Scientifica最新文献

{"title":"Fractional-Order Epidemic Model for Measles Infection.","authors":"Philip N A Akuka, Baba Seidu, Eric Okyere, Stephen Abagna","doi":"10.1155/2024/8997302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8997302","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In this study, a nonlinear dynamic SEVIQR measles epidemic model is constructed and analyzed using the novel Caputo fractional-order derivative operator. The model's existence and uniqueness are established. In addition, the model equilibria are determined, and the novel Jacobian determinant method recently constructed in the literature of epidemiological modeling of infectious diseases is applied to determine the threshold quantity, <i>ℛ</i> ₀. Furthermore, we construct appropriate Lyapunov functions to establish the global asymptotic stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibrium points. Finally, the numerical solution of the model is executed employing the efficient and widely known Adams-type predictor-corrector iterative scheme, and simulation is conducted to investigate the impact of memory index and diverse preventive measures on the occurrence of the disease. Numerical simulation of the model indicates that quarantine, vaccination, and treatment can reduce the numbers of infectious and exposed populations, thereby controlling the disease. Therefore, it is recommended that the government provide financial assistance for vaccine distribution.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"8997302"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11486538/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142474225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Optimizing Nitrogen Sources in Top Dressing for Wheat: Field Study on Growth, Yield, and Ammonia Volatilization.","authors":"Muhammad Sajid Farooq, Rashid Mahmood, Aaqib Hameed, Sajid Ali, Faisal Nadeem, Tahir Hussain Awan, Ammara Fatima, Zaira Ahmad","doi":"10.1155/2024/8882675","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8882675","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In alkaline calcareous soils, ammonia volatilization is the primary nitrogen (N) loss process, resulting in the reduced N use efficiency of crops. This study aimed at assessing the impact of different N sources for top dressing on ammonia volatilization, as well as their effects on wheat growth and yield over two years. In each year, half of the recommended N was applied as a basal dose using diammonium phosphate (DAP) and urea. The remaining half was top-dressed 35 days after sowing with various sources: prilled urea (PU), granular urea (GU), ammonium sulfate (AS), and calcium ammonium nitrate (CAN) in the first year; PU, urea coated with a urease inhibitor from 20 g (VnU-20) and 40 g (VnU-40) leaves of <i>Vachellia nilotica</i>, biochar-coated urea (BU), and urease inhibitor paraphenylenediamine-coated urea (PPDU) in the second year. Ammonia volatilization losses were tracked for up to 12 weeks from sowing. Ammonia losses from basal-applied N remained consistent in both years, comprising around 4% of the applied N. In the first year, top-dressed AS resulted in the highest losses, followed by GU, while losses from urea and CAN were statistically similar. In the second year, coated fertilizers showed lower ammonia losses compared to PU, with VnU-40 displaying the least losses, 48% less than PU. Nitrogen concentration in wheat grain and straw exhibited a negative correlation with ammonia losses. The choice of top-dressed N source influenced tillering, biological, straw, and grain yields of wheat. In the first year, CAN provided maximum yield benefits, and in the second year, VnU-20 exhibited 27% more grain yield than PU. These findings suggest that top dressing with coated urea, especially VnU-20, has the potential to reduce ammonia losses, improve crop nitrogen status, and enhance economic yield compared to other nitrogen sources.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"8882675"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11458304/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142393084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing Wheat Tolerance to Cadmium Stress through Moringa Leaf Extract Foliar Application.","authors":"Muhammad Hafeez Ul Rehman Khursheed, Muhammad Shahbaz, Tahrim Ramzan, Arslan Haider, Muhammad Faisal Maqsood, Arbaz Khan, Usman Zulfiqar, Muhammad Jamil, Sadam Hussain, Abdullah Ahmed Al-Ghamdi, Humaira Rizwana","doi":"10.1155/2024/2919557","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/2919557","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cadmium, a hazardous heavy metal prevalent in plants and soil, poses a significant