Identification and confirmation by Koch’s postulate the cause of red leg syndrome in captive bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana).

American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) is currently raised world-wide for a variety of reasons. Frog farming in Malaysia was established more than 20 years ago to supply frog meat for the local non-Muslim community as well as for exportation. However, frog farming still remains as a minor aquatic industry in this country. Red leg syndrome is a common disease among the frog population and has been observed to be highly fatal. The present study was conducted to investigate the cause of red leg syndrome which commonly occurrs in a farm in the state of Penang. Nineteen species of bacteria were isolated from 28 frogs showing typical clinical signs of red leg syndrome. To confirm Koch’s postulate, the 19 pure isolates were inoculated in frogs. However, an attempt to reisolate the bacteria from the internal organs failed to show any bacterial growth. On the other hands, only four species of bacteria were reisolated from the frogs that did not show clinical signs. The current study provides baseline information on the causative agent of red leg syndrome and a reference to further studies for treatment, prevention and control to improve the industry

Detection of Newcastle disease virus in edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) ranched under an oil palm plantation in Sungkai, Perak, Malaysia

Newcastle Disease is regarded as one of the most important disease of avian species and was listed as ‘A’ disease by the Office International des Epizooties (OIE). Studies have shown this disease infects more than 250 species of birds. The edible-nest swiftlet industry in Malaysia is on the rise for the last 10 years and swiftlet houses can be seen everywhere. This is due to the high price of edible bird nests at international market and high income generated by the farming of edible bird nest. Nevertheless, edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus) is can either be infected with or carrying the deadly Newcastle disease virus (NDV) which is a great threat to the poultry industry in this country. In Peninsular Malaysia, no study on this subject was reported so far in this swiflet species. In this study, 60 swiftlet carcasses were sampled. Post-mortem was conducted and lung and trachea tissues were collected. Tissue samples were tested for NDV using the reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Newcastle Disease Virus was not detected in any of the samples. Thus, it can be concluded that edible nest swiftlets (Aerodramus fuciphagus) ranched under oil palm plantation in this study are not infected with or carry NDV

Influence of landscape matrix on urban bird abundance: evidence from Malaysian citizen science data

Large cities in the tropics often comprise a myriad of manmade and natural elements that influence wildlife composition. Based on a citizen science–based project conducted in 2015, this study examined the combined effects of landscape factors on the bird assemblages in Kuala Lumpur and its conurbation, Peninsular Malaysia. A total of 48 species including 2,599 individual birds were recorded; the majority of which (>80%) were species of open habitat. Generalized linear mixed model indicated that the area of green cover had the strongest influence on number of individuals. Specifically, the abundance of individuals was increased by the presence of river corridors and roadside reserves. Areas located further away from water bodies and with less green cover had fewer birds. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating a varied landscape matrix into urban planning so as to maintain urban bird diversity and demonstrate the usefulness of citizen science in biodiversity monitoring

The genetics of blood pressure regulation and its target organs from association studies in 342,415 individuals

To dissect the genetic architecture of blood pressure and assess effects on target-organ damage, we analyzed 128,272 SNPs from targeted and genome-wide arrays in 201,529 individuals of European ancestry and genotypes from an additional 140,886 individuals were used for validation. We identified 66 blood pressure loci, of which 17 were novel and 15 harbored multiple distinct association signals. The 66 index SNPs were enriched for cis-regulatory elements, particularly in vascular endothelial cells, consistent with a primary role in blood pressure control through modulation of vascular tone across multiple tissues. The 66 index SNPs combined in a risk score showed comparable effects in 64,421 individuals of non-European descent. The 66-SNP blood pressure risk score was significantly associated with target-organ damage in multiple tissues, with minor effects in the kidney. Our findings expand current knowledge of blood pressure pathways and highlight tissues beyond the classic renal system in blood pressure regulation

Dominant-negative NFKBIA mutation promotes IL-1β production causing hepatic disease with severe immunodeficiency

Although IKK-β has previously been shown as a negative regulator of IL-1β secretion in mice, this role has not been proven in humans. Genetic studies of NF-κB signaling in humans with inherited diseases of the immune system have not demonstrated the relevance of the NF-κB pathway in suppressing IL-1β expression. Here, we report an infant with a clinical pathology comprising neutrophil-mediated autoinflammation and recurrent bacterial infections. Whole-exome sequencing revealed a de novo heterozygous missense mutation of NFKBIA, resulting in a L34P IκBα variant that severely repressed NF-κB activation and downstream cytokine production. Paradoxically, IL-1β secretion was elevated in the patient’s stimulated leukocytes, in her induced pluripotent stem cell–derived macrophages, and in murine bone marrow–derived macrophages containing the L34P mutation. The patient’s hypersecretion of IL-1β correlated with activated neutrophilia and liver fibrosis with neutrophil accumulation. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation reversed neutrophilia, restored a resting state in neutrophils, and normalized IL-1β release from stimulated leukocytes. Additional therapeutic blockade of IL-1 ameliorated liver damage, while decreasing neutrophil activation and associated IL-1β secretion. Our studies reveal a previously unrecognized role of human IκBα as an essential regulator of canonical NF-κB signaling in the prevention of neutrophil-dependent autoinflammatory diseases. These findings also highlight the therapeutic potential of IL-1 inhibitors in treating complications arising from systemic NF-κB inhibition

The genetics of blood pressure regulation and its target organs from association studies in 342,415 individuals.

To dissect the genetic architecture of blood pressure and assess effects on target organ damage, we analyzed 128,272 SNPs from targeted and genome-wide arrays in 201,529 individuals of European ancestry, and genotypes from an additional 140,886 individuals were used for validation. We identified 66 blood pressure-associated loci, of which 17 were new; 15 harbored multiple distinct association signals. The 66 index SNPs were enriched for cis-regulatory elements, particularly in vascular endothelial cells, consistent with a primary role in blood pressure control through modulation of vascular tone across multiple tissues. The 66 index SNPs combined in a risk score showed comparable effects in 64,421 individuals of non-European descent. The 66-SNP blood pressure risk score was significantly associated with target organ damage in multiple tissues but with minor effects in the kidney. Our findings expand current knowledge of blood pressure-related pathways and highlight tissues beyond the classical renal system in blood pressure regulation