Shedding Rate Research Articles

Exploring the interplay between climate change and schistosomiasis transmission dynamics

Schistosomiasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasitic worms, poses a major public health challenge in economically disadvantaged regions, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. Climate factors, such as temperature and rainfall patterns, play a crucial role in the transmission dynamics of the disease. This study presents a deterministic model that aims to evaluate the temporal and seasonal transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis by examining the influence of temperature and rainfall over time. Equilibrium states are examined to ascertain their existence and stability employing the center manifold theory, while the basic reproduction number is calculated using the next-generation technique. To validate the model's applicability, demographic and climatological data from Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, which are endemic East African countries situated in the tropical region, are utilized as a case study region. The findings of this study provide evidence that the transmission of schistosomiasis in human populations is significantly influenced by seasonal and monthly variations, with incidence rates varying across countries depending on the frequency of temperature and rainfall. Consequently, the region is marked by both schistosomiasis emergencies and re-emergences. Specifically, it is observed that monthly mean temperatures within the range of 22–27 °C create favorable conditions for the development of schistosomiasis and have a positive impact on the reproduction numbers. On the other hand, monthly maximum temperatures ranging from 27 to 33 °C have an adverse effect on transmission. Furthermore, through sensitivity analysis, it is projected that by the year 2050, factors such as the recruitment rate of snails, the presence of parasite egg-containing stools, and the rate of miracidia shedding per parasite egg will contribute significantly to the occurrence and control of schistosomiasis infections. This study highlights the significant influence of seasonal and monthly variations, driven by temperature and rainfall patterns, on the transmission dynamics of schistosomiasis. These findings underscore the importance of considering climate factors in the control and prevention strategies of schistosomiasis. Additionally, the projected impact of various factors on schistosomiasis infections by 2050 emphasizes the need for proactive measures to mitigate the disease's impact on vulnerable populations. Overall, this research provides valuable insights to anticipate future challenges and devise adaptive measures to address schistosomiasis transmission patterns.

Assessing the consistency of shedder status under various experimental conditions

Shedder status is defined as the propensity of an individual to leave DNA behind on touched items or surfaces and has been suggested as one of the major factors influencing DNA transfer. However, little is known about whether shedder status is a constant property of an individual across multiple measurements or when the environmental conditions are changed. We have assessed DNA depositions of six males on 20 occasions to acquire a reference data set and to classify the participants into high, intermediate, or low shedders. This data set was also used to investigate how the probability of a correct shedder status classification changed when the number of DNA deposition measurements increased. Individual sweat rates were measured with a VapoMeter and data regarding hygiene routines were collected through a questionnaire on each sampling occasion. Next, we investigated how changes in the experimental conditions such as seasonal variation, hygiene routines, the temperature of the touched object, and repeated handling of an object influenced the DNA shedding. Additionally, we assessed DNA collected from the face and from T-shirts worn by the six participants to explore whether shedder status may be associated with the relative amount of DNA obtained from other body parts. Our results indicate that shedder status is a stable property across different seasons and different temperatures of handled objects. The relative DNA amounts obtained from repeatedly handled tubes, worn T-shirts, and from faces reflected the shedder status of the participants. We suggest that an individual’s shedder status is highly influenced by the DNA levels on other body parts than hands, accumulating on the palms by frequently touching e.g., the face or previously handled items harboring self-DNA. Assessing physiological differences between the participants revealed that there were no associations between DNA shedding and individual sweat rates.

<i>In vivo</i> therapeutic evaluation of phage cocktail and probiotic in reducing <i>Salmonella </i>infection in Broilers

Antimicrobial resistance and ban on the usage of most of the antibiotics in food producing animals especially in poultry and pigs propelled research towards antibiotic alternatives. Food borne and multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens like Salmonella can enter food chain via consumption of the contaminated meat. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy could be used during rearing or pre-harvest stages of poultry production to overcome these emerging problems. The present study was conducted to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of bacteriophage cocktail and probiotics against Salmonella gallinarum in experimentally infected broiler chicks based on mortality, clinical manifestations, and faecal shedding. In vitro evaluation revealed that optical density (OD) of Salmonella gallinarum at MOIs of 102 was significantly reduced by individual phages as well as phage cocktail, with comparably less decrease in optical density in the culture treated with individual phage than the phage cocktail. Bacteriophage cocktail with concentration 1011 PFU/ml was able to protect 100% birds infected with Salmonella gallinarum. Faecal shedding rate was significantly low in the birds treated with bacteriophage cocktail and probiotics (1.2%) than untreated group. Significant improvement in body weight was seen in the bacteriophage treated groups as compared to untreated infected group. Based on the findings of the current study, administering high titre bacteriophages alone or in combination with probiotics for the effective management of Salmonella infection in broiler chicks may be suggested as an alternative to antibiotics as well as a useful strategy to control food borne pathogens in the food chain.

