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A mare was presented with skin erythema, papules on neck, dermatitis and alopecia on neck and shoulder region. The skin scraping examination revealed Demodex mite infestation. The horse was treated with Inj. Ivermectin @ 200 μg/kg b. wt. subcutaneously twice at week interval. The skin scraping was recorded negative for Demodex mite, two weeks post-treatment and skin lesions resolved completely. Hematological and serum biochemical analysis revealed increase in neutrophils and ALT, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bovine babesiosis was characterized by high fever, hemoglobinuria, anaemia, inappetance, pink pale to pale mucous membrane, swollen lymph nodes and suspended rumination with mild to moderate tick infestation. Classical light microscopy was advocated for detection of Babesia piroplasm in Giemsa stained thin blood smears. The hematological findings exhibited low level of hemoglobin, TEC, PCV, MCHC and platelets along with increase in MCV, TLC, monocytes and lymphocytes values. The serum biochemical analysis revealed hypoglycemia, higher level of AST, hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperglobunaemia, higher level of creatinine and BUN. All animals were successfully treated with Diminazene diaceturate @ 3.5 mg/kg b. wt. along with supportive therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three kittens were presented with complaints of vomiting and foul smelling watery diarrhea with complete anorexia. Stool samples were positive for Isospora oocytes and were treated with Sulphamethoxazole with supportive therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The average hemoglobin level in Cryptosporidium affected calves was significantly lower than the uninfected. The mean total erythrocyte count observed in affected calves (8.12 ± 0.21 million cells/mm3 ) was significantly lowered as compared to apparently healthy one (8.76 ± 0.77 million cells/mm3 ). There was significant increase (P≤0.01) in total leukocyte count in diseased calves. There was significant difference (P≤ 0.05) in differential leucocyte count in affected calves. There was no significant difference in average monocyte count in affected and uninfected calves The PCV% was 31.32 ± 1.48 and 32.97 ± 2.91 (P>0.05) for uninfected and infected calves, respectively. The mean corpuscular volume in uninfected and infected calves was 50.27 ± 4.71 and 51.03 ± 4.78 (P>0.05), respectively. The average corpuscular haemoglobin concentration observed in the diseased calves was significantly (P≤ 0.05) higher when compared with that of uninfected calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the case of a Boxer dog with a history of chronic skin lesions like alopecia, erythema, pruritus and hyperkeratinisation on his body. Antibacterials, antifungals and antiparasitic drugs have failed to address the skin lesions. Examination of the lesions revealed the presence of cigar-shaped mite and the dog was diagnosed with chronic demodicosis and hypothyroidism. Ivermectin and the application of benzoyl peroxide shampoo successfully treated the lesions.

Oxidation ditch process is used to treat the municipal and domestic sewage. The untreated sewage generates fouling smell, harmful bacteria, etc. which is hazardous for public health and degrades the environment by librating noxious gases. This paper examines the use of curved blade aerator for oxidation ditch process. The rotor, which controls the aeration, is the main component of the aeration process. Therefore, the objective of this study is to find out the variations in overall oxygen transfer coefficient and aeration efficiency for different configurations of aerators by varying the parameters like speed of aerator, depth of immersion and blade tip angles so as to yield higher values of overall oxygen transfer coefficient and aeration efficiency. Four aerators of different configuration were developed and fabricated in the laboratory and were tested for above mentioned parameters. A mathematical model is developed for predicting the values of kLa and aeration efficiency which has R² values of 0.97 and 0.99 for experimentally determined and calculated values. In laboratory studies, the optimum value of overall oxygen transfer coefficient and aeration efficiency were observed to be 10.33/h and 2.269 kg O2/kWh for aerator speed of 48 rpm, 5.5 cm depth of immersion and 47° blade tip angle for curved blade aerator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Haemoparasitic diseases constitute a significant constraint to economic livestock farming. Diagnostic techniques that are inexpensive, rapid, reliable, and precise are crucial for the management of diseases. In this context, PCR assays are very valuable yet expensive since the samples must be processed before being included in the PCR reaction. Accordingly, the goal of the current study was to lower the PCR costs without jeopardizing the assay's sensitivity and specificity. For that purpose, the alkaline solution was optimized for low cost and quick DNA extraction (blood lysate), and PCR reagents were modified for optimum reaction. In comparison to purified whole blood genomic DNA, the currently developed and optimized blood lysate method was found to be 95.5% less expensive, as well as being equally sensitive and specific for the molecular detection (PCR) of haemoparasites like Babesia, Theileria , Trypanosoma and rickettsiales in cattle, buffaloes, horses, and dogs. The assay was also demonstrated to be quick, less likely to cross-contaminate, and appropriate for use in laboratories with limited resources. Therefore, the currently developed and optimized blood lysate method could serve as a viable alternative to purified whole blood genomic DNA for molecular detection (PCR) of haemoparasites in animals particularly in resource-limited settings.

