Analysis of Structural, Photoluminescence, and Colorimetric Performance of Gd-Incorporated BNT Ceramic.

Structural, optical, photoluminescence and colorimetric analyses of Gd (1-5 mol %) doped BNT ceramics synthesized by the solid-state reaction technique are reported. Structural analyses of all the samples are done by the X-ray diffraction method. It is shown that the samples have rhombohedral crystal structures with an R3C space group. The energy band gap of all the phosphors is computed from the UV-visible absorbance spectra. Photoluminescence behaviors are analyzed from the excitation along with the emission spectra of the prepared materials. The critical quenching concentration with the critical energy transfer distance is observed owing to the dipole-dipole interactions between the materials. Colorimetric analyses are carried out with the help of CIE chromaticity. Moreover, the color purity, correlated color temperature, color rendering index, and luminous efficiency of radiation values are evaluated by using the chromaticity coordinates.

Pyrene-based fluorescent chemosensor for rapid detection of water and its applications.

This manuscript introduces a pyrene-based Schiff base L by reacting pyrenecarboxaldehyde with 2-aminothiazole in equimolar ratio. The ligand L was characterized by various spectral data and single crystal. The water sensing ability of L was examined in different organic solvents. The weakly emissive L in DMSO showed a fluorescence enhancement upon the addition of water. The water-induced fluorescence enhancement of L was occurred due to the combined effect of aggregation-induced emission (AIE) phenomenon and suppression of photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process. Using L, the water in DMSO can be detected down to 0.50 wt% with a quantification limit of 1.52 wt%. The analytical novelty of the developed sensor L was validated by detecting moisture in a variety of raw food products.

Effective voltammetric tool for Nano-detection of triazine herbicide (1-Chloro-3-ethylamino-5-isopropylamino-2,4,6-triazine) by naphthalene derivative.

The development and operation of a nanosensor for detecting the poisonous 1-chloro-3-ethylamino-5-isopropylamino-2,4,6-triazine (Atrazine) are described in this study for the first time. The carbon electrode (CE) surface was modified with cysteine-substituted naphthalene diimide to create this sensitive platform. The developed nanosensor (NDI-cys/GCE) was evaluated for its ability to sense Atrazine using differential pulse voltammetry and cyclic voltammetry. To achieve the best response from the target analyte, the effects of several parameters were examined to optimize the conditions. The cysteine-substituted naphthalene diimide significantly improved the signals of the Atrazine compared to bare GCE due to the synergistic activity of substituted naphthalene diimide and cysteine molecules. Under optimal conditions, atrazine detection limits at the (NDI-cys/GCE) were reported to be 94 nM with a linear range of 10-100 µM. The developed sensing platform also showed positive results when used to detect the atrazine herbicide in real tap water, wastewater, and milk samples. Furthermore, a reasonable recovery rate for real-time studies, repeatability, and stability revealed that the developed electrochemical platform could be used for sample analysis.

Rapid Colorimetric and Fluorometric Discrimination of Maleic Acid vs. Fumaric Acid and Detection of Maleic Acid in Food Additives.

An anthracene thiazole based Schiff base L was synthesized and employed for fluorescence switch-on detection of maleic acid in aqueous DMSO. The non-fluorescent L (10-5 M) showed an instantaneous and selective fluorescence enhancement at 506 nm upon interaction with maleic acid (10-5 M). Other potential carboxylic acids (10-5 M), such as malic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, cinnamic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, oxalic acid and malonic acid failed to alter the chromo-fluorogenic properties of L. Probe L can be employed to detect maleic acid down to 2.74 × 10-6 M. The probe L showed good linearity from 2.97 to 6.87 µM. Analytical utility of L was examined by detecting maleic acid in various food additives and drosophila larvae.

Identification of allele-specific KIV-2 repeats and impact on Lp(a) measurements for cardiovascular disease risk.

The abundance of Lp(a) protein holds significant implications for the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is directly impacted by the copy number (CN) of KIV-2, a 5.5 kbp sub-region. KIV-2 is highly polymorphic in the population and accurate analysis is challenging. In this study, we present the DRAGEN KIV-2 CN caller, which utilizes short reads. Data across 166 WGS show that the caller has high accuracy, compared to optical mapping and can further phase ~50% of the samples. We compared KIV-2 CN numbers to 24 previously postulated KIV-2 relevant SNVs, revealing that many are ineffective predictors of KIV-2 copy number. Population studies, including USA-based cohorts, showed distinct KIV-2 CN, distributions for European-, African-, and Hispanic-American populations and further underscored the limitations of SNV predictors. We demonstrate that the CN estimates correlate significantly with the available Lp(a) protein levels and that phasing is highly important.

