Uncontrolled Spread Research Articles

The influence of telehealth-based interventions in patients with cancer in the digital era of society 5.0: A literature review

Background: Cancer is a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells, which can result in death if not managed. It is important for cancer patients to be able to participate in long-term treatment programs. Therefore, a good support system, healthcare professionals' support, and the utilization of information technology in healthcare services are needed. The management of cancer is also expected to adapt to the era of Society 5.0. The use of Telehealth has been recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) to support current healthcare services. The implementation of the combination of telehealth is expected to be a solution for holistic cancer care in the digital era. Purpose: To explore the effectiveness of telehealth-based interventions on cancer patients in the digital era of society 5.0. Method: Literature review using online databases such as Sage Journals, Science Direct, Clinical Key Nursing, and PubMed. Inclusion criteria: articles on the application of telehealth for cancer patients, available in full text in English, published between 2020-2023. Exclusion criteria: articles published before 2020, articles that do not discuss telehealth in cancer patients, and literature review studies. Results: Analysis of the 13 articles used shows the important role of combining telehealth (telenursing, telepalliative, telerehabilitation, teleoncology), which is beneficial not only for cancer patients but also for nurses and other healthcare professionals in providing good quality, safe, effective, and efficient healthcare services in the digital era of society 5.0. Conclusion: Telehealth-based cancer rehabilitation demonstrates a positive impact that warrants further evaluation and study.

Implementation of an Immunoassay Based on the MVA-T7pol-Expression System for Rapid Identification of Immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 Antigens: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

The emergence of hitherto unknown viral pathogens presents a great challenge for researchers to develop effective therapeutics and vaccines within a short time to avoid an uncontrolled global spread, as seen during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therefore, rapid and simple methods to identify immunogenic antigens as potential therapeutical targets are urgently needed for a better pandemic preparedness. To address this problem, we chose the well-characterized Modified Vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA)-T7pol expression system to establish a workflow to identify immunogens when a new pathogen emerges, generate candidate vaccines, and test their immunogenicity in an animal model. By using this system, we detected severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) nucleoprotein (N)-, and spike (S)-specific antibodies in COVID-19 patient sera, which is in line with the current literature and our observations from previous immunogenicity studies. Furthermore, we detected antibodies directed against the SARS-CoV-2-membrane (M) and -ORF3a proteins in COVID-19 patient sera and aimed to generate recombinant MVA candidate vaccines expressing either the M or ORF3a protein. When testing our candidate vaccines in a prime-boost immunization regimen in humanized HLA-A2.1-/HLA-DR1-transgenic H-2 class I-/class II-knockout mice, we were able to demonstrate M- and ORF3a-specific cellular and humoral immune responses. Hence, the established workflow using the MVA-T7pol expression system represents a rapid and efficient tool to identify potential immunogenic antigens and provides a basis for future development of candidate vaccines.

A SRC-slug-TGFβ2 signaling axis drives poor outcomes in triple-negative breast cancers

SummaryIn our study, we focused on a particular subtype of aggressive breast cancer called Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC). We investigated a complex series of events that contribute to poor outcomes in this disease and uncovered a crucial signaling cascade driving tumor growth and progression.At the core of this signaling cascade are three key proteins: SRC, AKT, and ERK2. Together, they form a pathway that activates a transcription factor called Slug. Transcription factors act like molecular switches, controlling the expression of genes. Once Slug is activated, it strongly suppresses genes that would normally restrict cell growth and cell spread.One of the genes downregulated by Slug is TGFB2-AS1. This product of the TGFB2-AS1 gene normally controls levels of its target protein called TGF-beta2 (TGFB2), a protein which has roles in cell growth, cell migration and differentiation. Slug downregulation of TGFB2-AS1 results in higher TGFB2 levels, and this in turn contributes to the uncontrolled growth and spread of cancer cells. TGFB2, and other proteins in this pathway (SRC, AKT, ERK2, and a Slug interactor called LSD1) all maintain the stability of Slug, meaning that Slug levels remain high and drive the aggressive features of this subtype of breast cancer.Overall, our research sheds light on the intricate molecular mechanisms driving aggressive TNBC. It also identifies potential targets for future therapies, aimed at disrupting this harmful signaling pathway and potentially improving patient outcomes for this disease.

