Spin-hedgehog-derived electromagnetic effects in itinerant magnets.

In itinerant magnets, the indirect exchange coupling of Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida type is known to stabilize incommensurate spin spirals, whereas an account of higher order spin interactions favors the formation of a noncoplanar magnetic texture. This is manifested by the finite Berry phase the conduction electrons accumulate when their spins follow this texture, leading thus to the topological Hall effect. We herein utilize the effective spin model with bilinear-biquadratic exchange interactions for studying the formation of the magnetic hedgehog lattice, that represents a periodic array of magnetic anti- and monopoles and has been recently observed in the B20-type compounds, in a three-dimensional itinerant magnet. As opposed to widely used Monte Carlo simulations, we employ a neural-network-based approach for exploring the ground state spin configuration in a noncentrosymmetric crystal structure. Further, we address the topological Hall conductivity, associated with nonzero scalar spin chirality, in the itinerant magnet due to the coupling to the spin hedgehog lattice, and provide the evidence of a magneto-optic Kerr effect.

Bovine babesiosis in India: Estimation of prevalence by systematic review and meta analysis.

Bovine babesiosis is a serious threat to the livestock sector especially in tropical countries like India. Understanding the epidemiology of the disease in the country is essentially important in strategizing the available methods to effectively control the disease. Keeping this as the background, the present study was undertaken to estimate the pooled prevalence of bovine babesiosis in India. The relevant literature pertaining to bovine babesiosis was identified and a total of 49 studies published between 1983 and 2018 were included in the final systematic review and meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was conducted using meta-package of R software and prevalence estimates were calculated. Bovine babesiosis was reported from 21 states of India with pooled prevalence estimate of 6% (95% CI = 4%-9%) using random effect model. Zone wise analysis revealed highest pooled prevalence in the west zone and north zone (8%) followed by east zone (7%), central zone (6%), south zone (4%) and northeast zone (4%). The results of meta-analysis indicated high variability between studies. In addition, the pooled seroprevalence was high (29%) compared to prevalence of active infection (5%) of bovine babesiosis in India. Further, the pooled prevalence estimate of B. bigemina infection in India was more (7%) compared to B. bovis infection (1%). The estimation of prevalence of active infection and seroprevalence separately will helps to understand the actual disease prevalence in the country. The study indicated the wide prevalence of bovine babesiosis in India which urges for immediate mitigation strategies.

Cutaneous aspergillosis masquerading in sporotrichoid morphology in an immunocompetent host.

Primary cutaneous aspergillosis is an uncommon opportunistic infection, generally seen in immunocompromised individuals. However, many atypical presentations have been reported recently particularly with the increased domain of immunosuppression. Sporotrichoid pattern of aspergillosis where it invades deep lymphatics have rarely been reported and never in immunocompetent individuals previously. We hereby report a case of a 29 years old immunocompetent individual with no comorbidities who presented with multiple painful erythematous papules and nodules over the left upper limb in a sporotrichoid pattern. Microscopy revealed branched septate hyphae and culture on Sabouraud dextrose agar grew powdery greenish colonies which showed hyaline branched septate hyphae with brush-like conidiophores and globose conidia in chains. Histopathology from one of the nodules was consistent with deep fungal infection. A diagnosis of Aspergillus chivalieri was made based on 18S rRNA sequencing of the isolate. The patient showed a satisfactory response to oral Itraconazole over 12 weeks.

Animal disease surveillance: Its importance & present status in India.

Animal disease surveillance encompasses systematic collection of long-term data on disease events, risk factors and other relevant parameters followed by analyzing the same with reference to temporal and spatial characteristics to arrive at a conclusion so that necessary preventive measures can be taken. In India, the animal disease surveillance is done through National Animal Disease Reporting System, which is a web-based information technology system for disease reporting from States and Union Territories with the aim to record, monitor livestock disease situation and to initiate the preventive and curative action in a swift manner during disease emergencies. National Animal Disease Referral Expert System is a dynamic geographic information system and remote sensing-enabled expert system that captures an incidence of 13 economically important livestock diseases from all over the country and also provides livestock disease forecasting. The laboratories under State and Central governments, several research institutes under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research and veterinary colleges are involved in livestock disease diagnosis including zoonotic diseases. An integrated surveillance system is necessary for early detection of emerging/zoonotic diseases in humans. This review provides information on disease reporting and surveillance systems in animal health sector and the need for One Health approach to improve and strengthen the zoonotic disease surveillance system in India.

