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Biobanks are infrastructures essential for research involving multi-disciplinary teams and an increasing number of stakeholders. In the field of personalized medicine, biobanks play a key role through the provision of well-characterized and annotated samples protecting at the same time the right of donors. The Andalusian Public Health System Biobank (SSPA Biobank) has implemented a global information management system made up of different modules that allow for the recording, traceability and monitoring of all the information associated with the biobank operations. The data model, designed in a standardized and normalized way according to international initiatives on data harmonization, integrates the information necessary to guarantee the quality of results from research, benefiting researchers, clinicians and donors.
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BACKGROUND: Abiotic factors play a significant role in the evolution of Leishmania infantum infection due to its vectorial nature. This study aims to assess the evolution in the detection of new L. infantum infection cases in Valdeorras (Ourense, Northwestern Spain) over a 20-year period and how different climatic variables and preventive measures may have affected it. METHODS: Indirect immunofluorescence antibody tests (IFAT) were performed on serum samples collected from dogs attending the 'Servicios Veterinarios de Sil' veterinary clinic (Valdeorras, Northwestern Spain) between May 2003 and April 2023 to detect L. infantum exposure. The percentage of new cases of L. infantum infection was calculated from May of one year to April of the following year. Climatic conditions in the region, global sales of ectoparasiticides and the number of vaccines against L. infantum delivered in the veterinary clinic from 2003 to 2022 were recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the associations between these factors and the percentage of new cases of L. infantum infection. RESULTS: A total of 2909 dogs were assessed, and 3785 IFAT tests were performed between May 2003 and April 2023. The mean percentage of new seropositive cases over the 20-year period studied was 21.65 ± 10.8%, with a decline from the beginning to the end of the period studied. The percentage was significantly higher between May 2003 and April 2008 compared with the other periods (May 2008 to April 2013, May 2013 to April 2018 and May 2018 to April 2023). There was a positive correlation between the percentage of new cases of L. infantum infection and the maximum relative humidity in winter. Conversely, there was a negative correlation between the percentage of new cases and sales of ectoparasiticides and vaccination against L. infantum. CONCLUSIONS: This study is one of the longest evaluations of the evolution of L. infantum infection in a fixed location and its association with external factors including climatic conditions and preventive measures. The results confirm that Valdeorras is a high-risk area for L. infantum infection. The use of ectoparasiticides and vaccines against L. infantum has been shown to play a significant role in preventing L. infantum infection, highlighting the crucial role of veterinarians in the fight against this disease.
Subject(s)
Climate , Dog Diseases , Leishmania infantum , Leishmaniasis, Visceral , Dogs , Animals , Spain/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/parasitology , Dog Diseases/epidemiology , Dog Diseases/prevention & control , Leishmania infantum/immunology , Leishmania infantum/isolation & purification , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/veterinary , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/epidemiology , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/prevention & control , Leishmaniasis, Visceral/parasitology , Antibodies, Protozoan/blood , Male , Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect , FemaleABSTRACT
Chronic inflammatory enteropathies (CIEs) are classified based on treatment trials, and new methods are being sought for earlier differentiation and characterization. Giardia infection (GIA) is one of the first differential diagnoses and may be present in CIE-affected dogs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the faecal characteristics and faecal fatty acid profile (short, medium, long, and branched-chain fatty acids) in dogs with food-responsive enteropathy (FRE), immunosuppressant-responsive enteropathy (IRE), and dogs infected with Giardia compared to healthy control (HC) animals as a potential non-invasive indicator of intestinal health that helps in the differentiation of CIEs. The C16:1n-7 percentage (p = 0.0001) and C16:1n-7/C16:0 ratio (p = 0.0001) served to differentiate between HC, FRE, and IRE. IRE dogs presented lower levels of short-chain fatty acids (∑SCFAs) (p = 0.0008) and acetic acid (C2) (p = 0.0007) compared to the other three groups and lower propionic acid (C3) (p = 0.0022) compared to HCs. IRE and GIA presented higher faecal fat content (p = 0.0080) and ratio of iso/anteiso branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs) compared to HC and FRE. Correlations between some fatty acids and desaturation indices with the canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index and faecal characteristics were observed, suggesting that these compounds could play an important role in the pathogenesis of these diseases.
