The Multifaceted Origin of Taurine Cattle Reflected by the Mitochondrial Genome

A Neolithic domestication of taurine cattle in the Fertile Crescent from local aurochsen (Bos primigenius) is generally accepted, but a genetic contribution from European aurochsen has been proposed. Here we performed a survey of a large number of taurine cattle mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control regions from numerous European breeds confirming the overall clustering within haplogroups (T1, T2 and T3) of Near Eastern ancestry, but also identifying eight mtDNAs (1.3%) that did not fit in haplogroup T. Sequencing of the entire mitochondrial genome showed that four mtDNAs formed a novel branch (haplogroup R) which, after the deep bifurcation that gave rise to the taurine and zebuine lineages, constitutes the earliest known split in the mtDNA phylogeny of B. primigenius. The remaining four mtDNAs were members of the recently discovered haplogroup Q. Phylogeographic data indicate that R mtDNAs were derived from female European aurochsen, possibly in the Italian Peninsula, and sporadically included in domestic herds. In contrast, the available data suggest that Q mtDNAs and T subclades were involved in the same Neolithic event of domestication in the Near East. Thus, the existence of novel (and rare) taurine haplogroups highlights a multifaceted genetic legacy from distinct B. primigenius populations. Taking into account that the maternally transmitted mtDNA tends to underestimate the extent of gene flow from European aurochsen, the detection of the R mtDNAs in autochthonous breeds, some of which are endangered, identifies an unexpected reservoir of genetic variation that should be carefully preserved.     

Gastric leiomyoma in a domestic shorthair cat

Neoplasia of the gastrointestinal system is uncommon in cats, whereas gastric tumors are exceedingly rare. This article describes the occurrence of gastric leiomyoma in a 3-year-old feline leukemia virus (FeLV)-positive cat. The tumor was accidentally diagnosed in a retrospective postmortem histopathological study in feline immunodeficiency virus- and FeLV-infected euthanized cats. At necropsy, a firm, muscular mass measuring 1.5 × 2.5 cm arising from the cardia extending to the fundus part of the stomach was seen. In histopathological examination, the nonencapsulated tumor mass consisted of spindle cells with large nuclei. No abnormal mitotic division, metastasis, or local invasion was seen resembling the diagnosis of leiomyoma. Helicobacter spp. infection was noted in cytological examination, and mixed infection with Helicobacter heilmannii and Helicobacter felis was confirmed in species-specific polymerase change reaction. To our knowledge, gastric leiomyoma has not been reported previously in cats. The association of Helicobacter spp. and FeLV infection with tumor occurrence is uncertain, but chronic antigenic stimulations could be considered as potential predisposing factors for gastric tumors.     

Genotype and antibiotic resistance profile of Escherichia coli strains involved in canine pyometra

Eighty-four Escherichia coli isolates from canine pyometra were examined to detect the antibiotic resistance profiles, phylogroup/subgroups and virulence genes. Twenty-seven (32.14%) antibiotic-resistant isolates were recovered, which were classified into 19 different antibiotic resistance patterns. The maximum resistance was against sulfadiazine and tetracycline. The antibiotic resistant isolates mostly belonged to A (40.74%) and D (29.62%) phylogroups. Among other examined isolates, 19.04% belonged to B1 phylogroup and remaining fell into six phylogenetic subgroups: A₀ (25.00%), A₁ (16.66%), B2₂ (10.77%), B2₃ (5.95%), D₁ (14.28%), and D₂ (8.33%). All isolates possessed at least one virulence gene and fimH was the most common gene. Frequency of other virulence genes were estimated as sfa/focD-E (58.33%), papE-F (44.04%), hlyA (34.52%), cnf1 (28.57%), iutA (17.85%), and afaIB-C and cdt genes (2.38%). Sixteen combinations of virulence genes were detected, with the combination cnf1, fimH, hlyA, papE-F, sfa/focD-E being the most prevalent pattern. None of the isolates contained the cnf2 and ipaH genes.     

Improvement in depression scores after 1 hour of light therapy treatment in patients with seasonal affective disorder

The purpose of this study was to investigate possible rapid effects of light therapy on depressed mood in patients with seasonal affective disorder. Participants received 1 hour of bright light therapy and 1 hour of placebo dim red light in a randomized order crossover design. Depressed mood was measured at baseline and after each hour of light treatment using two self-report depression scales (Profile of Mood States-Depression-Dejection [POMS-D] subscale and the Beck Depression Inventory II [BDI-II]). When light effects were grouped for the two sessions, there was significantly greater reduction in self-report depression scores by -1.3 (p = 0.02) on the BDI-II and -1.2 (p = 0.02) on the POMS-D. A significant but modest improvement was detected after a single active light session. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to document an immediate improvement with light treatment using a placebo-controlled design with a clinical sample of depressed individuals.     