threat to human health, particularly as approximately 60% of the global population consumes wheat, which can accumulate high levels of Cd through its roots. This uptake leads to the translocation of Cd to the shoots and grains, exacerbating the potential health risks. However, promising results have been observed with the use of moringa leaf extract (MLE) foliar spray in mitigating the adverse effects of Cd stress. The current experiment was conducted to find out the Cd stress tolerance of wheat varieties V1 = Akbar-19 and V2 = Dilkash-2020 under exogenous spray of MLE. The treatments of this study were <i>T</i>0 = 0% MLE + 0 <i>µ</i>M Cd, <i>T</i>1 = 3% MLE + 0 <i>µ</i>M Cd, <i>T</i>2 = 0% MLE + 400 <i>µ</i>M Cd, and <i>T</i>3 = 3% MLE + 400 <i>µ</i>M Cd. Cd stress demonstrated a significant reduction in morphological attributes as shoot and root fresh weight (22%), shoot and root dry weight (24.5%), shoot and root length (22.5%), area of leaf and number of leaves 30.5%, and photosynthetic attributes (69.8%) in comparison with control. Exposure of wheat plants to Cd toxicity cause oxidative stress, increased H₂O₂, and MDA up to 75% while foliar application of MLE reduced the activities of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The activity of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbic acid (AsA) increased up to 81.5% as well as organic osmolytes such as phenolics, total soluble proteins, and total soluble sugars were improved up to 77% by MLE applications under Cd stress. Higher accumulation of ionic contents root Na⁺ (22%) and Cd (44%) was documented in plants under Cd stress as compared to control, while uptake of root mineral ions Ca²⁺ and K⁺ was 35% more in MLE-treated plants. In crux, Cd toxicity significantly declined the growth, photosynthetic, and biochemical parameters while 3% MLE application was found effective in alleviating the Cd toxicity by improving growth and physiological parameters while declining reactive oxygen species and root Na⁺ as well as Cd uptake in wheat.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"2919557"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11458294/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142393083","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>In Vitro</i> Evaluation of <i>α</i>-Glucosidase and <i>α</i>-Amylase Inhibition in Thai Culinary Vegetables.","authors":"Khakhanang Ratananikom, Vichayut Juntaree, Woragon Wichaiyo, Kris Khunluek, Kantapon Premprayoon, Jittawan Kubola","doi":"10.1155/2024/3625267","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/3625267","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diabetes management through dietary intervention has gained significant interest, particularly in the use of natural plant-based inhibitors of key enzymes involved in carbohydrate digestion. The objective of this study was to assess the inhibitory effects of ten Thai culinary vegetables on <i>α</i>-glucosidase and <i>α</i>-amylase, including Chinese chive (<i>Allium tuberosum</i>), holy basil (<i>Ocimum tenuiflorum</i>), star gooseberry (<i>Phyllanthus acidus</i>), galangal (<i>Alpinia galanga</i>), bamboo grass (<i>Tiliacora triandra</i>), Turkey berry (<i>Solanum torvum</i>), cassod tree (<i>Senna siamea</i>), dill (<i>Anethum graveolens</i> L.), noni (<i>Morinda citrifolia</i>), and pearl wattle (<i>Leucaena leucocephala</i>). All vegetables were extracted using deionized water at a 1 : 10 ratio in an ultrasonic bath operating at 350 W and a frequency of 50 Hz for 30 minutes. The <i>α</i>-glucosidase inhibitory activities of the vegetable extracts ranged from 13.42 ± 0.23% to 79.84 ± 0.47%, while the inhibitory activities against <i>α</i>-amylase were relatively modest, ranging from 4.82 ± 3.32% to 27.49 ± 1.67%. Cassod tree exhibited the highest <i>α</i>-glucosidase inhibition with the lowest IC₅₀ at 126.38 ± 0.98 <i>μ</i>g/mL, followed by galangal (203.17 ± 1.05 <i>μ</i>g/mL) and holy basil (1,240 ± 20.31 <i>μ</i>g/mL), respectively. These results may hold promise for encouraging the consumption of vegetables as a strategy for diabetes management through the targeting of key enzyme inhibition.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"3625267"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11446620/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142366453","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Phytochemical Characterization and Assessment of Crude Extracts from <i>Justicia adhatoda</i> for Phytotoxic and Cytotoxic Activity.","authors":"Muhammad Nasir, Roha Ramash, Hira Fatima, Sana Ashraf, Iqra Munir, Sundas Asghar, Muhammad Adnan, Atifa Masood, Sunbal Khalil Chaudhari","doi":"10.1155/2024/1374346","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/1374346","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The aim of the study was to investigate the cytotoxicity, phytotoxicity, and proximate and phytochemical analysis of methanolic extracts of the leaves of <i>Justicia adhatoda</i>.