Determination of Sex Ratio In Bovine Semen Using SYBR Green Real-Time PCR

A SYBR green real-time PCR assay was developed to find out the sex skewness in bovine sex-sorted semen samples. The qPCR assay of PLP and SRY genes revealed the mean values of X- and Y-bearing spermatozoa as 50.24 ± 0.65 and 49.75 ± 0.62 per cent in unsorted, and 91.80 ± 0.79 and 8.20 ± 0.73 per cent in X-enriched semen samples respectively.. The amplification efficiencies of the PLP and SRY primers were 99.25 and 98.03 per cent respectively. The method was validated by a series of repeatability and reproducibility assays which revealed low co-efficients of variations as 2.19 and 3.12 per cent respectively Thus becoming a reliable and inexpensive tool to evaluate the sorted semen on routine basis and validation of other sperm sexing technologies.

Molecular Survey of Viral Poultry Diseases with an Indirect Public Health Significance in Central Ethiopia

The importance of poultry production is globally increasing, in Ethiopia as well, where high-quality protein and contained costs make poultry a valuable food resource. However, this entails some problems linked to rural, backyard and intensively reared flock proximity and pathogen circulation. This study is aimed at monitoring the presence of important viral pathogens in poultry (infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), avian metapneumovirus (aMPV), infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) and Newcastle disease virus (NDV)) in Ethiopia. Respiratory and cloacal swabs and bursa of Fabricius and kidney imprints on FTA cards were collected in 2021 from 16 farms and tested for IBV, aMPV, NDV and IBDV. One farm was positive for IBDV, resulting in strains similar to those present in vaccines, belonging to genogroup A1a; two farms were positive for IBV but, due to sensitivity limits, only one sample was sequenced, resulting in a 4/91-like strain (GI-13); a layer farm tested positive for NDV with a Lasota-like vaccine strain. These findings suggest a low presence of these pathogens, probably due to the implementation of vaccination strategies, which is also testified by the detection of vaccine strains. A close diagnostic activity should be implemented on a routine basis in order to monitor pathogen circulation, ameliorate biosecurity measures and protect animal health and production levels.

DAY-CARE VERSUS ROUTINE LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been performed as a day-care procedure for many years. Few studies have been conducted with primary focus on patient acceptance and preferences in terms of quality of life for this practice compared with overnight stay. Data from 100 patients with symptomatic gallstones randomized to laparoscopic cholecystectomy performed either as a day-care procedure or with routine were analyzed. Complications, admissions, and readmissions were assessed. Forty-eight (92 per cent) of 52 patients in day-care group were discharged 4– 8 h after the operation. Forty-two (88 per cent) of 48 in the overnight group went home on routine basis after surgery. The overall conversion rate was 2 per cent. Two patients had complications after surgery, both in the day-care group. No patient in either group was readmitted. There was no signicant difference in total quality of life score between the two groups.

Investigation of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry for Assessing the Molecular Diversity of Campylobacter jejuni and Comparison with MLST and cgMLST: A Luxembourg One-Health Study

There is a need for active molecular surveillance of human and veterinary Campylobacter infections. However, sequencing of all isolates is associated with high costs and a considerable workload. Thus, there is a need for a straightforward complementary tool to prioritize isolates to sequence. In this study, we proposed to investigate the ability of MALDI-TOF MS to pre-screen C. jejuni genetic diversity in comparison to MLST and cgMLST. A panel of 126 isolates, with 10 clonal complexes (CC), 21 sequence types (ST) and 42 different complex types (CT) determined by the SeqSphere+ cgMLST, were analysed by a MALDI Biotyper, resulting into one average spectra per isolate. Concordance and discriminating ability were evaluated based on protein profiles and different cut-offs. A random forest algorithm was trained to predict STs. With a 94% similarity cut-off, an AWC of 1.000, 0.933 and 0.851 was obtained for MLSTCC, MLSTST and cgMLST profile, respectively. The random forest classifier showed a sensitivity and specificity up to 97.5% to predict four different STs. Protein profiles allowed to predict C. jejuni CCs, STs and CTs at 100%, 93% and 85%, respectively. Machine learning and MALDI-TOF MS could be a fast and inexpensive complementary tool to give an early signal of recurrent C. jejuni on a routine basis.

Portable gas leak detection system using IoT and off-the shelf sensor node

<p>In companies that use toxic gases in vast amounts for a range of procedures, there are a host of high-risk concerns to address. People will not be able to track or control the emission of these gases on a routine basis until it becomes harmful. Sensors are expected to actively detect leaks and alert users to any potential hazards. Gas leakage may occur at multiple locations within a single installation. As a result, sensors are implanted as close to the suspected leak site as possible, enabling them to track leakage and relay signals to a base station that is situated far away. Many sensor values are received and analyzed using a microcontroller. The generated data is encoded in the wireless module and sent to the base through the internet of things link, where it is decoded and viewed by another microcontroller. When leaks are detected, the device sends an audio and visual alert, and since the detection period is very limited due to high-speed processing, leakage situations are brought under control with minimal or no effect. Using the new IoT technology and tracking from anywhere on the network, this project offers a cost-effective and reliable solution for mitigating leakage risk.</p>

