Scientifica最新文献

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a critical legume for food security and soil fertility in Ethiopia, yet its productivity remains suboptimal due to multiple constraints, including poor agronomic practices, among which suboptimal plant spacing contributes to yield gaps. Farmers often use arbitrary spacing, leading to inconsistent yields, while the performance of improved varieties such as "Gora" and "Moti" under varying densities is underexplored in regions such as Guduru. This study aimed to (1) evaluate growth and yield responses of faba bean varieties to intrarow spacing; (2) identify optimal spacing for yield maximization; and (3) assess variety × spacing interactions. A factorial experiment (3 varieties × 4 spacings: 5, 10, 15, 20 cm) was conducted in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications during the 2023-2024 cropping season in Guduru, Ethiopia. Data on phenology, growth, yield components, and economic returns were analyzed. Two-way ANOVA was performed using GenStat 15, with significant differences separated by Fisher's LSD test (p < 0.05). "Gora" and "Moti" outperformed the local variety in yield (3643 and 3189 kg ha^-1, respectively) and harvest index (43% and 40%). Wider spacing (20 cm) enhanced individual plant performance (e.g., 45.3 seeds plant^-1 for "Gora"), but 10 cm spacing optimized population-level yield (3080 kg ha^-1) and economic returns (MRR > 100%). Moderate intrarow spacing (10 cm) with improved varieties ("Gora") maximizes yield and profitability in faba bean production. Future studies should explore genotype-specific spacing under diverse agroecologies and integrate modern agronomic practices such as precision planting to further enhance productivity.

Background: This study uses an ELISA-based cytomegalovirus (CMV) antigen estimation method to identify IgG and IgM antibodies in mothers' breast milk. In Pakistan, the prevalence of CMV is very high in the general population, especially in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), where it is at its worst due to poor healthcare practices, including poor sanitation, sterilization, suboptimal medicinal doses, and miscommunication between healthcare providers and patients, contributing to higher mortality rates. The high CMV prevalence has significant implication in infants including congenital infection and in mothers, health complications such as fatigue, flue, and jaundice. The study aims to determine the viral load of the CMV in breastfeeding women in KPK, Pakistan.

Methods: Breast milk samples were collected in sterilized vacutainers from feeding mothers visiting hospitals in KPK. Each woman was asked about CMV infection through a background questionnaire. Milk samples were tested for CMV-specific immunoglobulin IgG and IgM antibodies.

Results: A total of 406 breast milk samples from breastfeeding women in the research area were randomly analyzed. By using ELISA, 184 of them were found to have IgG positivity, and 49 had IgM positivity. These positive women were further segregated according to their education, age, socioeconomic status, place of residence, history of jaundice, parity, and miscarriage.

Conclusions: It was discovered that nursing women face the same risk of infection, regardless of their age. The awareness of CMV appears to improve with education. However, the population's poor economic standing was a primary contributing factor to CMV infections. Additionally, in the research location, CMV was more common in countryside rural areas compared to metropolitan. ELISA was extremely sensitive for identifying antibody and antigen reactivity in individuals with recurrent and primary CMV infections.

Marek's disease caused by Marek's disease virus (MDV) serotype 1 is an economically important neoplastic disease of poultry. Diagnosis of this disease is usually based on clinical signs, postmortem lesions, and diagnostic tests like cytology, histopathology, and molecular-based methods. However, there might be the problem of inaccurate diagnosis in Nigeria. Employment of gross pathology, histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with sequence analysis provides a reliable approach to arrive at precise confirmatory diagnosis of the disease. Therefore, visceral organs including liver, proventriculus intestine, spleen, and heart samples were collected at postmortem examinations from two pullets suspected of having Marek's disease. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry, PCR amplification of a 576 bp fragment of the MDV glycoprotein L (gL) gene, and sequence analysis were employed in this diagnostic approach. Histopathological examinations of the liver, heart and proventriculus showed neoplastic pleomorphic cellular infiltration comprising lymphoblasts, lymphocytes, macrophages, and heterophils which correspond with the pathology of Marek's disease. Liver samples were positive for the virus using PCR. Sequence analysis based on phylogenetic tree reconstruction revealed the positive MDV. MDV sequences from this study clustered with MDV serotype 1 sequences retrieved from the GenBank. This approach provides a reliable and precise diagnosis of Marek's disease in chickens which is applicable to other avian diseases.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/sci5/4311313.].

There has been a recent rise in the utilization of complementary herbal medicines as a means to discover efficacious alternative treatments that mitigate the negative consequences of pharmaceuticals. Colocasia affinis Schott is a member of the Araceae family, with various components such as the root, fruit, and leaves utilized for medicinal purposes. This study aims to explore the in vitro phytochemical, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and thrombolytic properties of the ethanolic extract obtained from the leaves of C. affinis (EECA) using an experimental approach. The extract derived from EECA revealed the presence of secondary metabolites, including alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, steroids, saponins, carbohydrates, amides, phenols, and reducing sugars, and demonstrated remarkable antioxidant activity in the DPPH scavenging assay (IC₅₀ = 60.36 μg/mL). Secondly, five clinical isolates of bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli, Salmonella paratyphi, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Vibrio cholerae, were employed to examine the antimicrobial properties of EECA. In the context of thrombolytic activity, EECA demonstrated a noteworthy level of clot lysis (39.086 ± 0.570% and 23.111 ± 0.398%) at doses of 500 and 250 μg/mL, respectively, when compared to streptokinase. Furthermore, EECA exhibited a significant anti-inflammatory effect, as evidenced by the inhibition of protein denaturation (60.24 ± 1.49, 43.81 ± 1.76, and 30.83 ± 2.57) across concentration ranges of 500, 250, and 125 μg/mL. The findings indicated the presence of phytochemicals and notable free radical scavenging activity. EECA exhibited a broad range of antimicrobial activity, along with notable thrombolytic and anti-inflammatory effects. This investigation presents empirical evidence that supports the application of EECA in traditional medicine.

