Death associated to methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus ST8 infection in two dolphins maintained under human care, Italy

The present study describes the isolation of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) from respiratory tract of 2 dolphins of different origin, a stranded juvenile Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus) and a captive born common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) calf, which died in the same institution at 1-month distance from the other. A complete microbiological and genetic investigation confirmed the presence of MRSA clone-complex 8, sequence type (ST) 8, spa-type t008 in both individuals. This strain differs from the one previously reported in walruses and dolphins and has never been described in dolphins before, but it is randomly isolated from Italian human patients. Vertical transmission of the infection may also occurs in other species and considering the description and location of the pathological lesions, this seems to be the most likely route of transmission implied in the young bottlenose dolphin. Staphylococcus aureus is known as an opportunistic agent, usually secondary to other pathogens, but its multiple antibiotic resistance and its zoonotic implications suggest a thorough and strict application of animal management hygiene protocols

Optimization and Characterization of Essential oil Nanoemulsions Using Ultrasound for New Ecofriendly Insecticides

This study developed and evaluated the toxicological effects of new stable nanoemulsions (NEs) of peppermint essential oils (EO) and palmarosa EO + linalyl acetate using ultrasound cavitation. Moreover, the study analyzed the effect of linalyl acetate in the stabilization process of palmarosa NEs. Peppermint NEs had sizes of 34 nm and polydisperse index (PDI) values of 0.424 pwhile palmarosa NEs showed sizes of 15 nm and PDI of 0.078. Peppermint NEs were stable for 30 days and palmarosa NEs, for 120 days. The insecticidal effect of NEs were also evaluated against Cx p. pipiens and P. interpunctella larvae. In Cx p. pipiens, the Cl50 values were 31.24 ppm for peppermint NEs and 32.30 ppm for palmarosa + linalyl acetate NEs. In P. interpunctella, the NEs were combined with β-cypermethrin and the CL50 values were 0.12 μg larvae-1 for peppermint NEs and 0.23 μg larvae-1 palmarosa + linalyl acetate NEs. In addition, the NEs showed not toxicity effect in non-target organisms such as A. salina and T molitor. Finally, viability on mammalian cell culture model was evaluated and also observed that NEs no affected the cell viability after 3 and 7 days of exposure.Fil: Jesser, Emiliano Nicolás. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Yeguerman, Cristhian Alan. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Gili, Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca; ArgentinaFil: Santillán, Graciela Edith. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia. Instituto de Ciencias Biológicas y Biomédicas del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Murray, Ana Paula. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Domini, Claudia Elizabeth. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; ArgentinaFil: Werdin Gonzalez, Jorge Omar. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Bahía Blanca. Instituto de Química del Sur. Universidad Nacional del Sur. Departamento de Química. Instituto de Química del Sur; Argentin

The use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to sample the blow microbiome of small cetaceans

Recent studies describe the use of UAVs in collecting blow samples from large whales to analyze the microbial and viral community in exhaled air. Unfortunately, attempts to collect blow from small cetaceans have not been successful due to their swimming and diving behavior. In order to overcome these limitations, in this study we investigated the application of a specific sampling tool attached to a UAV to analyze the blow from small cetaceans and their respiratory microbiome. Preliminary trials to set up the sampling tool were conducted on a group of 6 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) under human care, housed at Acquario di Genova, with approximately 1 meter distance between the blowing animal and the tool to obtain suitable samples. The same sampling kit, suspended via a 2 meter rope assembled on a waterproof UAV, flying 3 meters above the animals, was used to sample the blows of 5 wild bottlenose dolphins in the Gulf of Ambracia (Greece) and a sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) in the southern Tyrrhenian Sea (Italy), to investigate whether this experimental assembly also works for large whale sampling. In order to distinguish between blow-associated microbes and seawater microbes, we pooled 5 seawater samples from the same area where blow samples\u2019 collection were carried out. The the respiratory microbiota was assessed by using the V3-V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene via Illumina Amplicon Sequencing. The pooled water samples contained more bacterial taxa than the blow samples of both wild animals and the sequenced dolphin maintained under human care. The composition of the bacterial community differed between the water samples and between the blow samples of wild cetaceans and that under human care, but these differences may have been mediated by different microbial communities between seawater and aquarium water. The sperm whale\u2019s respiratory microbiome was more similar to the results obtained from wild bottlenose dolphins. Although the number of samples used in this study was limited and sampling and analyses were impaired by several limitations, the results are rather encouraging, as shown by the evident microbial differences between seawater and blow samples, confirmed also by the meta-analysis carried out comparing our results with those obtained in previous studies. Collecting exhaled air from small cetaceans using drones is a challenging process, both logistically and technically. The success in obtaining samples from small cetacean blow in this study in comparison to previous studies is likely due to the distance the sampling kit is suspended from the drone, which reduced the likelihood that the turbulence of the drone propeller interfered with successfully sampling blow, suggested as a factor leading to poor success in previous studies