Applicability of new sustainable and efficient green metal-based nanoparticles for removal of Cr(VI): Adsorption anti-microbial, and DFT studies.

Artemisia absinthium leaves were utilized as a reducing agent for green synthesis of Zinc oxide nanoparticles (particle size 17 nm). Synthesized green-ZnO (g-ZnO) were characterized by SEM/EDX, FTIR, XRD, UV, and BET analyses and then further used as an adsorbent to remove Cr(VI) ions from simulated wastewater. Optimal pH, temperature and adsorbent dosage were determined through batch mode studies. High removal efficiency and adsorption capacity were observed at pH 4, 0.25 g L-1 dosage, and 25 mg L-1 concentration of Cr(VI). Experimental data were modelled with different adsorption kinetics (Elovich model, PFO, PSO, IDP model) and isotherms (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin), and it was found the adsorption process was well fitted to Langmuir with an R2 value greater than>0.99. Computational calculation showed that the g-ZnO nanoparticles became ∼14 times more dynamic with delocalized surface states making them a relevant platform to adsorb Cr with greater work function compatibility supporting the experimental findings. The Qmax adsorption capacity of g-ZnO was 315.46 mg g-1 from Langmuir calculations. Thermodynamic calculations reveal that the Cr (VI) adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic, with a positive ΔS value representing the disorder at the solid-solution interface during the adsorption. In addition, the present study has demonstrated that these g-ZnO nanoparticles show strong antibacterial activities against P. aeruginosa (MTCC 1688) and E. coli (MTCC 1687). Also, the novel g-ZnO adsorbent capacity to remove Cr(VI) from simulated water revealed that it could be reused at least six times with higher removal rates during regeneration experiments. The results obtained from adsorption and antimicrobial activities suggest that g-ZnO nanoparticles could be used effectively in real-time wastewater and agricultural safety applications.

Removal of Pb ions using green Co3O4 nanoparticles: Simulation, modeling, adsorption, and biological studies.

Chemical co-precipitation synthesized novel and green cobalt-oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4-NPs) utilizing cobalt nitrate as cobalt precursors. FTIR, Raman, scanning electron microscopy, UV visible, X-ray powder diffraction, and BET was used to analyze the surface characteristics, composition, and morphology, of the NPs. These green Co3O4-NPs were employed to remove Pb ions from simulated wastewater solutions at various pH, adsorbate, temperature, and dose concentrations. At dose 20 mg/L, pH 6.0, 20 mg/L (Pb(II) solution, 25 °C of temperature, and 45 min for equilibrium, nearly 99.44% of Pb ions were removed. To evaluate the kinetic data, four different kinetic equations were used. The data fit the Elovich rate equation better than the other three models. Thermodynamic and isothermal studies were also evaluated, and the maximum adsorption capacity of 450.45 mg/g was observed at 298.15 K. 0.1 M HNO3, and 0.1 HCl were used to regenerate used Co3O4-NPs. Simulation results show the strong correlation of the Co atom in the Co3O4-NPs generates active delocalized surface states, which are energetically most favorable for heavy metal (Pb ions) adsorption and removal, supporting the experimental outcomes. In concluding remarks, green Co3O4-NPs can also be used as an adsorbent to remove Pb ions from wastewater bodies.

Transcription pattern of key molecular chaperones in heat shocked caprine cardiac fibroblasts.

The present study was attempted to unveil the impact of heat stress on transcription pattern of major heat shock response genes in caprine cardiac fibroblasts. Cardiac tissues (n = 6) were collected and primary cardiac cell culture was done. Cultured cardiac fibroblasts were kept in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 and 95% air at 38.5 °C. Cardiac cells achieved 70-75% confluence after 72 hours of incubation. Heat stress was induced on confluent cardiac fibroblasts at 42 °C for 0 (control), 20, 60, 100 and 200 min. Quantitative RT-PCR for ß2m (internal control), HSP60, HSP70, HSP90, and HSP110 was done and their transcription pattern was assessed by Pfaffl method. HSP60, HSP90, and HSP110 transcription did not differ at 20 min, up-regulated (p < 0.05) from 60 to 200 min and registered highest at 200 min of heat exposure. HSP70 transcription was gradually escalated (p < 0.05) time dependently from 20 to 200 min and reached zenith at 200 min of heat exposure. Differential induction in transcription of key molecular chaperones at various durations of heat exposure might reduce cardiac fibroblasts apoptosis and thus could maintain cardiac tissue function during heat stress.