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MAIN CONCLUSION: Natural selection influenced adaptive divergence between Cereus fernambucensis and Cereus insularis, revealing key genes governing abiotic stress responses and supporting neoteny in C. insularis. Uncovering the molecular mechanisms driving adaptive divergence in traits related to habitat adaptation remains a central challenge. In this study, we focused on the cactus clade, which includes Cereus sericifer F.Ritter, Cereus fernambucensis Lem., and Cereus insularis Hemsley. These allopatric species inhabit distinct relatively drier regions within the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, each facing unique abiotic conditions. We leveraged whole transcriptome data and abiotic variables datasets to explore lineage-specific and environment-specific adaptations in these species. Employing comparative phylogenetic methods, we identified genes under positive selection (PSG) and examined their association with non-synonymous genetic variants and abiotic attributes through a PhyloGWAS approach. Our analysis unveiled signatures of selection in all studied lineages, with C. fernambucensis northern populations and C. insularis showing the most PSGs. These PSGs predominantly govern abiotic stress regulation, encompassing heat tolerance, UV stress response, and soil salinity adaptation. Our exclusive observation of gene expression tied to early developmental stages in C. insularis supports the hypothesis of neoteny in this species. We also identified genes associated with abiotic variables in independent lineages, suggesting their role as environmental filters on genetic diversity. Overall, our findings suggest that natural selection played a pivotal role in the geographic range of these species in response to environmental and biogeographic transitions.
Subject(s)
Adaptation, Physiological , Cactaceae , Forests , Gene Expression Profiling , Phylogeny , Brazil , Cactaceae/genetics , Cactaceae/physiology , Adaptation, Physiological/genetics , Selection, Genetic , Transcriptome , Stress, Physiological/genetics , Gene Expression Regulation, PlantABSTRACT
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the degree of integration of patient safety in the training of medical faculties at universities in Spain. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted. An assessment was made of the curse syllabi of Spanish medical schools, summarizing the proportion of faculties that present each of the topics recommended in the WHO's curriculum guide. Results: Of the 49 faculties, access to the curse syllabus of the subjects for the academic year 2023-2024 was obtained from 38 (78%). Although 82% of the faculties integrated some patient safety topic, only 56% included between 1 and 3 of the 11 topics recommended by WHO. The maximum number of integrated topics was 7, and this was only achieved by 1 faculty. Conclusion: There is progress in the incorporation of fundamental concepts in patient safety, but the comprehensive implementation of all topics recommended by the WHO in Spanish medical schools is insufficient.
Subject(s)
Curriculum , Patient Safety , Spain , Humans , Cross-Sectional Studies , Education, Medical , Schools, Medical , World Health OrganizationABSTRACT
Introduction: Overprescribing of acid suppressants is a common phenomenon in human and small animal patients, leading to potential deleterious gastrointestinal (GI) and non-GI consequences. The impact of consensus statements on veterinary prescribing habits in clinical practice have not been fully evaluated. This study aimed to compare the prescribing habits of the proton pump inhibitor (PPI), omeprazole, in dogs in an academic veterinary teaching hospital before and after the publication of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) consensus statement on rational use of gastrointestinal protectants. Methods: Evaluation of the prescribing habits of omeprazole in dogs during the years 2017 and 2021 was retrospectively compared. These years were selected to reflect a 12-month period prior to and following the publication of the consensus statement. One hundred dogs from each year were randomly selected. Dose, frequency of administration, duration of treatment, concurrent prescription of more than one gastroprotectant and indications for prescribing omeprazole were analyzed. Results: A significant increase in the cases that received omeprazole q12h (p < 0.0001) or that underwent a tapering dose after ≥4 week-therapy (p > 0.0001) was detected after the publication of the 2018 ACVIM consensus statement. Considering the indications, there was also a significant increase in the appropriate prescription of omeprazole in the second compared to the first period of study (p < 0.0001). Fifteen of 16 clinicians (94%) involved in the prescription of omeprazole indicated that their reading of the consensus statement had changed their clinical practice regarding PPI administration in dogs. Discussion: These results support the beneficial impact of the ACVIM consensus statement on the judicious prescribing of omeprazole in an academic veterinary hospital. These results should not be extrapolated to first-opinion veterinary practices, and further efforts should be made to ensure that PPIs are prescribed prudently with a clear indication and regular review of the appropriateness of continued administration to minimize possible risks and adverse drug interactions.