Abstract B133: Anti-tumor efficacy of GMF-1A3-MMAE, an antibody drug conjugate targeting cell surface cleaved Amphiregulin in endocrine-resistant breast cancer

Abstract The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor ligand, Amphiregulin, is a key proliferative effector of estrogen receptor signaling in breast cancer and also plays a role in other malignancies. Amphiregulin is a single-pass transmembrane protein proteolytically processed by TACE/ADAM17 to release the soluble EGFR ligand, leaving a residual transmembrane stalk that is subsequently internalized. Here, we describe the development of an antibody drug conjugate, GMF-1A3-MMAE, targeting an AREG neo-epitope revealed following ADAM17-mediated cleavage. The antibody does not interact with uncleaved Amphiregulin, providing a novel means of targeting cells with high rates of Amphiregulin shedding. Using fluorescent dye conjugation, we demonstrated that the antibody is internalized by cancer cells in a manner dependent on the presence of cell surface cleaved Amphiregulin. Antibodies conjugated with monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE) were cytotoxic in vitro and induced rapid regression of established breast tumor xenografts in immunocompromised mice. We further demonstrate that these antibodies recognize the Amphiregulin neo-epitope in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tumor tissue, suggesting their utility as a companion diagnostic for patient selection. A pan-cancer tissue microarray analysis indicates that the target is commonly detected at high levels (> 50% of cases) in breast, prostate, liver and lung cancer. In normal tissue microarrays, cleaved Amphiregulin was generally detected at moderate levels in several tissues with only 7 of 93 tissue cores having levels comparable to the high levels commonly found in tumors. These data suggest therapeutic opportunities for GMF-1A3-based ADCs in multiple malignancies, however the broad off-tumor detection of cleaved Amphiregulin suggest linker/payload optimization may be necessary for an adequate therapeutic window. Citation Format: Kristopher A Lofgren, Paraic A Kenny. Anti-tumor efficacy of GMF-1A3-MMAE, an antibody drug conjugate targeting cell surface cleaved Amphiregulin in endocrine-resistant breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC Virtual International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2023 Oct 11-15; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2023;22(12 Suppl):Abstract nr B133.

The fate of intracoelomic acoustic transmitters in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolts and wider considerations for causal factors driving tag retention and mortality in fishes

Acoustic telemetry is a widely used method in assessing behavioural dynamics in fishes. Telemetry transmitters (tags) are often surgically implanted in the coelom of the animal with limited in situ testing and sometimes only assuming that they have minimal rates of post-release tag shedding and mortality. However, fish are capable of expelling tags and mortalities do occur following release, with the mechanism (s) underlying these effects not well-understood. The purpose of this research was to address causal factors underlying tag expulsion and tagging mortality in fishes. We conducted an empirical assessment of tag retention and post-surgical mortality rates in post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fitted with dummy (non-transmitting) acoustic tags over a 92-day monitoring period. This was complimented with a meta-analysis of factors affecting tag retention and post-surgical mortality rates in the wider literature. Post-smolt salmon had high rates of tag expulsion (54.8%), impaired growth, and a foreign body response evident but exhibited low rates of mortality following tag implantation (≤ 5.1%). The meta-analysis showed that mortality was generally low across all studies (12.4%) and was largely unaffected by model cofactors. Tag retention rates were high among the studies investigated here (86.7%) and had a weak negative relationship with tag:body mass ratios. Our results suggest that while mortality is often low among tagging studies, including this one, caution must be exercised in assessing stationary tag location data as they may represent an expelled tag rather than a mortality event. Our results also indicate that tag dimensions are not nearly as important as the tag:body mass ratio.

Interplay of Drop Shedding Mechanisms on High Wettability Contrast Biphilic Stripe-Patterned Surfaces.