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Methanolic leaf extract of <i>J. adhatoda</i> was screened for phytotoxic activity by using root length inhibition and seed germination assays. Cytotoxic activity was calculated using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. Plant extracts were also investigated for their proximate composition. The presence of several phytochemicals was tested by employing different methods.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Decrease in seed germination and root length, 62.67% and 83.11%, was proportional to the increasing concentration of the methanolic extract of the plant. Cytotoxicity assay results indicated that the methanolic extract possessed significant cytotoxic potential with an LC-50 of 217 <i>µ</i>g/ml. Proximate analysis revealed that the leaves of <i>J. adhatoda</i> contain 9.4% moisture, 90.6% dry matter, 19.25% crude protein, 4.5% crude fat, 8.0% crude fiber, and 11.5% total ash.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Methanolic extracts of <i>J. adhatoda</i> leaves showed significant cytotoxic effects and may have potential use in medicine. The <i>J. adhatoda</i> foliar extract shows good inhibitory effects against seed germination and root growth. Therefore, it might be used as soil additive in crops to control weeds. Further research is required to detect and isolate phytotoxins from the plant that might replace synthetic herbicides with eco-friendly herbicides.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"1374346"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11446621/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142366455","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative Microstructural Evaluation of Wood in Three Dominant <i>Ziziphus</i> Species of Desert Ecosystem (Cholistan), Pakistan.","authors":"Muhammad Bilal, Zaheer-Ud-Din Khan, Sohaib Muhammad, Uzma Hanif, Khalid Hussain, Muhammad Tayyab, Andleeb Anwar Sardar, Hassan Nawaz, Muhammad Jawad Tariq Khan, Mahrukh, Aneela Rasool, Summiya Faisal, Muhammad Zahid","doi":"10.1155/2024/3323920","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/3323920","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The present microstructural evaluation was carried out on the woods of three ethnobotanically important local fruit trees, namely, <i>Ziziphus mauritiana</i> Lam., Z. <i>spina-christi</i> (L.) Willd., and <i>Z. nummularia</i> (Burm.f.) Wight and Arn., of family Rhamnaceae from Cholistan Desert of Pakistan. Wood samples were sectioned with sliding sledge microtome to make permanent slides for observing different anatomical parameters under the light microscope. All selected species were observed to have diffuse-porous wood with indistinct growth rings. The vessels were rounded in outline in all the species studied and found mostly solitary or in radial multiples of 2 in <i>Ziziphus mauritiana</i> and <i>Z. nummularia</i>, while in radial multiples of 2 to 5 in <i>Z. spina-christi</i>. The intervessel pits were scalariform to opposite. The rays were uniseriate in <i>Ziziphus mauritiana</i>, while mostly were biseriate in <i>Ziziphus spina-christi</i>. Simple perforation plates and diffuse, confluent, and vasicentric types of axial parenchyma were present in all the selected species. The fibers were thin-walled and nonseptate. One-way ANOVA followed by the Tukey test was conducted to observe different anatomical variations within selected species. Principal component analysis revealed correlations among studied anatomical parameters. The number of rays per mm was comparatively larger in <i>Ziziphus nummularia,</i> showing its greater susceptibility to wood-deteriorating agents than in other selected species. The Runkel ratio indicated the selected species suitable for making paper.