Inventory of molecular markers affecting biological characteristics of avian influenza A viruses

Virus Genes - Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) circulate globally, spilling over into domestic poultry and causing zoonotic infections in humans. Fortunately, AIVs are not yet capable of causing...     

Diversity and distribution of Maize-associated totivirus strains from Tanzania

Virus Genes - Typically associated with fungal species, members of the viral family Totiviridae have recently been shown to be associated with plants, including important crop species, such as...     

Cecal coccidiosis in turkeys: Comparative biology of Eimeria species in the lower intestinal tract of turkeys using genetically typed,single oocyst–derived lines

Parasitology Research - Differentiating the Eimeria species causing cecal coccidiosis in turkeys is challenging. To obtain benchmark biological data for Eimeria gallopavonis Hawkins 1952 and...     

Characterization of metalloproteases and serine proteases of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites and their effect on epithelial cells

Parasitology Research - Toxoplasma gondii can infect all nucleated cells from warm-blooded organisms. After infection, Toxoplasma spreads throughout the body and migrates across biological...     

Assessment of objective dynamic knee joint control in anterior cruciate ligament deficient and reconstructed individuals

BackgroundThere is a lack of objective dynamic knee joint control measures that can be related to the status of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The purpose of this study was to introduce two novel measures and apply a third to determine how dynamic knee joint control changes in relation to ACL status during dynamic movements.MethodsTwenty patients (13 male) were tested pre- (ACLd) and 10-months post- (ACLr) ACL reconstructive surgery and matched to an uninjured participant (CON). Kinetic and kinematic data were synchronously recorded with a force platform and motion capture system. Three objective control measures including dynamic angular stiffness, knee joint center excursion (KJCE), and knee joint center boundary (KJCB) were assessed for each participant when completing the side cut and hop tasks.ResultsDuring the side cut, stiffness was found to be significantly lower in ACLd (0.06 ± 0.01 Nm/kg/°) and ACLr (0.07 ± 0.02 Nm/kg/°) compared to CON (0.08 ± 0.02 Nm/kg/°), while there were no differences in stiffness during the hop. No significant differences were observed in the KJCE during the side cut, while KJCE was significantly greater (p = 0.006) during the hop in CON compared to the ACLd. There were no differences in KJCB.ConclusionsThese high-functioning ACL injured in both ACLd and ACLr phases, aside from reduced stiffness, were able to complete both tasks with similar dynamic control as the CON. Although improvements in self-perceived control between ACLd and ACLr have been observed, this lack of improvement in objective control demonstrates a gap between a patient's self-efficacy and the level of control.     

Detection of “Candidatus Rickettsia wissemanii” in ticks parasitizing bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the northern Brazilian Amazon

A total of 482 bats representing 32 species and two families were captured in the Amazon forests of the Amapá state in northern Brazil. Nineteen Artibeus planirostris bats (3.9 %) were infested with 160 ticks, all identified as Ornithodoros hasei. Three pools of larvae were screened for rickettsial DNA via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting three rickettsial genes: gltA, ompA and htrA. Only one of them yielded an amplicons of the expected size for all three molecular assays. Comparisons of the obtained sequences including a phylogenetic analysis confirmed the occurrence of “Candidatus Rickettsia wissemanii” in Brazil.

     

Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate inhibits osteoclastogenesis by attenuating RANKL-induced NF-κB/NFATc-1

Inflammation Research - Although some glycolytic intermediates have been shown to modulate several cell type formation and activation, the functional role of fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (FBP) on...     

Integration of vascular biology and magnetic resonance imaging in the understanding of atherothrombosis and acute coronary syndromes

Summary.  The interaction between the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque prone to disruption and thrombus formation is the cornerstone of acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Although distinct from one another, the atherosclerotic and thrombotic processes appear to be interdependent, hence the term atherothrombosis. Inflammation is a crucial common pathophysiological mechanism. Overall, the association of plaque vulnerability and ACS has been well documented. Given the multifactorial origin of atherothrombosis the best preventive approach should be aggressive management of all the risk factors. New interventions should be directed toward decreasing vulnerability of the lesions thereby decreasing the risk of ACS.     

The impact of antipsychotics as a risk factor for thromboembolism

Patients with schizophrenia are predisposed toward developing cardiovascular disease. Although neuroleptics affect the cardiovascular system, it is also important to consider the consequences of the disease itself such as lower physical activity due to living on disability pension, inadequate nutrition, and/or nicotine addiction, being more common among patients with schizophrenia versus the general population. All these factors combined lead to an increased risk of death caused by cardiovascular conditions in schizophrenic patients. Individuals receiving typical antipsychotic drugs have been reported to have elevated concentrations of antiphospholipid antibodies, including anticoagulants and anticardiolipin antibodies. The presence of both antibodies is associated with an increased risk for thromboembolism. It is also likely that mental illness is accompanied by increased procoagulant activity. Patients with acute psychosis have been shown to have a statistically significant increase in the concentrations of D-dimer, P-selectin, and in the expression of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors. Learning about causes and mechanisms of venous thromboembolism could help to reduce or neutralize the adverse effects of antipsychotic treatment and facilitate the identification of appropriate markers necessary to monitor changes and provide preventive care against hazardous and potentially fatal complications such as deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Before atypical neuroleptic treatment is administered to hospitalized patients, all possible risk factors for thromboembolism should be considered to allow the application of lower risk drugs. Also, other preventive measures should be taken into account, including hydration, compression stockings, regular exercise of lower extremities, and low-molecular-weight heparin injections.