Lateral flow devices for samples collected by straw sampling method for postmortem canine rabies diagnosis

The direct fluorescent antibody test (dFAT) using brain sample after opening the skull is the standard rabies diagnostic test in animal rabies. However, it is not feasible in many resource-limited settings. Lateral flow devices (LFD) combined with a simple sampling methodology is quicker, simpler, and less hazardous than the standard test and can be a useful tool. We conducted a prospective on-site study to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the LFD with the straw sampling method compared with that of the dFAT with the skull opening procedure for post-mortem canine rabies diagnosis. We collected 97 rabies-suspected animals between December 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021. Among the 97 samples, 53 and 50 cases were positive tests for dFAT and LFD, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of LFD with straw sampling method were 94.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.3–98.8%) and 100% (95% CI, 92.0–100%), respectively. The performance of LFD by the straw sampling method showed relatively high sensitivity and 100% specificity compared with that of dFAT performed on samples collected after opening the skull. This methodology can be beneficial and is a strong tool to overcome limited animal surveillance in remote areas. However, because of our limited sample size, more data using fresh samples on-site and the optimizations are urgently needed for the further implementation in endemic areas.

The effect of iodine deficiency on the course of recurrent respiratory infection in children living in the iodine deficient region

Background. The consequence of iodine deficiency is a decrease in the secretion of thyroid hormones, which adversely affects the immune system with the development of somatic and predisposition to frequent respiratory diseases. The purpose was to investigate the iodine supply of the body of children with recurrent respiratory infections (RRI) by studying the organification and inorganic fractions of iodine in the serum and excretion of iodine in the urine. Materials and methods. The study was conducted by simple sampling, taking into account the characteristics of the clinic course of respiratory disease. Clinical and laboratory and instrumental examination was performed in 60 children aged 3 to 11 years with a diagnosis of RRI. The concentration of iodine in urine, the level of inorganic and organification iodine in the blood were studied. Results. The clinical picture presented with the symptoms of intoxication, fever, and catarrhal symptoms typical of RRI. In children with severe RRI experienced a clear decrease in the iodine level to 57.34 μg/l (p < 0.05) and a decline in the blood content of total iodine and iodine organification by 31.12 and 39.11 % (p < 0.001), respectively. The concentration of inorganic iodine was significantly higher (p < 0.001). Such results indicate a “wrong” subcellular distribution of iodine into fractions in the inflammatory process caused by RRI. The children with detected iodine deficiency demonstrated a more severe course of RRI. There was a moderately negative relationship between the levels of organification and inorganic iodine (r = –0.515; p < 0.05) and a direct relationship between the blood concentrations of total and organification iodine (r = 0.899; p < 0.05). Conclusions. The course of RRI in patients with iodine deficiency is characterized by an increase in the level of inorganic iodine, a decrease in organification iodine and total iodine, the deepening of these changes correlates with the severity of the respiratory disease.

Attitude toward organic agribusiness: an approach to developing sustainable business

PurposeToday due to the use of chemical fertilizers in Iran's agricultural sector, the human health has been in danger. While the literature has increasingly focused on investigating farmers' attitude toward organic agriculture, few studies have been conducted on the attitude of experts toward organic farming. To address this research gap, the current study was performed to investigate the determinants of the attitude of agricultural extension workers (AEW) toward organic agribusiness in Ilam province, Iran.Design/methodology/approachThe statistical sample of this study comprises 394 AEW in Ilam province (located in the west of Iran) selected through random simple sampling method. The instrument in this study was a questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using SPSSWin26 software.FindingsResults showed that the AEW's attitude toward organic agribusiness was at the moderate level. Findings of multiple regression analysis indicated that about 42.6% of AEW's attitude toward organic agribusiness is explained by the variables of “reading research articles”, “use of social networks” and “number of information sources”.Originality/valueThe results of this study have practical implications for promoting sustainable agribusinesses in order to produce environmentally friendly products. In this regard, they can encourage agricultural extension experts to study the findings of research in the field of organic agriculture, launching educational channels and groups on organic farming on social networks such as Telegram and WhatsApp, and encourage agricultural extension experts to join these groups. Finally, it is suggested that programs and films in mass media such as TV, radio and satellite programs be designed and implemented to raise people's awareness about organic agribusiness.

GAMBARAN PERESEPAN OBAT ANTIHIPERTENSI DI PUSKESMAS TELUK NIBUNG KOTA MADYA TANJUNG BALAI

Hipertensi merupakan suatu keadaan seseorang mengalami peningkatan tekanan darah di atas normal yaitu tekanan darah sistolik. Hipertensi perlu mendapat penanganan, salah satunya penanganan antihipertensi dengan pemberian antihipertensi. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui Gambaran Peresepan Obat Antihipertensi di Puskesmas Teluk Nibung Kota Madya Tanjung Balai.Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian deskriptif. Penelitian ini telah dilaksanakan pada Juni 2020 sampai dengan Desember 2020. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah pasien hipertensi yang mendapat obat antihipertensi di Puskesmas Teluk Nibung sebanyak 483 orang pada tahun 2020. Pengambilan sampel menggunakan Simple sampling sampling yang ditentukan berdasarkan rumus Slovin sebanyak 83 orang. Hasil Penelitian didapat bahwa Obat antihipertensi yang tersedia di Puskesmas Teluk Nibung Kota Madya Tanjung Balai adalah Amlodipine 10 mg, Captopril 12,5 mg dan Captopril 25 mg, Penggunaan Obat Antihipertensi yang paling sering diresepkan di Puskesmas Teluk Nibung Kota Madya Tanjung adalah Amlodipine 10 mg. Saran dalam penelitian ini diharapkan dengan adanya penelitian ini Puskesmas Teluk Nibung Kota Madya Tanjung Balai terus berkontribusi memberikan pengobatan kepada masyarakat khususnya penyakit hipertensi untuk mencegah terjadinya komplikasi penyakit. Kata kunci: Gambaran Penggunaan Antihipertensi

