Methodological Issues and Applications in Economic Evaluation of Alternative Livestock Diseases Control Strategies： The Case of the CBPP Quarantine Line in North-Eastern Kenya

Contagious bovine pleuro-pneumonia （CBPP） is one of the endemic and life-threatening livestock diseases in the arid and semi-arid land areas （ASALs） of Kenya, which justify the case for the control of livestock diseases to avoid the spread of such diseases from the ASALs to the rest of the country, and a CBPP control quarantine line （CQL） that to help prevent the spread of CBPP from the ASALs of North-eastern Kenya to the rest of the country has been in existence since the colonial （pre-1963） times in Kenya. However, the livestock keepers in the ASALs view the CQL as an impediment to their main source of livelihoods because it entails livestock movement restrictions, thus constraining unfettered livestock marketing. Available literature shows that there is a dearth of information on the economics of livestock diseases control in Kenya in terms of its impacts on social welfare. Employing the CQL as a case study, this study shows that an application of analytic techniques that combine disease risk analysis and conventional cost-benefit modelling that incorporates some aspects that are specific to livestock diseases and their control strategies can generate indices of economic impacts of livestock diseases control on social welfare. The study finds that the livestock keepers and traders in Kenya do not consider CBPP a major problem to warrant livestock movement restrictions, yet the official records of the veterinary authorities indicate that CBPP is a major threat to the cattle industry in Kenya. Annually, the government spends substantial resources on the CQL operation and maintenance and also on CBPP surveillance and monitoring to contain the CBPP menace in Kenya. This study shows that such expenditures are economically and socially justifiable. Nevertheless, the study finds some operational inefficiencies in the enforcement of the CQL requirements. The authors, therefore, undertake an evaluation of alternative CBPP control strategies and conclude that it would be more cost effective to shift the CQL from its current location to the international borders of the arid districts, provided that this action is preceded by adequate CBPP control preparatory measures, as described in the paper.

5-Aminolevulinic acid against strawberry Fusarium wilt:Bidirectional regulation of biocontrol agents and pathogens

Strawberry Fusarium wilt (SFW) is a systematic soil-borne disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp.fragaria (Fof),which infects the vascular bundles,blocking water and nutrient transport from roots to the aboveground.It is a severe pathogen which spreads rapidly and destroys strawberry production.Finding a way to control this disease is of great scientific value and practical importance.In this study,three fungi were isolated from the vascular tissues of sick strawberries in the field.After DNA sequencing,they were identified as Fof,Aspergillus fumigatus and Trichoderma harzianum,respectively,among which the first two are pathogens and the third is a probiotic.All fungi were controlled by thiophanate-methyl (TM),a commercial fungicide.On PDA medium,20 mg·L^(-1)5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA),a natural non-protein amino acid,promoted T.harzianum proliferation,but inhibited Fof and A.fumigatus.In confrontation test,the growth of Fof or A.fumigatus was inhibited by T.harzianum and exogenous ALA promoted T.harzianum growth but significantly inhibited the pathogen growth.When three species of fungi were separately or combinedly inoculated on healthy strawberry plants,T.harzianum promoted plant growth and development while Fof or A.fumigatus caused growth retardation,where Fof directly caused leaf yellowing and plant wilting.When the plants inoculated with different fungus were treated with ALA,the results turned out that ALA alleviated SFW symptoms by bidirectionally promoting T.harzianum proliferation and inhibiting Fof and A.fumigatus.Thus,ALA might be used in comprehensively controlling SFW in strawberry industry.

Identification of Early Warning Signals of Infectious Diseases in Hospitals by Integrating Clinical Treatment and Disease Prevention

The global incidence of infectious diseases has increased in recent years,posing a significant threat to human health.Hospitals typically serve as frontline institutions for detecting infectious diseases.However,accurately identifying warning signals of infectious diseases in a timely manner,especially emerging infectious diseases,can be challenging.Consequently,there is a pressing need to integrate treatment and disease prevention data to conduct comprehensive analyses aimed at preventing and controlling infectious diseases within hospitals.This paper examines the role of medical data in the early identification of infectious diseases,explores early warning technologies for infectious disease recognition,and assesses monitoring and early warning mechanisms for infectious diseases.We propose that hospitals adopt novel multidimensional early warning technologies to mine and analyze medical data from various systems,in compliance with national strategies to integrate clinical treatment and disease prevention.Furthermore,hospitals should establish institution-specific,clinical-based early warning models for infectious diseases to actively monitor early signals and enhance preparedness for infectious disease prevention and control.

