Glycoprotein gene truncation in avian metapneumovirus subtype C isolates from the United States

The length of the published glycoprotein (G) gene sequences of avian metapneumovirus subtype-C (aMPV-C) isolated from domestic turkeys and wild birds in the United States (1996–2003) remains controversial. To explore the G gene size variation in aMPV-C by the year of isolation and cell culture passage levels, we examined 21 turkey isolates of aMPV-C at different cell culture passages. The early domestic turkey isolates of aMPV-C (aMPV/CO/1996, aMPV/MN/1a-b, and 2a-b/97) had a G gene of 1,798 nucleotides (nt) that coded for a predicted protein of 585 amino acids (aa) and showed >97% nt similarity with that of aMPV-C isolated from Canada geese. This large G gene got truncated upon serial passages in Vero cell cultures by deletion of 1,015 nt near the end of the open reading frame. The recent domestic turkey isolates of aMPV-C lacked the large G gene but instead had a small G gene of 783 nt, irrespective of cell culture passage levels. In some cultures, both large and small genes were detected, indicating the existence of a mixed population of the virus. Apparently, serial passage of aMPV-C in cell cultures and natural passage in turkeys in the field led to truncation of the G gene, which may be a mechanism of virus evolution for survival in a new host or environment

Association of acute toxic encephalopathy with litchi consumption in an outbreak in Muzaffarpur, India, 2014: a case-control study

Background Outbreaks of unexplained illness frequently remain under-investigated. In India, outbreaks of an acute neurological illness with high mortality among children occur annually in Muzaffarpur, the country’s largest litchi cultivation region. In 2014, we aimed to investigate the cause and risk factors for this illness. Methods In this hospital-based surveillance and nested age-matched case-control study, we did laboratory investigations to assess potential infectious and non-infectious causes of this acute neurological illness. Cases were children aged 15 years or younger who were admitted to two hospitals in Muzaffarpur with new-onset seizures or altered sensorium. Age-matched controls were residents of Muzaffarpur who were admitted to the same two hospitals for a non-neurologic illness within seven days of the date of admission of the case. Clinical specimens (blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and urine) and environmental specimens (litchis) were tested for evidence of infectious pathogens, pesticides, toxic metals, and other non-infectious causes, including presence of hypoglycin A or methylenecyclopropylglycine (MCPG), naturally-occurring fruit-based toxins that cause hypoglycaemia and metabolic derangement. Matched and unmatched (controlling for age) bivariate analyses were done and risk factors for illness were expressed as matched odds ratios and odds ratios (unmatched analyses). Findings Between May 26, and July 17, 2014, 390 patients meeting the case definition were admitted to the two referral hospitals in Muzaffarpur, of whom 122 (31%) died. On admission, 204 (62%) of 327 had blood glucose concentration of 70 mg/dL or less. 104 cases were compared with 104 age-matched hospital controls. Litchi consumption (matched odds ratio [mOR] 9·6 [95% CI 3·6 – 24]) and absence of an evening meal (2·2 [1·2–4·3]) in the 24 h preceding illness onset were associated with illness. The absence of an evening meal significantly modified the effect of eating litchis on illness (odds ratio [OR] 7·8 [95% CI 3·3–18·8], without evening meal; OR 3·6 [1·1–11·1] with an evening meal). Tests for infectious agents and pesticides were negative. Metabolites of hypoglycin A, MCPG, or both were detected in 48 [66%] of 73 urine specimens from case-patients and none from 15 controls; 72 (90%) of 80 case-patient specimens had abnormal plasma acylcarnitine profiles, consistent with severe disruption of fatty acid metabolism. In 36 litchi arils tested from Muzaffarpur, hypoglycin A concentrations ranged from 12·4 μg/g to 152·0 μg/g and MCPG ranged from 44·9 μg/g to 220·0 μg/g. Interpretation Our investigation suggests an outbreak of acute encephalopathy in Muzaffarpur associated with both hypoglycin A and MCPG toxicity. To prevent illness and reduce mortality in the region, we recommended minimising litchi consumption, ensuring receipt of an evening meal and implementing rapid glucose correction for suspected illness. A comprehensive investigative approach in Muzaffarpur led to timely public health recommendations, underscoring the importance of using systematic methods in other unexplained illness outbreaks

