Prophylactic efficacy of drugs against equine piroplasmidosis in Gorny Altai

The purpose of the research is to study the prophylactic efficacy of piroplasmicides and to elucidate the effect of prophylactic doses of Imidocarb Dipropionate on the pathogen viability.Materials and methods. Babezan 12% was intramuscularly injected to 150 horses based on the active substance of Imidocarb Dipropionate at 2.5 mg/kg of the body weight and Neosidin M was injected to 30 horses twice at a dose of 2.5 mL per 100 kg of the live weight with a 15-day interval. The control group of animals did not receive the drug. The clinical follow-up of the experimental and control animals’ condition was done for 72 days. Before the experiment and 14 days after the drugs, blood samples were examined by the nested PCR in the presence of genus-specific primers from the 18S rRNA gene sequence for the Babesia spp. / Theileria spp. DNA. Species identification and genotyping of the detected Piroplasma were performed by sequencing 18S rRNA gene fragments.Results and discussion. Among 12 examined horses, 8 animals (66.7%) had the Piroplasmida DNA found in the blood samples, of which 50.0% were identified as Theileria equi and 16.7% as Babesia caballi. A high T. equi DNA prevalence (over 50.0%) indicates an endemic course of equine theileriosis. Babesan 12% in early chemotherapy of the horses helped to prevent the incidence of theileriosis within 48 and 59 days. Double chemotherapy of the horses with Neosidin M with a 15-day interval prevented the morbidity for 52 days. Babesan 12% at the preventive dose had no effect on the viability of persistent T. equi stages

The helicase HAGE prevents interferon-a-induced PML expression in ABCB5+ malignant melanoma-initiating cells by promoting the expression of SOCS1

The tumour suppressor PML (promyelocytic leukaemia protein) regulates several cellular pathways involving cell growth, apoptosis, differentiation and senescence. PML also has an important role in the regulation of stem cell proliferation and differentiation. Here, we show the involvement of the helicase HAGE in the transcriptional repression of PML expression in ABCB5 + malignant melanoma-initiating cells (ABCB5 + MMICs), a population of cancer stem cells which are responsible for melanoma growth, progression and resistance to drug-based therapy. HAGE prevents PML gene expression by inhibiting the activation of the JAK-STAT (janus kinase-signal transducers and activators of transcription) pathway in a mechanism which implicates the suppressor of cytokine signalling 1 (SOCS1). Knockdown of HAGE led to a significant decrease in SOCS1 protein expression, activation of the JAK-STAT signalling cascade and a consequent increase of PML expression. To confirm that the reduction in SOCS1 expression was dependent on the HAGE helicase activity, we showed that SOCS1, effectively silenced by small interfering RNA, could be rescued by re-introduction of HAGE into cells lacking HAGE. Furthermore, we provide a mechanism by which HAGE promotes SOCS1 mRNA unwinding and protein expression in vitro

RESULTS OF RECONNAISSANCE STUDIES ON DETECTION OF BABESIOSIS FOCI IN THE IRKUTSK REGION

This article contains results of reconnaissance studies intended to find foci of babesia in the Irkutsk region. Babesia DNA were founded in two types of ticks (I. persulcatus, H. concinna) in the three districts of the Irkutsk region (Ekhirit-Bulagatsky, Irkutsky, Shelekhovsky). The analysis of 1220 nr length nucleotide sequences of 18S rRNA gene of five Babesia samples was conducted. It was shown that the identified Babesia sequenced differ from previously known, and refer to the two genetic groups. The first group included babesia, genetically most similar to the sheep pathogen Babesia crassa, second contains sample, nucleotide sequence of which is significantly different from all known (less than 95 % homology)

IDENTIFICATION OF HUMAN GRANULOCYTIC ANAPLASMOSIS AND MONOCYTIC EHRLICHIOSIS NATURAL FOCI IN THE KRASNOYARSK TERRITORY

Microbiological monitoring of the six districts of the Krasnoyarsk Territory was conducted in order to prove the existence of natural foci of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) and monocytic ehrlichiosis (HME) on its territory. Two-round PCR method was used for the detection of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia DNA. 374 samples from mites were analyzed with two-round PCR for the presence of Anaplasma and Ehrlichia DNA: 341 specimens of Ixodes persulcatus and 33 specimens of Haemaphysalis concinna. Ticks were collected from vegetation on the flag in the 6 districts of the Krasnoyarsk Territory: Yeniseisky, Achynsky, Sharypovsky, Ilansky, Minusinsky and Ermakovsky, belonging to different climate zones and have landscaped, geo-botanical and faunal features. The study showed that 5.6 % of taiga ticks infected with E. muris, 2,1 % with A. phagocytophilum. In 0.3 % of carriers we identified mixtinfected E. muris and A. phagocytophilum. These data indicate presence of HGA and HME foci in the central, western and southern parts of the Krasnoyarsk Territory

Иксодовые инвазии лошадей, сезонная динамика и зараженность пастбищных клещей пироплазмидами в Горном Алтае

