Apoptosis in the lungs of pigs infected with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus and associations with the production of apoptogenic cytokines

International audienceApoptosis was studied in the lungs of pigs during an infection with a European strain of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) and it was examined if cytokines were involved in the induction of apoptosis. Twenty-two 4- to 5-week-old gnotobiotic pigs were inoculated intranasally with 10$^{6.0}$ TCID$_{50}$ of the Lelystad virus and euthanised between 1 and 52 days post inoculation (PI). The lungs and broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) cells were assessed both for virus replication and apoptosis; BAL fluids were examined for interleukin (IL)-1, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and IL-10. Double-labellings were conducted to determine the relation between virus replication and apoptosis and to identify the apoptotic cells. Apoptosis occurred in both infected and non-infected cells. The percentages of infected cells, which were apoptotic, ranged between 9 and 39% in the lungs and between 13 and 30% in the BAL cells. The majority of apoptotic cells were non-infected. Non-infected apoptotic cells in the lungs were predominantly monocytes/macrophages, whereas those in the broncho-alveolar spaces were predominantly lymphocytes. The peak of apoptosis in the lungs at 14 days PI was preceded by a peak of IL-1 and IL-10 production at 9 days PI, suggesting a possible role of these cytokines in the induction of apoptosis in non-infected interstitial monocytes/macrophages. However, the latter hypothesis was not confirmed in vitro, since blood monocytes or alveolar macrophages did not undergo apoptosis after treatment with recombinant porcine IL-1 or IL-10

Predictors of activity engagement during pre-school physical education

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Lung infection with porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus in naive and vaccinated pigs

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus with emphasis on pathogenesis, clinical disease and vaccinatio

The placement of the spider genus Periegops and the phylogeny of Scytodoidea (Araneae: Araneomorphae)

The relationships of Scytodoidea, including the families Drymusidae, Periegopidae, Scytodidae and Sicariidae, have been contentious for a long time. Here we present a reviewed phylogenetic analysis of scytodoid spiders, emphasizing Periegops, the only genus in the family Periegopidae. In our analysis the Scytodoidea are united by the fusion of the third abdominal entapophyses into a median lobe, the presence of female palpal femoral thorns and associated cheliceral stridulatory ridges, a membranous lobe on the cheliceral promargin, and the loss of minor ampullate gland spigots. A basal split within Scytodoidea defines two monophyletic groups: Sicariidae and a group formed by Scytodidae as the sister group of Periegopidae plus Drymusidae, all united by having bipectinate prolateral claws on tarsi I–II, one major ampullate spigot accompanied by a nubbin, and the posterior median spinnerets with a mesal field of spicules. Periegops is the sister group of Drymusidae, united by the regain of promarginal cheliceral teeth and a triangular cheliceral lamina, which is continuous with the paturon margin.Fil: Labarque, Facundo Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; ArgentinaFil: Ramirez, Martin Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales “Bernardino Rivadavia”; Argentin

On the huntsman spider genera Sparianthina Banks, 1929 and Anaptomecus Simon, 1903 from South and Central America (Araneae, Sparassidae)

Th e huntsman spider genera Sparianthina Banks, 1929 and Anaptomecus Simon, 1903 are reviewed. Th e type species of Sparianthina, Sparianthina selenopoides Banks, 1929, is redescribed, illustrated, and recorded from Costa Rica for the fi rst time; a lectotype and paralectotype are designated. Th ree species are transferred to the genus: Sparianthina pumilla (Keyserling, 1880) comb. n. from Heteropoda Latreille, 1804 (lectotype and paralectotype are designated), Sparianthina rufescens (Mello-Leitão, 1940) comb. n. from Anaptomecus and Sparianthina milleri (Caporiacco, 1955) comb. n. from Macrinus Simon, 1887. Th e ♂ of S. rufescens (Mello-Leitão, 1940) comb. n. and the ♀ of S. milleri comb. n. are described for the fi rst time. Th ree new species are described: Sparianthina adisi sp. n., S. deltshevi sp. n., and S. saaristoi sp. n. Th e male and female of Anaptomecus longiventris Simon, 1903 are described for the fi rst time and the species is recorded from Panama for the fi rst time. Two new species are described: Anaptomecus temii sp. n. and A. levyi sp. n.Fil: Jäger, Peter. Senckenberg Research Institute; AlemaniaFil: Rheims, Cristina Anne. Governo do Estado de Sao Paulo. Secretaria da Saude. Instituto Butantan; BrasilFil: Labarque, Facundo Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales "Bernardino Rivadavia"; Argentin

Novel F8 and F9 gene variants from the PedNet hemophilia registry classified according to ACMG/AMP guidelines

In hemophilia A and B, analysis of theF8andF9gene variants enables carrier and prenatal diagnosis and prediction of risk for the development of inhibitors. The PedNet Registry collects clinical, genetic, and phenotypic data prospectively on more than 2000 children with hemophilia. The genetic reports ofF8/F9gene variants were classified uniformly to Human Genome Variation Society nomenclature and reevaluated using international population- and disease-specific databases, literature survey and, where applicable, computational predictive programs. We report 88 novel variants in theF8andF9genes, 80 fulfilling criteria for Class 5 (pathogenic), six for Class 4 (likely pathogenic) and two fulfilling criteria for Class 3 (variant of unknown significance) of the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathologyguidelines together with information on the respective phenotype and inhibitor formation. The study highlights the need to reevaluate and update earlier genetic reports in hemophilia both locally but also in variant databases in light of changed nomenclature and new guidelines.Peer reviewe

The contribution of preschool playground factors in explaining children's physical activity during recess

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Low levels of physical activity are characteristic in preschoolers. To effectively promote physical activity, it is necessary to understand factors that influence young children's physical activity. The present study aimed to investigate how physical activity levels are influenced by environmental factors during recess in preschool.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Preschool playground observations and pedometry during recess were carried out in 39 randomly selected preschools (415 boys and 368 girls; 5.3 ± 0.4 years old). In order to examine the contribution of playground variables to physical activity levels, taking adjustment for clustering of subjects within preschools into account, multilevel analyses were conducted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>During recess boys took significantly more steps per minute than girls (65 ± 36 versus 54 ± 28 steps/min). In both genders higher step counts per minute were significantly associated with less children per m²and with shorter recess times. Only in boys a hard playground surface was a borderline significant predictor for higher physical activity levels. In girls higher step counts were associated with the presence of less supervising teachers. Playground markings, access to toys, the number of playing or aiming equipment pieces and the presence of vegetation or height differences were not significant physical activity predictors in both genders.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>In preschool children physical activity during outdoor play is associated with modifiable playground factors. Further study is recommended to evaluate if the provision of more play space, the promotion of continued activity by supervisors and the modification of playground characteristics can increase physical activity levels in preschoolers.</p