Listeriosis Outbreak in Sheep Raised in Feedlots in the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

Background: A listeriosis outbreak in a sheep fattening feedlot in the Southern Region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil is described. This disease is caused by Listeria monocytogenes and represents a risk to public health since it affects not only ruminants but also humans. This agent is widely spread in the environment, such as in the soil and water. It is also found in decaying vegetable matter and the feces and fluids of domestic animals. The aim of this study was to describe a listeriosis outbreak in sheep raised in feedlots, its epidemiology, and to establish the importance of this disease in this type of sheep management system, evaluate the possible sources of infection, and suggest ways to control it.Cases: Sheep were kept in a 2-sector shed, one with east solar orientation and the other with west solar orientation, the latter with free access to domestic birds. Sheep were fed silage and concentrate. Seven sheep were affected, 5 died and 2 recovered. Clinically, the sheep displayed loss of balance, excessive drooling, and tremors; one exhibited circling, head deviation, apathy, nystagmus, lateral recumbency, paddling, and labored breathing. At necropsy, macroscopic lesions were not found, and histologically several micro-abscesses and perivascular cuffs with lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils were present in the brain stem. Listeria monocytogenes suspected colonies were observed in the microbiological culture, and the bacteria was identified by biochemical analysis. The immunohistochemistry test in brain stem sections was positive for the antibody BD DifcoTM Listeria O Antiserum Poly Serotypes 1 and 4.Discussion: A listeriosis outbreak in a feedlot sheep was confirmed through epidemiological findings, histological lesions, bacterial culture, and immunohistochemistry analysis. This infection is frequent in sheep fed silage of poor quality or other food with improper storage and lack of hygiene. In the present outbreak, the bacteria were isolated from silage. However, it is likely that domestic birds, which were raised in the same place and had free access to the west sector of the feedlot, were the initial source of infection, because the sheep from the opposite sector (east) did not get ill. The disease caused by environmental contamination or through contact with fluids and feces of ducks, chickens, cattle, and pigs has already been described in outbreaks that occurred in the central region of Rio Grande do Sul. Sheep aggregation in feedlot systems is also a favorable factor for the development of the bacteria and the occurrence of outbreaks because the accumulation of feces and urine cause humidity on the stalls. This allows outbreaks to occur in other seasons of the year, such as in the outbreak reported herein. The exchange of silage that served as food for sheep was another control measure, and new cases were not reported 8 months after these procedures were taken. In the outbreak studied, 2 sheep that exhibited clinical signs were treated with oxytetracycline and recovered. Some authors report that treatment for listeriosis is inefficient because neurological lesions are irreversible. Nonetheless, other studies have reported the recovery of some animals when they were treated with oxytetracycline or a combination of oxytetracycline and dexamethasone or ampicillin and gentamicin like in the outbreak described in this paper.Keywords: Listeria monocytogenes, central nervous system, silage, feedlot, ovine.

Spatial analysis and model construction of NDVI Based on meteorological data

NDVI (Normalized Vegetation Index) is an important characteristic index to study regional vegetation change, which is greatly influenced by meteorological data. Based on the analysis of the trend change and correlation between NDVI and PWV (Precipitable Water Vapor), precipitation and temperature in four geographical regions of China, this paper constructs a model between NDVI and PWV, precipitation and temperature in each geographical region according to multiple regression, and predicts NDVI through meteorological data. The results show that:(1) NDVI and meteorological factors have the same changing trend, and the maximum value appears in every region from June to September, and the value of NDVI in southern region is relatively large. (2) The correlation between rainfall and NDVI is the highest in Qinghai-Tibet region, the correlation between temperature, PWV and NDVI is the highest in northern region, the correlation between NDVI and rainfall, temperature and PWV is the lowest in southern region. (3)According to the meteorological data ,NDVI prediction can be achieved better, and the prediction effect in southern region is the best and the model accuracy is the highest. (4) NDVI is negatively related to El Niño event, positively related to La Nina event, and the stronger El Niño and La Nina events are, the higher the correlation is.

Scientific Analysis for Furnace Walls of the Joseon Dynasty Excavated in Southern Region of the Korean Peninsula

A study on the Joseon Dynasty’s furnace walls, excavated from south Korea, was conducted to identify the correlations and differences of the furnace walls found in Jeolla and Gyeongsang regions. Three ruins in the Jeolla region and two in the Gyeongsang region were selected for the analysis. The results showed a layer change depending on the degree of plasticity and difference in the number of layers and particle phase. Furthermore, although the temperature to be subjected to heat was divided into 1300°C and 1100°C, it was not a phenomenon that appeared according to the region. Additionally, analysis result of major components revealed that the TiO2 content of most samples does not exceed 1wt%, This means that the furnace did not smelt iron sand or smelted it into low-titanium sand. This study indicated a slight similarity between the furnace walls found in the two regions, and the correlation was determined based on the nature of the ruins, raw materials of the metals ores, and composition of the raw materials constituting the furnace walls.