The Disturbed Habitat and Its Effects on the Animal Population

Changes in the “habitat” may interfere with the normal functioning of all biological systems. The existence of relationships between environmental changes and health in humans and animal species is well known and it has become generally accepted that poor health affects the animal’s natural behaviors and animal welfare and, consequently, food safety and animal production quality. Microclimate alterations, husbandry-management conditions, quality of human-animal interactions, feeding systems, and rearing environment represent the main factors that could negatively affect animal welfare and may produce behavioral, biochemical, endocrine, and pathological modifications in domestic and wild animals. Particularly, high stress levels can reduce the immune system response and promote infectious diseases. Adverse socio-environmental factors can represent a major stimulus to the development of different pathologies. This chapter will discuss the main pathological modifications described in domestic and wild animals due to “disturbed habitat” paying more attention to critical points detected in standard breeding systems

Development of a national registry of congenital anomalies in Argentine: a pilot feasibility study

INTRODUCCIÓN: el Sistema de Estadísticas de Salud de Argentina no registra datos sobre ocurrencia de anomalías congénitas (AC) en recién nacidos (RN). OBJETIVO: evaluar la confiabilidad de una nueva metodología de registro para el relevamiento de AC en nacidos vivos mediante su comparación con la estrategia de registro del Estudio Colaborativo Latinoamericano de Malformaciones Congénitas (ECLAMC). MÉTODOS: se utilizaron dos metodologías independientes de recolección de datos: el ECLAMC y un formulario especial anexado al Informe Estadístico de Hospitalización (F-IEH). En el F-IEH los neonatólogos consignaron la presencia de AC en RN vivos y las describieron. RESULTADOS: Entre 18.491 RN vivos, se describieron 658 malformados en el ECLAMC (3,56%) y 587 en el F-IEH (3,17%); considerando sólo malformaciones mayores, la prevalencia fue 2,58% y 2,11%, respectivamente. Casi todas las categorías diagnósticas fueron más prevalentes en el ECLAMC que en el F-IEH. La confiabilidad, medida a través del Porcentaje de Concordancia Positiva (PCP), fue 62,2% para el total de casos con AC; 42,4%, para los casos con AC menores; y varió en un rango de 42,9%–88,9% entre diferentes categorías de AC mayores. CONCLUSIONES: el grado de concordancia entre el F-IEH y ECLAMC en la detección de AC fue mayor para las anomalías mayores que menores. Los diagnósticos fueron coincidentes en todos los casos detectados por ambas metodologías. Antes de extender el registro a escala nacional se recomienda capacitar a los neonatólogos para asegurar una adecuada detección de los casos.INTRODUCTION: the Health Statistics System in Argentina does not record data on the occurrence of congenital anomalies (CA) in newborns. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the reliability of a new methodology for the record of CA in live births by comparison with the Latin American Collaborative Study of Congenital Malformations (ECLAMC, according to its Spanish acronym). METHODS: we used data from two independent methodologies: the ECLAMC and a special form attached to the Hospitalization Statistical Report (F-IEH, according to its Spanish acronym). On the F-IEH, neonatologists registered those newborns with CA and described the anomalies. RESULTS: in a population of 18,491 live births, the ECLAMC reported 658 (3.56%) malformed infants, while the F-IEH registered 587 (3.17%). The prevalence of major malformations was 2.58% and 2.11 %, respectively. Most diagnostic categories were more frequent in the ECLAMC than in the F-IEH. The reliability measured by the Percentage of Positive Agreement was 62.2%, in all the CA cases; 42.4%, in minor CA; and ranged from 42.9% to 88.9% among different categories of major CA. CONCLUSIONS: the degree of agreement between the F-IEH and the ECLAMC in the detection of CA is greater for major AC. The diagnoses were the same in all the cases detected by both methodologies. Before using the register nationwide, neonatologist’s training is required to ensure adequate case detection.Fil: Liascovich, Rosa. Dirección Nacional de Instituto de Investigación.Administración Nacional de Laboratorios e Institutos de Salud "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán"; ArgentinaFil: Gili, Juan Antonio. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigación Clínica "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Valdez, Rita. Gobierno de la Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires. Hospital Materno Infantil Ramon Sarda; ArgentinaFil: Somaruga, Luis. Hospital General de Agudos Bernardino Rivadavia ; Gobierno de la Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires;Fil: Goldshmidt, Ernesto. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Bronberg, Ruben Adrian. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Ricagni, Claudia. Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. Hospital General de Agudos "Juan A. Fernández"; ArgentinaFil: Mussi, Margarita. Maternidad Martín; ArgentinaFil: Medina, Adriana. Hospital Municipal General de Agudos Doctor José Penna; ArgentinaFil: Deguer, Carlos. Hospital Municipal General de Agudos Doctor José Penna; ArgentinaFil: Menzio, Monica. Complejo Sanitario San Luis; ArgentinaFil: Guevel, Carlos. Dirección de Estadísticas e Información de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Fernández, Mercedes. Dirección de Estadísticas e Información de Salud; ArgentinaFil: Elida, Marconi. Dirección de Estadísticas e Información de Salud; ArgentinaFil: López Camelo, Jorge Santiago. Centro de Educaciones Médicas e Investigación Clínica "Norberto Quirno"; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