Application of Self-propelled Boom Sprayers for Control of Rice Insects and Diseases

Comparisons were performed between self-propelled boom sprayer and traditional mechanis, such as knapsack sprayer and sprayer-duster, stretcher-type powered sprayer, as well as single rotor unmanned sprayer and multi-rotor un- manned sprayer. The effects on rice injury, lodging, and rehabilitation were conclud- ed and drug uniform distribution, sedimentation and prevention effects were ana- lyzed. The results showed that the self-propelled boom sprayer is characterized by high degree of automation, convenient operation, high adaptability, and high work efficiency. What＇s more, the sprayed fog quality is better, and fog distribution is more uniform. During the work process, fog loss would be diminished substantially, improving work efficiency and cutting down drug and water. It is notable that the underpart of the sprayer can be widely applied to plant protection in large-scale ar- eas in Jiangsu Province, significantly advancing whole-process mechanization of rice production.

Mosquito vector management with botanicals-the most effective weapons in controlling mosquito-borne diseases

Dear editor,Mosquito-borne diseases,viz.,malaria,filariasis,dengue hemorrhagic fever,chikungunya,Japanese encephalitis etc.,created huge impact on humans over the world,and the chemical insecticides remain the mainstay of effective control.But,indiscriminate and rampant use of the chemical insecticides in controlling mosquito vectors,in order to prevent diseases vectored by them,has resulted problems related to the adverse environmental effects for their(insecticides)potential toxicity,high operational cost,community acceptance,and the development of insecticide resistance among the vectors.The factors mentioned above prompted the search for new means of control strategies.Currently,the botanicals(viz.,plant extracts,essential oils and phytochemicals)with mosquitocidal potential

Identification and Control of Main Diseases of Cotton

The main symptoms of cotton viral diseases,bacterial diseases,fungal diseases and physiological diseases are introduced,and the corresponding prevention and control techniques are put forward,in order to provide a certain basis for the improvement of cotton yield and quality.

Advances in Measures of Reducing Chemical Pesticides to Control Plant Diseases

In order to provide the technological support for further implementing measures of reducing chemical pesticide to control plant diseases,the research progress on non-chemical pesticide measures to control plant diseases are reviewed from the aspects of agricultural control,botanical pesticide control and microbial pesticide control,and the development prospects are proposed,including accelerating innovative research on botani-cal pesticide control such as Chinese herb extracts,and screening microbial pesticides from valuable bio-control bacteria or plant endophyte metabolites for commercial production and utilization.

Identification of Common Maize Diseases and Their Prevention and Control Methods

Agriculture is the basic industry of China's economic development,and maize is an important part of the agricultural economy.With the increase of global environmental warming and industrial pollution,as well as the adjustment of agricultural planting structure and the transformation of farming and cultivation methods in China,the breeding of maize varieties has been accelerated,and the planting area has increased rapidly,resulting in the condition that the occurrence of maize diseases and pests has been increasing.The damage of some minor diseases continued to increase nationwide or in local areas,and rose to major diseases,and some new diseases appeared in production,posing a threat to the safe production of maize.This paper summarized the occurrence status of important maize diseases in China,and put forward corresponding prevention and control countermeasures.

Control Procedures for Pests and Diseases in Protected Cultivation of Grape

Abstract According to rules in GB/T 1.1 - 2009 Directives for The Work of Standardization Unit I ： Structure and Writing of Standards, based on occurrence characteristics of major peats and diseases in protected cultivation of grape and the actual condition of production in Yancheng City of Jiangsu Province of China, the control procedures for pests and diseases in protected cultivation of grape in Yancheng City are developed in the paper.

Teaching Form Reform of "Prevention and Control of Poultry and Poultry Diseases" Course in Higher Vocational Colleges

[ Objective] To meet the needs of ＂Prevention and Control of Poultry and Poultry Diseases＂ course in higher vocational colleges in new period. [Method] In order to introduce theoretical knowledge, enhance practical ability and train quality, teaching content, teaching methods and practical teaching of the course were explored according to trends of academic development and personnel training. [ Result] The reform of teaching form improved the teaching effect, mobilized the learning enthusiasm and initiative of students, and enhanced their ability to solve practical prob- lems. [ Conclusion] The teaching form of ＂Prevention and Control of Poultry and Poultry Diseases＂ course has been successfully reformed.

