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Microorganisms May 2024Limited molecular data exist on the prevalence and subtype distribution of spp., the most prevalent parasite in human and animal feces worldwide. A total of 44...
Limited molecular data exist on the prevalence and subtype distribution of spp., the most prevalent parasite in human and animal feces worldwide. A total of 44 different subtypes (STs) of are currently recognized based on the sequence of the small subunit ribosomal RNA () gene. This is a molecular study of spp. in hospitalized patients with gastrointestinal symptoms in northern Spain. We analyzed 173 -positive patients with gastrointestinal symptoms by using nested PCR for molecular detection, subtype identification, phylogenetic analyses, and genetic diversity assessment. ST2 (34.1%) and ST3 (34.7%) predominated, followed by ST1 (15.6%) and ST4 (15.6%). Mixed infections with different subtypes were observed in some patients. Sequence analysis revealed for the first time in European humans the allele 88 (a variant of ST1). In other cases, alleles commonly found in animal samples were detected (allele 9 in ST2, allele 34 in ST3, and allele 42 in ST4). Phylogenetic analysis showed high variability in ST1 and ST2, suggesting a polyphyletic origin, while both ST3 and ST4 exhibited higher genetic homogeneity, indicating a possible monophyletic origin and recent transmission to humans. These data confirm spp. subtype diversity and may help in understanding the evolutionary processes and potential zoonotic transmission of this parasite.
PubMed: 38930466
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061084 -
Journal of Personalized Medicine Jun 2024To minimize stroke-related deaths and maximize the likelihood of cerebral reperfusion, medical professionals developed the "code stroke" emergency protocol, which allows...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
To minimize stroke-related deaths and maximize the likelihood of cerebral reperfusion, medical professionals developed the "code stroke" emergency protocol, which allows for the prompt evaluation of patients with acute ischemic stroke symptoms in pre-hospital care and the emergency department (ED). This research will outline our experience in implementing the stroke code protocol for acute ischemic stroke patients and its impact on door-to-needle time (DTN) in the ED.
METHODS
Our study included patients with a "code stroke alert" upon arrival at the emergency department. The final sample of this study consisted of 258 patients eligible for intravenous (IV) thrombolysis with an onset-to-door time < 4.5 h. ED admissions were categorized into two distinct groups: "day shift" (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) (n = 178) and "night shift" (from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) (n = 80) groups.
RESULTS
An analysis of ED time targets showed an increased median during the day shift for onset-to-ED door time of 310 min (IQR, 190-340 min), for door-to-physician (emergency medicine doctor) time of 5 min (IQR, 3-9 min), for door-to-physician (emergency medicine doctor) time of 5 min (IQR, 3-9 min), and for door-to-physician (neurologist) time of 7 min (IQR, 5-10 min), also during the day shift. During the night shift, an increased median was found for door-to-CT time of 21 min (IQR, 16.75-23 min), for door-to-CT results of 40 min (IQR, 38-43 min), and for door-to-needle time of 57.5 min (IQR, 46.25-60 min). Astonishingly, only 17.83% (n = 46) of these patients received intravenous thrombolysis, and the proportion of patients with thrombolysis was significantly higher during the night shift ( = 0.044). A logistic regression analysis considering the door-to-needle time (minutes) as the dependent variable demonstrated that onset-to-ED time ( < 0.001) and door-to-physician (emergency medicine physicians) time ( = 0.021) are predictors for performing thrombolysis in our study.
CONCLUSIONS
This study identified higher door-to-CT and door-to-emergency medicine physician times associated with an increased DTN, highlighting further opportunities to improve acute stroke care in the emergency department. Further, door-to-CT and door-to-CT results showed statistically significant increases during the night shift.
PubMed: 38929817
DOI: 10.3390/jpm14060596 -
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Bovine spermatozoa are highly susceptible to oxidative stress (OS), and it is known to affect their cellular functions. The main leukocyte producers of reactive oxygen...
