EPMA-World Congress 2015: Bonn, Germany. 3-5 September 2015

Table of contents A1 Predictive and prognostic biomarker panel for targeted application of radioembolisation improving individual outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma Jella-Andrea Abraham, Olga Golubnitschaja A2 Integrated market access approach amplifying value of “Rx-CDx” Ildar Akhmetov A3 Disaster response: an opportunity to improve global healthcare Russell J. Andrews, Leonidas Quintana A4 USA PPPM: proscriptive, profligate, profiteering medicine-good for 1 % wealthy, not for 99 % unhealthy Russell J. Andrews A5 The role of IDO in a murine model of gingivitis: predictive and therapeutic potentials Babak Baban, Jun Yao Liu, Xu Qin, Tailing Wang, Mahmood S. Mozaffari A6 Specific diets for personalised treatment of diabetes type 2 Viktoriia V. Bati, Tamara V. Meleshko, Olga B. Levchuk, Nadiya V. Boyko A7 Towards personalized physiotherapeutic approach Joanna Bauer, Ewa Boerner, Halina Podbielska A8 Cells, animal, SHIME and in silico models for detection and verification of specific biomarkers of non-communicable chronic diseases Alojz Bomba, Viktor O. Petrov, Volodymyr G. Drobnych, Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Oksana M. Bykova, Nadiya V. Boyko A9 INTERACT-chronic care model: Self-treatment by patients with decision support e-Health solution Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca, Lutz Fleischhacker, Olga Golubnitschaja, Frank Heemskerk, Thomas Helms, Tiny Jaarsma, Judita Kinkorova, Jan Ramaekers, Peter Ruff, Ivana Schnur, Emilio Vanoli, Jose Verdu A10 PPPM in cardiovascular medicine in 2015 Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca A11 Magnetic resonance imaging of nanoparticles in mice, potential for theranostic and contrast media development – pilot results Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Sergiy A. Grabovetskyi, Olena M. Mykhalchenko, Natalia O. Tymoshok, Oleksandr B. Shcherbakov, Igor P. Semeniv, Mykola Y. Spivak A12 Ultrasound diagnosis for diabetic neuropathy - comparative study Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Tetyana V. Ostapenko A13 Ultrasound for stratification patients with diabetic foot ulcers for prevention and personalized treatment - pilot results Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Nazarii M. Kobyliak, Nadiya M. Zholobak, Mykola Ya. Spivak A14 Project ImaGenX – designing and executing a questionnaire on environment and lifestyle risk of breast cancer John Paul Cauchi A15 Genomics – a new structural brand of predictive, preventive and personalized medicine or the new driver as well? Dmitrii Cherepakhin, Marina Bakay, Artem Borovikov, Sergey Suchkov A16 Survey of questionnaires for evaluation of the quality of life in various medical fields Barbara Cieślik, Agnieszka Migasiewicz, Maria-Luiza Podbielska, Markus Pelleter, Agnieszka Giemza, Halina Podbielska A17 Personalized molecular treatment for muscular dystrophies Sebahattin Cirak A18 Secondary mutations in circulating tumour DNA for acquired drug resistance in patients with advanced ALK + NSCLC Marzia Del Re, Paola Bordi, Valentina Citi, Marta Palombi, Carmine Pinto, Marcello Tiseo, Romano Danesi A19 Recombinant species-specific FcεRI alpha proteins for diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergies in dogs, cats and horses Lukas Einhorn, Judit Fazekas, Martina Muhr, Alexandra Schoos, Lucia Panakova, Ina Herrmann, Krisztina Manzano-Szalai, Kumiko Oida, Edda Fiebiger, Josef Singer, Erika Jensen-Jarolim A20 Global methodology for developmental neurotoxicity testing in humans and animals early and chronically exposed to chemical contaminants Arpiné A. Elnar, Nadia Ouamara, Nadiya Boyko, Xavier Coumoul, Jean-Philippe Antignac, Bruno Le Bizec, Gauthier Eppe, Jenny Renaut, Torsten Bonn, Cédric Guignard, Margherita Ferrante, Maria Liusa Chiusano, Salvatore Cuzzocrea, Gerard O'Keeffe, John Cryan, Michelle Bisson, Amina Barakat, Ihsane Hmamouchi, Nasser Zawia, Anumantha Kanthasamy, Glen E. Kisby, Rui Alves, Oscar Villacañas Pérez, Kim Burgard, Peter Spencer, Norbert Bomba, Martin Haranta, Nina Zaitseva, Irina May, Stéphanie