A scoping review of antibiotic use practices and drivers of inappropriate antibiotic use in animal farms in WHO Southeast Asia region.

Antibiotic use (ABU) plays an important role in the proliferation of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Global antimicrobial consumption in food production is projected to rise by 67% from 2010 to 2030, but available estimates are limited by the scarcity of ABU data and absence of global surveillance systems. The WHO South-East Asia (WHO SEA) region is at high risk of emergence of AMR, likely driven by intensifying farm operations and worsening ABU hotspots. However, little is known about farm-level ABU practices in the region. To summarize emerging evidence and research gaps, we conducted a scoping review of ABU practices following the Arksey and O'Malley methodological framework. We included studies published between 2010 and 2021 on farm-level ABU/AMR in the 11 WHO SEA member states, and databases were last searched on 31 October 2021. Our search strategy identified 184 unique articles, and 25 publications underwent full-text eligibility assessment. Seventeen studies, reported in 18 publications, were included in the scoping review. We found heterogeneity in the categorizations, definitions, and ABU characterization methods used across studies and farm types. Most studies involved poultry, pig, and cattle farms, and only one study examined aquaculture. Most studies evaluated ABU prevalence by asking respondents about the presence or absence of ABU in the farm. Only two studies quantified antibiotic consumption, and sampling bias and lack of standardized data collection methods were identified as key limitations. Emerging evidence that farm workers had difficulty differentiating antibiotics from other substances contributed to the uncertainty about the reliability of self-reported data without other validation techniques. ABU for growth promotion and treatment were prevalent. We found a large overlap in the critically important antibiotics used in farm animals and humans. The ease of access to antibiotics compounded by the difficulties in accessing quality veterinary care and preventive services likely drive inappropriate ABU in complex ways.

Engaging Religious Institutions and Faith-Based Communities in Public Health Initiatives: A Case Study of the Romanian Orthodox Church During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The success of public health interventions is highly dependent on the compliance of the general population. State authorities often implement policies without consulting representatives of faith-based communities, thereby overlooking potential implications of public health measures for these parts of society. Although ubiquitous, these challenges are more readily observable in highly religious states. Romania serves as an illustrative example for this, as recent data identify it as the most religious country in Europe. In this paper, we discuss the contributions of the Romanian Orthodox Church (ROC), the major religious institution in the country, to the national COVID-19 mitigation efforts. We present not only the positive outcomes of productive consultations between public health authorities and religious institutions but also the detrimental impact of unidirectional communication. Our work highlights that an efficient dialogue with faith-based communities can greatly enhance the results of public health interventions. As the outlined principles apply to a variety of contexts, the lessons learned from this case study can be generalized into a set of policy recommendations for the betterment of future public health initiatives worldwide.

Equity for excellence in academic institutions: a manifesto for change.

Higher academic institutions in the UK need to drive improvements in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) through sustainable practical interventions. A broad view of inclusivity is based on an intersectional approach that considers race, geographical location, caring responsibilities, disability, neurodiversity, religion, and LGBTQIA+ identities. We describe the establishment of a diverse stakeholder group to develop practical grass-roots recommendations through which improvements can be advanced. We have developed a manifesto for change, comprising six domains through which academic institutions can drive progress through setting short, medium, and long-term priorities. Interventions will yield rewards in recruitment and retention of a diverse talent pool, leading to enhanced impact and output.

Efeitos de diferentes estratégias de treinamento combinado na força muscular e na potência aeróbia de idosos: uma revisão sistemática / Effects of different concurrent training strategies in muscular strength and aerobic power in the elderly: a systematic review

O objetivo do estudo foi revisar os efeitos de diferentes estratégias metodológicas de treinamento combinado na força e na potência aeróbia de indivíduos idosos saudáveis. A busca incluiu as bases de dados da MEDLINE (via Pubmed) e COCHRANE. A partir dessa busca, 3035 artigos tiveram seus títulos/resumos avaliados, destes 3026 foram excluídos e nove foram selecionados para análise. Foram incluídos dois estudos a partir das referências de outros estudos, totalizando 11 estudos para a leitura na íntegra. Após a leitura dos estudos, foram excluídos quatro por não estarem de acordo com os critérios de elegibilidade, restando sete para análise. Foram observadas melhoras significativas na força com o treinamento combinado. Entretanto, a realização simultânea de um treinamento aeróbio em cicloergômetro e em intensidades próximas ao segundo limiar ventilatório (FCLV2) e de força (nesta ordem de execução) pode apresentar um efeito de interferência nas respostas de força de membros inferiores. O desempenho da potência aeróbia não foi afetado quando o treino de força foi realizado antes. Além disso, uma frequência semanal de duas vezes apresenta iguais benefícios em comparação a uma frequência maior. Desta forma, parece que o treinamento aeróbio em cicloergômetro em intensidades baseadas no FCLV2 realizado antes do treinamento de força, provoca interferência nos ganhos de força muscular de membros inferiores e o treinamento de força antes do aeróbio não afeta o desempenho da potência aeróbia. Ainda, uma frequência semanal de treinamento combinado menor apresenta benefícios em amplitudes semelhantes a uma frequência maior.

The aim of the study was to review the effects of different methodological strategies of combined training in strength and aerobic power performance of healthy elderly subjects. A literature search was conducted using MEDLINE (via PubMed) and COCHRANE. A total of 3035 manuscripts had their titles/abstracts evaluated, these 3026 were excluded and nine were selected for analysis. Have been included two studies from references to other studies, totaling 11 studies for reading in full. After reading the studies, four were excluded because they are not in accordance with the eligibility criteria, leaving nine studies for analysis Significant improvements were observed in muscle strength with the combined training. However, when the simultaneous attainment of an aerobic training on a cycle ergometer and intensities close to the point corresponding to the second ventilatory threshold (VT2) and force (in this order of execution) may have an interference effect on muscle strength responses of the lower limbs. The performance of aerobic power was not affected when strength training was accomplished before. In addition, a frequency twice weekly has the same benefits as compared to a higher frequency. Thus, it seems that aerobic training on a cycle ergometer using as intensity of VT2 done before strength training causes interference in muscle strength of the lower limbs gains. Perform strength training before the aerobic training did not shave the performance of aerobic power. Further, a weekly frequency lower combined training has similar benefits to a higher frequency ranges.