Bovine spermatozoa are highly susceptible to oxidative stress (OS), and it is known to affect their cellular functions. The main leukocyte producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in mammalian semen are polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). PMN activation can result in the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which have been shown to affect the motility and function of spermatozoa. However, OS effects on bull spermatozoa derived from individual NETs components have not been investigated. The hypothesis of this study was that specific NETs components might generate OS on bull spermatozoa. Bovine sperm cells were incubated with five NETs-associated molecules, including 30 μg/mL histone 2A (H2A), neutrophil elastase (NE), 1 μg/mL myeloperoxidase (MPO), cathepsin G (Cat-G), and cathelicidin LL37 (LL-37), for a time course ranging from 15 to 240 min. Fluorescence microscopy was used to evaluate the coincubation of bovine PMN and sperm cells. Within 15 min, H2A, NE, and LL-37 caused membrane disruption, while MPO and Cat-G caused OS on bull spermatozoa after 1 h of coincubation. NET formation was observed within 15 min of coincubation in co-cultures of bovine PMN/sperm cells. This study is the first to report on the role of cytotoxic OS effects caused by NETs-derived components in bovine sperm in vitro.
PubMed: 38929172
DOI: 10.3390/antiox13060733 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024Multidrug- and artemisinin-resistant (ART-R) parasites represent a challenge for malaria elimination worldwide. Molecular monitoring in the Kelch domain region gene...
Multidrug- and artemisinin-resistant (ART-R) parasites represent a challenge for malaria elimination worldwide. Molecular monitoring in the Kelch domain region gene allows tracking mutations in parasite resistance to artemisinin. The increase in illegal miners in the Roraima Yanomami indigenous land (YIL) could favor ART-R parasites. Thus, this study aimed to investigate ART-R in patients from illegal gold mining areas in the YIL of Roraima, Brazil. A questionnaire was conducted, and blood was collected from 48 patients diagnosed with or mixed malaria (). The DNA was extracted and the gene was amplified by PCR. The amplicons were subjected to DNA-Sanger-sequencing and the entire amplified fragment was analyzed. Among the patients, 96% (46) were from illegal mining areas of the YIL. All parasite samples carried the wild-type genotypes/ART-sensitive phenotypes. These data reinforce the continued use of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs) in Roraima, as well as the maintenance of systematic monitoring for early detection of parasite populations resistant to ART, mainly in regions with an intense flow of individuals from mining areas, such as the YIL. This is especially true when the achievement of falciparum malaria elimination in Brazil is planned and expected by 2030.
Topics: Artemisinins; Brazil; Plasmodium falciparum; Humans; Antimalarials; Drug Resistance; Malaria, Falciparum; Male; Mining; Adult; Female; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Adolescent; Genotype
PubMed: 38928926
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060679 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024Besides being vectors of the onchocerciasis parasite, blackflies are a source of nuisance in onchocerciasis-endemic communities. We investigated the experience of...
Community Perceptions of Blackfly Nuisance and Acceptability of the "Slash and Clear" Vector Control Approach in the Ntui Health District of Cameroon: A Qualitative Study.
Besides being vectors of the onchocerciasis parasite, blackflies are a source of nuisance in onchocerciasis-endemic communities. We investigated the experience of residents in the Ntui Health District (Cameroon) regarding blackfly nuisance and assessed their perceptions of a novel "Slash and Clear" (S&C) intervention for blackfly control. Focus group discussions were conducted before and after S&C implementation (respectively, in February 2022 and December 2023). Blackflies were known to emerge from the river areas and cause disease. To prevent blackfly bites, the population often covered their body with protective clothing and applied various substances (kerosene, oil, or lemon) to their skin. Post-intervention data showed reduced blackfly nuisance, and the willingness to sustain blackfly control in the long-term was unanimous among community leaders and members, including the village volunteers who implemented the S&C intervention. In conclusion, blackfly nuisance is evident in the Ntui onchocerciasis focus of Cameroon and led to a panoply of coping practices, some of which could be detrimental to their health. Implementing S&C for blackfly control is well accepted and could sustainably alleviate the nuisance caused by blackflies while simultaneously breaking the onchocerciasis transmission cycle.