This scoping review aims to synthesize the current clinical evidence on probiotics used in tuberculosis (TB). Systematic literature searches were conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases to identify all studies using probiotics in TB. A total of six studies conducted between 2016 and 2023 were found and included in this review. All the studies incorporated probiotics supplementation not beyond the intensive phase of antitubercular therapy (ATT), ranging from three to eight weeks. Five out of six included studies focused on pulmonary TB. Probiotics alleviate adverse gastrointestinal and hepatic drug reactions, modulate gut microbiota, enhance barrier function, and influence immune responses. Therefore, probiotics are a potential adjunct therapy during the intensive phase of ATT. However, their long-term effects remain unexplored, highlighting the future research scope for well-designed longitudinal studies to explore their sustained benefits.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is currently considered the gold standard of treatment, with its evidence-based framework widely used in healthcare. However, its implementation in real-world settings faces numerous challenges. Understanding the barriers and facilitators of CBT implementation is essential to improving its accessibility and effectiveness. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases from 20/9/2024 to 10/10/2024, including PubMed, CINAHL, ProQuest, and Web of Science. Studies published in English from 1994 to 2024 were included. This systematic review was reported using the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (Registered No. CRD42024570477). Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies were analyzed to identify key implementation challenges and enablers. Data extraction and quality assessments were performed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and the JBI critical appraisal tools. A total of 32 studies with 2082 participants were included in this review. Common barriers to CBT implementation included limited training opportunities for clinicians, high caseloads, organizational constraints, resistance to change, and inadequate funding. Digital literacy challenges and technical issues further hindered the adoption of internet-based CBT (iCBT). Facilitators included strong leadership support, structured training programs, stakeholder engagement, and the integration of digital and step-care approaches to enhance accessibility. The findings highlight the importance of addressing systemic, organizational, and individual-level barriers to improve the implementation of CBT. Strengthening clinician training, increasing institutional support, and leveraging digital solutions can enhance the accessibility and sustainability of CBT interventions. This review provides practical insights for policymakers, mental health professionals, and researchers working toward optimizing CBT implementation in diverse settings.

Tomatoes, as one of the main vegetables in the world, are facing increasingly greater cultivation challenges due to environmental changes. The challenges include abiotic stresses such as high temperatures, drought, and salinity, which significantly impact tomato growth. Melatonin, a hormone recognized for its function in the human sleep cycle, has surfaced as a potential remedy for improving plant resilience. This article explores the effects of melatonin on tomatoes, particularly under abiotic stress. A comprehensive literature search using Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, and ProQuest ensures the synthesis of relevant scientific literature. This review reports that the melatonin content in tomatoes varies among plant organs and is influenced by environmental factors. The application of exogenous melatonin has been proven beneficial in stress conditions, enhancing antioxidant activities, photosynthesis, and stress resistance. The function of melatonin in gene regulation, antioxidants, and signaling pathways contributes to stress adaptation. The biosynthesis of melatonin in plants includes the enzymatic conversion of tryptophan. Although much is already known, future research is essential to comprehend the function of several melatonin features in sustaining plant equilibrium under environmental stresses.

Introduction: Patients in the preoperative period for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) frequently experience significant anxiety and depression, in addition to the physical symptoms necessitating the procedure. Preoperative health education is a crucial intervention to enhance patient knowledge, manage this psychological distress, and improve preparedness for the surgical process.

Objective: This scoping review aims to map the guidelines and strategies used for patient health education and anxiety management in the preoperative period for CABG.

Method: A scoping review was conducted in March 2024, adhering to the JBI framework. Thirteen databases were searched with no temporal or linguistic restrictions. Eligibility criteria were limited to open-access studies focused on preoperative interventions for CABG. The findings were analyzed and synthesized descriptively.

Results: The final selection included 12 studies. Key educational guidelines identified focused on surgical planning, detailed explanations of the procedure, familiarization with medical devices (e.g., drains and monitors), and postoperative care instructions. The reviewed literature consistently demonstrated that these educational interventions are effective in managing patient anxiety and are associated with a reduction in postoperative complications.

Conclusion: This review provides key guidelines for preoperative education to help clinicians reduce patient anxiety and improve surgical outcomes for those undergoing CABG.

Metabolic disorders are complex conditions that arise from abnormal biochemical reactions, disrupting normal metabolic processes. The most prevalent metabolic disorders include obesity, Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), cardiovascular disease (CVD), nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite extensive research, no definitive therapeutic strategy has been established for a complete cure. Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiome dysbiosis plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of these disorders, as maintaining microbial homeostasis is essential for metabolic health. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are a key metabolite produced by gut microbiota and exhibit significant therapeutic potential by serving as an energy source for colonocytes, enhancing gut barrier integrity, and modulating inflammation. Our analysis reveals that targeted microbial modulation, particularly through SCFA-producing probiotics and prebiotics, consistently benefits host metabolism and reduces systemic inflammation across multiple conditions. This review highlights the importance of gut microbiota as a viable therapeutic target and underscore the need for further clinical trials to validate microbiome-based interventions in metabolic disease management.