Grojean, Mathilde Body-Malapel, Florencia Harari, Raul Harari, Kristina Yeghiazaryan, Olga Golubnitschaja, Vittorio Calabrese, Christophe Nemos, Rachid Soulimani A21 Mental indicators at young people with attributes hypertension and pre-hypertension Maria E. Evsevyeva, Elena A. Mishenko, Zurida V. Kumukova, Evgeniy V. Chudnovsky, Tatyana A. Smirnova A22 On the approaches to the early diagnosis of stress-induced hypertension in young employees of State law enforcement agencies Maria E. Evsevyeva, Ludmila V. Ivanova, Michail V. Eremin, Maria V. Rostovtseva A23 Сentral aortic pressure and indexes of augmentation in young persons in view of risk factors Maria E. Evsevyeva, Michail V. Eremin, Vladimir I. Koshel, Oksana V. Sergeeva, Nadesgda M. Konovalova A24 Breast cancer prediction and prevention: Are reliable biomarkers in horizon? Shantanu Girotra, Olga Golubnitschaja A25 Flammer Syndrome and potential formation of pre-metastatic niches: A multi-centred study on phenotyping, patient stratification, prediction and potential prevention of aggressive breast cancer and metastatic disease Olga Golubnitschaja, Manuel Debald, Walther Kuhn, Kristina Yeghiazaryan, Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Vadym M. Goncharenko, Ulyana Lushchyk, Godfrey Grech, Katarzyna Konieczka A26 Innovative tools for prenatal diagnostics and monitoring: improving individual pregnancy outcomes and health-economy in EU Olga Golubnitschaja, Jan Jaap Erwich, Vincenzo Costigliola, Kristina Yeghiazaryan, Ulrich Gembruch A27 Immunohistochemical assessment of APUD cells in endometriosis Vadym M. Goncharenko, Vasyl O. Beniuk, Olga V. Kalenska, Rostyslav V. Bubnov A28 Updating personalized management algorithm of endometrial hyperplasia in pre-menopause women Vadym M. Goncharenko, Vasyl O. Beniuk, Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Olga Melnychuk A29 The personified treatment approach of polimorbid patients with periodontal inflammatory diseases Irina A. Gorbacheva, Lyudmila Y. Orekhova, Vadim V. Tachalov A30 Ukrainian experience in hybrid war – the challenge to update algorithms for personalized care and early prevention of different military injuries Olena I. Grechanyk, Rizvan Ya. Abdullaiev, Rostyslav V. Bubnov A31 Tear fluid biomarkers: a comparison of tear fluid sampling and storage protocols Suzanne Hagan, Eilidh Martin, Ian Pearce, Katherine Oliver A32 The correlation of dietary habits with gingival problems during menstruation Cenk Haytac, Fariz Salimov, Servin Yoksul, Anatoly A. Kunin, Natalia S. Moiseeva A33 Genomic medicine in a contemporary Spanish population of prostate cancer: our experience Bernardo Herrera-Imbroda, Sergio del Río-González, Maria Fernanda Lara, Antonia Angulo, Francisco Javier Machuca Santa-Cruz A34 Challenges, opportunities and collaborations for personalized medicine applicability in uro-oncological disease Bernardo Herrera-Imbroda, Sergio del Río-González, Maria Fernanda Lara A35 Metabolic hallmarks of cancer as targets for a personalized therapy John Ionescu A36 Influence of genetic polymorphism as a predictor of the development of periodontal disease in patients with gastric ulcer and 12 duodenal ulcer Alfiya Z. Isamulaeva, Anatoly A. Kunin, Shamil Sh. Magomedov, Aida I. Isamulaeva A37 Challenges in diabetic macular edema Tatjana Josifova A38 Overview of the EPMA strategies in laboratory medicine relevant for PPPM Marko Kapalla, Juraj Kubáň, Olga Golubnitschaja, Vincenzo Costigliola A39 EPMA initiative for effective organization of medical travel: European concepts and criteria Vincenzo Costigliola, Marko Kapalla, Juraj Kubáň, Olga Golubnitschaja A40 Design and innovation in e-textiles: implications for PPPM Anthony Kent, Tom Fisher, Tilak Dias A41 Biobank in Pilsen as a member of national node BBMRI_CZ Judita Kinkorová, Ondřej Topolčan A42 Big data in personalized medicine: hype and hope Matthias Kohl A43 The 3P approach as the platform of the European Dentistry Department (DPPPD) Anatoly A. Kunin, Natalia S. Moiseeva A44 The endometrium cytokine patterns for predictive diagnosis of proliferation severity and cancer prevention Andrii I. Kurchenko, Vasyl A. Beniuk, Vadym