Clinical, pathological and molecular evaluations and CT scan screening of coenurosis (Coenurus cerebralis) in sheep and calves

Abstract The aims of this study were to diagnose coenurosis by means of computerized tomography (CT) scan imaging and molecular characterization of the CO1 gene using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Sheep and calves were necropsied, and CT scans on the cephalic region were performed on the animals. Sections of brain tissue infected with parasites were then stained with hematoxylin and eosin for microscopic examination. Material collected from brain cysts was fixed in 70% ethanol. PCR amplification was carried out using the CO1 mitochondrial gene. A total of 60 calves and 80 sheep were examined clinically and, of these, 15 calves and 38 sheep showed signs of depression, with counterclockwise circling movements and altered head carriage. Four sheep and one calf were necropsied, and C. cerebralis cysts were detected in all of them. A hypodense cyst was monitored in the right cerebellar hemisphere on a CT scan on one sheep. A cyst was found in the left frontal lobe on a CT scan on one calf. Microscopically, C. cerebralis cysts were surrounded by a fibrous or epithelial wall that presented necrosis on cerebral sections of both the sheep and the cattle. The CO1-PCR assay yielded a 446 bp band, which was sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed: the results confirmed the presence of T. multiceps. This study reports the first use of CT imaging on naturally infected calves and sheep for diagnosing coenurosis.

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Genetic characterization of three mitochondrial gene sequences of goat/sheep-derived coenurus cerebralis and cysticercus tenuicollis isolates in Inner Mongolia, China

Parasite ◽

10.1051/parasite/2018002 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 25 ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Yichi Zhang ◽

Wei Zhao ◽

Di Yang ◽

Yuan Tian ◽

Weizhe Zhang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Inner Mongolia ◽

Genetic Characterization ◽

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Northern China ◽

Nucleotide Sequences ◽

Taenia Hydatigena ◽

Cysticercus Tenuicollis ◽

Coenurus Cerebralis ◽

Epidemiological Significance

Taenia multiceps and Taenia hydatigena are widely distributed tapeworms of canids. Due to a lack of genetic information on these two parasites in China, in this study we analyzed six coenurus cerebralis and two cysticercus tenuicollis cysts from goats or sheep in Inner Mongolia, northern China by amplifying three mitochondrial genes (cox1, nad4, and cytb). Two haplotypes were obtained at each locus for either of the two Taenia cestode species, with ten nucleotide sequences being novel. The degrees of genetic variations were 1.18%, 0.61% and 0.52% for coenurus cerebralis, and 0.24%, 0.46% and 0.35% for cysticercus tenuicollis at the cox1, nad4 and cytb loci, respectively. This is the first molecular description of animal-derived metacestodes of T. multiceps and T. hydatigena in Inner Mongolia, China. Novel nucleotide sequences might reflect endemic genetic characterization of the two cestodes. The present data are useful to explore the biological and epidemiological significance of intra-specific variations within both Taenia cestodes.

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Multilocus Genotyping of Pneumocystis jirovecii from Deceased Cuban AIDS Patients Using Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded Tissues

Journal of Fungi ◽

10.3390/jof7121042 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (12) ◽

pp. 1042

Author(s):

Vicente Friaza ◽

Yaxsier de Armas ◽

Virginia Capó ◽

Rubén Morilla ◽

Arturo Plascencia-Hernández ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mitochondrial Gene ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Pneumocystis Jirovecii ◽

Nucleotide Sequencing ◽

Genotype 3 ◽

Aids Patients ◽

Tissue Samples ◽

Epidemiology Studies ◽

Formalin Fixed

The results of the genotypic characterization of Pneumocystis jirovecii are described in lung tissue samples from 41 Cubans who died of AIDS with pneumocystosis between 1995 and 2008. Histological sections of the lung preserved as formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue were examined. PCR amplification and nucleotide sequencing of the two mitochondrial genes (large and small) of the pathogen allowed verification of a predominance of genotype 3 (85T/248C) of the large mitochondrial gene and genotype 3 (160A/196T) of the small mitochondrial gene over a period of 14 years (1995–2008). These results suggest that the 85T/248C//160A/196T genotype circulates with the highest frequency (81.3%) among AIDS patients in Cuba. Multilocus analysis indicates a limited circulation of pathogen genotypes on the island with the existence of a clonal genotype with an epidemic structure. Furthermore, it appears that circulating strains of P. jirovecii have not developed mutations related to sulfonamide resistance. Taken together, the data in this study revealed important elements about pneumocystosis in Cuban patients dying of AIDS and the usefulness of formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples to carry out molecular epidemiology studies of P. jirovecii.

