Assessment of exposure to the Penicillium glabrum complex in cork industry using complementing methods / Ocjena izloženosti kompleksu Penicillium glabrum u proizvodnji pluta s pomoću komplementarnih metoda

Abstract Cork oak is the second most dominant forest species in Portugal and makes this country the world leader in cork export. Occupational exposure to Chrysonilia sitophila and the Penicillium glabrum complex in cork industry is common, and the latter fungus is associated with suberosis. However, as conventional methods seem to underestimate its presence in occupational environments, the aim of our study was to see whether information obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), a molecular-based method, can complement conventional findings and give a better insight into occupational exposure of cork industry workers. We assessed fungal contamination with the P. glabrum complex in three cork manufacturing plants in the outskirts of Lisbon using both conventional and molecular methods. Conventional culturing failed to detect the fungus at six sampling sites in which PCR did detect it. This confirms our assumption that the use of complementing methods can provide information for a more accurate assessment of occupational exposure to the P. glabrum complex in cork industry.

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Descriptive epidemiology of coronavirus disease 2019 in Nigeria, 27 February–6 June 2020

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s095026882000206x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 148 ◽

Author(s):

K. O. Elimian ◽

C. L. Ochu ◽

E. Ilori ◽

J. Oladejo ◽

E. Igumbor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Planning ◽

Case Fatality ◽

National Surveillance ◽

Descriptive Epidemiology ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Response Strategies ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Insight Into ◽

Pcr Test

Abstract The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria with a view of generating evidence to enhance planning and response strategies. A national surveillance dataset between 27 February and 6 June 2020 was retrospectively analysed, with confirmatory testing for COVID-19 done by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The primary outcomes were cumulative incidence (CI) and case fatality (CF). A total of 40 926 persons (67% of total 60 839) had complete records of RT-PCR test across 35 states and the Federal Capital Territory, 12 289 (30.0%) of whom were confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of those confirmed cases, 3467 (28.2%) had complete records of clinical outcome (alive or dead), 342 (9.9%) of which died. The overall CI and CF were 5.6 per 100 000 population and 2.8%, respectively. The highest proportion of COVID-19 cases and deaths were recorded in persons aged 31–40 years (25.5%) and 61–70 years (26.6%), respectively; and males accounted for a higher proportion of confirmed cases (65.8%) and deaths (79.0%). Sixty-six per cent of confirmed COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic at diagnosis. In conclusion, this paper has provided an insight into the early epidemiology of COVID-19 in Nigeria, which could be useful for contextualising public health planning.

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Expression of IGF2 and IGF receptor mRNA in bovine nuclear transferred embryos

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199403002296 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 245-252 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Dong-Wook Han ◽

Sang-Jin Song ◽

Sang Jun Uhum ◽

Jeong-Tae Do ◽

Nam-Hyung Kim ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nuclear Transfer ◽

Donor Cell ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Pcr Method ◽

Igf Receptor ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Low Efficiency ◽

Insight Into

Incomplete reprogramming of the donor cell nucleus after nuclear transfer (NT) probably leads to the abnormal expression of developmentally important genes. This may be responsible for the low efficiency of cloned animal production. Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) and IGF2 receptor (IGF2R) are imprinted genes that play important roles in preimplantation development. To obtain an insight into abnormal gene expression after nuclear transfer, we assessed the transcription patterns of IGF2-IGF2R in single in vitro fertilised and cloned embryos by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). IGF2R expression did not differ significantly but IGF2 was more highly expressed in cloned embryos than in IVF embryos (p < 0.05). This was confirmed by a quantitative RT-PCR method. Thus, incomplete reprogramming may induce abnormal transcription of IGF2 in cloned embryos.

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Expression and localization of tubulin cofactors TBCD and TBCE in human gametes

Zygote ◽

10.1017/s0967199417000144 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 25 (3) ◽

pp. 304-312

Author(s):

Victoria Jiménez-Moreno ◽

Ekaitz Agirregoitia

Keyword(s):

Essential Role ◽

Human Sperm ◽

Human Oocyte ◽

Middle Region ◽

Rt Pcr ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Differential Distribution ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Insight Into ◽

Human Gametes

SummaryThe tubulin cofactors TBCD and TBCE play an essential role in regulation of the microtubule dynamics in a wide variety of somatic cells, but little information is known about the expression of these cofactors in human sperm and oocytes. In this study, we focused on the investigation of the presence of, and the differential distribution of, the tubulin cofactors TBCD and TBCE in human sperm and during human oocyte maturation. We performed expression assays for TBCD and TBCE by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), western blot and immunofluorescence and verified the presence of both cofactors in human gametes. TBCD and TBCE were located mainly in the middle region and in the tail of the sperm while in the oocyte the localization was cytosolic. The mRNA of both tubulin cofactors were present in the human oocytes but not in sperm cells. This finding gives a first insight into where TBCD and TBCE could carry out their function in the continuous changes that the cytoskeleton experiences during gametogenesis and also prior to fertilization.

