First findings of Sarcocystis species in game deer and feral pigs in Australia.

Several wild game meat species, including deer and feral pigs are hunted and consumed in Australia. Feral pigs and deer are not indigenous to Australia, but they have proliferated extensively and established their presence in every state and territory. Following the report of a sambar deer displaying Sarcocystis like white cysts in its rump muscles, the present study was conducted to explore the prevalence of Sarcocystis infections in wild deer and feral pigs in the southeastern regions of Australia. Oesophagus, diaphragm, and heart tissue from 90 deer and eight feral pigs were examined visually for sarcocysts. All results were negative. PCR testing of randomly selected deer and feral pigs yielded positive results, which were subsequently supported by histopathology. This is the first study to report the presence of Sarcocystis spp. in deer and feral pigs in Australia. As no visual cysts were found on the heart or oesophagus that came back positive with PCR, infected animals, particularly those reared free-range, could be passing through meat quality checks unidentified. If people consume this meat without cooking it properly, it may lead to a human infection of Sarcocystis. However, a more targeted study focused on determining the parasite's prevalence and assessing its risks is necessary to determine if it constitutes a food safety issue. As this species has been found not only in feral pigs but also in domestic pigs, the potential for infection spreading between feral pigs and pigs in free-range livestock systems is high, potentially posing a large problem for the Australian pork industry, particularly with the increased emphasis on free-range pig husbandry. Future studies should concentrate on determining the species of Sarcocystis in feral animals commonly consumed as game meat to determine potential zoonotic risks. This could also include a more in-depth look at the prevalence of Sarcocystis infections in other game animals. Identifying where these parasites are present and to what extent, are important areas for future studies.

Validation of a real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay protocol to detect chronic wasting disease using rectal mucosa of naturally infected, pre-clinical white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus).

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease of cervids spreading across North America. More effective mitigation efforts may require expansion of the available toolkit to include new methods that provide earlier antemortem detection, higher throughput, and less expense than current immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods. The rectal mucosa near the rectoanal junction is a site of early accumulation of CWD prions and is safely sampled in living animals by pinch biopsy. A fluorescence-based, 96-well format, protein-aggregation assay-the real-time quaking-induced conversion (RT-QuIC) assay-is capable of ultra-sensitive detection of CWD prions. Notably, the recombinant protein substrate is crucial to the assay's performance and is now commercially available. In this blinded independent study, the preclinical diagnostic performance of a standardized RT-QuIC protocol using a commercially sourced substrate (MNPROtein) and a laboratory-produced substrate was studied using mock biopsy samples of the rectal mucosa from 284 white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). The samples were from a frozen archive of intact rectoanal junctions collected at depopulations of farmed herds positive for CWD in the United States. All deer were pre-clinical at the time of depopulation and infection status was established from the regulatory record, which evaluated the medial retropharyngeal lymph nodes (MRPLNs) and obex by CWD-IHC. A pre-analytic sample precipitation step was found to enhance the protocol's detection limit. Performance metrics were influenced by the choice of RT-QuIC diagnostic cut points (minimum number of positive wells and assay time) and by deer attributes (preclinical infection stage and prion protein genotype). The peak overall diagnostic sensitivities of the protocol were similar for both substrates (MNPROtein, 76.8%; laboratory-produced, 73.2%), though each was achieved at different cut points. Preclinical infection stage and prion protein genotype at codon 96 (G = glycine, S = serine) were primary predictors of sensitivity. The diagnostic sensitivities in late preclinical infections (CWD-IHC positive MPRLNs and obex) were similar, ranging from 96% in GG96 deer to 80% in xS96 deer (x = G or S). In early preclinical infections (CWD-IHC positive MRPLNs only), the diagnostic sensitivity was 64-71% in GG96 deer but only 25% in xS96 deer. These results demonstrate that this standardized RT-QuIC protocol for rectal biopsy samples using a commercial source of substrate produced stratified diagnostic sensitivities similar to or greater than those reported for CWD-IHC but in less than 30 hours of assay time and in a 96-well format. Notably, the RT-QuIC protocol used herein represents a standardization of protocols from several previous studies. Alignment of the sensitivities across these studies suggests the diagnostic performance of the assay is robust given quality reagents, optimized diagnostic criteria, and experienced staff.