An inhibition enzyme immuno assay exploring recombinant invariant surface glycoprotein and monoclonal antibodies for surveillance of surra in animals.

The present study is aimed at the development of inhibition ELISA (I-ELISA) exploring monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and recombinant invariant surface glycoprotein. The extracellular domain (ED) of invariant surface glycoprotein (ISG-75) from Trypanosoma evasni has been heterologously expressed in Pichia pastoris (X-33). The recombinant ISG-75 (rISG-75ED) was characterized by immunoblot and ELISA, followed by the production of MAbs against rISG-75ED. The MAbs were characterized by immunoblot and then explored in the development of I-ELISA for the detection of surra. The diagnostic potential of the developed test has been evaluated using 1192 field sera sample including cattle, buffalo, donkey, horse and camel. The statistical analysis of the data showed optimum combination of diagnostic sensitivity and specificity at 98.8% and 99.2% respectively, with cut-off percentage inhibition (PI) value of >45. The Cohen's kappa coefficient of agreement was found to be 0.98. Hence, the diagnostic test developed in the present study can be exploited as a potential and reliable tool in the serodiagnosis and surveillance of surra in animals.

Cytokine gene expression and pathology in mice experimentally infected with different isolates of Trypanosoma evansi.

Aim of the present study was to assess the cytokine gene expression in liver, kidney and spleen and histopathological changes in mice infected with buffalo and dog isolates of Trypanosoma evansi. Forty-four Swiss albino mice was divided into eleven groups of four mice each and injected subcutaneously with 1 × 105 trypanosomes of buffalo and dog isolate to twenty mice each, four mice served as control. Mice were examined for clinical signs, blood smear for trypanosome counts. Blood for PCR, liver, kidney, spleen, heart, lung, testis and abdominal muscle for histopathology and liver, kidney, spleen for cytokine gene expression studies, were collected. Mice showed dullness, lethargy, hunched back, sluggish movements on D4 and D5 in buffalo and dog isolate, respectively. Parasite count in blood varied between the two isolates of T. evansi. By PCR, trypanosome DNA was detected on D1 and D2 for buffalo and dog isolate, respectively. Splenomegaly was observed in mice infected with buffalo isolate but not with dog isolate. Histopathological changes were observed in liver, kidney, spleen and heart of mice but no changes in testis and abdominal muscles. Blood vessels of liver, heart, lung showed presence of trypanosomes in mice infected with buffalo isolate but not for dog isolate. Cytokine gene expression of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-α and IFN-γ increased in liver, kidney and spleen in both these isolates. However, the buffalo isolate exhibited pronounced increase in cytokine gene expression when compare to dog isolate of T. evansi. Anti-inflammatory cytokine gene IL-10 showed 50-60 and 10-20 folds increment in buffalo and dog isolates, respectively. This is the first report of IL-4, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 cytokine changes in mice infected with T. evansi. A variation in pathogenicity between buffalo and dog isolates was recorded indicating buffalo isolate of T. evansi remained more pathogenic in mice.

Interaction-Driven Metal-Insulator Transition in Strained Graphene.

The question of whether electron-electron interactions can drive a metal to insulator transition in graphene under realistic experimental conditions is addressed. Using three representative methods to calculate the effective long-range Coulomb interaction between π electrons in graphene and solving for the ground state using quantum Monte Carlo methods, we argue that, without strain, graphene remains metallic and changing the substrate from SiO_{2} to suspended samples hardly makes any difference. In contrast, applying a rather large-but experimentally realistic-uniform and isotropic strain of about 15% seems to be a promising route to making graphene an antiferromagnetic Mott insulator.