Identification of New Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Potentially Related to Small Ruminant Lentivirus Infection Susceptibility in Goats Based on Data Selected from High-Throughput Sequencing.

Small ruminant lentivirus (SRLV) infections are spread in the flocks of sheep and goats all over the world, causing economic loss. Although only a fraction of infected animals develop disease symptoms, all of them may shed the virus, causing uncontrolled spread of the infection. Antibodies against the virus can be detected in the blood of infected animals and are the main marker of infection. Additionally, in most infected animals, proviral DNA can also be detected, but at different levels. Due to the lack of treatment or vaccines, the most effective strategy to prevent SRLV infections are control programmes introduced by several countries based on the elimination of seropositive individuals from the flock. An alternative approach, which has currently become the rationale, is an identification of host factors which may predispose certain individuals or breeds to resistance or susceptibility to small ruminant lentivirus infection. In our work, attention was paid to goats of the Carpathian breed infected with SRLV. Available RNA-seq results from the blood of 12 goats with a determined level of SRLV proviral load were used to analyse single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by the variant calling method. Six SNPs within five genes (POU2AF1, BCAT2, TMEM154, PARP14, UBASH3A) were selected for genotyping to determine their association with the level of small ruminant lentivirus proviral DNA in a group of 60 goats. Interestingly, in seronegative individuals, only the TT genotype of the PARP14 gene was observed, while the TMEM154 CC genotype was found only in seropositive goats. Both genes may be considered potential markers for resistance/susceptibility to SRLV infection. In contrast, polymorphisms identified in POU2AF1 and UBASH3A genes seemed to be deleterious for respective protein functions; therefore, these genes are less likely to be recognised as resistance/susceptibility markers of SRLV infection.

Conventional and Modern Techniques to Treat Cancer

Cancer is global health problem responsible for one in six deaths worldwide. Treating cancer has been a highly complex process. Based on common belief, herbal medicine with the least possible side effect should be the centre of attention in cancer care. Cancer remains one of the most formidable challenges in modern medicine, with diverse forms and intricate mechanisms of progression. Cancer is a complex and multifaceted group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. This abstract provides a broad overview of various cancer types, highlighting their prevalence, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and treatment options. The main objective of cancer treatment is – How to discover? How to detect? How to prevent? How to treat? There are various herbal drugs that are used to treat cancer. Some mentioned drugs are as follows- curcumin, astragalus, wheat grass, green tea, garlic and ashwagandha, cinnamon and zinger etc… The most widely used traditional treatment methods are surgery chemotherapy and radiotherapy while modern modalities includes hormone therapy, targeted cell therapy, steam cell therapies, immunotherapies, radiation therapies, and antioxidants drugs. As we known some modern techniques are also used in treatment in cancer such as – Nano medicine, nano therapy, liquid biopsies and gene editing.

Deployment of tethered gene drive for confined suppression in continuous space requires avoiding drive wave interference.

Gene drives have great potential for suppression of pest populations and removal of exotic invasive species. CRISPR homing suppression drive is a powerful but unconfined drive, posing risks of uncontrolled spread. Thus, developing methods for confining a gene drive is of great significance. Tethered drive combines a confined system such as Toxin-Antidote Recessive Embryo drive with a strong drive such as a homing suppression drive. It can prevent the homing drive from spreading beyond the confined drive and can be constructed readily, giving it good prospects for future development. However, we have found that care must be taken when deploying tethered drive systems in some scenarios. Simulations of tethered drive in a panmictic population model reveal that successful deployment requires a proper release ratio between the two components, tailored to prevent the suppression drive from eliminating the confined system before it has the chance to spread. Spatial models where the population moves over a one-dimensional landscape display a more serious phenomenon of drive wave interference between the two tethered drive components. If the faster suppression drive wave catches up to the confined drive wave, success is still possible, but it is dependent on drive performance and ecological parameters. Two-dimensional simulations further restrict the parameter range for drive success. Thus, careful consideration must be given to drive performance and ecological conditions, as well as specific release proposals for potential application of tethered drive systems.

