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Veterinary Sciences Dec 2023Basophilia is a rare hematologic finding in dogs. This research aimed to describe the hematologic and clinical characteristics of dogs with moderate-to-marked...
Basophilia is a rare hematologic finding in dogs. This research aimed to describe the hematologic and clinical characteristics of dogs with moderate-to-marked basophilia. CBC reports with blood smear examinations from dogs presented to the North Carolina State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital were retrospectively reviewed for basophilia (>193 cells/µL). We classified basophilia as moderate when counts were ≥500 cells/µL and marked when they reached ≥1000 cells/µL. We compared the hematologic and clinical profiles of dogs with moderate-to-marked basophilia (the basophilia group) to those without basophilia, serving as our control group. In addition, we investigated differences between dogs with marked basophilia versus those with moderate basophilia, as well as between dogs in the basophilia group with and without concurrent eosinophilia. Diseases associated with moderate-to-marked basophilia included eosinophilic lung disease ( < 0.0001), leukemia/myeloproliferative neoplasms ( = 0.004), parasitic infection ( = 0.004), mast cell tumor ( = 0.005), and inflammatory bowel disease ( = 0.02). Overall, dogs with marked basophilia had a lower frequency of inflammatory diseases (51% vs. 70%, = 0.009) and a higher frequency of neoplastic diseases (48% vs. 26%, = 0.003) compared to those with moderate basophilia. In the basophilia group, concurrent eosinophilia was only seen in 36% of dogs. Dogs with concurrent eosinophilia were more often diagnosed with inflammatory diseases (77% vs. 58%, = 0.006), with fewer diagnoses of neoplasia (19% vs. 40%, = 0.001), compared to dogs without concurrent eosinophilia. The findings of this study offer veterinary clinicians valuable guidance in determining diagnostic priorities for dogs with moderate-to-marked basophilia.
PubMed: 38133251
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10120700 -
Journal of Insect Science (Online) Mar 2023Nitrogen, a limiting growth factor in wood-feeding insects, was hypothesized to play a role in the recently discovered behavior of subterranean termites returning to the...
Nitrogen, a limiting growth factor in wood-feeding insects, was hypothesized to play a role in the recently discovered behavior of subterranean termites returning to the nest to molt. Coptotermes gestroi (Wasmann) exuviae is approximately 11% N by dry weight, and therefore a potentially rich source of recyclable nitrogen. Exuviae from a C. gestroi colony were marked with immunoglobulin G (IgG) and were fed to two-year-old C. gestroi colonies. IgG-marked exuviae were detected with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The IgG marker was later detected in every caste and life stage except first-instar larvae (L1). The proportion of individuals positive for the marker varied by caste, with the queens always being positive for the marker. The queens and second-or-higher-instar workers (W2+) had significantly higher concentrations of the marker than the eggs and L1. The trophic path of exuviae includes individuals that directly fed on marked exuviae (workers and possibly second-instar larvae) and individuals that secondarily received marked exuviae through trophallaxis (queens, kings, and soldiers). This study described the trophic path of consumed exuviae and demonstrated its role in the recycling of nitrogen in a subterranean termite. Molting at the central nest may be an efficient means to transfer nitrogen from shed exuviae to recipients and may be a nitrogen recycling behavior conserved from a termite ancestor.
Topics: Animals; Cockroaches; Isoptera; Ovum; Larva; Immunoglobulin G
PubMed: 36916276
DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iead007 -
Case Reports in Nephrology 2020Pneumoperitoneum, the presence of free air within the peritoneal cavity, is often caused by the perforation of gas-containing viscus and commonly requires surgical...
Pneumoperitoneum, the presence of free air within the peritoneal cavity, is often caused by the perforation of gas-containing viscus and commonly requires surgical treatment. However, in patients with peritoneal dialysis, free air is commonly seen on X-ray. We present the case of a patient with peritoneal dialysis with marked pneumoperitoneum. A 75-year-old Japanese male with end-stage renal disease due to antineutrophil cytoplasmic antigen-associated vasculitis had been receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis for 9 years. He had a poor appetite and general malaise without abdominal pain or fever. These symptoms gradually worsened, and he was hospitalized. At the time of admission, chest X-ray revealed bilateral free air in the abdomen. Subsequent computed tomography of the abdomen revealed marked pneumoperitoneum. Peritonitis due to perforation of the digestive tract was considered; however, the absence of abdominal pain, fever, and turbidity of dialysis drainage indicated that peritonitis was unlikely. Insufficient air venting during continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis bag replacement was suspected. The bag was carefully changed, resulting in a gradual decrease in the free air. We encountered a patient with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis who had significant free air in the abdominal cavity in the absence of peritonitis. The source of the air was determined to be the dialysis bag due to insufficient venting during replacement. This case underscores the importance of instructing patients with continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis on the thorough removal of air from the bag during replacement.