Development of an enzyme immunoassay using recombinant invariant surface glycoprotein (rISG) 75 for serodiagnosis of bovine trypanosomosis.

Trypanosomosis or surra is caused by the haemoflagellate parasite, Trypanosoma evansi and is an important disease of animals, including domestic and wild herbivores and carnivores, in tropical countries. The invariant surface glycoproteins (ISGs) are blood stream stage specific and are uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the trypanosomes. In the present study, the extracellular domain (ED) region of ISG-75 from T. evansi, consisting of 1320 nt, encoding a polypeptide of 440 amino acids, has been heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Further, the immunoreactivity of recombinant ISG-75 (rISG-75) was characterized in immunoblot and ELISA using T. evansi hyper immune sera raised in experimental animals. The protein was found immunoreactive when compared with a panel of antigens (VSG RoTat 1.2 and whole cell lysate) using bovine serum samples from field. The diagnostic potential of rISG-75 was evaluated in ELISA with large number of bovine field serum samples. The optimum sensitivity and specificity were 98.47 and 99.1, respectively. The present finding showed that the expressed protein has potential use in the serodiagnosis of trypanosomosis.

Transient Loss of Vision after Coronary Angiogram - A Case Report.

A 50-year old, diabetic, hypertensive patient with post-CABG status developed complete loss of vision about one hour after coronary angiogram (CAG). Thorough ophthalmological and neurological examination as well as magnetic resonance imaging of brain especially of the occipital region revealed no abnormality. The patient had complete recovery of vision about 48 hours later. We could not document any specific cause or mechanism for the visual loss, although the selective vulnerability of occipital lobes to contrast agent toxicity (Cortical blindness) was the most likely underlying mechanism.

Relationship of body compositional and nutritional parameters with blood pressure in adults.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been regarded as a single best predictor and major controllable contributor to hypertension. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between body compositional and nutritional parameters with blood pressure in rural Bengalee adults. METHODS: Anthropometric measures, blood pressure and nutritional parameters were measured in 522 rural Bengalee adults using standard protocols. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was carried out to identify cut-off values of body mass index (BMI) and percentage of body fat (BF%) as associated factors of hypertension and hypotension. RESULTS: Most of the subjects were normotensive. However, a notable percentage had hypertension (males: 21.86%; females: 15.27%), although the prevalence of hypotension was low (males: 10.53%; females: 8.73%). Obesity indicators were significantly higher in hypertensive individuals than hypotensive and normotensive individuals. All anthropometric parameters and obesity indicators were significantly correlated (P < 0.001) with blood pressure. Blood pressure increased steadily from being underweight through to normal and then to overweight/obese individuals. There were significant differences in the percentage of hypertension and hypotension between nutritional categories. Blood pressure had significant positive correlation with energy, carbohydrate and fat intake, whereas protein and calcium were negatively associated with blood pressure. The suggested cut-off values of BMI and BF%, which were taken as associated factors of hypertension, were 21.86 kg m⁻² and 20.31%, and those of hypotension were 18.18 kg m⁻² and 13.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In lean rural Bengalee populations, high BMI levels may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension. The cut-off values of BMI and BF% in the present study suggested associated factors for cardiovascular risk factors and these values may be of help with respect to reducing mean population blood pressure levels.

Post exertional hematuria.

