Complete genome sequence of Frog virus 3, isolated from a strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio) imported from Nicaragua into the Netherlands

Frog virus 3 was isolated from a strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio) imported from Nicaragua via Germany to the Netherlands, and its complete genome sequence was determined. Frog virus 3 isolate Op/2015/Netherlands/UU3150324001 is 107,183 bp long and has a nucleotide similarity of 98.26% to the reference Frog virus 3 isolate

Investigation of amphibian mortality events in wildlife reveals an on-going ranavirus epidemic in the North of the Netherlands

In the four years following the first detection of ranavirus (genus Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae) infection in Dutch wildlife in 2010, amphibian mortality events were investigated nationwide to detect, characterize and map ranaviruses in amphibians over time, and to establish the affected host species and the clinico-pathological presentation of the disease in these hosts. The ultimate goal was to obtain more insight into ranavirus disease emergence and ecological risk. In total 155 dead amphibians from 52 sites were submitted between 2011 and 2014, and examined using histopathology, immunohistochemistry, virus isolation and molecular genetic characterization. Ranavirus-associated amphibian mortality events occurred at 18 sites (35%), initially only in proximity of the 2010 index site. Specimens belonging to approximately half of the native amphibian species were infected, including the threatened Pelobates fuscus (spadefoot toad). Clustered massive outbreaks involving dead adult specimens and ranavirus genomic identity indicated that one common midwife toad virus (CMTV)-like ranavirus strain is emerging in provinces in the north of the Netherlands. Modelling based on the spatiotemporal pattern of spread showed a high probability that this emerging virus will continue to be detected at new sites (the discrete reproductive power of this outbreak is 0.35). Phylogenetically distinct CMTV-like ranaviruses were found in the south of the Netherlands more recently. In addition to showing that CMTV-like ranaviruses threaten wild amphibian populations not only in Spain but also in the Netherlands, the current spread and risk of establishment reiterate that understanding the underlying causes of CMTV-like ranavirus emergence requires international attention

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with the renal macula densa of patients with Bartter-like syndrome

Cyclooxygenase-2 expression is associated with the renal macula densa of patients with Bartter-like syndrome.BackgroundBartter-like syndrome (BLS) is a heterogeneous set of congenital tubular disorders that is associated with significant renal salt and water loss. The syndrome is also marked by increased urinary prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) excretion. In rodents, salt and volume depletion are associated with increased renal macula densa cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. The expression of COX-2 in human macula densa has not been demonstrated. The present studies examined whether COX-2 can be detected in macula densa from children with salt-wasting BLS versus control tissues.MethodsThe intrarenal distribution of COX-2 protein and mRNA was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization in 12 patients with clinically and/or genetically confirmed BLS. Renal tissue rejected for transplantation, from six adult patients not affected by BLS, was also examined.ResultsThe expression of COX-2 immunoreactive protein was observed in cells of the macula densa in 8 out 11 patients with BLS. In situ hybridization confirmed the expression of COX-2 mRNA in the macula densa in 6 out of 10 cases. COX-2 protein was also detected in the macula densa in a patient with congestive heart failure. The expression of COX-2 immunoreactive protein was not observed in cells associated with the macula densa in kidneys from patients without disorders associated with hyper-reninemia.ConclusionThese studies demonstrate that COX-2 may be detected in the macula densa of humans. Since macula densa COX-2 was detected in cases of BLS, renal COX-2 expression may be linked to volume and renin status in humans, as well as in animals

Cellular senescence predicts treatment outcome in metastasised colorectal cancer

Background: Cellular senescence is a terminal cell-cycle arrest that occurs in response to activated oncogenes and DNA-damaging chemotherapy. Whether cancer cell senescence at diagnosis might be predictive for treatment outcome is unknown. Methods: A senescence index (SI) was developed and used to retrospectively correlate the treatment outcome of 30 UICC stage IV colorectal cancer (CRC) patients with their SI at diagnosis. Results: 5-Fluorouracil/leucovorin-treated CRC patients achieved a significantly longer progression-free survival when presenting with SI-positive tumours before therapy (median 12.0 vs 6.0 months; P=0.044). Conclusion: Cancer cell senescence predicts treatment outcome in metastasised CRC. Prospective analyses of larger patient cohorts are needed

Comparing Languages for Engineering Server Software: Erlang, Go, and Scala with Akka

Servers are a key element of current IT infrastructures, and must often deal with large numbers of concurrent requests. The programming language used to construct the server has an important role in engineering efficient server software, and must support massive concurrency on multicore machines with low communication and synchronisation overheads. This paper investigates 12 highly concurrent programming languages suitable for engineering servers, and analyses three representative languages in detail: Erlang, Go, and Scala with Akka. We have designed three server benchmarks that analyse key performance characteristics of the languages. The benchmark results suggest that where minimising message latency is crucial, Go and Erlang are best; that Scala with Akka is capable of supporting the largest number of dormant processes; that for servers that frequently spawn processes Erlang and Go minimise creation time; and that for constantly communicating processes Go provides the best throughput

Характер просторового розташування етносів по теренах Одеської області (друга половина ХХ ст.)