Basal forebrain thermoregulatory mechanism modulates auto-regulated sleep

Regulation of body temperature and sleep are two physiological mechanisms that are vital for our survival. Interestingly neural structures implicated in both these functions are common. These areas include the medial preoptic area, the lateral preoptic area, the ventrolateral preoptic area, the median preoptic nucleus and the medial septum, which form part of the basal forebrain.When given a choice, rats prefer to stay at an ambient temperature of 270C, though the maximum sleep was observed when they were placed at 300C. Ambient temperature around 270C should be considered as the thermoneutral temperature for rats in all sleep studies. At this temperature the diurnal oscillations of sleep and body temperature are properly expressed. The warm sensitive neurons of the preoptic area mediate the increase in sleep at 300C. Promotion of sleep during the rise in ambient temperature from 270C to 300C, serve a thermoregulatory function. Autonomous thermoregulatory changes in core body temperature and skin temperature could act as an input signal to modulate neuronal activity in sleep-promoting brain areas. The studies presented here show that the neurons of the basal forebrain play a key role in regulating sleep. Basal forebrain thermoregulatory system is a part of the global homeostatic sleep regulatory mechanism, which is auto-regulated

Functional MRI shows activation of the medial preoptic area during sleep

Changes in the activity of the basal forebrain sleep regulating areas were studied noninvasively in conscious rats by employing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Sleep-wakefulness (S-W) stages were identified with the help of electrophysiological recordings carried out simultaneously. An increase in the signal intensity was observed in the medial preoptic area (mPOA) during sleep indicating a heightened activity of neurons in this area. In some rats, there was a decrease in the activity of the fronto-parietal cortex. The sleep-induced increase in activity in the mPOA and decrease in the fronto-parietal cortex are in relation to their levels in the awake state. The findings helped to localize the critical area for the maintenance of slow wave sleep at the mPOA. These results further corroborate some of the previous suggestions based on neurotoxic lesion, chemical stimulation and electrophysiological recordings

Differential community development of fouling species on the pearl oysters Pinctada fucata, Pteria penguin and Pteria chinensis (Bivalvia, Pteriidae)

A field experiment documented the development of fouling communities on two shell regions, the lip and hinge, of the pearl oyster species Pinctada fucata, Pteria penguin and Pteria chinensis. Fouling communities on the three species were not distinct throughout the experiment. However, when each species was analysed separately, fouling communities on the lip and hinge of P. penguin and P. chinensis were significantly different during the whole sampling period and after 12 weeks, respectively, whereas no significant differences could be detected for P. fucata. There was no significant difference in total fouling cover between shell regions of P. fucata and P. chinensis after 16 weeks; however, the hinge of P. penguin was significantly more fouled than the lip. The most common fouling species (the hydroid Obelia bidentata, the bryozoan Parasmittina parsevalii, the bivalve Saccostrea glomerata and the ascidian Didemnum sp.) showed species-specific fouling patterns with differential fouling between shell regions for each species. The role of the periostracum in determining the community development of fouling species was investigated by measuring the presence and structure of the periostracum at the lip and hinge of the three pearl oyster species. The periostracum was mainly present at the lip of the pearl oysters, while the periostracum at the hinge was absent and the underlying prismatic layer eroded. The periostracum of P. fucata lacked regular features, whereas the periostracum of P. penguin and P. chinensis consisted of a regular strand-like structure with mean amplitudes of 0.84 μm and 0.65 μm, respectively. Although the nature and distribution of fouling species on the pearl oysters was related to the presence of the periostracum, the periostracum does not offer a fouling-resistant surface for these pearl oyster species