КЫРГЫЗСТАНДАГЫ ДИНИЙ УЮМДАРДЫН САЯСИЙ УКУКТУК АБАЛЫ

The Constitution of the Kyrgyz Republic guarantees everyone freedom of conscience and religion, prohibits the establishment of any religion as State or compulsory, ensures the separation of religion and all rituals from the State, prohibits the interference of religious associations and clergy in the activities of State bodies. During the years of independence, restrictions on ritual, social, industrial, economic and other activities of religious associations were lifted in the Kyrgyz Republic, and liberal state policy in the religious sphere stimulated the growth of the number of associations and facilities. People living in Kyrgyzstan have an ideological vacuum, which, due to the lack of an effective mechanism for civil identity, leads to the uncontrolled spread of other identities, including religious ones. Radical and extremist organizations that conduct underground activities and are able to take advantage of this problem have a negative impact on the religious situation. In this article, the author analyzes the ongoing research on the state policy of the Kyrgyz Republic in the religious sphere, including the political and legal situation of religious organizations in Kyrgyzstan, gives appropriate recommendations to state and local governments and public institutions to solve emerging problems and problems in this direction.

Strategies and bottlenecks to tackle infodemic in public health: a scoping review.

The World Health Organization defines "infodemic" as the phenomenon of an uncontrolled spread of information in digital and physical environments during a disease outbreak, causing confusion and risk-taking behaviors that can harm health. The aim of this scoping review is to examine international evidence and identify strategies and bottlenecks to tackle health-related fake news. We performed a scoping review of the literature from 1 January 2018 to 26 January 2023 on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus electronic databases. We also performed a search of grey literature on institutional websites. The research question has been defined according to the PCC (population, concept, and context) mnemonic for constructing research questions in scoping reviews. The overall research in the scientific databases yielded a total of 5,516 records. After removing duplicates, and screening the titles, abstracts, and full texts, we included 21 articles from scientific literature. Moreover, 5 documents were retrieved from institutional websites. Based on their content, we decided to group recommendations and bottlenecks into five different and well-defined areas of intervention, which we called strategies: "foster proper communication through the collaboration between science and social media companies and users," "institutional and regulatory interventions," "check and debunking," "increase health literacy," and "surveillance and monitoring through new digital tools." The multidisciplinary creation of standardized toolkits that collect recommendations from the literature and institutions can provide a valid solution to limit the infodemic, increasing the health education of both citizens and health professionals, providing the knowledge to recognize fake news, as well as supporting the creation and validation of AI tools aimed at prebunking and debunking.

The role of DAPK2 as a key regulatory element in various human cancers: a systematic review.

Cancer is considered the uncontrolled growth and spread of cells into neighboring tissues, a process governed at the molecular level by many different factors, including abnormalities in the protein family's death-associated kinase (DAPK). DAPK2 is a member of the DAPK protein family, which plays essential roles in several cellular processes. DAPK2 acts as a tumor suppressor, interacting with several proteins, such as TNF, IFN, etc. during apoptosis and autophagy. Expression of DAPK2 causes changes in the structure of the cell, ultimately leading to cell death by apoptosis. In this essay, studies are obtained from Scopus, PubMed, and the Web of Science. According to these investigations, DAPK2 activates autophagy by interacting with AMPK, mTORC1, and p73. Furthermore, DAPK2 induces apoptosis pathway via interacting with the p73 family and JNK. In general, due to the vital role of DAPK2 in cell physiology and its effect on various factors and signaling pathways, it can be a potent target in the treatment of various cancers, including gastric, ovarian, breast, and other prominent cancers.

New paradigms to break barriers in early cancer detection for improved prognosis and treatment outcomes.

The uncontrolled growth and spread of cancerous cells beyond their usual boundaries into surrounding tissues characterizes cancer. In developed countries, cancer is the leading cause of death, while in underdeveloped nations, it ranks second. Using existing cancer diagnostic tools has increased early detection rates, which is crucial for effective cancer treatment. In recent decades, there has been significant progress in cancer-specific survival rates owing to advances in cancer detection and treatment. The ability to accurately identify precursor lesions is a crucial aspect of effective cancer screening programs, as it enables early treatment initiation, leading to lower long-term incidence of invasive cancer and improved overall prognosis. However, these diagnostic methods have limitations, such as high costs and technical challenges, which can make accurate diagnosis of certain deep-seated tumors difficult. To achieve accurate cancer diagnosis and prognosis, it is essential to continue developing cutting-edge technologies in molecular biology and cancer imaging.