M. Goncharenko, Rostyslav V. Bubnov, Nadiya V. Boyko, Andriy M. Strokan A45 A monocyte-based in-vitro system for testing individual responses to the implanted material: future for personalized implant construction Julia Kzhyshkowska, Alexandru Gudima, Ksenia S. Stankevich, Victor D. Filimonov4, Harald Klüter, Evgeniya M. Mamontova, Sergei I. Tverdokhlebov A46 Prediction and prevention of adverse health effects by meteorological factors: Biomarker patterns and creation of a device for self-monitoring and integrated care Ulyana B. Lushchyk, Viktor V. Novytskyy, Igor P. Babii, Nadiya G. Lushchyk, Lyudmyla S. Riabets, Ivanna I. Legka A47 Targeting "disease signatures" towards personalized healthcare Mira Marcus-Kalish, Alexis Mitelpunkt, Tal Galili, Neta Shachar, Yoav Benjamini A48 Influence of the skin imperfection on the personal quality of life and possible tools for objective diagnosis Agnieszka Migasiewicz, Markus Pelleter, Joanna Bauer, Ewelina Dereń, Halina Podbielska A49 The new direction in caries prevention based on the ultrastructure of dental hard tissues and filling materials Natalia S. Moiseeva, Anatoly A. Kunin, Dmitry A. Kunin A50 The use of LED radiation in prevention of dental diseases Natalia S. Moiseeva, Yury A. Ippolitov, Dmitry A. Kunin, Alexei N. Morozov, Natalia V. Chirkova, Nakhid T. Aliev A51 Status of endothelial progenitor cells in diabetic nephropathy: predictive and preventive potentials Mahmood S. Mozaffari, Jun Yao Liu, Babak Baban A52 The status of glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper protein in salivary gland in Sjögren’s syndrome: predictive and personalized treatment potentials Mahmood S. Mozaffari, Jun Yao Liu, Rafik Abdelsayed, Xing-Ming Shi, Babak Baban A53 Maximal aerobic capacity - important quality marker of health Jaroslav Novák, Milan Štork, Václav Zeman A54 The EMPOWER project: laboratory medicine and Horizon 2020 Wytze P. Oosterhuis, Elvar Theodorsson A55 Personality profile manifestations in patient’s attitude to oral care and adherence to doctor’s prescriptions Lyudmila Y. Orekhova, Tatyana V. Kudryavtseva, Elena R. Isaeva, Vadim V. Tachalov, Ekaterina S. Loboda A56 Results of an European survey on personalized medicine addressed to directions of laboratory medicine Mario Pazzagli, Francesca Malentacchi, Irene Mancini, Ivan Brandslund, Pieter Vermeersch, Matthias Schwab, Janja Marc, Ron H.N. van Schaik, Gerard Siest, Elvar Theodorsson, Chiara Di Resta A57 MCI or early dementia predictive speech based diagnosis techniques Matus Pleva, Jozef Juhar A58 Personalized speech based mobile application for eHealth Matus Pleva, Jozef Juhar A59 Circulating tumor cell-free DNA as the biomarker in the management of cancer patients Jiří Polívka jr., Filip Janků, Martin Pešta, Jan Doležal, Milena Králíčková, Jiří Polívka A60 Complex stroke care – educational programme in Stroke Centre University Hospital Plzen Jiří Polívka, Alena Lukešová, Nina Müllerová, Petr Ševčík, Vladimír Rohan A61 Sleep apnea and sleep fragmentation contribute to brain aging Kneginja Richter, Lence Miloseva, Günter Niklewski A62 Personalised approach for sleep disturbances in shift workers Kneginja Richter, Jens Acker, Guenter Niklewski A63 Medical travel and innovative PPPM clusters: new concept of integration Olga Safonicheva, Vincenzo Costigliola A64 Medical travel and women health Olga Safonicheva A65 Continuity of generations in the training of specialists in the field of reconstructive microsurgery Maxim Sautin, Janna Sinelnikova, Sergey Suchkov A66 Telemonitoring of stroke patients – empirical evidence of individual risk management results from an observational study in Germany Songül Secer, Stephan von Bandemer A67 Women’s increasing breast cancer risk with n-6 fatty acid intake explained by estrogen-fatty acid interactive effect on DNA damage: implications for gender-specific nutrition within personalized medicine Niva Shapira A68 Cytobacterioscopy of the gingival crevicular fluid as a method for preventive diagnosis of periodontal diseases Aleksandr Shcherbakov, Anatoly A. Kunin, Natalia S. Moiseeva A69 Use of specially treated composites in dentistry to avoid