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"3323920"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11446617/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142366454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strategies to Mitigate Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions from the Solid Waste Management Sector: A Case Study of Vavuniya, Sri Lanka.","authors":"Sobana Kayanan, B F A Basnayake, R T K Ariyawansha","doi":"10.1155/2024/7709721","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/7709721","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The waste sector is a substantial source of GHG emissions worldwide. Open dumping and internal combustion (IC) waste collection vehicles are significant sources of GHG emissions in Vavuniya. This research aims to estimate GHG emissions and recommend strategies to reduce emissions from the solid waste management sector. The IPCC methodology, considering Tier 1 estimation values based on default activity data, was used to estimate CH₄ emissions from solid waste disposal sites. GHG emissions from collection vehicles were calculated based on IPCC mobile combustion recommendations. Three recommended strategies were considered based on demand, economic, and environmental feasibility and are expected to commence in 2025. According to current practices, open dumping generated 29.217 Gg of CO₂ equivalent up to 2023, projected to rise by 37.8% by 2040. There will be a 57% decrease in open dumping-related GHG emissions by 2040 if composting is made mandatory for biodegradable waste, even though it produces emissions. Solar panels will be used to charge electric vehicles that will replace IC ones to cut emissions and fuel expenditures by 2025. The carbon sink reforestation program at the district level would need to begin in 2025 with an area of 161 hectares to sequester cumulative GHG emissions from composting dumpsites and fuel vehicles to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040. Investments from Vavuniya Carbon Sink Bonds (VCSB) on additional solar panels will ensure financial feasibility, having an internal rate of return of 23.18%. It paves the path to reducing GHG emissions, which is highly emphasized in the Nationally Determined Contributions, National Climate Change Policy, and waste management policy of Sri Lanka.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"7709721"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11419843/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142308512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Floristic Composition, Diversity, and Regeneration of Woody Plant Species of Dabal Forest in Southeastern Ethiopia: Implication for Conservation.","authors":"Zinab Sherafu, Meseret C Egigu, Sasikumar J M","doi":"10.1155/2024/7414375","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/7414375","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Floristic composition, population structure, and regeneration status of woody species of Dabal forest found in East Hararghe zone of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, were studied. Vegetation data were obtained from 52 main plots of 20 × 20 m for mature woody species and 5 subplots of 5 × 5 m for seedlings and saplings. Density and dbh of each live woody plant species found in each sample plot were recorded. Frequency, basal area, importance value, and Shannon-Wiener diversity indices were also computed. Totally 59 woody plant species distributed in 33 families were documented. Of these, 45.80, 44.10, and 5.08% were shrubs, trees, and lianas, respectively. Species diversity and evenness indices were 3.56 and 0.87, respectively. Stem count of all woody species was 3379 stems ha^-1. Out of this, 44.6, 30.8, and 24.59% were seedlings (dbh <3.5 cm), saplings (dbh between 3.5 and 10 cm), and mature (dbh >10 cm) individuals, respectively. Total basal area of all individuals with dbh ≥3.5 cm was 29.88 m² ha^-1. <i>Juniperus procera</i>, <i>Cupressus lusitanica</i>, <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i>, <i>Afrocarpus falcatus, Eucalyptus camaldulensis</i>, <i>Myrsine africana</i>, <i>Maytenus undata</i>, <i>Hagenia abyssinica</i>, <i>Ekebergia capensis</i>, and <i>Cordia africana</i> were species with top ten IVI. Most of these species were top densest, dominant, and frequent. Analysis of population structure based on pooled densities of all species in each dbh class showed that density of seedling > sapling > mature individuals, signifying healthy population structure with good natural regeneration potential. On individual basis, however, 35.6 and 8.5% of species showed fair and poor regeneration statuses, respectively, that deserve attention for conservation.