Analysis of serum proteomic profiles of endangered Siamese and Burmese Eld's deer infected with subclinical Babesia bovis in Thailand.

The endangered Eld's deer is a conserved species in Thailand, where tropical parasitic infections are endemic. Although Eld's deer with babesiosis are generally asymptomatic, they can still harbor the parasite and serve as reservoirs for ticks, spreading the infection to healthy animals within the herd. The present study aimed to investigate potential serum proteome biomarkers of Eld's deer with subclinical Babesia bovis infection. A total of 67 blood samples were collected from captive Siamese and Burmese Eld's deer showing no signs of parasitic infection. The nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) of a conserved spherical body protein 2 (sbp-2) gene of B. bovis was utilized to classify Eld's deer groups, with 25.37 % (17/67) testing positive for B. bovis. Additionally, the application of proteomic studies showed that six B. bovis proteins, such as Obg-like ATPase 1 (OLA1) and heat shock protein 90 (HSP90), were significantly upregulated by more than a two-fold change compared with the PCR-negative samples. Of the 55 overexpressed serum proteins in the PCR-positives, alpha 2-HS glycoprotein (AHSG) and immunoglobulin lambda variable 2-8 (IGLV2-8) were notably among the top 10 proteins with the highest area under curve (AUC) values. Hence, they were proposed as potential biomarkers for subclinical B. bovis infection in Eld's deer. Analysis of the protein interaction network revealed interactions between Eld's deer AHSG and B. bovis OLA1 and HSP90, alongside associations with other proteins such as erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (ERBB2) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). These interactions were involved in the immune system pathway and inflammatory responses. Our findings shed light on subclinical infection of B. bovis in Eld's deer and identify potential biomarkers, contributing to the further effective detection and monitoring of B. bovis infection in this endangered species.

The Therapeutic Potential of Intra-Articular Injection of Synthetic Deer Antler Peptides in a Rat Model of Knee Osteoarthritis.

Synthetic deer antler peptides (TSKYR, TSK, and YR) stimulate the proliferation of human chondrocytes and osteoblasts and increase the chondrocyte content of collagen and glycosamino-glycan in vitro. This study investigated the peptide mixture's pain relief and chondroprotective effect in a rat model of collagenase-induced osteoarthritis. Thirty-six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control (saline), positive control (hyaluronic acid), and ex-perimental (peptides). Intra-articular collagenase injections were administered on days 1 and 4 to induce osteoarthritis in the left knees of the rats. Two injections of saline, hyaluronic acid, or the peptides were injected into the same knees of each corresponding group at the beginning of week one and two, respectively. Joint swelling, arthritic pain, and histopathological changes were evaluated. Injection of the peptides significantly reduced arthritic pain compared to the control group, as evidenced by the closer-to-normal weight-bearing and paw withdrawal threshold test results. Histological analyses showed reduced cartilage matrix loss and improved total cartilage degeneration score in the experimental versus the control group. Our findings suggest that intra-articular injection of synthetic deer antler peptides is a promising treatment for osteoarthritis.

Oral Administration of Deer Bone Collagen Peptide Can Enhance the Skin Hydration Ability and Antioxidant Ability of Aging Mice Induced by D-Gal, and Regulate the Synthesis and Degradation of Collagen.

Skin problems caused by aging have attracted much attention, and marine collagen peptides have been proved to improve these problems, while mammalian collagen peptides are rarely reported. In this study, fermented deer bone collagen peptide (FCP) and non-fermented deer bone collagen peptide (NCP) were extracted from fermented and non-fermented deer bone, respectively, and their peptide sequences and differential proteins were analyzed using LC-MS/MS technology. After they were applied to aging mice induced with D-gal, the skin hydration ability, antioxidant ability, collagen synthesis, and degradation ability of the mice were studied. The results show that FCP and NCP are mainly peptides that constitute type Ⅰ collagen, and their peptide segments are different. In vivo experiments show that FCP and NCP can improve the richness of collagen fibers in the skin of aging mice; improve the hydration ability of skin; promote the activity of antioxidant-related enzymes; and also show that through the TGF-ß and MAPK pathways, the synthesis and degradation of collagen in skin are regulated. These results show that deer bone collagen peptide can improve skin problems caused by aging, promote skin hydration and antioxidant capacity of aging mice, and regulate collagen synthesis and degradation through the MAPK pathway.