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Anatomical and histological traits of Brycon amazonicus liver cultivated in a semi-intensive system

Brazilian Journal of Biology ◽

10.1590/1519-6984.244784 ◽

2023 ◽

Vol 83 ◽

Author(s):

H. M. Ziemniczak ◽

C. A. Honorato ◽

J. K. Valentim ◽

E. Ferreira ◽

H. T. Ferraz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fish Species ◽

Condition Factor ◽

Body Growth ◽

Productive Capacity ◽

Length Relationship ◽

Right Lobe ◽

Hematoxylin And Eosin ◽

New Research ◽

The Right

Abstract The work aimed to evaluate the weight-length relationship and the condition factor, characterizing the biometry, anatomy, histology and volumetric density of the liver of Brycon amazonicus, in different stages of body growth. The experiment used twenty specimens in four stages of body growth (PI, PII, PIII and PIV) harvested every 90 days, containing five specimens, each group. The livers were dissected, weighed (g) and processed routinely using the hematoxylin and eosin technique. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation test and linear regression. The equation that represented the weight-length relation was W = 0.05902 x L2.63, with negative allometric growth, but with a relative condition factor equal to 1.0. The liver was divided into three lobes with the gallbladder close to the right lobe and its color varied from light red to dark red, not varying in relation to other fish species. The hepatosomatic relationship followed body growth until the PII group stage and then declined, demonstrating the behavior of its development in Brycon amazonicus. The organ consists predominantly of hepatocytes, followed by sinusoidal vessels and capillaries, with histological morphology similar to that of many species of fish. Melanomacrophage centers were found only in the most developed animals, but in small quantities, prompting the development of new research on this cell, in this species. In this way, research of this nature allows the characterization of fish species, helping to improve breeding methods, understanding pathological processes caused by diseases, and obtaining better productive capacity, serving an increasingly demanding and prosperous market.

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Characterization of a cDNA for Rhesus Monkey Protein C Inhibitor – Evidence for N-Terminal Involvement in Heparin Stimulation

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1649885 ◽

1995 ◽

Vol 74 (04) ◽

pp. 1079-1087 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Klaus-P Radtke ◽

José A Fernández ◽

Bruno O Villoutreix ◽

Judith S Greengard ◽

John H Griffin

Keyword(s):

Rhesus Monkey ◽

Protein C ◽

Activated Protein C ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Amino Acid Sequences ◽

Heparin Binding ◽

Reactive Center ◽

Protein C Inhibitor ◽

Polymerase Chain

SummarycDNAs for protein C inhibitor (PCI) were cloned from human and rhesus monkey 1 liver RNAs by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Sequencing showed that rhesus monkey and human PCI cDNAs were 93% identical. Predicted amino acid sequences differed at 26 of 387 residues. Pour of these differences (T352M, N359S, R362K, L3631) were in the reactive center loop that is important for inhibitory specificity, and two were in the N-terminal helix (M8T, E13K) that is implicated in glycosaminoglycan binding. PCI in human or rhesus monkey plasma showed comparable inhibitory activity towards human activated protein C in the presence of 10 U/ml heparin. However, maximal acceleration of the inhibition of activated protein C required 5-fold lower heparin concentration for rhesus monkey than for human plasma, consistent with the interpretation that the additional positive charge (E13K) in a putative-heparin binding region increased the affinity for heparin.