The incidence of exercise-induced hematuria is reported to be between 5% and 25% and available literature suggests that it lasts for a few hours to a maximum of 3 days. We analyzed the urine sediment of healthy participants between the age of 20 and 50 years before and after a 5 km run. Anyone with abnormal pre-exercise sediment was excluded from the study. Of 491 participants, 59 (12%) developed post exercise hematuria when the run had to be completed in allotted time. However, when the run was completed without time limit, only 1.3% (4 of 316) developed hematuria (p < 0.001). We found that the younger participants (age < 30 years) had a significantly higher incidence of hematuria as compared to their older compatriots (p = 0.019). The mean duration of hematuria was 1.98 ± 1.89 days and 81% of the participants cleared their hematuria within 3 days. In 12% it lasted between 3 and 7 days and in 7% it continued beyond 7 days. Three individuals had persistence of hematuria beyond day 14 and all these were found to have primary glomerular disease on renal biopsy [two had IgA nephropathy and one focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)]. We conclude that exercise-induced hematuria can last up to a fortnight. However, if it persists beyond a fortnight, it is unlikely to be functional and an underlying cause is likely. Hematuria following exercise seems to be related to the intensity of effort during exercise rather than its duration.

Prevalence of Neospora caninum antibodies in dairy cattle and water buffaloes and associated abortions in the plateau of Southern Peninsular India.

A seroprevalence study of bovine neosporosis was conducted among 1,927 dairy cattle and 341 water buffaloes from Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh states in plateau of southern peninsular India by employing competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Overall, 12.61 and 9.97 % sera samples were found positive for the presence of Neospora caninum antibody, respectively, among cattle and water buffaloes. Out of 1,927 sera samples from cattle, 912 and 1,015 samples were collected from unorganized and organized herds, respectively. The cattle screened were of upgraded Holstein-Friesian and water buffaloes were of graded Surti breed. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher prevalence was found in the cattle in unorganized herds (16.66 %) in comparison to organized herds (8.96 %). The highest seroprevalence was recorded in the age group of 4 years and above in both type of cattle herds and water buffaloes. There was a significant variation of seroprevalence (p < 0.05) observed between different age groups of cattle. The rate of seroprevalence increased with the increment in the age of the animals suggesting a possibility of horizontal mode of transmission of the infection from the environment. The percentage of abortion history was more in seropositive group (51.65 %) in comparison to the seronegative group (5.84 %) and the seropositive cattle were 8.84 times more likely to experience abortion than the seronegative cattle. The occurrence of abortion among different age groups varied significantly (p < 0.05). The findings revealed the presence of neosporosis in the southern peninsular India among cattle and water buffaloes and a strong association between the seroprevalence and abortion.

'Lateral Aberrant Thyroid Carcinoma' or 'Thyroglossal Duct Cyst Carcinoma Metastasizing to Neck Node': Can we Decide in this Interesting Case Report?

Lateral aberrant thyroid(LAT) belongs to subset of ectopic thyroid, mostly presenting as asymptomatic lateral neck swelling and are challenging to diagnose without histopathological examination. Malignant transformation in LAT is even rare and is best managed by surgical excision. Here, we report a case of papillary carcinoma of LAT, but with an unusual post-operative finding, revealing papillary carcinoma of thyroglossal duct cyst.

COVID-19, oxidative stress, and male reproductive dysfunctions: is vitamin C a potential remedy?

Few peculiarities have been observed in the etiology of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), one such being its greater prevalence in men than women partly due to the higher expressions of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) in the male reproductive tissues. Recent scientific reports are in line with some of the evidence-based hypotheses in the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, regarding the involvement of oxidative stress (OS) and oxidant-sensitive pathways in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection-mediated male reproductive disruptions. The seminal dissemination of SARS-CoV-2 or its components, testicular disruptions due to viral infection and oxidative damage in the testis have all been evidenced recently. High-dose of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, have been shown to be a useful treatment for COVID-19 patients, to alleviate systemic inflammation and OS. In addition, vitamin C is a major testicular antioxidant that neutralizes excess reactive oxygen species (ROS), prevents sperm agglutination, prevents lipid peroxidation, recycles vitamin E, and protects against DNA damage. Thus, the present review aims to discuss the mechanism of COVID-19-mediated male reproductive dysfunctions, based on the evidence available so far, and explore the possibility of using vitamin C in alleviating testicular OS and associated damage caused by COVID-19.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii, Leptospira spp., and Coxiella burnetii-associated antibodies in dairy cattle with reproductive disorders.

