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The escalating issue of microplastic (MP) pollution poses a significant threat to the marine environment due to increasing plastic production and improper waste management. The current investigation was aimed at quantifying the MP concentration on 25 beaches on the Maharashtra coast, India. Beach sediments (1 kg) were collected from each site, with five replicates to evaluate the extent of MPs. The samples were homogenized, and three 20 g replicas were prepared for subsequent analysis. Later, the samples were sieved, and MPs were extracted using previously published protocols. The abundance of MPs found as 1.56 ± 0.79 MPs/g, ranges from 0.43 ± 0.07 to 3 ± 0.37 MPs/g. Fibers were found as the most abundant shape of MPs. Size‐wise classification revealed dominance of <1 mm and 1–2 mm‐sized MPs. Blue‐ and black‐colored MPs were recorded dominantly. Polymer identification of MPs revealed polyurethane, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic or polymethyl methacrylate, and rubber. The findings revealed that MPs were found to be higher at highly impacted sites, followed by moderately impacted sites and low‐impacted sites, possibly due to a different degree of anthropogenic pressure. The study recommended the urgent need for effective policy to prevent plastics accumulation in the coastal environment of Maharashtra State, India. Practitioner Points: The study investigated the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the marine environment, specifically in sediments.The most common type of microplastic found was fibers, followed by fragments and films.Microplastics were found to pose a potential risk to the marine ecosystem, although further research is needed to fully understand their ecological impact.Future research should focus on expanding the sample size, assessing long‐term effects, exploring sources and pathways, and considering size and shape of microplastics.The findings recommended urgent action to mitigate plastic pollution in Maharashtra coast. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In all 592 mesenteries and 368 intestinal contents were randomly screened to record the prevalence of visceral schistosomes and gastrointestinal (GI) parasites, respectively, in buffaloes slaughtered at Mumbai abattoir from March 2022 to February 2023. Out of 592 mesenteries, 95 (16.05%) were positive for Schistosoma spp., while intestinal contents of 38 out of 368 (10.32%) animals were positive for gastrointestinal parasites. The prevalence of schistosomes was highest in winter followed by summer and monsoon. Mild intensity of infection was predominant in 36.84% buffaloes, while 5.26% buffaloes showed moderate infection. Schistosomes recovered from the mesenteries were identified as Schistsoma spindale based on their morphometry with male flukes predominating the females. In slaughtered buffaloes, the highest incidence was from Thane followed by Mumbai and Satara districts of Maharashtra. Highest prevalence of GI parasites was recorded in summer followed by winter and monsoon. Considering the prevalence rate of visceral schistosomosis, it is concluded that animals and human in these regions are sub-clinically at risk, and therefore effective control strategies need to be implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio Immune Assay (RIA) is an extremely sensitive in vitro assay technique to measure concentrations of antigen viz. hormones in biological fluids using antibodies. The present study reports the status of total triiodothyronine (TT3) and total thyroxine (TT4) in Trypanosoma evansi infection in a dog, year 2022. An adult, non-descript, male dog was referred to the Department of Veterinary Nuclear Medicine, Mumbai Veterinary College, (MAFSU), Parel, Mumbai (India) with a history of inappetence, weakness, and ataxia of the hind limbs. Inspection revealed cachexia, anemia, bedsores, and mild mucopurulent ocular and nasal discharge. Clinical examination revealed pyrexia, polypnoea and tachycardia. There was an enlargement of popliteal, prescapular, and submandibular lymph nodes. The blood smear examination revealed severe infection of extracellular T. evansi. Laboratory investigations showed an altered haemato-biochemical profile. RIA-enabled thyroid hormone profile revealed a reduced concentration of TT3 (0.57 nmol/l) and TT4 (22.52 nmol/l). The present study reports a reduction in the concentration of TT3 and TT4 in a dog suffering from trypanosomiasis. The drop in TT4 concentration was within the normal limit, this could be a cause for the non-appearance of usual clinical symptoms of hypothyroidism in the present case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Vestibulo-ocular Reflex is the main vision stabilizing system during rapid head movements. In keeping the eyes still during head motion which is referred to as the gaze stability, the VOR has a censorious role. Loss of this vestibular function produces instability of gaze which worsens on motion and activity. Vestibular rehabilitation is one of the treatment modalities for patients with vestibular insufficiency. These exercises include gaze stability, central programming and balance exercise. Here this study is an instrument-based study and this device focuses on visually tracking, using smooth pursuit eye movements on a moving object. It shall not only provide a combined gaze stability adaptive exercise but it will also provide various progressions and biofeedback to the patients. Methods: An interventional study, with a sum of 30 participants having significant vestibular hypofunction or dysfunction who voluntarily participated in the study. It was a comparative study and it took place in Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences deemed to be University, Karad city in Maharashtra, India. 6 months was the total time span required to complete this trial. Consecutive sampling with random allocation was done. Those fulfilling the inclusion criteria were recruited and divided into two groups: control and interventional. Results and Conclusion: Vestibular dysfunction significantly affected the quality of life and lead to serious disability. Virtual mode of rehabilitation training by tracking the object with the eye, built interest and motivated the patient to regularly exercise as well as to perform smooth eye movements with lower range of saccades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]