Protein interactions, molecular docking, antimicrobial and antifungal studies of terpyridine ligands.

Resistance to antibiotics/antibacterials/antifungals in pathogenic microbes has been developing over the past few decades and has recently become a commonplace public-health peril. Thus, alternative nontoxic potent antibiotic agents are covertly needed to control antibiotic-resistant outbreaks. In an effort to combat the challenges posed by the co-occurrence of multidrug resistance, two terpyridine ligands 4'-(4-N,N'-dimethylaminophenyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (L1) and 4'-(4-tolyl)-2,2':6',2″-terpyridine (L2) have been designed, prepared and confirmed their structure by spectral studies. Thereafter, antimicrobial assay was performed against gram positive and negative bacterial strains along with fungal strains. Both compounds L1 and L2 exhibited remarkable inhibitory activities against bacteria, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at MIC values 6.25 and 3.125 µg/ml, respectively. In addition, in silico molecular docking studies were ascertained with bacterial DNA gyrase and fungal demethylase. Furthermore, both L1 and L2 could bind Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) protein and binding interaction has been studied with the help of UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. While fluorescence of BSA unperturbed in the presence of L2, an addition of L1 to the solution of BSA resulted significant quenching. The binding constant calculations at different temperature confirmed that the fluorescence quenching between BSA and L1 is predominantly static in nature. The toxicity of L1 and L2 was checked using Drosophila melanogaster. The toxicity analysis suggest both the dyes are non-cytotoxic in nature.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Biocontrol of wilt disease of rice seedlings incited by Fusarium oxysporum through soil application of Streptomyces chilikensis RC1830.

The genus Streptomyces includes many antifungal metabolite-producing novel strains. Fusarium oxysporum soil-inhabiting pathogenic fungi, that affects rice to cause wilt disease. This work demonstrates the efficacy of novel Streptomyces chilikensis strain RC1830, previously isolated from estuarine habitat Chilika Lake in preventing the F. oxysporum wilting/root rot disease and promoting the growth of rice (Var. Swarna) seedlings. A total of 25 different compounds were identified from crude extracts of S. chilikensis RC1830 by GC-MS. In pot trial experiments, Streptomyces-treated rice seedlings showed significantly reduced disease severity index by 80·51%. The seedlings growth parameters (root length, root fresh weight and root dry weight) were also increased by 53·91, 62·5 and 73·46%, respectively, in Streptomyces-treated groups of seedlings compared to Fusarium-infected seedlings. Similarly, the shoot length, shoot dry weight and shoot fresh weight were also increased by 26, 58 and 34·4%, respectively, in Streptomyces-treated groups of seedlings compared to Fusarium-infected seedlings. Formulations of the strain were prepared using seven organic and inorganic wastes as the carrier material and the shelf lives of the propagules were also monitored. Vermiculite and activated charcoal formulations stored at 4°C exhibited a higher viable cell count after 3 months of storage.

Recoding anaerobic regulator fnr of Salmonella Typhimurium attenuates it's pathogenicity.

AIMS: How recoding of fnr, an anaerobic regulatory gene, affects pathogenicity related parameters of Salmonella Typhimurium (STM). METHODS AND RESULTS: The fnr gene was recoded by substituting all of it's codons with synonymous rare codons of STM. Recoding fnr gene severely reduced the ability of the recoded mutant to compete with wild strain under nutrient depletion condition. Mutants were also less motile than the wild strain and their biofilm forming ability was significantly decreased as compared to wild strain. The recoded strain showed significant reduced survival within murine macrophages (RAW264.7) and monocyte derived macrophage of poultry origin. The colonisation ability of recoded mutant in liver and spleen of mice on day 5 of post infection was significantly reduced. The recoded strain exhibited significant reduction in faecal shedding on day 1 and 5 after infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that recoding the anaerobic regulator fnr of STM significantly compromised its growth, decreased motility, biofilm forming ability and survival within macrophages. Further, the recoded fnr strain showed reduced colonisation ability and faecal shedding in mice. Thus, these findings highlight that recoding the global anaerobic regulator fnr of Salmonella Typhimurium attenuates its pathogenicity.

The Holy grail of healthcare analytics: what it takes to get there?