Topics: Cameroon; Animals; Simuliidae; Humans; Onchocerciasis; Insect Control; Female; Male; Adult; Insect Vectors; Middle Aged; Focus Groups; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Young Adult; Insect Bites and Stings
PubMed: 38928904
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060658 -
Brain Sciences Jun 2024Neuropathic pain arises from injuries to the nervous system in diseases such as diabetes, infections, toxicity, and traumas. The underlying mechanism of neuropathic pain... (Review)
Review
Neuropathic pain arises from injuries to the nervous system in diseases such as diabetes, infections, toxicity, and traumas. The underlying mechanism of neuropathic pain involves peripheral and central pathological modifications. Peripheral mechanisms entail nerve damage, leading to neuronal hypersensitivity and ectopic action potentials. Central sensitization involves a neuropathological process with increased responsiveness of the nociceptive neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) to their normal or subthreshold input due to persistent stimuli, leading to sustained electrical discharge, synaptic plasticity, and aberrant processing in the CNS. Current treatments, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological, aim to alleviate symptoms but often face challenges due to the complexity of neuropathic pain. Neuromodulation is emerging as an important therapeutic approach for the treatment of neuropathic pain in patients unresponsive to common therapies, by promoting the normalization of neuronal and/or glial activity and by targeting cerebral cortical regions, spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia, and nerve endings. Having a better understanding of the efficacy, adverse events and applicability of neuromodulation through pre-clinical studies is of great importance. Unveiling the mechanisms and characteristics of neuromodulation to manage neuropathic pain is essential to understand how to use it. In the present article, we review the current understanding supporting dorsal root ganglia and spinal cord neuromodulation as a therapeutic approach for neuropathic pain.
PubMed: 38928589
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060589 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Varicose veins (VVs) are the most common manifestation of chronic venous disease (CVD) and appear as abnormally enlarged and tortuous superficial veins. VVs result from...
Varicose veins (VVs) are the most common manifestation of chronic venous disease (CVD) and appear as abnormally enlarged and tortuous superficial veins. VVs result from functional abnormalities in the venous circulation of the lower extremities, such as venous hypertension, venous valve incompetence, and venous reflux. Previous studies indicate that enhanced angiogenesis and inflammation contribute to the progression and onset of VVs; however, dysregulations in signaling pathways associated with these processes in VVs patients are poorly understood. Therefore, in our study, we aimed to identify key regulators of angiogenesis and inflammation that are dysregulated in patients with VVs. Expression levels of 18 genes were analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) using real-time PCR, as well as plasma levels of 6 proteins were investigated using ELISA. Higher levels of , , , TGF-alpha, TGF-beta 1, and VEGF-A, as well as lower levels of and VEGF-C, were found to be statistically significant in the VV group compared to the control subjects without VVs. None of the analyzed factors was associated with the venous localization of the varicosities. The presented study identified dysregulations in key angiogenesis- and inflammation-related factors in PBMC and plasma from VVs patients, providing new insight into molecular mechanisms that could contribute to the development of VVs and point out promising candidates for circulatory biomarkers of this disease.
Topics: Humans; Varicose Veins; Female; Male; Middle Aged; Neovascularization, Pathologic; Inflammation; Leukocytes, Mononuclear; Adult; Aged; Gene Expression Regulation; Angiogenesis
PubMed: 38928491
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126785 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that significantly impacts quality of life by disrupting CD4 T cell immune homeostasis. The identification of a...