Discovery of novel treponemes associated with pododermatitis in elk (Cervus canadensis).

Pododermatitis, also known as treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD), presents a significant challenge to elk (Cervus canadensis) populations in the northwestern USA, with Treponema spp. consistently implicated in the lesion development. However, identifying species-specific Treponema strains from these lesions is hindered by its culture recalcitrance and limited genomic information. This study utilized shotgun sequencing, in silico genome reconstruction, and comparative genomics as a culture-independent approach to identify metagenome-assembled Treponema genomes (MATGs) from skin scraping samples collected from captive elk experimentally challenged with TAHD. The genomic analysis revealed 10 new MATGs, with 6 representing novel genomospecies associated with pododermatitis in elk and 4 corresponding to previously identified species-Treponema pedis and Treponema phagedenis. Importantly, genomic signatures of novel genomospecies identified in this study were consistently detected in biopsy samples of free-ranging elk diagnosed with TAHD, indicating a potential etiologic association. Comparative metabolic profiling of the MATGs against other Treponema genomes showed a distinct metabolic profile, suggesting potential host adaptation or geographic uniqueness of these newly identified genomospecies. The discovery of novel Treponema genomospecies enhances our understanding of the pathogenesis of pododermatitis and lays the foundation for the development of improved molecular surveillance tools to monitor and manage the disease in free-ranging elk.IMPORTANCETreponema spp. play an important role in the development of pododermatitis in free-ranging elk; however, the species-specific detection of Treponema from pododermatitis lesions is challenging due to culture recalcitrance and limited genomic information. The study utilized shotgun sequencing and in silico genome reconstruction to identify novel Treponema genomospecies from elk with pododermatitis. The discovery of the novel Treponema species opens new avenues to develop molecular diagnostic and epidemiologic tools for the surveillance of pododermatitis in elk. These findings significantly enhance our understanding of the genomic landscape of the Treponemataceae consortium while offering valuable insights into the etiology and pathogenesis of emerging pododermatitis in elk populations.

Phonosurgery training using Japanese deer larynx.

OBJECTIVE: To develop phonosurgery skills, surgical training of the actual larynx is essential. In our institution, the Japanese deer (Cervus Nippon aplodontids) larynx is used in phonosurgery training. This study aimed to examine the similarities and differences between the Japanese deer and human larynx and to demonstrate their utility in vocal surgery practice. METHODS: A comparative study was conducted using 30 Japanese deer larynges and 51 human donor larynges, evaluating the overall framework, dimensions, and angle of the thyroid cartilage, vocal cord length, and location of the arytenoid cartilage muscular process. The changes and movements of the vocal folds during contraction and relaxation of each internal laryngeal muscle were also visually analyzed. RESULTS: The larynx size of Japanese deer is intermediate between that of human males and females. The adduction and abduction of the vocal folds induced by contraction of the posterior and lateral cricoarytenoid muscles, as well as the extension of the vocal folds induced by contraction of the cricothyroid muscle, behaved in the same manner as in the human larynx. CONCLUSION: The morphology of the Japanese deer larynx is similar to that of the human larynx, making it suitable for use in dissection and surgical practice. Owing to the recent animal damage problem and the popularity of gibier cuisine, large quantities of Japanese deer larynx are available at low prices. We believe that the Japanese deer larynx is the most appropriate animal for phonosurgery training so far.

Pilose antler extract promotes hair growth in androgenic alopecia mice by promoting the initial anagen phase.

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a prevalent disease in worldwide, local application or oral are often used to treat AGA, however, effective treatments for AGA are currently limited. In this work, we observed the promoting the initial anagen phase effect of pilose antler extract (PAE) on hair regeneration in AGA mice. We found that PAE accelerated hair growth and increased the degree of skin blackness by non-invasive in vivo methods including camera, optical coherence tomography and dermoscopy. Meanwhile, HE staining of sagittal and coronal skin sections revealed that PAE augmented the quantity and length of hair follicles, while also enhancing skin thickness and hair papilla diameter. Furthermore, PAE facilitated the shift of the growth cycle from the telogen to the anagen phase and expedited the proliferation of hair follicle stem cells and matrix cells in mice with AGA. This acceleration enabled the hair follicles to enter the growth phase at an earlier stage. PAE upregulated the expression of the sonic hedgehog (SHH), smoothened receptor, glioma-associated hemolog1 (GLI1), and downregulated the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), recombinant mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (Smad) 1 and 5 phosphorylation. This evidence suggests that PAE fosters hair growth and facilitates the transition of the growth cycle from the telogen to the anagen phase in AGA mice. This effect is achieved by enhancing the proliferation of follicle stem cells and matrix cells through the activation of the SHH/GLI pathway and suppression of the BMP/Smad pathway.

