Frequent Oomycotic Infections in Eggs of Cultured Species

In aquaculture farms, incubation is a one crucial stage, as frequently shows high percentage of mortality. In fish and amphibians, egg oomycosis is a common infection during the early stages of embryonic development. Infection is usually promoted by unfertilized or damaged eggs that provide a medium for the zoospores to establish and grow, resulting in colonization and spread of the infection to nearby viable eggs. Numerous essential oils have been shown to have anti-oomycotic activity and to inhibit production and spore germination of Oomycetes species of the order Saprolegniales.Fil: Di Cesare, Luca Sebastian Guido. LABORATORIO DE HISTOLOGIA Y EMBRIOLOGIA DESCRIPTIVA, EXPERIMENTAL Y COMPARADA (LHYEDEC) ; DEPARTAMENTO DE CS.BASICAS ; FACULTAD DE CS.VETERINARIAS ; UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE LA PLATA; . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Plaul, Silvia Elena. LABORATORIO DE HISTOLOGIA Y EMBRIOLOGIA DESCRIPTIVA, EXPERIMENTAL Y COMPARADA (LHYEDEC) ; DEPARTAMENTO DE CS.BASICAS ; FACULTAD DE CS.VETERINARIAS ; UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE LA PLATA

Expression of EpCAM in uveal melanoma

BACKGROUND: Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignant tumor in adults, and nearly 40% of UM will develop metastasis that will ultimately lead to death. The Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein expressed by carcinomas of head and neck, ovary, colon, breast, kidney and lung. Recently, antibodies against EpCAM such as Edrecolomab and Catumaxomab were developed, and clinical trials with these antibodies have been used in several types of neoplasia. We studied the expression of EpCAM in UM. METHODS: 25 enucleated formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded UM specimens were immunostained for EpCAM. Histopathological analysis of the specimens with regards to prognostic factors such as cell type, largest (linear) tumor dimension, number of mitotic figures, scleral invasion and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes were done. RESULTS: None of them was positive for this EpCAM. CONCLUSION: In our report, UM did not express EpCAM. Therefore, it is not a helpful immunohistochemical marker to predict the behavior of UM. Further studies are needed to verify if EpCAM could also be related with prognosis and treatment of UM

Imatinib mesylate alters the expression of genes related to disease progression in an animal model of uveal melanoma

Imatinib mesylate (IM) is a compound that inhibits both BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase and c-kit receptors. Tyrosine kinases are important in cellular signaling and mediate major cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, attachment, and migration. Twenty-six albino rabbits were injected with 1 x 10(6) human uveal melanoma (UM) cells (92.1) into the suprachoroidal space. Animals were immunosuppressed (cyclosporin A) over the course of the 12-week experiment and divided into two groups (n = 13). the experimental group received IM once daily by gavage while the control group received a placebo. One animal per group was sacrificed every week after the 2nd week. Upon necropsy, organs were harvested for histopathological examination. Cells from the primary tumors were recultured and tested in proliferation and invasion assays. A PCR array was used to investigate the differences in expression of 84 genes related to tumor metastasis. in the treated group, 4 rabbits developed intraocular tumors, with an average largest tumor dimension (LTD) of 2.5 mm and 5 animals reported metastatic disease. Whereas 6 rabbits in the control group developed intraocular tumors, with an average LTD of 5.8 mm and 6 animals reported metastatic disease. the recultured cells from the treated group demonstrated lower proliferation rates and were less invasive (p < 0.001). the PCR array showed differences in expression of genes related to metastasis. Notably, there was 290-fold increase in SERPINB5, a tumor suppressor gene, and a 10-fold higher expression of KISS I, a metastasis suppressor gene, in the treated group. Proangiogenic genes such as VEGFA, PDGFA and PDGFB were downregulated in the treated group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report detailing the altered expression of specific genes in UM cells after treatment with IM.McGill Univ, Ctr Hlth, Dept Ophthalmol & Pathol, Montreal, PQ, CanadaHenry C Witelson Ocular Pathol Lab, Montreal, PQ, CanadaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP EPM, Dept Ophthalmol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo UNIFESP EPM, Dept Ophthalmol, São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Caracterización del ovario de Jenynsia Lineata mediante técnicas histológicas

El género Jenynsia sp. (madrecitas) pertenece al orden Cyprinodontiformes, familia Anablepidae, se encuentra ampliamente distribuido en el territorio argentino. En las provincias de Córdoba y Buenos Aires se encuentran las poblaciones más numerosas. Son peces dulceacuícolas, vivíparos, que actualmente se utilizan como modelo experimental para estudios toxicológicos, de impacto ambiental y para el control de larvas de insectos vectores de enfermedades. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue describir la estructura histológica del ovario y el gonoducto de Jenynsia lineata. Las muestras fueron fijadas en formol bufferado al 10% y procesadas mediante la técnica histológica tradicional de inclusión en parafina. Se efectuaron cortes de 5-6 μm, que posteriormente se colorearon con H-E y tricrómico de Masson. En base a la observación microscópica y a las técnicas histológicas utilizadas se ha podido realizar una descripción detallada del ovario. En J. lineata, el ovario se caracterizó por ser un órgano hueco cuya luz central disminuyó cuando las hembras se encontraban en período de gestación, además durante este período, se observó una gran cantidad de células del sistema inmunológico. En la época reproductiva se observaron folículos ováricos en distintos estadios de maduración gonadal. Cada uno de ellos rodeados por un epitelio plano simple, que en el caso de los folículos embrionados se observó altamente vascularizado. La pared del gonoducto, en las regiones craneal, media y caudal, presentó un epitelio cilíndrico simple, conectivo laxo muy vascularizado, una capa longitudinal de musculatura lisa y peritoneo en la periferia. El análisis de la estructura ovárica y gonoductal y de las características embrionarias de J. lineata ofrece valiosos elementos morfológicos y fisiológicos.Fil: Di Cesare, Luca Sebastian Guido. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC); . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Montes, Martin Miguel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Centro de Estudios Parasitológicos y de Vectores; ArgentinaFil: Garcia, Ignacio Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Limnología "Dr. Raúl A. Ringuelet". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo. Instituto de Limnología; ArgentinaFil: Barbeito, Claudio Gustavo. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC); . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Plaul, Silvia Elena. Universidad Nacional de la Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias. Laboratorio de Histología y Embriología Descriptiva, Experimental y Comparada (LHYEDEC); . Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaVI Simposio Argentino de IctiologíaBarilocheArgentinaUniversidad Nacional del ComahueConsejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Nort

