Polyethylene glycol (PEG) methods are superior to acidification for secondary concentration of Adenovirus and MS2 in water

The most common and cost-effective approach to concentrating viruses from water samples involves virus adsorption and elution procedures, followed by secondary concentration. There is a lack of consistency in how secondary concentration methods are practiced and some methods may have better recovery for particular groups of viruses. Secondary concentration methods typically involve precipitation and the most common methods employ organic flocculation (OF) by acidification at a pH of 3.5, or precipitation by polyethylene glycol (PEG) in combination with NaCl. In this study, the recovery of coliphage MS2 using the plaque assay and human adenovirus strain 41 (HAdV41) using cell-culture and qPCR assays were evaluated by OF and PEG secondary concentration of spiked samples of wastewater, surface water, and groundwater. Recovery of MS2 and HAdV41 by PEG precipitation was significantly higher than OF (p<0.0001) when viruses were detected by culture based methods and marginally better when HAdV41 was enumerated by qPCR (p<0.019). The recovery of HAdV41 by qPCR ranged from 75.3% to 94.4% (n=36). The mean recovery of MS2 by OF was 4.4% (0.9%-7.7%; n=14) and ranged from 57.1% to 87.9% (n=28) for the PEG methods. Poor recovery of MS2 by OF was attributed to inactivation or poor stability at acidic conditions as MS2 were not recovered in the supernatant following OF and centrifugation. The inconsistency and lack of justification for method selection in many studies calls for a systematic study to inform guidance and standardization with respect to the application of concentration methods for various water types and viral pathogens.

Assessing the possibility of using dry concentration for oxidized pegmatite and granites at the Kedrovoe feldspar deposit

Introduction. Feldspar raw material is a natural source of silica, alumina, and alkali metal oxides. Each type of feldspar is distinguished by its applications and concentration methods. The main effective method of feldspar raw material concentration is flotation in the course of which the majority of harmful impurities are separated. However, this method is rather costly due to flotation reagents purchase, tailings ponds organization and maintenance, etc. Research relevance. Feldspar dry concertation technologies are promising in terms of resource-saving but uncommon. So, the development of a dry concertation technology for feldspar raw materials seems highly relevant. Research objective is to study the possibility of employing dry concentration technology to process feldspar raw materials at the new Kedrovoe deposit Methods of research. Laboratory equipment of JSC Uralmekhanobr was used for the research, namely centrifugal crusher DC-0.5; centrifugal deflection mill; laboratory-scale cascade classifier; dry electromagnetic separator SMS-20M ITOMAK, and tribo electrostatic separator. Results. The trials confirmed that it is possible to process Kedrovoe feldspar raw materials by dry methods and effectively use centrifugal crushing and grinding as preparation of raw materials for concentration. Feldspar concentrate with a mass fraction of Fe2O3 – 0.30%; SiO2 – 69.42%; Al2O3 – 17.36%; K2O + Na2O – 11.84% has been obtained, which meets the specifications. Conclusions. The technological studies confirmed the possibility in principle of using feldspar raw material dry concentration for oxidized pegmatite and granites of the Kedrovoe deposit at the processing plant of Malyshevskoe Ore Management JSC. Saleable feldspar concentrate has been obtained.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA Throughout Wastewater Treatment Plants and A Modeling Approach to Understand COVID-19 Infection Dynamics in Winnipeg, Canada

Although numerous studies have detected SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater and attempted to find correlations between the concentration of SARS-CoV-2 and the number of cases, no consensus has been reached on sample collection and processing, and data analysis. Moreover, the fate of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater treatment plants is another issue, specifically regarding the discharge of the virus into environmental settings and the water cycle. The current study monitored SARS-CoV-2 in influent and effluent wastewater samples with three different concentration methods and sludge samples over six months (July to December 2020) to compare different virus concentration methods, assess the fate of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater treatment plants, and describe the potential relationship between SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in influent and infection dynamics. Skimmed milk flocculation (SMF) resulted in higher recoveries of an internal positive control, Armored RNA, and higher positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 in samples compared to ultrafiltration methods employing a prefiltration step to eliminate solids. Our results suggested that SARS-CoV-2 may predominate in solids and therefore, concentration methods focusing on both supernatant and solid fractions may result in better recovery. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in influent and primary sludge samples but not in secondary and final effluent samples, indicating a significant reduction during primary and secondary treatments. SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in influent on September 30th, 2020. A decay-rate formula was applied to estimate initial concentrations of late-processed samples with SMF. A model based on shedding rate and new cases was applied to estimate SARS-CoV-2 concentrations and the number of active shedders. Inferred sensitivity of observed and modeled concentrations to the fluctuations in new cases and test-positivity rates indicated a potential contribution of newly infected individuals to SARS-CoV-2 loads in wastewater.

Comparison of virus concentration methods for the reverse-transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR)-based detection of bacteriophage Φ6, an enveloped virus surrogate for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) RNA, from untreated wastewater at St. George’s University (SGU), Grenada