Purpose: The parasites of genera such as Babesia and Theileria are called piroplasmids due to the pear-shaped morphology of the multiplying parasite stages in the blood of the vertebrate host. Because of the enormous number of parasite species and the challenges of multiplex PCR, initial screening of samples using piroplasmid-specific PCR may be a more cost-effective and efficient technique to identify parasite species, especially during epidemiological studies. Accordingly, 18S rRNA PCR was standardized and optimized on common piroplasmids of different animals like cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, dogs, horses, and leopards., Methods: Bloods samples from 1250 animals were collected from different animals in Junagadh district of Gujarat, India. 18S rRNA PCR was standardized and optimized as a primary method for molecular screening of piroplasms in domestic and wild animals. The method was checked for its analytical sensitivity and specificity. Parasite species-specific PCR and sequencing was used to validate the test. Moreover, in-silico restriction enzyme (RE) analysis was also done to assess its applicability in PCR-RFLP., Results: Piroplasm infections were recorded in 63.3% of animals in Junagadh. The 18S rRNA PCR detected the piroplasmid DNA in as low as 39 picograms (pg) of whole blood genomic DNA isolated from microscopically Theileria positive blood samples and no reactivity was recorded from common but unrelated haemoparasites viz., Trypanosoma evansi, Hepatozoon spp., Anaplasma spp., and Ehrlichia canis was observed. The 18S rRNA PCR assay findings were confirmed by species-specific PCR and sequencing. Analysis of different sequences generated using 18S rRNA PCR revealed that the amplicon size of Babesia spp. is nearly 400 bp (393-408 bp) whereas Theileria spp. were more than 400 bp (418-424 bp). The percentage of sequence divergence among Babesia and Theileria spp. was 7.3-12.2% and 0.7-12.2%, respectively. In-silico restriction enzyme (RE) analysis reveals the presence of at least one site for a commercially available RE in 18S rRNA fragments of every parasite, which can differentiate it from its congeners., Conclusions: The presented universal oligonucleotide-based PCR assay provides a highly sensitive, specific, cost-effective, and rapid diagnostic tool for the initial screening of piroplasmids infecting domestic and wild animals and is potentially helpful for large-scale epidemiological studies., (© 2022. The Author(s) under exclusive licence to Witold Stefański Institute of Parasitology, Polish Academy of Sciences.)

