Termite soil as a potential low-cost adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue and malachite green dyes

The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) and malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution using a termite soil has been studied by batch adsorption technique. The adsorption experiments were carried out under different conditions of initial concentration (5–100 mg/L). The equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and the equilibrium adsorption was best described by the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum monolayer adsorption capacities found to be 338.98 and 327.21 mg/g at 305 K, respectively. Three kinetic models, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion were employed to describe the adsorption mechanism. The experimental results showed that the pseudo-second-order equation is the best model that describes the adsorption behaviour with the coefficient of correlation R2 ≥0.99. Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Tunnelling electron microscopy (TEM) studies are evident that the termite soil has an effective adsorbent material.The results suggested that termite soil has high potential to be used as effective adsorbent for MB removal

Genomic Surveillance Reveals the Rapid Expansion of the XBB Lineage among Circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Lineages in Southeastern Wisconsin, USA

SARS-CoV-2 caused a life-threatening COVID-19 pandemic outbreak worldwide. The Southeastern Region of Wisconsin, USA (SERW) includes large urban Milwaukee and six suburban counties, namely Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha. Due to the lack of detailed SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance in the suburban populations of the SERW, whole-genome sequencing was employed to investigate circulating SARS-CoV-2 lineages and characterize dominant XBB lineages among this SERW population from November 2021 to April 2023. For an unbiased data analysis, we combined our 6709 SARS-CoV-2 sequences with 1520 sequences from the same geographical region submitted by other laboratories. Our study shows that SARS-CoV-2 genomes were distributed into 357 lineages/sublineages belonging to 13 clades, of which 88.8% were from Omicron. We document dominant sublineages XBB.1.5 and surging XBB.1.16 and XBB.1.9.1 with a few additional functional mutations in Spike, which are known to contribute to higher viral reproduction, enhanced transmission and immune evasion. Mutational profile assessment of XBB.1.5 Spike identifies 38 defining mutations with high prevalence occurring in 49.8–99.6% of the sequences studied, of which 32 mutations were in three functional domains. Phylogenetic and genetic relatedness between XBB.1.5 sequences reveal potential virus transmission occurring within households and within and between Southeastern Wisconsin counties. A comprehensive phylogeny of XBB.1.5 with global sub-dataset sequences confirms the wide spread of genetically similar SARS-CoV-2 strains within the same geographical area. Altogether, this study identified proportions of circulating Omicron variants and genetic characterization of XBB.1.5 in the SERW population, which helped state and national public health agencies to make compelling mitigation efforts to reduce COVID-19 transmission in the communities and monitor emerging lineages for their impact on diagnostics, treatments and vaccines

Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases of dogs in North-west New South Wales and the Northern Territory, Australia

Abstract Background Vector-borne diseases of dogs in Australian Aboriginal communities are relatively unexplored. These dogs represent a unique group with variable ecto- and endo-parasitic burdens, nutritional stresses and a general lack of veterinary intervention. We investigated haemoprotozoal and bacterial pathogen prevalences in relation to erythrocyte and platelet numbers in dogs from North-West New South Wales (N-W NSW) and the Northern Territory (NT; Central Australia). Methods Real-time PCR (qPCR) amplification of Anaplasma platys, Babesia vogeli, Mycoplasma haemocanis, Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum and Bartonella spp., serological screening for Coxiella burnetii, and Bartonella spp. and haematological analyses were performed on dogs from the two cohorts (96 dogs in total). Brucella suis serology was determined additionally for the N-W NSW cohort. Results Anaplasma platys (n = 26 dogs), Babesia vogeli (n = 7), Candidatus Mycoplasma haematoparvum (n = 10 dogs), and Mycoplasma haemocanis (n = 14) were detected in the sample population (n = 96) using qPCR. There were significant associations between (i) A. platys and anaemia (OR 8.7, CI 2.4–31.7; P < 0.001), thrombocytopenia (OR 12.1, CI 3.4–43.2; P < 0.001) and breed (OR 16.1, CI 2.1–121.5; P = 0.007), and (ii) between B. vogeli and anaemia (OR 11.8, CI 2.3–61.6; P = 0.003). Neither protozoal nor bacterial DNA loads, estimated using qPCR, were positively correlated with anaemia or thrombocytopenia. Haemotropic mycoplasmas were not associated with any haematologic abnormality. Four dogs from the NT were seropositive for Coxiella burnetii, while no dogs were seropositive for Brucella suis or to a panel of Bartonella spp. antigens. Despite directed efforts, Bartonella DNA was not detected in blood from any of the cohorts studied. A sample of dogs from the NT recruited specifically for Bartonella α-proteobacteria growth medium enrichment blood culture were also Bartonella PCR negative. Conclusions Vector-borne pathogens occur in dogs free ranging near Aboriginal communities, with higher detection rates in NT than N-W NSW. The preponderant haematologic abnormalities were anaemia and thrombocytopenia, likely attributable to A. platys and B. vogeli infections, but also probably affected by nutritional, parasitic, lactational and environmental stressors. The absence of Bartonella spp. is of importance to the Australian setting, and work needs to be extended to tropical coastal communities where fleas are present as well as ticks. Dogs living in and around Aboriginal communities may provide valuable sentinel information on disease infection status of human public health significance

Additional file 2: Figure S2. of Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases of dogs in North-west New South Wales and the Northern Territory, Australia

Pups from Yuendumu, Central Australia. Condition of young pups (a) are poor to fair, with clear visibility of ribs and ‘tucked up’ appearance of abdomen. Some dogs are in better condition than others (b). Landscape is seen as typical red sandy soil, with signs of erosion and negligible grass or plant cover. (Images with permission and courtesy of Dr. Graeme Brown). (PNG 701 kb

Additional file 3: Figure S3. of Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases of dogs in North-west New South Wales and the Northern Territory, Australia

Image of dog sampled in Moree distinct. The different geographical appearance of the landscapes in Moree and Ti Tree are evident from this picture. The dog appears to be a pedigree hybrid type with robust physical appearance in contrast to dogs from the NT. (PNG 671 kb

Additional file 1: Figure S1. of Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases of dogs in North-west New South Wales and the Northern Territory, Australia

Physical appearance of dogs from Yuendumu. The condition of dogs in Central Australia, NT (a) was lower than those dogs from Moree, N-W NSW (b), yet overall their body condition scores were seen as fair. (Images with permission and courtesy of Dr. Graeme Brown). (PNG 716 kb

Additional file 4: of Vector-borne and zoonotic diseases of dogs in North-west New South Wales and the Northern Territory, Australia

Dataset upon which publication conclusions rely. (XLSX 24 kb