Evidence for Zoonotic Potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Its First Molecular Characterization in Captive Mammals at Bangladesh National Zoo

To determine the occurrence and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in captive mammals at Bangladesh National Zoo and to assess their zoonotic significance, 200 fecal samples from 32 mammalian species were examined using a nested PCR and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in 16.5% (33/200) of the samples. Seven different ITS genotypes were identified, including two known genotypes (D and J) and five new ones (BAN4 to BAN8). Genotype D was the most common genotype being observed in 19 isolates. In phylogenetic analysis, four genotypes (D, BAN4, BAN5, and BAN6), detected in 30 isolates (90.9%), belonged to Group 1 having zoonotic potential. The sequence of genotype J found in a Malayan pangolin was clustered in so‐called ruminant‐specific Group 2. The other two genotypes BAN7 and BAN8 were clustered in primate‐specific Group 5. To our knowledge, this is the first report of molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in Bangladesh, particularly in captive‐bred wildlife in this country. The potentially zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi are maintained in zoo mammals that may transmit among these animals and to the humans through environmental contamination or contact.     

Influence of Serum and Albumin on Echinocandin In Vitro Potency and Pharmacodynamics

The echinocandins target fungi by inhibiting the production of (1,3)-β-d-glucan, an essential component of the fungal cell wall. These agents have less toxicity to mammalian cells, as compared to other antifungals; however, they maintain potent activity against many pathogenic fungi, including polyene- and azole-resistant isolates. Members of this class are highly protein-bound, and the addition of serum or albumin to the growth medium has profound effects on their in vitro potency and pharmacodynamics. In addition, studies have demonstrated an association between in vitro activity, in the presence of serum, and outcomes in animal models of invasive fungal infections. Serum and albumin may also be useful to help detect echinocandin-resistant Candida isolates with point mutations in the gene that encodes for glucan synthase. Thus, in vitro studies evaluating echinocandins in the presence of protein can provide valuable insight regarding their potency and pharmacodynamics.     

Looking up in Scotland? Multinationalism,multiculturalism and political elites

At a time when all the political parties of Scotland are trying to establish a persuasive vision of the nation, inquiry into where ethnic and racial minorities fit into these debates provides one understudied means of bridging literatures on multinationalism and multiculturalism. Focusing especially on the lesser known question of how elite political actors are positioning minorities within projects of nation-building, this article draws upon original empirical data in which three predominant clusters emerge. The first centres on an aspirational pluralism, in so far as political elites are less inclined – in contrast to counterparts in some other minority nations – to place ethnically determined barriers on membership of Scottish nationhood. The second concerns the competing ways in which the legacy of Scotland's place in the British Empire is appropriated by actors of different political hues, and so assumes a multiform role. The third cluster points to potential limitations in minority claims-making and recognition, especially in terms of formal multilingualism and corporate multifaithism, something that may partly be explained by the tension between multinationalism and multiculturalism. Taken together, the article illustrates how elite political actors can play a vital role in ensuring that appeals to nationhood in Scotland can be meaningfully calibrated to include minorities too.     

Sociologists,Archbishops, and ‘making a verb of a noun’

ABSTRACT

Contemporary discussion about race has a tendency to set off out without first checking the rear view mirror. In Theories of Race and Ethnicity: Contemporary Debates and Perspectives, in contrast, Murji and Solomos identify what has and has not been covered, and so appeal at the outset for a ‘more sustained’ account of changing research agendas of race and ethnic relations. Taken as a whole, the collection allows the editors to contemplate ‘what factors explain the mobilizing power of ideas about race and ethnicity in the contemporary environment?' and whether indeed ‘it is the “real” rather than race that should be placed in quotation marks’.     