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that significantly impacts quality of life by disrupting CD4 T cell immune homeostasis. The identification of a low-side-effect drug for RA treatment is urgently needed. Our previous study suggests that paramyosin (-Pmy) has immunomodulatory effects, but its potential effect on CD4 T cell response in RA remains unclear. In this study, we used a murine model to investigate the role of r-Pmy in regulating CD4 T cell differentiation in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). Additionally, we assessed the impact of r-Pmy on CD4 T cell differentiation towards the Th1 and Th17 phenotypes, which are associated with inflammatory responses in arthritis, using in vitro assays. The results demonstrated that r-Pmy administration reduced arthritis severity by inhibiting Th1 and Th17 response while enhancing Treg response. Prophylactic administration of -Pmy showed superior efficacy on CIA compared to therapeutic administration. Furthermore, in vitro assays demonstrated that r-Pmy could inhibit the differentiation of CD4 T cells into Th1 and Th17 while inducing the production of Tregs, suggesting a potential mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects. This study suggests that -Pmy may ameliorate CIA by restoring the immune balance of CD4 T cells and provides new insights into the mechanism through which helminth-derived proteins exert their effects on autoimmune diseases.
Topics: Animals; Trichinella spiralis; Arthritis, Experimental; Mice; Cell Differentiation; Tropomyosin; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Th17 Cells; Th1 Cells; Male; Helminth Proteins; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Disease Models, Animal; Mice, Inbred DBA
PubMed: 38928413
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126706 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases () play a variety of physiological roles, including pesticide resistance, plant allelochemical detoxification, and hormone metabolism... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases () play a variety of physiological roles, including pesticide resistance, plant allelochemical detoxification, and hormone metabolism catalysis. However, limited information is available on the classification and expression profiles of the gene family in aphid species. This is the first study to identify the cytochrome P450 gene family in 19 aphid species at the whole genome level. A total of 1100 genes were identified in 19 aphid species. Three hundred genes belonged to six cereal crop aphid species, which were further classified into four subfamilies according to the phylogenetic relationship. The conserved motifs, exon-intron structures, and genomic organization of the same subfamilies were similar. Predictions of subcellular localization revealed that the endoplasmic reticulum harbored the majority of CYP450 proteins. In and , the increase in the gene was primarily caused by segmental duplication events. However, only tandem duplication occurred in the gene family of , , and . Synteny analysis found three continuous colinear gene pairs among six cereal crop aphid species. Furthermore, we obtained the expression profiles of four cereal crop aphids, including , , and . Differential expression analysis provided growth stage specificity genes, tissue specificity genes, organ specificity genes and some detoxification metabolic genes among these four cereal crop aphids. Meanwhile, their expression patterns were showed. The related functions and pathways of were revealed by GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. Above all, we picked the differentially expressed genes from all of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs). These differentially expressed genes provided some new potential candidates for aphid control and management. This work establishes the foundation for further investigations into the regulatory functions of the gene family in aphid species and beyond.
Topics: Aphids; Animals; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Phylogeny; Multigene Family; Edible Grain; Genome, Insect; Gene Expression Profiling; Synteny; Insect Proteins
PubMed: 38928374
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126668 -
International Journal of Molecular... Jun 2024Unlike sedentary plant-parasitic nematodes, migratory plant endoparasitic nematodes (MPENs) are unable to establish permanent feeding sites, and all developmental stages... (Review)
Review
Unlike sedentary plant-parasitic nematodes, migratory plant endoparasitic nematodes (MPENs) are unable to establish permanent feeding sites, and all developmental stages (except eggs) can invade and feed on plant tissues and can be easily overlooked because of the unspecific symptoms. They cause numerous economic losses in agriculture, forestry, and horticulture. In order to understand the pathogenetic mechanism of MPENs, here we describe research on functions and host targets focused on currently identified effectors from six MPENs, namely , spp., , , , and . This information will provide valuable insights into understanding MPEN effectors and for future fostering advancements in plant protection.
Topics: Animals; Plant Diseases; Host-Parasite Interactions; Plants; Nematoda; Helminth Proteins
PubMed: 38928141
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126435