Search Results (2,271)

Several different pathogens, including Escherichia coli, are strongly associated with calf diarrhoea. The population diversity of intestinal E. coli within each diarrhetic calf and between diarrhetic calves is not well understood. In the present study, 391 faecal samples were obtained during 2023–2024 from Danish dairy calves with diarrhoea. Semi-quantified growth estimates of E. coli after culturing did not reflect the diarrhetic grade nor whether E. coli was the only pathogen observed in the sample. From each sample, five isolates were subjected to multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA) and revealed that 70% of faecal samples contained more than one type of E. coli. Genotyping, sequence typing and in silico serotyping showed a large diversity of E. coli between faecal samples. Surprisingly, isolates with a genotype representing mixed features of Diffusely adhering E. coli/Extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli were found in 25% of the isolates, while the classic Enterotoxigenic E. coli genotype was only observed in 5% of the isolates, and only 4% of the faecal samples were positive for E. coli F5 (K99) fimbriae, as determined by PCR. In conclusion, a diverse population of (non-F5) E. coli is associated with diarrhoea in calves. High genomic diversity of E. coli within samples needs to be considered when selecting only one isolate for antimicrobial resistance profiling and vaccination measurements. Full article

Background: Repeated vertical jump tests are widely used to assess neuromuscular function and lower limb performance. However, inconsistent formulas for average power output produce large discrepancies, limiting comparability across studies and limiting practical applications. This study aimed to compare three different models for the calculation of average power output, Bosco, Miron Georgescu (MG), and Modified Miron Georgescu-15s (MGM-15), applied to identical jump test data, in order to evaluate their computational behavior and practical relevance in athlete performance profiling. Methods: A single-group quasi-experimental study was conducted with 25 physically active male university students (mean age: 21.4 ± 2.7 years), who performed a 15 s repeated vertical jump test on the OptoJump Next system. Raw parameters including flight time, contact time, and jump height were recorded and exported. Average power output (W/kg) was subsequently calculated using three distinct computational models, each applied to the same dataset of flight and contact times. A repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare outputs across models, with Bonferroni-adjusted pairwise comparisons for post hoc analysis (α = 0.05). Results: Significant differences were observed (p < 0.001). The Bosco model produced the highest values of average power (40.13 ± 8.56 W/kg), followed by MG (21.07 ± 5.92 W/kg), while MGM-15 yielded the lowest and most consistent outputs (4.08 ± 0.61 W/kg). Effect sizes were very large (η²_p = 0.952), confirming that calculation models strongly influenced the outcomes. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that average power output differed markedly across formulas, despite identical performance data. Bosco and MG models tended to overestimate values due to simplified assumptions, whereas the MGM-15 method produced lower and more consistent outputs that may better capture repeated jump demands. The standardization of computational models is fundamental to ensure comparability and to improve athlete performance profiling in research and practice. Full article

This study aims to investigate the characteristics of load changes in the hip, knee, and ankle joints of the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs of young male runners after long-distance running. Using the OpenSim public dataset (containing bilateral biomechanical data before and after long-distance running from 20 young male runners), personalized musculoskeletal models were established. Contact forces in three directions at lower limb joints during the running stance phase were calculated. Statistical analysis employed one-dimensional statistical parameter mapping (SPM1d) and two-factor repeated measures ANOVA (time × side). Results revealed significant time × side interaction effects (p < 0.05) for contact forces in the medial–lateral direction at the hip, the anterior–posterior direction at the knee, and all three directions at the ankle. Simple effects analysis showed that post-run medial–lateral hip forces significantly increased during the push-off phase, while anterior–posterior ankle forces significantly increased during the mid-to-late stance phase on both sides (d = 0.718–1.002). For the superior–inferior direction at the hip and knee, only main effects of time or side were present. Post-run joint contact forces significantly increased, with the dominant side consistently exceeding the non-dominant side across multiple stance and push-off phases (d = 0.58–1.6), indicating stable side-to-side differences. These findings indicate that long-distance running not only increases multi-joint loading in the lower limbs but also exacerbates asymmetry between the dominant and non-dominant sides during the initial stance and push-off phases. This redistribution of load, coupled with bilateral control imbalance, may further elevate the risk of injury. Full article

Background/Objectives: Reliable and objective assessment of saccadic duration is crucial in sports vision, yet standardized clinical tools remain scarce; therefore, this study evaluated the intraobserver and interobserver repeatability of saccadic time measurements using COI-SV^® software, and analyzed the influence of age and sex. Methods: Saccadic duration was assessed in 78 participants using a 20/40 Snellen letter stimulus appearing in four directions (up, down, left, right) at two distances. The shortest response time per direction was recorded. General mean values (total, vertical, horizontal, short, long, and ratios) were calculated. Repeatability was evaluated through a protocol of four test repetitions (two intrasession and two intersession with different examiners). ANCOVA and Pearson correlation assessed sex and age effects. Repeatability indices and Bland–Altman plots were used to determine agreement. Results: Regarding sex, there were no significant differences between men and women. Saccadic duration showed a direct relationship with age (p < 0.05), indicating that older participants had worse saccadic time values (longer times). Overall, intraexaminer repeatability was poor, whereas interexaminer reproducibility was between fair and good. Bland–Altman analysis showed limits of agreement ranging from −159.0 to 220.3 milliseconds (ms) for specific time values and from −87.0 to 122.52 ms for general values, which may be useful in clinical practice. Conclusions: The study shows that the COI-SV^® software provides moderate to good interexaminer reliability and poor to acceptable intraexaminer repeatability of saccadic duration measurements, indicating that further refinement and validation are needed before considering clinical implementation. Full article

Reliable toxicity assessments are essential for protecting biological processes in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). This study focuses on quantifying the measurement uncertainty of the ISO 8192:2007 method, which determines the inhibition of oxygen consumption in activated sludge. Using the GUM guideline and Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS), up to 29 uncertainty contributions were evaluated in terms of oxygen consumption rate and percentage inhibition. The results reveal that temperature tolerance, measurement interval, and oxygen probe accuracy are dominant contributors, accounting for over 90% of the total uncertainty. The GUM results for oxygen consumption rates were validated by Monte Carlo Simulation, confirming their reliability. The percentage inhibitions showed asymmetric distributions and were underestimated by the GUM method, especially at lower toxicant concentrations. This highlights the necessity of simulation-based approaches for asymmetric systems. Notably, the consideration of correlations in the GUM analysis had minimal impact on outcomes. The findings emphasize the need for the precise recording of measurement time intervals, temperature control, the regular calibration of oxygen probes, and repeat measurements at low toxicant concentrations. Overall, this study enhances the robustness of ISO 8192:2007-based toxicity testing and provides practical guidance for reducing measurement uncertainty. Full article

Background: Measurement uncertainty (MU) is a crucial parameter for ensuring the reliability of analytical methods and the validity of results, as required by ISO 17025:2017. Its estimation is particularly critical for quality control laboratories, where compliance decisions are based on a rigorous interpretation of uncertainties. Methods: In this study, we evaluated the uncertainty associated with an HPLC-UV method for the determination of Metopimazine (MPZ) in a pharmaceutical form, applying two complementary approaches: The ISO-GUM (Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement) top-down approach and the Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS). Results: The results of both approaches showed excellent agreement, thus validating the robustness of the evaluation. The analysis of uncertainty sources revealed that the accuracy of the sample volume (V_Sample) and the calibration standard (C_x) were the dominant contributors, representing 39.9% and 36.2% of the total uncertainty, respectively. Combined, these two factors accounted for 76.1% of the variability, underscoring their critical impact on the assay’s precision. The expanded uncertainty (k = 2, 95% confidence level) was determined to be (99.41 ± 0.69)%, reflecting the method’s reproducibility. Conclusions: These results highlight the importance of rigorously controlling calibration standard preparation, sample volume, and repeatability conditions to optimize the reliability of the assay. Full article

Manual lifting is a major risk factor for low back pain, with intra-abdominal pressure playing a key role in spinal stability. This study investigated the effects of a pneumatic external abdominal pressure assist belt on trunk and lower limb muscle activity and joint kinematics during lifting. Twenty-four healthy adults performed lifting tasks under four external abdominal pressure assist conditions. Trunk and lower limb muscle activities were measured using surface electromyography. Sagittal limb angles were assessed using 3D motion analysis. Peak and mean muscle activities (%MVIC) and joint angles were analyzed with repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman tests. Peak muscle activity significantly decreased in the internal oblique, erector spinae, and biceps femoris (all p < 0.05), while increases were observed in the multifidus, rectus femoris, and vastus lateralis (all p < 0.05). Mean amplitude analysis showed reduced internal oblique activity (p < 0.001) and significant increases in rectus femoris and multifidus (p < 0.05). Hip and knee flexion angles were significantly greater under assisted conditions (p = 0.002), indicating a shift toward squat-type lifting. The pneumatic external belt redistributed peak loads from the back to the knee extensors, reduced internal oblique activity, and modestly increased multifidus activation. It also induced greater hip and knee flexion, suggesting a shift toward squat-type lifting. These effects were statistically significant but small, indicating limited practical relevance. Full article