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Here we use population genomic data (ddRAD-Seq) and ecological niche modeling to test biogeographic hypotheses for the divergence of the island-endemic cactus species Cereus insularis Hemsl. (Cereeae; Cactaceae) from its sister species C. fernambucensis Lem. The Cereus insularis grows in the Fernando de Noronha Islands (FNI), a Neotropical archipelago located 350 km off the Brazilian Atlantic Forest (BAF) coast. Phylogeographic reconstructions support a northward expansion by the common ancestor of C. insularis and C. fernambucensis along the mainland BAF coast, with C. insularis diverging from the widespread mainland taxon C. fernambucensis after colonizing FNI in the late Pleistocene. The morphologically distinct C. insularis is monophyletic and nested within C. fernambucensis, as expected from a progenitor-derivative speciation model. We tested alternative biogeographic and demographic hypotheses for the colonization of the FNI using Approximate Bayesian Computation. We found the greatest support for a stepping-stone path that emerged during periods of decreased sea level (the "bridge" hypothesis), in congruence with historical ecological niche modeling that shows highly suitable habitats on stepping-stone islands during glacial periods. The outlier analyses reveal signatures of selection in C. insularis, suggesting a putative role of adaptation driving rapid anagenic differentiation of this species in FNI.
Subject(s)
Bayes Theorem , Cactaceae , Islands , Phylogeny , Phylogeography , Cactaceae/genetics , Brazil , Ecosystem , Genetics, PopulationABSTRACT
A teaching strategy using 3D-printed models of the canine upper digestive tract (UDT) for anatomy demonstration and upper endoscopy instruction was evaluated. The canine UDT (esophagus-stomach-duodenum) was scanned and 3D-printed molds were manufactured using silicone casting. First-year students were introduced to these 3D models in practical sessions alongside real specimens. Simultaneously, fifth-year students were trained in endoscope handling and anatomical recognition using 3D specimens. Both groups completed an anonymous survey. Results showed that overall, first-year (n = 93) and fifth-year (n = 45) students agreed or strongly agreed that the 3D-printed model was effective for learning purposes. In summary, first-year students highlighted an improved understanding of size, volume, topography, and easier manipulation of the 3D model compared to fresh specimens. Fifth-year students were more enthusiastic, finding the 3D model valuable for spatial vision and clinical training. While both groups were against completely replacing the natural UDT with the 3D model, first-year students were more hesitant. These findings suggest that the 3D model of the canine UDT is an effective tool for hands-on training in clinical endoscopy and a valuable, albeit complementary, resource for teaching anatomy and topography.
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BACKGROUND: Dysregulated T lymphocyte response is thought to play a key role in chronic intestinal inflammation (CIE). OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the presence of changes in peripheral and intestinal T lymphocyte subsets and to describe potential immune and inflammatory biomarkers in dogs with CIE. ANIMALS: Sixteen healthy dogs and 26 dogs were diagnosed with CIE. METHODS: Prospective case-control study evaluating peripheral and intestinal T lymphocytes using flow cytometry and inflammatory markers obtained from complete blood cell counts. RESULTS: Dogs with CIE had higher peripheral activated T helper (Th) lymphocytes (87/µL [18-273] CIE, 44/µL [16-162] healthy control (HC, P = .013) and regulatory T cells (Treg; 108/µL [2-257] CIE, 34/µL [1-114] HC, P = .004). In the intestinal epithelium, CIE dogs presented lower percentages of Th (4.55% [1.75-18.67] CIE, 8.77% [3.79-25.03] HC, P = .002), activated Th cells (0.16% [0.02-0.83] CIE, 0.33% [0.05-0.57] HC, P = .03) and CD4/CD8 ratio (0.08 [0.02-0.39] CIE, 0.21 [0.07-0.85] HC, P = .003). Conversely, higher percentage of activated T cytotoxic cells (20.24% [3.12-77.12] CIE, 12.32% [1.21-39.22] HC, P = .04) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) producing T lymphocytes (7.36% [0.63-55.83] CIE, 1.44% [0.00-10.56] HC, P = .01) within the epithelium was observed. In the lamina propria the percentage of Treg lymphocytes was higher (6.02% [1.00-21.48] CIE, 3.52% [0.18-10.52] HC, P = .02). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Systemic and intestinal immune alterations occur in dogs with CIE suggesting that blood IFN-γ producing T lymphocytes and the systemic immune-inflamation index (SII) could potentially serve as biomarkers for the disease.