The purpose of the research is the characterization of species composition and abundance of ixodid ticks that parasitize on horses, seasonal dynamics of ticks inhabiting natural pastures and their piroplasmid infection. Materials and methods. The studies were performed in four Gorny Altai physiographic provinces. Ticks were manually collected from horses (1183 specimens). Ticks were counted on natural pastures every ten days with subsequent determination of the species composition (1109 specimens). Collected ticks of the genus Dermacentor (443 specimens) were examined by nested PCR in the presence of genus-specific primers for Babesia spp. and Theileria spp.; the species identification of discovered piroplasmas was determined by 18S rRNA gene sequencing. Results and discussion. Ixodid ticks of three genera (Dermacentor, Ixodes, Haemaphysalis) and 6 species: D. nuttalli, D. silvarum, D. reticulatus, D. marginatus, H. concinna and Ix. Persulcatus, were recorded in the collections from horses and pastures. The most numerous species was D. nuttalli (56.1%), and the most common, Ix. persulcatus, that was recorded in all districts except Kosh-Agachsky in South-Eastern Altai. D. silvarum accounted for 14.9%, and other species were represented to a lesser extent. The highest species diversity, 5 species, was observed in the Northern Altai pastures and only 1 species, D. nuttalli, was recorded in the South-Eastern Altai. The seasonal dynamics of ticks in the pasture was characterized by two peaks in numbers, namely, the spring peak in the 3rd decade of April and the autumn peak in the 2nd decade of October. The spring-summer period (March-June) had 87.1% of recorded ticks, and the autumn period (September-October) had 7.2%. Three species of the examined ticks (D. silvarum, D. marginatus, D. nuttalli) were found to have DNA of three piroplasmid species (Babesia caballi, Theileria equi and Babesia sp). Piroplasmids infection rate in ticks was 2.7-25.0%, and 2.7% on average in Gorny Altai.Цель исследований – характеристика видового состава и численности иксодовых клещей, паразитирующих на лошадях, сезонной динамики клещей, обитающих на природных пастбищах и зараженности их пироплазмидами. Материалы и методы. Исследования проводили в четырех физико-географических провинциях Горного Алтая. Осуществляли ручной сбор клещей с лошадей (собрано 1183 экз.). Подекадные учеты численности клещей проводили на природных пастбищах с последующим определением видового состава (1109 экз.). Собранных клещей рода Dermacentor (443 экз.) исследовали методом двухраундовой ПЦР в присутствии родоспецифичных праймеров на наличие ДНК Babesia spp. и Theileria spp., видовую принадлежность обнаруженных пироплазм устанавливали методом секвенирования фрагментов гена 18S рРНК. Результаты и обсуждение. В сборах с лошадей и на пастбищах зарегистрированы иксодовые клещи трех родов (Dermacentor, Ixodes, Haemaphysalis) и 6 видов: D. nuttalli, D. silvarum, D. reticulatus, D. marginatus, H. concinna и Ix. persulcatus. Наиболее многочисленным видом оказался D. nuttalli (56,1%), наиболее распространенным – Ix. persulcatus, который регистрировали во всех районах, кроме Кош-Агачского Юго-Восточного Алтая. На долю D. silvarum приходится 14,9%, остальные виды представлены в меньшей степени. Наибольшее видовое разнообразие отмечено на пастбищах Северного Алтая – 5 видов, в Юго-Восточном Алтае зарегистрирован только 1 вид – D. nuttalli. Сезонная динамика клещей на пастбище характеризуется двумя пиками численности, весенним – в 3-й декаде апреля и осенним – 2-й декаде октября. На весенне-летний период (март-июнь) приходится 87,1 % учтенных клещей, на осенний (сентябрь-октябрь) – 7,2%. У трех видов исследованных клещей (D. silvarum, D. marginatus, D. nuttalli) обнаружена ДНК трех видов пироплазмид (Babesia caballi, Theileria equi и Babesia sp). Зараженность клещей пироплазмидами составила 2,7–25,0%, а, в среднем, по Горному Алтаю – 2,7%

Профилактическая эффективность препаратов при пироплазмидозах лошадей в Горном Алтае