PubMed: 32774954
DOI: 10.1155/2020/1063219 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Mar 2023Regulation of the microbiota is critical to intestinal health yet the mechanisms employed by innate immunity remain unclear. Here we show that mice deficient in the...
Regulation of the microbiota is critical to intestinal health yet the mechanisms employed by innate immunity remain unclear. Here we show that mice deficient in the C-Type-lectin receptor, Clec12a developed severe colitis, which was dependent on the microbiota. Fecal-microbiota-transplantation (FMT) studies into germfree mice revealed a colitogenic microbiota formed within Clec12a mice that was marked by expansion of the gram-positive organism, . Treatment with was sufficient to worsen colitis in wild-type mice. Macrophages within the gut express the highest levels of Clec12a. Cytokine and sequencing analysis in Clec12a macrophages revealed heighten inflammation but marked reduction in genes associated with phagocytosis. Indeed, Clec12a macrophages are impaired in their ability to uptake Purified Clec12a had higher binding to gram-positive organisms such as . Thus, our data identifies Clec12a as an innate immune surveillance mechanism to control expansion of potentially harmful commensals without overt inflammation.
PubMed: 36993296
DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.16.532997 -
Physiological Research Aug 2023Accidents with venomous bees are a serious worldwide health concern. Since the kidney has been reported as the main venom-target organ, the present study was undertaken...
Accidents with venomous bees are a serious worldwide health concern. Since the kidney has been reported as the main venom-target organ, the present study was undertaken to investigate the in vivo nephrotoxic effect of Algerian bee venom (ABV) (Apis mellifera intermissa) collected in the middle east of Algeria. A preliminary study was performed on ABV to identify the ABV using SDS-PAGE analysis and to determine the in vivo intraperitoneal median lethal dose (LD50) using the Probit analysis test. In vivo nephrotoxic effect was assessed through the determination of physiological and kidney biochemical markers in mice intraperitoneally injected with ABV at doses of 0.76 (D1); 1.14 (D2) and 2.29 mg/kg body weight (bwt) (D3), corresponding respectively to LD50/15, LD50/10, and LD50/5 (i.p. LD50=11.48 mg/kg bwt) for seven consecutive days. Results revealed a marked decrease in body weight gain and food intake, and an increase in absolute and relative kidney weights in ABV D2 and D3 treated mice compared with controls. Furthermore, ABV D2 and D3 resulted in a significant increase in serum creatinine, urea, and uric acid. ABV-induced oxidative stress was evidenced by a significant increase in kidney MDA level, and a significant depletion in kidney GSH level, and catalase activity. Meanwhile, no marked changes in the above-mentioned parameters were noticed in ABV D1. Accordingly, the adverse nephrotoxic effect of ABV was proved by the dose-dependent kidney histological changes. In summary, the results of the present study evidence that ABV at doses of 1.14 (D2) and 2.28 mg/kg body weight (bwt) can cause marked changes in kidney biochemical and major antioxidant markers, and histological architecture.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Bee Venoms; Kidney; Oxidative Stress; Antioxidants; Body Weight
PubMed: 37795888
DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.935125 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024In quantum computing, the quantum walk search algorithm is designed for locating fixed marked nodes within a graph. However, when multiple marked nodes exist, the...
In quantum computing, the quantum walk search algorithm is designed for locating fixed marked nodes within a graph. However, when multiple marked nodes exist, the conventional search algorithm lacks the capacity to simultaneously amplify the marked nodes as well as identify the correct chronological ordering between the marked nodes, if any. To address this limitation, we explore a potential extension of the algorithm by introducing additional quantum states to label the marked nodes. The labels resolve the ambiguity of simultaneous amplification of the marked nodes. Additionally, by associating the label states with a chronological ordering, we can extend the algorithm to track a moving particle on a two-dimensional surface. Our algorithm efficiently searches for the trajectory of the particle and is supported by a proposed quantum circuit. This concept holds promise for a range of applications, from real-time object tracking to network management and routing.