Subject(s)
Dog Diseases , T-Lymphocyte Subsets , Animals , Dogs , Dog Diseases/immunology , Case-Control Studies , Female , Male , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , Prospective Studies , Flow Cytometry/veterinary , Intestinal Mucosa/immunology , Intestinal Mucosa/pathology , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/veterinary , Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/immunology , Chronic Disease/veterinary , T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunologyABSTRACT
Despite the increasing interest in studying the gut mycobiota of dogs, the association between fungal colonization and the development of digestive disorders in this species remains largely understudied. On the other hand, the high prevalence of antifungal-resistant yeasts detected in previous studies in samples from animals represents a major threat to public health. We analyzed the presence of culturable yeasts in 112 rectal swab samples obtained from dogs with digestive disorders attended in a veterinary teaching hospital. Our results revealed that Malassezia pachydermatis was frequently isolated from the studied dog population (33.9% of samples), and that the isolation of this yeast was significantly associated to the age of animals, but not to their sex, disease group, or the presence of vomits and/or diarrhea. In contrast, other yeast species were less prevalent (17.9% of samples in total), and their isolation was not significantly associated to any variable included in the analysis. Additionally, we observed that 97.5% of the studied M. pachydermatis isolates (n = 158, 1-6 per positive episode) displayed a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value >4 µg/ml to nystatin, 31.6% had a MIC ≥32 µg/ml to fluconazole, and 27.2% had a MIC >4 µg/ml to amphotericin B. The antifungal susceptibility profiles of non-Malassezia (n = 43, 1-7 per episode) were more variable and included elevated MIC values for some antifungal-species combinations. These results confirm that the intestine of dogs is a reservoir of opportunistic pathogenic yeasts and suggest that the prevalence of M. pachydermatis colonization depends more on the age of animals than on any specific digestive disorder.
Subject(s)
Dermatomycoses , Dog Diseases , Microbiota , Dogs , Animals , Antifungal Agents/pharmacology , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Hospitals, Animal , Dermatomycoses/drug therapy , Dermatomycoses/microbiology , Dermatomycoses/veterinary , Hospitals, Teaching , Dog Diseases/drug therapy , Microbial Sensitivity Tests/veterinaryABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cactaceae are succulent plants, quasi-endemic to the American continent, and one of the most endangered plant groups in the world. Molecular phylogenies have been key to unravelling phylogenetic relationships among major cactus groups, previously hampered by high levels of morphological convergence. Phylogenetic studies using plastid markers have not provided adequate resolution for determining generic relationships within cactus groups. This is the case for the tribe Cereeae s.l., a highly diverse group from tropical America. Here we aimed to reconstruct a well-resolved phylogenetic tree of tribe Cereeae and update the circumscription of suprageneric and generic groups in this tribe. METHODS: We integrated sequence data from public gene and genomic databases with new target sequences (generated using the customized Cactaceae591 probe set) across representatives of this tribe, with a denser taxon sampling of the subtribe Cereinae. We inferred concatenated and coalescent phylogenetic trees and compared the performance of both approaches. KEY RESULTS: Six well-supported suprageneric clades were identified using different datasets. However, only genomic datasets, especially the Cactaceae591, were able to resolve the contentious relationships within the subtribe Cereinae. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a new taxonomic classification within Cereeae based on well-resolved clades, including new subtribes (Aylosterinae subtr. nov., Uebelmanniinae subtr. nov. and Gymnocalyciinae subtr. nov.) and revised subtribes (Trichocereinae, Rebutiinae and Cereinae). We emphasize the importance of using genomic datasets allied with coalescent inference to investigate evolutionary patterns within the tribe Cereeae.