Background and Aim: In cattle dairy farms, abortions and other reproductive problems due to major infectious diseases are overlooked, and identifying their causative agents is very challenging without a confirmatory diagnosis. Further, a prevalence study in animals will provide important hints of pathogen reservoirs and provide necessary direction to disease burden with appropriate control and biosecurity measures at the farm level. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in dairy cattle associated with reproductive problems along with coexisting antibodies against abortifacient zoonotic (Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira spp.) pathogens. Materials and Methods: Cattle sera (n = 246) from dairy farms (n = 35) situated in different locations in India were screened for anti-T. gondii and C. burnetii antibodies with enzyme-linked immunoassay and Leptospira spp. antibodies with microscopic agglutination test. Results: The overall prevalence of 11.4% (95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 7.99%-15.96%) antibodies in cattle associated with reproductive problems (p < 0.021) with farm-level seropositivity of 43% was observed. Further, on analysis of screened sera, 49.8% (95% CI: 42.6%-55%) and 77.6% (95% CI: 72%-82.4%) of samples were found to be positive for C. burnetii and Leptospira spp. antibodies, respectively. Moreover, the seropositivity of 91.9% (226/246) for at least one of the screened zoonotic pathogens was observed, indicating antibodies against either of these organisms in association with reproductive disorders (p < 0.005). The percentage of cattle found to have T. gondii antibodies was only 1.8%, whereas 11.5% and 41.6% of cattle were found to have C. burnetii and Leptospira spp. antibodies, respectively. Nevertheless, the predominantly mixed infections observed were of Leptospira and C. burnetii (34.5%), followed by all three infections (4.9%); toxoplasmosis and leptospirosis (3.5%); and toxoplasmosis and Q fever (2.2%). Conclusion: The serological detection of antibodies against these pathogens in cattle may have significant implications for the livestock industry and public health, suggesting the need for continuous surveillance and monitoring of these infections to prevent their spread.

New-onset diabetic ketoacidosis with purpura fulminans in a child with COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19) usually causes a mild illness among children. However, in a minority of children, it may be associated with the life-threatening multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), or thrombotic microangiopathy, or sequelae like type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We describe a previously healthy, 12-year-old boy with new-onset T1DM with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in the setting of MIS-C, with a course complicated by thrombotic microangiopathy. CASE PRESENTATION: The patient presented with four days history of fever, non-bilious vomiting, polyuria and polydipsia. On evaluation, he was noted to have diabetic ketoacidosis. Although Diabetic ketoacidosis with insulin and intravenous fluids, his hospital course was notable for shock requiring vasopressor, purpura fulminans with eschar formation, neurological manifestations (left hemiparesis due to right middle cerebral artery territory infarct, mononeuritis multiplex) and thrombotic microangiopathy. MIS-C-like illness secondary to COVID-19 was suspected due to diabetic ketoacidosis, thrombotic microangiopathy, elevated inflammatory markers, history of contact with COVID-19-infected individual and detectable COVID-19 IgG antibodies. He improved following management with methylprednisolone, intravenous immunoglobulin, low-molecular-weight heparin and aspirin, and was discharged on hospital day 48. CONCLUSION: MIS-C-like illness should be considered in children and adolescents presenting with complex multisystem involvement in this era of COVID 19. Management with immunomodulatory agents can be lifesaving.

Thermal transport and strong mass renormalization in NiCl2-4SC(NH2)2.

Several quantum paramagnets exhibit magnetic-field-induced quantum phase transitions to an antiferromagnetic state that exists for H c1 ≤ H ≤ H c2. For some of these compounds, there is a significant asymmetry between the low- and high-field transitions. We present specific heat and thermal conductivity measurements in NiCl2-4SC(NH2)2, together with calculations which show that the asymmetry is caused by a strong mass renormalization due to quantum fluctuations for H ≤ H c1 that are absent for H ≥ H c2. We argue that the enigmatic lack of asymmetry in thermal conductivity is due to a concomitant renormalization of the impurity scattering.

Fractalization drives crystalline states in a frustrated spin system.