Molecular characterization of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

Background and aims: Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)-related hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing globally, but its molecular features are not well defined. We aimed to identify unique molecular traits characterising NASH-HCC compared to other HCC aetiologies. Methods: We collected 80 NASH-HCC and 125 NASH samples from 5 institutions. Expression array (n = 53 NASH-HCC; n = 74 NASH) and whole exome sequencing (n = 52 NASH-HCC) data were compared to HCCs of other aetiologies (n = 184). Three NASH-HCC mouse models were analysed by RNA-seq/expression-array (n = 20). Activin A receptor type 2A (ACVR2A) was silenced in HCC cells and proliferation assessed by colorimetric and colony formation assays. Results: Mutational profiling of NASH-HCC tumours revealed TERT promoter (56%), CTNNB1 (28%), TP53 (18%) and ACVR2A (10%) as the most frequently mutated genes. ACVR2A mutation rates were higher in NASH-HCC than in other HCC aetiologies (10% vs. 3%, p <0.05). In vitro, ACVR2A silencing prompted a significant increase in cell proliferation in HCC cells. We identified a novel mutational signature (MutSig-NASH-HCC) significantly associated with NASH-HCC (16% vs. 2% in viral/alcohol-HCC, p = 0.03). Tumour mutational burden was higher in non-cirrhotic than in cirrhotic NASH-HCCs (1.45 vs. 0.94 mutations/megabase; p <0.0017). Compared to other aetiologies of HCC, NASH-HCCs were enriched in bile and fatty acid signalling, oxidative stress and inflammation, and presented a higher fraction of Wnt/TGF-β proliferation subclass tumours (42% vs. 26%, p = 0.01) and a lower prevalence of the CTNNB1 subclass. Compared to other aetiologies, NASH-HCC showed a significantly higher prevalence of an immunosuppressive cancer field. In 3 murine models of NASH-HCC, key features of human NASH-HCC were preserved. Conclusions: NASH-HCCs display unique molecular features including higher rates of ACVR2A mutations and the presence of a newly identified mutational signature. Lay summary: The prevalence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) associated with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is increasing globally, but its molecular traits are not well characterised. In this study, we uncovered higher rates of ACVR2A mutations (10%) - a potential tumour suppressor - and the presence of a novel mutational signature that characterises NASH-related HCC

The Biology and Economics of Coral Growth

To protect natural coral reefs, it is of utmost importance to understand how the growth of the main reef-building organisms—the zooxanthellate scleractinian corals—is controlled. Understanding coral growth is also relevant for coral aquaculture, which is a rapidly developing business. This review paper provides a comprehensive overview of factors that can influence the growth of zooxanthellate scleractinian corals, with particular emphasis on interactions between these factors. Furthermore, the kinetic principles underlying coral growth are discussed. The reviewed information is put into an economic perspective by making an estimation of the costs of coral aquaculture