Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans’ Amphibian Host Species and Invasion Range

Batrachochytrium salamandrivorans (Bsal), a species related to the destructive pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), was found and identified in Europe in 2013. Now, a decade later, a large amount of information is available. This includes data from studies in the field, reports of infection in captive amphibians, laboratory studies testing host susceptibility, and data from prospective studies that test for Bsal’s presence in a location. We conducted a systematic review of the published literature and compiled a dataset of Bsal tests. We identified 67 species that have been reported positive for Bsal, 20 of which have a threatened conservation status. The distribution of species that have been found with infection encompasses 69 countries, highlighting the potential threat that Bsal poses. We point out where surveillance to detect Bsal have taken place and highlight areas that have not been well monitored. The large number of host species belonging to the families Plethodontidae and Salamandridae suggests a taxonomic pattern of susceptibility. Our results provide insight into the risk posed by Bsal and identifies vulnerable species and areas where surveillance is needed to fill existing knowledge gaps

Smoking Policies of Outpatient and Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities in the United States

Tobacco use is associated with morbidity and mortality. Many individuals who present to treatment facilities with substance use disorders (SUDs) other than tobacco use disorder also smoke cigarettes or have a concomitant tobacco use disorder. Despite high rates of smoking among those with an SUD, and numerous demonstrated benefits of comprehensive SUD treatment for tobacco use in addition to co-occurring SUDs, not all facilities address the treatment of comorbid tobacco use disorder. In addition, facilities vary widely in terms of tobacco use policies on campus. This study examined SUD facility smoking policies in a national sample of N = 16,623 SUD treatment providers in the United States in 2021. Most facilities with outpatient treatment (52.1%) and facilities with residential treatment (67.8%) had a smoking policy that permitted smoking in designated outdoor area(s). A multinomial logistic regression model found that among facilities with outpatient treatment (n = 13,778), those located in a state with laws requiring tobacco free grounds at SUD facilities, those with tobacco screening/education/counseling services, and those with nicotine pharmacotherapy were less likely to have an unrestrictive tobacco smoking policy. Among facilities with residential treatment (n = 3449), those with tobacco screening/education/counseling services were less likely to have an unrestrictive tobacco smoking policy. There is variability in smoking policies and tobacco use treatment options in SUD treatment facilities across the United States. Since tobacco use is associated with negative biomedical outcomes, more should be done to ensure that SUD treatment also focuses on reducing the harms of tobacco use

Sewage sludge biochars as effective PFAS-sorbents

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25 de Abril Sempre! Portuguese Science and the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution

In 2024, Portugal celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Carnation Revolution, which brought down a long dictatorship and re-instated elemental civil liberties and democracy in the country. For Portuguese science, this revolution meant a democratisation of access to the scientific career and an increased investment in scientific research, which culminated in an unprecedented rise in scientific output. Communications Biology joins this anniversary and celebrations of freedom and democracy as basic pillars of scientific endeavour

Spontaneous healing of Mycobacterium ulcerans lesions in the guinea pig model

Buruli Ulcer (BU) is a necrotizing skin disease caused by Mycobacterium ulcerans infection. BU is characterized by a wide range of clinical forms, including non-ulcerative cutaneous lesions that can evolve into severe ulcers if left untreated. Nevertheless, spontaneous healing has been reported to occur, although knowledge on this process is scarce both in naturally infected humans and experimental models of infection. Animal models are useful since they mimic different spectrums of human BU disease and have the potential to elucidate the pathogenic/protective pathway(s) involved in disease/healing. In this time-lapsed study, we characterized the guinea pig, an animal model of resistance to M. ulcerans, focusing on the macroscopic, microbiological and histological evolution throughout the entire experimental infectious process. Subcutaneous infection of guinea pigs with a virulent strain of M. ulcerans led to early localized swelling, which evolved into small well defined ulcers. These macroscopic observations correlated with the presence of necrosis, acute inflammatory infiltrate and an abundant bacterial load. By the end of the infectious process when ulcerative lesions healed, M. ulcerans viability decreased and the subcutaneous tissue organization returned to its normal state after a process of continuous healing characterized by tissue granulation and reepethelialization. In conclusion, we show that the experimental M. ulcerans infection of the guinea pig mimics the process of spontaneous healing described in BU patients, displaying the potential to uncover correlates of protection against BU, which can ultimately contribute to the development of new prophylactic and therapeutic strategies.The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement No 241500 (BuruliVac). This work was additionally financed from the Health Services of the Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian under the grant Proc.No94776 LJ; from the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT), cofunded by Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2-O Novo Norte); from the Quadro de Referencia Estrategico Nacional (QREN) through the Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) and from the Projeto Estrategico - LA 26 - 2013-2014 (PEst-C/SAU/LA0026/2013). A.G. Fraga and G. Trigo received an individual FCT fellowship (SFRH/BPD/68547/2010 and SFRH/BPD/64032/2009), C.M. Goncalves received an individual QREN fellowship (UMINHO/BPD/40/2013), and E. Marcq received funding from the Life Long Learning Erasmus program. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Morus alba L. Bioindicator of Pollution by Particulate Following an Urbanization Gradient in San Juan City

En hojas de Morus alba L. se evaluó la variación del contenido de sólidos en suspensión; durante un ciclo vegetativo (primavera, verano y fines de otoño), en el área urbana y suburbana de San Juan (Argentina). El estudio se realizó en San Juan muestreándose 40 árboles al azar. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante ANOVA. El área foliar media externa representó el 52,1 ± 13,4 % en urbano y el 55,2 ± 9,2 % en suburbano. No se encontraron diferencias estadísticas en las partículas depositadas en la parte externa e interna de la copa. Las partículas 2 depositadas por cm de follaje no difieren estadísticamente entre urbano y suburbano. Teniendo en cuenta el censo forestal, el área 2 foliar media y los sólidos/cm , se depositaron en total 9.9 kg en primavera y 295.7 kg en otoño de sólidos.In leaves of Morus alba was analyzed the variation in air particle deposition, during a complete vegetative cycle (spring, summer and end of autumn), in urban and suburban area of San Juan (Argentina). The study was made in San Juan sampling 40 trees randomly selected. Data obtained were statistically analyzed using the ANOVA test. The treetop mean external foliar area represents 52.1 ± 13.4 % in urban and 55.2 ± 9.2 % in suburban areas. No statistical differences were found in particles accumulated in internal and external sectors of the treetop. 2 Accumulated particles by cm of foliage did not differ statistically between urban and suburban area. Taking into account the forest 2 census, the mean foliage area, and the particulate/cm , total solids deposited were 9.9 kg (spring) and 295.7 kg (fall).Fil: Moreno, Gabriela Analia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Martinez Carretero, Eduardo Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; ArgentinaFil: Faggi, A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Castro, M.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentin

Case Report Outbreak of Winter Coccidiosis in calves from Northwestern Argentina

Coccidiosis is an intestinal infection caused by protozoans of the genus Eimeria. When the disease occurs in winter, it is known as winter coccidiosis. In July 2021, two calves were referred to INTA-Salta SDVE to determine the cause of death. These animals belonged to a herd that had shown clinical signs, such as bloody diarrhea, poor condition and death. Subsequently, a visit was made to the establishment in which fecal samples were taken on the farm for parasitological studies and a necropsy was performed to another dead animal from the same rodeo. In addition, meteorological data (Tmax, Tmin and Tmed) were collected in the period prior to the death of the animals and at the time of the outbreak. The three necropsied calves showed thickening of the cecum mucosa, colon and rectum, with presence of ulcerations in the cecum mucosa and fibrin clots. Average OPG values were 986.6 (±1693.06), ranging between 0 and 5040 OPG and the most prevalent species was Eimeria zuernii. On the other hand, it was observed that the deaths were related to the moment in which the temperatures decreased. Based on the results of the studies, we conclude that the diagnosis is winter coccidiosis.La coccidiosis es una infección intestinal causada por protozoos del género Eimeria. Cuando la enfermedad ocurre en invierno se conoce como coccidiosis de invierno. En julio de 2021, dos terneros fueron remitidos al INTA-Salta SDVE para determinar la causa de la muerte. Estos animales pertenecían a un rebaño que había presentado signos clínicos, como diarrea sanguinolenta, mal estado y muerte. Posteriormente, se decidió realizar una visita al establecimiento en donde se tomaron muestras de heces en la finca para estudios parasitológicos y se realizó la necropsia de otro animal muerto del mismo rodeo en una visita realizada al establecimiento. Sumado a esto, se recolectaron datos meteorológicos (Tmax, Tmin, Tmed) en el periodo previo a la muerte de los animales y al momento del brote. Los tres terneros a los que se les realizó la necropsia mostraron engrosamiento de la mucosa del ciego, colon y recto, con presencia de ulceraciones en la mucosa del ciego y coágulos de fibrina. Los valores medios de OPG fueron 986,6 (±1693,06), oscilando entre 0 y 5040 OPG y la especie de mayor prevalencia fue Eimeria zuernii. Por otro lado, se observó que las muertes estuvieron relacionadas al momento en donde las temperaturas disminuyeron. Con base en los resultados de los estudios, concluimos que el diagnóstico es coccidiosis de invierno.Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco SemiáridoFil: Olmos, Leandro Hipólito. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal Chaco Semiarido; Argentina.Fil: Olmos, Leandro Hipólito. Universidad Católica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Avellaneda-Cáceres, Agustín. Universidad Católica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Avellaneda-Cáceres, Agustín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Avellaneda-Cáceres, Agustín. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre, Laura Sabrina. Universidad Católica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre, Laura Sabrina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre, Laura Sabrina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Sandoval, Gabriela V. Universidad Católica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Sandoval, Gabriela V. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sandoval, Gabriela V. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Diego M. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Vitulli Moya, Marisol. Universidad Católica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Colque Caro, Luis Adrián. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal Chaco Semiarido; ArgentinaFil: Colque Caro, Luis Adrián. Universidad Católica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Colque Caro, Luis Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal Chaco Semiarido; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Universidad Católica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Outbreak of Winter Coccidiosis in calves from Northwestern Argentina