The purpose of the research is to study the prophylactic efficacy of piroplasmicides and to elucidate the effect of prophylactic doses of Imidocarb Dipropionate on the pathogen viability.Materials and methods. Babezan 12% was intramuscularly injected to 150 horses based on the active substance of Imidocarb Dipropionate at 2.5 mg/kg of the body weight and Neosidin M was injected to 30 horses twice at a dose of 2.5 mL per 100 kg of the live weight with a 15-day interval. The control group of animals did not receive the drug. The clinical follow-up of the experimental and control animals’ condition was done for 72 days. Before the experiment and 14 days after the drugs, blood samples were examined by the nested PCR in the presence of genus-specific primers from the 18S rRNA gene sequence for the Babesia spp. / Theileria spp. DNA. Species identification and genotyping of the detected Piroplasma were performed by sequencing 18S rRNA gene fragments.Results and discussion. Among 12 examined horses, 8 animals (66.7%) had the Piroplasmida DNA found in the blood samples, of which 50.0% were identified as Theileria equi and 16.7% as Babesia caballi. A high T. equi DNA prevalence (over 50.0%) indicates an endemic course of equine theileriosis. Babesan 12% in early chemotherapy of the horses helped to prevent the incidence of theileriosis within 48 and 59 days. Double chemotherapy of the horses with Neosidin M with a 15-day interval prevented the morbidity for 52 days. Babesan 12% at the preventive dose had no effect on the viability of persistent T. equi stages.Цель исследований – изучить профилактическую эффективность пироплазмоцидных препаратов и выяснить влияние профилактических доз имидокарба дипропионата на выживаемость возбудителей заболевания.Материалы и методы. 150 головам лошадей внутримышечно вводили бабезан 12% из расчета по действующему веществу имидокарба дипропионата 2,5 мг/кг массы тела и 30 головам двукратно вводили неозидин М в дозе по ДВ 2,5 мл на 100 кг живой массы с интервалом 15 сут. Контрольной группе животных препарат не вводили. Клиническое наблюдение за состоянием животных опытной и контрольной групп осуществляли в течение 72 сут. Перед началом опыта и спустя 14 сут после введения препаратов исследовали пробы крови методом двухраундовой ПЦР в присутствии родоспецифичных праймеров из области гена 18S рРНК на наличие ДНК Babesia spp. / Theileria spp. Установление видовой принадлежности и генотипирование обнаруженных пироплазм проводили посредством секвенирования фрагментов гена 18S рРНК.Результаты и обсуждение. Из 12 обследованных лошадей в пробах крови у 8 животных (66,7%) обнаружена ДНК пираплазмид, из них 50,0% идентифицированы как Theileria equi и 16,7% как Babesia caballi. Высокий уровень встречаемости ДНК T. equi (свыше 50,0%) свидетельствует об эндемичном течении тейлериоза лошадей. Применение бабезана 12% при ранней химиотерапии лошадей позволяет профилактировать заболеваемость тейлериозом в течение 48 и 59 сут. Двукратная химиотерапия лошадей неозидином М с интервалом 15 сут предотвращает заболеваемость в течение 52 сут. Бабезан 12% в профилактической дозе не оказывает воздействия на выживаемость персестирующих стадий T. equi

Genetic heterogeneity of <i>Rickettsia helvetica</i> population

Background. To date, the genetic variability of Rickettsia helvetica has not been sufficiently studied.The aim. To study the prevalence and genetic variability of R. helvetica in Ixodes spp. collected in Western Siberia and the Russian Far East.Materials and methods. Ixodes  spp. collected from rodents in the Omsk province, Western Siberia (n = 280) and collected by flagging on Putyatin and Russky Islands in Primorsky Krai, Russian Far East (n = 482) were analyzed for the presence of Rickettsia spp. All positive samples were genotyped for the gltA gene fragment. For a number of R. helvetica samples, fragments of the 16S rRNA, ompA, ompB, sca4, htrA, and groEL genes and 23S–5S intergenic spacer were additionally sequenced.Results. Four Rickettsia species (R. helvetica, “Candidatus Rickettsia tarasevichiae”, “Candidatus Rickettsia uralica”, and “Candidatus Rickettsia mendelii”) were found. Of them, R. helvetica was identified in 72.2 % of Ixodes apronophorus and 18.8 % of  Ixodes trianguliceps from the Omsk province and in single Ixodes persulcatus from the Omsk province and Putyatin Island. This is the first finding of Rickettsia spp. in I. apronophorus. All known R. helvetica sequences from this study and the GenBank database belonged to four well supported monopheletic groups forming genetic lineages I–IV. Lineage I included European isolates from Ixodes ricinus, Western Siberian isolates from I. persulcatus, and some sequences from I. apronophorus. All R. helvetica sequences from I. trianguliceps from the Omsk province and I. persulcatus from  the  Komi Republic and one sequence from I.  apronophorus were assigned to  lineage  II. Most sequences from I.  apronophorus formed lineage  III; all known R. helvetica sequences from I. persulcatus from the Far East formed genetic lineage IV.Conclusion. The genetic heterogeneity of R. helvetica population was first demonstrated. Known isolates of R. helvetica are reliably assigned to four genetic lineages, but not in all cases the association of different lineages with a specific tick species or specific territory was observed

Pricing and quality investments in a mixed brown-green product market

Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) has assumed a position of prominence for academics and industry over the last two decades. The sustainability literature shows that typically manufacturers aim to optimize their pricing and greening level decisions in a mixed (green and brown) consumer market. In this work, we capture a manufacturer’s classic dilemma on the pricing of green and brown products, and greening investments, while subject to budget constraint. We compute and analyze the variations of optimal decisions over time. Our findings underscore the importance of investing in greening technologies and learning for the survival of green products. Furthermore, we show that a manufacturer’s optimal pricing strategy is to enter the market with a lower price for the green product and to increase it over time, eventually, surpassing the price for the brown product. Our analysis reveals that the greening level attraction can nullify the effect of a high price on the green product, resulting in higher green demand than brown. Higher green product demand is a win-win situation for both the manufacturer and the environment