Exploration of Socio-Cultural Aspects of Cancer Patients Who Refuse Chemotherapy: Literature Review

Background: Cancer is a multifaceted disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells. Socio-cultural background plays an important role in many aspects of cancer patients' lives, including beliefs, behaviors, perceptions, emotions, and attitudes towards illness and pain. Objective: The aim of this study was to explore the socio-cultural aspects of cancer patients who refuse chemotherapy. Methods: The research method used was a systematic review by identifying journal articles published online consisting of English language from 2019-2024. Articles were retrieved using PubMed, ScieceDirect, and JSTOR search engine tools. Results: There were 5 journals based on the inclusion criteria. Conclusion: The results showed that socio-cultural aspects have a complex influence on cancer patients' decision to refuse chemotherapy.

<i>Heracleum sosnowskyi</i> (Apiaceae): eradication or wise utilization of plant raw Materials?

The uncontrolled spreading of the monodominant colonies of Sosnowsky's hogweed Heracleum sosnowskyi Manden. (Apiaceae) in Russia made the researchers look for methods of using its biomass in various sectors of the economy, which should prevent its further spread. The proposed methods of using plant biomass and technologies for obtaining useful substances from H. sosnowskyi have been developed regardless of inevitable changes in populations’ characteristics: in populations on abandoned lands that are currently unaffected by anthropogenic disturbance, under regular utilization the regeneration will decrease, resulting in reduced yields and profitability of production. It is possible to maintain a high yield of hogweed necessary for its utilization only under strictly controlled cultivation, which prevents its “escape”; however, it is not possible now, as this species has been removed from the State Register of Breeding Achievements Approved for Use. At the same time, there is a sufficient range of alternative sources of raw materials that contain useful substances, which are suggested to be obtained from H. sosnowskyi. Harvesting of H. sosnowskyi for raw materials from the roadside treelines and small rivers' riparian areas is so much a problem, that it is not considered in publications, although these particular ecotopes are the constant foci of ongoing invasion. Due to the uncontrolled spread of the H. sosnowskyi, the biodiversity of agricultural lands, including wild-growing food, technical and medicinal plants (including wild relatives of cultivated plants) are under threat.

Curcumin and its Derivatives Targeting Multiple Signaling Pathways to Elicit Anticancer Activity: A Comprehensive Perspective.

The uncontrolled growth and spread of aberrant cells characterize the group of disorders known as cancer. According to GLOBOCAN 2022 analysis of cancer patients in either developed countries or developing countries the main concern cancers are breast cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer which may rise eventually. Natural substances with dietary origins have gained interest for their low toxicity, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. The evaluation of dietary natural products as chemopreventive and therapeutic agents, the identification, characterization, and synthesis of their active components, as well as the enhancement of their delivery and bioavailability, have all received significant attention. Thus, the treatment strategy for concerning cancers must be significantly evaluated and may include the use of phytochemicals in daily lifestyle. In the present perspective, we discussed one of the potent phytochemicals, that has been used over the past few decades known as curcumin as a panacea drug of the "Cure-all" therapy concept. In our review firstly we included exhausted data from in vivo and in vitro studies on breast cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer which act through various cancer-targeting pathways at the molecular level. Now, the second is the active constituent of turmeric known as curcumin and its derivatives are enlisted with their targeted protein in the molecular docking studies, which help the researchers design and synthesize new curcumin derivatives with respective implicated molecular and cellular activity. However, curcumin and its substituted derivatives still need to be investigated with unknown targeting mechanism studies in depth.

Chemotherapeutic Efficacy of Rutin in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Cancer is a complex group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. It causes millions of deaths each year and remaining a significant global health concern for both men and women. Effective treatment strategies are crucial for improving patient outcomes in breast cancer, particularly in the case of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2). Chemotherapy, like paclitaxel and docetaxel, is the standard treatment for TNBC due to the lack of targeted therapies for this subtype. Paclitaxel (PTX) is a widely used chemotherapeutic medication that is particularly effective against lung, ovarian, and other cancers; nevertheless, its clinical use is limited due to its multi-organ toxicity. As a result, the current study aims to improve treatment efficacy and reduce PTX-induced toxicity through the concurrent use of the natural polyphenolic substance Rutin. Rutin hydrate (purity > 94%) and paclitaxel were utilized in in vitro studies with 4T1 and MDA MB-231 cell lines. In the proliferation assay, cells were treated with rutin and paclitaxel at varying concentrations. Cytochrome-c release and cell cycle analysis were conducted, and flow cytometry assessed apoptosis. According to the findings of this investigation, rutin in combination with PTX considerably (P<0.05) lowers the growth and proliferation of breast cancer cell lines in vitro. Furthermore, flow cytometry research revealed that combining rutin with PTX triggered GO/Gl cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a breast cancer cell line. Furthermore, after co-administration of rutin and PTX, mitochondrial depolarization increased significantly (P<0.05). Thus, the current study convincingly established rutin’s sensitizing activity and suggests it could be a potential adjuvant in cancer chemotherapy.

