Expression of microRNAs in cerebrospinal fluid of dogs with central nervous system disease

Abstract In this pilot study we investigated the expression of 14 microRNAs in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of dogs with neoplastic, inflammatory and degenerative disorders affecting the central nervous system (CNS). CSF microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles were compared to those from dogs with neurological signs but no evidence of structural or inflammatory CNS disease. Seven miRNAs were easily detected in all samples: miR-10b-5p, miR-19b, miR-21-5p, miR-30b-5p, miR-103a-3p, miR-124, and miR-128-3p. Expression of miR-10b-5p was significantly higher in the neoplastic group compared to other groups. There was no relation between miRNA expression and either CSF nucleated cell count or CSF protein content. Higher expression of miR-10b-5p in the neoplastic group is consistent with previous reports in human medicine where aberrant expression of miR-10b is associated with various neoplastic diseases of the CNS

Ethmoidal Encephalocoele in a Dog. MRI Findings and Outcome Following Medical Treatment

No abstract available

Ethmoidal Encephalocoele in a Dog. MRI Findings and Outcome Following Medical Treatment

No abstract available

Exome sequencing reveals a nebulin nonsense mutation in a dog model of nemaline myopathy

Nemaline myopathy (NM) is a congenital muscle disorder associated with muscle weakness, hypotonia, and rod bodies in the skeletal muscle fibers. Mutations in 10 genes have been implicated in human NM, but spontaneous cases in dogs have not been genetically characterized. We identified a novel recessive myopathy in a family of line-bred American bulldogs (ABDs); rod bodies in muscle biopsies established this as NM. Using SNP profiles from the nuclear family, we evaluated inheritance patterns at candidate loci and prioritized TNNT1 and NEB for further investigation. Whole exome sequencing of the dam, two affected littermates, and an unaffected littermate revealed a nonsense mutation in NEB (g.52734272 C>A, S8042X). Whole tissue gel electrophoresis and western blots confirmed a lack of full-length NEB in affected tissues, suggesting nonsense-mediated decay. The pathogenic variant was absent from 120 dogs of 24 other breeds and 100 unrelated ABDs, suggesting that it occurred recently and may be private to the family. This study presents the first molecularly characterized large animal model of NM, which could provide new opportunities for therapeutic approaches

Structure and Function of Bacteriophages

Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses with an exquisitely evolved structure to accomplish their goals. These goals are recognizing a suitable host bacterium, profiting from the host metabolism, and producing multiple progeny phages that are stable enough to survive until they find a new host bacterium to infect. Their genomes consist of single-stranded RNA, double-stranded RNA, single-stranded DNA, or double-stranded DNA, depending on phage type. They store their genome in highly symmetric protein capsids to protect it from degradation. Often these capsids are icosahedral, but helical and other shapes are also used. Tectiviridae and Corticoviridae have an internal lipid membrane, while Cystoviridae sport an outer membrane layer. Phages with tails, belonging to the Caudovirales order, are the most commonly encountered bacteriophages and have icosahedral or prolate capsids. In addition to the capsid, phages need a host cell recognition apparatus. The small icosahedral Leviviridae have a single minor capsid protein for this purpose. More complex phages dedicate multiple proteins to host cell recognition, and examples of this are the helical Inoviridae and the icosahedral Tectiviridae, Corticoviridae, and Cystoviridae. The Caudovirales have highly efficient tail protein complexes for DNA transfer. These tails are flexible (Siphoviridae), extensible (Podoviridae), or contractile (Myoviridae). Apart from elements designed for genome protection, host recognition, and genome transfer, more complicated phage particles may contain proteins for environmental sensing, binding to suitable matrices where host bacteria are likely to be encountered, and other functions