MY CONTRIBUTION TO THE CONTROL OF PARASITIC DISEASES

The parasitic pest is omnipresent in the world providing there are biological communities existing. Almost everywhere on the earth,human health is constantly threatened by some parasites to a greater or lesser degree.In the same way,domestic animals and economic plants have always fallen prey to the scourge.leading to yield reductions.As parasitic diseases are chronic in progress,people often neglect them until they become fatal.China is a country with vast territory and diversity in the

Feeding Management and Disease Prevention and Control of Pet Guinea Pigs

Guinea pig is widely used in clinical drug experiments as a laboratory animal.Because of its small and lovely size,guinea pig is often kept as a pet by many families.However,there are few reports on the feeding management and disease prevention and control of pet guinea pigs.This article introduced the experience and technology of feeding management and disease prevention of pet guinea pigs,in order to provide a reference for the feeding management and disease prevention of pet guinea pigs.

The Limits of the Intervention of Public Power in Individual Health Choices——From the Perspective of the Realization of the Right to Health in the Prevention and Control of Chronic Diseases

Noncommunicable chronic diseases have become the most important public health problem in the world today,so the focus of public health services should be shifted from the traditional area of communicable diseases to the prevention and control of chronic diseases.Since bad living habits are the most direct cause of chronic diseases,the most effective measure to prevent and control chronic diseases is to promote healthy lifestyles for the individual citizen.The theories of equal health opportunity,the right to health from the perspective of human rights,and determinants of a healthy society provide justified reasons for the intervention of public power in individual health choices.In the current legal system,the intervention of public power is limited to flexible measures such as health education,which shows respect for individual autonomy.However,it is inconsistent with the needs of current public health practice.We should expand diversified intervention means to encourage individuals to make healthy choices under the guidance of the management model.The“ladder of intervention”outlines a panoramic view of the intervention measures available.However,for the selection of specific measures,it is necessary to consider the public health objectives and the invasion of individual freedom,introduce the“legal reservation principle”and“proportionality principle”as policy analysis tools,and reasonably choose intervention measures at different levels on the ladder to properly handle the tension between public power and private rights.

Survey on the Status Quo of Emergency Response Capabilities of Public Health Emergencies in Grassroots Disease Control Institutions in a Certain Area

Objective:To survey and study the emergency response capabilities of grassroots disease control institutions in a certain area for public health emergencies,and to put forward suggestions for rectification.Methods:The study was carried out from March 2022 to March 2023.Field surveys,questionnaire surveys,and interviews were used to investigate and analyze the emergency response capabilities of public health emergencies in 5 county Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDCs)in the region.Results:Through the survey,it was found that the professional level of the existing emergency team personnel of the grassroots disease control institutions in this region needs to be improved.There was an overall lack of emergency plans,and the compliance rate of the equipment,inspection,and testing items was low.The health emergency system of the CDCs in the region and the ability of the talent team need to be further improved.Conclusion:The emergency response capacity of grassroots disease control institutions in this region needs to be improved.For this reason,government departments need to increase investment and strengthen the construction of talent teams and hardware settings,and grassroots disease control institutions need to strengthen the construction of the public health emergency system to improve the ability to respond to public health emergencies.

Biocontrol Efficiency of Bacillus subtilis SL-13 and Characterization of an Antifungal Chitinase

The seed germination and tomato seedling tests showed that Bacillus subtilis SL-13 could promote the sprouting and seedling growth of tomato.The fresh and dry weight of tomato seedlings increased 42.86%and 18.75%,respectively.The control efficacies of the SL-13 to tomato Rhizoctonia rot were 20.65%and 35.23%in the greenhouse and field,respectively.The growth of the plant-pathogenic fungus Rhizoctonia solani was considerably inhibited in the presence of the strain SL-13 culture supernatant.The main antifungal protein was detected to be chitinase through vitro assay.The chitinase was purified with DEAE-Sepharose fast flow ion exchange column chromatography and Sephadex G-75 gel filtration for further characterization.The optimal pH and temperature for the chitinase activity were 7.0 and 50°C,respectively.It was demonstrated that the enzyme was stable at pH 5-9 and 40-60°C.70%of the enzyme activity was retained when incubated at 121°C and 0.11 MPa for 20 min,and the enzyme was not sensitive to protease K and ultraviolet radiation.Thus it is suitable for effective biological control in relatively unstable environment.

