TRYPANOSOMA EVANSI AND NEOSPORA CANINUM AMONG WATER BUFFALOES (BUBALUS BUBALIS) IN THE PHILIPPINES

The study determined the positivity rate of Trypanosoma evansi and Neospora caninum antibodies in water buffaloes in the province of Nueva Ecija, Philippines using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) for T. evansi and competitive Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (cELISA) for N. caninum antibodies . A total of 100 whole blood and 100 serum samples were collected to test for T. evansi and N. caninum , respectively. Rotat 1.2 VSG gene was target using PCR for T. evansi detection. Neospora caninum antibody detection was done from the serum samples using cELISA test kit.Results revealed that the positivity rate of T. evansi in Nueva Ecija was 11% (11/100). The positive animals identified were from the municipalities of Muñoz (4/16; 25%), Sta. Rosa (3/13; 23.08%) and Talugtug (4/16; 25%). The seropositive rate of Nueva Ecija for N. caninum. was 46% (46/100), seropositive animals were identified in Cabanatuan City, 57.14% (4/7); Science City of Muñoz, 43.14% (22/51); Sta. Rosa, 40% (4/10); Sto. Sunday, 50% (6/12); and Talugtug 50% (10/20). The seropositivity rate of N. caninum and the presence of T. evansi in Nueva Ecija may contribute to the cases of abortions in the province and further studies should be employed to confirm the association of these organisms to abortion cases on water buffaloes

SUBPOPULATION STRUCTURE AND CHANGES AFTER CRYOPRESERVATION OF SPERMS FROM HIGH AND LOW FERTILITY WATER BUFFALO / ESTRUCTURA DE LAS SUBPOBLACIONES Y CAMBIOS DESPUÉS DE LA CRIOPRESERVACIÓN ESPERMÁTICA EN BÚFALOS DE AGUA CON ALTA Y BAJA FERTILIDAD

The aim of this study was to identify the sperm subpopulation structure in buffalo bulls with high and low fertility and to determine how sperm subpopulations change after semen cryopreservation. Semen was obtained from four bulls with high fertility (HF) and four bulls with low fertility (LF) and was cryopreserved. A total of 64 ejaculates were assessed for their sperm kinematics using computer assisted sperm analyzer (CASA). Ward’s Hierarchical Dendogram and K-Means clustering method were used to identify the subpopulations. In experiment 1, two significantly different (P≤0.05) sperm subpopulations were observed: Subpopulation 1 (SP1): sperms travel longer distances most rapidly and progressively, and Subpopulation 2 (SP2): sperms travel shorter distances slower but highly progressive. A higher percentage of SP1 was found in HF bulls (47.27); whereas, a higher percentage of SP2 was found in LF bulls (54.89). A low negative relationship (r=-0.18) was observed for the fertility level and sperm subpopulation structure. This implies that sperms that travel longer distances most rapidly and progressively (SP1) are most likely associated to high fertility, while sperms that travel shorter distances slower but highly progressive (SP2) are associated with low fertility. In experiment 2, based on the change in SP1 after cryopreservation, significantly higher sperm survival was observed in samples from HF bulls (29.97) as compared to those from LF bulls (31.64). During post thaw, there were more SP1 sperms in samples from HF bulls (27.52) than in those from LF bulls (26.74). Thus, semen containing higher proportion of SP1 sperms are more resistant to cryopreservation and have greater chances of obtaining high fertility. Overall, the identification of sperm heterogeneity in water buffaloes can be associated to sperm survival after cryopreservation and fertility. RESUMENEl propósito de este estudio fue identificar la estructura de las subpoblaciones espermáticas en toros bufalinos con alta y baja fertilidad y determinar los cambios luego de la criopreservación. El semen se obtuvo de cuatro búfalos con alta fertilidad (HF) y cuatro con baja fertilidad (LF) y fue criopreservado. Un total de 64 eyaculados fueron evaluados para parámetros cinéticos usando un analizador espermático asistido por computadora (CASA). El método de dendograma jerárquico de Ward y el método K-means fueron utilizados para identificar las subpoblaciones. En el experimento 1, dos subpoblaciones espermáticas estadísticamente diferentes (p<0.05) fueron observadas: Subpoblación 1 (SP1): espermatozoides que viajan largas distancias más rápida y progresivamente, y la Subpoblación 2 (SP2): espermatozoides que viajan distancias cortas de forma lenta pero muy progresivamente. Un mayor porcentaje de SP1 fue encontrado en los búfalos HF (47,27); mientras que un mayor porcentaje de SP2 fue encontrado en los búfalos LF (54.89). Una relación baja pero negativa (r = -0,18) fue observada para el nivel de fertilidad y la estructura de la subpoblación espermática. Esto implica que los espermatozoides que viajan largas distancias más rápida y progresivamente (SP1) están más asociados a la alta fertilidad, mientras que los que viajan distancias cortas más lento y con alta progresividad (SP2) están asociados a una baja fertilidad. En el experimento 2, en base a los cambios en SP1 luego de la criopreservación, un mayor porcentaje de espermatozoides permaneció en esta subpoblación en los búfalos HF (27,52) que en los LF (26,74). Por lo tanto, semen con una alta proporción de espermatozoides dentro de SP1 son más resistentes a la criopreservación y tienen mayor probabilidad de obtener una mayor fertilidad. En general, la identificación de la heterogeneidad espermática en búfalos de agua puede ser asociada a la sobrevivencia luego de la criopreservación y a la fertilidad