BACKGROUND: Indian healthcare is rapidly growing and needs efficiency more than ever, which can be achieved by leveraging healthcare analytics. National Digital Health Mission has set the stage for digital health and getting the right direction from the very beginning is important. The current study was, therefore, undertaken to find what it takes for an apex tertiary care teaching hospital to leverage healthcare analytics. AIM: To study the existing Hospital Information System (HIS) at AIIMS, New Delhi and assess the preparedness to leverage healthcare analytics. METHODOLOGY: A three-pronged approach was used. First, concurrent review and detailed mapping of all running applications was done based on nine parameters by a multidisciplinary team of experts. Second, capability of the current HIS to measure specific management related KPIs was evaluated. Third, user perspective was obtained from 750 participants from all cadres of healthcare workers, using a validated questionnaire based on Delone and McLean model. RESULTS: Interoperability issues between applications running within the same institute, impaired informational continuity with limited device interface and automation were found on concurrent review. HIS was capturing data to measure only 9 out of 33 management KPIs. User perspective on information quality was very poor which was found to be due to poor system quality of HIS, though some functions were reportedly well supported by the HIS. CONCLUSION: It is important for hospitals to first evaluate and strengthen their data generation systems/HIS. The three-pronged approach used in this study provides a template for other hospitals.

Evaluation of spatial spreading of phyto-available sulphur and micronutrients in cultivated coastal soils.

Understanding the spatial spreading patterns of plant-available sulphur (S) (AS) and plant-available micronutrients (available zinc (AZn), available iron (AFe), available copper (ACu), available manganese (AMn) and available boron (AB)) in soils, especially in coastal agricultural soils subjected to various natural and anthropogenic activities, is vital for sustainable crop production by adopting site-specific nutrient management (SSNM) strategies. We studied the spatial distribution patterns of AS, AZn, AFe, ACu, AMn, and AB in cultivated soils of coastal districts of India using geostatistical approaches. Altogether 39,097 soil samples from surface (0 to 15 cm depth) layers were gathered from farm lands of 68 coastal districts. The analysis of soil samples was carried out for soil pH, electrical conductivity (EC), soil organic carbon (SOC) and AS, AZn, AFe, ACu, AMn, and AB. Soil pH, EC and SOC varied from 3.70 to 9.90, 0.01 to 7.45 dS m-1 and 0.02 to 3.74%, respectively. The concentrations of AS, AZn, AFe, ACu, AMn, and AB varied widely in the study area with their corresponding mean values were 37.4±29.4, 1.50±1.53, 27.9±35.1, 2.14±1.74, 16.9±18.4 and 1.34±1.52 mg kg-1, respectively. The coefficient of variation values of analyzed soil parameters varied from 14.6 to 126%. The concentrations of AS, AZn, AFe, ACu, AMn, and AB were negatively and significantly correlated with soil pH and positively and significantly correlated with SOC. The geostatistical analysis indicated stable, Gaussian and exponential best-fit semivariogram models with moderate to strong spatial dependence for available nutrients. The generated spatial spreading maps revealed different distribution patterns for AS, AZn, AFe, ACu, AMn, and AB. There were variations in spatial spreading patterns of AS, AZn, AFe, ACu, AMn, and AB in east- and west-coastal area. About 62, 35, 12, 0.4, 23 and 45% of the study area had deficiency of AS, AZn, AFe, ACu, AMn, and AB, respectively. The spatial spreading maps will be highly useful for SSNM in the cultivated coastal soils of the country. This study could also be used as a base for assessing spatial spreading patterns of soil parameters in cultivated coastal areas of other parts of the world.

Evaluation of the diagnostic potential and DIVA capability of recombinant LigBCon1-5 protein of Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona in canine leptospirosis.

