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Since African Swine Fever (ASF) was detected in the Dominican Republic in July 2021, it has negatively impacted the country's swine industry. Assessing the epidemiological situation is crucial to helping local authorities and industry stakeholders control the disease. Here, data on 155 reported outbreaks in the Dominican Republic from November 2022 to June 2023 were evaluated. Descriptive spatiotemporal analysis was performed to characterize disease distribution and spread, and between-herd R0 was calculated for the study period. The Knox test and a space-time permutation model were used to evaluate clustering. Data on clinical presentation, biosecurity measures, and suspected reasons for introduction were categorized and summarized. The majority (78%) of outbreaks occurred on backyard farms which generally had low biosecurity. Across farm types, the majority of pigs were still alive at the time of depopulation. Spatiotemporal findings and R0 estimates suggest an endemic pattern of disease geographically located centrally within the country. Clustering was detected even at small temporal and spatial distances due to outbreaks amongst neighboring backyard farms. These results provide critical information on the current state of the ASF epidemic in the Dominican Republic and will aid government officials and swine industry leaders in developing effective ASF control strategies.

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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Clinical data for older patients with advanced liver disease are limited. This post hoc analysis evaluated the efficacy and safety of terlipressin in patients aged ≥65 years with hepatorenal syndrome using data from 3 Phase III, randomized, placebo-controlled studies (OT-0401, REVERSE, CONFIRM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The pooled population of patients aged ≥65 years (terlipressin, n = 54; placebo, n = 36) was evaluated for hepatorenal syndrome reversal-defined as a serum creatinine level ≤1.5 mg/dL (≤132.6 µmol/L) while receiving terlipressin or placebo, without renal replacement therapy, liver transplantation, or death-and the incidence of renal replacement therapy (RRT). Safety analyses included an assessment of adverse events. RESULTS: Hepatorenal syndrome reversal was almost 2-times higher in terlipressin-treated patients compared with patients who received placebo (31.5% vs 16.7%; P = 0.143). Among surviving patients, the need for RRT was significantly reduced in the terlipressin group, with an almost 3-times lower incidence of RRT versus the placebo group (Day 90: 25.0% vs 70.6%; P = 0.005). Among 23 liver-transplant-listed patients, significantly fewer patients in the terlipressin versus placebo group needed RRT by Days 30 and 60 (P = 0.027 each). Fewer patients in the terlipressin group needed RRT post-transplant (P = 0.011). More terlipressin-treated patients who were listed for and received a liver transplant were alive and RRT-free by Day 90. No new safety signals were revealed in the older subpopulation compared with previously published data. CONCLUSIONS: Terlipressin therapy may lead to clinical improvements in highly vulnerable patients aged ≥65 years with hepatorenal syndrome. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBERS: OT-0401, NCT00089570; REVERSE, NCT01143246; CONFIRM, NCT02770716.

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The contamination of the environment by domestic and industrial discharges is a relevant and persistent problem that needs novel solutions. Innovations in the detection, adsorption, and removal or in-situ degradation of toxic components are urgently required. Various effective techniques and materials have been proposed to address this problem, in which carbon dots (CDs) stand out because of their unique properties and low-cost and abundant nature. Their combination with different metals results in the enhancement of their innate properties. Metal-doped CDs have shown excellent results and competitive advantages in recent times. Considering the above useful critiques and CDs notable potentialities, this review discusses different approaches in detail to sense, adsorb, and photodegrade different pollutants in water samples. It was found that altering the electronic structure of CDs via metal doping has a great potential to enhance the optical, electrical, chemical, and magnetic capabilities of CDs, which in turn is beneficial for wastewater treatment.

