The aim of this study was to evaluate the kinetics of local and systemic immune cell populations in mammary secretions and blood samples from cows free of intramammary infections (IMI) and chronically infected with Staphylococcus aureus during active involution. Cows in late lactation that were either uninfected or with chronic S. aureus IMI were included in this study. The percentages of CD14+ cells in blood samples were significantly higher in S. aureus-infected animals than in uninfected animals at days 7 and 21 post-drying-off. However, the percentages of these cells in the mammary secretions from S. aureus-infected quarters were significantly lower compared with those of the uninfected quarters in all evaluated periods. The percentages of CD4+ cells were similar between uninfected animals and S. aureus-infected animals at all involution times in both blood and mammary secretion samples. The percentages of CD8+ cells decreased significantly in mammary secretions of S. aureus-infected quarters compared with those of the uninfected quarters at all involution stages. The percentages of CD21+ cells decreased in blood samples of S. aureus-infected animals compared with uninfected animals at day 21. In secretion samples, the percentages of CD21+ cells decreased in S. aureus-infected quarters at day 7 compared with those of the uninfected quarters. In conclusion, chronic S. aureus IMI induces a significant increase in the number of CD14+ cells in the blood circulation; however, these cells do not appear to migrate to the mammary secretion being potentially retained in the tissue. Although CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes did not vary between S. aureus-infected and uninfected animals throughout involution, the decrease in CD8+ cells in mammary secretion from S. aureus-infected animals suggests that these cells are retained in the mammary tissue, fulfilling their specific functions to eliminate intracellularly infected cells. The low number of CD21+ lymphocytes in mammary secretions of infected animals would reduce the humoral defence potential of the gland.

Regular physical activity for adults is associated with optimal appetite regulation, though little work has been performed in adolescents. To address this gap in the literature, we conducted a study examining appetite across a range of physical activity and adiposity levels in adolescent males. Healthy males (n 46, 14–18 years old) were recruited across four body weight and activity categories: normal weight/high active (n 11), normal weight/low active (n 13), overweight, obese/high active (n 14), overweight and obese/low active (n 8). Participants from each group completed a 6-h appetite assessment session on Day 0, followed immediately by a 14-day free-living physical activity and dietary assessment period on Days 1–14, and a fitness test session occurring between Days 15–18. Subjective and objective assessment of appetite, resting energy expenditure, body composition using dual energy absorptiometry and thermic effect of feeding (TEF) was conducted on Day 0. Physiological variables in the normal weight low active group that were different than their peers included lower fat-free mass, cardiorespiratory fitness, glucose/fullness response to a standardised meal, TEF in response to a standardised meal, lower self-rated fullness and satiety and higher self-rated hunger to a standardised meal. Conversely, the overweight, obese high active group displayed better subjective appetite responses, but higher insulin responses to a standardised meal. Taken together, these results suggest that physical inactivity during adolescence has a negative impact on metabolic health and appetite control, which may contribute to future weight gain.

This cross-sectional study examined the association between diet price and diet quality in a national sample of Australian adults (n 1956). Diet recall data from the 2020 International Food Policy Study were linked to a national food and beverage price dataset. Daily diet price was calculated by summing the median non-promotional prices of all foods and beverages recorded in diet recall data, priced per gram (or millilitre) and adjusted for edible portions. Diet quality was determined using the Australian Dietary Guideline Index 2013 (scored out of 115). Linear regression models tested the association between the diet price (per dollar and per ten-dollar increments) and diet quality, adjusted for education, age and sex. A positive association was observed, where diet quality increased by 0·09 units (95 % CI 0·05, 0·14) for every $AU 1 increase in diet price. Daily diet price explained approximately 8 % of the variation in diet quality across the sample (R2 = 0·08). When categorised in ten-dollar increments, participants with diet prices < $AU 10/d had a lower mean diet quality score (51·96) compared with all other diet price categories, 5–6 points lower than those whose diet was > $30/d. Diet price appeared to be a modest yet significant determinant of diet quality for Australian adults in 2020. Additional analyses are needed to investigate these associations during recent food inflation. As diet quality appears to be lowest for people who spend the least on food, government action to increase priority communities’ food budgets may help improve the nutritional quality of population diets.