To improve the rate of DWC, numerous studies have adjusted the distribution of drops through biphilic surface patterning and wettability gradients to control the nucleation and drop shedding rates on the condensing surface, yet the connection between drop shedding mechanisms and surface wettability patterning remains unclear. Moreover, wettability patterning places geometric bounds on the governing forces (i.e., gravity, capillary, and inertia), which drive the droplet shedding mechanisms. Thus, the subsequent influence of droplet distribution along the DWC regions on the shedding mechanisms may not be known a priori. In this study, the area fraction, ADWC, of the DWC and also the DWC region width, LN, were varied between 10 and 50% and 0.5-1.5 mm, respectively, to probe the dominant droplet shedding mechanisms on a high wettability contrast surface (i.e., the contact angle on the DWC was 159 ± 3.4° and the hysteresis 9 ± 3.6°, whereas the FWC was nearly perfectly wetting). Humid air was introduced inside a custom-built chamber with the upright steady-state condensation imaged by both real-time and high-speed imaging techniques. We found that the droplet shedding mechanisms changed with increasing LN where the sliding drop radii are reduced with LN while the jumping drop radii remained unchanged with LN. The maximum drop size for shedding also decreased by 13%, which we attribute to the secondary droplet inertia, which helps gravity overcome the capillary retention force. Lastly, although many studies have probed DWC enhancements via surface wettability patterning, an optimal combination of ADWC and LN provided in this study significantly aids in the improvement of future DWC-based condensers and water collector applications.

Modeling the impact of screening and treatment on typhoid fever dynamics in unprotected population

Typhoid fever is a potentially fatal human infection that is caused by the Salmonella Typhi bacterium. The disease is usually spread through contaminated water or food. In this work, we formulate and analyze a mathematical model for transmission dynamics of typhoid fever that incorporates screening and treatment of disease carriers in unprotected population. We obtain the basic model in the absence of screening and treatment. The analysis shows that both the typhoid free and endemic equilibria exist. The basic and effective reproduction numbers R0 and Re respectively are computed using the next generation method. The results show that the typhoid free equilibria are asymptotically stable when the basic and effective reproduction numbers R0<1 and Re<1 whereas endemic equilibria are asymptotically stable when R0>1 and Re>1. The normalized forward sensitivity index method is adopted to study the influence of model parameters on the spread of typhoid fever. The results show that the effective contact rate, the shedding rate of Salmonella Typhi bacteria on the environment and the recruitment rate of susceptible humans drive the disease, suggesting that screening of disease carriers and treatment of infected individuals are effective in controlling typhoid fever. Simulation results indicate that screening of disease careers and treatment of infected individuals play a significant role in controlling the transmission of typhoid fever in unprotected population. Thus, to control typhoid fever in unprotected population, more efforts should be directed to screening of disease carriers and treatment of infected individuals.

Reconsideration of Maternal Serological Testing for Predicting Congenital CMV Infection.

The value of the widely applied maternal cytomegalovirus (CMV) serological testing approach in predicting intrauterine transmission in highly seroprevalent regions remains unknown. A nested case-control study was conducted based on a maternal-child cohort study. Newborns with congenital CMV (cCMV) infection were included, and each of them was matched to 3 newborns without cCMV infection. Retrospective samples were tested for immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity and immunoglobulin M (IgM) antibodies in maternal serum and CMV DNA in maternal blood and urine to analyze their associations with cCMV infection. Forty-eight newborns with cCMV infection and 144 matched newborns without infection were included in the study. Maternal IgM antibodies and IgG avidity during pregnancy were not statistically associated with intrauterine transmission. The presence of CMV DNAemia indicated a higher risk of cCMV infection, with odds ratio values of 5.7, 6.5, and 13.0 in early, middle, and late pregnancy, respectively. However, the difference in CMV shedding rates in transmitters and nontransmitters was not significant in urine. The value of current maternal CMV serological testing in regions with high seropositivity rates is very limited and should be reconsidered. The detection of DNAemia would be helpful in assessing the risk of intrauterine transmission.

