New Insight regarding Legionella Non- Pneumophila Species Identification: Comparison between the Traditional mip Gene Classification Scheme and a Newly Proposed Scheme Targeting the rpoB Gene

Legionella spp. are a widely spread bacteria that cause a fatal form of pneumonia. While traditional laboratory techniques have provided valuable systems for Legionella pneumophila identification, the amplification of the mip gene has been recognized as the only useful tool for Legionella non- pneumophila species identification both in clinical and environmental samples.

Age-Dependent Intestinal Repair: Implications for Foals with Severe Colic

Colic is a leading cause of death in horses, with the most fatal form being strangulating obstruction which directly damages the intestinal barrier. Following surgical intervention, it is imperative that the intestinal barrier rapidly repairs to prevent translocation of gut bacteria and their products and ensure survival of the patient. Age-related disparities in survival have been noted in many species, including horses, humans, and pigs, with younger patients suffering poorer clinical outcomes. Maintenance and repair of the intestinal barrier is regulated by a complex mucosal microenvironment, of which the ENS, and particularly a developing network of subepithelial enteric glial cells, may be of particular importance in neonates with colic. Postnatal development of an immature enteric glial cell network is thought to be driven by the microbial colonization of the gut and therefore modulated by diet-influenced changes in bacterial populations early in life. Here, we review the current understanding of the roles of the gut microbiome, nutrition, stress, and the ENS in maturation of intestinal repair mechanisms after foaling and how this may influence age-dependent outcomes in equine colic cases.

MiR-186 Suppressed Growth, Migration, and Invasion of Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells via Targeting Dicer1

Objective. Globally, the fatal form of lung cancer is non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and its most common subtype is lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). In cancer development and progression, miRNAs play key roles primarily in interacting with cancer-related genes. The main focus of this research was to examine the biological roles of miR-186 in LUAD. Methods. We examined tissues of LUAD and lung cancer cell lines. The expressions of miR-186, Dicer1, Ki-67, and PCNA were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC), real-time quantitative PCR (RT-PCR), and western blot assays. The CCK-8 and transwell assays were used to determine cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. To determine the association between miR-186 and Dicer1, a luciferase assay was used. Results. MiR-186 expression was found to be lower in LUAD tissues, and this was correlated to TNM stage and lymph node metastasis in LUAD patients. miR-186 upregulation significantly reduced the proliferation rate and the level of Ki67 and PCNA of LUAD cell lines HCC827 and A549. Transwell assay exhibited that miR-186 upregulation considerably reduced HCC827 and A549 cells' migration and invasion abilities. Furthermore, we also confirmed that Dicer1 was a direct target of miR-186. Importantly, Dicer1 overexpression abolished the suppression of miR-186 mimics on cell proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC827 and A549 cells. Conclusion. These results indicated that the miR-186/Dicer1 pathway is critical for regulating LUAD cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

Chagas Disease in People with HIV: A Narrative Review

Many questions remain unanswered regarding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of Trypanosoma cruzi infection in people with HIV (PWH). The reported prevalence of T. cruzi infection in PWH living in endemic countries ranges from 1–28% and is likely similar in at-risk US populations. While classic cardiac and gastrointestinal presentations of chronic Chagas disease occur in PWH, PWH are additionally at risk for a severe and often fatal form of T. cruzi-mediated disease called reactivation disease. T. cruzi reactivation typically occurs in PWH with low CD4 counts and poor virologic control. National HIV guidelines in several endemic South American countries recommend that all PWH be screened for T. cruzi infection at the time of HIV diagnosis; however, this recommendation is not widely implemented. The early detection of T. cruzi infection in PWH is critical as the sequelae of Chagas disease, including T. cruzi reactivation, may be preventable through the restoration of robust cellular immunity via the initiation of antiretroviral therapy and the appropriate use of antitrypanosomal therapy.

The increased presence of repetitive motifs in the KDDR-plus recombinant protein, a kinesin-derived antigen from Leishmania infantum, improves the diagnostic performance of serological tests for human and canine visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by protozoa belonging to the Leishmania donovani complex and is considered the most serious and fatal form among the different types of leishmaniasis, if not early diagnosed and treated. Among the measures of disease control stand out the management of infected dogs and the early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of human cases. Several antigens have been characterized for use in the VL diagnosis, among them are the recombinant kinesin-derived antigens from L. infantum, as rK39 and rKDDR. The main difference between these antigens is the size of the non-repetitive kinesin region and the number of repetitions of the 39 amino acid degenerate motif (6.5 and 8.5 repeats in rK39 and rKDDR, respectively). This repetitive region has a high antigenicity score. To evaluate the effect of increasing the number of repeats on diagnostic performance, we designed the rKDDR-plus antigen, containing 15.3 repeats of the 39 amino acid degenerate motif, besides the absence of the non-repetitive portion from L. infantum kinesin. Its performance was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and rapid immunochromatographic test (ICT), and compared with the kinesin-derived antigens (rKDDR and rK39). In ELISA with human sera, all recombinant antigens had a sensitivity of 98%, whereas the specificity for rKDDR-plus, rKDDR and rK39 was 100%, 96% and 71%, respectively. When evaluated canine sera, the ELISA sensitivity was 97% for all antigens, and the specificity for rKDDR-plus, rKDDR and rK39 was 98%, 91% and 83%, respectively. Evaluation of the ICT/rKDDR-plus, using human sera, showed greater diagnostic sensitivity (90%) and specificity (100%), when compared to the IT LEISH (79% and 98%, respectively), which is based on the rK39 antigen. These results suggest that the increased presence of repetitive motifs in the rKDDR-plus protein improves the diagnostic performance of serological tests by increasing the specificity and accuracy of the diagnosis.

Anesthetic Management of a Patient with Harlequin Ichthyosis

Harlequin ichthyosis is a severe and often fatal form of congenital ichthyosis caused by defective lipid transport which results in a dysfunctional skin barrier. Patients who survive the neonatal period are predisposed to skin infections, sepsis, impaired thermoregulation, and dehydration. The unique skin characteristics can present significant anesthetic challenges. We highlight the relevant anesthetic considerations in a 3-year-old presenting for syndactyly release of the right second and fourth digits. We describe the steps to ensure protection of the fragile skin barrier during establishment of intravenous access and airway management, therefore providing guidance for care of this vulnerable patient population.

Noninvasive technology of photostimulation of lymphatic clearance of red blood cells from the mouse brain after intraventricular hemorrhage.

Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is the most fatal form of brain injury in adults and infants. However, therapy of IVH is very limited, and new strategies are needed to reduce hematoma expansion. For the first time, in our experiments on mice with IVH, we clearly demonstrate that transcranial low-level infra-red photostimulation (PS) accelerates the red blood cells (RBCs) evacuation from the ventricles that is associated with reducing the mortality in 1.57 times, improving emotional status and recovery of intracranial pressure. We revealed the mechanisms of PS-modulation of lymphatic contractility and tone of the lymphatic vessels underlying the lymphatic clearing functions. Our findings strongly suggest that PS-mediated stimulation of lymphatic clearance of RBCs can be a novel non-invasive, bedside, readily applicable, and commercially viable technology for the treatment of IVH.

Anaphylactic Reactions to COVID-19 Vaccine

The SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a major health crisis and high mortality rates. Progression to a severe and potentially fatal form of COVID-19 is associated not only with massive viral replication, but also with an inappropriate inflammatory response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Therefore, drug strategies may target not only the viral infection itself, but also inappropriate immunoinflammatory responses. Numerous wide-ranging medications have been attempted to improve the prognosis and outcome of COVID-19, especially among hospitalized patients due to an acute respiratory distress syndrome. Vaccination against COVID-19 is an essential global intervention to control the current pandemic situation. Vaccines often cause adverse events; however, the vast majority of adverse events following immunization are due to the protective immune response induced by the vaccine, and not due to an allergic reaction. It is important to know that how can SARS-CoV-2 vaccines be administered with minimal risk of allergic reactions. In fact, currently available mRNA vaccines may usually be administered readily even to patients with allergies. The following review describes the risk of severe anaphylaxis and provides practical tips for safe vaccination.

Canine trypanosomosis: a case report

Trypanosomosis is a haemoprotozoan infection affecting a broad range of wild and domestic animals including dogs. Infected dogs may die within 2-4 weeks in the acute and fatal form of the disease. A dog was presented with the complaint of anorexia, persistent recumbency and loss of body weight which lasted for few days. On clinical examination, the affected dog revealed rise in temperature (105°F), lachrimation, anaemia, unilateral corneal opacity, swelling of throat, enlargement of lymph nodes and severe loss of bodily condition. Wet smear, thin blood smear and hematological parameters were observed. Motile trypanosomes were found in wet smear, while trypanosomes with a characteristic flagellum, kinetoplast and undulating membrane were present outside the red blood cells in the thin smear. The dog was successfully recovered with a single dose of diminazene aceturate. This report may provide a way forward to establish effective and safe therapeutic protocols for the control of canine trypanosomosis.