Investigating on the occurrence of <i>Paracentrotus lividus</i> in rocky and <i>Posidonia oceanica</i> habitat

The sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck) is the most common grazer in the Mediterranean infralittoral that at high densities overgrazes complex algal assemblages turning them into barren areas. This study has the aim to investigate whether abundance and population structure of P. lividus is consistent between rocky boulders and Posidonia oceanica habitat. At this aim, we have sampled P. lividus at six sites in the Gulf of Alghero (North West Sardinia), 3 fished (sea urchin are harvested) and 3 controls (no harvest is allowed) and at each site the two habitats, 6-10 m deep, were considered. For each combination site x habitat 10 replicates were taken. Density of P. lividus was assessed using quadrats of 1 x 1 m. The size of 20 individual (test diameter without spines) per site was measured by means of a calliper (1#1 0.1mm). Sea urchins, finally were grouped into size classes to examine frequency distributions. Sampling was performed at the end of a harvesting period (April-May 2006). Analyses of data have highlighted a significant variability for both response variables among sites while in Posidonia oceanica habitat a lower density and a higher size were found rather than in rocky habitat. Further data collected at three types of Posidonia oceanica (patches close to rocky habitat, far from rocky habitat and patches bordered by sediment) suggest that the abundance of adults in the seagrass is probably sustained by immigration from the rocky habitat

Interaction between <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i>, <i>Mycobacterium bovis</i>, <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> subspecies <i>paratuberculosis</i> with the enteric glia and microglial cells

Background We investigated the interaction of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis, M. bovis and M. tuberculosis and different glial cells (enteric glial and microglial cells) in order to evaluate the infecting ability of these microorganisms and the effects produced on these cells, such as the evaluation of cytokines expression. Results Our experiments demonstrated the adhesion of M. paratuberculosis to the enteroglial cells and the induction of IL-1A and IL-6 expression; M. tuberculosis and M. bovis showed a good adhesive capability to the enteric cell line with the expression of the following cytokines: IL-1A and IL-1B, TNF-α, G-CSF and GM-CSF; M. bovis induced the expression of IL-6 too. The experiment performed with the microglial cells confirmed the results obtained with the enteroglial cells after the infection with M. tuberculosis and M. bovis, whereas M. paratuberculosis stimulated the production of IL-1A and IL-1B. Conclusion Enteroglial and microglial cells, could be the target of pathogenic mycobacteria and, even if present in different locations (Enteric Nervous System and Central Nervous System), show to have similar mechanism of immunomodulation

Specific immunoassays confirm association of <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> subsp. <i>paratuberculosis</i> with type-1 but not type-2 diabetes mellitus

Background Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is a versatile pathogen with a broad host range. Its association with type-1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has been recently proposed. Rapid identification of infectious agents such as MAP in diabetic patients at the level of clinics might be helpful in deciphering the role of chronic bacterial infection in the development of autoimmune diseases such as T1DM. Methodology/Principal Findings We describe use of an ELISA method to identify live circulating MAP through the detection of a cell envelope protein, MptD by a specific M13 phage – fMptD. We also used another ELISA format to detect immune response to MptD peptide. Both the methods were tested with blood plasma obtained from T1DM, type-2 diabetes (T2DM) patients and non-diabetic controls. Our results demonstrate MptD and fMptD ELISA assays to be accurate and sensitive to detect MAP bacilli in a large fraction (47.3%) of T1DM patients as compared to non-diabetic controls (12.6%) and those with confirmed T2DM (7.7%). Comparative analysis of ELISA assays performed here with 3 other MAP antigen preparations, namely HbHA, Gsd and whole cell MAP lysates confirmed comparable sensitivity of the MptD peptide and the fMptD based ELISA assays. Moreover, we were successful in demonstrating positive bacterial culture in two of the clinical specimen derived from T1DM patients. Conclusions and Significance The MptD peptide/fMptD based ELISA or similar tests could be suggested as rapid and specific field level diagnostic tests for the identification of MAP in diabetic patients and for finding the explanations towards the occurrence of type-1 or type-2 diabetes in the light of an active infectious trigger

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis is not associated with Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus

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Estimation of (co)variance components of nematode parasites resistance and somatic cell count in dairy sheep

Nematode parasites and mastitis are the major animal health constraints in sheep. The aim of this study was estimating the genetic (co)variances of nematode parasites resistance and somatic cell count in dairy sheep. From 2000 to 2008, Somatic Cell Score (SCS) and Faecal Egg Count (FEC) records were available on an experimental population consisting of 949 backcross ewes and 806 their daughters. Data were processed independently for each subpopulation in order to adjust for specific environmental effects and to obtain lactation records for both traits to be used in the genetic analysis. Variance components estimation was performed by using the REML method applied to a bi-trait repeatability animal model. Heritabilities of lactation SCS (LSCS) and FEC were 0.19 and 0.16. Genetic correlation was 0.21, whereas phenotypic correlation was 0.01. The estimated heritabilities confirm that both traits could be selected by the classical quantitative approach. The genetic correlation estimate between LSCS and FEC suggests that selection for one of the two traits would not have any detrimental effect on the other one

"In vitro" activities of antimycobacterial agents against <i>Mycobacterium avium</i> subsp. <i>paratuberculosis</i> linked to Crohn's disease and paratuberculosis

Crohn's disease, a human disease similar to paratuberculosis in animals is the most painful and devastating disease that may involve infection with M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), different genetic polymorphisms and an immune dysregulation syndrome. Treatment of Crohn's disease is most commonly based on 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) compounds, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive agents. Recently, biological therapies using monoclonal antibodies against inflammatory cytokines have shown some positive results. However, all these therapies treat the symptoms not the cause of the disease

In-vitro anti-Vibrio spp. activity and chemical composition of some Tunisian aromatic plants

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Distribution and density of the benthic microalga <i>Chrysophaeum taylorii</i> Lewis &amp; Bryan from Northern to central-Eastern Sardinian coasts = Distribuzione e densità della microalga bentonica <i>Chrysophaeum taylorii</i> Lewis &amp; Bryan dalle coste nord a quelle centro orientali della Sardegna

In August 2009 the distribution and density of the alien microalga Chrysophaeum taylorii Lewis &amp; Bryan (Pelagophyceae) were investigated on hard benthic substrates in seventeen sites from northern to central-eastern Sardinia, in order to estimate the distribution and abundance of this species in the area

Gene expression profiling of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in simulated multi-stress conditions and within THP-1 cells reveals a new kind of interactive intramacrophage behaviour

Recent studies have identified in Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP), already known as a pathogen in ruminants, a potential zoonotic agent of some autoimmune diseases in humans. Therefore, considering the possible risk for public health, it is necessary a thorough understanding of MAP's gene expression during infection of human host as well as the identification of its immunogenic and/or virulence factors for the development of appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic tools.In order to characterize MAP's transcriptome during macrophage infection, we analyzed for the first time the whole gene expression of a human derived strain of MAP in simulated intraphagosomal conditions and after intracellular infection of the human macrophage cell line THP-1 by using the DNA-microarray technology. Results showed that MAP shifts its transcriptome to an adaptive metabolism for an anoxic environment and nutrient starvation. It up-regulates several response factors to oxidative stress or intracellular conditions and allows, in terms of transcription, a passive surface peptidoglycan spoliation within the macrophage along with an intensification of the anabolic activity for lipidic membrane structures.These results indicate a possible interactive system between MAP and its host cell based on the internal mimicry unlike other intracellular pathogens, bringing new hypothesis in the virulence and pathogenicity of MAP and its importance in human health