Management of bovine brucellosis in organized dairy herds through the identification of risk factors: A cross-sectional study from Karnataka, India

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is an infectious disease caused by Brucella species. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with bovine brucellosis seropositivity in organized dairy farms to control the disease in unvaccinated adult bovine herds in Karnataka, India. Materials and Methods: In total, 3610 samples (3221 cattle and 389 buffaloes) were subjected to parallel testing using the Rose Bengal plate test and protein G-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, followed by analyses of animal- and farm-level epidemiological datasets to identify the risk factors. Results: The apparent brucellosis prevalence at the animal level was higher in buffaloes (8.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 5.9–11.4) than in cattle (6.1%, 95% CI = 5.3–7.0). In a multivariable logistic model, animals calved 3–5 times (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.50–3.1, reference [ref]: animals calved <2 times); animals with a history of abortion (OR = 54.73, 95% CI = 33.66–89.02), repeat breeding (OR = 19.46, 95% CI = 11.72–32.25), and placental retention (OR = 13.94, 95% CI = 4.92–39.42, ref: no clinical signs); and dogs on farms (OR = 2.55, 95% CI = 1.48–4.40, ref: absence of dogs); disposal of aborted fetus in open fields (OR = 4.97, 95% CI = 1.93–12.84) and water bodies (OR = 2.22, 95% CI = 1.50–3.1, ref: buried); purchase of animals from other farms (OR = 6.46, 95% CI = 1.01–41.67, ref: government farms); hand milking (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.02–10.0, ref: machine milking); and use of monthly veterinary services (OR = 3.45, 95% CI = 1.28–9.29, ref: weekly services) were considered significant risk factors for brucellosis in organized bovine herds (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The study identified that the animals calved 3–5 times or with a history of abortion/repeat breeding/placental retention, and disposal of aborted fetus in open fields/water bodies as the potential risk factors for bovine brucellosis. These risk factors should be controlled through the implementation of best practices to reduce the brucellosis burden in bovine farms

Federated learning enables big data for rare cancer boundary detection.

Although machine learning (ML) has shown promise across disciplines, out-of-sample generalizability is concerning. This is currently addressed by sharing multi-site data, but such centralization is challenging/infeasible to scale due to various limitations. Federated ML (FL) provides an alternative paradigm for accurate and generalizable ML, by only sharing numerical model updates. Here we present the largest FL study to-date, involving data from 71 sites across 6 continents, to generate an automatic tumor boundary detector for the rare disease of glioblastoma, reporting the largest such dataset in the literature (n = 6, 314). We demonstrate a 33% delineation improvement for the surgically targetable tumor, and 23% for the complete tumor extent, over a publicly trained model. We anticipate our study to: 1) enable more healthcare studies informed by large diverse data, ensuring meaningful results for rare diseases and underrepresented populations, 2) facilitate further analyses for glioblastoma by releasing our consensus model, and 3) demonstrate the FL effectiveness at such scale and task-complexity as a paradigm shift for multi-site collaborations, alleviating the need for data-sharing

Author Correction: Federated learning enables big data for rare cancer boundary detection.

10.1038/s41467-023-36188-7NATURE COMMUNICATIONS14

Federated Learning Enables Big Data for Rare Cancer Boundary Detection

Although machine learning (ML) has shown promise across disciplines, out-of-sample generalizability is concerning. This is currently addressed by sharing multi-site data, but such centralization is challenging/infeasible to scale due to various limitations. Federated ML (FL) provides an alternative paradigm for accurate and generalizable ML, by only sharing numerical model updates. Here we present the largest FL study to-date, involving data from 71 sites across 6 continents, to generate an automatic tumor boundary detector for the rare disease of glioblastoma, reporting the largest such dataset in the literature (n = 6, 314). We demonstrate a 33% delineation improvement for the surgically targetable tumor, and 23% for the complete tumor extent, over a publicly trained model. We anticipate our study to: 1) enable more healthcare studies informed by large diverse data, ensuring meaningful results for rare diseases and underrepresented populations, 2) facilitate further analyses for glioblastoma by releasing our consensus model, and 3) demonstrate the FL effectiveness at such scale and task-complexity as a paradigm shift for multi-site collaborations, alleviating the need for data-sharing