Purpose: Selumetinib can increase radioactive iodine (RAI) avidity in RAI-refractory tumors. We investigated whether selumetinib plus adjuvant RAI improves complete remission (CR) rates in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) at high risk of primary treatment failure versus RAI alone., Methods: ASTRA (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01843062) is an international, phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trial. Patients with DTC at high risk of primary treatment failure (primary tumor > 4 cm; gross extrathyroidal extension outside the thyroid gland [T4 disease]; or N1a/N1b disease with ≥ 1 metastatic lymph node(s) ≥ 1 cm or ≥ 5 lymph nodes [any size]) were randomly assigned 2:1 to selumetinib 75 mg orally twice daily or placebo for approximately 5 weeks (no stratification). On treatment days 29-31, recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (0.9 mg)-stimulated RAI ( 131 I; 100 mCi/3.7 GBq) was administered, followed by 5 days of selumetinib/placebo. The primary end point (CR rate 18 months after RAI) was assessed in the intention-to-treat population., Results: Four hundred patients were enrolled (August 27, 2013-March 23, 2016) and 233 randomly assigned (selumetinib, n = 155 [67%]; placebo, n = 78 [33%]). No statistically significant difference in CR rate 18 months after RAI was observed (selumetinib n = 62 [40%]; placebo n = 30 [38%]; odds ratio 1.07 [95% CI, 0.61 to 1.87]; P = .8205). Treatment-related grade ≥ 3 adverse events were reported in 25/154 patients (16%) with selumetinib and none with placebo. The most common adverse event with selumetinib was dermatitis acneiform (n = 11 [7%]). No treatment-related deaths were reported., Conclusion: Postoperative pathologic risk stratification identified patients with DTC at high risk of primary treatment failure, although the addition of selumetinib to adjuvant RAI failed to improve the CR rate for these patients. Future strategies should focus on tumor genotype-tailored drug selection and maintaining drug dosing to optimize RAI efficacy., Competing Interests: Alan L. HoConsulting or Advisory Role: Bristol Myers Squibb, Eisai, Genzyme, Merck, Novartis, Sun Pharma, Eisai, Regeneron, TRM Oncology, Ayala Pharmaceuticals, AstraZeneca, Sanofi, CureVac, Prelude Therapeutics, Kura Oncology, McGivney Global Advisors, Rgenta, AffyImmune Therapeutics, Exelixis, Cellestia, InxmedSpeakers’ Bureau: Medscape, Omniprex America, NovartisResearch Funding: Lilly, Genentech/Roche (Inst), AstraZeneca, Allos Therapeutics, Astellas Pharma, Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Bayer, Bristol Myers Squibb, Daiichi Sankyo, Eisai, Elevar Therapeutics, Kolltan Pharmaceuticals, Kura Oncology, Merck, Novartis, PfizerTravel, Accommodations, Expenses: Janssen Oncology, Merck, Kura Oncology, Ignyta, Ayala Pharmaceuticals, Klusa Pharma Marek DedecjusHonoraria: Sanofi/Aventis, Bayer, Berlin-ChemieResearch Funding: AstraAzeneca/Merck, Exelixis Lori J. WirthConsulting or Advisory Role: Merck, Loxo, Blueprint Medicines, Eisai, Lilly, Bayer, ExelixisResearching Funding: Checkmate Pharmaceuticals (Inst), Lilly (Inst), Ayala Pharmaceuticals (Inst), Eisai (Inst)Expert Testimony: EisaiOther Relationship: PDS Biotechnology R. Michael TuttleResearch Funding: Elesta (Inst) Fernanda VaismanConsulting or Advisory Role: AstraZeneca/Merck, Ipsen, Lilly, Bayer HealthSpeaker’s Bureau: Bayer, AstraZeneca/Merck, Sanofi, United Medical Lars BastholtResearch Funding: Bristol Myers Squibb (Inst) Andrew G. GianoukakisConsulting or Advisory Role: Eisai, Exelixs Patrice RodienConsulting or Advisory Role: Eisai EuropeResearch Funding: Pfizer (Inst) Ralf PaschkeConsulting or Advisory Role: Bayer, EisaiResearching Funding: Bayer (Inst)Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Licensing fee for a diagnostic testRossella EliseiConsulting or Advisory Role: EISAI, Genezyme, Loxo, Ipsen, Bayer, Lilly Karen SoEmployment: AstraZenecaStock and Other Ownership Interests: AstraZeneca Danielle CarrollEmployment: AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Azeria therapeutics (I)Leadership: Azeria therapeutics (I)Stock and Other Ownership Interests: AstraZeneca/MedImmune, Azeria Therapeutics (I)Honoraria: AstraZeneca (I)Consulting or Advisory Role: Azeria therapeutics (I)Research Funding: AstraZeneca (I)Patents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: Royalties from Active Motif (I), Compositions featuring an attenuated Newcastle disease virus and methods of use for treating neoplasia, Anti-cxc chemokine-2 binding molecules and uses thereof Tina HoveyEmployment: PhastarConsulting or Advisory Role: AstraZenecaResearch Funding: AstraZeneca James A. FaginHonoraria: Eisai EuropeConsulting or Advisory Role: Loxo OncologyPatents, Royalties, Other Intellectual Property: 3. MSK Ref. SK 2014-024-03 Title: Treatment of H-RAS-Driven Tumors. Application Number: 15/305,788. 3. Anti-TSHR Multispecific Antibodies and Uses Thereof, provisional patent.No other potential conflicts of interest were reported.

