Seroprevalencija Dirofilaria immitis u pasa iz skloništa za životinje u kolumbijskoj regiji kave (Eje Cafetero)

In Colombia, there are reports of approximately 6.4 million pets, making this the fourth country in Latin America and leading the pet sector with an annual growth of 13%. This study aimed to determine the seroprevalence of Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic nematode, in 170 canines from the municipalities of Pereira, Santa Rosa de Cabal, and La Virginia, located in the department of Risaralda and the municipalities of Calarca and Armenia in the department of Quindio. A cross-sectional study was carried out on canines from animal shelters during the period 2021–2022. Blood samples were taken, and in vitro immunochromatography was performed to detect specific lesions for Dirofilaria immitis. A peripheral blood smear confirmed positive patients, and a chest x-ray was performed to show changes in the morphology of the heart and blood vessels. Seroprevalence was determined by calculating proportions with the 95% confidence interval determined by the exact or Clopper-Pearson method for a proportion based on sample size and the number of positive cases. The seroprevalence of the test for Dirofilaria immitis was 0.62% (95% CI = 0.016–3.42%). This parasite is a nematode of low distribution in areas of the coffee region. However, surveillance programmes that help control and reduce its transmission should be established.Postoje izvješća o gotovo 6.400.000 kućnih ljubimaca u Kolumbiji i to je četvrta zemlja u Latinskoj Americi u sektoru kućnih ljubimaca, s godišnjim rastom od 13 %. Cilj je ove studije jest utvrditi seroprevalenciju Dirofilaria immitis u 170 pasa iz općina Pereira, Santa Rosa de Cabal i La Virginia, koje se nalaze u departmanu Risaralda i u općinama Calarca i Armenia u departmanu Quindio. Provedena je presječna studija na psima iz skloništa za životinje tijekom godine 2021.-2022. Uzeti su uzorci krvi i obavljena je in vitro imunokromatografija za detekciju lezija specifičnih za Dirofilaria immitis. Razmaz periferne kriv potvrdio je pozitivne pacijente i obavljen je RTG prsnog koša da bi se vidjele promjene u morfologiji srca i krvnih žila. Seroprevalencija je utvrđena izračunom omjera uz interval pouzdanosti od 95% određen preciznom ili Clopper-Pearson metodom za omjer na temelju veličine uzorka i broja pozitivnih slučajeva. Seroprevalencija testa na Dirofilaria immitis bila je 0,62 % (95% CI = 0,016-3,42 %). Ovaj je parazit oblić u područjima regije kave niske rasprostranjenosti, ali predlaže se uspostaviti programe nadzora koji će pomoći kontrolirati i reducirati njegov prijenos

Neural stem cells express melatonin receptors and neurotrophic factors: colocalization of the MT(1 )receptor with neuronal and glial markers

BACKGROUND: In order to optimize the potential benefits of neural stem cell (NSC) transplantation for the treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, it is necessary to understand their biological characteristics. Although neurotrophin transduction strategies are promising, alternative approaches such as the modulation of intrinsic neurotrophin expression by NSCs, could also be beneficial. Therefore, utilizing the C17.2 neural stem cell line, we have examined the expression of selected neurotrophic factors under different in vitro conditions. In view of recent evidence suggesting a role for the pineal hormone melatonin in vertebrate development, it was also of interest to determine whether its G protein-coupled MT(1 )and MT(2 )receptors are expressed in NSCs. RESULTS: RT-PCR analysis revealed robust expression of glial cell-line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in undifferentiated cells maintained for two days in culture. After one week, differentiating cells continued to exhibit high expression of BDNF and NGF, but GDNF expression was lower or absent, depending on the culture conditions utilized. Melatonin MT(1 )receptor mRNA was detected in NSCs maintained for two days in culture, but the MT(2 )receptor was not seen. An immature MT(1 )receptor of about 30 kDa was detected by western blotting in NSCs cultured for two days, whereas a mature receptor of about 40 – 45 kDa was present in cells maintained for longer periods. Immunocytochemical studies demonstrated that the MT(1 )receptor is expressed in both neural (β-tubulin III positive) and glial (GFAP positive) progenitor cells. An examination of the effects of melatonin on neurotrophin expression revealed that low physiological concentrations of this hormone caused a significant induction of GDNF mRNA expression in NSCs following treatment for 24 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The phenotypic characteristics of C17.2 cells suggest that they are a heterogeneous population of NSCs including both neural and glial progenitors, as observed under the cell culture conditions used in this study. These NSCs have an intrinsic ability to express neurotrophic factors, with an apparent suppression of GDNF expression after several days in culture. The detection of melatonin receptors in neural stem/progenitor cells suggests involvement of this pleiotropic hormone in mammalian neurodevelopment. Moreover, the ability of melatonin to induce GDNF expression in C17.2 cells supports a functional role for the MT(1 )receptor expressed in these NSCs. In view of the potency of GDNF in promoting the survival of dopaminergic neurons, these novel findings have implications for the utilization of melatonin in neuroprotective strategies, especially in Parkinson's disease