violations of aesthetics Bogdan R. Shumilovich, Zhanna Lipkind, Yulia Vorobieva, Dmitry A. Kunin, Anastasiia V. Sudareva A70 National eHealth system – platform for preventive, predictive and personalized diabetes care Ivica Smokovski, Tatjana Milenkovic A72 The common energy levels of Prof. Szent-Györgyi, the intrinsic chemistry of melanin, and the muscle physiopathology. Implications in the context of Preventive, Predictive, and Personalized Medicine Arturo Solís-Herrera, María del Carmen Arias-Esparza, Sergey Suchkov A73 Plurality and individuality of hepatocellular carcinoma: PPPM perspectives Krishna Chander Sridhar, Olga Golubnitschaja A74 Strategic aspects of higher medical education reforms to secure newer educational platforms for getting biopharma professionals matures Maria Studneva, Sihong Song, James Creeden, Мark Мandrik, Sergey Suchkov A75 Overview of the strategies and activities of the European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, (EFLM) Elvar Theodorsson, EFLM A76 New spectroscopic techniques for point of care label free diagnostics Syed A. M. Tofail A77 Tumor markers for personalized medicine and oncology - the role of Laboratory Medicine Ondřej Topolčan, Judita Kinkorová, Ondřej Fiala, Marie Karlíková, Šárka Svobodová, Radek Kučera, Radka Fuchsová, Vladislav Třeška, Václav Šimánek, Ladislav Pecen, Jan Šoupal, Štěpán Svačina2 A78 Modern medical terminology (MMT) as a driver of the global educational reforms Evgeniya Tretyak, Maria Studneva, Sergey Suchkov A79 Juvenile hypertension; the relevance of novel predictive, preventive and personalized assessment of its determinants Francesca M. Trovato, G. Fabio Martines, Daniela Brischetto, Daniela Catalano, Giuseppe Musumeci, Guglielmo M. Trovato A80 Proteomarkers Biotech George Th. Tsangaris, Athanasios K. Anagnostopoulos A81 Proteomics and mass spectrometry based non-invasive prenatal testing of fetal health and pregnancy complications George Th. Tsangaris, Athanasios K. Anagnostopoulos A82 Integrated Ecosystem for an Integrated Care model for Heart Failure (HF) patients including related comorbidities (ZENITH) José Verdú, German Gutiérrez, Jordi Rovira, Marta Martinez, Lutz Fleischhacker, Donna Green, Arthur Garson, Elena Tamburini, Stefano Cuomo, Juan Martinez-Leon, Teresa Abrisqueta, Hans-Peter Brunner-La Rocca, Tiny Jaarsma, Teresa Arredondo, Cecilia Vera, Giuseppe Fico, Olga Golubnitschaja, Fernando Arribas, Martina Onderco, Isabel Vara, on behalf of ZENITH consortium A83 Predictive, preventive and personalized medicine in diabetes onset and complication (MOSAIC project) José Verdú, Francesco Sambo, Barbara Di Camillo, Claudio Cobelli, Andrea Facchinetti, Giuseppe Fico, Riccardo Bellazzi, Lucia Sacchi, Arianna Dagliati, Daniele Segnani, Valentina Tibollo, Manuel Ottaviano, Rafael Gabriel, Leif Groop, Jacqueline Postma, Antonio Martinez, Liisa Hakaste, Tiinamaija Tuomi, Konstantia Zarkogianni, on behalf of MOSAIC consortium A84 Possibilities for personalized therapy of diabetes using in vitro screening of insulin and oral hypoglycemic agents Igor Volchek, Nina Pototskaya, Andrey Petrov A85 The innovative technology for personalized therapy of human diseases based on in vitro drug screening Igor Volchek, Nadezhda Pototskaya, Andrey Petrov A86 Bone destruction and temporomandibular joint: predictive markers, pathogenetic aspects and quality of life Ülle Voog-Oras, Oksana Jagur, Edvitar Leibur, Priit Niibo, Triin Jagomägi, Minh Son Nguyen, Chris Pruunsild, Dagmar Piikov, Mare Saag A87 Sub-optimal health management – global vision for concepts in medical travel Wei Wang A88 Sub-optimal health management: synergic PPPM-TCAM approach Wei Wang A89 Innovative technologies for minimal invasive diagnostics Andreas Weinhäusel, Walter Pulverer, Matthias Wielscher, Manuela Hofner, Christa Noehammer, Regina Soldo, Peter Hettegger, Istvan Gyurjan, Ronald Kulovics, Silvia Schönthaler, Gabriel Beikircher, Albert Kriegner, Stephan Pabinger, Klemens Vierlinger A90 Rare disease diobanks for personalized medicine Ayşe Yüzbaşıoğlu, Meral Özgüç, Member of EuroBioBank - European Network of DNA, Cell and Tissue Banks for Rare Disease