Subject(s)
Biological Evolution , Cactaceae , Phylogeny , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Genomics , Cactaceae/geneticsABSTRACT
Leishmaniases affect 12 million people worldwide. They are caused by Leishmania spp., protozoan parasites transmitted to mammals by female phlebotomine flies. During the life cycle, promastigote forms of the parasite live in the gut of infected sandflies and convert into amastigotes inside the vertebrate macrophages. The parasite evades macrophage's microbicidal responses due to virulence factors that affect parasite phagocytosis, survival and/or proliferation. The interaction between Leishmania and macrophage molecules is essential to phagocytosis and parasite survival. Proteins containing leucine-rich repeats (LRRs) are common in several organisms, and these motifs are usually involved in proteinprotein interactions. We have identified the LRR17 gene, which encodes a protein with 6 LRR domains, in the genomes of several Leishmania species. We show here that promastigotes of Leishmania (L.) amazonensis overexpressing LaLRR17 are more infective in vitro. We produced recombinant LaLRR17 protein and identified macrophage 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78) as a ligand for LaLRR17 employing affinity chromatography followed by mass spectrometry. We showed that GRP78 binds to LaLRR17 and that its blocking precludes the increase of infection conferred by LaLRR17. Our results are the first to report LRR17 gene and protein, and we hope they stimulate further studies on how this protein increases phagocytosis of Leishmania.
Subject(s)
Leishmania , Leishmaniasis , Parasites , Humans , Animals , Female , Mice , Leishmania/physiology , Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP , Macrophages/parasitology , Mice, Inbred BALB C , MammalsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Patients with lung cancer are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe complications from COVID-19, but information on the efficacy of anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in these patients is scarce. We aimed at evaluating the safety and immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The prospective, nationwide SOLID substudy, enrolled adults with lung cancer who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Serum anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody levels were quantitatively assessed two weeks and six months after receipt of the last dose using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Multivariate odds ratios for the association between demographic and clinical factors and seronegativity after vaccination were estimated. RESULTS: 1973 lung cancer patients were enrolled. Most patients had stage IV disease (66%) and were receiving active cancer treatment (82.7%). No significant differences were found in the probability of being seronegative for anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies after full vaccination between patients who were receiving active cancer treatment and those who were not (p = 0.396). The administration of immunotherapy or oral targeted therapy and immunization with mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine were factors independently associated with increased odds of being seropositive after vaccination. From all patients, 1405 received the second dose of vaccine and high levels of antibody titers were observed in 93.6% of patients two weeks after second dose. At six months, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that performance status ≥ 2 was independently associated with a higher probability of being seronegative after full vaccination with an OR 4.15. On the other hand, received chemotherapy or oral target therapy and vaccination with mRNA-1273 were a factor independently associated with lower odds of being seronegative after full vaccination with an OR 0.52, 0.37 and 0.34, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Lung cancer patients can safely achieve a strong immune response against SARS-CoV-2 after full vaccination, regardless of the cancer treatment received. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04407143.