Shift work-induced circadian disruption has been linked to various cardiometabolic diseases, including obesity, diabetes and CVD. Limited studies have explored the impact of different variables such as night work durations, intensities and chronotype on cardiometabolic risk. This study aimed to determine the impact of circadian disruption on cardiometabolic risk markers in shift workers. This case–control study was conducted with 104 male workers (shift workers; n 52, mean age; 43·3 (sd 10·2), and non-shift workers; n 52, mean age; 41·2 (sd 9·8)). Shift work details were determined via an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Cardiometabolic risk was evaluated through anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference and body composition), biochemical (fasting glucose and lipid profile), clinical (blood pressure) and dietary assessment (24-h recalls from working and non-working days). The chronotype was determined via the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). Shift workers had significantly higher mean body fat percentage (31·7, 22·7 % P = 0·031), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (138·6, 128·5 mmHg P = 0·009), pulse rate (78·7, 72·3 bpm P = 0·015), TAG (1·60, 1·30 mmol/l P = 0·021) and LDL-cholesterol (3·90, 3·40 mmol/l P = 0·012) than non-shift workers. Evening chronotype shift workers had significantly higher visceral fat levels (12·8, 8·90 P = 0·001), SBP (137·0, 127·6 mmHg P = 0·006), pulse rate (82·7, 73·3 bpm P = 0·005) and LDL-cholesterol (4·00, 3·40 mmol/l P = 0·039) than shift workers with a morning chronotype. In conclusion, shift workers exhibited higher metabolic risk markers than non-shift workers. Shift workers with evening chronotypes had higher cardiometabolic risk than morning chronotypes. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and inform targeted interventions for individuals engaged in shift work, considering chronotypes.

There is increased interest in self-selected exclusionary diet patterns, specifically vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free (GF) diets, but there is a lack of research exploring the beliefs and behaviours surrounding these diets in Canadians capable of bearing children (CCBC). The goal of this study was to explore the beliefs and behaviours of CCBC who follow vegetarian, vegan, and/or GF diets using mixed methods. A self-administered online Qualtrics™ survey containing 102 questions was conducted using open text and closed format questions. Continuous variables were summarized using mean and standard deviation while percentages were used to summarize categorical variables. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. A total of 271 CCBC between 18–45 years of age were analysed, with 27%, 22%, and 3.7% indicating they followed a vegan, vegetarian, and/or GF diet, respectively. Three main themes emerged that influenced CCBC beliefs about their chosen diet. The belief that these diets are healthy or could impart health in some way, was the main reason for following their chosen diet, especially in those who identified as vegetarian. Ethical/moral concerns, primarily around animal welfare and the environment, was the second theme for following their chosen dietary pattern, especially amongst those who identified as vegan. Perception of social judgement in the forms of criticism, guilt, and isolation were noted by some CCBC, with family, friends, and colleagues interacting differently with them because of their dietary choices. These findings serve to enhance our understanding of the beliefs and behaviours of CCBC who choose to follow exclusionary diets.

The fungus Beauveria bassiana (Unioeste 76) was tested against the soybean pest Euschistus heros in laboratory, greenhouse, and field. In the laboratory, insects were sprayed with pure conidia (TC) suspended in distilled water or in an oil dispersion formulation (OD; vegetable oil) at a concentration of 109 conidia/mL. The UV-B radiation and heat tolerance of the conidia were also assessed. After 12 days, the mortality rates in the laboratory were 70% for the TC treatment and 80% for the OD treatment. In the greenhouse pre-infestation bioassay, which used soybean plants in cages, the fungal treatments resulted in 52% and 47% mortality for the TC and OD formulations, respectively. In the post-infestation bioassay, both fungal treatments caused 83% mortality. In the field trial conducted on soybean plots (14 × 18 m), the treatments included: (i) biological: OD (109 conidia/mL); (ii) chemical insecticide; (iii) biological + chemical, all applied at 150 L/ha. Insect numbers were evaluated using beating-sheet sampling. In the final population sample, the biological treatment showed a population density similar to the chemical treatment (0.94 and 0.83 insects/m, respectively), both below the economic threshold. Conidia tolerance to UV-B radiation was similar across both treatments, but conidia in oil were less tolerant to heat. These results suggest that strategically combining both approaches (B. bassiana with chemical insecticides), with careful consideration of application intervals, could provide a sustainable and effective method for managing natural populations of E. heros.