Metastatic Osteosarcoma of the Distal Femur in a Korean Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus).

A free-living female Korean water deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus) was found with swelling in the left femur. Radiographic and histopathologic examination confirmed distal femoral osteosarcoma with metastases to the inguinal lymph node and the lungs; there are no previous reports of osteosarcoma in water deer.

Effect of HY7602 Fermented Deer Antler on Physical Fatigue and Antioxidant Activity in Mice.

Lactobacillus curvatus HY7602 fermented antler (FA) ameliorates sarcopenia and improves exercise performance by increasing muscle mass, muscle fiber regeneration, and mitochondrial biogenesis; however, its anti-fatigue and antioxidant effects have not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the anti-fatigue and antioxidant effects and mechanisms of FA. C2C12 and HepG2 cells were stimulated with 1 mM of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to induce oxidative stress, followed by treatment with FA. Additionally, 44-week-old C57BL/6J mice were orally administered FA for 4 weeks. FA treatment (5-100 µg/mL) significantly attenuated H2O2-induced cytotoxicity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in both cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. In vivo experiments showed that FA treatment significantly increased the mobility time of mice in the forced swimming test and significantly downregulated the serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and lactate. Notably, FA treatment significantly upregulated the activities of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) and increased the mRNA expression of antioxidant genes (SOD1, SOD2, CAT, GPx1, GPx2, and GSR) in the liver. Conclusively, FA is a potentially useful functional food ingredient for improving fatigue through its antioxidant effects.

Structural characterisation of deer sinew peptides as calcium carriers, their promotion of MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and their effect on bone deposition in mice.

Deer sinew as a by-product has high collagen and nutritional value. This study focuses on its hydrolysate being used as a calcium carrier to develop functional foods. The chelation mechanism was analyzed by SEM, EDS, UV-vis, FTIR, and fluorescence spectroscopy and zeta potential analysis after using peptide-sequenced deer sinew peptides for chelation with calcium ions. The results showed that the chelation of deer sinew peptides with calcium ions occurs mainly at the O and N atoms of carboxyl, amino and amide bonds. In vitro and in vivo studies revealed that deer sinew peptide-calcium chelate (DSPs-Ca) promoted the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells without toxic side effects and increased the alkaline phosphatase activity. The DSPs-Ca group improved the bone microstructure induced by low calcium, as well as up-regulated the expression of genes responsible for calcium uptake in the kidneys, as evidenced by serum markers, bone sections, bone parameters, and gene expression analyses in low-calcium-fed mice. From the above, it can be concluded that DSPs-Ca is expected to be a calcium supplement food for promoting bone health.

Hunting can increase physical activity of Indigenous peoples in Canada: pixem re yecwme'nstut.

This study examined whether Indigenous peoples could achieve the Canadian Physical Activity Guidelines (CPAG) for adults while engaging in the cultural practice of hunting. It was hypothesized that Indigenous hunters would achieve or surpass the physical activity (PA) thresholds set forth by the CPAG on days spent hunting. Step count and heart rate were recorded from six male participants during mule deer hunts and days spent on-reserve. Step count was not statistically different between days spent hunting (28 803 ± 10 657 steps) and on-reserve (15 086 ± 7536 steps) (p = 0.10). Time spent in light (257 ± 45 min; p = 0.04), moderate (118 ± 71 min; p = 0.03), and vigorous (45 ± 42 min; p = 0.04) activities while hunting was greater than on-reserve (light, 180 ± 86; moderate, 71 ± 73; vigorous, 7 ± 10 min). The duration of moderate-to-vigorous PA (119 ± 95 min) for an average day hunting nearly meets the weekly CPAG recommendation of 150 min per week and is 1.8× greater than on-reserve (67 ± 80 min). Data suggest that hunting is probably a viable mode of PA for Indigenous adults to achieve health benefits. A strength of this study is the 10 h of daily recording which includes vehicular transportation to remote hunting areas. The duration of very light/sedentary PA did not differ between hunting (233 ± 211 min) and on-reserve (327 ± 164 min; p = 0.10), and highlights the importance of modernized vehicles in traditional Indigenous activities. A larger sample size would facilitate greater exploration of transportation, as well as success of the hunt on PA. These data suggest that health researchers and clinicians should consider traditional activities such as hunting as a means for Indigenous adults to increase participation in sufficiently vigorous PA to incur health benefits.