Subject(s)
COVID-19 , Lung Neoplasms , Adult , Humans , 2019-nCoV Vaccine mRNA-1273 , COVID-19/epidemiology , COVID-19/prevention & control , COVID-19 Vaccines/adverse effects , Lung Neoplasms/therapy , Prospective Studies , SARS-CoV-2ABSTRACT
AIM: To evaluate the quality of podcasts produced by lecturers as pre-class learning material; to verify lecturers' buy-in, after a specific workshop, regarding the practice of producing and using podcasts. BACKGROUND: The teaching-learning process has undergone significant changes in recent years with the proposal of the flipped classroom strategy, which places the student at the center of the learning process and uses technology that requires adaptation of lecturers, both inside and outside the classroom. Pre-class learning material is one of the features of the flipped classroom model. It provides basic concepts for problem solving in small group discussion in classroom. Podcasts for this educational purpose are a recent technology and their innovative characteristics require deeper understanding in terms of their influence and usability. DESIGN: Prospective, descriptive and quantitative study. SETTING AND POPULATION: A workshop on the production of educational podcasts was offered to 23 lecturers on the Nursing course. METHODS: Data were collected in the second semester of 2021 and the quality analysis was based on criteria available in the literature. RESULTS: Eighteen professors (78 %) participated in the study and 46 podcasts were produced. Most professors being nurses (61 %), followed by biologists (28 %). Most have a doctorate degree (72 %). These podcasts were available for a mean of five days before the classes and their mean access rate by students was 58 %. There was no correlation between the access rate and the period of availability before the relative class. Most podcasts were informative (100 %) and monologues (98 %). The average duration was 6.2 min, which is within the ideal duration recommended in the literature. All of the podcasts included a description of the learning objectives at the beginning and most of them also included a closing message at the end. CONCLUSION: The nursing lecturers were able to produce their podcasts, which met quality criteria and reached the standards suggested by experts in the field.
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Learning , Students, Nursing , Humans , Prospective Studies , Students , Educational Status , Problem Solving , Problem-Based Learning , CurriculumABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to assess the quality of life (QoL) of dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the impact on the life and relationship of the owner. An online questionnaire based on a Likert scale score (1-10) was designed to assess items related to dog QoL, owner QoL, and the owner-dog relationship. Responses from 110 dog owners (30 with IBD and 80 healthy dogs) were included in the study. IBD dogs had significantly lower overall QoL (p < 0.001), health (p < 0.0001), and level of activity (p = 0.049). Owners of dogs with IBD reported lower overall QoL (p < 0.001). The scores for how their dog's QoL might affect their own QoL (p = 0.028), how much their dog limited their social life, leisure time, or daily activities (p = 0.015), and how often they felt burdened by caring for their dog (p = 0.006) were significantly higher in the IBD group when compared to the healthy group. In addition, IBD dog owners were more likely to see their dogs as children (p = 0.0004). IBD has a negative impact on affected dogs and their owners regardless of the severity of the disease.
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Canine chronic inflammatory enteropathy implicates multifactorial pathogenesis where immunological dysregulation and gut microbiota changes have a central role. Most sequencing-based taxonomic studies have been focused on the fecal microbiota. However, the analysis of these samples does not provide complete information regarding the composition of the small intestine affected by this canine disease. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to characterize the intestinal bacterial microbiota in dogs with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (n = 34) by means of duodenal biopsies and fecal samples collected at the time of the diagnosis and to compare those to a group of healthy dogs (n = 12) using the 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene-targeted sequencing (Illumina MiSeq platform). Our study showed that IBD dogs presented differences in the fecal bacterial communities when compared with healthy dogs, with a lower relative abundance of Prevotellaceae (p = 0.005), Prevotella (p = 0.002), and Prevotellaceae Ga6A1 group (0.006); Erysipelotrichales (p = 0.019), Candidatus Stoquefichus (p < 0.001), Erysipelotrichaceae (p = 0.011), and Allobaculum (p = 0.003); Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group (p = 0.015), Sellimonas (p = 0.042), Oscillospirales (p = 0.037), Oscillospiraceae UCG-005 (p < 0.001), Faecalibacterium (p = 0.028), and Fournierella (p = 0.034); Acidaminococcales, Acidaminococcaceae, and Phascolarctobacterium (p = 0.001); Aeromonadales (p = 0.026), Succinivibrionaceae (p = 0.037), and Succinivibrio (p = 0.031). On the other hand, a higher relative abundance of Enterococcaceae (Enterococcus; p = 0.003), Streptococcaceae (Streptococcus, p = 0.021), Enterobacterales (p = 0.027), Enterobacteriaceae (p = 0.008), and Escherichia-Shigella (p = 0.011) was detected. Moreover, when evaluating α-diversity, the dogs with IBD showed lower diversity in terms of richness and abundance of species (observed species [p = 0.031] and Shannon index [p = 0.039]). Furthermore, fecal microbiota in dogs with IBD was significantly different from healthy dogs (p = 0.006). However, only a few taxa relative abundance shifts (lower Rubrobacteria, Rubrobacterales, Rubrobacteriaceae, and Rubrobacter [p = 0.002]; Cyanobacteria [p = 0.010], Vampirivibrionia, Obscuribacterales, and Obscuribacteraceae [p = 0.005]; Neisseriaceae [p = 0.004] and Conchiformibius [p = 0.003]) were observed when assessing duodenal-associated microbiota of dogs with IBD. Thus, even if the bowel inflammation mainly affects the small intestine in the IBD-affected dogs of the study, fecal specimens may constitute a better sample due not only to their easy availability but also in terms of searching for bacterial taxa as biomarkers for canine IBD. The use of different diets in the study can also have a partial influence on the microbiota composition. Future studies encompassing multi-omics approaches should evaluate the functionality in both levels to unravel the pathophysiology of canine IBD.
