Intra- and interspecific variability among congeneric Pagellus otoliths

Otolith features are useful tools for studying taxonomy, ecology, paleontology, and fish biology since they represent a permanent record of life history. Nevertheless, the functional morphology of otoliths remains an open research question that is useful to completely understand their eco-morphology. This study aims to deepen the knowledge of intra- and interspecific variation in sagitta morphology in three congeneric seabreams, to understand how such variability could be related to the lifestyles of each species. Therefore, the sagittae (n = 161) of 24 Pagellus bogaraveo, 24 Pagellus acarne, and 37 Pagellus erythrinus specimens, collected from the south Tyrrhenian Sea, were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy and a stereomicroscope to assess morphometric features, variability between otolith pairs and the external crystalline structure the of sulcus acusticus. Statistical analysis demonstrated that, between the species, variability in sagittal otolith rostral length growth and sulcus acusticus features, correlated with increased fish total length and body weight. Moreover, slight differences between otolith pairs were detected in P. acarne and P. erythrinus (P < 0.05). The results confirm changes in otolith morphometry and morphology between different congeneric species and populations of the same species from different habitats.

Leptospira infection among human-close-contact animals in different geographical areas in Vietnam

Leptospirosis is a neglected disease in Vietnam. Only a few studies have evaluated the status of Leptospira infection in both humans and animals. To our knowledge, this is the first serological survey of Leptospira in both domestic and wild animals, which may act as reservoirs of this agent. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Leptospira in animals that are in close contact with humans in different geographical areas in Vietnam. Sera were collected from 1205 individual animals of six species, including buffaloes, cattle, cats, dogs, swine, and rats. The microscopic agglutination test (MAT) against 25 serovars of Leptospira spp. has been employed to detect serovars of Leptospira among the studied population. Overall, 44.2% of buffaloes, 24.9% of cattle, 10.2% of swine, 32.9% of dogs, 12.2% of cats, and 16% of rats were seropositive. A total of 17 different serovars were detected, of which serovars Hebdomadis and Canicola circulated in all the studied animal species. Variability of the predominant serovars circulating in animal species and in different geographical areas of Vietnam has been noted. We conclude that this study showed a high prevalence of Leptospira circulating in animals that are in close contact with humans, raising an alert of the important sources of pathogenic leptospires transmission to humans in Vietnam. These findings prove an imperative need for effective measures for disease prevention.

Intra-species variability in Fusarium langsethiae strains in growth and T-2/HT-2 mycotoxin production in response to climate change abiotic factors

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential intra-species variability of 3 Fusarium langsethiae strains in response to extreme climate change (CC) conditions on an oat-based matrix. The impact of elevated temperature (25 vs 30-34 °C) coupled with increasing drought stress (0.98 vs 0.95 aw) and elevated CO2 (400 vs 1000 ppm) were examined on lag phases prior to growth, growth rate, and production of the mycotoxins T-2 and HT-2 and their ratio. In comparison to the control conditions (25 °C; 0.98; 400 ppm), exposure to increased temperature (30-34 °C), showed similar reductions in the lag phase and fungal growth rates of all 3 strains. However, with elevated CO2 a reduction in both lag phases prior to growth and growth rate occurred regardless of the aw examined. For T-2 and HT-2 mycotoxin production, T-2 showed the most intra-species variability in response to the interacting abiotic stress factors, with the 3 strains having different environmental conditions for triggering increases in T-2 production: Strain 1 produced higher T-2 toxin at 25 °C, while Strain 2 and the type strain (Fl201059) produced most at 0.98 aw/30 °C. Only Strain 2 showed a reduction in toxin production when exposed to elevated CO2. HT-2 production was higher at 25 °C for the type strain and higher at 30-34 °C for the other two strains, regardless of the aw or CO2 level examined. The HT-2/T-2 ratio showed no significant differences due to the imposed interacting CC abiotic conditions.

Comparative Genomics Identifies Putative Interspecies Mechanisms Underlying Crbn-Sall4-Linked Thalidomide Embryopathy

The identification of thalidomide–Cereblon-induced SALL4 degradation has brought new understanding for thalidomide embryopathy (TE) differences across species. Some questions, however, regarding species variability, still remain. The aim of this study was to detect sequence divergences between species, affected or not by TE, and to evaluate the regulated gene co-expression in a murine model. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of proteins experimentally established as affected by thalidomide exposure, evaluating 14 species. The comparative analysis, regarding synteny, neighborhood, and protein conservation, was performed in 42 selected genes. Differential co-expression analysis was performed, using a publicly available assay, GSE61306, which evaluated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) exposed to thalidomide. The comparative analyses evidenced 20 genes in the upstream neighborhood of NOS3, which are different between the species who develop, or not, the classic TE phenotype. Considering protein sequence alignments, RECQL4, SALL4, CDH5, KDR, and NOS2 proteins had the biggest number of variants reported in unaffected species. In co-expression analysis, Crbn was a gene identified as a driver of the co-expression of other genes implicated in genetic, non-teratogenic, limb reduction defects (LRD), such as Tbx5, Esco2, Recql4, and Sall4; Crbn and Sall4 were shown to have a moderate co-expression correlation, which is affected after thalidomide exposure. Hence, even though the classic TE phenotype is not identified in mice, a deregulatory Crbn-induced mechanism is suggested in this animal. Functional studies are necessary, especially evaluating the genes responsible for LRD syndromes and their interaction with thalidomide–Cereblon.

