Enhancement of color rendering index for white light LED lamps by red Y2O3:EU3+ phosphor

We present an application of the red Y2O3:Eu3+ dopant phosphor compound for reaching the color rendering index as high as 86. The Multi-Chip White LED lamps (MCW-LEDs) with high Correlated Color Temperatures (CCTs) including 7000 K and 8500 K are employed in this study. Besides, the impacts of the Y2O3:Eu3+ phosphor on the attenuation of light through phosphor layers of the various packages is also demonstrated based on the Beer-Lambert law. Simulation results provide important conclusion for selecting and developing the phosphor materials in MCW-LEDs manufacturing

Synthesis of gelatin stabilized gold nanoparticles with seed particles enlargement by gamma Co-60 irradiation

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with size from 13 to ~36 nm were synthesized by γ-irradiation method using gelatin as stabilizer. The AuNPs with controllable size were prepared using various concentration of Au3+ from 0.5 to 2 mM and seed particle enlargement with different ratios of [Au3+]/[Auo] up to 50. Maximum absorption wavelength (λmax) was measured by UV-Vis spectroscopy, and particle size was determined from TEM images. Results showed that the size of AuNPs increased with the Au3+ concentration. The seed enlargement approach is efficient to control the size of AuNPs. The value of λmax shifted from 527.5 nm (seed particles) to 537.5 nm, and the size of AuNPs increased from 13 nm (seed particles) to ~36 nm for concentration ratio of [Au3+]/[Auo] up to 40. Thus, γ-irradiation method is favorable for production of AuNPs with controllable size and high purity. The AuNPs/gelatin synthesized by γ-irradiation with the advantages of environmental friendly and mass production process may be potentially promising for applications in medicines, cosmetics and in other fields as well. Keywords. Gold, Nanoparticles, Gelatin, γ-irradiation

Assessment of Drivers of Antimicrobial Usage in Poultry Farms in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam: A Combined Participatory Epidemiology and Q-Sorting Approach

In the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, poultry farmers use high amounts of antimicrobials, but little is known about the drivers that influence this usage. We aimed to identify these drivers using a novel approach that combined participatory epidemiology (PE) and Q-sorting (a methodology that allows the analysis of the subjectivity of individuals facing a common phenomenon). A total of 26 semi-structured collective interviews were conducted with 125 farmers representative of the most common farming systems in the area (chickens, meat ducks, and mobile grazing ducks), as well as with 73 farmers' advisors [veterinarians, veterinary drug shop owners, and government veterinarians/commune animal health workers (CAHWs)] in five districts of Dong Thap province (Mekong Delta). Through these interviews, 46 statements related to the antimicrobials' perceived reliability, costs, and impact on flock health were created. These statements were then investigated on 54 individuals (28 farmers and 26 farmers' advisors) using Q-sorting interviews. Farmers generally indicated a higher propensity for antimicrobial usage (AMU) should their flocks encounter bacterial infections (75.0–78.6%) compared with viral infections (8.3–66.7%). The most trusted sources of advice to farmers were, in decreasing order: government veterinarian/CAHWs, their own knowledge/experience, veterinary drug shop owners, and sales persons from pharmaceutical and feed companies. The highest peak of AMU took place in the early phase of the production cycle. Farmers and their advisors showed considerable heterogeneity of attitudes with regards to AMU, with, respectively, four and three discourses representing their views on AMU. Overall, farmers regarded the cost of AMU cheaper than other disease management practices implemented on their farms. However, they also believed that even though these measures were more expensive, they would also lead to more effective disease prevention. A key recommendation from this finding would be for the veterinary authorities to implement long-term sustainable training programs aiming at reducing farmers' reliance on antimicrobials

Small-scale commercial chicken production: A risky business for farmers in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

