Contribution to the Epidemiological Study on the Main Pathologies of Ruminants Declared in the Central Slaughterhouse of Jijel (Algeria)

In order to assess the epidemiological situation of certain infectious and parasitic diseases of ruminants, a study was carried out in the central abattoir of Jijel on 625 animals (511 cattle, 74 sheep and 40 goats).The results showed that the overall organ contamination rate by the pathologies studied was 17.12% with a higher prevalence rate for fasciolosis (12.32%) compared to other pathologies. In addition, the lungs are contaminated with abscess and hydatidosis (3.04% and 0.48%, respectively), whereas the liver is mainly affected by fasciolosis, abscess and hydatidosis (12.32%, 0.64% and 0.48%), respectively) and the kidneys are affected only by cysts (0.16%). In parallel, the liver is more contaminated (13.44%) compared to the lungs (3.52%) and the kidneys (0.16%). In addition, with the exception of two weak positive correlations between hydatidosis and temperature (r = +0.01689, R2 = +0.00029) and between abscesses and precipitation (r = +0.27335, R2 = +0.07472), other high positive and negative correlations were observed between the rest of the pathologies and mean values of temperature and precipitation. Therefore, it is necessary to implement an extension program of all stakeholders in the industry in order to avoid significant economic losses and preserve consumer health

Study of root para-nodules formation in wheat (Triticum durum) inoculated with Frankia strain CcI3 and treated with 2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2, 4-D)

Frankia strains can induce N2-fixing root nodules on certain non-leguminous plants. It is known that exogenous application of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) affects root morphology. In this work, wheat roots were treated with 2,4-D and inoculated with the actinomycete Frankia. Wheat plants grew in a growth chamber with hydroponic medium. Binocular observation revealed that para-nodules were formed when wheat roots were inoculated with Frankia and the root length was enhanced. When the inoculation with Frankia was combined to 2,4-D treatment, the para-nodules formed were bigger and more numerous, while the root length was shortened.Keywords: Frankia, wheat, roots, para-nodules, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetateAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(35), pp. 5427-543

Prevalence and Predictors of Insulin Resistance in Non-Obese Healthy Young Females in Qatar

The state of Qatar suffers from diabetes epidemic due to obesity-associated metabolic syndrome. However, the prevalence of insulin resistance prior to obesity, which could play an important role in the high prevalence of diabetes, has not yet been described. This study aims to compare the prevalence of insulin resistance in apparently healthy non-obese and obese participants from Qatar and identify the predictors of insulin resistance in different body massindex(BMI)-groups. In this cross-sectional study, 150 young healthy females from Qatar were dichotomized into four groups (underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese) based on their BMI. Anthropometric measures as well as fasting plasma levels of lipids, adipokines, blood glucose and insulin were recorded. The prevalence of insulin resistance as per homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was estimated and differences between insulin sensitive and insulin resistant were compared. Linear models were used to identify predictors of insulin resistance in every BMI group. Prevalence of insulin resistance in non-obese healthy females from Qatar ranges between 7% and 37%and increases with BMI. Overall, predictors of insulin resistance in the Qatari population are triglycerides/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio and free fat mass but vary according to the BMI group. The main predictors were triglycerides in normal weight, triglycerides/HDL in overweight and triglycerides/HDL and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in obese individuals. The high prevalence of insulin resistance in non-obese Qataris may partially explain diabetes epidemic. Larger studies are warranted to confirm these findings and identify underlying causes for insulin resistance in non-obese individuals in Qatar, aiming at targeted intervention before diabetes onsetThis project was funded by Qatar University (grant number QUST-CAS-FALL-14\15-35). The publication of this article was funded by the Qatar National Library

Multi-objective optimization of a photovoltaic/wind/diesel pumping system with water tank in the Adrar region

Irrigating the remote regions of southern Algeria, which generally use diesel generators, with clean, environmentally-friendly energy is a challenge. Taking into account the solar and wind potential of the Adrar region, a renewable system using both sources seems more cost-effective. The realization of hybrid renewable energy systems takes into account several technical, economic and environmental aspects. This study consists in finding an efficient and adequate energy supply for the irrigation of one hectare of date palm in the Adrar region. It proposes a mathematical modelling for the given problem in different possible models, for this, we used the basic concepts of multi-objective optimization (bi-objective), and the adaptation of the concept of genetic algorithms to find solutions. The theoretical foundations discussed in this research have enabled us to design and implement a software that optimizes the hybrid pumping system used for the irrigation of date palms by minimizing the total cost and reducing CO2 emissions produced by the diesel group

Pond Energy Dynamics, Evaporation Rate and Ensemble Deep Learning Evaporation Prediction: Case Study of the Thomas Pond—Brenne Natural Regional Park (France)

The energy of water masses is a first-order factor that controls the essential physicochemical dynamics of a water body. Its study allows one to understand the roots of the processes that occur at the water-mass, water-atmosphere and water-sediment interfaces. The analysis of the Thomas Pond in the Brenne region gives a valuable overview of energy stock evolution on a yearly scale. It highlights the direct impact of this evolution on thermal stratification and the potential for evaporation and exchange with the atmosphere. The study of evaporation remains challenging due to the complexity of the energy processes and factors involved. Its estimation using formulas, which are mostly empirical, is one of the most used means for studying the process. The studied pond shows a natural stratification during the summer season, however often fragile and disturbed by other climatic factors such as wind and precipitation. This disruption leads to increased exchanges between the pond and the atmosphere. The methods used to estimate pond-atmosphere exchanges, namely evaporation, vary in values ranging between 1 mm/d to &gt; 15 mm/d. Among these methods, three stand out and seem to give reasonable values. This observation is based on the noticeable drop of the pond’s water level during the period of non-communication with the outside, which corresponds to 65 mm. The energy required for this evaporation varies between 600 W/m2 and 1500 W/m2, except for the Smith model, that slightly overestimates this parameter. The regulation of ponds’ water volumes by managers, the increased duration of bungs closure and the intermittence of precipitations in recent years exacerbate the reduction of direct inputs to ponds and the aggravates the impacts of a changing climate. Under the effect of increasing air temperatures, losses by evaporation will also increase significantly. If we generalise the results obtained to all of the Brenne Park water bodies (4500 ponds of the park), losses by evaporation will lead to a significant water deficit of the Loire basin. From this study, the use of deep learning ensemble models was found to provide better short-term predictions (RMSE between 0.003 and 0.006 for all methods), thus confirming the effectiveness of these methods for similar applications.</jats:p

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P &lt; 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely