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Not AvailableAfrican swine fever (ASF) is one of the most important transboundary diseases of pigs. ASF has been identified in India for the first time in domestic pigs from outbreaks reported in two of the northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in 2020. A total of 11 ASF outbreaks in different regions killed over 3700 pigs and devastated the economy of small-scale livestock owners of both the states. Considering the first outbreak of ASF in India, a generic risk assessment framework was determined to identify potential risk factors that might favor future emergence of the disease. Based on the Indian scenario, we considered population density of host, farming practice, availability of biological vectors and wildlife reservoirs, epidemiological cycles, and international trade to analyze the possibility of future outbreaks of ASF and chances of establishment of endemism. On critical analysis of the identified risk factors associated with ASFV transmission, we observed that the risk factors are well preserved in the Indian geography and might participate in future outbreaks, further disseminating the disease to nearby countries. Since no vaccine is currently available against ASF, the domestic and the wild pigs (wild boars and the endangered pygmy hogs native to India) of this region are under constant threat of infection. For the near future, this region will have to continue to rely on the implementation of preventive measures to avoid the devastating losses that outbreaks can cause. The various adaptive control strategies to minimize the risks associated with the transmission of ASF, keeping our views to Indian settings, have been described. The risk-analysis framework presented in the study will give a further understanding of the dynamics of disease transmission and will help to design control strategies and corresponding measures to minimize the catastrophic consequences of ASF disease.Not Availabl

Distribution of plasma fatty acids is associated with response to chemotherapy in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients

Our recent data have linked plasma phospholipid fatty acid (FA) profile in patients with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with the clinical stage and aggressiveness of the disease. Thus, we proposed that plasma FA status in these patients may influence the effect of chemotherapy. The aim of this work was to assess FA status in NHL patients undergoing chemotherapy in relation to their response to therapy. We analyzed plasma FA profile in 47 newly diagnosed NHL patients before chemotherapy, after 3 cycles and after the end of the planned chemotherapy. Patients were treated according to the hospital protocol: 28 patients with cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone, 7 with other anthracycline-containing regimens, 4 patients with cyclophosphamide, vincristine and prednisone and 8 with fludarabine-based regimens. Rituximab was added in 22 patients. Ten patients who did not receive all planned chemotherapy due to death or toxicity (non-completers) had significantly lower (p lt 0.05) baseline proportion of palmitoleic, linoleic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid, as well as n-3 and n-6 FA, than the patients who completed chemotherapy (completers). Furthermore, the completers were divided according to the response to chemotherapy to complete remission (CR), stable disease and progressive disease (PD). Proportion of palmitic acid after the end of chemotherapy was the highest in the PD group, while stearic acid showed the opposite trend. Palmitoleic acid and all n-3 FA (18: 3, 20: 5, 22: 5 and 22: 6) were the highest in the patients in remission and the lowest in PD (p lt 0.001). Linoleic acid decreased and arachidonic acid increased from the CR to the PD group (p lt 0.001). These results suggest that aberrations in plasma FA may influence response to chemotherapy in patients with NHL

Hand function in children with radial longitudinal deficiency

BACKGROUND: In children with hypoplasia or aplasia of the radius (radial longitudinal deficiency) manual activity limitations may be caused by several factors; a short and bowed forearm, radial deviation of the wrist, a non-functional or absent thumb, limited range of motion in the fingers and impaired grip strength. The present study investigates the relation between these variables and activity and participation in children with radial dysplasia. METHODS: Twenty children, age 4-17 years, with radial longitudinal dysplasia Bayne type II-IV were examined with focus on the International Classification of Functioning and Health, version for Children and Youth (ICF-CY) context. Body function/structure was evaluated by measures of range of motion, grip strength, sensibility and radiographic parameters. Activity was examined by Box and Block Test and Assisting Hand Assessment (AHA). Participation was assessed by Children's Hand-use Experience Questionnaire (CHEQ). Statistical correlations between assessments of body function/structure and activity as well as participation were examined. RESULTS: The mean total active motion of wrist (49.6°) and digits (447°) were less than norms. The mean hand forearm angle was 34° radially. Ulnar length ranged from 40 to 80% of age-related norms. Grip strength (mean 2.7 kg) and Box and Block Test (mean 33.8 blocks/minute) were considerably lower than for age-related norms. The mean score for the AHA was 55.9 and for CHEQ Grasp efficiency 69.3. The AHA had significant relationship with the total range of motion of digits (p = 0.042). Self-experienced time of performance (CHEQ Time) had significant relationship with total active motion of wrist (p = 0.043). Hand forearm angle did not show any significant relationship with Box and Block Test, AHA or CHEQ. CONCLUSION: In radial longitudinal deficiency total range of motion of digits and wrist may be of more cardinal importance to the child's activity and participation than the angulation of the wrist