Utility of noninvasive imaging modalities in a retina practice

Fluorescein angiography (FFA) has been the gold standard to understand, diagnose and treat retinal disorders. However, being an invasive procedure it has several limitations including adverse drug reactions. Hence, noninvasive tests that can be repeated during the course of the disease are the need of the hour. The aim of our study was to compare images of patients with retinal microvasculature pathology taken from three different imaging modalities (invasive vs. noninvasive). Lesions were detected more easily and with a greater resolution of morphology on retinal function imaging (RFI) and optical coherence tomography angiography (angio-OCT). Functional integrity of the vessels was better delineated on FFA. RFI and angio-OCT are noninvasive rapid and efficient methods to image vascular conditions with easy repeatability and negligible adverse effects

Microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography: A new surgical tool in vitreoretinal surgery

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has revolutionized imaging of ocular structures and various disease conditions. Though it has been used in the clinic for some decades, the OCT has only recently found its way into the operating theater. Early attempts at intraoperative OCT, hand-held and microscope mounted, have already improved our understanding of the surgical pathology and the role it might play in surgical decision-making. The microscope-integrated OCT now allows seamless, high-resolution, real-time imaging of surgical maneuvers from the incision to wound closure. Visualization of instruments and intraoperative tissue manipulation are possible with this in vivo modality and, therefore, help improve the outcome of surgery. In this article, we describe the advantages it offers during various vitreoretinal procedures

Immortal Ozurdex: A 10-month follow-up of an intralenticular implant

A 78-year-old male who had received a dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) 15 days back for recalcitrant diabetic macular edema in the left eye came to us for a second opinion. On examination, his corrected distance visual acuity was 20/20 in the right eye and 20/40 in the left eye. Early cataractous changes were present in both eyes. The intraocular pressure was within normal limits. The Ozurdex implant was seen lodged in the posterior cortex of the crystalline lens in the left eye, confirmed on anterior segment optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasound biomicroscopy. Fundus examination showed moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in both eyes with macular edema and epiretinal membrane in the left eye, confirmed on OCT. The patient was noncompliant and returned after 10 months. Interestingly, the implant was still present in the same location with the same vision and anterior segment findings as before. The OCT showed a reduction in macular edema. The patient was advised regular follow-up and cataract surgery at a later date

Oral Eplerenone Versus Observation in the Management of Acute Central Serous Chorioretinopathy: A Prospective, Randomized Comparative Study

In this prospective, interventional case-control study, 58 patients with unilateral acute central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) were recruited. Patients &ge; 18 years age, presenting with first episodes of acute CSCR, were included. Acute CSCR was defined by the presence of subretinal fluid (SRF) and symptoms for &lt;12 weeks duration with no clinical or imaging features of chronicity. Patients were alternately divided into treatment (Table Eplerenone 50 mg/day for minimum 1 month) and observation groups. Vision, SRF height and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) were checked at 1-, 2- and 3-months in both eyes of each group. Each group had 29 eyes. Mean age was 40.4 &plusmn; 7.1 and 43.3 &plusmn; 8.34 years in treatment and observation group, respectively. Mean symptom duration was 6.46 &plusmn; 1.45 and 5.87 &plusmn; 2.09 weeks, respectively. Vision improvement to 6/6 was seen in 92%, 100% and 100% cases in treatment group and 74%, 86% and 100% in control group at each visit, respectively. Complete SRF resolution in the treatment group was noted in 45%, 55% and 62% cases at each respective monthly visit. In the observation group, complete SRF resolution was noted in 10%, 21% and 31% at 1-, 2- and 3-month visits, respectively. SRF (p &lt; 0.001) and SFCT (p &lt; 0.001) reduction was noted in the affected eye of both groups. SFCT was reduced in the fellow eye after treatment (p = 0.005) compared to the observation group (p = 0.276). In conclusion, oral eplerenone achieves faster SRF resolution and vision improvement in acute CSCR. Additionally, it shows beneficial effects on the fellow eye