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Reduced Interhemispheric Coherence in Cerebellar Kainic Acid-Induced Lateralized Dystonia

Frontiers in Neurology ◽

10.3389/fneur.2020.580540 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Elena Laura Georgescu Margarint ◽

Ioana Antoaneta Georgescu ◽

Carmen Denise Mihaela Zahiu ◽

Stefan-Alexandru Tirlea ◽

Alexandru Rǎzvan Şteopoaie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Motor Cortex ◽

Kainic Acid ◽

Primary Motor Cortex ◽

Low Frequency ◽

Muscular Activity ◽

Cerebellar Hemisphere ◽

Interhemispheric Coherence ◽

General Locomotor Activity ◽

Complex Circuits ◽

The Right

The execution of voluntary muscular activity is controlled by the primary motor cortex, together with the cerebellum and basal ganglia. The synchronization of neural activity in the intracortical network is crucial for the regulation of movements. In certain motor diseases, such as dystonia, this synchrony can be altered in any node of the cerebello-cortical network. Questions remain about how the cerebellum influences the motor cortex and interhemispheric communication. This research aims to study the interhemispheric cortical communication between the motor cortices during dystonia, a neurological movement syndrome consisting of sustained or repetitive involuntary muscle contractions. We pharmacologically induced lateralized dystonia to adult male albino mice by administering low doses of kainic acid on the left cerebellar hemisphere. Using electrocorticography and electromyography, we investigated the power spectral densities, cortico-muscular, and interhemispheric coherence between the right and left motor cortices, before and during dystonia, for five consecutive days. Mice displayed lateralized abnormal motor signs, a reduced general locomotor activity, and a high score of dystonia. The results showed a progressive interhemispheric coherence decrease in low-frequency bands (delta, theta, beta) during the first 3 days. The cortico-muscular coherence of the affected side had a significant increase in gamma bands on days 3 and 4. In conclusion, lateralized cerebellar dysfunction during dystonia was associated with a loss of connectivity in the motor cortices, suggesting a possible cortical compensation to the initial disturbances induced by cerebellar left hemisphere kainate activation by blocking the propagation of abnormal oscillations to the healthy hemisphere. However, the cerebellum is part of several overly complex circuits, therefore other mechanisms can still be involved in this phenomenon.

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Functional Characterization of the mazEF Toxin-Antitoxin System in the Pathogenic Bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9051107 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 1107

Author(s):

Wonho Choi ◽

Yoshihiro Yamaguchi ◽

Ji-Young Park ◽

Sang-Hyun Park ◽

Hyeok-Won Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Agrobacterium Tumefaciens ◽

Physiological Function ◽

Functional Characterization ◽

Site Directed Mutagenesis ◽

In Vitro Assays ◽

Cell Growth Inhibition ◽

The Right

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is a pathogen of various plants which transfers its own DNA (T-DNA) to the host plants. It is used for producing genetically modified plants with this ability. To control T-DNA transfer to the right place, toxin-antitoxin (TA) systems of A. tumefaciens were used to control the target site of transfer without any unintentional targeting. Here, we describe a toxin-antitoxin system, Atu0939 (mazE-at) and Atu0940 (mazF-at), in the chromosome of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The toxin in the TA system has 33.3% identity and 45.5% similarity with MazF in Escherichia coli. The expression of MazF-at caused cell growth inhibition, while cells with MazF-at co-expressed with MazE-at grew normally. In vivo and in vitro assays revealed that MazF-at inhibited protein synthesis by decreasing the cellular mRNA stability. Moreover, the catalytic residue of MazF-at was determined to be the 24th glutamic acid using site-directed mutagenesis. From the results, we concluded that MazF-at is a type II toxin-antitoxin system and a ribosome-independent endoribonuclease. Here, we characterized a TA system in A. tumefaciens whose understanding might help to find its physiological function and to develop further applications.

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Synthesis and Characterization of Exopolysaccharide Encapsulated PCL/Gelatin Skin Substitute for Full-Thickness Wound Regeneration

Polymers ◽

10.3390/polym13060854 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (6) ◽

pp. 854

Author(s):

Ahmad Hivechi ◽

Peiman Brouki Milan ◽

Khashayar Modabberi ◽

Moein Amoupour ◽

Kaveh Ebrahimzadeh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Activity ◽

Average Diameter ◽

Skin Substitute ◽

Full Thickness ◽

Skin Integrity ◽

Hematoxylin And Eosin ◽

First Time ◽

Full Thickness Wound

Loss of skin integrity can lead to serious problems and even death. In this study, for the first time, the effect of exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced by cold-adapted yeast R. mucilaginosa sp. GUMS16 on a full-thickness wound in rats was evaluated. The GUMS16 strain’s EPS was precipitated by adding cold ethanol and then lyophilized. Afterward, the EPS with polycaprolactone (PCL) and gelatin was fabricated into nanofibers with two single-needle and double-needle procedures. The rats’ full-thickness wounds were treated with nanofibers and Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s Trichrome staining was done for studying the wound healing in rats. Obtained results from SEM, DLS, FTIR, and TGA showed that EPS has a carbohydrate chemical structure with an average diameter of 40 nm. Cell viability assessments showed that the 2% EPS loaded sample exhibits the highest cell activity. Moreover, in vivo implantation of nanofiber webs on the full-thickness wound on rat models displayed a faster healing rate when EPS was loaded into a nanofiber. These results suggest that the produced EPS can be used for skin tissue engineering applications.