In the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic there is a mass screening of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) happening around the world due to the extensive spread of the infections. There is a high demand for rapid diagnostic tests to expedite the identification of cases and to facilitate early isolation and control spread. Hence this study evaluates six different rapid nucleic acid detection assays that are commercially available for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 4981 participants and were tested for the SARS-CoV-2 virus by the gold standard real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method and with one of these six rapid methods of detection. Evaluation of the rapid nucleic acid detection assays was done by comparing the results of these rapid methods with the gold standard RT-qPCR results for SARS-COV-2 detection. AQ-TOP had the highest sensitivity (98%) and a strong kappa value of 0.943 followed by Genechecker and Abbot ID NOW. The POCKIT (ii RT-PCR) assay had the highest test accuracy of 99.29% followed by Genechecker and Cobas Liat. Atila iAMP showed the highest percentage of invalid reports (35.5%) followed by AQ-TOP with 6% and POCKIT with 3.7% of invalid reports. Genechecker system, Abbott ID NOW, and Cobas Liat were found to have the best performance and agreement when compared with the standard RT-PCR for COVID-19 detection. With further research, these rapid tests have the potential to be employed in large-scale screening of COVID-19., (© 2021 G42 Healthcare. Journal of Medical Virology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

In this COVID-19 pandemic, there is a dire need for cost-effective and less time-consuming alternatives for SARS-CoV-2 testing. The RNA extraction-free method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in saliva is a promising option. This study found that it has high sensitivity (85.34%), specificity (95.04%), and was comparable to the gold standard nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) sample tests. The method showed good agreement between salivary and NPS samples, with a kappa coefficient of 0.797. However, there are variations in the sensitivity and specificity based on the RT-PCR kit used. The Thermo Fisher Applied Biosystems showed high sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) but also showed a higher percentage of invalid reports. On the other hand, the BGI kit showed high specificity, better agreement (kappa coefficient) between the results of saliva and NPS samples, and higher correlation between the Ct values of saliva and NPS samples. Thus, the RNA extraction-free method for salivary sample serves as an effective alternative screening method for COVID-19., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper., (Copyright © 2021 Sally A. Mahmoud et al.)

Background: The current pandemic of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, widely known as COVID-19, has affected millions of people around the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended vigorous testing to differentiate SARS-CoV-2 from other respiratory infections to aid in guiding appropriate care and management. Situations like this have demanded robust testing strategies and pooled testing of samples for SARS-CoV-2 virus has provided the solution to mass screening of people for COVID-19. A pooled testing strategy can be very effective in testing when resources are limited, yet it comes with its own limitations. These benefits and limitations need critical consideration when it comes to testing highly infectious diseases like COVID-19., Methods: This study evaluated the pooled testing of nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-COV-2 by comparing the sensitivity of individual sample testing with 4-and 8-pool sample testing. Median cycle threshold (Ct) values were compared, and the precision of pooled testing was assessed through an inter- and intra-assay of pooled samples. Coefficient of variance was calculated for inter- and intra-assay variability., Results: The sensitivity becomes considerably lower when the samples are pooled. There is a high percentage of false negative reports with larger sample pool size and when the patient viral load is low or weak positive samples. High variability was seen in the intra- and inter-assay, especially among weak positive samples and when more number of samples are pooled together., Conclusion: As COVID - 19 infection numbers and need for testing remain high, we must meticulously evaluate the testing strategy for each country depending on its testing capacity, infrastructure, economic strength, and need to determine the optimal balance on the cost-effective strategy of resource saving and risk/ cost of missing positive patients.