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Ecology and Evolution Jul 2024Melanism, the process of heavier melanin deposition, can interact with climate variation at both micro and macro scales, ultimately influencing color evolution in...
Melanism, the process of heavier melanin deposition, can interact with climate variation at both micro and macro scales, ultimately influencing color evolution in organisms. While the ecological processes regulating melanin production in relation to climate have been extensively studied, intraspecific variations of melanism are seldom considered. Such scientific gap hampers our understanding of how species adapt to rapidly changing climates. For example, dark coloration may lead to higher heat absorption and be advantageous in cool climates, but also in hot environments as a UV or antimicrobial protection mechanism. To disentangle such opposing predictions, here we examined the effect of climate on shaping melanism variation in 150 barred grass snakes () and 383 green whip snakes () across Italy. By utilizing melanistic morphs (charcoal and picturata in , charcoal and abundistic in ) and compiling observations from 2002 to 2021, we predicted that charcoal morphs in would optimize heat absorption in cold environments, while offering protection from excessive UV radiation in within warm habitats; whereas picturata and abundistic morphs would thrive in humid environments, which naturally have a denser vegetation and wetter substrates producing darker ambient light, thus providing concealment advantages. While picturata and abundistic morphs did not align with our initial humidity expectations, the charcoal morph in is associated with UV environments, suggesting protection mechanisms against damaging solar radiation. is associated with high precipitations, which might offer antimicrobial protection. Overall, our results provide insights into the correlations between melanin-based color morphs and climate variables in snake populations. While suggestive of potential adaptive responses, future research should delve deeper into the underlying mechanisms regulating this relationship.
PubMed: 38952653
DOI: 10.1002/ece3.11627 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious disease characterized by hemorrhagic fever, which is highly pathogenic and causes severe mortality in domestic pigs. It is...
African swine fever (ASF) is an infectious disease characterized by hemorrhagic fever, which is highly pathogenic and causes severe mortality in domestic pigs. It is caused by the African swine fever virus (ASFV). ASFV is a large DNA virus and primarily infects porcine monocyte macrophages. The interaction between ASFV and host macrophages is the major reason for gross pathological lesions caused by ASFV. Necroptosis is an inflammatory programmed cell death and plays an important immune role during virus infection. However, whether and how ASFV induces macrophage necroptosis and the effect of necroptosis signaling on host immunity and ASFV infection remains unknown. This study uncovered that ASFV infection activates the necroptosis signaling and macrophage necroptosis . Further evidence showed that ASFV infection upregulates the expression of ZBP1 and RIPK3 to consist of the ZBP1-RIPK3-MLKL necrosome and further activates macrophage necroptosis. Subsequently, multiple Z-DNA sequences were predicted to be present in the ASFV genome. The Z-DNA signals were further confirmed to be present and colocalized with ZBP1 in the cytoplasm and nucleus of ASFV-infected cells. Moreover, ZBP1-mediated macrophage necroptosis provoked the extracellular release of proinflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α and IL-1β induced by ASFV infection. Finally, we demonstrated that ZBP1-mediated necroptosis signaling inhibits ASFV replication in host macrophages. Our findings uncovered a novel mechanism by which ASFV induces macrophage necroptosis by facilitating Z-DNA accumulation and ZBP1 necrosome assembly, providing significant insights into the pathogenesis of ASFV infection.
PubMed: 38952452
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1419615 -
Immunology and Cell Biology Jul 2024Microbial metabolites can be viewed as the cytokines of the microbiome, transmitting information about the microbial and metabolic environment of the gut to orchestrate... (Review)
Review
Microbial metabolites can be viewed as the cytokines of the microbiome, transmitting information about the microbial and metabolic environment of the gut to orchestrate and modulate local and systemic immune responses. Still, many immunology studies focus solely on the taxonomy and community structure of the gut microbiota rather than its functions. Early sequencing-based microbiota profiling approaches relied on PCR amplification of small regions of bacterial and fungal genomes to facilitate identification of the microbes present. However, recent microbiome analysis methods, particularly shotgun metagenomic sequencing, now enable culture-independent profiling of microbiome functions and metabolites in addition to taxonomic characterization. In this review, we showcase recent advances in functional metagenomics methods and applications and discuss the current limitations and potential avenues for future development. Importantly, we highlight a few examples of key areas of opportunity in immunology research where integrating functional metagenomic analyses of the microbiome can substantially enhance a mechanistic understanding of microbiome-immune interactions and their contributions to health and disease states.
PubMed: 38952337
DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12798 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Jun 2024To investigate the development and dynamic changes of cysts in the brain of mice following infection with different forms of , so as to provide insights into for...
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the development and dynamic changes of cysts in the brain of mice following infection with different forms of , so as to provide insights into for toxoplasmosis prevention and control.
METHODS
ICR mice at ages of 6 to 8 weeks, each weighing 20 to 25 g, were intraperitoneally injected with tachyzoites of the PRU strain at a dose of 1 × 10 tachyzoites per mouse, orally administered with cysts at a dose of 20 oocysts per mouse or oocysts at a dose of 200 oocysts per mouse for modeling chronic infection in mice, and the clinical symptoms and survival of mice were observed post-infection. Mice were orally infected with cysts at doses of 10 (low-dose group), 20 (medium-dose group), 40 cysts per mouse (high-dose group), and the effect of different doses of infections on the number of cysts was examined in the mouse brain. Mice were orally administered with cysts at a dose of 20 cysts per mouse, and grouped according to gender (female and male) and time points of infections (20, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 days post-infection), and the effects of gender and time points of infections on the number of cysts was examined in the mouse brain. In addition, mice were divided into the tachyzoite group (Group T), the first-generation cyst group (Group C1), the second-generation cyst group (Group C2), the third-generation cyst (Group C3) and the fourth-generation cyst group (Group C4). Mice in the Group T were intraperitoneally injected with tachyzoites at a dose of 1 × 10 tachyzoites per mouse, and the cysts were collected from the mouse brain tissues 30 days post-infection, while mice in the Group C1 were orally infected with the collected cysts at a dose of 30 cysts per mouse. Continuous passage was performed by oral administration with cysts produced by the previous generation in mice, and the effect of continuous passage on the number of cysts was examined in the mouse brain.
RESULTS
Following infection with tachyzoites, cysts and oocysts in mice, obvious clinical symptoms were observed on days 6 to 13 and mice frequently died on days 7 to 12. The survival rates of mice were 67.0%, 87.0% and 53.0%, and the mean numbers of cysts were (516.0 ± 257.2), (1 203.0 ± 502.0) and (581.0 ± 183.1) in the mouse brain ( = 11.94, < 0.01) on day 30 post-infection with tachyzoites, cysts and oocysts, respectively, and the numbers of cysts in the brain tissues were significantly lower in mice infected with tachyzoites and oocysts than in those infected with cysts (all values < 0.01). The survival rates of mice were 87.0%, 87.0% and 60.0%, and the mean numbers of cysts were (953.0 ± 355.5), (1 084.0 ± 474.3) and (1 113.0 ± 546.0) in the mouse brain in the low-, medium- and high-dose groups on day 30 post-infection, respectively ( = 0.42, > 0.05). The survival rates of male and female mice were 73.0% and 80.0%, and the mean numbers of cysts were (946.4 ± 411.4) and (932.1 ± 322.4) in the brain tissues of male and female mice, respectively ( = 1.63, > 0.05). Following continuous passage, the mean numbers of cysts were (516.0 ± 257.2), (1 203.0 ± 502.0), (896.8 ± 332.3), (782.5 ± 423.9) and (829.2 ± 306.0) in the brain tissues of mice in the T, C1, C2, C3 and C4 groups, respectively ( = 4.82, < 0.01), and the number of cysts was higher in the mouse brain in Group 1 than in Group T ( < 0.01). Following oral administration of 20 cysts in mice, cysts were found in the moues brain for the first time on day 20 post-infection, and the number of cysts gradually increased over time, peaked on days 30 and 90 post-infection and then gradually decreased; however, the cysts were still found in the mouse brain on day 180 post-infection.