Alimentary squamous cell carcinoma in psittacines: 12 cases and review of the literature

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is a neoplasm that usually arises from the integument, is reported uncommonly in pet birds. Only a few reports of SCCs in the alimentary tract of birds, including psittacines, have been published, and a detailed description of the pathology is not available in the literature. We present here 12 cases of alimentary SCC in psittacines. The average age of the birds was 22.2 y (range: 15–29 y), and affected species included 4 Amazon parrots ( Amazona sp.), 3 cockatiels ( Nymphicus hollandicus), 3 macaws ( Ara sp.), 1 conure ( Eupsittula sp.), and 1 Senegal parrot ( Poicephalus sp.). Frequent clinical complaints included regurgitation, dysphagia, dyspnea, lethargy, and/or weight loss. SCC primarily affected the oral cavity in 6 of 12 cases, the crop alone in 2 of 12 cases, the crop and esophagus in 1 of 12 cases, the proventriculus alone in 1 of 12 cases, and the crop, esophagus, and proventriculus in 2 of 12 cases. Histologically, alimentary SCCs were locally invasive and often resulted in mucosal ulceration. Although there were no metastases in any of our cases, poor clinical outcomes were frequent and associated most commonly with complete effacement of the alimentary segment and severe inflammation with opportunistic bacterial infection. Our review of the literature records commonly affected species, variability of gross presentations and clinical signs, plausible etiologies, and current diagnostic developments.

Potential of Inter- and Intra-Species Variability of CHD1 Gene in Birds as a Forensic Tool

Nowadays, illegal trafficking and smuggling of animals are among the greatest threats to many avian species. Most commonly smuggled birds belong to parrots, song birds, raptor species and owls. All of these species are protected by national and international legislations. In order to prevent and reduce wildlife trafficking, DNA methods have become an important forensic tool in species and sex identification. In this study, CHD1R/CHD1F primer pair was used to amplify a part of the CHD1 gene from 65 birds that belong to 43 species. For 36 species this is the first time that the length of CHD1 amplicons was measured for the purpose of species determination. The results were visualized using capillary electrophoresis and enabled simultaneous determination of sex and species. Based on the number of amplicons (two in females, one in males) sex was successfully determined in all species, even in cases where gel electrophoresis failed to give results. Moreover, the species was successfully determined in most bird species based on the species-specific sizes of CHD1 amplicon. The method used in this study is of great importance for veterinary forensic medicine and the prevention of wildlife smuggling. Still, further work is necessary to confirm the effectiveness of the method in all bird species.

Long-term stability of the urogenital microbiota of asymptomatic European women

Background To date, information on healthy female urinary microbiota is available mostly at genus level and at one time point. However, profound species-level characterization of healthy urinary microbiome and its stability over time are essential for further correct interpretation of its role in healthy urogenital tract. In this study, we investigated female urogenital microbiome (FUM) at two timepoints (within 2.5-year interval) in young asymptomatic European women. We used culturomics with accurate isolates’ identification (MALDI-TOF MS and gene markers sequencing) to understand species stability within healthy FUM. Results Extended culturomics of voided midstream urine sample pairs revealed a mean Shannon diversity index of 1.25 and mean of 19 species/sample (range 5–39 species; total of 115 species; 1830 isolates). High overall species variability between individuals was captured by beta diversity and a variety of community structure types, with the largest cluster characterized by Lactobacillus crispatus, often in combination with Gardnerella vaginalis or Gardnerella genomospecies 3. Significant FUM composition differences, related to Finegoldia magna and Streptococcus anginosus, according to smoking status were found. A high species variability within individuals (Shannon index SD > 0.5 in 7 out of 10 sample pairs) with a mean of 29% of shared species (range 9.1–41.7%) was observed. Moreover, 4 out of 10 sample pairs clustered in the same community structure type. The stable FUM sample pairs presented high abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus, Streptococcus agalactiae or Lactobacillus paragasseri and Bifidobacterium spp.. Moreover, Gardnerella vaginalis, Gardnerella genomospecies 3 or Gardnerella swidsinskii were often maintained within individuals in high abundance. Conclusions Shift in species composition at two distant timepoints was frequently observed among urogenital microbiome of European asymptomatic women. This suggests possible interchange of particular species in healthy FUM and the existence of multiple health-associated FUM compositions in certain individuals. Additionally, we provided additional evidence on resilience of particular bacterial communities and identified certain species more prone to persist in urogenital tract. This study revealed important details on the FUM composition complexity relevant for studies aiming to understand microbiota role in the urogenital tract health and for identification of eubiotic and dysbiotic FUM.

Iodine content in goat and sheep milk related to herd size, seasonality, farming practice and breed effect

Iodine is a milk micronutrient whose concentration is highly variable and depends on several factors. The aim of this work was to monitor the prevailing concentration of iodine in raw goat (n = 71) and sheep (n = 68) milk from farms in the Czech Republic, to assess the variation in iodine levels and evaluate them with farming practices, herd size, breed and season. Iodine was determined by a spectrophotometric method according to Sandell-Kolthoff. The mean prevailing iodine concentration in goat and sheep milk was 249.73 and 264.21 μg/L, respectively. In addition to inter-species variability, we found statistically significant differences depending on the both sheep and goat herd size. The differences between conventional and organic farming were relatively minor and without statistical significance.