Analysis of antenal sensilla patterns of Rhodnius prolixus from Colombia and Venezuela

Antennal sensilla patterns were used to analyze population variation of domestic Rhodnius prolixus from six departments and states representing three biogeographical regions of Colombia and Venezuela. Discriminant analysis of the patterns of mechanoreceptors and of three types of chemoreceptors on the pedicel and flagellar segments showed clear differentiation between R. prolixus populations east and west of the Andean Cordillera. The distribution of thick and thin-walled trichoids on the second flagellar segment also showed correlation with latitude, but this was not seen in the patterns of other sensilla. The results of the sensilla patterns appear to be reflecting biogeographic features or population isolation rather than characters associated with different habitats and lend support to the idea that domestic R. prolixus originated in the eastern region of the Andes.Fil: Esteban, Lyda. Universidad Industrial de Santander; ColombiaFil: Angulo, Víctor Manuel. Universidad Industrial de Santander; ColombiaFil: Dora Feliciangeli, M.. Universidad de Carabobo; VenezuelaFil: Catala, Silvia Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Universidad Nacional de Catamarca. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Secretaría de Industria y Minería. Servicio Geológico Minero Argentino. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja. - Provincia de La Rioja. Centro Regional de Investigaciones Científicas y Transferencia Tecnológica de La Rioja; Argentin

Community service learning: an effective vehicle for interprofessional education

Background Health professions students have limited exposure to each other during education and training, yet there are many expectations for interaction in the workplace as part of functioning health care teams. We reasoned that providing students an opportunity to work together in a service learning project under faculty supervision would enhance student knowledge and appreciation of each other’s disciplines and give them a better understanding of working together. Methods and Findings Teams of students from four disciplines (medicine, nursing, dentistry, dental hygiene) worked as volunteers with a unique population of transitional homeless families to develop individualized health and wellness plans. Pre- and post-participation surveys were used to measure changes in student perceptions of working in multi-disciplinary teams, and focus groups were used to identify strengths and weaknesses of the project and future directions. Conclusions Results showed positive predispositions to working with each other which were further enhanced by collaborative, interprofessional experience. Students’ confidence in working together in multidisciplinary teams and understanding of the training and expertise of other professions increased after participation and changes were statistically significant. Interprofessional education and community service-based learning may be a powerful combination for demonstrating the value of clinical teamwork to health professions students

Detección molecular de Brucella sp, Leptospira spp y Toxoplasma gondii en felinos domésticos y silvestres y el impacto zoonótico en el personal encargado de su manejo en Pereira, Colombia