BACKGROUND: Canine leptospirosis is a serious public health concern. AIMS: This study aims to investigate the feasibility of conserved first to fifth domains of recombinant Leptospira immunoglobulin like protein B antigen (rLigBCon1-5) as a serodiagnostic marker for detecting canine leptospirosis. METHODS: A total of 340 unvaccinated canine serum samples were screened using microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and rLigBCon1-5 based immunoglobulin G (IgG) indirect-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA). Further, 60 vaccinated canine sera were screened using MAT and rLigBCon1-5 based latex agglutination test (LAT). RESULTS: Microscopic agglutination test results revealed seropositivity of 28.6%. The relative sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of IgG I-ELISA in comparison to MAT were 100%, 96.0%, and 97.2%, respectively. Out of 60 vaccinated sera, 46 sera reacted with MAT alone, and eight sera reacted by both tests, while six sera were non-reactive with both tests. Anti-LigB antibodies were detected in eight canine sera by rLigBCon1-5 based LAT. In five LAT reactive sera, agglutinins of locally circulating Leptospira serovars Grippotyphosa (n=4) and Australis (n=1) were detected. In three LAT reactive sera, agglutinins against Icterohaemorrhagiae (n=3) produced due to natural infection were present. CONCLUSION: Immunoglobulin G based indirect ELISA assay (IgG I-ELISA) can be employed as an alternative test instead of MAT. rLigBCon1-5 based LAT detected anti-LigB antibodies in eight vaccinated sera where the vaccine failure occurred partially or totally due to the limited efficacy spectrum of Nobivac® RL and cold chain breakage. This vaccine could not provide cross-protection against locally circulating Leptospira serovars. The recombinant LigBCon1-5 antigen based LAT possesses capability of differentiating infected from vaccinated individuals (DIVA capability) when employed as a pen-side test for detecting canine leptospirosis.

District-level epidemiology, hot spots and sociodemographic determinants of tobacco use in Indian men and women: analysis of national family health survey-4 (2015-16).

OBJECTIVES: To map district-level tobacco hot spots and understand the Sociodemographic Indices (SDI) influencing tobacco consumption in Indian men and women. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Tobacco use data from 640 districts of India were extracted from National Family Health Survey-4, carried out from 2015 to 2016 with a sample size of 103,411 men and 699,686 women. Geographic Information System was used to map the tobacco prevalence, and hot spots were identified by spatial statistics (Getis-OrdGi∗). SDI were studied by bivariate analyses and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: India has two major tobacco hot spots; one comprising the districts of North-Eastern states, excluding Sikkim, and the second cluster is formed by the districts of Central-Eastern states. These hot spots coincide well with demographic determinants: North-East (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] men, 5.74; aOR women, 13.54) and Central India (aOR men, 4.5; aOR women, 3.5) have higher odds of Tobacco consumption. In men, respondents with no education (aOR 2.52; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.26-2.81) and Muslims (aOR 3.53; 95% CI: 2.93-4.26) have higher odds of tobacco consumption. The poorest (men aOR, 2.06; 95% CI: 1.87-2.27; women aOR, 3.36: 95% CI: 2.69-4.19) and ST women (aOR 1.89; 95% CI: 1.68-2.13) have higher odds of tobacco consumption. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified tobacco hot spots and detailed the SDI affecting tobacco use separately in men and women to guide public health policies for targeted intervention of tobacco consumption.

Pre-monsoon spatial distribution of available micronutrients and sulphur in surface soils and their management zones in Indian Indo-Gangetic Plain.

The efficient (site-specific) management of soil nutrients is possible by understanding the spatial variability in distribution of phyto-available nutrients (here after called available nutrients) and identifying the soil management zones (MZs) of agricultural landscapes. There is need for delineating soil MZs of agricultural landscapes of the world for efficient management of soil nutrients in order to obtain sustainability in crop yield. The present study was, therefore, undertaken to understand the spatial distribution pattern of available micronutrients (zinc (Zn), boron (B), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and copper (Cu)), available sulphur (S), and soil properties (soil acidity (pH), electrical conductivity (EC) and organic carbon (SOC) content) in soils of intensively cultivated Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) of India and to delineate soil MZs for efficient management of soil nutrients. Totally, 55101 soil samples from 0-15 cm depth were obtained from 167 districts of IGP during 2014 to 2017 and were analysed for different soil parameters. Soil pH, EC and SOC content varied from 4.44 to 9.80, 0.02 to 2.13 dS m-1 and 0.10 to 1.99%, respectively. The concentration of available Zn, B, Fe, Mn, Cu and S varied from 0.01 to 3.27, 0.01 to 3.51, 0.19 to 55.7, 0.05 to 49.0, 0.01 to 5.29 and 1.01 to 108 mg kg-1, respectively. Geostatistical analysis resulted in varied distribution pattern of studied soil parameters with moderate to strong spatial dependence. The extent (% area) of nutrient deficiencies in IGP followed the order: S > Zn > B > Mn > Cu > Fe. Principal component analysis and fuzzy c-means clustering produced six distinctly different soil MZs of IGP for implementation of zone-specific soil nutrient management strategies for attaining sustainability in crop yield. The developed MZ maps could also be utilized for prioritization and rationalization of nutrients supply in IGP of India.

Haemato-biochemical alterations and oxidative stress associated with naturally occurring porcine circovirus2 infection in pigs.

