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This article provides an update of the distribution of the Xenarthra fauna of Paraguay. Tamandua tetradactyla is confirmed to occur in all Paraguayan departments. New departmental records of Myrme-cophaga tridactyla are reported for Ñeembucú, Paraguarí, and San Pedro. Dasypus novemcinctus is reported for Ñeembucú department for the first time. Two previous species (Dasypus hybridus and Cabassous tatouay) considered to occur in Ñeembucú department based on specimens in the Basel Natural History Museum are now considered doubtful. A public interest in reports of Myrmecophagidae in Paraguay is noted and it is suggested that it could be utilized to benefit the conservation of these species in the Oriental region, where both species are rarely encountered.

West Nile virus (WNV) is a globally distributed mosquito-borne virus of great public health concern. The number of WNV human cases and mosquito infection patterns vary in space and time. Many statistical models have been developed to understand and predict WNV geographic and temporal dynamics. However, these modeling efforts have been disjointed with little model comparison and inconsistent validation. In this paper, we describe a framework to unify and standardize WNV modeling efforts nationwide. WNV risk, detection, or warning models for this review were solicited from active research groups working in different regions of the United States. A total of 13 models were selected and described. The spatial and temporal scales of each model were compared to guide the timing and the locations for mosquito and virus surveillance, to support mosquito vector control decisions, and to assist in conducting public health outreach campaigns at multiple scales of decision-making. Our overarching goal is to bridge the existing gap between model development, which is usually conducted as an academic exercise, and practical model applications, which occur at state, tribal, local, or territorial public health and mosquito control agency levels. The proposed model assessment and comparison framework helps clarify the value of individual models for decision-making and identifies the appropriate temporal and spatial scope of each model. This qualitative evaluation clearly identifies gaps in linking models to applied decisions and sets the stage for a quantitative comparison of models. Specifically, whereas many coarse-grained models (county resolution or greater) have been developed, the greatest need is for fine-grained, short-term planning models (m-km, days-weeks) that remain scarce. We further recommend quantifying the value of information for each decision to identify decisions that would benefit most from model input.

Many studies demonstrate that marriage protects against risky alcohol use and moderates genetic influences on alcohol outcomes; however, previous work has not considered these effects from a developmental perspective or in high-risk individuals. These represent important gaps, as it cannot be assumed that marriage has uniform effects across development or in high-risk samples. We took a longitudinal developmental approach to examine whether marital status was associated with heavy episodic drinking (HED), and whether marital status moderated polygenic influences on HED. Our sample included 937 individuals (53.25% female) from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism who reported their HED and marital status biennially between the ages of 21 and 25. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were derived from a genome-wide association study of alcohol consumption. Marital status was not associated with HED; however, we observed pathogenic gene-by-environment effects that changed across young adulthood. Among those who married young (age 21), individuals with higher PRS reported more HED; however, these effects decayed over time. The same pattern was found in supplementary analyses using parental history of alcohol use disorder as the index of genetic liability. Our findings indicate that early marriage may exacerbate risk for those with higher polygenic load.

Many studies demonstrate that marriage protects against risky alcohol use and moderates genetic influences on alcohol outcomes; however, previous work has not considered these effects from a developmental perspective or in high-risk individuals. These represent important gaps, as it cannot be assumed that marriage has uniform effects across development or in high-risk samples. We took a longitudinal developmental approach to examine whether marital status was associated with heavy episodic drinking (HED), and whether marital status moderated polygenic influences on HED. Our sample included 937 individuals (53.25% female) from the Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism who reported their HED and marital status biennially between the ages of 21 and 25. Polygenic risk scores (PRS) were derived from a genome-wide association study of alcohol consumption. Marital status was not associated with HED; however, we observed pathogenic gene-by-environment effects that changed across young adulthood. Among those who married young (age 21), individuals with higher PRS reported more HED; however, these effects decayed over time. The same pattern was found in supplementary analyses using parental history of alcohol use disorder as the index of genetic liability. Our findings indicate that early marriage may exacerbate risk for those with higher polygenic load.