Small-scale farming of meat chicken flocks using local native breeds contributes to the economy of many rural livelihoods in Vietnam and many other low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These systems are also the target of high levels of antimicrobial use (AMU); however, little is known about the profitability and sustainability of such systems. Since small-scale farms are commercial enterprises, this knowledge is essential to develop successful strategies to curb excessive AMU. Using longitudinal data from 203 small-scale (100-2,000 heads) native chicken flocks raised in 102 randomly selected farms in Dong Thap province (Mekong Delta, Vietnam), we investigated the financial and economic parameters of such systems and the main constraints to their sustainability. Feed accounted for the largest financial cost (flock median 49.5 % [Inter-quartile range (IQR) 41.5-61.8 %]) of total costs, followed by day-old-chicks (DOCs) (median 30.3 % [IQR 23.2-38.4 %]), non-antimicrobial health-supporting products (median 7.1 % [IQR 4.7-10.5 %]), vaccines (median 3.1 % [IQR 2.2-4.8 %]), equipment (median 1.9 % [IQR 0.0-4.9 %]) and antimicrobials (median 1.9 % [IQR 0.7-3.6 %]). Excluding labor costs, farmers achieved a positive return on investment (ROI) from 120 (59.1 %) flocks, the remainder generating a loss (median ROI 124 % [IQR 36-206 %]). Higher ROI was associated with higher flock size and low mortality. There was no statistical association between use of medicated feed and flock mortality or chicken bodyweight. The median daily income per person dedicated to raising chickens was 202,100 VND, lower than alternative rural labor activities in the Mekong Delta. In a large proportion of farms (33.4 %), farmers decided to stop raising chickens after completing one cycle. Farmers who dropped off chicken production purchased more expensive feed (in 1000 VND per kg): 11.1 [10.6-11.5] vs. 10.8 [10.4-11.3] for farms that continued production (p = 0.039), and experienced higher chicken mortality (28.5 % [12.0-79.0 %] vs. 16 [7.5-33.0 %]; p = 0.004). The rapid turnover of farmers raising chickens in such systems represents a challenge to the uptake of messages on appropriate AMU and chicken health. To ensure sustainability of small-scale commercial systems, advisory services need to be available to farmers as they initiate new flocks, and support them in the early stages to help overcome their limited experience and skills. This targeted approach would support profitability whilst reducing risk of emergence of AMR and infectious disease from these systems

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the global prevalence and relationships among Burkholderia pseudomallei sequence types isolated from humans, animals, and the environment

Background and Aim: Burkholderia pseudomallei, a highly pathogenic bacterium responsible for melioidosis, exhibits ecological ubiquity and thrives within soil and water reservoirs, posing significant infection risks to humans and animals through direct contact. The aim of this study was to elucidate the genetic diversity and prevalence patterns of B. pseudomallei sequence types (STs) across a global spectrum and to understand the relationships between strains isolated from different sources. Materials and Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis in this study. Extensive research was carried out across three comprehensive databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect with data collected from 1924 to 2023. Results: A total of 40 carefully selected articles contributed 2737 B. pseudomallei isolates attributed to 729 distinct STs and were incorporated into the systematic review. Among these, ST46 emerged as the most prominent, featuring in 35% of the articles and demonstrating a dominant prevalence, particularly within Southeast Asia. Moreover, ST51 consistently appeared across human, animal, and environmental studies. Subsequently, we performed a meta-analysis, focusing on nine specific STs: ST46, ST51, ST54, ST70, ST84, ST109, ST289, ST325, and ST376. Surprisingly, no statistically significant differences in their pooled prevalence proportions were observed across these compartments for ST46, ST70, ST289, ST325, and ST376 (all p > 0.69). Conversely, the remaining STs, including ST51, ST54, ST84, and ST109, displayed notable variations in their prevalence among the three domains (all p < 0.04). Notably, the pooled prevalence of ST51 in animals and environmental samples surpassed that found in human isolates (p < 0.01). Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the intricate relationships between STs and their sources and contributes significantly to our understanding of B. pseudomallei diversity within the One Health framework

Economic assessment of an intervention strategy to reduce antimicrobial usage in small-scale chicken farms in Vietnam.