PubMed: 38307883
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51709-0 -
BJOG : An International Journal of... Mar 2023To assess the association between marked variability in fetal heart rate (FHR) and neonatal acidosis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between marked variability in fetal heart rate (FHR) and neonatal acidosis.
DESIGN
Bicentric prospective cohort study.
SETTING
From January 2019 to December 2019, in two French tertiary care maternity units.
POPULATION
Women in labour at ≥37 weeks of gestation, with continuous FHR monitoring until delivery and with the availability of umbilical arterial pH. Women with intrauterine fetal death or medical termination, multiple pregnancies, non-cephalic presentation or planned caesarean delivery were excluded.
METHODS
The exposure was marked variability in FHR in the 60 minutes before delivery, defined as a variability greater than 25 beats per minute, with a minimum duration of 1 minute. To assess the association between marked variability and neonatal acidosis, we used multivariable modified Poisson regression modelling. We then conducted subgroup analyses according to the US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) category of the associated fetal heart rate.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Neonatal acidosis, defined as an umbilical artery pH of ≤7.10.
RESULTS
Among the 4394 women included, 177 (4%) had marked variability in fetal heart rate in the 60 minutes before delivery. Acidosis occurred in 6.0% (265/4394) of the neonates. In the multivariable analysis, marked variability was significantly associated with neonatal acidosis (aRR 2.30, 95% CI 1.53-3.44). In subgroup analyses, the association between marked variability and neonatal acidosis remained significant in NICHD category-I and category-II groups.
CONCLUSIONS
Marked variability was associated with a twofold increased risk of neonatal acidosis.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Child; Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Heart Rate, Fetal; Prospective Studies; Labor, Obstetric; Fetal Monitoring; Infant, Newborn, Diseases; Acidosis; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
PubMed: 36398385
DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.17345 -
Journal of Clinical Virology : the... Aug 2020There is an urgent need for reliable high-throughput serological assays for the management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Preferably, the performance of serological... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
There is an urgent need for reliable high-throughput serological assays for the management of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Preferably, the performance of serological tests for a novel virus should be determined with clinical specimens against a gold standard, i.e. virus neutralisation. We compared the performance of six commercial immunoassays for the detection of SARS-COV-2 IgG, IgA and IgM antibodies, including four automated assays [Abbott SARS-COV-2 IgG (CE marked), Diasorin Liaison® SARS-COV-2 S1/S2 IgG (research use only, RUO), and Euroimmun SARS-COV-2 IgG and IgA (CE marked)], and two rapid lateral flow (immunocromatographic) tests [Acro Biotech 2019-nCoV IgG/IgM (CE marked) and Xiamen Biotime Biotechnology SARS-COV-2 IgG/IgM (CE marked)] with a microneutralisation test (MNT). Two specimen panels from serum samples sent to Helsinki University Hospital Laboratory (HUSLAB) were compiled: the patient panel (N=70) included sera from PCR confirmed COVID-19 patients, and the negative panel (N=81) included sera sent for screening of autoimmune diseases and respiratory virus antibodies in 2018 and 2019. The MNT was carried out for all COVID-19 samples (70 serum samples, 62 individuals) and for 53 samples from the negative panel. Forty-one out of 62 COVID-19 patients showed neutralising antibodies.The specificity and sensitivity values of the commercial tests against MNT, respectively, were as follows: 95.1 %/80.5 % (Abbott Architect SARS-CoV-2 IgG), 94.9 %/43.8 % (Diasorin Liaison SARS-CoV-2 IgG; RUO), 68.3 %/87.8 % (Euroimmun SARS-CoV-2 IgA), 86.6 %/70.7 % (Euroimmun SARS-CoV-2 IgG), 74.4 %/56.1 % (Acro 2019-nCoV IgG), 69.5 %/46.3 % (Acro 2019-nCoV IgM), 97.5 %/71.9 % (Xiamen Biotime SARS-CoV-2 IgG), and 88.8 %/81.3 % (Xiamen Biotime SARS-CoV-2 IgM). This study shows variable performance values. Laboratories should carefully consider their testing process, such as a two-tier approach, in order to optimize the overall performance of SARS- CoV-2 serodiagnostics.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antibodies, Viral; Automation, Laboratory; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; Child; Child, Preschool; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Coronavirus Infections; Female; Hospitals; Humans; Immunoassay; Immunoglobulin A; Immunoglobulin G; Immunoglobulin M; Male; Middle Aged; Neutralization Tests; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Sensitivity and Specificity; Serologic Tests; Young Adult
PubMed: 32563180
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2020.104512 -
Chinese Medical Journal Jan 2022Endoscopic biopsy can underestimate gastric malignancies as low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN). Definitively diagnosed LGIN would progress. This study aimed to...