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"7414375"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11405105/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142294936","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of Organic Substrate Amendments on Selected Organic Fractions and Biochemical Parameters under Different Soils.","authors":"Nguyen Do Chau Giang, Tran Van Dung, Nguyen Minh Dong, Nguyen Minh Phuong, Vu Van Long","doi":"10.1155/2024/9997751","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/9997751","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The application of organic substrates can affect soil respiration, dehydrogenase (DH-ase) activity, dissolved organic carbon (DOC), and humic acid (HA) fractions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of five organic substrates in the organic fractions of degraded alluvial soil, acid sulfate soil, and sandy soils and the physicochemical properties of the soil. Soil samples were amended at a rate of 5 tons ha^-1 with (1) water hyacinth compost, (2) sugarcane filter cake compost, (3) biogas sludge-rice straw compost, (4) vermicompost, and (5) sludge. The results showed that soil respiration and DH-ase activity increased rapidly within the first 5 days of incubation, while the concentrations of DOC and HA decreased throughout the incubation period. The highest respiration and DH-ase activity occurred after the application of vermicompost. DOC was found to be the highest in soils amended with sugarcane. The highest concentration of HA was observed with the application of sugarcane residues, regardless of the type of soil. The application of water hyacinth and biogas sludge stimulated cumulative HA only in the acid sulfate soil, while vermicompost improved HA only in the degraded soil. The largest stimulation in respiration and DH-ase activity was observed in degraded and sandy soils, regardless of the type of amendment. In the acid sulfate soil (3.7 mg·C·g^-1), larger amounts of DOC and HA were observed than in both degraded (1.7 mg·C·g^-1) and sandy soils (1 mg·C·g^-1). However, DH-ase activity was the lowest in acid sulfate soil.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"9997751"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11405112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142294935","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Retrospective Investigation of Abortion Storm in Abergele Goats, Waghimira Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.","authors":"Adane Bahiru, Ayalew Assefa, Biruk Alemu Gemeda, Hiwot Desta, Abebe Tibebu, Abebe Sahle, Barbara Wieland","doi":"10.1155/2024/5686443","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5686443","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A retrospective study was conducted in Abergele and Ziquala districts in Ethiopia to investigate the occurrence, impact, and potential risk factors for abortion in small ruminants linked to a regional abortion storm. Affected (case) and nonaffected (control) villages were compared to assess infectious and noninfectious risk factors causing abortions. A case village was defined as a village with abortion seen in all households enrolled in the study, while a control village is characterized by presence of abortion in two and fewer households. A questionnaire survey, focus group discussions, and serological examinations were used to assess the differences in the abortion rate between the case and control villages. The Rose Bengal Plate Test for Brucellosis, <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> Antibody Test Kit for <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, and ELISA for <i>Chlamydophila abortus</i> and <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> were used to detect antibodies. Per village 15 household flocks were selected. In the case villages, all flocks were affected by abortion (a mean abortion of 13 animals in Abergele and 9 in Ziquala). In contrast, only three households reported abortions in the control villages. A total of 176 blood samples were collected from the case and control villages for further laboratory diagnosis of possible causes of abortion. Of the examined flocks, 17%, 10.2%, and 2.8% were positive for <i>Coxiella burnetii</i>, <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i>, and <i>Chlamydophila abortus,</i> respectively. However, antibodies against <i>Brucella melitensis</i> were not detected. While the seroprevalence was greater for some infectious agents of abortion, there was no significant difference between the case and control villages. It is clear that the abortion problem in the study villages is complex and likely due to a mix of poor husbandry practices and the presence of infectious diseases. To better understand the underlying causes of abortion, there is a need to conduct a longitudinal study involving testing for more pathogens at the household level combined with reliable data on husbandry practices.</p>","PeriodicalId":21726,"journal":{"name":"Scientifica","volume":"2024 ","pages":"5686443"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3,"publicationDate":"2024-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11392581/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142294933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}