Tickborne diseases are an increasing public health threat in the United States. Prevention and diagnosis of tickborne diseases are improved by access to current and accurate information on where medically important ticks and their associated human and veterinary pathogens are present, their local abundance or prevalence, and when ticks are actively seeking hosts. The true extent of tick and tickborne pathogen expansion is poorly defined, in part because of a lack of nationally standardized tick surveillance. We surveyed 140 vector-borne disease professionals working in state, county, and local public health and vector control agencies to assess their 1) tick surveillance program objectives, 2) pathogen testing methods, 3) tick control practices, 4) data communication strategies, and 5) barriers to program development and operation. Fewer than half of respondents reported that their jurisdiction was engaged in routine, active tick surveillance, but nearly two-thirds reported engaging in passive tick surveillance. Detection of tick presence was the most commonly stated current surveillance objective (76.2%). Most of the programs currently supporting tick pathogen testing were in the Northeast (70.8%), Upper and Central Midwest (64.3%), and the West (71.4%) regions. The most common pathogens screened for were Rickettsia spp. (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae) and bacterial and viral agents transmitted by Ixodes (Acari: Ixodidae) ticks. Only 12% of respondents indicated their jurisdiction directly conducts or otherwise financially supports tick control. Responses indicated that their ability to expand the capacity of tick surveillance and control programs was impeded by inconsistent funding, limited infrastructure, guidance on best practices, and institutional capacity to perform these functions.

Background: There is growing interest in and recognition of the need to use scientific evidence to inform policymaking. However, many of the existing studies on the use of research evidence (URE) have been largely qualitative, and the majority of existing quantitative measures are underdeveloped or were tested in regional or context-dependent settings. We are unaware of any quantitative measures of URE with national policymakers in the US. Aims and objectives: Explore how to measure URE quantitatively by validating a measure of congressional staff's attitudes and behaviors regarding URE, the Legislative Use of Research Survey (LURS), and by discussing the lessons learned through administering the survey. Methods: A 68-item survey was administered to 80 congressional staff to measure their reported research use, value of research, interactions with researchers, general information sources, and research information sources. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted on each of these five scales. We then trimmed the number of items, based on a combination of poor factor loadings and theoretical rationale, and ran the analyses on the trimmed subscales. Findings: We substantially improved our model fits for each scale over the original models and all items had acceptable factor loadings with our trimmed 35-item survey. We also describe the unique set of challenges and lessons learned from surveying congressional staff. Discussion and conclusions: This work contributes to the transdisciplinary field of URE by offering a tool for studying the mechanisms that can bridge research and policy and shedding light into best practices for measuring URE with national policymakers in the US.