Antimicrobials are a core aspect of most livestock production systems, especially in low-and middle-income countries. They underpin the efficient use of scarce feed resources and stabilize returns on capital and labor inputs. Antimicrobial use (AMU) contributes to the production of healthy animals, yet AMU in livestock is linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in animals, humans and the environment. The Vietnamese Platform for Antimicrobial Reduction in Chicken Production was implemented during 2016-2019 and was one of Southeast Asia's first interventions focused on AMU reductions in livestock production. The project targeted small-scale commercial poultry farms in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam using a "randomized before-and-after controlled" study design. It provided farmers with a locally adapted support service (farmer training plan, advisory visits, biosecurity, and antimicrobial replacement products) to help them reduce their reliance on antimicrobials. A partial budget analysis was performed comparing the control group (status-quo) and intervention group (alternative). The median net farm-level benefit of the intervention strategies with the project's support was VND 6.78 million (interquartile range (IR) VND -71.9-89 million) per farm. Without project support the benefit was reduced to VND 5.1 million (IR VND -69.1-87.2 million) to VND 5.3 million (IR -VND 68.9-87.5 million) depending on the antimicrobial alternative product used. At the project level with a focus on AMU and its reduction, subsequently influence on the resistance reduction, our results showed that achieving resistance reduction benefits with the current knowledge and technologies required investment of at least VND 9.1 million (US$ 395.10) per farm during the project's lifetime. The results highlight the positive net profit for the majority of enrolled farms and a reasonable investments from the project. The recommendation focuses on the implementation of policies on financial support, legislation, and information as potential solutions to facilitate the application of intervention strategies to reduce AMU in poultry production

Prevalence of carbapenem resistance and its potential association with antimicrobial use in humans and animals in rural communities in Vietnam

Background Vietnam and Southeast Asia are hotspots for antimicrobial resistance; however, little is known on the prevalence of carriage of carbapenem resistance in non-hospitalized humans and in animals. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), particularly Escherichia coli (CREC) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and also Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) are emerging threats worldwide. Methods We investigated healthy humans (n = 652), chickens (n = 237), ducks (n = 150) and pigs (n = 143) in 400 small-scale farms in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. Samples (rectal swabs, faecal swabs) were investigated for carriage of CRE/CRAB and were further characterized phenotypically and genotypically. Results In the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, the prevalence of CRE isolates in human rectal swabs was 0.6%, including 4 CREC and 1 CRKP. One pig was infected with CREC (prevalence 0.7%). CRAB was isolated from chickens (n = 4) (prevalence 2.1%) and one duck (prevalence 0.7%). CRKP was isolated from a human who was also colonized with CREC. The CRKP strain (ST16), from an 80 year-old person with pneumonia under antimicrobial treatment, genetically clustered with clinical strains isolated in a hospital outbreak in southern Vietnam. The prevalence of CRE was higher among humans that had used antimicrobials within 90 days of the sampling date than those had not (4.2% versus 0.2%) (P = 0.005). All CRE/CRAB strains were MDR, although they were susceptible to colistin and neomycin. The carbapenemase genes identified in study strains were blaNDM and blaOXA. Conclusions The finding of a CRKP strain clustering with previous hospital outbreak raises concerns about potential transmission of carbapenem-resistant organisms from hospital to community settings or vice-versa

Exercise Motivation among Fitness Center Members: A Combined Qualitative and Q-Sorting Approach

This study aimed to explore the components of Exercise Maintenance Motivation (EMM) and identify its consensus and distinguishing aspects among members of fitness centers (FCs) in Vietnam. The study incorporated both qualitative and Q-sorting methodologies across two stages. The first stage involved conducting ten in-depth and four focus-group interviews with 39 members of six different FCs in Vietnam, resulting in the generation of 40 EMM statements. In the second stage, these statements were subjected to Q-sorting by 39 participants. The KADE application for the Q method was used for data analysis, and Principal Component Analysis was employed to determine the optimal number of factors. The analysis yielded four factors, encompassing 34 statements and accounting for 86% of the variance in EMM components among participants. These components, labeled “F1. Exercise achievements”, “F2. Exercise environments”, “F3. Exercise enjoyment”, and “F4. Workout-aholic”, achieved consensus among 17 (37%), 14 (30%), 5 (12%), and 3 (7%) participants, respectively. The leading motivational expressions were “get to be healthier”, “a better-looking appearance”, and “get a fit body appearance”. These were followed by FC-based supportive exercise conditions, positive feelings, and exercise addiction. There were five consensus statements that spanned all four factors. The numbers of distinguishing statements varied across factors, with F1, F3, and F4 each contributing 11 (28.2%) and F2 contributing 15 (38.5%). This study contributed to the four central drivers of EMM. To facilitate the development of a comprehensive EMM scale, future research should incorporate larger samples, allowing for a dissection of motivational paradigms.   Doi: 10.28991/HEF-2023-04-03-07 Full Text: PD