Porcine circovirus2 (PCV2) infection in pigs is one of the major causes of economic loss to the farmers in terms of low production, slow growth and increase post-weaning mortality rate. The effect of PCV2 infection on haemogram, serum biochemical profile and oxidant/anti-oxidant status is not well established in pigs. In the present study, haemogram, serum biochemical profile and oxidant/anti-oxidant status were assessed in pigs confirmed positive for PCV2 infections as evidenced by commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (n = 151) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (n = 42) among a total of 306 number of pigs included in the study. Non-infected healthy pigs (n = 6) served as healthy control. The total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), total leukocyte count (TLC), differential leukocyte count (DLC) and thrombocyte count were measured. The levels of total protein, albumin, globulin, total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine and glucose and enzymes viz. alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were measured. Oxidative stress indicators such as plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and total anti-oxidant activity (TAOA) were measured using commercially available kits. The mean values of TLC, lymphocytes and thrombocyte count were significantly (P < 0.05) low in PCV2-infected pigs. The levels of globulin, AST, GGT, BUN and creatinine were significantly increased (P < 0.05) whereas levels of albumin and glucose significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in PCV2-infected pigs. The significant increase (P < 0.05) in MDA level and significant decrease (P < 0.05) in TAOA level were noticed in PCV2-infected animals as compared with healthy control. The present study supports immunosuppression, possible multiple organ damage and oxidative stress associated with naturally occurring PCV2 infection in pigs. Timely vaccination and managemental practices can reduce PCV2 infection in farms. In spite of many research studies, there is still paucity of detailed systemic study on haemato-biochemical alteration and oxidative stress associated with PCV2 infection.

An unusual case of Cheyletiellosis in a Persian cat and its therapeutic management.

A male Persian cat was presented with a history of alopecia at the dorsal tail region, with mild pruritus, flaking of skin and the owner's complaint of pruritus on herself and her family members. All the vital signs of the cat were found within the normal reference range. Skin scraping and hair samples were found to be negative for Demodex spp. and Sarcoptes spp. of mites, pediculosis and fungal infestation. Physical examination of the whole body revealed absence of fleas or flea eggs. Further, food hypersensitivity was ruled out by gradually changing the previous wheat based diet to a commercial cat food. However, eggs of Cheyletiella spp. were seen on microscopic examination of skin scraping and the lesions on the owner's body were indicative of infestation by Cheyletiella spp. as it's zoonotic in nature. A treatment protocol was initiated that included Ivermectin and bath with a shampoo containing selenium sulphide. Owners were advised to apply Calamine lotion on their lesions. Both the owner and patient recovered uneventfully 3 months post-therapy.

Prospective evaluation of the diagnostic potential of LipL32 based latex agglutination test for Bovine leptospirosis.

The Livestock Sector of India plays an important role in livelihood security and socioeconomic development of rural households. Leptospirosis is an important zoonotic disease responsible for septicaemia, interstitial nephritis, jaundice, abortion, reproductive problem in most of the animal species. Reproductive disturbances in bovine population is most often restricted to investigation of brucellosis, however apart from brucellosis, there are many undiagnosed diseases like leptospirosis that takes a toll in the reproductive anomalies of cattle and buffalo. Hence, the present study was elucidated to screen the seroprevalence of Leptospira in cattle and buffalo in various hamlets of North India using a user friendly screening test i.e. LipL32 latex agglutination test. The overall seropositivity was found to be 26.01% (230/884) in case of bovine in this study and the LipL32 LAT showed a profound sensitivity and specificity with level of 94.97% and 99.53% respectively.

Prospective evaluation of the diagnostic potential of LipL32 based latex agglutination test for Bovine leptospirosis

@#The Livestock Sector of India plays an important role in livelihood security and socioeconomic development of rural households. Leptospirosis is an important zoonotic disease responsible for septicaemia, interstitial nephritis, jaundice, abortion, reproductive problem in most of the animal species. Reproductive disturbances in bovine population is most often restricted to investigation of brucellosis, however apart from brucellosis, there are many undiagnosed diseases like leptospirosis that takes a toll in the reproductive anomalies of cattle and buffalo. Hence, the present study was elucidated to screen the seroprevalence of Leptospira in cattle and buffalo in various hamlets of North India using a user friendly screening test i.e. LipL32 latex agglutination test. The overall seropositivity was found to be 26.01% (230/884) in case of bovine in this study and the LipL32 LAT showed a profound sensitivity and specificity with level of 94.97% and 99.53% respectively.