Giardia duodenalis assemblages and Entamoeba species infecting non-human primates in an Italian zoological garden: zoonotic potential and management traits

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Giardia duodenalis </it>and <it>Entamoeba </it>spp. are among the most common intestinal human protozoan parasites worldwide and they are frequently reported in captive non-human primates (NHP). From a public health point of view, infected animals in zoos constitute a risk for animal caretakers and visitors. In this study we carried out the molecular identification of <it>G. duodenalis </it>and <it>Entamoeba </it>spp. from nine species of primates housed in the zoological garden of Rome, to better ascertain their occurrence and zoonotic potential.</p> <p>Results</p> <p><it>G. duodenalis </it>was found only in <it>Lemur catta </it>(47.0%). <it>Entamoeba </it>spp. were detected in all species studied, with the exception of <it>Eulemur macaco </it>and <it>Varecia rubra</it>. The number of positive pools ranged from 5.9% in <it>L. catta </it>to 81.2% in <it>Mandrillus sphinx; </it>in <it>Pan troglodytes </it>the observed prevalence was 53.6%. A mixed <it>Entamoeba</it>-<it>Giardia </it>infection was recorded only in one sample of <it>L. catta</it>. All <it>G. duodenalis </it>isolates belonged to the zoonotic assemblage B, sub assemblage BIV. Three <it>Entamoeba </it>species were identified: <it>E. hartmanni</it>, <it>E. coli </it>and <it>E. dispar</it>.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results highlight the importance of regularly testing animals kept in zoos for the diagnosis of zoonotic parasites, in order to evaluate their pathogenic role in the housed animals and the zoonotic risk linked to their presence. A quick detection of the arrival of pathogens into the enclosures could also be a prerequisite to limit their spread into the structure via the introduction of specific control strategies. The need for molecular identification of some parasite species/genotype in order to better define the zoonotic risk is also highlighted.</p

Radiating Shear-Free Gravitational Collapse with Charge

We present a new shear free model for the gravitational collapse of a spherically symmetric charged body. We propose a dissipative contraction with radiation emitted outwards. The Einstein field equations, using the junction conditions and an ansatz, are integrated numerically. A check of the energy conditions is also performed. We obtain that the charge delays the black hole formation and it can even halt the collapse.Comment: 22 pages, 9 figures. It has been corrected several typos and included several references. Accepted for publication in GR

The U-shaped relationship between parental age and the risk of bipolar disorder in the offspring: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Parenthood age may affect the risk for the development of different psychiatric disorders in the offspring, including bipolar disorder (BD). The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to appraise the relationship between paternal age and risk for BD and to explore the eventual relationship between paternal age and age at onset of BD. We searched the MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, PsycINFO online databases for original studies from inception, up to December 2021. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted. Sixteen studies participated in the qualitative synthesis, of which k = 14 fetched quantitative data encompassing a total of 13,424,760 participants and 217,089 individuals with BD. Both fathers [adjusted for the age of other parent and socioeconomic status odd ratio – OR = 1.29(95%C.I. = 1.13–1.48)] and mothers aged ≤ 20 years [(OR = 1.23(95%C.I. = 1.14–1.33)] had consistently increased odds of BD diagnosis in their offspring compared to parents aged 25–29 years. Fathers aged ≥ 45 years [adjusted OR = 1.29 (95%C.I. = 1.15–1.46)] and mothers aged 35–39 years [OR = 1.10(95%C.I. = 1.01–1.19)] and 40 years or older [OR = 1.2(95% C.I. = 1.02–1.40)] likewise had inflated odds of BD diagnosis in their offspring compared to parents aged 25–29 years. Early and delayed parenthood are associated with an increased risk of BD in the offspring. Mechanisms underlying this association are largely unknown and may involve a complex interplay between psychosocial, genetic and biological factors, and with different impacts according to sex and age range. Evidence on the association between parental age and illness onset is still tentative but it points towards a possible specific effect of advanced paternal age on early BD-onset

Nonadiabatic charged spherical gravitational collapse

We present a complete set of the equations and matching conditions required for the description of physically meaningful charged, dissipative, spherically symmetric gravitational collapse with shear. Dissipation is described with both free-streaming and diffusion approximations. The effects of viscosity are also taken into account. The roles of different terms in the dynamical equation are analyzed in detail. The dynamical equation is coupled to a causal transport equation in the context of Israel-Stewart theory. The decrease of the inertial mass density of the fluid, by a factor which depends on its internal thermodynamic state, is reobtained, with the viscosity terms included. In accordance with the equivalence principle, the same decrease factor is obtained for the gravitational force term. The effect of the electric charge on the relation between the Weyl tensor and the inhomogeneity of energy density is discussed.Comment: 23 pages, Latex. To appear in Phys. Rev. D. Some references correcte