Scientists Against War: A Plea to World Leaders for Better Governance

The current Russian war against Ukraine is of global concern. It builds on the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and subsequently the war in the Donbas region of Ukraine, and has become a large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine from three directions, Crimea in the south, Russia in the east, and Belarus in the north. Despite the geopolitical background that, in the eyes of Russia, justifies its annexation of regions in and around Ukraine, we cannot turn a blind eye towards the untold miseries of the citizens of the invaded country. Although it is unclear as to how the situation will unfold, what is clear is that lives are being lost, many civilians are being injured, traumatized, and valuable assets destroyed. Taking into consideration that the population of the countries involved in this conflict totals nearly 200 million citizens, many lives on both sides will be sacrificed, millions of people displaced, Europe will be overrun with new refugees, and global world economics will be disrupted by the war itself and by the sanctions imposed on Russia. The current global governance mechanisms are likely to be forever changed, with other players with malevolent intentions becoming emboldened to embark on expansionist ventures.Fil: Pandi Perumal, Seithikurippu R.. Somnogen Canada Inc.; Canadá. Saveetha University; IndiaFil: Kumar, Velayudhan Mohan. National Academy of Medical Sciences; IndiaFil: Pandian, Namasivayam Ganesh. Kyoto University; JapónFil: de Jong, Joop T.. Amsterdam UMC; Países Bajos. University of Boston. School of Medicine; Estados UnidosFil: Andiappan, Sudalaikannu. Madurai Kamaraj University; IndiaFil: Corlateanu, Alexandru. Nicolae Testemitanu State University Of Medicine And Pharmacy; MoldaviaFil: Mahalaksmi, Arehally Marappa. JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research; IndiaFil: Chidambaram, Saravana Babu. JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research; IndiaFil: Kumar, Ramasamy Rajesh. Global Community Educational Foundation; AustraliaFil: Ramasubramanian, Chellamuthu. M. S. Chellamuthu Trust and Research Foundation; IndiaFil: Sivasubramaniam, Sudhakar. Manonmaniam Sundaranar University; IndiaFil: Bjørkum, Alvhild Alette. Western Norway University Of Applied Sciences; NoruegaFil: Cutajar, JosAnn. University of Malta; MaltaFil: Berk, Michael. Deakin University; AustraliaFil: Trakht, Ilya. Columbia University; Estados UnidosFil: Vrdoljak, Anton. University Of Mostar; Bosnia y HerzegovinaFil: Meira e Cruz, Miguel. Universidad de Lisboa; PortugalFil: Eyre, Harris A.. Deakin University; Australia. University of California; Estados Unidos. Baylor College of Medicine; Estados Unidos. University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; Estados UnidosFil: Grønli, Janne. University of Bergen; NoruegaFil: Cardinali, Daniel Pedro. Pontificia Universidad Católica Argentina "Santa María de los Buenos Aires". Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas; ArgentinaFil: Maercker, Andreas. Universitat Zurich; SuizaFil: van de Put, Willem A. C. M.. Institute for Tropical Medicine Antwerp; Países Bajos. Fordham University; Estados UnidosFil: Guzder, Jaswant. Sir Mortimer B. Davis Jewish General Hospital; Canadá. Jewish General Hospital; CanadáFil: Bjorvatn, Bjørn. University of Bergen; Noruega. Haukeland University Hospital; NoruegaFil: Tol, Wietse A.. Universidad de Copenhagen; Dinamarca. Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam; Países Bajos. ARQ National Psychotrauma Centre-International; Países BajosFil: Acuña Castroviejo, Darío. Universidad de Granada; EspañaFil: Meudec, Marie. Institute of Tropical Medicine; BélgicaFil: Morin, Charles M.. Laval University; CanadáFil: Partinen, Markku. Terveystalo Healthcare; Finlandia. University of Helsinki; FinlandiaFil: Golombek, Diego Andres. Universidad Nacional de Quilmes. Departamento de Ciencia y Tecnología. Laboratorio de Cronobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin