scholarly journals Detection of Rickettsia raoultii in Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis inermis ticks in Slovakia

Biologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Basma Ouarti ◽  
Basma El Hamzaoui ◽  
Michal Stanko ◽  
Maureen Laroche ◽  
Oleg Mediannikov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Dermacentor Reticulatus ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Molecular Tools ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Rickettsia Raoultii ◽  
Pathogenic Agents ◽  
Transmission Models

AbstractTicks are vector arthropods responsible for the transmission of several pathogenic agents that affect both human and animal health worldwide. In this study our objective was to analyse, using molecular tools, the bacterial community of Dermacentor reticulatus and Haemaphysalis inermis ticks collected in south-eastern Slovakia. Using real-time PCR, we identified the presence of Rickettsia spp. DNA at levels of 14/59 (23.72 %) and 29/173 (16.76 %) in D. reticulatus and H. inermis, respectively. In addition, using standard PCR and sequencing, we identified the presence of Rickettsia raoultii DNA in 13 ticks belonging to the two investigated species. Rickettsia raoultii blast results revealed an average identification percentage of 99.62 %. Following the results of this molecular study there is a possibility that D. reticulatus and H. inermis play a potential role in the transmission of R. raoultii. To prove the possibility of validity of this hypothesis, we suggest performing experimental models in future studies. Our results can serve as preliminary data for future transmission models.

scholarly journals Pathogen Threat and In-group Cooperation

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hirotaka Imada ◽  
Nobuhiro Mifune
Keyword(s):  
Selection Pressure ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Cooperative Behavior ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Behavioral Immune System ◽  
Group Cooperation ◽  
Group Members ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Intergroup Behavior

Disease-causing parasites and pathogens play a pivotal role in intergroup behavior. Previous studies have suggested that the selection pressure posed by pathogen threat has resulted in in-group assortative sociality, including xenophobia and in-group favoritism. While the current literature has collated numerous studies on the former, strikingly, there has not been much research on the relationship between pathogen threat and in-group cooperation. Drawing upon prior studies on the function of the behavioral immune system (BIS), we argued that the BIS might facilitate cooperation with in-group members as a reactive behavioral immune response to pathogen threat. More specifically, we held that individuals might utilize cooperative behavior to ensure that they can receive social support when they have contracted an infectious disease. We reviewed existing findings pertaining to the potential role of the BIS in in-group cooperation and discussed directions for future studies.

scholarly journals Glucocorticoids modulate gastrointestinal microbiome in a wild bird

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 171743 ◽  
Author(s):  
José C. Noguera ◽  
Manuel Aira ◽  
Marcos Pérez-Losada ◽  
Jorge Domínguez ◽  
Alberto Velando
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiome ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Risk Of Infection ◽  
Stress Exposure ◽  
Gastrointestinal Microbiota ◽  
Gastrointestinal Microbiome ◽  
Close Link ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Larus Michahellis

It has recently been hypothesized that stress exposure (e.g. via glucocorticoid secretion) may dysregulate the bacterial gut microbiome, a crucial ‘organ' in animal health. However, whether stress exposure (e.g. via glucocorticoid secretion) affects the bacterial gut microbiome of natural populations is unknown. We have experimentally altered the basal glucocorticoid level (corticosterone implants) in a wild avian species, the yellow-legged gull Larus michahellis , to assess its effects on the gastrointestinal microbiota. Our results suggest underrepresentation of several microbial taxa in the corticosterone-implanted birds. Importantly, such reduction included potentially pathogenic avian bacteria (e.g. Mycoplasma and Microvirga ) and also some commensal taxa that may be beneficial for birds (e.g. Firmicutes). Our findings clearly demonstrate a close link between microbiome communities and glucocorticoid levels in natural populations. Furthermore, they suggest a beneficial effect of stress in reducing the risk of infection that should be explored in future studies.

Lepidium draba (hoary cress).

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philip Weyl
Keyword(s):  
National Parks ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Natural Ecosystems ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Latitudes ◽  
Hoary Cress ◽  
Alkaline Conditions ◽  
Noxious Weed ◽  
Lepidium Draba ◽  
Pathogenic Agents

Abstract Lepidium draba is found in a wide range of habitats ranging from roadsides (highly disturbed sites) to rangelands, meadows and pastures, cultivated fields, home gardens, national parks and wasteland. It exists at high and low latitudes, above and below sea level. It is found under irrigation and in soils of high moisture content and also exists in arid regions. It invades all soil types, although it prefers alkaline conditions and can germinate in saline soils. All of these characteristics and adaptations provide exceptional advantages for this noxious weed and reflect its high potential to invade different agricultural systems. The absence of L. draba plants from plantations or sites where it has not been reported may not be due to the species' ability to invade, survive, grow or develop in these sites but rather to the absence of initial infestation. The weed can invade both agricultural and natural ecosystems (Larson et al., 2000). In summary, L. draba is a serious threat to agriculture and the environment. It is of a high ecological tolerance and is potentially harmful to human and animal health. Its ability to invade and reproduce by different means and to host plant pathogenic agents make this weed invasive with significant problems to man and natural resources.