Assessments of 226Ra and 222Rn concentration in well and tap water from Sik,Malaysia, and consequent dose estimates

Abstract

The ingestion of ²²⁶Ra, inhalation, and ingestion of ²²²Rn in water is considered the primary health risk for lungs and stomach. This study presents the concentrations of ²²⁶Ra and ²²²Rn in well and tap water collected from Sik, Malaysia, using HPGe and RAD7 detectors. Maximum average concentrations of ²²⁶Ra and ²²²Rn were found 47.6?±?3.6 mBq/l and 9.3?±?1.4?Bq/l in well water, respectively, and minimum were found 17.1?±?3.6 mBq/l and 1.6?±?1.0?Bq/l in tap water, respectively. A positive correlation (R=.88) was found between ²²⁶Ra and ²²²Rn determined by HPGe and RAD7 detectors, respectively. Infants in the age group of 0–1 y appeared to be at risk with respect to the annual effective doses from ²²⁶Ra and ²²²Rn as compared to the other age groups. However, annual effective doses for all three age groups from intake of ²²⁶Ra and ²²²Rn in well and tap drinking water were found below the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended level of .1 mSv/y_.     

Eastern equine encephalitis virus rapidly infects and disseminates in the brain and spinal cord of cynomolgus macaques following aerosol challenge

Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) is mosquito-borne virus that produces fatal encephalitis in humans. We recently conducted a first of its kind study to investigate EEEV clinical disease course following aerosol challenge in a cynomolgus macaque model utilizing the state-of-the-art telemetry to measure critical physiological parameters. Here, we report the results of a comprehensive pathology study of NHP tissues collected at euthanasia to gain insights into EEEV pathogenesis. Viral RNA and proteins as well as microscopic lesions were absent in the visceral organs. In contrast, viral RNA and proteins were readily detected throughout the brain including autonomic nervous system (ANS) control centers and spinal cord. However, despite presence of viral RNA and proteins, majority of the brain and spinal cord tissues exhibited minimal or no microscopic lesions. The virus tropism was restricted primarily to neurons, and virus particles (~61–68 nm) were present within axons of neurons and throughout the extracellular spaces. However, active virus replication was absent or minimal in majority of the brain and was limited to regions proximal to the olfactory tract. These data suggest that EEEV initially replicates in/near the olfactory bulb following aerosol challenge and is rapidly transported to distal regions of the brain by exploiting the neuronal axonal transport system to facilitate neuron-to-neuron spread. Once within the brain, the virus gains access to the ANS control centers likely leading to disruption and/or dysregulation of critical physiological parameters to produce severe disease. Moreover, the absence of microscopic lesions strongly suggests that the underlying mechanism of EEEV pathogenesis is due to neuronal dysfunction rather than neuronal death. This study is the first comprehensive investigation into EEEV pathology in a NHP model and will provide significant insights into the evaluation of countermeasure.     

Attenuation of recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus-human immunodeficiency virus type 1 vaccine vectors by gene translocations and g gene truncation reduces neurovirulence and enhances immunogenicity in mice

Recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) has shown great potential as a new viral vector for vaccination. However, the prototypic rVSV vector described previously was found to be insufficiently attenuated for clinical evaluation when assessed for neurovirulence in nonhuman primates. Here, we describe the attenuation, neurovirulence, and immunogenicity of rVSV vectors expressing human immunodeficiency virus type 1 Gag. These rVSV vectors were attenuated by combinations of the following manipulations: N gene translocations (N4), G gene truncations (CT1 or CT9), noncytopathic M gene mutations (Mncp), and positioning of the gag gene into the first position of the viral genome (gag1). The resulting N4CT1-gag1, N4CT9-gag1, and MncpCT1-gag1 vectors demonstrated dramatically reduced neurovirulence in mice following direct intracranial inoculation. Surprisingly, in spite of a very high level of attenuation, the N4CT1-gag1 and N4CT9-gag1 vectors generated robust Gag-specific immune responses following intramuscular immunization that were equivalent to or greater than immune responses generated by the more virulent prototypic vectors. MncpCT1-gag1 also induced Gag-specific immune responses following intramuscular immunization that were equivalent to immune responses generated by the prototypic rVSV vector. Placement of the gag gene in the first position of the VSV genome was associated with increased in vitro expression of Gag protein, in vivo expression of Gag mRNA, and enhanced immunogenicity of the vector. These findings demonstrate that through directed manipulation of the rVSV genome, vectors that have reduced neurovirulence and enhanced immunogenicity can be made.