Genetic and biological characterisation of three cryptic Eimeria operational taxonomic units that infect chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

More than 68 billion chickens were produced globally in 2018, emphasising their major contribution to the production of protein for human consumption and the importance of their pathogens. Protozoan Eimeria spp. are the most economically significant parasites of chickens, incurring global costs of more than UK £10.4 billion per annum. Seven Eimeria spp. have long been recognised to infect chickens, with three additional cryptic operational taxonomic units (OTUs) first described more than 10 years ago. As the world’s farmers attempt to reduce reliance on routine use of antimicrobials in livestock production, replacing drugs that target a wide range of microbes with precise species- and sometimes strain-specific vaccines, the breakthrough of cryptic genetic types can pose serious problems. Consideration of biological characteristics including oocyst morphology, pathology caused during infection and pre-patent periods, combined with gene-coding sequences predicted from draft genome sequence assemblies, suggest that all three of these cryptic Eimeria OTUs possess sufficient genetic and biological diversity to be considered as new and distinct species. The ability of these OTUs to compromise chicken bodyweight gain and escape immunity induced by current commercially available anticoccidial vaccines indicates that they could pose a notable threat to chicken health, welfare, and productivity. We suggest the names Eimeria lata n. sp., Eimeria nagambie n. sp. and Eimeria zaria n. sp. for OTUs x, y and z, respectively, reflecting their appearance (x) or the origins of the first isolates of these novel species (y, z).     

Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Extraction of Allium ursinum: Impact of Temperature and Pressure on the Extracts Chemical Profile

The aim of this study was to extract Allium ursinum L. for the first time by supercritical carbon dioxide (SC−CO₂) as green sustainable method. The impact of temperature in the range from 40 to 60 °C and pressure between 150 and 400 bar on the quality of the obtained extracts and efficiency of the extraction was investigated. The highest extraction yield (3.43 %) was achieved by applying the extraction conditions of 400 bar and 60 °C. The analysis of the extracts was performed by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The most dominant sulfur-containing constituent of the extracts was allyl methyl trisulfide with the highest abundance at 350 bar and 50 °C. In addition, the presence of other pharmacologically potent sulfur compounds was recorded including S-methyl methanethiosulfinate, diallyl trisulfide, S-methyl methylthiosulfonate, and dimethyl trisulfide. Multivariate data analysis tool was utilized to investigate distributions of the identified compounds among the extracts obtained under various extraction conditions and yields. It was determined that the SC−CO₂ extraction can by efficiently used for A. ursinum.     

Possible impacts of non-native plant,pathogen, invertebrate and fish taxa on the indigenous ichthyofauna in South African estuaries: a preliminary review

Biological Invasions - We review the possible impacts of non-native biota on the indigenous fishes of South African estuaries, including macrophytes, algae, pathogens, invertebrates, and fishes....     

Chemotherapy regimens induce inhibitory immune checkpoint protein expression on stem-like and senescent-like oesophageal adenocarcinoma cells

Use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) with chemotherapy to enhance responses in oesophageal adenocarcinoma (OAC) is an attractive approach. We identified subpopulations of OAC cells expressing inhibitory immune checkpoint (IC) ligands (PD-L1, PD-L2 and CD160) and receptors (PD-1, TIGIT, TIM-3, LAG-3 and A2aR) in vitro and in ex vivo biopsies. Combination chemotherapy regimens FLOT and CROSS promote a more immune-resistant phenotype through upregulation of IC ligands and receptors on OAC cells in vitro. Importantly, this study investigated if OAC cells, enriched for ICs exhibited a more stem-like and senescent-like phentoype. FLOT preferentially upregulates PD-L1 on a stem-like OAC cell phenotype, defined by ALDH activity. Expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase is induced in a subpopulation of OAC cells following FLOT and CROSS chemotherapy treatment, along with enhanced expression of TIM-3 and A2aR ICs. Blockade of PD-1 signalling in OAC cells induced apoptosis and enhanced FLOT and CROSS chemotherapy toxicity in vitro. Upregulation of ICs on OAC cells following chemotherapy may represent potential mechanisms of chemo-immune resistance. Combination ICIs may be required to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy and immunotherapy in OAC patients.     