Muscone inhibits the progression of atherosclerotic plaques in mice aorta by inhibiting the NF-κB/p65 pathway.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is considered to be one of the main pathogenic factors of coronary heart disease, cerebral infarction and peripheral vascular disease. Oxidative stress and inflammation run through the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis and related cardiovascular events. Muscone is a natural extract of deer musk and also the main physiological active substance of musk. This study investigated the impact of muscone on atherosclerosis. ApoE-/- mice were used to establised AS model and injected with low-dose (4 mg/kg/day) or high-dose (8 mg/kg/day) of muscone intraperitoneally for 4 weeks. Then aortic tissues were collected, and pathological sections of the aorta were prepared for oil red staining, HE and masson staining. The changes of MDA, SOD, VCAM-1, NF-κB, and TNF-α were observed by Western blotting or immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that high-dose muscone could effectively reduce the plaque area/aortic root area and relative atherosclerotic area, reduce the collagen composition in plaque tissue. In addition, we also found that high-dose muscone can effectively increase MDA level, reduce the level of SOD, and inhibit the expression of VCAM-1, NF-κB/p65, TNF-α in arterial plaques. Our results indicate that the administration of muscone has the benefit of inhibiting atherosclerosis. The potential mechanisms may be associated with antioxidant effect and inhibition of inflammatory reaction in arterial plaques. With the increasing understanding of the relationship between muscone and atherosclerosis, muscone has high potential value as a new drug to treat atherosclerosis.

How do deer respiratory epithelial cells weather the initial storm of SARS-CoV-2 WA1/2020 strain?

The potential infectivity of severe acute respiratory syndrome associated coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in animals raises a public health and economic concern, particularly the high susceptibility of white-tailed deer (WTD) to SARS-CoV-2. The disparity in the disease outcome between humans and WTD is very intriguing, as the latter are often asymptomatic, subclinical carriers of SARS-CoV-2. To date, no studies have evaluated the innate immune factors responsible for the contrasting SARS-CoV-2-associated disease outcomes in these mammalian species. A comparative transcriptomic analysis in primary respiratory epithelial cells of human (HRECs) and WTD (Deer-RECs) infected with the SARS-CoV-2 WA1/2020 strain was assessed throughout 48 h post inoculation (hpi). Both HRECs and Deer-RECs were susceptible to virus infection, with significantly (P < 0.001) lower virus replication in Deer-RECs. The number of differentially expressed genes (DEG) gradually increased in Deer-RECs but decreased in HRECs throughout the infection. The ingenuity pathway analysis of DEGs further identified that genes commonly altered during SARS-CoV-2 infection mainly belong to cytokine and chemokine response pathways mediated via interleukin-17 (IL-17) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways. Inhibition of the NF-κB signaling in the Deer-RECs pathway was predicted as early as 6 hpi. The findings from this study could explain the lack of clinical signs reported in WTD in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection as opposed to the severe clinical outcomes reported in humans.IMPORTANCEThis study demonstrated that human and white-tailed deer primary respiratory epithelial cells are susceptible to the SARS-CoV-2 WA1/2020 strain infection. However, the comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that deer cells could limit viral replication without causing hypercytokinemia by downregulating IL-17 and NF-κB signaling pathways. Identifying differentially expressed genes in human and deer cells that modulate key innate immunity pathways during the early infection will lead to developing targeted therapies toward preventing or mitigating the "cytokine storm" often associated with severe cases of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19). Moreover, results from this study will aid in identifying novel prognostic biomarkers in predicting SARS-CoV-2 adaption and transmission in deer and associated cervids.

Parasitic findings on threatened pudu deer from Central Chile accounts first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile and the first molecular report of Taenia hydatigena metacestodes in this species.