CONCLUSIONS
There is a higher possibility of developing chronic infection in mice following infection with cysts than with oocysts or tachyzoites and the most severe chronic infection is seen following infection with cysts. The number of cysts does not correlate with the severity of chronic infection, and the number of cysts peaks in the mouse brain on days 30 and 90 post-infection.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Female; Male; Mice, Inbred ICR; Brain; Chronic Disease; Toxoplasmosis, Animal; Toxoplasma; Toxoplasmosis; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38952318
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2024044 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2024Although research on the mechanism and control of pain and inflammation in fish has increased in recent years, the use of analgesic drugs is limited due to the lack of...
BACKGROUND
Although research on the mechanism and control of pain and inflammation in fish has increased in recent years, the use of analgesic drugs is limited due to the lack of pharmacological information about analgesic drugs. Tolfenamic acid is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and can be used in fish due to its low side effect profile and superior pharmacokinetic properties.
OBJECTIVES
The pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and plasma protein binding of tolfenamic acid were investigated following single intravascular (IV), intramuscular (IM) and oral administration of 2 mg/kg in rainbow trout at 13 ± 0.5°C.
METHODS
The experiment was carried out on a total of 234 rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Tolfenamic acid was administered to fish via IV, IM and oral route at a dose of 2 mg/kg. Blood samples were taken at 13 different sampling times until the 72 h after drug administration. The plasma concentrations of tolfenamic acid were quantified using high pressure liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (UV) and pharmacokinetic parameters were assessed using non-compartmental analysis.
RESULTS
The elimination half-life (t) of tolfenamic acid for IV, IM and oral routes was 3.47, 6.75 and 9.19 h, respectively. For the IV route, the volume of distribution at a steady state and total body clearance of tolfenamic acid were 0.09 L/kg and 0.03 L/h/kg, respectively. The peak plasma concentration and bioavailability for IM and oral administration were 8.82 and 1.24 µg/mL, and 78.45% and 21.48%, respectively. The mean plasma protein binding ratio of tolfenamic acid in rainbow trout was 99.48% and was not concentration dependent.
CONCLUSIONS
While IM route, which exhibits both the high plasma concentration and bioavailability, can be used in rainbow trout, oral route is not recommended due to low plasma concentration and bioavailability. However, there is a need to demonstrate the pharmacodynamic activity of tolfenamic acid in rainbow trout.
Topics: Animals; Oncorhynchus mykiss; ortho-Aminobenzoates; Biological Availability; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Administration, Oral; Blood Proteins; Injections, Intramuscular; Protein Binding; Injections, Intravenous; Half-Life
PubMed: 38952278
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1533 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2024Antibodies have been proven effective as diagnostic agents for detecting zoonotic diseases. The variable domain of camel heavy chain antibody (VHH), as an antibody...
Isolation of camel single domain antibodies against Yersinia pestis V270 antigen based on a semi-synthetic single domain antibody library and development of a VHH-based lateral flow assay.
BACKGROUND
Antibodies have been proven effective as diagnostic agents for detecting zoonotic diseases. The variable domain of camel heavy chain antibody (VHH), as an antibody derivative, may be used as an alternative for traditional antibodies in existing immunodiagnostic reagents for detecting rapidly spreading infectious diseases.
OBJECTIVES
To expedite the isolation of specific antibodies for diagnostic purposes, we constructed a semi-synthetic camel single domain antibody library based on the phage display technique platform (PDT) and verified the validity of this study.
METHODS
The semi-synthetic single domain antibody sequences consist of two parts: one is the FR1-FR3 region amplified by RT-PCR from healthy camel peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), and the other part is the CDR3-FR4 region synthesised as an oligonucleotide containing CDR3 randomised region. The two parts were fused by overlapping PCR, resulting in the rearranged variable domain of heavy-chain antibodies (VHHs). Y. pestis low-calcium response V protein (LcrV) is an optional biomarker to detect the Y. pestis infection. The semi-synthetic library herein was screened using recombinant (LcrV) as a target antigen.