Integrative genome-wide expression profiling identifies three distinct molecular subgroups of renal cell carcinoma with different patient outcome

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is characterized by a number of diverse molecular aberrations that differ among individuals. Recent approaches to molecularly classify RCC were based on clinical, pathological as well as on single molecular parameters. As a consequence, gene expression patterns reflecting the sum of genetic aberrations in individual tumors may not have been recognized. In an attempt to uncover such molecular features in RCC, we used a novel, unbiased and integrative approach. METHODS: We integrated gene expression data from 97 primary RCCs of different pathologic parameters, 15 RCC metastases as well as 34 cancer cell lines for two-way nonsupervised hierarchical clustering using gene groups suggested by the PANTHER Classification System. We depicted the genomic landscape of the resulted tumor groups by means of Single Nuclear Polymorphism (SNP) technology. Finally, the achieved results were immunohistochemically analyzed using a tissue microarray (TMA) composed of 254 RCC. Results: We found robust, genome wide expression signatures, which split RCC into three distinct molecular subgroups. These groups remained stable even if randomly selected gene sets were clustered. Notably, the pattern obtained from RCC cell lines was clearly distinguishable from that of primary tumors. SNP array analysis demonstrated differing frequencies of chromosomal copy number alterations among RCC subgroups. TMA analysis with group-specific markers showed a prognostic significance of the different groups. Conclusion: We propose the existence of characteristic and histologically independent genome-wide expression outputs in RCC with potential biological and clinical relevance

Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks and fleas collected from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia

Background Ticks and fleas are considered amongst the most important arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary concern due to their ability to transmit pathogens to a range of animal species including dogs, cats and humans. By sharing a common environment with humans, companion animal-associated parasitic arthropods may potentially transmit zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). This study aimed to molecularly detect pathogens from ticks and fleas from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia. Methods A total of 392 ticks and 248 fleas were collected from 401 infested animals (i.e. 271 dogs and 130 cats) from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, and molecularly screened for the presence of pathogens. Ticks were tested for Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. while fleas were screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. Result Of the 392 ticks tested, 37 (9.4%) scored positive for at least one pathogen with Hepatozoon canis being the most prevalent (5.4%), followed by Ehrlichia canis (1.8%), Babesia vogeli (1%), Anaplasma platys (0.8%) and Rickettsia spp. (1%) [including Rickettsia sp. (0.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (0.3%) and Rickettsia felis (0.3%)]. Out of 248 fleas tested, 106 (42.7%) were harboring at least one pathogen with R. felis being the most common (19.4%), followed by Bartonella spp. (16.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (10.9%) and “Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis” (0.4%). Furthermore, 35 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, of which 34 ticks belonged to the tropical and only one belonged to the temperate lineage (Rh. sanguineus (sensu stricto)). Conclusion Our data reveals the circulation of different VBPs in ticks and fleas of dogs and cats from Asia, including zoonotic agents, which may represent a potential risk to animal and human health

Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks and fleas collected from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia

Background: Ticks and fleas are considered amongst the most important arthropod vectors of medical and veterinary concern due to their ability to transmit pathogens to a range of animal species including dogs, cats and humans. By sharing a common environment with humans, companion animal-associated parasitic arthropods may potentially transmit zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). This study aimed to molecularly detect pathogens from ticks and fleas from companion dogs and cats in East and Southeast Asia. Methods: A total of 392 ticks and 248 fleas were collected from 401 infested animals (i.e. 271 dogs and 130 cats) from China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam, and molecularly screened for the presence of pathogens. Ticks were tested for Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia spp., Babesia spp. and Hepatozoon spp. while fleas were screened for the presence of Rickettsia spp. and Bartonella spp. Result: Of the 392 ticks tested, 37 (9.4%) scored positive for at least one pathogen with Hepatozoon canis being the most prevalent (5.4%), followed by Ehrlichia canis (1.8%), Babesia vogeli (1%), Anaplasma platys (0.8%) and Rickettsia spp. (1%) [including Rickettsia sp. (0.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (0.3%) and Rickettsia felis (0.3%)]. Out of 248 fleas tested, 106 (42.7%) were harboring at least one pathogen with R. felis being the most common (19.4%), followed by Bartonella spp. (16.5%), Rickettsia asembonensis (10.9%) and "Candidatus Rickettsia senegalensis"(0.4%). Furthermore, 35 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, of which 34 ticks belonged to the tropical and only one belonged to the temperate lineage (Rh. sanguineus (sensu stricto)). Conclusion: Our data reveals the circulation of different VBPs in ticks and fleas of dogs and cats from Asia, including zoonotic agents, which may represent a potential risk to animal and human health.[Figure not available: see fulltext.

Zoonotic Vectorborne Pathogens and Ectoparasites of Dogs and Cats in Eastern and Southeast Asia

To provide data that can be used to inform treatment and prevention strategies for zoonotic pathogens in animal and human populations, we assessed the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens and their vectors on 2,381 client-owned dogs and cats living in metropolitan areas of 8 countries in eastern and Southeast Asia during 2017-2018. Overall exposure to ectoparasites was 42.4% in dogs and 31.3% in cats. Our data cover a wide geographic distribution of several pathogens, including Leishmania infantum and zoonotic species of filariae, and of animals infested with arthropods known to be vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Because dogs and cats share a common environment with humans, they are likely to be key reservoirs of pathogens that infect persons in the same environment. These results will help epidemiologists and policy makers provide tailored recommendations for future surveillance and prevention strategies

Zoonotic vectorborne pathogens and ectoparasites of dogs and cats in eastern and Southeast Asia

To provide data that can be used to inform treatment and prevention strategies for zoonotic pathogens in animal and human populations, we assessed the occurrence of zoonotic pathogens and their vectors on 2,381 client-owned dogs and cats living in metropolitan areas of 8 countries in eastern and Southeast Asia during 2017-2018. Overall exposure to ectoparasites was 42.4% in dogs and 31.3% in cats. Our data cover a wide geographic distribution of several pathogens, including Leishmania infantum and zoonotic species of filariae, and of animals infested with arthropods known to be vectors of zoonotic pathogens. Because dogs and cats share a common environment with humans, they are likely to be key reservoirs of pathogens that infect persons in the same environment. These results will help epidemiologists and policy makers provide tailored recommendations for future surveillance and prevention strategies