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Background: Across the globe, there are successful health innovations that could help improve public health in US communities at lower cost and with higher effectiveness than standard practice. However, which factors should be considered to heighten the likelihood of successful transfer of global health ideas to the US still warrants more empirical investigation. Objective: This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework delineating important factors to be considered for successful introduction of global health innovations to US communities, based on diffusion of innovations literature and case studies of global health innovations that have been adopted in US communities. Methods: Five global health innovations adopted in US communities were selected based on expert panel recommendations and a review of academic and gray literatures. These innovations had diverse origins (Columbia, Mexico, South Africa, Sweden, and Wales) and exhibited various means of achieving desired health outcomes. We conducted archival research and 27 interviews (42 interviewees) with leaders and stakeholders of the five innovations to identify important factors for the transfer of global health innovations to the US. Findings: Six factors were determined to be important for global health innovation adoption in the US: (1) innovation attributes, (2) linking agents, (3) inter-organizational partnerships, (4) scale up strategies, (5) implementation processes and outcomes in US communities, and (6) policy and social context. These factors correspond well to factors emphasized in the diffusion of innovation literature, although the importance of some sub-factors (e.g., stigma regarding the origin of innovations) diverged from the literature. Conclusions: Based on our findings, we developed the Designing for Diffusion Framework for Global Health Innovations. The framework provides a comprehensive picture of factors that can be facilitators or hindrances for moving a global health innovation to the US to help smooth the diffusion process for better adoption and implementation in US communities.

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Abstract Plant based protein sources are one of the best, cost effective and easily available protein sources being used in fish feed. But due to a lower number of micro-biota in fish gut plant meal based diets cannot be digested and absorbed well in fish body. Probiotics were supplemented at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 gkg-1 levels in fish feed for formulating one control and five test diets. In this study, three replicates of each treatment were used and number of fingerlings was 15 in each replicate. The C. carpio (common carp) fingerlings were fed at 5% of live wet weight on their prescribed diet twice daily. The results revealed that supplementation of probiotics in corn gluten meal based diets significantly (p<0.05) improved growth performance, carcass composition and hematological parameters. Most optimum values of growth performance parameters were noted at 2 gkg-1 level of probiotics supplemented diet. C. carpio fingerlings fed corn gluten meal based diet supplemented with 2 gkg-1 level of probiotics indicated significant (p<0.05) improvements in crude protein (17g) crude fat (9g) and gross energy (3 kcalg-1) whereas higher red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and hemoglobin (Hb) was also recorded in fish blood when fed 2 gkg-1 probiotics level diet. From these results, it was concluded that 2 gkg-1 probiotics supplementation in corn gluten meal based diet is optimum for improving growth performance, body composition and hematology of C. carpio fingerlings.

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OBJECTIVE: To review the currently available literature to define the role of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with connective tissue disorders (CTD). METHODS: A comprehensive electronic database search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Google scholar, and OVID to identify all the articles that reported on outcomes of utilizing TEVAR in patients with CTD during elective and emergency settings. The search was not limited to time or language of the published study. RESULTS: All the relevant studies have been summarized in its correspondence section. The outcomes were analyzed in narrative format. The role of TEVAR has been elaborated as per each study. Currently, there is limited large cohort size studies outlining the use of TEVAR in patients with CTD. The use of endovascular repair in patients with CTD is limited due to progressive aortic dilatations and high possibility of further reinterventions at later stage of life. CONCLUSION: Open repair remains the gold standard method of intervention in young patients with progressive CTD, especially in the setting of acute type A aortic dissection. However, TEVAR can be sought as a reliable alternative in emergency setting of diseases involving the descending thoracic aorta; yet the long-term data needs to be published to support such practice.

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Abstract Objective: To review the currently available literature to define the role of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in patients with connective tissue disorders (CTD). Methods: A comprehensive electronic database search was performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Embase, Google scholar, and OVID to identify all the articles that reported on outcomes of utilizing TEVAR in patients with CTD during elective and emergency settings. The search was not limited to time or language of the published study. Results: All the relevant studies have been summarized in its correspondence section. The outcomes were analyzed in narrative format. The role of TEVAR has been elaborated as per each study. Currently, there is limited large cohort size studies outlining the use of TEVAR in patients with CTD. The use of endovascular repair in patients with CTD is limited due to progressive aortic dilatations and high possibility of further reinterventions at later stage of life. Conclusion: Open repair remains the gold standard method of intervention in young patients with progressive CTD, especially in the setting of acute type A aortic dissection. However, TEVAR can be sought as a reliable alternative in emergency setting of diseases involving the descending thoracic aorta; yet the long-term data needs to be published to support such practice.