Between darkness and light: spring habitats provide new perspectives for modern researchers on groundwater biology

Springs are interfaces between groundwater and surface habitats and may play an important role in the study of subterranean animals. In this systematic evidence review and meta-analysis, we explore whether observations of stygobionts in springs are relevant and more common than observations of epigean animals in groundwater. We searched the Web of Science database for papers on groundwater fauna and spring fauna. For each paper we found, we recorded whether the paper reported the occurrence of typical stygobionts in springs, of surface animals in groundwater, or of the same taxa in both habitats. If so, we recorded how many such species were reported. We also recorded the scientific discipline of each study and the year of publication. Our search yielded 342 papers. A considerable number of these papers reported stygobionts in springs: 20% of papers dealing with groundwater fauna and 16% of papers dealing with spring fauna reported the occurrence of stygobionts in spring habitats. Both the number of papers that mentioned stygobionts in springs, and the number of stygobiont species that were documented in springs, were higher than equivalent measures for the occurrence of surface fauna underground. We also detected a positive relationship between year of publication and the number of reports of stygofauna in springs. To broaden the insights from biological research on underground environments, we suggest that springs should be considered not only as simple sampling points of stygobionts but also as core stygobiont habitats.

The Effectiveness of Draw Label Caption Strategy in Teaching Writing for EFL Students

This research was aimed to find out whether or not the Draw Label Caption is effective toward students’ writing skill. The research was experimental research and the design used was pre-experimental with pretest-posttest design. The population of the study was the second year students of SMA Hang Tuah Mataram which consisted of one class (28 students). One class was chosen by using simple sampling technique and the result of test was distributed obtain the research data. In analyzing the data was used t-test formula. The findings showed that t-test was (4.875) > t-table (2.052) at the significant level = 0,05 (95%) and N=28 students. It means that, Alternative hypothesis (Ha) is using Draw Label Caption toward students’ writing skill at the second year students of SMA Hang Tuah Mataram in academic year 2019/2020 was accepted. It could be concluded that there was significant effect of Draw Label Caption toward student’s writing skill at second year student of SMA Hang Tuah Mataram.

Sampling heuristics for active function learning

People are capable of learning diverse functional relationships from data; nevertheless, they are most accurate when learning linear relationships, and deviate further from estimating the true relationship when presented with non-linear functions. We investigate whether, when given the opportunity to learn actively, people choose samples in an efficient fashion, and whether better sampling policies improve their ability to learn linear and non-linear functions. We find that, across multiple different function families, people make informative sampling choices consistent with a simple, low-effort policy that minimizes uncertainty at extreme values without requiring adaptation to evidence. While participants were most accurate at learning linear functions, those who more closely adhered to the simple sampling strategy also made better predictions across all non-linear functions. We discuss how the use of this heuristic might reflect rational allocation of limited cognitive resources.

Computational fluid dynamics provide evidence for a compensatory suction feeding like effect in the predatory strike of dragonfly larvae

Most fast-moving aquatic predators face the challenge of bow wave formation. Water in front of predator alarms or even displaces the prey. To mitigate the formation of such a bow wave, a strategy aiming at pressure reduction via suction has evolved convergently in several animal groups: compensatory suction feeding. The aquatic larvae of dragonflies and damselflies (Insecta: Odonata) are likely to face this challenge as well. They capture prey underwater using a fast-moving raptorial appendage, the so-called prehensile labial mask. Within dragonflies (Odonata: Anisoptera) two basic shapes of the prehensile labial mask have evolved, with an either flat and slender or concave distal segment. While the former is a pure grasping device, the latter is also capable of scooping up smaller prey and retaining it inside the cavity by arrays of bristle-like structures. The hydrodynamics of the prehensile labial mask was previously unknown. We used computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations of the distal segment of the mask, to investigate for the first time how different shapes of the mask impact their function. Our results suggest that both shapes are highly streamlined and generate a low-pressure area, likely leading to an effect analogous to the compensatory suction feeding. This might be an interesting concept for technical application in small scale grasping devices, e.g. for simple sampling mechanisms in small-sized autonomous underwater vehicles (μAUVs).

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps and Macrophage Polarization Formation In The Inner And Outer Area of Carotid Plaque Arteries

Introduction: It is noteworthy that vast data exists which links NETs to arterial and venous thrombosis in both animal models and humans. In the current study, the level of extracellular neutrophil networks and macrophage polarization in the area outside and inside the carotid plaque of patients with carotid stenosis were assessed.Material and Methods: Ten patients were included in this pilot study. Confirmed cases of carotid stenosis were selected to participate in the study using the simple sampling method. Samples of carotid plaques of each patient were divided into two halves with a transverse incision; the terms inner part and outer part were used for the plaque’s inner part and the adjacent area, respectively. Carotid plaque was excised, and half of them were sorted in 10% formalin for CD163,CD11c ,MPO and histone H3 immunohistochemistry assessment while the other halves were stored at -80 ° C for western blotting assay with PDA4 marker. For statistical analysis, we used independent samples T-test or its non-parametric equivalents.Results: Results of this study showed that the extracellular neutrophil chicks in the inner part of the carotid plaque were significantly increased (P <0.0001), while the number of M1 and M2 macrophages was higher in the inner part compared with the outer part of the carotid plaque (P <0.0001).Conclusion: NETs and Macrophages have great potential for further investigation to find a better treatment for carotid plaque.