The water flea Daphnia pulex (Cladocera, Daphniidae), a possible model organism to evaluate aspects of freshwater ecosystems

Crustaceana ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 92 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 1415-1426
Author(s):  
Juan-Alejandro Norambuena ◽  
Jorge Farías ◽  
Patricio De los Ríos
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Trees ◽  
Daphnia Pulex ◽  
Model Organism ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Intraspecific Diversity ◽  
Molecular Tools ◽  
Water Flea ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Molecular Studies

Abstract Daphnia pulex is a freshwater planktonic crustacean, allegedly a cosmopolitan species, which is found in lentic ecosystems. The aim of this study was to conduct a literature review of D. pulex related to its life history and genetic variability, in order to mark a route for future studies. We noted that D. pulex is a model species on which ecological studies have been carried out, as well as molecular studies, in which its molecular diversity has been characterized and such in specimens from different environments: both pristine and under human influence. In particular those studies are highlighted, in which molecular tools have been used to construct phylogenetic trees for study intraspecific differences. Also, in some of these molecular studies, analyses of genetic, inter- and intraspecific diversity have been performed. In addition, analyses of protein expression in D. pulex and related species seem promising in evaluating the detailed role of this species.

scholarly journals Manganese promotes the aggregation and prion-like cell-to-cell exosomal transmission of α-synuclein

2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (572) ◽  
pp. eaau4543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dilshan S. Harischandra ◽  
Dharmin Rokad ◽  
Matthew L. Neal ◽  
Shivani Ghaisas ◽  
Sireesha Manne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Potential Role ◽  
Neuronal Model ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Bimolecular Fluorescence Complementation ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Extracellular Medium ◽  
Cell To Cell Transfer ◽  
Serum Exosomes

The aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn) is considered a key pathophysiological feature of certain neurodegenerative disorders, collectively termed synucleinopathies. Given that a prion-like, cell-to-cell transfer of misfolded αSyn has been recognized in the spreading of αSyn pathology in synucleinopathies, we investigated the biological mechanisms underlying the propagation of the disease with respect to environmental neurotoxic stress. Considering the potential role of the divalent metal manganese (Mn2+) in protein aggregation, we characterized its effect on αSyn misfolding and transmission in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease. In cultured dopaminergic neuronal cells stably expressing wild-type human αSyn, misfolded αSyn was secreted through exosomes into the extracellular medium upon Mn2+ exposure. These exosomes were endocytosed through caveolae into primary microglial cells, thereby mounting neuroinflammatory responses. Furthermore, Mn2+-elicited exosomes exerted a neurotoxic effect in a human dopaminergic neuronal model (LUHMES cells). Moreover, bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) analysis revealed that Mn2+ accelerated the cell-to-cell transmission of αSyn, resulting in dopaminergic neurotoxicity in a mouse model of Mn2+ exposure. Welders exposed to Mn2+ had increased misfolded αSyn content in their serum exosomes. Stereotaxically delivering αSyn-containing exosomes, isolated from Mn2+-treated αSyn-expressing cells, into the striatum initiated Parkinsonian-like pathological features in mice. Together, these results indicate that Mn2+ exposure promotes αSyn secretion in exosomal vesicles, which subsequently evokes proinflammatory and neurodegenerative responses in both cell culture and animal models.

scholarly journals Beam Brook revisited: a molecular study of a historically introduced non-native amphibian (Triturus carnifex) and its limited introgression into native UK Triturus cristatus populations

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-299 ◽  
Author(s):  
Edward Brede
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Molecular Study ◽  
Genetic Introgression ◽  
Molecular Tools ◽  
Triturus Cristatus ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
The Past ◽  
Genetic Pollution ◽  
Do So ◽  
Local Dispersal

Human mediated introductions of non-native species can pose a major threat to global biodiversity on several accounts i.e. through competition, the introduction of novel pathogens, and genetic pollution. Where hybridization occurs between two closely related species the F1 offspring are usually phenotypically discernible whereas F2 hybrid, backcrossed or admixed individuals become more difficult to separate. At this point the utilization of molecular methods is required in conservation efforts to differentiate and manage populations. This study demonstrated how a possible threat of hybridization from an introduced non-native (T. carnifex) with a protected native newt species (T. cristatus) could be investigated with molecular tools, and examined the current extent of its genetic introgression over an 80 years period. The results confirmed that hybridization had taken place at the site of introduction (and continues to do so), and that historically limited local dispersal of both non-natives and/or hybrids had occurred sometime in the past. However, the data suggests that although dispersal of hybrids into a local satellite site may still be occuring, hybridization with native species appears limited.

scholarly journals An Experimental Method for Stereolithic Mandible Fabrication and Image Preparation

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shawn Russett ◽  
Paul Major ◽  
Jason Carey ◽  
Roger Toogood ◽  
Pierre Boulanger
Keyword(s):  
Rapid Prototyping ◽  
Experimental Model ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Anatomical Structures ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Surgical Guides ◽  
Model Preparation ◽  
Viable Method ◽  
Condylar Neck

Reproduction of anatomical structures by rapid prototyping has proven to be a valid adjunct for craniofacial surgery, providing alternative methods to produce prostheses and development of surgical guides. The aim of this study was to introduce a methodology to fabricate asymmetric human mandibles by rapid prototyping to be used in future studies for evaluating mandibular symmetries. Stereolithic models of human mandibles were produced with varying amounts of asymmetry in the condylar neck, ramus and body of the mandible by means of rapid prototyping. A method for production of the synthetic mandibles was defined. Model preparation, landmark description and development of the experimental model were described. A series of synthetic mandibles ranging in asymmetry were accurately produced from a scanned human mandible. A method for creating the asymmetries, fabricating, coating and landmarking the synthetic mandibles was formulated. A description for designing a reproducible experimental model for image acquisition was also outlined. Production of synthetic mandibles by stereolithic modeling is a viable method for creating skeletal experimental models with known amounts of asymmetry.

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