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Atypical headaches are uncommon and require special consideration by a primary care physician. We report the case of a 37-year-old male, who presented to the family medicine practice with persistent headaches which subsided postprandial and was later hospitalized for stroke-like symptoms. The lumbar puncture (LP) suggested viral etiology; however, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) yielded no evidence of a specific virus. The patient computed tomography (CT) was non-diagnostic and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed no acute intracranial abnormalities. Electroencephalogram (EEG) showed no definite epileptiform discharges, electrographic seizures, or evidence of non-convulsive status epilepticus. He was started empirically on intravenous (IV) acyclovir 800 mg Q6 for 10 days, followed by another 10 days of oral valacyclovir 500 mg twice a day (BID) antivirals leading to a complete resolution of his symptoms and confirming the diagnosis as viral encephalitis. This case is unique in its presentation due to the postprandial resolution of the patient's headache with no evidence of a specific virus in the CSF. In primary care setting, headaches are often referred routinely to neurologist for further management. However, more insidious causes for a headache, such as viral infections, should not be ruled out; and if the symptoms are acute and severe, an immediate inpatient work-up with empiric treatment for the most probable etiology may be warranted, despite unequivocal exam and laboratory findings.

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Heat stress during reproductive and grain filling phases adversely affects the growth of cereals through reduction in grains number and size. However, exogenous application of antioxidants, plant growth regulators and osmoprotectants may be helpful to minimize these heat induced yield losses in cereals. This two year study was conducted to evaluate the role of exogenous application of ascorbic acid (AsA), salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) applied through seed priming or foliar spray on biochemical, physiological, morphological and yield related traits, grain yield and quality of late spring sown hybrid maize. The experiment was conducted in the spring season of 2007 and 2008. We observed that application of AsA, SA and H2 O2 applied through seed priming or foliar spray improved the physiological, biochemical, morphological and yield related traits, grain yield and grain quality of late spring sown maize in both years. In both years, we observed higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity in the plants where AsA, SA and H2 O2 were applied through seed priming or foliar spray than control. Membrane stability index (MSI), relative water contents (RWC), chlorophyll contents, grain yield and grain oil contents were also improved by exogenous application of AsA, SA and H2 O2 in both years. Seed priming of AsA, SA and H2 O2 was equally effective as the foliar application. In conclusion, seed priming with AsA, SA and H2 O2 may be opted to lessen the heat induced yield losses in late sown spring hybrid maize. Heat tolerance induced by ASA, SA and H2 O2 may be attributed to increase in antioxidant activities and MSI which maintained RWC and chlorophyll contents in maize resulting in better grain yield in heat stress conditions.(AU)

O estresse térmico durante as fases reprodutiva e de enchimento de grãos afeta negativamente o crescimento de cereais com redução do número e do tamanho do grão. A aplicação exógena de antioxidantes, reguladores de crescimento vegetal e osmoprotetores, pode ser útil para minimizar essas perdas. O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação exógena de ácido ascórbico (ASA), ácido salicílico (SA) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2 O2 ) aplicada através de sementes ou pulverização foliar na indução de tolerância ao estresse térmico em milho híbrido semeado no final da primavera. A aplicação de AsA, SA e H2 O2 através de sementes ou pulverização foliar melhora a fisiologia, bioquímica, morfologia e traços associados ao rendimento e qualidade de de grãos de milho no cultivo de Primavera tardia em ambos os anos. Foi observada maior superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e atividade de peroxidase (POD) em plantas onde AsA, SA e H2 O2 foram aplicados via sementes ou pulverização foliar em relação ao controle. O índice de estabilidade de membrana (MSI), conteúdo relativo de água (RWC), conteúdo de clorofila, rendimento de grãos e teor de óleo de grãos também foram melhorados pela aplicação de AsA, exógena SA e H2 O2 em ambos os anos. A aplicação via sementes de AsA, SA e H2 O2 foi igualmente eficaz à aplicação foliar. A embebição de sementes com AsA, SA e H2 O2 pode ser utilizado para diminuir as perdas de rendimento induzida pelo calor em milho híbrido semeado no final da primavera. A indução de tolerância ao calor pela ASA, SA e H2 O2 pode ser atribuído ao aumento de atividades antioxidantes e a MSI que manteve o RWC e o conteúdo de clorofila resultando em melhor rendimento de grãos em condições de estresse de calor.(AU)