Heat shock protein 27 is increased in cyanotic tetralogy of Fallot myocardium and is associated with improved cardiac output and contraction

Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is a congenital heart condition in which the right ventricle is exposed to cyanosis and pressure overload. Patients have an increased risk of right ventricle dysfunction following corrective surgery. Whether the cyanotic myocardium is less tolerant of injury compared to non-cyanotic is unclear. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) protect against cellular stresses. The aim of this study was to examine HSP 27 expression in the right ventricle resected from TOF patients and determine its relationship with right ventricle function and clinical outcome. Ten cyanotic and ten non-cyanotic patients were studied. Western blotting was used to quantify HSP 27 in resected myocardium at (1) baseline (first 15 min of aortic cross clamp and closest representation of pre-operative status) and (2) after 15 min during ischemia until surgery was complete. The cyanotic group had significantly increased haematocrit, lower O₂ saturation, thicker interventricular septal wall thickness and released more troponin-I on post-operative day 1 (p?<?0.05). HSP 27 expression was significantly increased in the <15 min cyanotic compared to the <15 min non-cyanotic group (p?=?0.03). In the cyanotic group, baseline HSP 27 expression also significantly correlated with oxygen extraction ratio (p?=?0.028), post-operative basal septal velocity (p?=?0.036) and mixed venous oxygen saturation (p?=?0.02), markers of improved cardiac output/contraction. Increased HSP 27 expression and associated improved right ventricle function and systemic perfusion supports a cardio-protective effect of HSP 27 in cyanotic TOF.     

Pre-culturing islets with mesenchymal stromal cells using a direct contact configuration is beneficial for transplantation outcome in diabetic mice

Background aimsWe recently showed that co-transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) improves islet function and revascularization in vivo. Pre-transplant islet culture is associated with the loss of islet cells. MSCs may enhance islet cell survival or function by direct cell contact mechanisms and soluble mediators. We investigated the capacity of MSCs to improve islet cell survival or β-cell function in vitro using direct and indirect contact islet-MSC configurations. We also investigated whether pre-culturing islets with MSCs improves islet transplantation outcome.MethodsThe effect of pre-culturing islets with MSCs on islet function in vitro was investigated by measuring glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The endothelial cell density of fresh islets and islets cultured with or without MSCs was determined by immunohistochemistry. The efficacy of transplanted islets was tested in vivo using a syngeneic streptozotocin-diabetic minimal islet mass model. Graft function was investigated by monitoring blood glucose concentrations.ResultsIndirect islet-MSC co-culture configurations did not improve islet function in vitro. Pre-culturing islets using a direct contact MSC monolayer configuration improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro, which correlated with superior islet graft function in vivo. MSC pre-culture had no effect on islet endothelial cell number in vitro or in vivo.ConclusionsPre-culturing islets with MSCs using a direct contact configuration maintains functional β-cell mass in vitro and the capacity of cultured islets to reverse hyperglycemia in diabetic mice.     

A Systematic Review of the Relationships between Intimate Partner Violence and HIV/AIDS

Background

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant health problem that has been associated with HIV infection in numerous studies. We aimed to systematically review the literature on relationships between IPV and HIV in order to describe the prevalence of IPV in people with HIV, the prevalence of HIV in people experiencing IPV, the association between IPV and HIV, and evidence regarding mechanisms of risk and interventions.

Methods

Data sources were 10 electronic databases and reference lists. Studies were included if they reported data on the relationship between IPV and HIV. All records were independently reviewed by two authors at the stages of title and abstract review and full text review. Any abstract considered eligible by either reviewer was reviewed in full, and any disagreement regarding eligibility of full texts or data extracted was resolved by discussion.

Results

101 articles were included. Experiencing IPV and HIV infection were associated in unadjusted analyses in most studies, as well as in adjusted analyses in many studies. The findings of qualitative and quantitative studies assessing potential mechanisms linking IPV and HIV were variable. Few interventions have been assessed, but two identified in this review were promising in terms of preventing IPV, though not HIV infection.