The study aimed to determine the presence of the infectious agents that cause toxoplasmosis, brucellosis and leptospirosis using the conventional PCR molecular technique in domestic and wild cats, as well as in the personnel related to the care and management of these animals in the city of Pereira, Risaralda. (Colombia). Blood samples were taken from domestic cats (n=99) and wild cats in captivity (n=4) and from the personnel responsible for their care and management (veterinarians, zootechnicians, and operators; n=65). A prevalence of 37% for toxoplasmosis and 1% for leptospirosis in domestic felines was estimated. The presence of these pathogens was not found in the personnel.El estudio buscó determinar la presencia de los agentes infecciosos causantes de la toxoplasmosis, brucelosis y leptospirosis empleando la técnica molecular PCR convencional en felinos domésticos y silvestres, así como en el personal relacionado con el cuidado y manejo de estos animales en la ciudad de Pereira, Risaralda (Colombia). Se tomaron muestras de sangre de felinos domésticos (n=99) y silvestres en cautiverio (n=4) y del personal responsable de su cuidado y manejo (médicos veterinarios, zootecnistas, y operarios; n=65). Se estimó una prevalencia de 37% para toxoplasmosis y de 1% para leptospirosis en felinos domésticos. No se encontró la presencia de los patógenos en el personal

Serotonin and corticosterone rhythms in mice exposed to cigarette smoke and in patients with COPD:implication for COPD-associated neuropathogenesis

The circadian timing system controls daily rhythms of physiology and behavior, and disruption of clock function can trigger stressful life events. Daily exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) can lead to alteration in diverse biological and physiological processes. Smoking is associated with mood disorders, including depression and anxiety. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have abnormal circadian rhythms, reflected by daily changes in respiratory symptoms and lung function. Corticosterone (CORT) is an adrenal steroid that plays a considerable role in stress and anti-inflammatory responses. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5HT) is a neurohormone, which plays a role in sleep/wake regulation and affective disorders. Secretion of stress hormones (CORT and 5HT) is under the control of the circadian clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. Since smoking is a contributing factor in the development of COPD, we hypothesize that CS can affect circadian rhythms of CORT and 5HT secretion leading to sleep and mood disorders in smokers and patients with COPD. We measured the daily rhythms of plasma CORT and 5HT in mice following acute (3 d), sub-chronic (10 d) or chronic (6 mo) CS exposure and in plasma from non-smokers, smokers and patients with COPD. Acute and chronic CS exposure affected both the timing (peak phase) and amplitude of the daily rhythm of plasma CORT and 5HT in mice. Acute CS appeared to have subtle time-dependent effects on CORT levels but more pronounced effects on 5HT. As compared with CORT, plasma 5HT was slightly elevated in smokers but was reduced in patients with COPD. Thus, the effects of CS on plasma 5HT were consistent between mice and patients with COPD. Together, these data reveal a significant impact of CS exposure on rhythms of stress hormone secretion and subsequent detrimental effects on cognitive function, depression-like behavior, mood/anxiety and sleep quality in smokers and patients with COPD

A target-based high throughput screen yields Trypanosoma brucei hexokinase small molecule inhibitors with antiparasitic activity. PLoS Negl Trop. Dis

Abstract Background: The parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei utilizes glycolysis exclusively for ATP production during infection of the mammalian host. The first step in this metabolic pathway is mediated by hexokinase (TbHK), an enzyme essential to the parasite that transfers the c-phospho of ATP to a hexose. Here we describe the identification and confirmation of novel small molecule inhibitors of bacterially expressed TbHK1, one of two TbHKs expressed by T. brucei, using a high throughput screening assay

A Target-Based High Throughput Screen Yields Trypanosoma brucei Hexokinase Small Molecule Inhibitors with Antiparasitic Activity

African sleeping sickness is a disease found in sub-Saharan Africa that is caused by the single-celled parasite Trypanosoma brucei. The drugs used widely now to treat infections are 50 years old and notable for their toxicity, emphasizing the need for development of new therapeutics. In the search for potential drug targets, researchers typically focus on enzymes or proteins that are essential to the survival of the infectious agent while being distinct enough from the host to avoid accidental targeting of the host enzyme. This work describes our research on one such trypanosome enzyme, hexokinase, which is a protein that the parasite requires to make energy. Here we describe the results of our search for inhibitors of the parasite enzyme. By screening 220,223 compounds for anti-hexokinase activity, we have identified new inhibitors of the parasite enzyme. Some of these are toxic to trypanosomes while having no effect on mammalian cells, suggesting that they may hold promise for the development of new anti-parasitic compounds