BACKGROUND
Endoscopic biopsy can underestimate gastric malignancies as low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (LGIN). Definitively diagnosed LGIN would progress. This study aimed to evaluate predictive factors to identify malignancies misdiagnosed as LGIN by biopsy and LGIN at high risk of progression.
METHODS
The clinical records of patients diagnosed with gastric LGIN by endoscopic biopsy who underwent at least two endoscopies during the first year of follow-up between 2007 and 2017 were retrospectively collected. Three endoscopists reviewed photographs of the initial endoscopy, described lesion characteristics, and made endoscopic diagnoses. Logistic regression was used to analyze predictors to identify malignancies underestimated as LGIN. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of these predictors. Patient clinical outcomes of follow-up >1 year were collected. Kaplan-Meier estimates with log-rank tests and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze predictors of progression.
RESULTS
Overall, 48 of 182 (26.4%) patients were proven to have malignancies. A single lesion, a large lesion size, and marked intestinal metaplasia (IM) were independent predictors of initially misdiagnosed malignancies. The area under the curve of these predictors was 0.871, with a sensitivity of 68.7% and specificity of 92.5%. Twelve of 98 patients (12.2%) progressed during the 33-month median follow-up period. A whitish appearance, irregular margins, marked IM, and histological diagnosis of LGIN more than twice within the first year were predictors for progression.
CONCLUSIONS
Lesions diagnosed as LGIN by biopsy with marked IM and other predictors above should be prudently treated for high potential to be malignancies or progress. Endoscopic follow-up with repeated biopsies within the first year is recommended.
Topics: Biopsy; Carcinoma in Situ; Endoscopy; Humans; Prognosis; Retrospective Studies; Stomach Neoplasms
PubMed: 34873080
DOI: 10.1097/CM9.0000000000001637 -
Developmental Biology Jun 2017Transposable elements are parasitic genomic elements that can be deleterious for host gene function and genome integrity. Heterochromatic histone modifications are...
Transposable elements are parasitic genomic elements that can be deleterious for host gene function and genome integrity. Heterochromatic histone modifications are involved in the repression of transposons. However, it remains unknown how these histone modifications mark different types of transposons during embryonic development. Here we document the variety of heterochromatic epigenetic signatures at parasitic elements during development in Xenopus tropicalis, using genome-wide ChIP-sequencing data and ChIP-qPCR analysis. We show that specific subsets of transposons in various families and subfamilies are marked by different combinations of the heterochromatic histone modifications H4K20me3, H3K9me2/3 and H3K27me3. Many DNA transposons are marked at the blastula stage already, whereas at retrotransposons the histone modifications generally accumulate at the gastrula stage or later. Furthermore, transposons marked by H3K9me3 and H4K20me3 are more prominent in gene deserts. Using intra-subfamily divergence as a proxy for age, we show that relatively young DNA transposons are preferentially marked by early embryonic H4K20me3 and H3K27me3. In contrast, relatively young retrotransposons are marked by increasing H3K9me3 and H4K20me3 during development, and are also linked to piRNA-sized small non-coding RNAs. Our results implicate distinct repression mechanisms that operate in a transposon-selective and developmental stage-specific fashion.
Topics: Animals; Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; DNA Transposable Elements; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Embryonic Development; Epigenetic Repression; Evolution, Molecular; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Heterochromatin; Histone Code; Histones; Methylation; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; RNA, Small Interfering; Retroelements; Xenopus; Xenopus Proteins
PubMed: 27639284
DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.08.031