Fatal neural angiostrongyliasis in the Bolivian squirrel monkey (Saimiri boliviensis boliviensis) leading to defining Angiostrongylus cantonensis risk map at a zoo in Australia

Neural angiostrongyliasis (NA) is a parasitic disease caused by Angiostrongylus cantonensis (rat lungworm). This study presents a case of NA in a captive Bolivian squirrel monkey from a zoo in western Sydney, Australia. The objective was to identify the A. cantonensis cox1 haplotype responsible for the infection and compare its mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to known Australian mtDNA. An epidemiological investigation was conducted to assess the risk of infection, focusing on the resident rat population in the zoo. Methods involved trapping rats and collecting rat faeces for Angiostrongylus detection, speciation, and cox1 haplotype confirmation. Various techniques were employed, including necropsy, morphological examination, and molecular methods such as ITS-2 qPCR, cox1 sequencing, and ITS-2 metabarcoding. Cluster analysis of rat faeces distribution and Angiostrongylus detection utilised an equal sampling effort (ESE) approach. Gastropods were collected throughout the study for Angiostrongylus surveillance using a hypersensitive qPCR assay. Results revealed significant clustering of rat faeces near exhibits with fresh food provision and absence of predators. Angiostrongylus-positive faeces were uniformly distributed across the zoo property. Mitochondrial DNA analysis confirmed the presence of the Ac13 haplotype of A. cantonensis in the monkey. Morphology, ITS-2 metabarcoding and partial cox1 sequencing detected only A. cantonensis, with the Ac13 cox1 haplotype predominating. A high prevalence of infection (64%, 9/14) was found in brown rats, with quantification of larvae indicating high shedding rates. Co-infections with both Ac13 and local SYD.1 A. cantonensis cox1 haplotypes were observed. Only three gastropods (all of which were Angiostrongylus-negative) were found in the survey. To minimise the risk of exposure for susceptible species, targeted rodent control was implemented in areas with higher exposure risk. A potential strategy (which requires further exploration) to consider for future zoo design was suggested. This study provides insights into the epidemiology and genetic diversity of A. cantonensis in Australia, emphasising the importance of control measures to prevent future outbreaks.

Optimal strategies for control of cholera in the presence of hyper-infective individuals

Cholera is a potentially life-threatening bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Vibrio cholerae, with the primary site of infection being the small intestine. The disease typically spreads through contaminated water and food and becomes more pronounced in areas with poor sanitation and inadequate access to clean drinking water. Cholera infection can lead to severe diarrhoea, dehydration, and death if left untreated. Individuals with low personal hygiene have higher chances of spreading and/or contracting the disease. This study aims to propound a non-linear deterministic model to study the dynamics of cholera in the presence of two groups of individuals based on their level of personal hygiene. We categorize these individuals into low-risk and high-risk to describe individuals with good personal hygiene and those with very low personal hygiene, respectively. The model is shown to have two mutually exclusive fixed points, namely, the cholera-free and the cholera-persistent equilibria, indicating the presence of forward bifurcation. It is shown that restriction of the basic reproduction number below unity guarantees local asymptotic stability of the cholera-free fixed point. The immigration rate, rate of disinfection, bacteria ingestion rate, and bacterial shedding rate are parameters with a higher impact on cholera spread. Optimal control analysis is also used to determine the most cost-effective combination of infection control, adherence to sanitation protocols, treatment control, and bacterial-shedding controls needed to control the spread of cholera.

Making waves: Establishing a modeling framework to evaluate novel targets for wastewater-based surveillance

Wastewater-based surveillance (WBS) monitoring of pathogens circulating within a community provides an improved understanding of the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases. However, the potential suitability of WBS for novel disease targets is unclear, including many emerging and neglected diseases. The current ad hoc approach of conducting wastewater detection experiments on novel disease targets to determine their suitability for WBS monitoring is resource intensive and may stall investment in this promising technology. In addition, detections, or non-detections, without the context of disease prevalence and shedding by infected individuals are difficult to interpret upon initial WBS target development. In this paper, we present a WBS feasibility analysis framework to identify which diseases are theoretically appropriate for WBS applications and to improve the initial interpretation of target detections. We then discuss five primary factors that influence the probability of detection in WBS monitoring – genome shedding rate, infection rate, per capita wastewater usage, process limit of detection (PLOD), and the number of PCR replicates. Clarifying the relationships between these factors and the likelihood of detection enhances quantitative insights into applying WBS, guiding researchers and stakeholders into mitigating inherent uncertainties of wastewater monitoring and subsequent improvements in WBS outcomes, thereby supporting future investment and expansion of WBS research, especially in novel disease targets.

