parvum strain isolated from the turtle and other C. parvum strains previously detected in cattle from the Lublin province. CONCLUSIONS There was no clinical evidence that the red-eared slider turtle was truly infected rather than being merely a mechanical parasite carrier. Sporadic detection of this protozoan parasite in the studied population of IAS turtles could be associated with low natural occurrence of Cryptosporidium infections in this animal species. The results provide evidence for possible transmission of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species by IAS turtles.PURPOSE In Indian subcontinent, the epidemiological studies on the status of ticks in the transmission of Coxiella burnetii have not been explored comprehensively. The objective of the present study was to investigate the status of ticks for C. burnetii among coxiellosis positive cattle. METHODS The present study was carried out in three locations of the northern states of India. A total of 1648 tick samples were collected from the tick infested cattle (n = 146) that were tested positive for coxiellosis by indirect serum-ELISA assay and/or the trans-PCR assay. The tick samples were screened using the trans-PCR assay targeting species-specific IS1111 transposase gene of C. burnetii. The sequencing of PCR products was planned to differentiate C. burnetii and Coxiella-like bacteria (CLB). RESULTS The collected ticks were identified as Rhipicephalus microplus (n = 1049), Hyalomma anatolicum (n = 416), and Hyalomma spp. (n = 183). On molecular investigation, none of the collected tick samples were found to be positive for the IS1111 gene. CONCLUSION The findings of the present study ruled out the involvement of ticks in circulation of the pathogen within the cattle population that were screened. However, extensive epidemiological studies are needed to conclusively rule out or establish the role of ticks as a competent vector for C. burnetii transmission in cattle and other hosts.INTRODUCTION We compared treatment switch patterns and healthcare costs among biologic-naive patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) who initiated apremilast or biologics. METHODS A 12 propensity score match was used to adjust administrative claims data for adults initiating apremilast or biologics from January 1, 2014, to September 30, 2016, for possible selection bias. Patients had at least 12 months of pre- and post-index continuous enrollment in the Optum Clinformatics™ Data Mart database. selleck chemicals llc Outcomes included switch frequency, days to switch, adherence on index treatment, and healthcare costs (total and per patient per month). Switch rate was defined as the proportion of patients who switched to a new treatment after initiation of the index treatment, and days to switch was calculated as the days between initiation of the index treatment and initiation of the new treatment. Adherence was calculated using the proportion of days covered and the medication possession ratio. The t test and chi-square, Kaplan-Mer this article.BACKGROUND The optimal evidence-based prophylactic antibiotic regimen for surgical site infections following major head and neck surgery remains a matter of debate. METHODS Medline, Cochrane, and Embase were searched for the current best evidence. Retrieved manuscripts were screened according to the PRISMA guidelines. Included studies dealt with patients over 18 years of age that underwent clean-contaminated head and neck surgery (P) and compared the effect of an intervention, perioperative administration of different antibiotic regimens for a variable duration (I), with control groups receiving placebo, another antibiotic regimen, or the same antibiotic for a different postoperative duration (C), on surgical site infection rate as primary outcome (O) (PICO model). A systematic review was performed, and a selected group of trials investigating a similar research question was subjected to a random-effects model meta-analysis. RESULTS Thirty-nine studies were included in the systematic review. Compared with placebo, cefazolin, ampicillin-sulbactam, and amoxicillin-clavulanate were the most efficient agents. Benzylpenicillin and clindamycin were clearly less effective. Fifteen studies compared short- to long-term prophylaxis; treatment for more than 48 h did not further reduce wound infections. Meta-analysis of five clinical trials including 4336 patients, where clindamycin was compared with ampicillin-sulbactam, implied an increased infection rate for clindamycin-treated patients (OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.50-4.97, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION In clean-contaminated head and neck surgery, cefazolin, amoxicillin-clavulanate, and ampicillin-sulbactam for 24-48 h after surgery were associated with the highest prevention rate of surgical site infection.Activated factor X (FXa) is strongly linked to various inflammatory events. This study aimed to investigate the effect of FXa on janus kinase2/signal transducers and activators of transcription3 (JAK2/STAT3) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation in relation to rheumatoid arthritis (RA). It also extends its scope to explore the possible anti-arthritic effects of apixaban, a selective FXa inhibitor. Rats were allocated into normal control; complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA, 0.4 ml/4 days/12 days); FXa (120 µg/kg/day/3 days) and CFA + FXa groups as well as three treated groups including CFA + apixaban; FXa + apixaban and CFA + FXa + apixaban. Apixaban was administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg/12 h for15 days. By the end of the experimental period, tissue samples were collected for the assessment of phosphorylated (p)-JAK2, STAT3, MAPK, matrixmetalloprotein-1 (MMP-1) and protease-activated receptor 2. Furthermore, Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), anti-citrullinated protein antibody (ACPA), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), plasma level of FXa and prothrombin time were evaluated. In support, histopathological and macroscopical examinations were performed. FXa activated JAK2, STAT3 and MAPK phosphorylation through activation of PAR 2, PDGF and IL-6 and concomitantly led to a significant elevation in ACPA, MMP-1 and 8-OHdG. Apixaban markedly amended FXa-induced changes. Conclusively, the current study revealed that FXa may have a drastic role in RA progression and pathogenesis at least through stimulation of JAK2/STAT3 and MAPK phosphorylation. Furthermore, apixaban exerted robust arthro-protective effects. These beneficial outcomes could be attributed to its ability to impede JAK2/STAT3 and MAPK activation, as well as to its antioxidant property.