Background: Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament has been described in Friesian horses as well as in other breeds. The objectives of this study were to review the outcome of clinical cases of this disease in Friesian horses and analyse the pathology of the bone-ligament interface. Case records of Friesian horses diagnosed with axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the period 2002-2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Post-mortem examination was performed on horses that were euthanized (n = 3) and included macroscopic necropsy (n = 3), high-field (9.4 Tesla) magnetic resonance imaging (n = 1) and histopathology (n = 2). Results: Twelve horses were included, aged 6.8 +/- 2.7 years. The hindlimb was involved in all cases. Lameness was acute in onset and severe, with a mean duration of 1.9 +/- 1.0 months. Three horses were euthanized after diagnosis; 9 horses underwent treatment. Two horses (22%) became sound for light riding purposes, 2 horses (22%) became pasture sound (comfortable at pasture, but not suitable for riding), 5 horses (56%) remained lame. In addition to bone resorption at the proximo-axial margin of the proximal sesamoid bones, magnetic resonance imaging and histopathology showed osteoporosis of the peripheral compact bone and spongious bone of the proximal sesamoid bones and chronic inflammation of the intersesamoidean ligament. Conclusions: Axial osteitis of the proximal sesamoid bones and desmitis of the intersesamoidean ligament in the hindlimb of Friesian horses carries a poor prognosis. Pathological characterization (inflammation, proximo-axial bone resorption and remodelling of the peripheral compact bone and spongious bone of the proximal sesamoid bones) may help in unravelling the aetiology of this disease

Процессы низкотемпературной дипольной релаксации в системах бычий сывороточный альбумин–нанооксид–вода

Методом термостимулированной деполяризации проведены сравнительные исследования процессов низкотемпературной дипольной релаксации в замороженных водных дисперсиях нанооксидов, индивидуальных и в присутствии бычьего сывороточного альбумина (БСА). Для последних систем характерно увеличение вкладов релаксационных процессов при Т > 160–170 К, в то время как для водных дисперсий оксидов бóльшие токи ТСД наблюдаются при Т 160…170 К, в той час як для водних дисперсій оксидів більші струми ТСД спостерігаються при Т 160- 170 К, since for aqueous suspensions of nanooxides, greater TSD currents are observed at Т < 160-170 К. This difference is due to the participation of the BSA molecules (polar bonds, groups, fragments, whole molecules) in the relaxation processes, whose features depend also on the nature of nanooxide and a character of BSA interactions with its surface

Принципи управління персоналом сільськогосподарських підприємств (на прикладі Луганської області)

У статті проаналізовано сучасний стан сільськогосподарського виробництва в Луганській області та здійснена оцінка перспектив реформування управління персоналом на підприємствах АПК. Регресійним аналізом оцінено ступінь впливу деяких факторів на рентабельність персоналу. Рекомендується використання SWOT-аналізу для дослідження й формування раціонального управління персоналом підприємств АПК.Performed analysis of the current state of agriculture in the Luhansk region, evaluated the prospects for personnel resources reforming for the agricultural enterprises. The degree of factors influencing on profitability of personnel is appraised by the regressive analysis. SWOT-analysis is recommended for research and forming of agrarian enterprises rational management of a personnel

Pre-existing virus-specific CD8+ T-cells provide protection against pneumovirus-induced disease in mice

Pneumoviruses such as pneumonia virus of mice (PVM), bovine respiratory syncytial virus (bRSV) or human (h)RSV are closely related pneumoviruses that cause severe respiratory disease in their respective hosts. It is well-known that T-cell responses are essential in pneumovirus clearance, but pneumovirus-specific T-cell responses also are important mediators of severe immunopathology. In this study we determined whether memory- or pre-existing, transferred virus-specific CD8 + T-cells provide protection against PVM-induced disease. We show that during infection with a sublethal dose of PVM, both natural killer (NK) cells and CD8 + T-cells expand relatively late. Induction of CD8 + T-cell memory against a single CD8 + T-cell epitope, by dendritic cell (DC)-peptide immunization, leads to partial protection against PVM challenge and prevents Th2 differentiation of PVM-induced CD4 T-cells. In addition, adoptively transferred PVM-specific CD8 + T-cells, covering the entire PVM-specific CD8 + T-cell repertoire, provide partial protection from PVM-induced disease. From these data we infer that antigen-specific memory CD8 + T-cells offer significant protection to PVM-induced disease. Thus, CD8 + T-cells, despite being a major cause of PVM-associated pathology during primary infection, may offer promising targets of a protective pneumovirus vaccine