Regeneration of forest floor-grown seedlings of Sakhalin fir can be promoted through shading by shelter trees

ABSTRACT Natural regeneration of forest-floor seedlings of Sakhalin fir (Abies sachalinensis) is expected to contribute to low-cost afforestation. However, removal of canopy trees often causes photoinhibitory damage in forest-floor seedlings of Sakhalin fir as a typical shade-tolerant species. In the present study, we investigated factors related to solar radiation influencing survival rate and growth of Sakhalin fir seedlings after a canopy tree cutting in 62-year-old forest plantations. Survival rates, derived from aerial photographs taken by an unmanned aerial vehicle, could be predicted by the maximum consecutive direct solar radiation and shade period calculated from the sun track simulated by hemispheric photographs. Needle shedding rate of old shoots, which were developed under shade, increased with increasing daily integrated direct solar radiation in the first summer after the winter cutting of canopy trees. Conversely, growth rates of current-year-old shoots in the second summer after the winter cutting of canopy trees decreased with increasing daily integrated direct solar radiation. Needle shedding might suppress the growth rate of current-year-old shoots in the second summer, possibly due to the decreased nitrogen supply from the old needles. Thus, shading achieved by topography (e.g. north-faced slope) and retained shelter trees would be of relevance for the natural regeneration of forest-floor seedlings of Sakhalin fir, a typical shade-tolerant species.

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of chlorhexidine salts as potential alternatives to potassium dichromate for Eimeria maxima M6 oocyst preservation.

Coccidiosis caused by the Eimeria spp., an Apicomplexan protozoon, is a major intestinal disease that affects the poultry industry. Although most cases of coccidiosis are subclinical, Eimeria infections impair bird health and decrease overall performance, which can result in compromised welfare and major economic losses. Viable sporulated Eimeria oocysts are required for challenge studies and live coccidiosis vaccines. Potassium dichromate (PDC) is typically used as a preservative for these stocks during storage. Although effective and inexpensive, PDC is also toxic and carcinogenic. Chlorhexidine (CHX) salts may be a possible alternative, as this is a widely used disinfectant with less toxicity and no known carcinogenic associations. In vitro testing of CHX gluconate and CHX digluconate exhibited comparable oocyst integrity and viability maintenance with equivalent bacteriostatic and bactericidal activity to PDC. Subsequent use of CHX gluconate or digluconate-preserved Eimeria oocysts, cold-stored at 4°C for 5 months, as the inoculum also resulted in similar oocyst shedding and recovery rates when compared to PDC-preserved oocysts. These data show that using 0.20% CHX gluconate could be a suitable replacement for PDC. Additionally, autofluorescence was used as a method to evaluate oocyst viability. Administration of artificially aged oocysts exhibiting >99% autofluorescence from each preserved treatment resulted in no oocyst output for CHX salt groups.

Investigation of generative high temperature tolerances of some cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties

The potential of cotton genotypes to form buds, flowers and bolls is not sufficient to achieve cotton seed yield targets. Despite global warming buds, flowers and bolls that mature in cotton plants must be successfully transformed into products. However, this is related to the generative tolerance of the genotype to high temperature. In study aims to scan the negative effects of high temperature stress on the generative development on cotton varieties registered in Turkey in the last 10 years. The experiment was established in the GAP International Agricultural Research and Training Center trial field in 2020, with 4 blocks according to the Augmented design. Six standards (Tamcot Spnhix, SJU86, AGC208, ST468, ST474, Carmen) and 88 cotton varieties registered in Turkey National Variety List were used as trial material. In this study, high temperature pollen vitality stress index (HTPVSI) and high temperature shedding stress index (HTSSI) properties were investigated. According to the results of the experiments we conducted, it was determined that the HTPVSI values ranged between 0.17-1.26, the HTPVSI averages of the standards were 1.17, and the HTPVSI averages of the genotypes were 0.99. It has been determined that HTSSI values vary between 0.30-1.71. It was determined that the mean HTSSI values of the standards were 0.89 and the genotypes were 1.00. It was determined that there was a wide variation among the genotypes screened for generatively high temperature stress. Using HTSSI and HTPVSI features is recommended as a selection criterion since it is an important trait for screening genotypes in terms of tolerance or sensitivity to generative high temperature stress in cotton plants. In our study, the results were not similar to each other in terms of HTPVSI and HTSSI traits, due to the low share of flower shedding after applying HTSP (High Temperature Shock Practice: 96 hours of uninterrupted exposure to high temperature during generative periods) in the shedding rate. When the examined HTSSI and HTPVSI traits were examined together, no cotton genotypes were found to be generatively tolerant. In terms of sensitivity of genotypes to high temperature, 18 cotton genotypes were found in the medium tolerant group and 25 cotton genotypes were found in the sensitive group.