Southern pudu (Pudu puda) is a threatened endemic deer of the temperate forests of Chile. In recent years pudu populations rates have decreased mainly due to anthropogenic causes including forest loss and landscape fragmentation. In this context, the parasitic fauna of Chilean pudu has been scarcely investigated. The aim of this study was to determine the parasitic status of rescued pudu n = 13 from its natural habitat in Central Chile (Maule region) during March 2022 and June 2023 by applying morphological, histopathological, and molecular analyses. As result, we report the presence of transmission of parasites from dogs to pudus as showed by the presence of metacestodes of the parasite Taenia hydatigena on omentum, liver, and pleura of pudus during postmortem examinations, being the first molecular report on the presence of this parasite on Chilean pudu. Meanwhile, ectoparasite examinations determined the presence of chewing and sucking lice on pudu exemplars here analysed. Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of lice revealed new insights on Bovicola and Anoplura lice parasitizing P. puda in Chile, equally being the first genetic characterization of lice parasitizing pudu exemplars in Chile. In addition, parasite loads of lice and metacestodes were analysed. However, no statistically significance was observed when comparing environmental and individual traits influence on parasite load variation. Overall, the study area is the northern limit of habitat distribution of this specie in Chile and we here provide novel information on pudu deer parasites, thus making a useful and valuable contribution to the parasitological knowledge on this threatened species.

Isolation and characterization of tannin-degrading bacteria from the rumen of wild Hokkaido sika deer (Cervus nippon yezoensis).

We isolated tannin-degrading bacteria from the rumen of wild Hokkaido sika deer and characterized their phylogeny and tannase activity in relation to sample sources. The condensed tannin level was higher in all deer rumen samples (n = 20) than in forage-fed cattle rumen samples (n = 6), whereas no hydrolyzable tannins were detected in any of the rumen samples. Rumen bacteria were enumerated on nonselective brain heart infusion (BHI) agar medium and then transferred onto tannic acid-containing BHI agar plates to screen for bacteria only showing growth (tannin-resistant bacteria) and those showing both growth and a clear zone (tannin-degrading bacteria). Summer samples provided only tannin-resistant bacteria, none of which showed tannin-degrading activity. Although winter samples also provided tannin-resistant bacteria, most isolates exhibited tannin-degrading activity. A total of 70 isolates exhibiting tannin-degrading activity were classified as Streptococcus bovis group based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing and further classified into two groups, either group A or group B. Group A consisted of isolates showing weak tannase activity, whereas group B included a majority of the isolates exhibiting high tannase activity. These results suggest that wild Hokkaido sika deer develop tannin-degrading Streptococcus in the rumen during winter, which allows access to woody food materials rich in tannins.

Culex erraticus (Diptera: Culicidae) utilizes gopher tortoise burrows for overwintering in North Central Florida.

Mosquito-borne diseases represent a significant threat to human and animal health in the United States. Several viruses, including West Nile, Saint Louis encephalitis, and Eastern equine encephalitis are endemic. In humans, the disease is typically detected during the summer months, but not during the winter months. The ability of these viruses to reemerge year after year is still not fully understood, but typically involves persistence in a reservoir host or vector during periods of low transmission. Mosquito species are known to overwinter at different life stages (adults, larvae, or eggs) in manufactured or natural sites. Gopher tortoise burrows are known to serve as refuge for many vertebrate and invertebrate species in pine savannas. In this study, we surveyed the interior of gopher tortoise burrows for overwintering mosquitoes. We identified 4 species (Anopheles crucians s.l., Culex erraticus, Mansonia dyari, and Uranotaenia sapphirina). Cx. erraticus was the most abundant, and its presence and abundance increased in winter months, implying that this species utilized gopher tortoise burrows for overwintering. Bloodfed Cx. erraticus and An. crucians s.l. females were detected. While An. crucians s.l. fed exclusively on the white-tailed deer, Cx. erraticus had a more diverse host range but fed primarily on the gopher tortoise. Tortoises and other long-lived reptiles like the American alligator have been shown to sustain high viremia following West Nile virus (WNV) and Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV) infection and therefore could play a role in the maintenance of these viruses. In addition, Cx. erraticus is naturally infected with WNV and is a known bridge vector for EEEV. As such, these overwintering sites may play a role in perpetuating over-winter arboviral activity in Florida.