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Delayed Extradural Hematoma after Evacuation of Contralateral Acute Extradural Hematoma

Indian Journal of Neurotrauma ◽

10.1055/s-0040-1713722 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Majid Anwer ◽

Atique Ur Rehman ◽

Farheen Ahmed ◽

Satyendra Kumar ◽

Md Masleh Uddin

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Ct Scan ◽

Postoperative Period ◽

Road Traffic ◽

Case Reports ◽

Mass Effect ◽

Extradural Hematoma ◽

Traumatic Head Injury ◽

Neurologic Deterioration ◽

The Right

Abstract Introduction Traumatic head injury with extradural hematoma (EDH) is seen in 2% of patients. Development of EDH on the contralateral side is an uncommon complication that has been reported in various case reports. Case Report We report here a case of an 18-year-old male who had a road traffic injury. He was diagnosed as a case of left-sided large frontotemporoparietal acute extradural bleed with a mass effect toward the right side. He was managed with urgent craniotomy and evacuation of hematoma. A noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) scan performed 8 hours after postoperative period showed a large frontotemporoparietal bleed on the right side with a mass effect toward the left side. He was again taken to the operating room and right-sided craniotomy and evacuation of hematoma were performed. A postoperative NCCT scan revealed a resolved hematoma. The patient made a complete recovery in the postoperative period and is doing well. Conclusion Delayed onset epidural hematoma is diagnosed when the initial computed tomography (CT) scan is negative or is performed early and when late CT scan performed to assess clinical or ICP deterioration shows an EDH. The diagnosis of such a condition requires a high index of suspicion based on the mechanism of injury along with fracture patterns. Additionally, change in pupillary size, raised intracranial pressure, and bulging of the brain intraoperatively are additional clues for contralateral bleeding. Neurologic deterioration may or may not be associated with delayed EDH presentation. An early postoperative NCCT scan within 24 hours is recommended to detect this complication with or without any neurologic deterioration.

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Isolation and characterization of two virulent Aeromonads associated with haemorrhagic septicaemia and tail-rot disease in farmed climbing perch Anabas testudineus

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-84997-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abhishek Mazumder ◽

Hrishikesh Choudhury ◽

Abhinit Dey ◽

Dandadhar Sarma

Keyword(s):

Natural Infection ◽

Winter Season ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Body Parts ◽

Anabas Testudineus ◽

Climbing Perch ◽

Isolation And Characterization ◽

Biochemical Characterisation ◽

Rot Disease

AbstractDiseased Anabas testudineus exhibiting signs of tail-rot and ulcerations on body were collected from a fish farm in Assam, India during the winter season (November 2018 to January 2019). Swabs from the infected body parts were streaked on sterilized nutrient agar. Two dominant bacterial colonies were obtained, which were then isolated and labelled as AM-31 and AM-05. Standard biochemical characterisation and 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequencing identified AM-31 isolate as Aeromonas hydrophila and AM-05 as Aeromonas jandaei. Symptoms similar to that of natural infection were observed on re-infecting both bacteria to disease-free A. testudineus, which confirmed their virulence. LC50 was determined at 1.3 × 104 (A. hydrophila) and 2.5 × 104 (A. jandaei) CFU per fish in intraperitoneal injection. Further, PCR amplification of specific genes responsible for virulence (aerolysin and enterotoxin) confirmed pathogenicity of both bacteria. Histopathology of kidney and liver in the experimentally-infected fishes revealed haemorrhage, tubular degeneration and vacuolation. Antibiotic profiles were also assessed for both bacteria. To the best of our knowledge, the present work is a first report on the mortality of farmed climbing perch naturally-infected by A. hydrophila as well as A. jandaei, with no records of pathogenicity of the latter in this fish.

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