Gender aspects in allergies of pets – A secondary publication and update

Allergies need not only affect humans; this multifactorial and complex disease can also affect animals. Comparative allergology investigates the many similarities between the pathogenesis, clinics, diagnosis, and therapy of the disorders in humans and pet animals. In contrast to human allergy research, the veterinary field lacks access to a central database, which means there are no cohort studies published. This limits not only the research on breed and regional differences in allergies, but also further studies on the impact of gender in allergies of domestic animals. Moreover, domestic cats, dogs and male horses are castrated in most cases, which neutralises any effects of sexual hormones. In this review article a few interesting findings regarding gender aspects in companion animals were extracted from current literature. In summary, there is a lack of data on gender effects on allergies in cats, dogs or horses. Keywords: Atopic dermatitis, Canine, Cat, Dog, Gender, Horse, Pe

Prenatal exposure to angiotensin II increases blood pressure and decreases salt sensitivity in rats

Renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS) plays an essential role in the homeostatic control of arterial blood pressure, perfusion of tissues, and control of extracellular fluid. Its components are highly expressed in the developing kidney, general vasculature, brain, and heart. A modified intrauterine environment alters mechanisms controlling blood pressure (BP) and can lead to hypertension in the adult offspring and developmentally programmed RAAS can be involved in this process. There are very little data about the effects of increased angiotensin II (Ang II) concentrations during pregnancy on in utero development of the fetus. In our study, we administered Ang II to pregnant female rats via osmotic mini-pumps and evaluated the postnatal development and BP control in the offspring. To estimate possible developmental changes in sensitivity to salt, we exposed the offspring to a diet with increased salt content and measured plasma aldosterone levels and plasma renin activity. Increased Ang II during pregnancy raised BP in the offspring; however, salt sensitivity was decreased in comparison to controls. Relative weight of the left ventricle was decreased in the offspring prenatally exposed to Ang II, while relative kidney weight was reduced only in female offspring. Prenatal treatment led to increased aldosterone levels and decreased plasma renin activity, suggesting a complex physiological response. Our results suggest that conditions leading to upregulation of RAAS during pregnancy can influence the cardiovascular system of the fetus and have a long-term impact on the offspring’s health

Clinical and histological characterization of hair coat and glandular tissue of Chinese crested dogs.

