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We detected African swine fever virus (ASFV) from a wild boar in Singapore. In

Abstract Aquatic viruses are major threats to global aquacultural productivity. While conventional diagnostic methods for disease investigation are laborious, time‐consuming, and often involve the sacrifice of animals, environmental DNA and RNA (eDNA/eRNA) tools have the potential in being non‐invasive alternatives for the effective and early detection of various pathogens simultaneously. In this study, three seawater filtration methods—Sterivex syringe filtration, centrifugal ultrafiltration, and vacuum pump filtration with iron flocculation—were assessed for the recovery rates in co‐detecting fish virus eDNA/eRNA from natural seawater that was spiked with fish red seabream iridovirus (RSIV, DNA virus) and nervous necrosis virus (NNV, RNA virus). The centrifugal ultrafiltration method was the most effective for the capture of small‐sized viruses like NNV with a recovery rate of 63.23%, while the method of vacuum pump filtration with iron flocculation and chloroform disintegration of filter membranes had the highest RSIV recovery rate of 32.61%. We also optimized both automated and manual nucleic acid extraction methods and found comparable eDNA/eRNA extraction efficiencies. Our findings from the systematic comparison of seawater filtration and extraction methods suggest that each seawater filtration/nucleic acid extraction method can cater to different aquatic animal virus surveillance and disease investigation scenarios. These highlight the potential of virus eDNA/eRNA approaches for advancing the field of disease ecology and safeguarding aquatic animal health.

We detected African swine fever virus (ASFV) from a wild boar in Singapore. In <72 hours, we confirmed and reported ASFV p72 genotype II, CD2v serogroup 8, and IGR-II variant by using a combination of real-time PCR and whole-genome sequencing. Continued biosurveillance will be needed to monitor ASFV in Singapore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and disability and has become a significant public health concern among women. Overall, women have more ischemic stroke events than men, in part due to their longer life span, and also suffer from more severe stroke-related disabilities compared to men. Women are also more likely than men to present with atypical non-focal neurological symptoms, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. Female-specific risk factors, especially those related to pregnancy, are often under-recognized. A woman’s risk for ischemic stroke evolves throughout her lifespan, influenced by various factors including the age of menarche, pregnancy and its complications (such as parity, pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, and preterm delivery), postpartum challenges, oral contraceptive use, and menopause. Additionally, vascular risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and atrial fibrillation are more prevalent among older women. Despite comparable treatment efficacies, women generally experience poorer outcomes after stroke. They also face higher rates of post-stroke depression, further complicating recovery. Although significant strides have been made in reducing the incidence of ischemic stroke, our understanding of the unique risks, underlying causes, and long-term consequences for women remains limited. While sex hormones may explain some differences, a lack of awareness regarding sex-related disparities can result in suboptimal care. This review aims to illuminate the unique risks and burdens of ischemic stroke faced by women, advocating for a more nuanced understanding to enhance prevention and treatment strategies.