THE ROA LASER STATION: FROM ARTIFICIAL SATELLITES TO SPACE DEBRIS TRACKING

The Royal Observatory of the Spanish Navy (ROA) is specialist in space geodesy since the beginning of the space race. In 1975 a laser station was installed at ROA in collaboration with the French CERGA (Centre de Recherches en Géodynamique et Astrométrie). Since 1980, ROA has operated that station by their own. This equipment routinely tracks artificial satellites equipped with retro-reflectors. In 2014 ROA opened a new field of research: tracking of artificial satellites currently not active and equipped with retroreflectors. This new area was a challenge given the poor orbital accuracies that are available for these objects as they were not tracked on a routine basis. This served as an approach to our final goal: to strictly monitor space debris, this is, any type of uncontrolled man-made orbiting objects. To fulfill the objective, since 2017, we made significant changes to our laser installation. The most important was the replacement of the old laser bench with two new ones. One transmitting 500 mW-pulses, and another laser bench with 25 W transmission power. The study for the installation of the later laser was financed through European Union (EU) H2020 fundings and granted by the Spanish Centre for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI). Although it allows the tracking of collaborative objects, it is ideal for tracking non-collaborative too. Tracking activities begin in November 2017. From then onward, non-collaborative objects are monitored on a regular basis. This work shows the modifications already made, and the results obtained until 2019.

IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) – Newsletter 62

The information given here is provided by the IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification for comparative purposes and as a service to mineralogists working on new species. Each mineral is described in the following format: mineral name, if the authors agree on its release prior to the full description appearing in press; chemical formula; type locality; full authorship of proposal; e-mail address of the corresponding author; relationship with other minerals; crystal system, space group, structure determined, yes or no; unit-cell parameters; strongest lines in the X-ray powder diffraction pattern; type specimen repository and specimen number; citation details for the mineral prior to publication of the full description. Citation details concern the fact that this information will be published in the European Journal of Mineralogy on a routine basis as well as being added month by month to the commission's website. It is still a requirement for the authors to publish a full description of the new mineral. No other information will be released by the commission.

Endovascular treatment of anterior cerebral artery occlusions

There are limited data on endovascular treatment (EVT) for anterior cerebral artery (ACA) occlusions. This review focuses on aspects related to ACA EVT: ACA anatomy, clinical and imaging findings, prognosis of ACA stroke, and ACA thrombectomy techniques. The ACA anatomy, and the regions supplied by the ACA, are highly variable; frequent anatomical variants include azygos ACA, triplicated ACA and fenestrations of the anterior communicating artery. ACA occlusions can be classified based on occlusion location, their continuity with other vessel occlusions (isolated ACA occlusion vs ACA occlusion as part of a carotid T occlusion) and etiology (primary—spontaneous ACA occlusion, vs secondary—spontaneous or iatrogenic due to clot fragmentation/migration). Symptoms of ACA stroke differ in severity and nature due to large inter-individual variations in territorial ACA blood supply. Generally, ACA strokes are severely disabling, and the typical clinical hallmark is a motor deficit of the contralateral lower extremity. Advanced imaging (CT perfusion, multiphase CT angiography) increases the likelihood of the correct diagnosis of ACA stroke and should be obtained on routine basis.Available data for ACA EVT suggest its feasibility and safety while clinical outcomes are often unfavorable with conservative management. Therefore, the potential benefit of EVT seems obvious. An optimized endovascular approach for ACA thrombectomy comprises the development and use of smaller and softer devices that can be delivered through small microcatheters with an optimized vector of force. Ultimately, generating high-level evidence for ACA EVT from randomized trials remains warranted.

Towards Sustainable Livestock Production: Estimation of Methane Emissions and Dietary Interventions for Mitigation

The increasing need for sustainable livestock production demands more research in the field of greenhouse gas (GHG), particularly methane (CH4), measurement and mitigation. Dietary interventions, management, and biotechnological strategies to reduce the environmental impacts and economic implications of enteric CH4 emissions are needed. While the use of biotechnological interventions and management strategies can be challenging on a routine basis, feed additive supplementation appears to be the most researched, developed, and ready to use strategy to mitigate enteric CH4 emissions. This paper discusses various recently developed feeding strategies to reduce enteric CH4 emissions in livestock. Additionally, the manuscript reviews various technologies developed for CH4 estimation since the accurate and reliable estimation of CH4 emissions can be a limiting step in the development and adoption of any mitigation strategy.

Biochemical Markers for Prediction of Pregnancy Outcome in Cases of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Objective: To predict pregnancy outcome by studying the relation between serum βHCG, progesterone and CA125 and the occurrence of miscarriage in the first trimester, in cases with history of recurrent pregnancy loss. Methods: Serum βHCG, progesterone and CA125 levels in fifty pregnant women with history of recurrent pregnancy loss were compared to 50 pregnant women with no history of abortion, and to another group of women (No=50) who failed to complete the 1st trimester of pregnancy during the study. Results: Serum B-hCG showed a sensitivity of 100%, a specificity of 50%, a PPV of 50% and a NPV of 100%. Serum progesterone showed a sensitivity of 24%, a specificity of 73%, a PPV of 55.07% and a NPV of 85.18%, while serum CA125 showed a sensitivity of 15.6%, a specificity of 58.59%, a PPV of 16.32% and a NPV of 57.42%. Conclusion: The value of CA125 in recurrent abortions is still unclear and cannot recommended on routine basis. On the other hand, β-HCG is highly sensitive as a single serum measurement for the prediction of pregnancy outcome.