La coccidiosis es una infección intestinal causada por protozoos del género Eimeria. Cuando la enfermedad ocurre en invierno se conoce como coccidiosis de invierno. En julio de 2021, dos terneros fueron remitidos al INTA-Salta SDVE para determinar la causa de la muerte. Estos animales pertenecían a un rebaño que había presentado signos clínicos, como diarrea sanguinolenta, mal estado y muerte. Posteriormente, se decidió realizar una visita al establecimiento en donde se tomaron muestras de heces en la finca para estudios parasitológicos y se realizó la necropsia de otro animal muerto del mismo rodeo en una visita realizada al establecimiento. Sumado a esto, se recolectaron datos meteorológicos (Tmax, Tmin, Tmed) en el periodo previo a la muerte de los animales y al momento del brote. Los tres terneros a los que se les realizó la necropsia mostraron engrosamiento de la mucosa del ciego, colon y recto, con presencia de ulceraciones en la mucosa del ciego y coágulos de fibrina. Los valores medios de OPG fueron 986,6 (±1693,06), oscilando entre 0 y 5040 OPG y la especie de mayor prevalencia fue Eimeria zuernii. Por otro lado, se observó que las muertes estuvieron relacionadas al momento en donde las temperaturas disminuyeron. Con base en los resultados de los estudios, concluimos que el diagnóstico es coccidiosis de invierno.Coccidiosis is an intestinal infection caused by protozoans of the genus Eimeria. When the disease occurs in winter, it is known as winter coccidiosis. In July 2021, two calves were referred to INTA-Salta SDVE to determine the cause of death. These animals belonged to a herd that had shown clinical signs, such as bloody diarrhea, poor condition and death. Subsequently, a visit was made to the establishment in which fecal samples were taken on the farm for parasitological studies and a necropsy was performed to another dead animal from the same rodeo. In addition, meteorological data (Tmax, Tmin and Tmed) were collected in the period prior to the death of the animals and at the time of the outbreak. The three necropsied calves showed thickening of the cecum mucosa, colon and rectum, with presence of ulcerations in the cecum mucosa and fibrin clots. Average OPG values were 986.6 (±1693.06), ranging between 0 and 5040 OPG and the most prevalent species was Eimeria zuernii. On the other hand, it was observed that the deaths were related to the moment in which the temperatures decreased. Based on the results of the studies, we conclude that the diagnosis is winter coccidiosis.Fil: Olmos, Leandro Hipolito. Universidad Catolica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Avellaneda Caceres, Agustin. Universidad Catolica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; ArgentinaFil: Aguirre Castro, Laura Sabrina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; Argentina. Universidad Catolica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Sandoval, Gabriela Virginia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; Argentina. Universidad Catolica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Diego M.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; ArgentinaFil: Vitulli Moya, Gabriel Rodrigo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; ArgentinaFil: Colque Caro, Luis Adrián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; Argentina. Universidad Catolica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Salta; Argentina. Universidad Catolica de Salta. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Veterinarias; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigaciones Agropecuarias. Instituto de Investigación Animal del Chaco Semiárido; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Salta. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Salta; Argentin

The microbiota-gut-brain axis:Neurobehavioral correlates, health and sociality

Recent data suggest that the human body is not such a neatly self-sufficient island after all. It is more like a super-complex ecosystem containing trillions of bacteria and other microorganisms that inhabit all our surfaces; skin, mouth, sexual organs, and specially intestines. It has recently become evident that such microbiota, specifically within the gut, can greatly influence many physiological parameters, including cognitive functions, such as learning, memory and decision making processes. Human microbiota is a diverse and dynamic ecosystem, which has evolved in a mutualistic relationship with its host. Ontogenetically, it is vertically inoculated from the mother during birth, established during the first year of life and during lifespan, horizontally transferred among relatives, mates or close community members. This micro-ecosystem serves the host by protecting it against pathogens, metabolizing complex lipids and polysaccharides that otherwise would be inaccessible nutrients, neutralizing drugs and carcinogens, modulating intestinal motility, and making visceral perception possible. It is now evident that the bidirectional signaling between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, mainly through the vagus nerve, the so called “microbiota–gut–vagus–brain axis,” is vital for maintaining homeostasis and it may be also involved in the etiology of several metabolic and mental dysfunctions/disorders. Here we review evidence on the ability of the gut microbiota to communicate with the brain and thus modulate behavior, and also elaborate on the ethological and cultural strategies of human and non-human primates to select, transfer and eliminate microorganisms for selecting the commensal profile