Identification of novel TACE inhibitors using DNN based- virtual screening, molecular dynamics and biological evaluation

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a well-known autoimmune inflammatory disease, distressing roughly 1% of the adult population throughout the globe. Many studies have suggested that overexpression of TNF-α, a pro-inflammatory cytokine, is responsible for the progression of RA. Furthermore, inhibition of the shedding rate of TNF-α is regulated by the TACE (TNF-α converting enzyme) protein and, hence is considered as an important therapeutic target for the prevention of progressive synovial joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis. In the present study, we have proposed a deep neural network (DNN)-based workflow for the virtual screening of compounds towards the identification of potential inhibitors against the TACE proteins. Subsequently, a set of compounds were shortlisted, based on the molecular docking and subjected to the biological evaluation to validate the inhibitory activities of the screened compounds, determine the practical applicability of the DNN-based model, and strengthen the hypothesis. Out of seven, three compounds (BTB10246, BTB10247, and BTB10245) showed significant inhibition at 10 µM and 0.1 µM concentration. These three compounds also showed a stable and significant interaction potential against the TACE protein as compared with the re-docked complex system and can serve as a novel scaffold for further design of new molecules with improved inhibitory activities against TACE. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Evaluating the theoretical performance of aircraft wastewater monitoring as a tool for SARS-CoV-2 surveillance.

Air travel plays an important role in the cross-border spread of infectious diseases. During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic many countries introduced strict border testing protocols to monitor the incursion of the virus. However, high implementation costs and significant inconvenience to passengers have led public health authorities to consider alternative methods of disease surveillance at borders. Aircraft wastewater monitoring has been proposed as one such alternative. In this paper we assess the theoretical limits of aircraft wastewater monitoring and compare its performance to post-arrival border screening approaches. Using an infectious disease model, we simulate an unmitigated SARS-CoV-2 epidemic originating in a seed country and spreading to the United Kingdom (UK) through daily flights. We use a probabilistic approach to estimate the time of first detection in the UK in aircraft wastewater and respiratory swab screening. Across a broad range of model parameters, our analysis indicates that the median time between the first incursion and detection in wastewater would be approximately 17 days (IQR: 7-28 days), resulting in a median of 25 cumulative cases (IQR: 6-84 cases) in the UK at the point of detection. Comparisons to respiratory swab screening suggest that aircraft wastewater monitoring is as effective as random screening of 20% of passengers at the border, using a test with 95% sensitivity. For testing regimes with sensitivity of 85% or less, the required coverage to outperform wastewater monitoring increases to 30%. Analysis of other model parameters suggests that wastewater monitoring is most effective when used on long-haul flights where probability of defecation is above 30%, and when the target pathogen has high faecal shedding rates and reasonable detectability in wastewater. These results demonstrate the potential use cases of aircraft wastewater monitoring and its utility in a wider system of public health surveillance.

Genetic Characterization and Pathogenesis of H5N1 High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Virus Isolated in South Korea during 2021-2022.

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4 H5Nx have been circulating in poultry and wild birds worldwide since 2014. In South Korea, after the first clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAI viruses were isolated from wild birds in October 2021, additional HPAIV outbreaks occurred in poultry farms until April 2022. In this study, we genetically characterized clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAIV isolates in 2021-2022 and examined the pathogenicity and transmissibility of A/mandarin duck/Korea/WA585/2021 (H5N1) (WA585/21) in chickens and ducks. Clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 HPAI viruses caused 47 outbreaks in poultry farms and were also detected in multiple wild birds. Phylogenetic analysis of HA and NA genes indicated that Korean H5N1 HPAI isolates were closely related to Eurasian viruses isolated in 2021-2022. Four distinct genotypes of H5N1 HPAI viruses were identified in poultry, and the majority were also found in wild birds. WA585/21 inoculated chickens showed virulent pathogenicity with high mortality and transmission. Meanwhile, ducks infected with the virus showed no mortality but exhibited high rates of transmission and longer viral shedding than chickens, suggesting that they may play an important role as silent carriers. In conclusion, consideration of both genetic and pathogenic traits of H5N1 HPAI viruses is required for effective viral control.