In silico approaches for drug repurposing in oncology: a scoping review.

Introduction: Cancer refers to a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. Due to its complexity, it has been hard to find an ideal medicine to treat all cancer types, although there is an urgent need for it. However, the cost of developing a new drug is high and time-consuming. In this sense, drug repurposing (DR) can hasten drug discovery by giving existing drugs new disease indications. Many computational methods have been applied to achieve DR, but just a few have succeeded. Therefore, this review aims to show in silico DR approaches and the gap between these strategies and their ultimate application in oncology. Methods: The scoping review was conducted according to the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations. Relevant studies were identified through electronic searching of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, as well as the grey literature. We included peer-reviewed research articles involving in silico strategies applied to drug repurposing in oncology, published between 1 January 2003, and 31 December 2021. Results: We identified 238 studies for inclusion in the review. Most studies revealed that the United States, India, China, South Korea, and Italy are top publishers. Regarding cancer types, breast cancer, lymphomas and leukemias, lung, colorectal, and prostate cancer are the top investigated. Additionally, most studies solely used computational methods, and just a few assessed more complex scientific models. Lastly, molecular modeling, which includes molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, was the most frequently used method, followed by signature-, Machine Learning-, and network-based strategies. Discussion: DR is a trending opportunity but still demands extensive testing to ensure its safety and efficacy for the new indications. Finally, implementing DR can be challenging due to various factors, including lack of quality data, patient populations, cost, intellectual property issues, market considerations, and regulatory requirements. Despite all the hurdles, DR remains an exciting strategy for identifying new treatments for numerous diseases, including cancer types, and giving patients faster access to new medications.

Nanosphere Precision: Emulsomes Revolutionizing Cancer Targeted Therapy

Abstract: Emulsomes have gained attention because they are a novel lipoidal vesicular system that has an internal solid fat core surrounded by a phospholipid bilayer. Cancer is a complex and broad term that refers to a group of diseases characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells in the body. In the context of cancer targeting, emulsomes have shown promising potential due to their ability to improve the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of anticancer drugs, leading to enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity. This article addresses emulsomal composition, preparation techniques, and different kinds of emulsomes loaded with drugs like fluvastatin and raloxifene hydrochloride to target cancer cells. The use of emulsomes in cancer targeting holds great promise for improving the precision, efficacy, and safety of cancer treatments. A comprehensive search of relevant scientific literature was performed. This involved searching databases such as PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and others to identify relevant studies, articles, and reviews related to the topic. Emulsomes loaded with specific drugs show promising results in cancer treatment. Examples include piceatannol-loaded emulsomes for colon cancer, raloxifene hydrochloride-loaded emulsomes for breast cancer, and fluvastatin-loaded emulsomes for prostate cancer. Emulsomes represent a cutting-edge approach to cancer drug delivery, offering a versatile and effective solution to address challenges associated with traditional anticancer formulations. Ongoing research holds promise for the continued development of personalized cancer therapy.

β-lactamase expression induces collateral sensitivity in Escherichia coli

Major antibiotic groups are losing effectiveness due to the uncontrollable spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Among these, β-lactam resistance genes –encoding β-lactamases– stand as the most common resistance mechanism in Enterobacterales due to their frequent association with mobile genetic elements. In this context, novel approaches that counter mobile AMR are urgently needed. Collateral sensitivity (CS) occurs when the acquisition of resistance to one antibiotic increases susceptibility to another antibiotic and can be exploited to eliminate AMR selectively. However, most CS networks described so far emerge as a consequence of chromosomal mutations and cannot be leveraged to tackle mobile AMR. Here, we dissect the CS response elicited by the acquisition of a prevalent antibiotic resistance plasmid to reveal that the expression of the β-lactamase gene blaOXA-48 induces CS to colistin and azithromycin. We next show that other clinically relevant mobile β-lactamases produce similar CS responses in multiple, phylogenetically unrelated E. coli strains. Finally, by combining experiments with surveillance data comprising thousands of antibiotic susceptibility tests, we show that β-lactamase-induced CS is pervasive within Enterobacterales. These results highlight that the physiological side-effects of β-lactamases can be leveraged therapeutically, paving the way for the rational design of specific therapies to block mobile AMR or at least counteract their effects.