Background: As the United States population becomes increasingly diverse, the representation of minorities in health professions is critical to addressing health disparities. Few investigations have been conducted among students enrolled in the first semester of the nursing program, a vulnerable and adjustment period for most nursing majors. Thus, this study examined the association between reading comprehension and science aptitude on student retention and standardized test scores. Method: A cross-sectional repeated measures study was conducted to investigate the outcomes from a compendium of programmatic interventions implemented among n = 80 nursing students enrolled in the first semester of a pre-licensure baccalaureate nursing program in one Hispanic-serving institution. These interventions included the Weaver™ reading online program, case studies, NCLEX-type practice tests, test-taking skills, and peer-mentoring. Data collection was conducted in Spring 2024. Multivariate statistical analysis was used to determine predictors associated with student retention and standardized test scores. An independent t-test was used to examine any significant difference in the reading comprehension level among the cohort’s participants. A qualitative investigation using thematic analysis was conducted to understand students’ experiences with the programmatic interventions. Results: Students’ baseline reding comprehension level was significantly associated with failure in the first semester of the nursing program (β = −0.815; SE = 0.349; Wald = 5.444; p < 0.05). End-of-term reading comprehension level was significantly associated with end-of-course HESI score in the Foundations in Nursing course (β = 26.768; SE = 10.049; Beta = 0.445; p < 0.05) while science GPA was significantly associated with end-of-course HESI score for Health Assessment (β = 3.022; SE = 1.315; Beta = 0.434; p < 0.05. Cohort retention was 75%. The independent t-test result indicated a significant difference in reading level was found between those who dropped out from the cohort (M = 4.23, SE = 0.173 and those who did not (M = 5.15, SE = 0.188), t (68) = −3.037, p < 0.01. A reading level of grade 10 and above was associated with student progression to the next semester (M = 10.16, SE = 0.375, t (70) = −0.560, p < 0.05. Although the participants found the reading comprehension modules tedious, test-taking strategies, applying the nursing process in case studies, and the expertise of a nurse educator, who understood the learning needs of first-semester students, were perceived as critical to academic success. Conclusions: Reading comprehension and science aptitude are essential to students’ early success in the nursing program. Addressing gaps in reading comprehension and science aptitude before admission to a nursing program would increase chances of success in the early stages of a nursing major. Full article

Background/Objectives: High-frequency ultrasonography (HFUS) has gained increasing attention in dermatology as a non-invasive imaging technique capable of visualizing cutaneous structures with high resolution. In cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL), including mycosis fungoides (MF)/Sézary syndrome (SS), HFUS may provide an objective method for assessing disease activity and monitoring treatment response. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical utility of HFUS in detecting therapy-induced changes in subepidermal low-echogenic band (SLEB) thickness. Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-center study between May 2021 and May 2025. Thirty-three patients with histologically confirmed MF (n = 31) or SS (n = 2) underwent HFUS at baseline and after 4–8 weeks of treatment. SLEB thickness was measured before (E1) and after early treatment (E2). Patients received systemic agents, phototherapy, or topical regimens. Statistical analysis included mixed-model ANOVA with repeated measures to assess SLEB changes, and post hoc tests were applied to explore the influence of therapy type, age, and gender. Results: Among 31 evaluable patients with MF, HFUS revealed a significant reduction in SLEB thickness after treatment (0.90 ± 1.10 mm vs. 0.69 ± 0.89 mm; F(1,29) = 8.88, p = 0.006, η² = 0.23). The type of early therapy (systemic vs. topical) did not significantly affect outcomes (p = 0.452). Age emerged as a relevant factor: patients ≥ 66 years exhibited higher baseline SLEB values and a significant reduction post-treatment (p < 0.001), whereas no comparable effect was observed in younger patients. Gender did not significantly influence SLEB changes. Conclusions: HFUS is a sensitive and clinically applicable imaging tool for monitoring treatment response in MF/SS. Reductions in SLEB thickness were observed across therapeutic modalities and aligned with early clinical improvement. HFUS may serve as a valuable adjunct to standard clinical and histopathological evaluation in the routine management of MF/SS. Full article