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Heat stress during reproductive and grain filling phases adversely affects the growth of cereals through reduction in grain’s number and size. However, exogenous application of antioxidants, plant growth regulators and osmoprotectants may be helpful to minimize these heat induced yield losses in cereals. This two year study was conducted to evaluate the role of exogenous application of ascorbic acid (AsA), salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ) applied through seed priming or foliar spray on biochemical, physiological, morphological and yield related traits, grain yield and quality of late spring sown hybrid maize. The experiment was conducted in the spring season of 2007 and 2008. We observed that application of AsA, SA and H2 O2 applied through seed priming or foliar spray improved the physiological, biochemical, morphological and yield related traits, grain yield and grain quality of late spring sown maize in both years. In both years, we observed higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity in the plants where AsA, SA and H2 O2 were applied through seed priming or foliar spray than control. Membrane stability index (MSI), relative water contents (RWC), chlorophyll contents, grain yield and grain oil contents were also improved by exogenous application of AsA, SA and H2 O2 in both years. Seed priming of AsA, SA and H2 O2 was equally effective as the foliar application. In conclusion, seed priming with AsA, SA and H2 O2 may be opted to lessen the heat induced yield losses in late sown spring hybrid maize. Heat tolerance induced by ASA, SA and H2 O2 may be attributed to increase in antioxidant activities and MSI which maintained RWC and chlorophyll contents in maize resulting in better grain yield in heat stress conditions.

O estresse térmico durante as fases reprodutiva e de enchimento de grãos afeta negativamente o crescimento de cereais com redução do número e do tamanho do grão. A aplicação exógena de antioxidantes, reguladores de crescimento vegetal e osmoprotetores, pode ser útil para minimizar essas perdas. O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação exógena de ácido ascórbico (ASA), ácido salicílico (SA) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2 O2 ) aplicada através de sementes ou pulverização foliar na indução de tolerância ao estresse térmico em milho híbrido semeado no final da primavera. A aplicação de AsA, SA e H2 O2 através de sementes ou pulverização foliar melhora a fisiologia, bioquímica, morfologia e traços associados ao rendimento e qualidade de de grãos de milho no cultivo de Primavera tardia em ambos os anos. Foi observada maior superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e atividade de peroxidase (POD) em plantas onde AsA, SA e H2 O2 foram aplicados via sementes ou pulverização foliar em relação ao controle. O índice de estabilidade de membrana (MSI), conteúdo relativo de água (RWC), conteúdo de clorofila, rendimento de grãos e teor de óleo de grãos também foram melhorados pela aplicação de AsA, exógena SA e H2 O2 em ambos os anos. A aplicação via sementes de AsA, SA e H2 O2 foi igualmente eficaz à aplicação foliar. A embebição de sementes com AsA, SA e H2 O2 pode ser utilizado para diminuir as perdas de rendimento induzida pelo calor em milho híbrido semeado no final da primavera. A indução de tolerância ao calor pela ASA, SA e H2 O2 pode ser atribuído ao aumento de atividades antioxidantes e a MSI que manteve o RWC e o conteúdo de clorofila resultando em melhor rendimento de grãos em condições de estresse de calor.

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Heat stress during reproductive and grain filling phases adversely affects the growth of cereals through reduction in grains number and size. However, exogenous application of antioxidants, plant growth regulators and osmoprotectants may be helpful to minimize these heat induced yield losses in cereals. This two year study was conducted to evaluate the role of exogenous application of ascorbic acid (AsA), salicylic acid (SA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) applied through seed priming or foliar spray on biochemical, physiological, morphological and yield related traits, grain yield and quality of late spring sown hybrid maize. The experiment was conducted in the spring season of 2007 and 2008. We observed that application of AsA, SA and H2O2 applied through seed priming or foliar spray improved the physiological, biochemical, morphological and yield related traits, grain yield and grain quality of late spring sown maize in both years. In both years, we observed higher superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) activity in the plants where AsA, SA and H2O2were applied through seed priming or foliar spray than control. Membrane stability index (MSI), relative water contents (RWC), chlorophyll contents, grain yield and grain oil contents were also improved by exogenous application of AsA, SA and H2O2 in both years. Seed priming of AsA, SA and H2O2was equally eff