Introduction/Objective With the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the consequent opening of borders, it is of paramount importance to monitor communities for the presence of potential COVID-19 clusters. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) is an effective way to monitor community spread of pathogens and has been implemented in many countries to identify potential outbreaks. Most standardized methodologies used in WBE for the detection of viruses have been validated for non-enveloped viruses; therefore, there is a need for the creation of a standardized method for the detection of enveloped viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. Methods/Case Report Wastewater seeded with a Pseudomonas syringae bacteriophage (Φ6) was used to test the efficiency of five wastewater virus concentration methods. Two methods were based on AlCl3 flocculation with different pH adjustments. The other methods utilized membrane filtration followed by beef elution: one added a pretreatment with HCl; another added a pretreatment with MgCl2; and finally, an untreated control. A known amount of Bacteriophage Φ6 was used for all methods, and detection was quantified by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) The Cq values for each method, ranging from 24.38–38.6, were compared. The highest recovery of Φ6 was obtained with the AlCl3 flocculation method with an adjusted pH of 6, followed in descending order by MgCl2-pretreated sample with beef elution; HCl-pretreated sample with beef elution, the untreated sample, and AlCl3 flocculation method with an adjusted pH of 3.5. Conclusion The results suggest that AlCl3 flocculation with an adjusted pH of 6 may be a quick and cost-effective methodology for the detection of enveloped viruses in WBE. This can facilitate the implementation of WBE at SGU, Grenada, as a useful tool to conduct active surveillance and track outbreaks of enveloped viral diseases, such as SARS-CoV-2.

Molecular Markers for Metabolic Adaptation in Dairy Cows: SNAI2 Gene Variations

Background: Healthy transition from non-lactating pregnant state to non-pregnant lactating state is an important in the profitability of dairying. Though feeding and managemental practices play an important role in the adaptation to transition, animals kept on similar feeding and management exhibit differences in adaptation indicating an underlying genetic cause. In the present study, the sequence of gene SNAI2, which is considered to have an effect on metabolic adaptability has been compared among animals with apparently varying adaptability, as indicated by their β-hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA) concentration. Methods: During the period from August 2018 to May 2019, blood was collected and serum was separated from 30 pregnant cross bred (belonging to Sunandini genetic group of cross bred cattle of Kerala) dairy cows at fortnightly intervals from four weeks before the predicted day of parturition until four weeks after parturition. Concentration of BHBA was determined. Based on BHBA concentration the animals were sorted into two groups (High BHBA and low BHBA) using cluster analysis. Blood was collected, DNA extracted and SNAI2 gene amplified using custom synthesised primers. Amplicons from representative animals of each group were sequenced. The sequences obtained were aligned and compared using clustal-ω. Result: The comparison of the sequence of SNAI2 gene amongst the animals having high BHBA and those with low BHBA revealed two variations between the groups, one at promoter region, 61 bp upstream to the gene and other was at exonic region at 1560 bp. In silico structural analysis revealed difference in protein structure. The changes observed in the gene SNAI2 between the sets of animals grouped based on BHBA has to be studied on a larger population to ascertain the suitability of them being used as markers of genetic selection for metabolic adaptability, which in turn can increase the profitability of dairying.

Construction and Demolition Waste Recycling through Conventional Jig, Air Jig, and Sensor-Based Sorting: A Comparison

The paper presents a comparison of the concentration methods conventional jig, air jig, and sensor-based sorting to treat construction and demolition waste. All tests were made with concrete, brick, and gypsum particles and the tests aim to separate these materials into different size ranges, depending on the method. The equipment tested, conventional jig, air jig, and sensor-based sorting present good results to concentrate construction and demolition waste particles, with different concentrations and mass recoveries. The results show particularly good mass recoveries and particle concentration for conventional jig, especially for concrete and gypsum particles. Sensor-based sorting should preferably use concentration circuits for best results.

Assessment of Gastrointestinal Parasites of Chicken Slaughtered in Creek Road Market, Port Harcourt

Aim: The study was conducted to determine the gastrointestinal parasites among slaughtered Chicken at Yam Zone Market, Creek Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria. Study Design: Gastrointestinal tracts of slaughtered chicken were collected weekly from a vendor. Each part of the GIT was emptied into separate vessel containing normal saline. Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out in a chicken market in Port Harcourt, Nigeria for a period of 4 months (January-April 2020). Methodology: A total of 100 chickens (comprising of broilers and layers) of which samples were collected from their gastrointestinal tracts were examined using formol-ether concentration methods for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. Results: Eighty-four (84) parts of the gastrointestinal tracts accounted for 14.0% found to be infected with parasites. The gastrointestinal protozoan isolated is Eimeria spp (52.4%) while helminths species found were, Ascaridia galli (47.6%). There were no cestodes and trematodes identified. Conclusion: Poultry management system needs to be improved with a viable biosecurity control strategy towards healthy production of livestock chickens for human consumption.

Prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in cattle in Kalasin Province, Thailand

Background and Aim: Parasitic infections are one of the major problems to the production of cattle in Thailand. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites of cattle in Kalasin Province, Thailand. Materials and Methods: A total of 333 fecal samples of cattle were collected directly from the rectum. The fecal samples were subjected to formalin-ethyl acetate concentration methods for examination. The eggs or oocysts were identified based on the morphology and size of the eggs or oocysts. Results: Out of 333 fecal samples examined, 320 were found positive for GI parasitic infections with a prevalence of 96.09%. Overall, among the prevalence of nematodes, trematodes, and protozoa, the most prevalent parasites were Strongyle-type 278 (84.24%), followed by Strongyloides spp. 54 (16.36%) and Trichuris spp. 75 (22.73%), while Protozoan oocyst recorded Eimeria spp. amounted to 131 (39.7%). Fasciola spp. and Paramphistomum spp. were 67 (20.30%) and 81 (24.55%), respectively. Most of the positive fecal samples were infected with the double infection which has the highest prevalence rate of about 40.24%, followed by single, three, and 4-5 types of parasites 30.63, 16.82, and 7.21%, respectively. Conclusion: This study suggests that Kalasin Province is highly endemic for GI parasites and this area may be an important source for an outbreak. Therefore, every household should deworm its cattle and eliminate and control snails as intermediate hosts. Findings from this study provide information that will assist in improving the cattle in Kalasin Province for better production and higher profitability.