Characterization of the normal adrenal gland with 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Prior studies have documented increased (18)F-FDG adrenal activity in both benign and malignant pathologic conditions. When whole-body PET imaging is performed without CT anatomic coregistration, however, the normal adrenal gland is difficult to recognize. The purpose of this study was to investigate the normal adrenal appearance and standardized uptake value (SUV) using (18)F-FDG PET/CT imaging. METHODS: Twenty patients with lymphoma with normal-appearing adrenal glands on prior CT examination (less than a 5% pretest likelihood of adrenal involvement) were studied. PET/CT imaging was performed 2 h after intravenous administration of (18)F-FDG. Unenhanced CT scans were acquired for attenuation correction and anatomic coregistration. PET images were reconstructed using an ordered-subsets expectation maximization algorithm and were corrected for body weight, dose, and radioactive decay. Ability to confirm visualization of the adrenal glands was determined for (18)F-FDG PET alone and for (18)F-FDG PET/CT by a consensus of 2 readers, and uptake of (18)F-FDG in the adrenal gland was compared with liver activity and scored visually (0 = no visualization, 1 = activity less than in liver, 2 = activity equal to liver activity, and 3 = activity greater than in liver). RESULTS: The 2 readers agreed on visualization of the adrenal glands with PET alone for 2 of 40 (5%) glands. With PET/CT, the readers agreed on visualization of 27 of 40 (68%) adrenal glands. Visual scores for normal adrenal activity ranged from 0 to 3, and maximum SUVs ranged from 0.95 to 2.46. Visual scoring of adrenal activity correlated well with both mean and maximal SUV (mean SUV vs. visual score: slope = 0.96, r = 0.88; maximum SUV vs. visual score: slope = 0.99, r = 0.87). CONCLUSION: PET/CT permits more reliable visualization of normal adrenal glands than does PET alone. Visual assessment of adrenal uptake correlates well with SUV measurement, and readers of PET/CT need to be aware of the wide range of normal adrenal uptake.     

The treatment of gastroparesis,constipation and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) affects the nerves of the entire gastrointestinal (GI) tract and may result in profound gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction leading to poor patient outcomes. Common GI disturbances in patients with PD include gastroparesis (GP), constipation and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth syndrome (SIBO). In particular, GP is difficult to treat due to the limited options available and precautions, contraindications and adverse effects associated with the approved treatments. Moreover, some commonly used medications can worsen pre-existing PD.

Areas covered: Our review will focus on treatment options for GP and SIBO with motilin agonists, dopamine receptor antagonists, Ghrelin agonists muscarinic agonists, 5-HT₄ receptor agonists, antibiotics, probiotics and herbal formulation such as iberogast. Constipation occurs in the majority of patients with PD and fortunately many treatments are now available. Our review is based on original papers or reviews selected from PUBMED search and Cochrane reviews.

Expert opinion: Motility disorders of the GI tract are found frequently in patients with PD and treating the underlying GI disorders caused by PD with various prokinetics and laxatives is paramount in achieving improvements in patient’s motor function. Various prokinetics and laxatives are now available to provide some relief of the GI morbidity caused by PD leading even to better absorption of even the PD treatments.     

Effect of scaling and root planing on gingival crevicular fluid cytokine/chemokine levels in smokers with chronic periodontitis: A systematic review

In the present study, the impact of scaling and root planing (SRP) on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) cytokine/chemokine levels in smokers with chronic periodontitis was assessed. The PICO (population, intervention, comparison, outcome) question was: In smokers with chronic periodontitis (population), what is the effect of SRP (intervention) in comparison to SRP in non‐smokers with chronic periodontitis (comparison) on the GCF cytokine/chemokine level (outcome)? Indexed databases were searched up to September 2017. Of 4330 titles, nine studies reporting the levels of 13 different cytokines/chemokines were included. Eight studies had a moderate risk of bias, while one study had a high risk of bias. Almost all cytokines/chemokines were pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Five cytokines/chemokines studied in four clinical studies were decreased in the smoker‐chronic periodontitis group following SRP. One study observed that the GCF levels of interleukin‐17 increased, while anti‐inflammatory osteoprotegerin was reduced in both the SCP and non‐smoker‐chronic periodontitis groups at follow up. However, the majority of cytokines/chemokines did not change in the SCP groups at follow up. The current weight of evidence is not sufficient to prove that SRP has an impact on GCF cytokine/chemokine profile in smokers with chronic periodontitis. Evaluation of wide panels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines/chemokines related to collagen degradation and alveolar bone destruction in future studies are warranted.