Biology, Engineering, Medicine and Science Reports

First Impression of Greek University Students on Taking Massive e-Exams due to COVID-19 Pandemic

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Dear Editor-in-Chief,

Previous letters have suggested the implementation of certain measures to either ameliorate the effects of the financial crisis or even modernize the Greek academic institutions over the previous decade (2010-2019), either in general¹ or in the context of biomedical education.² In these letters, the authors proposed a series of predesigned steps to achieve the desired results. What we would like to raise the attention of the readership to, is another driving force of change in the Greek academic sector (other than carefully designed plans): forced adaptation to external circumstances, like to COVID-19 pandemic. Some European countries (like the United Kingdom or Nordic countries) have made serious investments in e-learning platforms and curricula over the last 10-15 years (and thus acclimatized their corresponding academic communities into the concept of e-exams),³ while others, like Greece, are not similarly mature in efficiently (from an organizational, pedagogic and technological point of view) integrating distant learning approaches and e-examinations into their academic curricula. Read more...

Canine Cryptorchidism: A Concise Review of its Origin, Diagnosis and Treatment Caroline Spangenberg

Caroline Spangenberg — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Cryptorchidism is a heritable, autosomal recessive trait in dogs. Due to the anticipated nature of the defect, animals with this condition should not be used for breeding as it poses the possibility of the trait being inherited by offspring. The incidence rate of cryptorchidism in dogs is reported to be ranging from 0.8 to 10% with a relatively higher prevalence in smaller breeds and purebred dogs, such as the English Bulldog, Boxer, Chihuahua, Shetland Sheepdog, Siberian Husky and Yorkshire Terrier. This report gives a brief overview of origin, diagnosis and treatment of canine cryptorchidism.

Potential Use of Haematopoietic or Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Immune Mediated Neutropenia in Domestic Canines

Arun HS Kumar — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

In domestic canines, neutrophils are the major component of white blood cells, which when reduced in numbers (neutropenia) can significantly compromise innate immune physiology. Several conditions are known to cause neutropenia in canines, however when neutropenia is observed without any underlying cause, it is suspected to be immune mediated neutropenia (IMN). Although IMN is treated symptomatically using immunosuppression therapy, the recent developments in stem cell therapies offer therapeutic potential especially in IMN cases which relapse. This brief report outlines the merit of haematopoietic (HSC) and/or mesenchymal (MSC) stem cells in the treatment of IMN in domestic canines. The known efficacy of HSC to repopulate the stem cell niche responsible for production of neutrophils in bone marrow together with the immunomodulatory properties of MSC can be therapeutic against IMN. Such innovative stem cell based therapies for IMN in domestic canine’s merits clinical evaluation.

Pan-hysterectomy for Closed Pyometra in a Dog

Dayamon David Mathew, Vinod Kumar, Rahul Kumar Udehiya, Naresh Kumar Singh — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

Pyometra is infection of the uterus with presence of pus inside the uterus. A 2.5 years old intact female dog weighing 25 kgs was presented with a history of anorexia and pain on palpation of thoraco-abdominal region. On physical examination, the abdomen was tensed. Lateral abdominal radiography and ultrasonography was performed and diagnosed as pyometra which is a closed-cervix type. Pan-hysterectomy was performed under general anesthesia as treatment to save the animal. Post-operatively the animal was on antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for 5 days and kept on fluid therapy for 3 days. The pet had an uneventful recovery.

Percutaneous Ultrasound Guided Drainage of Prostatic Abscess in a Dog

Rahul Kumar Udehiya, Daymon D Mathew, Vinod Kumar, Naresh Kumar Singh — Wed, 03 Mar 2021 00:00:00 -0500

A 7 year old male German shepherd dog presented with a history of blood in urine at hourly intervals having difficulty in defecation as well. Moreover, it was also loosing body weight during the past few months. Upon, ultrasonography it was observed as prostatic enlargement and diagnosed as prostatic abscess. Subsequently, the treatment went along was with gentamicin irrigation of the abscess after percutaneous drainage under ultrasound guidance and with systemic antimicrobial therapy. Excellent recovery was observed with no further complications seen or reported up to six months following the treatment.