Obesity is closely associated with appetite dysregulation, influenced by behavioral, hormonal, and neurological factors. The Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ) is a validated tool, translated into Arabic, but its application in weight-loss interventions remains underexplored. This secondary cross-sectional analysis evaluated whether the Arabic CNAQ can differentiate appetite levels after a 6-month telenutrition weight-loss intervention supported by telemonitoring and health coaching, and whether appetite is associated with weight-loss outcomes. A total of 36 participants were assessed: the intervention group (n = 21), who completed the program, and the control group (n = 15), who received no continuous support. Appetite was measured using the CNAQ after 6 months. Independent-samples t-tests and Mann–Whitney U tests were applied to compare appetite scores, while Chi-square tests were used for appetite categories. Results showed mean CNAQ scores of 27.87 (SD = 2.64) for the control group and 26.86 (SD = 4.46) for the intervention group (p = 0.402). Most participants reported moderate appetite (93.3% control; 76.2% intervention), with no significant between-group differences (p = 0.367). Although differences were not statistically significant, the findings demonstrate the feasibility of using the Arabic CNAQ in telehealth weight management. Larger studies with repeated measures are needed to confirm its utility in clinical and dietetic practice. Full article

Urban green spaces are essential for promoting human health and well-being, especially in cities facing increasing noise pollution and ecological stress. This study investigates the effects of audio-visual interaction on restorative outcomes across three soundscape types (park, residential, and street), focusing on the compensatory role of positive visual stimuli in low-quality soundscape environments. Thirty-two university students participated in a controlled evaluation using soundscapes and corresponding visual materials derived from 30 urban green spaces. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed significant main effects of soundscape type and modality (auditory vs. audio-visual), as well as a significant interaction between these factors. Audio-visual conditions consistently outperformed auditory conditions, with the strongest restorative effects observed in noisy street soundscapes when paired with positive visual stimuli. Further analysis highlighted that visual cleanliness and structural clarity significantly enhanced restorative outcomes in challenging environments. These findings align with existing theories of sensory integration and extend their application to large-scale urban settings. This study shows that multi-sensory optimization can mitigate urban environmental stressors, supporting healthier, more resilient, and sustainable urban environments. Future research should explore long-term and cross-cultural applications to inform evidence-based urban planning and public health policies. Full article

Background: Postural control in healthy young adults involves complex neuromuscular processes; however, the kinematic and kinetic consequences of small, forward leg perturbations in a defined population are not fully described. This study aimed to characterize the kinematic and kinetic consequences of forward leg perturbations during quiet standing. Methods: This investigation used a quasi-experimental repeated-measures design. Sixteen healthy young women (20.1 ± 0.7 years), all right-leg dominant, were tested using the Gait Real-Time Analysis Interactive Laboratory (GRAIL) system. Forward treadmill perturbations were applied to each limb during quiet standing, and joint angles, ground reaction forces, and torques were measured across baseline, perturbation, and response phases. As the data were non-normally distributed, paired comparisons were conducted using the Wilcoxon test, with significance set at p < 0.05 (Bonferroni corrected) and effect sizes (r) reported. Results: Joint angles remained symmetrical between limbs (no significant differences after correction). In contrast, kinetic measures showed clear asymmetries: at baseline, the dominant limb produced greater knee torque (p = 0.0003, r = 0.73), ankle torque (p = 0.0003, r = 0.76), and medio-lateral GRF (p = 0.0003, r = 0.87). During perturbation, it again generated higher knee (p = 0.0036, r = 0.43) and ankle torques (p = 0.0003, r = 0.53), with larger medio-lateral GRF (p = 0.0003, r = 0.87). In the response phase, the dominant limb showed greater hip torque (p = 0.0033, r = 0.43) and a small dorsiflexion shift at the ankle (p = 0.0066, r = 0.41). Anterior–posterior GRF changes were minor and non-significant after correction. Conclusions: Induced forward leg movements caused limb-specific kinetic adjustments while maintaining overall kinematic symmetry. The dominant leg contributed more actively to balance recovery, highlighting its role in stabilizing posture under small perturbations. These findings are specific to the studied demographic and should not be generalized to males, older adults, left-dominant individuals, or clinical populations without further research. Full article