In vitro characterization and inhibition of the CXCR4/CXCL12 chemokine axis in human uveal melanoma cell lines

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Purpose</p> <p>The CXCR4/CXCL12 chemokine axis may play a critical role in guiding CXCR4+ circulating malignant cells to organ specific locations that actively secrete its ligand CXCL12 (SDF-1) such as bone, brain, liver, and lungs. We sought to characterize the presence of the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis in five uveal melanoma (UM) cell lines in vitro. The ability of TN14003, a synthetic peptide inhibitor that targets the CXCR4 receptor complex, to inhibit this axis was also assessed.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Immunocytochemistry was performed against CXCR4 to confirm expression of this chemokine receptor in all five UM cell lines. Flow cytometry was preformed to evaluate CXCR4 cell surface expression on all five UM cell lines. A proliferation assay was also used to test effects TN14003 would have on cellular proliferation. Inhibition of cellular migration by specifically inhibiting the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis with TN14003 was also investigated. The binding efficacy of TN14003 to the CXCR4 receptor was assessed through flow cytometric methods.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The CXCR4 receptor was present on all five UM cell lines. All five cell lines expressed different relative levels of surface CXCR4. TN14003 did not affect the proliferation of the five cell lines (p > 0.05). All cell lines migrated towards the chemokine CXCL12 at a level greater than the negative control (p < 0.05). All 5 cell lines pre-incubated with TN14003 prevented cellular migration towards chemokine CXCL12 (p < 0.01). TN14003 preferentially binds CXCR4 to native ligand CXCL12.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Interfering with the CXCR4/CXCL12 axis, using TN14003 was shown to effectively down regulate UM cell migration in vitro. Knowing that UM expresses the CXCR4 receptor, these CXCR4+ cells may be less likely to colonize distant organs that secrete the CXCL12 ligand, if treated with an inhibitor that binds CXCR4. Further studies should be pursued in order to test TN14003 efficacy in vivo.</p

The effect of blue light exposure in an ocular melanoma animal model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Uveal melanoma (UM) cell lines, when exposed to blue light in vitro, show a significant increase in proliferation. In order to determine if similar effects could be seen in vivo, we investigated the effect of blue light exposure in a xenograft animal model of UM.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty New Zealand albino rabbits were injected with 1.0 × 10⁶human UM cells (92.1) in the suprachoroidal space of the right eye. Animals were equally divided into two groups; the experimental group was exposed to blue light, while the control group was protected from blue light exposure. The eyes were enucleated after sacrifice and the proliferation rates of the re-cultured tumor cells were assessed using a Sulforhodamine-B assay. Cells were re-cultured for 1 passage only in order to maintain any in vivo cellular changes. Furthermore, Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) protein expression was used to ascertain differences in cellular proliferation between both groups in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded eyes (FFPE).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Blue light exposure led to a statistically significant increase in proliferation for cell lines derived from intraocular tumors (p < 0.01). PCNA expression was significantly higher in the FFPE blue light treated group when compared to controls (p = 0.0096).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>There is an increasing amount of data suggesting that blue light exposure may influence the progression of UM. Our results support this notion and warrant further studies to evaluate the ability of blue light filtering lenses to slow disease progression in UM patients.</p

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

The Structural Complexity of the Human BORIS Gene in Gametogenesis and Cancer

BORIS/CTCFL is a paralogue of CTCF, the major epigenetic regulator of vertebrate genomes. BORIS is normally expressed only in germ cells but is aberrantly activated in numerous cancers. While recent studies demonstrated that BORIS is a transcriptional activator of testis-specific genes, little is generally known about its biological and molecular functions.Here we show that BORIS is expressed as 23 isoforms in germline and cancer cells. The isoforms are comprised of alternative N- and C-termini combined with varying numbers of zinc fingers (ZF) in the DNA binding domain. The patterns of BORIS isoform expression are distinct in germ and cancer cells. Isoform expression is activated by downregulation of CTCF, upregulated by reduction in CpG methylation caused by inactivation of DNMT1 or DNMT3b, and repressed by activation of p53. Studies of ectopically expressed isoforms showed that all are translated and localized to the nucleus. Using the testis-specific cerebroside sulfotransferase (CST) promoter and the IGF2/H19 imprinting control region (ICR), it was shown that binding of BORIS isoforms to DNA targets in vitro is methylation-sensitive and depends on the number and specific composition of ZF. The ability to bind target DNA and the presence of a specific long amino terminus (N258) in different isoforms are necessary and sufficient to activate CST transcription. Comparative sequence analyses revealed an evolutionary burst in mammals with strong conservation of BORIS isoproteins among primates.The extensive repertoire of spliced BORIS variants in humans that confer distinct DNA binding and transcriptional activation properties, and their differential patterns of expression among germ cells and neoplastic cells suggest that the gene is involved in a range of functionally important aspects of both normal gametogenesis and cancer development. In addition, a burst in isoform diversification may be evolutionarily tied to unique aspects of primate speciation