practices with the objectives of the program, namely to inform patients about CRC screening and present the choice of colonoscopy and FIT, and to identify factors associated with presenting a choice of tests. Methods Mixed-methods study using an online survey and semi-structured interviews. Participants were FPs from the canton of Vaud who had included ≥1 patient in the screening program. We used multivariate logistic regression to compare FPs offering only colonoscopy to those who offered a choice of tests or FIT. Results The participation rate was 40% (177 respondents / 443 eligible). Most FPs (68%) reported informing more than 75% of eligible patients about the program. Lack of time (n = 86, 33%) was the principal reason cited for not informing patients. Regarding the screening methods, 20% (n = 36) of FPs prescribed only colonoscopy, 13% (n = 23) only FIT and 65% (n = 115) both screening methods. Predictors of offering only colonoscopy rather than a choice of screening tests included: first, FP reporting that they chose/would choose colonoscopy for themselves (OR 8.54 [95% CI 1.83–39.79, P 20 years in practice (OR 4.8 [95% CI 1.3–0.17.66, P = 0.02]); and third, seeing 300 or more patients per month (OR 3.05 [95% CI 1.23–7.57, P = 0.02]). When asked what could improve the program, 17% (n = 31) wrote that patients should be informed in advance about the program by postal mail and a large-scale communication campaign. Conclusion The majority of FPs reported CRC screening practices consistent with the objectives of the program. However, to ensure that patients are well informed and to save time, all patients need to be systematically informed about the program. Further, FPs should be encouraged to offer a choice of tests.