RESULTS
After four cycles of panning the library, four VHH binders targeting 1-270 aa residues of LcrV were isolated. The four VHH genes with unique sequences were recloned into an expression vector and expressed as VHH-hFc chimeric antibodies. The purified antibodies were identified and used to develop a lateral flow immunoassay (LFA) test strip using latex microspheres (LM) for the rapid and visual detection of Y. pestis infection.
CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate the great potential of the semi-synthetic library for use in isolation of antigen-specific nanobodies and the isolated specific VHHs can be used in antigen-capture immunoassays.
Topics: Animals; Yersinia pestis; Camelus; Single-Domain Antibodies; Antigens, Bacterial; Plague; Immunoassay; Antibodies, Bacterial
PubMed: 38952277
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1532 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2024Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) are essential in biomedical research, including reproductive studies. However, the application of human estimated foetal weight... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Application of ultrasonographic human estimated foetal weight formulas to cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) at 129-132 days of gestation: A comparative study of estimated and actual birthweight.
BACKGROUND
Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) are essential in biomedical research, including reproductive studies. However, the application of human estimated foetal weight (EFW) formulas using ultrasonography (USG) in these non-human primates is not well established.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to evaluate the applicability of human EFW formulas for estimating foetal weight in cynomolgus monkeys at approximately 130 days of gestation.
METHODS
Our study involved nine pregnant cynomolgus monkeys. We measured foetal parameters, including biparietal diameter, head circumference, abdominal circumference and femur length using USG. The EFW was calculated using 11 human EFW formulas. The actual birthweight (ABW) was recorded following Cesarean section, the day after the EFW calculation. For comparing EFW and ABW, we employed statistical methods such as mean absolute percentage error (APE) and Bland-Altman analysis.
RESULTS
The ABW ranged between 200.36 and 291.33 g. Among the 11 formulas, the Combs formula showed the lowest APE (4.3%) and highest correlation with ABW (p < 0.001). Notably, EFW and ABW differences for the Combs formula were ≤5% in 66.7% and ≤10% in 100% of cases. The Bland-Altman analysis supported these results, showing that all cases fell within the limits of agreement.
CONCLUSIONS
The Combs formula is applicable for estimating the weight of cynomolgus monkey fetuses with USG at approximately 130 days of gestation. Our observations suggest that the Combs formula can be applied in the prenatal care and biomedical research of this species.
Topics: Animals; Macaca fascicularis; Female; Birth Weight; Fetal Weight; Pregnancy; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; Humans
PubMed: 38952271
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1521 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2024Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a complex clinical syndrome with various aetiologies. If untreated, AFP may lead to death due to failure of respiratory muscles. Tick...
BACKGROUND
Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) is a complex clinical syndrome with various aetiologies. If untreated, AFP may lead to death due to failure of respiratory muscles. Tick paralysis, which is a noninfectious neurologic syndrome of AFP, occurs following tick attachment, engorgement, and injection of tick saliva toxins. There is no specific diagnostic test for tick paralysis, and mortality increases as definitive diagnosis is delayed. Although metabolomic investigation of tick saliva was conducted, there is a lack of research on metabolomic evaluation of hosts affected by tick paralysis.
OBJECTIVES
Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate metabolomic changes in serum samples of dogs with tick paralysis due to Rhipicephalus sanguineus using NMR-based metabolomics and to identify potential diagnostic/prognostic markers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Forty dogs infested with R. sanguineus, with clinical findings compatible with AFP and with a confirmed tick paralysis diagnosis ex juvantibus, constituted the Paralysis Group. Ten healthy dogs, which were admitted either for vaccination and/or check-up purposes, constituted the Control Group. After the confirmation tick paralysis, medical history, vaccination and nutritional status, body surface area and estimated tick numbers of all the dogs were noted. Physical examination included body temperature, heart and respiratory rate, capillary refill time evaluation and Modified Glasgow Coma Scale calculation. Serum samples were extracted from venous blood samples of all the dogs and were prepared for NMR analysis, and NMR-based metabolomics identification and quantification were performed.