Evaluation of Forensic Genetic Parameters of 24 STR Loci and Y indel in a Southern Region Saudi Population Sample Using GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification Kit

The last three decades have seen rapid advances in the field of short tandem repeats (STRs) genotyping technology. Autosomal STRs have emerged as a powerful tool in forensic identification and paternity investigations. The indigenous population of Saudi Arabia is irregularly distributed and has historically been organized into geographically distinct groups or tribes of patrilineal descent. So far, there has been no detailed investigation of the southern region Saudi population to assist in the interpretation of DNA-based forensic evidence and in the construction of DNA database. The objective of this study is to investigate the genetic structure in 154 unrelated healthy Saudi subjects within three generations from the southern Saudi regions using a GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification kit. Intra- and Inter-population genetic diversity as well as the forensic genetics parameters were analyzed. Our results showed that SE33 and TPOX loci were the most and the least polymorphic loci, respectively. The PIC, PE, TPI, Ho and He varied from 0.56116 (TPOX) to 0.94393 (SE33), 0.26638 (TPOX) to 0.83859 (SE33), 1.1875 (TPOX) to 6.33333 (SE33), 0.57894 (TPOX) to 0.92105 (SE33) and 0.6169 (TPOX) to 0.952 (SE33), respectively. The highest PM was observed for D22S1045 (0.223944) and the highest PD for SE33 (0.98935). The combined PD was 99.99999999% and the combined PM was equal to 3.19021E-25. Phylogenetic parameters showed that the southern region Saudi population had the closest genetic relationship with the Saudi, Emirati, Kuwaiti, and Bahraini populations. The study offers some important insights into the southern region Saudi population structure using GlobalFiler™ PCR Amplification kit.

Acceptability of the COVID-19 Vaccine among Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study of the General Population in the Southern Region of Saudi Arabia

Vaccines afford protection against infectious diseases. However, a sizeable part of the population refuse vaccinations and continue to dispute the evidence supporting vaccinations. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of COVID-19 vaccination uptake and its determinants among the Saudi population in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey studied COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in adults in Saudi Arabia, targeting the general population in the southwestern region. Data were collected through an online survey questionnaire tool. All data were analysed using SPSS version 23.0. The majority (57.29%) of the participants were willing to receive the new COVID-19 vaccine, whereas almost 64% believed it is necessary to take the COVID-19 vaccine to protect oneself and that the vaccine is safe, efficient and effective. The data showed that perceived risk of COVID-19 (p = 0.015), history of previous vaccination against seasonal influenza (p = 0.000), and trust in the healthcare system (p = 0.025) were significant predictors for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. We conclude that participants’ trust in the healthcare system, perceived risk of contracting COVID-19, and history of previous vaccination against seasonal influenza were significant predictors for COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Knowing the acceptance rates for the COVID-19 vaccination can aid state agencies, medical practitioners, and other entities in reducing the impact of vaccine avoidance.

Pansori today: aesthetic demands vs. vocal health

Introduction: Pansori is a traditional Korean dramatic art form, which likely appeared in the mid-eighteenth century in the southern region of Korea. In pansori, there is a strong inclination toward preserving tradition, especially in regard to training, which is generally considered particularly demanding in terms of risks to vocal health. Nevertheless —as highlighted by recent studies— some innovations took place in pansori characteristics and performances in the last few decades. Objective: We hypothesize that these innovations have impacted the attitudes of singers and teachers towards pansori training and vocal health issues and that a new approach to voice training in pansori might be recommended. Method: Starting with recent evolutions of pansori and considering previous studies, we discuss how these changes might produce innovations —or at least a demand for innovation— in pansori’s training. We also try to capture the viewpoint of pansori students and performers, through an anonymous survey. Results: Although further investigation is required, the results suggest that a new approach in teaching pansori is emerging and it is increasingly requested by the trainee performers, despite some criticisms from traditionalists. Conclusion: Unlike previously thought, perhaps a more scientific and health-conscious approach to pansori voice training will be something from which many pansori singers can benefit.

Characteristics and Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infections in Individuals That Attended Referral Hospitals from Southern Region of Bahia State, Brazil: A Surveillance Network Retrospective Study

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus was detected in Wuhan, China, and rapidly spread worldwide. In Brazil, to date, there have been more than 20,000,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and more than 550,000 deaths. The purpose of the current study was to determine the clinical and epidemiological profile of the population affected by COVID-19 that have attended referral hospitals in Southern region of Bahia State, to better understand the disease and its risk factors in order to enable more appropriate conduct for patients. An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, exploratory study was conducted using secondary data collected from the Laboratório de Farmacogenômica e Epidemiologia Molecular, Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz (LAFEM/UESC). Chi-squared and Fisher’s exact tests were applied to determine the association between clinical symptoms and laboratory results, and to identify risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. A total of 3135 individuals with suspected severe respiratory illness were analyzed and 41.4% of them tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Male individuals and having comorbidities were risk factors significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR = 1.17 and OR = 1.37, respectively). Interestingly, being a healthcare professional was a significantly protective factor (OR = 0.81, p < 0.001). Our findings highlight the importance of routinely testing the population for early identification of infected individuals, and also provide important information to health authorities and police makers to improve control measures, management, and screening protocols.

SOCIAL COMPOSITION OF FORTRESSES OF THE BELGOROD LINE AS OF 1678

The article is devoted to the analysis of the social composition of the population of the fortresses of the Belgorod line in 1678. The main source of the work was the inventory of cities in 1678, which recorded various categories of the service and townspeople of Russia. The author analyzed the information on all the fortresses of the Belgorod line and made general conclusions. The heterogeneity of the various counties of the vast southern region is recorded: in some there is a wide variety of service categories of the population, developed crafts and trade, and a large number of landowners. In other regions, the social composition was very poor. There were a lot of these regions. Such fortresses were only military outposts on the border. They were of strategic importance, but their economic potential was low. Obviously, the emergence of many small fortresses was dictated by military necessity and their full development was impossible. These small fortresses did not have the opportunity to develop. Subsequently, already in the 18th century, most of them would become rural settlements. However, the significance of these fortresses was very great for their time. These small fortresses helped to ensure the stable development of major military and economic centers. Fortified cities such as Kursk, Voronezh, Yelets, Kozlov were able to take the path of urbanization precisely because they were protected by many small military settlements. This was their historical role.