BACKGROUND Two varieties exist in the Chinese crested dog breed, namely hairless Chinese crested dogs presenting with hypotrichosis and dentition abnormalities, and the coated powderpuffs. Hairless Chinese crested dogs are obligate heterozygotes for a FOXI3 mutation, and this phenotype is classified as a form of canine ectodermal dysplasia. OBJECTIVES We provide a detailed histological description of hair follicles and their density for the three subphenotypes (true hairless, semi-coated and powderpuffs) of Chinese crested dogs. Apocrine and exocrine glands of the skin and other tissues were compared with findings reported from dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia. ANIMALS Skin biopsies were collected from 22 Chinese crested dogs. Additionally, the glands of the skin and other tissues were examined from another two dogs available for postmortem examination. METHODS Skin biopsies and tissues were processed, stained and evaluated in a blinded fashion. RESULTS Hair follicular anomalies decreased with increasing number of hairs in the different phenotypes. The FOXI3 mutants had only simple primary hair follicles, whereas the nonmutant powderpuffs had compound follicles identical to other dog breeds. All Chinese crested dogs had an anagen-dominated hair cycle. Furthermore, apocrine glands in the skin and respiratory mucous glands of the mutant Chinese crested dogs were present and normal. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE We have identified striking histopathological differences between the three subphenotypes of Chinese crested dogs. We clearly demonstrated distinct differences between the canine ectodermal dysplasia in Chinese crested dogs and dogs with X-linked ectodermal dysplasia

Innate function of house dust mite allergens: robust enzymatic degradation of extracellular matrix at elevated pH

Background Exposure to the house dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (D.p.) increases the risk for developing allergic diseases in humans and their best friends, the dogs. Here, we explored whether this allergenic mite via its enzymes may impact the cutaneous extracellular matrix (ECM), which critically determines epithelial barrier integrity both structurally and functionally.Methods Two extracts obtained from either dust-purified or cultured D.p. bodies were used in the present study. To assess the potential impact of D.p. on protein components of the ECM, proteolytic activity of the D.p. extracts were determined by casein and gelatin gel zymography, and their N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase activity determined colorimetrically. In addition, IgE-dependent and innate degranulation potential of D.p. was examined in canine MPT-1 mast cells and neurite outgrowth assay using rat pheochromocytoma PC-12 cells.Results In gel zymography, both extracts digested the substrates casein and gelatin in a dose-dependent manner, especially at alkaline pH, and effective in a wide range of temperatures (30 °C−42 °C). In particular, a 25-kDa band corresponding to Der p 1, the major D.p. allergen for humans, was found enzymatically active in both casein and gelatin gels regardless of the presence of metal ions and of alkaline conditions. Besides protease activity, N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase activity was detected in both extracts, suggesting that D.p. affects the cutaneous ECM through deteriorating both proteins and glycosaminoglycans. While both D.p. extracts induced IgE-dependent mast cell degranulation, much less innate effects on mast- and neuronal cells were observed.Conclusions Our data highlight that D.p. is a robust source of several distinct enzymes with protease- and N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidase activities. In alkaline milieu they can degrade components of the ECM. Therefore, D.p. may contribute to epithelial barrier disruption especially when the skin surface pH is elevated. Keywords: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Allergens, Epithelial barrier, Extracellular matrix, Proteases, N-acetyl-β-hexosaminidas

Integrated morphological and molecular identification of cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) vectoring Rickettsia felis in central Europe