The fractalized Hofstadter butterfly energy spectrum predicted for magnetically confined fermions diffracted by a crystal lattice has remained beyond the reach of laboratory-accessible magnetic fields. We find the geometrically frustrated spin system SrCu(2)(BO(3))(2) to provide a sterling demonstration of a system in which bosons confined by a magnetic and lattice potential mimic the behavior of fermions in the extreme quantum limit, giving rise to a sequence of plateaus at all magnetization m(z)/m(sat) = 1/q ratios 9 > or = q > or = 2 and p/q = 2/9 (m(sat) is the saturation magnetization) in magnetic fields up to 85 T and temperatures down to 29 mK, within the sequence of previously identified plateaus at 1/8, 1/4, and 1/3 of the saturated magnetization. We identify this hierarchy of plateaus as a consequence of confined bosons in SrCu(2)(BO(3))(2) mimicking the high magnetic field fractalization predicted by the Hofstadter butterfly for fermionic systems. Such an experimental realization of the Hofstadter problem for interacting fermions has not been previously achieved in real materials, given the unachievably high magnetic flux densities or large lattice periods required. By a theoretical treatment that includes short-range repulsion in the Hofstadter treatment, stripe-like spin density-modulated phases are revealed in SrCu(2)(BO(3))(2) as emergent from a fluidic fractal spectrum.

Seroprevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in cattle and analysis of associated climatic risk factors in Mizoram, India.

Surra, a haemoprotozoan parasitic disease even in subclinical form poses a challenge in terms of diagnosis and management to animal health practitioners and policy makers as well; eventually imparting financial loss to the livestock holders. A systematic study was designed to assess the seroprevalence of surra in cattle and associated climatic risk factors, by collecting 480 serum samples across the eight districts of Mizoram during 2017-2019. The apparent and true seroprevalence detected by card agglutination test was 37.08% (CI at 95%: 32.88-41.49) and 36.59% (CI at 95%: 32.4-40.99) whereas by recombinant Variable Surface Glycoprotein based indirect ELISA was 41.88% (CI at 95%: 37.5-46.3) and 40.35% (CI at 95%: 36.02-44.76) respectively. Climate parameters which influence vector population were extracted from their respective database and were correlated with seroprevalence data. Linear discriminant analysis revealed that air temperature, relative humidity and diurnal temperature range, leaf area index and soil moisture as significant risk factors discriminating seropositive and seronegative data sets classified by indirect ELISA. This study is the first report on seroprevalence of surra in cattle of Mizoram and the situation demands deployment of intervention strategies in order to assess the endemicity of the disease and thereby preventing the economic losses.

Mining the pervasiveness of surra in different animal species of Northeastern states of India: Assam, Mizoram and Tripura.

Trypanosoma evansi is a flagellated, extracellular haemoprotozoan parasite infecting a wide range of mammalian hosts including dromedaries, cattle, equines and dogs cause disease surra. Carrier animals with sub-clinical infection cause significant monetary losses to livestock holders and therefore detection of infection status using molecular diagnostic techniques becomes important in order to control the disease. In the current study cattle, buffalo, goat, pig and dog samples from three northeastern states of India-Assam, Mizoram and Tripura were screened to determine the prevalence of surra. A total of 1702 samples including 795 from Assam, 678 from Mizoram and 229 from Tripura were screened by CATT/T. evansi test out of which 16.8%, 27.1% and 22.3% samples in respective states were found to have antibodies against T. evansi. DNA detection of T. evansi by PCR amplification targeting VSG gene revealed the molecular prevalence of surra in Assam, Mizoram and Tripura as 8.5%, 7.5% and 4.4% respectively. The analysis of amplified partial VSG sequences showed 99% similarity within an animal species whereas 86-94% similarity was observed among different species of animals revealing the homogeneity. The study established the prevalence of surra in different species of animals in the three northeastern states of India-Assam, Mizoram and Tripura and this study is the first report of T. evansi infection in pig and goat from India. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12639-021-01392-z.