Reducing Antimicrobial Usage in Small-Scale Chicken Farms in Vietnam: A 3-Year Intervention Study

Indiscriminate antimicrobial use (AMU) in animal production is a driver of antimicrobial resistance globally. There is a need to define sustainable interventions to reduce AMU in small-scale production systems, which currently represent the most widespread farming systems in South East Asia and many low- and middle-income countries. We conducted a before-and-after intervention study on a random sample of small-scale chicken farms in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam from 2016 to 2019. The study included a baseline followed by an intervention phase where farmers were provided with regular veterinary advice on flock health and husbandry, as well as antimicrobial replacement products. Of 102 recruited farms (raising &amp;gt;100 chickens per flock cycle), thirty-five (34.2%) entered the intervention phase, whilst the rest stopped raising chickens, mainly due to suboptimal flock performance. Through the implementation of our intervention, chicken flocks reduced levels of AMU by 66% [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) = 0.34; p = 0.002) from a baseline of 343.4 Animal Daily Doses per 1,000 chicken-days and decreased weekly mortality by 40% (adjusted HR = 0.60; p = 0.005) from a baseline mortality of 1.60 per 100 birds. Chicken bodyweight increased by 100 g (p = 0.002) in intervention flocks. Our findings demonstrate that the provision of veterinary advice can achieve substantial reductions in AMU in small-scale production systems without compromising flock health and productivity.</jats:p

Global, regional, and national burden of disorders affecting the nervous system, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BackgroundDisorders affecting the nervous system are diverse and include neurodevelopmental disorders, late-life neurodegeneration, and newly emergent conditions, such as cognitive impairment following COVID-19. Previous publications from the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factor Study estimated the burden of 15 neurological conditions in 2015 and 2016, but these analyses did not include neurodevelopmental disorders, as defined by the International Classification of Diseases (ICD)-11, or a subset of cases of congenital, neonatal, and infectious conditions that cause neurological damage. Here, we estimate nervous system health loss caused by 37 unique conditions and their associated risk factors globally, regionally, and nationally from 1990 to 2021.MethodsWe estimated mortality, prevalence, years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), with corresponding 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs), by age and sex in 204 countries and territories, from 1990 to 2021. We included morbidity and deaths due to neurological conditions, for which health loss is directly due to damage to the CNS or peripheral nervous system. We also isolated neurological health loss from conditions for which nervous system morbidity is a consequence, but not the primary feature, including a subset of congenital conditions (ie, chromosomal anomalies and congenital birth defects), neonatal conditions (ie, jaundice, preterm birth, and sepsis), infectious diseases (ie, COVID-19, cystic echinococcosis, malaria, syphilis, and Zika virus disease), and diabetic neuropathy. By conducting a sequela-level analysis of the health outcomes for these conditions, only cases where nervous system damage occurred were included, and YLDs were recalculated to isolate the non-fatal burden directly attributable to nervous system health loss. A comorbidity correction was used to calculate total prevalence of all conditions that affect the nervous system combined.FindingsGlobally, the 37 conditions affecting the nervous system were collectively ranked as the leading group cause of DALYs in 2021 (443 million, 95% UI 378–521), affecting 3·40 billion (3·20–3·62) individuals (43·1%, 40·5–45·9 of the global population); global DALY counts attributed to these conditions increased by 18·2% (8·7–26·7) between 1990 and 2021. Age-standardised rates of deaths per 100 000 people attributed to these conditions decreased from 1990 to 2021 by 33·6% (27·6–38·8), and age-standardised rates of DALYs attributed to these conditions decreased by 27·0% (21·5–32·4). Age-standardised prevalence was almost stable, with a change of 1·5% (0·7–2·4). The ten conditions with the highest age-standardised DALYs in 2021 were stroke, neonatal encephalopathy, migraine, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, diabetic neuropathy, meningitis, epilepsy, neurological complications due to preterm birth, autism spectrum disorder, and nervous system cancer.InterpretationAs the leading cause of overall disease burden in the world, with increasing global DALY counts, effective prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies for disorders affecting the nervous system are needed