US food regulatory agencies have adopted a preference for researchers and testing labs to use ‘acid-adapted challenge cultures’ when performing inoculated validation studies of food processes that involve acidic treatments to accustom the cultures to acidic pH so that they will not be easily affected during processing. We evaluated acid adaptation in regard to the processing of South African style air-dried beef, notably biltong and droëwors, using a mixture of five serovars of Salmonella as well as a unique serovar isolated from dried beef (Salmonella Typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:-). Acid adaptation was obtained by growing cultures in tryptic soy (TS) broth containing 1% glucose. Non-adapted cultures were obtained by growth in TS broth without glucose or in TS broth with 1% glucose but buffered with 0.2 M phosphate buffer. Processes included biltong (dried solid beef) and droëwors (ground, sausage-style). Each trial was performed twice and triplicate samples were examined at each sampling point (i.e., n = 6). Statistical analysis was applied using analysis of variance (ANOVA) or one-way repeated measures (RM-ANOVA) and the Holm–Sidak test for pairwise multiple comparisons to determine significant differences (p < 0.05). We observed that in all processes examined (eight trials), treatments using acid-adapted cultures were more sensitive to the biltong and droëwors processes, giving greater reductions (5.3-log reduction) than when non-adapted cultures were used (3.8-log reduction). Acid adaptation leads to stressed conditions in Salmonella resulting in sensitization to the multiple hurdles found in biltong and droëwors processing (acid/vinegar, salt, desiccation). Based on our data, the use of non-adapted Salmonella cultures to achieve desired challenge culture process lethality could result in more robust processing conditions and a greater level of safety in these products as intended by US regulatory guidance. Full article

Background/Objectives: Therapeutic exercises during hospitalization may provide important benefits for onco-hematological patients. However, the most effective protocols and outcomes for evaluation remain unclear. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a structured exercise program during hospitalization. Methods: We conducted a randomized clinical trial with hospitalized onco-hematological patients. The control group performed conventional exercises, while the intervention group received a combined program of aerobic and resistance training. Outcomes included functional capacity, muscle strength, quality of life, and fatigue, assessed at admission and discharge. The sample size was calculated for a moderate effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.50; α = 0.05; power = 80%), yielding a target of 35 participants per group. Data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, followed by Bonferroni post hoc tests. The significance level was set at 5%. Results: The intervention group showed significant improvements in dyspnea (p = 0.017) and pain (p = 0.024) compared with the control group. In addition, reductions in insomnia (p = 0.021) and improvements in emotional functioning (p = 0.024) were observed. No significant between-group differences were found for fatigue, muscle strength, or functional capacity. Conclusions: A short-term program of aerobic and resistance exercises was safe and improved pain and dyspnea in hospitalized onco-hematological patients, with additional favorable effects on insomnia and emotional function. However, no significant effects were detected in fatigue, muscle strength, or functional capacity, likely due to the short hospitalization period and limited number of sessions. Future studies should consider longer interventions and post-discharge follow-up to clarify the sustainability of these benefits. Full article

The growing demand for dermocosmetics with ingredients of natural origin reflects the pivotal role of cutaneous health and appearance in consumer self-esteem. Under this context, clays have attracted attention for their potential applications in dermatological care. Our research work aimed to increase knowledge on the short-term impact of cosmetic formulations containing a blend of red, green, and black clays, assessing their effects on sebum regulation and in cutaneous biomechanical behavior (firmness/elasticity). Unlike daily skincare products, clay masks are used infrequently and for short durations; thus, an in vivo assessment was conducted after a 2-h application to reflect typical consumer use. The mineralogical and physicochemical properties of the different clays were characterized. Mineralogical analysis revealed distinct compositions among the clays: black clay exhibited a simpler mineral profile, lower density, and smaller particle size; green clay contained expandable smectite and was the densest; and red clay displayed the largest average particle size and highest iron content. Thermal analysis identified two major transitions: dehydration and kaolinite dehydroxylation. In vivo studies conducted in participants showed a significant reduction in skin oiliness across all clay-based formulations compared to baseline, control, and placebo following a 2-h application, and the rebound sebum production was dependent on clay concentration. Cutometry measurements did not reveal statistically significant improvements in skin firmness or elasticity compared to the control and placebo. The findings suggested that while clay-based formulations effectively reduced skin oiliness in the short term, their impact on sebum regulation and on skin biomechanical properties was limited after such a short product application period. Additional studies are warranted to elucidate the distinct effects of each clay, assess their behavior in different formulation bases, and evaluate their efficacy after repeated use. Full article