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Diversity of Biscogniauxia mediterranea within Single Stromata on Cork Oak

Journal of Mycology ◽

10.1155/2014/324349 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Joana Henriques ◽

Filomena Nóbrega ◽

Edmundo Sousa ◽

Arlindo Lima

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Genetic Variation ◽

Genetic Variability ◽

Geographical Location ◽

Cork Oak ◽

Microsatellite Primers ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Disease Symptoms ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

High Level

Charcoal canker, caused by the fungus Biscogniauxia mediterranea, is one of the most frequent diseases of cork oak in Portugal. The pathogen has been considered a secondary invader that attacks only stressed hosts; however, in recent years, an increasing number of young trees exhibiting the disease symptoms have been recorded. A collection of monoascosporic cultures isolated from single stromata of B. mediterranea in cork oak from different locations was analyzed by means of microsatellite—Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction—using three microsatellite primers, in order to detect the genetic variation of the population thus discussing its plasticity and ability to adapt to different conditions. The results showed a high level of genetic variability among isolates obtained from the same stroma, being impossible to distinguish isolates from individual stromata neither from different geographical location.

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A novel variation of GDF3 in Chinese Han children with a broad phenotypic spectrum of non-syndromic CHDs

Cardiology in the Young ◽

10.1017/s1047951114002170 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 25 (7) ◽

pp. 1263-1267 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jianmin Xiao ◽

Guanyang Kang ◽

Jing Wang ◽

Tengyan Li ◽

Jiuhao Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Septal Defect ◽

System Development ◽

Reaction Products ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Chinese Han ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Embryonic Morphogenesis ◽

Insight Into

AbstractBackgroundThe GDF3 gene plays a fundamental role in embryonic morphogenesis. Recent studies have indicated that GDF3 plays a previously unrecognised role in cardiovascular system development. Non-syndromic CHDs might be a clinically isolated manifestation of GDF3 mutations. The purpose of the present study was to identify potential pathological mutations in the GDF3 gene in Chinese children with non-syndromic CHDs, and to gain insight into the aetiology of non-syndromic CHDs.MethodsA total of 200 non-syndromic CHDs patients and 202 normal control patients were sampled. There were two exons of the human GDF3 gene amplified using polymerase chain reaction. The polymerase chain reaction products were purified and directly sequenced.ResultsOne missense mutation (c.C635T, p.Ser212 Leu, phenotype: isolated muscular ventricular septal defect) was found that has not been reported previously.ConclusionsTo the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the role of the GDF3 gene in non-syndromic CHDs. Our results expand the spectrum of mutations associated with CHDs and first suggest the potentially disease-related GDF3 gene variant in the pathogenesis of CHDs.

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Detection of viruses and body fluids which may contain viruses in the domestic environment

Epidemiology and Infection ◽

10.1017/s0950268898001678 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 121 (3) ◽

pp. 673-680 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

K. BELLAMY ◽

K. L. LABAN ◽

K. E. BARRETT ◽

D. C. S. TALBOT

Keyword(s):

Cell Culture ◽

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Environmental Samples ◽

Test Methods ◽

Body Fluids ◽

Fungal Contamination ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Domestic Environment ◽

Total View ◽

Polymerase Chain

The domestic environment was investigated for the presence of viruses and body fluids that may contain viruses. A range of surfaces in 39 homes (17 visited on 2 occasions) were sampled by swabbing and analysed using cell culture, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction for enteroviral RNA, haemoglobin as a marker for blood, amylase as an indicator of urine, saliva and sweat, and protein as an indicator of general hygiene. Haemoglobin was found on 1·9% of surfaces sampled and of the positive samples 30% were from articles frequently handled. Amylase (>5 U/l) was found in 29·3% of samples tested. Protein was found in 97·8% of samples tested. Enteroviral RNA, indicating the presence of virus, was detected in 3 out of 448 samples tested; they were from a tap handle, telephone handpiece and a toilet bowl. No viruses were isolated in cell culture, however significant problems were encountered with bacterial and fungal contamination. This work demonstrates that only testing environmental samples for bacteria and ATP may not give a total view of the microbiological problem in the home. A range of test methods is useful to gain a broad view of the problems of hygiene in the home and to allow comparative studies of specific areas such as the kitchen and bathroom.

