Rodents as intermediate hosts of cestode parasites of mammalian carnivores and birds of prey in Poland, with the first data on the life-cycle of Mesocestoides melesi.

BACKGROUND: Rodents constitute an important part of the diet of many carnivore species. This predator-prey food chain is exploited by helminth parasites, such as cestodes, whose larval stages develop in rodents and then mature to the adult stage in predators. The main aim of our study was to use molecular techniques for identification of cestode species recovered from both intermediate and definitive hosts, with a particular focus on the genus Mesocestoides. METHODS: Larval cestodes were obtained during our long-term studies on rodent helminth communities in the Mazury Lake District in the north-east Poland in 2000-2018. Cestode larvae/cysts were collected from body cavities or internal organs (e.g. liver) during autopsies. Adult tapeworms were derived from nine red foxes, three Eurasian badgers and one Eurasian lynx. PCR amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were conducted employing three genetic markers: 18S rDNA, mitochondrial (mt) 12S rDNA and the mt cytochrome c oxydase subunit 1 (cox1) gene fragment. RESULTS: Altogether 19 Mesocestoides samples were analyzed, including 13 adult tapeworms from definitive hosts and six larval samples from 4 bank voles and 2 yellow-necked mice. Phylogenetic analyses revealed three well-supported trees of similar topology. In each case the Mesocestoides samples formed two separate clades. All isolates from foxes, the lynx isolate and two isolates from rodents grouped with Mesocestoides litteratus. Four isolates from rodents and all three isolates from Eurasian badgers were resolved in a separate clade, most similar to North American M. vogae (syn. M. corti). Examination of fixed, stained adult specimens from Eurasian badgers revealed consistency with the morphology of Mesocestoides melesi. Therefore, this clade is likely to represent M. melesi, a species first described in 1985 from the Eurasian badger Meles meles. Molecular analysis allowed also the identification of Taenia crassiceps, Hydatigera kamiyai and Cladotaenia globifera among larvae derived from rodents. CONCLUSIONS: Molecular and phylogenetic analyses support the recognition of M. melesi as a valid species. Our data represent the first record of the larvae of this species in rodents. This is the first report on the occurrence of H. kamiyai in rodents from Poland.

Significance of NF-kappaB signaling and PARP1 activity in the TNF-induced inhibition of PHEX gene expression in human osteoblasts.

Although loss of bone mineral density is a common symptom of chronic inflammatory diseases, its mechanisms are still poorly understood. The PHEX gene encodes a Zn-endopeptidase expressed in osteoblasts and contributes to bone mineralization. Data derived from rodents has indicated co-repression of the PHEX gene by the NF-κB pathway and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1). The aim of this study was to determine the molecular mechanism involved in TNF-mediated downregulation of PHEX expression in human osteoblasts and human osteosarcoma cell line. We observed that activation of the NF-κB pathway by TNF was manifested as a nuclear increase in RELA and NFKB1 heterodimer. We found that TNF reduced PHEX expression and the proteasome inhibitor reversed this effect in osteosarcoma cell line. Contrary to the effects seen in rodents, inhibition of PARP1 enzymatic activity did not significantly reverse the effect of TNF on the human PHEX gene expression. EMSA studies showed that the number of adenines in the PHEX proximal promoter is crucial for the transcription factors' interactions within that region. The obtained results support the hypothesis indicating the existence of a molecular mechanism of gene repression that involves a poly adenine-rich region of the proximal gene promoters and PARP1 transcriptional activity.

Autologous fat transfer to the subcutaneous tissue in the context of breast reconstructive procedures.

Autologous fat transfer (AFT) is an appropriate technique for aesthetic rejuvenation of the face, aesthetic enhancement of hands, correction of the facial appearance in various disorders and constitutes a surgical alternative of treatment of numerous breast deformities ranging from distorting posttraumatic scars, post-eczema lesions, post-burn deformities to partial or total breast reconstruction. Our work is aimed to familiarize dermatologists with the technique of harvesting and implanting the aspirate of adipose cells in patients consulted for deformities of the breast. In addition, the review summarizes the most common applications of AFT in the breast reconstructive procedures. In summary, AFT is an oncologically safe, relatively complication-free, minimally invasive surgical technique, which can be used to correct a wide range of deformities, which are commonly seen by dermatologists, in the area of the face, trunk and extremities. The procedure can correct a wide range of breast deformities, from contour or single quadrant deformities up to the state after mastectomy.