Conclusions

Experiencing IPV and HIV infection tend to be associated in unadjusted analyses, suggesting that IPV screening and linkage with relevant programs and services may be valuable. It is unclear whether there is a causal association between experiencing IPV and HIV infection. Research should focus on defining parameters of IPV which are relevant to HIV infection, including type of IPV and period of exposure and risk, on assessing potential mechanisms, and on developing and assessing interventions which build on the strengths of existing studies.     

Modulation of the Endocannabinoids N-Arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) on Executive Functions in Humans

Animal studies point to an implication of the endocannabinoid system on executive functions. In humans, several studies have suggested an association between acute or chronic use of exogenous cannabinoids (Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and executive impairments. However, to date, no published reports establish the relationship between endocannabinoids, as biomarkers of the cannabinoid neurotransmission system, and executive functioning in humans. The aim of the present study was to explore the association between circulating levels of plasma endocannabinoids N-arachidonoylethanolamine (AEA) and 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) and executive functions (decision making, response inhibition and cognitive flexibility) in healthy subjects. One hundred and fifty seven subjects were included and assessed with the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test; Stroop Color and Word Test; and Iowa Gambling Task. All participants were female, aged between 18 and 60 years and spoke Spanish as their first language. Results showed a negative correlation between 2-AG and cognitive flexibility performance (r = −.37; p<.05). A positive correlation was found between AEA concentrations and both cognitive flexibility (r = .59; p<.05) and decision making performance (r = .23; P<.05). There was no significant correlation between either 2-AG (r = −.17) or AEA (r = −.08) concentrations and inhibition response. These results show, in humans, a relevant modulation of the endocannabinoid system on prefrontal-dependent cognitive functioning. The present study might have significant implications for the underlying executive alterations described in some psychiatric disorders currently associated with endocannabinoids deregulation (namely drug abuse/dependence, depression, obesity and eating disorders). Understanding the neurobiology of their dysexecutive profile might certainly contribute to the development of new treatments and pharmacological approaches.     

Progression,Symptoms and Psychosocial Concerns among Those Severely Affected by Multiple Sclerosis: A Mixed-Methods Cross-Sectional Study of Black Caribbean and White British People

Objective

Multiple sclerosis is now more common among minority ethnic groups in the UK but little is known about their experiences, especially in advanced stages. We examine disease progression, symptoms and psychosocial concerns among Black Caribbean (BC) and White British (WB) people severely affected by MS.

Design

Mixed methods study of 43 BC and 43 WB people with MS (PwMS) with an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≥6 involving data from in clinical records, face-to-face structured interviews and a nested-qualitative component. Progression Index (PI) and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) were calculated. To control for selection bias, propensity scores were derived for each patient and adjusted for in the comparative statistical analysis; qualitative data were analysed using the framework approach.

Results

Median EDSS for both groups was (6.5; range: 6.0–9.0). Progression Index (PI) and Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSSS) based on neurological assessment of current EDSS scores identified BC PwMS were more likely to have aggressive disease (PI F = 4.04, p = 0.048, MSSS F = 10.30, p<0.001). Patients’ reports of the time required to reach levels of functional decline equivalent to different EDSS levels varied by group; EDSS 4: BC 2.7 years v/s WB 10.2 years (U = 258.50, p = 0.013), EDSS 6∶6.1 years BC v/s WB 12.7 years (U = 535.500, p = 0.011), EDSS 8: BC 8.7 years v/s WB 10.2 years. Both groups reported high symptom burden. BC PwMS were more cognitively impaired than WB PwMS (F = 9.65, p = 0.003). Thematic analysis of qualitative interviews provides correspondence with quantitative findings; more BC than WB PwMS referred to feelings of extreme frustration and unresolved loss/confusion associated with their rapidly advancing disease. The interviews also reveal the centrality, meanings and impact of common MS-related symptoms.

Conclusions

Delays in diagnosis should be avoided and more frequent reviews may be justified by healthcare services. Culturally acceptable interventions to better support people who perceive MS as an assault on identity should be developed to help them achieve normalisation and enhance self-identity.