Objective: Alcohol consumption patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic have varied notably. Participants: We examined the acute impact of the pandemic on alcohol use disorder (AUD) in a generalizable sample of college students who were surveyed pre-pandemic and re-surveyed in May 2020. Method: Items assessed pre-pandemic included DSM-5 AUD and mental health symptoms. A COVID-19 impacts questionnaire was administered, and alcohol and mental health items re-assessed. Results: AUD symptoms decreased from pre-pandemic to during the pandemic, demonstrating a change in trajectory compared to prior cohorts. Students with persistent AUD reported greater concurrent symptoms of PTSD, depression, and alcohol consumption than those with remitted AUD (ps ≤.02), but not increased COVID-19 impact. Persistent AUD status was predicted by higher sensation seeking and alcohol consumption. Conclusions: Students with concurrent mental health problems are at continued risk for persistent AUD. Findings highlight the impact of the college environment and social context for drinking on AUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The livestock sector contributes almost 11% of Pakistan's GDP and is crucial to 35 million people's livelihoods. Ticks are a major economic threat, as over 80% of livestock, such as bovines, are tick-infested with Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus tick species. Hyalomma anatolicum and Rhipicephalus microplus are the most common tick species collected from livestock, transmitting primarily anaplasmosis, babesiosis, and theileriosis. We aimed to identify the geographical distribution of these two tick species and hot spot areas where the risk of these diseases being transmitted by these ticks is high. Following the PRISMA guideline, two authors conducted an independent review of literature sourced from various databases. We screened 326 research articles published between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2023, focused on identifying the tick species at the district level. Thirty studies from 75 districts, representing 49.3% of the country's total area, detected at least one tick species through collection from animals. R. microplus was present in 81% (n = 61) and H. anatolicum in 82% (n = 62) of these sampled districts. We employed spatial and conventional statistical methods with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) after mapping the weighted distribution of both ticks (the number of ticks per standard unit of sampling effort). We identified northwestern and northcentral regions of the country as hotspots with the highest tick distribution, which aligned with the documented high prevalence of anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), and theileriosis in these regions. This underscores the urgent need for robust tick control measures in these districts to safeguard animal health and boost the livestock economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a serious animal health problem in Ethiopia, ranking among the top three livestock diseases. If the factors contributing to the spread and persistence of bTB are not managed, the situation may get worse. Therefore, prioritizing bTB control is essential. A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the effect of repeated skin testing and slaughter on subsequent bTB prevalence and herd demographic changes in Holeta dairy farm. A total of 810 Friesian (F) * Boran (B) crosses, and pure Boran animals were involved in the study; all animals on the farm, except calves <6 months of age, were tested using single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin test (SICCTT). On the basis of 21.3% prevalence in the first-round test in December 2014, three successive rounds of test and slaughter were conducted. During this period, the prevalence of bTB infection exhibited an oscillating pattern. It initially declined to 8.4% (n = 496) during the second-round test but then experienced resurgence, reaching 24.8% (n = 503) in the third-round. Finally, the prevalence decreased to 5.4% in the fourth-round test. The time interval between successive SICCTT tests varied from 0.95 years to 1.84 years. The test and slaughter intervention resulted in the culling of a substantial number of cows (n=342). With an increased culling rate, the average age of the herd and the average number of lactations per cow decreased. Similarly, animal entries and exits also influenced the breed composition of the herd. During the first round test, over 63% of the herd was composed of 50% HF*B crosses, followed by pure Boran, and 75% HF*B crosses, respectively. However, between the first and fourth test rounds, the proportion of Borans declined to 5%, while high-grade (75% HF*B) animals increased almost fivefold. In conclusion, the findings of this study showed the effect of prolonged time interval between consecutive tests which might result in failure of test and slaughter intervention, hence, due attention should be given on maintaining the recommended regular time interval (2-6 months) during consecutive test and slaughter procedures. Finally, the study recommends further study on assessing other alternative control strategies such as test and segregation methods to reduce the economic impact of culling of bTB reactor animals at a farm level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a serious animal health problem in Ethiopia, ranking among the top three livestock diseases. If conditions that favor the transmission and persistence of bTB are not addressed, the situation will get worse; hence bTB control should be priority. However, interventions are influenced by several "non-biological" factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted to assess farmers' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) using a structured questionnaire administered to 307 respondents. A multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to select study subjects. Accordingly, 55% of participants knew about bTB; of which 36.4% knew basic information, and the remaining (18.6%) knew nothing except the name bTB. Less than 2.0% of the farmers knew about zoonotic importance of bTB. The knowledge among dairy farmers varied depending on farm size, milk-shed (MS), training received, veterinary consultation, and years of farming experience. Using multivariable analysis, farmers from medium and large-scale farms knew more about bTB than those from small scale farms, by a factor of 2.8 and 7.7, respectively. Similarly, farmers who had been farming for more than 6 years and farmers from Selale MS had higher odds of being knowledgeable about bTB, by 5.7 and 10.4 times compared to other MS, respectively. Only 12% of participants were aware of the test and slaughter control method. Likewise, only 18% of the farmers tended to avoid buying cattle from risky sources. The finding revealed a lack of knowledge on the production loss incurred (12%) and the probability of human infection (1.9%); instead, a substantial proportion of farmers (25%) believed that bTB infection could affect the dairy market. In conclusion, the present study highlighted knowledge, attitude, and practice gaps that, if addressed using tailor-made training, might assist in reducing the consequences of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]