Multifunctional biomaterial hydrogel loaded with antler blood peptide effectively promotes wound repair.

Diabetes is an epidemic in contemporary society, which seriously affects people's health. Therefore, it is imperative to develop a multifunctional wound dressing that can expedite the healing of diabetic wounds. In this study, quaternized oxidized sodium alginate (QOSA) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) formed hydrogel through Schiff base reaction, and the composite hydrogel was prepared by adding the antioxidant activity of deer antler blood polypeptide (D). The hydrogel exhibits favorable attributes, including a high swelling ratio, biocompatibility, and noteworthy antioxidant, antibacterial, and hemostatic properties. Finally, it was used to evaluate its effectiveness in repairing diabetic wounds. Upon evaluation, this hydrogel can effectively promote diabetic wound healing. It facilitates cell proliferation at the wound site, mitigates inflammatory responses, and enhances the expression of growth factors at the wound site. This suggests that this hydrogel holds significant promise as an ideal candidate for advanced wound dressings.

Review on trypanosomiasis and their prevalence in some country on the Red Sea / Avaliação da tripanossomíase e sua prevalência em alguns países do mar Vermelho

Abstract Trypanosomiasis is a protozoan infection affecting both human and animals in almost all parts of the world. It can affect a very large range of domestic and wild hosts including camelids, equines, cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, dogs and other carnivores, deer, gazelles and elephants. This review paper was designed to address the effect of this economically important disease in countries on the Red Sea, especially in Egypt, Sudan, Somalia, and Saudi Arabia during the period 2010 to 2020. The prevalence of trypanosomiasis is different between these countries due to different types of diagnostic methods (Giemsa-stained blood smears, Hematocrit centrifugation, Serological test, and molecular analysis PCR) used and differential distribution of vector (Tse tse) flies. In current review, retrospective studies of published literature on distribution and prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi infection in the Red Sea Countries was conducted [Google Scholar and PubMed were used to retrieve the published literature from 2000-2020. A total of 77 published articles met the eligibility criteria and were reviewed. A total of 16 reports have been reported on the prevalence and distribution of Trypnosoma evansi infection in the Red Sea Countries have been from 2010-2020]. According to the published literature, we can say that trypanosomiasis in camels are more prevalent in Sudan than in other countries, followed by 17% and 51.78% in both clinical and non-clinical cases. Hence, the reliable diagnostic tests should be used for rapid treatment or control of the disease as if not treated appropriately in early-stage, can lead to death of the camels.

Resumo A tripanossomíase é uma infecção por protozoário que afeta humanos e animais em quase todas as partes do mundo. Pode afetar grande variedade de hospedeiros domésticos e selvagens, incluindo camelídeos, equinos, gado, búfalos, ovelhas, cabras, porcos, cães e outros carnívoros, veados, gazelas e elefantes. Este artigo de revisão foi elaborado para abordar o efeito dessa doença economicamente importante em países do mar Vermelho, especialmente Egito, Sudão, Somália e Arábia Saudita, durante o período de 2010 a 2020. A prevalência de tripanossomíase é diferente entre esses países devido a tipos distintos de métodos diagnósticos (esfregaços de sangue corados com Giemsa, centrifugação de hematócrito, teste sorológico e PCR de análise molecular) usados ​​e distribuição diferencial de moscas vetoras (tsé-tsé). Na revisão atual, foram realizados estudos retrospectivos da literatura publicada sobre distribuição e prevalência da infecção por Trypanosoma evansi nos países do mar Vermelho [Google Scholar e PubMed foram usados ​​para recuperar a literatura publicada de 2000 a 2020. Um total de 77 artigos publicados preencheu os critérios de elegibilidade e foi revisado. E há também 16 relatos sobre a prevalência e distribuição da infecção por Trypnosoma evansi nos países do mar Vermelho, de 2010 a 2020]. De acordo com a literatura publicada, podemos afirmar que a tripanossomíase em camelos é mais prevalente no Sudão do que em outros países, seguida por 17% e 51,78% em casos clínicos e não clínicos. Assim, os testes diagnósticos confiáveis ​​devem ser utilizados para o tratamento rápido ou controle da doença, pois, se eles não forem tratados de forma adequada na fase inicial, isso pode levar à morte dos camelos.