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Identification of pathogenic genes in Campylobacter jejuni isolated from broiler carcasses and broiler slaughterhouses

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84149-1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Yuli Melisa Sierra-Arguello ◽

Gustavo Perdoncini ◽

Laura Beatriz Rodrigues ◽

Luciana Ruschel dos Santos ◽

Karen Apellanis Borges ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Campylobacter Jejuni ◽

Latin American ◽

Foodborne Diseases ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Virulence Markers ◽

Pathogenic Genes ◽

Common Causes ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Latin American Countries ◽

Insight Into

AbstractCampylobacter jejuni is one of the most common causes of foodborne diseases worldwide. There are few reports on Campylobacter strains isolated from Latin-American countries. Here, 140 C. jejuni strains isolated from cloacal and transport boxes swabs, water from chiller tanks, and broiler carcasses of five poultry companies in Southern Brazil were identified using phenotypic and genotypic methods. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to analyze eight C. jejuni virulence markers: flaA, cadF, and invasion-associated (iam) genes, cdtABC operon (associated with the cytolethal distending toxin), and plasmidial virB11 and wlaN genes were present in 78.5%, 77.8%, 0%, 74.2%, 22.1%, and 10.7% of samples, respectively. There were 25 different virulence profiles: 1 (cdtA, cdtB, cdtC, flaA, and cadF), 2 (cdtA, cdtB, cdtC, flaA, cadF, and virB11), and 3 (cdtA, cdtB, cdtC, flaA, cadF, and wlaN) were the most common (> 60% of strains). We provide insight into factors related to the occurrence of this pathogen and their epidemiology.

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Prevalence and prevention of brucellosis in cattle in Lebanon

Veterinary World ◽

10.14202/vetworld.2020.364-371 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 364-371 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hussein Hassan ◽

Ali Salami ◽

Nada Nehme ◽

Raed Al Hakeem ◽

Jeanne El Hage ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Competitive Elisa ◽

Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Serological Tests ◽

The Public ◽

Underdeveloped Countries ◽

Milk Samples ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Region 10 ◽

Insight Into

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease caused by the bacterium of the genus Brucella. This disease is present worldwide, especially in developing and underdeveloped countries, where it is endemic. This first-of-its-kind study in Lebanon aimed to assess the prevalence of brucellosis across the country and to determine the efficacy of a vaccine for reducing losses in herds so that its toll on public health is reduced. Materials and Methods: Three hundred and fifty-three blood serum and 261 milk samples were obtained from cows in different areas of Lebanon. The samples were analyzed using serological tests (rose Bengal, milk ring, and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA]) and confirmed with competitive ELISA and polymerase chain reaction. Results: The highest rate of Brucellae was found in the Bekaa region (10%). After vaccination of 5 cows and 13 heifers at different times, the results showed that all the vaccinated animals have developed an immune response to brucellosis 60 days after vaccination. This vaccine can be considered as stable and preventative to protect against brucellosis in animals and thus protect the public from this infection. Conclusion: These findings will provide further insight into designing future targeted awareness interventions and adapted policies as efforts toward reducing the prevalence and prevention of brucellosis in cattle in Lebanon.

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Induction of a Grapevine Germin-Like Protein (VvGLP3) Gene Is Closely Linked to the Site of Erysiphe necator Infection: A Possible Role in Defense?

Molecular Plant-Microbe Interactions ◽

10.1094/mpmi-20-9-1112 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 20 (9) ◽

pp. 1112-1125 ◽

Cited By ~ 58

Author(s):

Dale Godfrey ◽

Amanda J. Able ◽

Ian B. Dry

Keyword(s):

Polymerase Chain Reaction ◽

Cell Wall ◽

Recombinant Protein ◽

Plasmopara Viticola ◽

Cdna Clones ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Erysiphe Necator ◽

Fusion Construct ◽

Polymerase Chain ◽

Insight Into

Germin-like proteins (GLP) have various proposed roles in plant development and defense. Seven novel GLP cDNA clones were isolated from grapevine (Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction expression analysis revealed that the VvGLP genes exhibit diverse and highly specific patterns of expression in response to a variety of abiotic and biotic treatments, including challenge by Erysiphe necator, Plasmopara viticola, and Botrytis cinerea, suggesting a diversity of roles for each of the GLP family members. Significantly, one of the grapevine GLP genes, VvGLP3, is induced specifically by E. necator infection and expression is closely linked to the site of infection. Subcellular localization of VvGLP3 determined by transient expression of a VvGLP3:GFP fusion construct in onion cells indicated that the recombinant protein was targeted to the cell wall. Recombinant VvGLP3 was successfully expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana and the partially purified recombinant protein was demonstrated to have superoxide dismutase activity. This data has provided an insight into the diverse nature of the GLP family in grapevine and suggests that VvGLP3 may be involved in the defense response against E. necator.

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