Radiofrequency ablation combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization for recurrent liver cancer

BACKGROUND The recurrence rate of liver cancer after surgery is high.Radiofrequency ablation(RFA)combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)is an effective treatment for liver cancer;however,its efficacy in recurrent liver cancer remains unclear.AIM To investigate the clinical effect of TACE combined with RFA in the treatment of recurrent liver cancer.METHODS Ninety patients with recurrent liver cancer were divided into 2 groups according to treatment plan:Control(RFA alone);and experimental[TACE combined with RFA(TACE+RFA)].The incidence of increased alanine aminotransferase levels,complications,and other indices were compared between the two groups before and after the procedures.RESULTS One month after the procedures,the short-term efficacy rate and Karnofsky Performance Status scores of the experimental group were significantly higher than those of the control group(P<0.05).Alpha-fetoprotein(AFP)and total bilirubin levels were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05);The overall response rate was 82.22%and 66.67%in the experimental and control groups,respectively;The disease control rate was 93.33%and 82.22%in the experimental and control groups,respectively,the differences are statistically significant(P<0.05).And there were no statistical differences in complications between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION TACE+RFA was effective for the treatment of recurrent liver cancer and significantly reduced AFP levels and improved various indices of liver function.

Prevention and Control of Gentiana macrophylla Pall Root Rot Disease

The root rot is a major disease affecting yield of Gentiana macrophyl a pal , reducing yield or even causing total crop failure. This research introduced the occurrence characteristics and various control techniques of root rot of Gentiana macrophyl a pal , in order to provide references for farmers.

A Machine Learning-Based Web Application for Heart Disease Prediction

This work leveraged predictive modeling techniques in machine learning (ML) to predict heart disease using a dataset sourced from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in the US. The dataset was preprocessed and used to train five machine learning models: random forest, support vector machine, logistic regression, extreme gradient boosting and light gradient boosting. The goal was to use the best performing model to develop a web application capable of reliably predicting heart disease based on user-provided data. The extreme gradient boosting classifier provided the most reliable results with precision, recall and F1-score of 97%, 72%, and 83% respectively for Class 0 (no heart disease) and 21% (precision), 81% (recall) and 34% (F1-score) for Class 1 (heart disease). The model was further deployed as a web application.

Disease Control, Prevention and On-Farm Biosecurity: The Role of Veterinary Epidemiology

Domesticated and non-domesticated animals, including wildlife, deliver significant financial and nonfinancial benefits to the human community;however, disease can have a dramatic impact on the morbidity, mortality, and productivity of these animal populations and hence can directly and indirectly affect the human communities associated with them. This manuscript provides an overview of the important features to consider for the prevention and control of disease, with a focus on livestock diseases,and highlights the key role veterinary epidemiology plays in this endeavor. Measures of disease frequency and the type of epidemiological studies required to identify risk factors for diseases are summarized,with a focus on the use of these in the implementation of measures to control disease. The importance of biosecurity in maintaining disease-free flocks/herds is discussed and the steps taken to implement good biosecurity measures are outlined. It is concluded that a sound knowledge of veterinary epidemiology is required when developing control programs for disease and implementing biosecurity programs at a farm, regional, and national level.

Effects of Multiple Cleaning and Disinfection Interventions on Infectious Diseases in Children: A Group Randomized Trial in China

Objective To assess the effectiveness of multiple cleaning and disinfection interventions in the homes and kindergartens, in reducing gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses of children. Methods From October 2010 to September 2011, we performed a prospective, controlled study in China. 408 children under 5 years old were recruited and group randomized into intervention and control groups. Families and kindergartens in the intervention group were provided with antibacterial products for hand hygiene and surface cleaning or disinfection for one year. Each child＇s illness symptoms and sick leave were recorded every day. Results A total of 393 children completed the study, with similar baseline demographics in each of the 2 groups. Except for abdominal pain, the odds of symptoms （fever, cough and expectoration, runny nose and nasal congestion, diarrhea）, illness （acute respiratory illness and gastrointestinal illness）, and sick leave per person each month were significantly reduced by interventions. The rates of fever, diarrhea, acute respiratory illness, gastrointestinal illness and sick leave per person per year were significantly decreased as well. Conclusion Not only the acute respiratory children were significantly reduced by multiple and gastrointestinal illness but the sick leave rate in interventions.