Attached Ulva meridionalis on nearshore dikes may pose a new ecological risk in the Yellow Sea

Green tides have been reported to occur in many sea areas worldwide. In China, most of them are caused by Ulva spp., such as Ulva prolifera and Ulva meridionalis. Green tide algae shed are frequently the initial biomass for the formation of green tide. Human activities and seawater eutrophication are the fundamental causes of the formation of the green tides in the Bohai Sea, Yellow Sea, and South China Sea, but other environmental factors may also have an impact on the shedding of green tide algae, such as typhoons and currents. Algae shedding is divided into artificial shedding and natural shedding. However, few studies have explored the relationship between algal natural shedding and environmental factors. pH, sea surface temperature, and salinity are critical environmental factors affecting the physiological state of algae. Therefore, based on field observations of the shedding of attached green macroalgae in Binhai Harbor, this study assessed the correlation between the shedding rate and environmental factors (pH, sea surface temperature, and salinity). The green algae that shed from Binhai Harbor in August 2022 were all identified as U. meridionalis. The shedding rate range was 0.88% ± 0.11% d−1 to 4.78% ± 1.76% d−1, and was not correlated with pH, sea surface temperature, or salinity; however, the environmental conditions were very suitable for the proliferation of U. meridionalis. This study provided a reference for the shedding mechanism of green tide algae and revealed that with the frequent human activities along the coast, U. meridionalis may pose a new ecological risk in the Yellow Sea.

Enhancement of Dropwise Condensation Heat Transfer through a Sprayable Superhydrophobic Coating.

Improving the shedding rate of condensed droplets has many applications in industries and daily problems, including increasing heat transfer and self-cleaning properties. One way to achieve this goal is by enhancement of the wetting properties of surfaces. In this research, the hierarchical superhydrophobic coating over aluminum has been applied using a relatively cost-effective method, spraying, which is also applicable to any metal surface used as a condenser. According to the results obtained from the experimental tests, the fabricated surface is highly superhydrophobic, with a contact angle of 158° and contact angle hysteresis of less than 5°. The results show that the presented surface increases the heat transfer coefficient by 20.6% at the subcooling temperature of 25.5 °C when the surface temperature and relative humidity are 70 °C and 98%, respectively. In addition, this coated surface showed great potential at lower surface temperatures by increasing the water condensation rate as much as 50.5% at the subcooling temperature of 12 °C, when the surface temperature and relative humidity are 11.25 °C and 70%, respectively. Therefore, it is found that for the fabricated superhydrophobic paint in the present study, the effectiveness of the dropwise condensation mode profoundly depends on surface temperatures besides subcooling temperatures. In other words, a surface with lower temperatures shows better performance for the same subcooling temperatures. In addition, various types of durability tests are carried out. The results reveal that this coating has good durability against high surface temperatures, submerged conditions for 30 days, imposing hot steam for 150 h, corrosion, and organic solvents. Hence, it is suitable for industrial applications.

Rock pools as a source of environmental DNA for the detection of the threatened Pilbara olive python (Liasis olivaceus barroni)

Environmental DNA (eDNA) research is transforming biomonitoring at a global scale, but applicability to reptiles has been restricted because of their presumed low shedding rate. Consequently, eDNA may have considerable limitations as a biomonitoring tool in Australia where 40% of the terrestrial vertebrates are reptiles. However, there is a need to evaluate if method improvements, such as targeting certain substrates, improve the ability to detect reptile eDNA. The Pilbara olive python (Liasis olivaceus barroni) is an uncommon and elusive Australian top predator with a high conservation priority. Like many other snake species, Pilbara olive pythons are challenging to monitor with traditional survey methods; therefore, exploring an eDNA-based approach is highly relevant. The pythons are known to occasionally reside in rock pools. Thus, the development of a reliable eDNA-based approach to detect the pythons in water would provide a needed alternative method. Here, we use a previously developed metabarcoding assay targeting reptiles, to sequence a total of 228 water samples collected from 40 rock pools and drainage pools from six broad locations across the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and we confirm the presence of Pilbara olive python eDNA in 37 samples from 12 of those pools at three of the six broad sampling locations. Other vertebrate taxa, including other reptiles, amphibians, mammals, and birds, were also detected. Our documented ability to detect Pilbara olive python eDNA from rock pool water samples represents an important step toward eDNA-based precision monitoring of this species.