O estresse térmico durante as fases reprodutiva e de enchimento de grãos afeta negativamente o crescimento de cereais com redução do número e do tamanho do grão. A aplicação exógena de antioxidantes, reguladores de crescimento vegetal e osmoprotetores, pode ser útil para minimizar essas perdas. O objetivo foi avaliar o efeito da aplicação exógena de ácido ascórbico (ASA), ácido salicílico (SA) e peróxido de hidrogênio (H2O2) aplicada através de sementes ou pulverização foliar na indução de tolerância ao estresse térmico em milho híbrido semeado no final da primavera. A aplicação de AsA, SA e H2O2 através de sementes ou pulverização foliar melhora a fisiologia, bioquímica, morfologia e traços associados ao rendimento e qualidade de de grãos de milho no cultivo de Primavera tardia em ambos os anos. Foi observada maior superóxido dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) e atividade de peroxidase (POD) em plantas onde AsA, SA e H2O2 foram aplicados via sementes ou pulverização foliar em relação ao controle. O índice de estabilidade de membrana (MSI), conteúdo relativo de água (RWC), conteúdo de clorofila, rendimento de grãos e teor de óleo de grãos também foram melhorados pela aplicação de AsA, exógena SA e H2O2 em ambos os anos. A aplicação via sementes de AsA, SA e H2O2 foi igualmente eficaz à aplicação foliar. A embebição de sementes com AsA, SA e H2O2 pode ser utilizado para diminuir as

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The surface exposed Leucine 371 on loop 2 of domain II, in Cry1Aa toxin, was mutated to Lysine to generate the trypsin-sensitive mutant, L371K. Upon trypsin digestion L371K is cleaved into approximately 37 and 26 kDa fragments. These are separable on SDS-PAGE, but remain as a single molecule of 65 kDa upon purification by liquid chromatography. The larger fragment is domain I and a portion of domain II (amino acid residues 1 to 371). The smaller 26-kDa polypeptide is the remainder of domain II and domain III (amino acids 372 to 609). When the mutant toxin was treated with high dose of M. sexta gut juice both fragments were degraded. However, when incubated with M. sexta BBMV, the 26 kDa fragment (domains II and III) was preferentially protected from gut juice proteases. As previously reported, wild type Cry1Aa toxin was also protected against degradation by gut juice proteases when incubated with M. sexta BBMV. On the contrary, when mouse BBMV was added to the reaction mixture neither Cry1Aa nor L371K toxins showed resistance to M. sexta gut juice proteases and were degraded. Since the whole Cry1Aa toxin and most of the domain II and domain III of L371K are protected from proteases in the presence of BBMV of the target insect, we suggest that the insertion of the toxin into the membrane is complex and involves all three domains.

La superficie de la toxina Cry1Aa, en el asa 2 del dominio II contiene expuesta la leucina 371, la cual fue modificada a lisina produciendo una mutante sensible a la tripsina, L371K. Esta mutante produce dos fragmentos de 37 y 26 kDa por acción de la tripsina que son separables por SDS-PAGE, pero que a la purificación por cromatografía líquida se mantienen como una sola molécula de 65 kDa. El fragmento grande contiene al dominio I y una parte del dominio II (aminoácidos 1 al 371). El polipéptido de 26 kDa contiene la parte restante del dominio II y dominio III (aminoácidos 372 al 609). Cuando la toxina mutante fue tratada con dosis altas de jugo intestinal de Manduca sexta, ambos fragmentos fueron degradados. Sin embargo, cuando fueron incubados en VMBC de M. sexta, el fragmento de 26 kDa fue protegido preferencialmente de las proteasas intestinales. Como se ha reportado, la toxina silvestre Cry1Aa también es protegida de la degradación de las proteasas cuando es incubada en VMBC de M. sexta. Sin embargo, cuando se adicionó VMBC de ratón a la mezcla de reacción, ni la toxina Cry1Aa ni la mutante L371K mostraron resistencia a las proteasas y fueron degradadas. Dado que la toxina completa de Cry1Aa y casi todo de los dominios II y III de L371K están protegidos de proteasas en presencia de VMBC del insecto, este estudio sugiere que la inserción de la toxina en la membrana involucra los tres dominios.

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