RESULTS
NMR-based serum metabolomics of the present study revealed distinct up/down-regulated expressions, presenting a promising avenue. Moreover, it was observed that energy metabolism and especially liver functions were impaired in dogs with tick paralysis, and not only the respiratory system but also the kidneys were affected.
CONCLUSION
It was concluded that the present approach may help to better understand the pathological mechanisms developing in cases of AFP due to tick paralysis.
Topics: Animals; Dogs; Tick Paralysis; Dog Diseases; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy; Metabolomics; Female; Male; Rhipicephalus sanguineus; Metabolome; Paralysis
PubMed: 38952268
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1528 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2024A 10-year-old, neutered male, Golden Retriever dog presented for surgical correction of a descemetocele. Acepromazine (0.02 mg/kg) and methadone (0.5 mg/kg) were...
A 10-year-old, neutered male, Golden Retriever dog presented for surgical correction of a descemetocele. Acepromazine (0.02 mg/kg) and methadone (0.5 mg/kg) were administered intramuscularly for sedation, propofol (2 mg/kg) and midazolam (0.2 mg/kg) were administered intravenously for anaesthetic induction and isoflurane in oxygen was utilised for anaesthetic maintenance. Rocuronium (0.5 mg/kg), a neuromuscular blocking agent, was administered intravenously to facilitate central positioning of the eye for surgery. Within 10 min of rocuronium administration, the dog became tachycardic and hypotensive. Hemodynamic aberrations did not resolve with initial interventions but were successfully mitigated with the administration of diphenhydramine (0.8 mg/kg) intravenously. The dog remained stable throughout the remainder of the procedure and experienced a smooth and uneventful recovery. While it is difficult to confirm that the hemodynamic changes observed in this clinical case resulted solely from administration of rocuronium, the observance of the cardiovascular changes, timing of events and response to therapy suggest that rocuronium elicited a histamine response that was successfully treated with diphenhydramine.
Topics: Animals; Rocuronium; Dogs; Male; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents; Hemodynamics; Androstanols; Dog Diseases; Diphenhydramine
PubMed: 38952251
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1531 -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Jul 2024Sarcocystis is a food-borne zoonotic protozoan whose final hosts are humans, dogs, cats, and other carnivores and intermediate hosts are birds and mammals, especially...
BACKGROUND
Sarcocystis is a food-borne zoonotic protozoan whose final hosts are humans, dogs, cats, and other carnivores and intermediate hosts are birds and mammals, especially humans and herbivores. Humans become infected by eating raw and undercooked meat contaminated with bradyzoites or by consuming water or food contaminated with the sporocyst stage of the parasite.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of gamma radiation and electron beam on the survival rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites in infected beef and to determine the effective dose.
METHODS
Three replicates of 100 g of infected meat were treated with different doses (0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2 kGy). As a control, 20 g of contaminated meat was stored separately at 4°C. The viability of the bradyzoites after digestion in pepsin solution was assessed, stained (trypan blue) and unstained, under a stereomicroscope. To assess survival of the bradyzoites, the irradiated meat samples were fed to 30 dogs. After 10 days, faecal samples were examined for sporocysts.
RESULTS
The results showed that the highest and lowest mortality rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites in infected organs using electron beam at a dose of 2 kGy were 92.5% and 100%, respectively, and the lowest mortality rate at a dose of 0.5 kGy were 2.5% and 7.89%, respectively.
CONCLUSION
The results of statistical analysis showed that the mortality rate of Sarcocystis bradyzoites was significant between different doses of gamma ray and electron beam, so that gamma rays were better compared to electron beam in destroying Sarcocystis bradyzoites.
Topics: Sarcocystis; Animals; Cattle; Sarcocystosis; Red Meat; Gamma Rays; Dogs; Food Irradiation; Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation; Cattle Diseases; Electrons
PubMed: 38952247
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1519