While increasing seafood consumption may help address micronutrient deficiencies and metabolic disorders, evidence supporting this recommendation in the Indian context remains limited and inconclusive. Using the nationally representative cross-sectional 2019–2021 National Family Health Survey dataset, we investigated the association of fish consumption frequency with anaemia and metabolic disorders (overweight/obesity, hypertension and hyperglycaemia) among adult men (aged 15–54 years) and women (aged 15–49 years) in India. A control function (CF) method was employed to examine the association in individuals who consumed fish daily and those who reported consuming fish daily/weekly. The analysis was restricted to non-vegetarians (who reported ever consuming egg, fish or meat). Overall, 86·9 % of men and 74·7 % of women were non-vegetarians. CF analysis revealed that both daily and daily/weekly fish consumption were associated with a reduced risk of anaemia among both men and women. Daily fish consumers exhibited increased likelihood of overweight/obesity (men: β: 0·405, 95 % CI: 0·074, 0·735, P: 0·017; women: β: 0·248, 95 % CI 0·125, 0·370, P < 0·001). Conversely, daily/weekly fish intake was associated with a reduced risk of overweight/obesity in men (β: −0·041, 95 % CI: −0·069, −0·013; P: 0·004). Daily/weekly fish consumption was associated with a reduced risk of hypertension and increased odds of hyperglycaemia among men. Fish consumption demonstrated a potentially protective relationship against hypertension in women, regardless of how often they consumed fish, while also being associated with a higher prevalence of hyperglycaemia. Indian adults can improve their health by eating more fish, which can help fight anaemia and may also reduce overweight/obesity and high blood pressure.

India, as the world’s most populous country, and with a substantial urban population, requires strategic development to mitigate the risks of urban pluvial flooding in the context of a changing climate. Rapid urbanization increases the presence of impervious surfaces, and climate change effects bring intense, frequent and long-duration rainfall events in India, which magnify urban flooding. Implementing sustainable urban drainage solutions (SUDSs) would mitigate stormwater flood risks, but India has yet to adopt this approach; instead, it relies on traditional drainage infrastructure, despite increasing population indices and an extended yearly rainfall season. Here, we highlight the existing scenario, the challenges and the way forward towards implementing SUDSs in India. To attain SUDSs, city-specific drainage-related challenges need to be identified through problem tree analysis, co-creation with stakeholders of a shared vision for sustainable urban drainage and the design of actionable pathways and experimental approaches for implementing interventions and refining practical indicators. These actions could collectively provide a roadmap for achieving resilient SUDSs.

Butachlor is a herbicide extensively employed in rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivation but historically under-investigated for its toxicological impacts on terrestrial vegetation. This study examines the dose-dependent effects of butachlor on the germination and antioxidant defense mechanisms in the seeds of Asian tape grass [Vallisneria natans (Lour.) H. Hara], an important submerged plant species widely distributed in the agricultural ponds. In a hydroponic setup, seeds were exposed to four concentrations of butachlor (0, 20, 200, and 2,000 μg ai L−1), and cultivated under controlled light conditions to quantify germination rates and assess oxidative stress responses. Our findings showed that butachlor concentrations up to 20 μg L−1 had no effect on the germination rate of V. natans seeds, while germination rates decreased by 6.0% and 8.7% at 200 and 2,000 μg L−1, respectively. At 2,000 μg L−1, malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased by 5.7 nmol g−1 FW, and catalase (CAT) activity declined by 21%, indicating oxidative damage. Additionally, the antioxidants proline (Pro) and glutathione (GSH) were upregulated under 20 μg L−1 butachlor treatment after 12 h, contributing to reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging and cellular stability. This study highlights the nuanced interactions between butachlor exposure and the antioxidant defenses in V. natans, providing valuable insights into the ecological impacts of herbicide pollution. Understanding these interactions is crucial for development of sustainable agricultural practices and management of herbicide resistance in aquatic systems.

Each year, over 100,000 dogs are imported into Germany from other EU countries by animal welfare organisations, mainly from Romania. This study conducted a systematic content analysis of websites belonging to 241 animal welfare organisations that rehome dogs from southern and eastern Europe to Germany. Assessment included transparency, legal compliance, and availability of educational and medical information for adopters. The study shows that many organisations lacked information regarding dogs’ origins, transport methods, or health status which sometimes makes it difficult to distinguish between dog rescue and illegal dog trade. Photos were mainly used in adoption advertisements and behavioural descriptions were only included in two-thirds of the dog advertisements which poses a risk of increased dog relinquishment post-adoption due to behavioural unsuitability. Information on vector-borne diseases and typical behaviour of imported rescue dogs was not provided comprehensively. Few organisations violated legal standards, offering underage or banned breeds and failing to use the TRACES transport system. Most organisations relied upon private foster homes, while few had no temporary housing available in Germany. Although most claimed to conduct pre-adoption checks, comprehensive contract details were rarely published. The number of existing animal welfare organisations that rehome dogs from southern and eastern Europe to Germany is unable to be determined due to high fluctuation and the lack of central registry. Inadequate health disclosures and behavioural descriptions risk poor adoption matches and increased returns. Lack of legal compliance may endanger both animal and public welfare and opens the door to illegal dog trade. Sustainable animal protection requires better adopter education, reliable medical testing, and local engagement in source countries to reduce reliance upon transnational rehoming.