Cytauxzoon sp infection in the first endemic focus described in domestic cats in Europe

Information about epidemiological and clinicopathological aspects of domestic cat infection by species of Cytauxzoon other than Cytauxzoon felis is limited and it has rarely been reported. Following the detection of clinical cytauxzoonosis in three cats from Trieste (Italy), an epidemiological study was carried out in colony (n=63) and owned (n=52) cats from the same city to investigate the presence of Cytauxzoon sp. infection and to assess clinicopathological findings and variables associated with this infection. Cytauxzoon sp. infection was detected by 18S rRNA gene PCR in 23% (27/118) and by blood smear examination in 15% (18/118) of domestic cats. The 18S rRNA gene sequences obtained were 99% identical to the Cytauxzoon sp. sequences deposited in GenBank(\uae) from Spanish, French and Mongolian wild and domestic cats. Erythroparasitemia was observed mainly in apparently healthy cats. Cytauxzoon sp. infection was statistically associated with the colony group and the outdoor life style. No statistical association was found between positivity by PCR and breed, gender, age, presence of ticks and/or fleas, clinical status, laboratory findings such as anemia, FIV and/or FeLV status and mortality rate. Persistence of the infection was monitored and documented in four clinical cases. We reported the first clinicopathological description of naturally occurring Cytauxzoon sp. infection in domestic cats living in Italy. The predominance of subclinical erythroparasitemia and the evidence of persistent infection support the hypothesis that the domestic cat might serve as a reservoir host for this infection

The Impact of Vehicles on the Mucoadhesive Properties of Orally Administrated Nanoparticles: a Case Study with Chitosan-4-Thiobutylamidine Conjugate

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of various vehicles on mucoadhesive properties of thiolated chitosan nanoparticles both in vitro and in vivo. Nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by in situ gelation technique followed by labeling with fluorescein diacetate. Comparative studies on mucoadhesion were done with these thiolated chitosan NPs and unmodified chitosan NPs (control). The obtained nanoparticles displayed a mean diameter of 164.2 ± 6.9 nm and a zeta potential of 21.5 ± 5 mV. In an in vitro adhesion study, unhydrated thiolated NPs adhered strongly to freshly excised porcine small intestine, which was more than threefold increase compared to the control. In contrast, in the presence of various vehicles (PEG 300, miglyol 840, PEG 6000, cremophor EL, and caprylic triglyceride), the mucoadhesive properties of thiolated NPs were comparatively weak. Thiolated NPs suspended in caprylic triglyceride, for example, had a percent mucoadhesion of 22.50 ± 5.35% on the mucosa. Furthermore, results from in vivo mucoadhesion studies revealed that the dry form of nanoparticles exhibits the strongest mucoadhesion, followed by nanoparticles suspended in PEG 300, miglyol, and 100 mM phosphate buffer, in that order. Three hours after administration, the gastrointestinal residence time of the dry form of thiolated NPs was up to 3.6-fold prolonged. These findings should contribute to the design of highly effective oral mucoadhesive nanoparticulate drug delivery systems

Search for excited leptons in Z0 decay

We have looked for evidence of excited lepton production in Z0 decay observed in the ALEPH detector at LEP. We find no ℓℓγγ events and set new limits at 95% CL on ℓ∗ masses at 44.6, 44.6 and 41.2 GeV/c2 for respectively. Observed events in the ℓℓγ channels are consistent with radiative effects and we set limits for the first time on the coupling for ℓ∗ masses in the range up to 86 GeV/c2

A precise determination of the number of families with light neutrinos and of the Z boson partial widths

More extensive and precise results are reported on the parameters of Z decay. On the basis of 20 000 Z decays collected with the ALEPH detector at LEP we find Mz=91.182±0.026 (exp.) ±0.030 (beam) GeV, Γz=2.541±0.056 GeV and σhad0=41.4±0.8 nb. The partial widths for the hadronic and leptonic channels are Γhad=1804±44 MeV, Γe+e−=82.1±3.4 MeV, Γμ+μ−=87.9±6.0 MeV and Γτ+τ−=86.1±5.6 MeV, in good agreement with the standard model. On the basis of the average leptonic width Γℓ+ℓ−=83.9±2.2 MeV, the effective weak mixing angle is found to be sin2θw(Mz)=0.231±0.008. Usin g the partial widths calculated in the standard model, the number of light neutrino families is Nν=3.01±0.15 (exp.)±0.05 (theor.)