The species Ctenocephalides felis and Ctenocephalides canis are competent vectors for zoonotic pathogens such as Rickettsia felis and Bartonella spp. Improved knowledge on the diversity and phylogenetics of fleas is important for understanding flea-borne pathogen transmission cycles. Fleas infesting privately owned dogs and cats from the Czech Republic (n=97) and Romania (n=66) were subjected to morphological and molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis. There were a total of 59 (60.82%) cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis felis), 30 (30.93%) dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis), 7 (7.22%) European chicken fleas (Ceratophyllus gallinae) and 1 (1.03%) northern rat flea (Nosopsyllus fasciatus) collected in the Czech Republic. Both C. canis and C. felis felis were identified in Romania. Mitochondrial DNA sequencing at the cox1 gene on a cohort of 40 fleas revealed the cosmopolitan C. felis felis clade represented by cox1 haplotype 1 is present in the Czech Republic. A new C. felis felis clade from both the Czech Republic and Romania is also reported. A high proportion of C. canis was observed from dogs and cats in the current study and phylogeny revealed that C. canis forms a sister clade to the oriental cat flea Ctenocephalides orientis (syn. C. felis orientis). Out of 33 fleas tested, representing C. felis felis, C. canis and Ce. gallinae, 7 (21.2%) were positive for R. felis using diagnostic real-time PCR targeting the gltA gene and a conventional PCR targeting the ompB gene. No samples tested positive for Bartonella spp. using a diagnostic real-time PCR assay targeting ssrA gene. This study confirms high genetic diversity of C. felis felis globally and serves as a foundation to understand the implication for zoonotic disease carriage and transmission by the flea genus Ctenocephalides

Three novel canine papillomaviruses support taxonomic clade formation

More than 100 human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been identified and had their whole genomes sequenced. Most of these HPVs can be classified into three distinct genera, the alpha-, beta- and gamma-papillomaviruses (PVs). Of note, only one or a small number of PVs have been identified for each individual animal species. However, four canine PVs (CPVs) (COPV, CPV2, CPV3 and CPV4) have been described and their entire genomic sequences have been published. Based on their sequence similarities, they belong to three distinct clades. In the present study, circular viral DNA was amplified from three dogs showing signs of pigmented plaques, endophytic papilloma or in situ squamous cell carcinoma. Analysis of the DNA sequences suggested that these are three novel viruses (CPV5, CPV6 and CPV7) whose genomes comprise all the conserved sequence elements of known PVs. The genomes of these seven CPVs were compared in order properly classify them. Interestingly, phylogenetic analyses, as well as pairwise sequence alignments of the putative amino acid sequences, revealed that CPV5 grouped well with CPV3 and CPV4, whereas CPV7 grouped with CPV2 but neither group fitted with other classified PVs. However, CPV6 grouped with COPV, a lambda-PV. Based on this evidence, allocation of CPVs into three distinct clades could therefore be supported. Thus, similar to HPVs, it might be that the known and currently unknown CPVs are related and form just a few clades or genera

Novel insights into the pathways regulating the canine hair cycle and their deregulation in alopecia X

<div><p>Alopecia X is a hair cycle arrest disorder in Pomeranians. Histologically, kenogen and telogen hair follicles predominate, whereas anagen follicles are sparse. The induction of anagen relies on the activation of hair follicle stem cells and their subsequent proliferation and differentiation. Stem cell function depends on finely tuned interactions of signaling molecules and transcription factors, which are not well defined in dogs. We performed transcriptome profiling on skin biopsies to analyze altered molecular pathways in alopecia X. Biopsies from five affected and four non-affected Pomeranians were investigated. Differential gene expression revealed a downregulation of key regulator genes of the Wnt (<i>CTNNB1</i>, <i>LEF1</i>, <i>TCF3</i>, <i>WNT10B</i>) and Shh (<i>SHH</i>, <i>GLI1</i>, <i>SMO</i>, <i>PTCH2</i>) pathways. In mice it has been shown that Wnt and Shh signaling results in stem cell activation and differentiation Thus our findings are in line with the lack of anagen hair follicles in dogs with Alopecia X. We also observed a significant downregulation of the stem cell markers <i>SOX9</i>, <i>LHX2</i>, <i>LGR5</i>, <i>TCF7L1</i> and <i>GLI1</i> whereas <i>NFATc1</i>, a quiescence marker, was upregulated in alopecia X. Moreover, genes coding for enzymes directly involved in the sex hormone metabolism (<i>CYP1A1</i>, <i>CYP1B1</i>, <i>HSD17B14</i>) were differentially regulated in alopecia X. These findings are in agreement with the so far proposed but not yet proven deregulation of the sex hormone metabolism in this disease.</p></div

Differentially expressed genes in dogs with AX and their physiological function during specific hair cycle phases.

<p>Black indicates downregulation and red indicates upregulation of the respective genes.</p