Predicting the global potential distribution of Bursaphelenchus xylophilus using an ecological niche model: expansion trend and the main driving factors.

Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner&Buhrer) Nickle is a global quarantine pest that causes devastating mortality in pine species. The rapid and uncontrollable parasitic spread of this organism results in substantial economic losses to pine forests annually. In this study, we used the MaxEnt model and GIS software ArcGIS10.8 to predict the distribution of B. xylophilus based on collected distribution points and 19 environmental variables (with a correlation coefficient of|R| > 0.8) for the contemporary period (1970-2000), 2041-2060 (2050s), 2061-2080 (2070s), and 2081-2100 (2090s) under four shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs). We conducted a comprehensive analysis of the key environmental factors affecting the geographical distribution of B. xylophilus and suitable distribution areas. Our results indicate that in current prediction maps B. xylophilus had potential suitable habitats in all continents except Antarctica, with East Asia being the region with the most highly suitable areas and the most serious epidemic area currently. Precipitation of the warmest quarter, temperature seasonality, precipitation of the wettest month, and maximum temperature of the warmest month were identified as key environmental variables that determine the distribution of B. xylophilus. Under future climatic conditions, the potential geographic distribution of B. xylophilus will expand relative to current conditions. In particular, under the SSP5-8.5 scenario in 2081-2100, suitable areas will expand to higher latitudes, and there will be significant changes in suitable areas in Europe, East Asia, and North America. These findings are crucial for future prevention and control management and monitoring.

Long-term outcomes of the Italian Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis control programme for dairy cattle.

The considerable epidemiological and economic implications of paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), have placed importance on control efforts aimed at preventing MAP transmission. In this context, Italy issued national guidelines for the control and status certification of MAP in dairy cattle in 2013. We assessed the long-term outcomes of the Italian MAP control programme for 14 dairy farms located in northern Italy by retrospectively reviewing the results of yearly serological tests, presence of clinical cases, MAP faecal shedding in serologically positive animals, farm management and health ranking as indicators of herd health between 2014 and 2021. A significantly higher number of serologically positive animals were observed between 2014 and 2016 than between 2017 and 2021, as well as an improving trend in the paratuberculosis health ranking for nine of the 14 farms. No clinical cases were reported. MAP shedding was detected in 9.4% of serologically positive animals. Discarding colostrum and prioritised culling of seropositive animals assisted by adoption of standardised serological testing were presumed to have a key role in MAP control, despite the reluctance of some farmers to address hygienic issues and improve the separation of calves from adult animals. The small number of farms included in this study and the fact that these were not randomly selected may limit the generalisability of the findings. The Italian paratuberculosis control plan has provided measures to limit the uncontrolled spread of MAP infection within and between herds by promoting animal trading between farms certified as negative or low risk.

A new record of the invasive vermiculated sailfin catfish Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus in the Wainganga River, Eastern Maharashtra, India

This study documents the presence of an exotic loricariid catfish species, Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus (Weber, 1991), in the Wainganga River of Maharashtra, India. Originally native to South America, sailfin catfish are now commonly used as ornamental fish beyond their natural habitat. The species was observed near Gosekhurd Dam (20°52'15"N and 79°37'00"E) along the Wainganga River. Two individual specimens were collected during the study, with an average total length (320.31-338.63 mm) and weight (500.21-540.31 g). The rapid expansion of these species and its potential impact on local fish populations and inland fishing resources have raised concerns. Immediate preventive measures are necessary to control the establishment and subsequent uncontrolled spread of P. disjunctivus, may be imminent which would be pose a threat to the freshwater biodiversity of the River Wainganga. Effective management strategies should be implemented to preserve the natural habitat of these species. This study provides the first documented occurrence of P. disjunctivus, a member of the Loricariidae, near the Gosekhurd dam on the Wainganga River in Maharashtra, India.