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Dogs suffering from food-responsive enteropathy (FRE) respond to an elimination diet based on hydrolysed protein or novel protein; however, studies regarding the amino acid profile in FRE dogs are lacking. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate whether the plasma and faecal amino acid profiles differed between control and FRE dogs and whether these could serve as indicators of severity of illness. Blood, faecal samples, body condition score, and severity of clinical signs based on the canine inflammatory bowel disease activity index were collected before starting the elimination diet. FRE dogs had lower proportions of plasma Asparagine, Histidine, Glycine, Cystine, Leucine, and branched-chain/aromatic amino acids; however, Phenylalanine increased. In faecal samples, Cystine was greater whereas Phenylalanine was lesser in sick dogs compared to control. Leucine correlated negatively with faecal humidity (r = -0.66), and Leucine and Phenylalanine with faecal fat (r = -0.57 and r = -0.62, respectively). Faecal Phenylalanine (r = 0.80), Isoleucine (r = 0.75), and Leucine (r = 0.92) also correlated positively with total short-chain fatty acids, whereas a negative correlation was found with Glycine (r = -0.85) and Cystine (r = -0.61). This study demonstrates the importance of Leucine and Phenylalanine amino acids as indicators of the disease severity in FRE dogs.
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PREMISE: Pilosocereus (Cactaceae) is an important dry forest element in all subregions and transitional zones of the neotropics, with the highest diversity in eastern Brazil. The genus is subdivided into informal taxonomic groups; however, most of these are not supported by recent molecular phylogenetic inferences. This lack of confidence is probably due to the use of an insufficient number of loci and the complexity of cactus diversification. Here, we explored the species relationships in Pilosocereus in more detail, integrating multilocus phylogenetic approaches with the assessment of the ancestral range and the effect of geography on diversification shifts. METHODS: We used 28 nuclear, plastid, and mitochondrial loci from 54 plant samples of 31 Pilosocereus species for phylogenetic analyses. We used concatenated and coalescent phylogenetic trees and Bayesian models to estimate the most likely ancestral range and diversification shifts. RESULTS: All Pilosocereus species were clustered in the same branch, except P. bohlei. The phylogenetic relationships were more associated with the geographic distribution than taxonomic affinities among taxa. The genus began diversifying during the Plio-Pleistocene transition in the Caatinga domain and experienced an increased diversification rate during the Calabrian age. CONCLUSIONS: We recovered a well-supported multispecies coalescent phylogeny. Our results refine the pattern of rapid diversification of Pilosocereus species across neotropical drylands during the Pleistocene and highlight the need for taxonomic rearrangements in the genus. We recovered a pulse of diversification during the Pleistocene that was likely driven by multiple dispersal and vicariance events within and among the Caatinga, Cerrado, and Atlantic Forest domains.
Subject(s)
Forests , Phylogeny , Phylogeography , Bayes Theorem , BrazilABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Follicular lymphoma (FL) is the most frequent indolent non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Around 20% of patients suffer early disease progression within 24 months (POD24) of diagnosis. This study examined the significance of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in predicting response to therapy and POD24 in patients with FL. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We collected 100 plasma samples, before and during the treatment, from 36 patients with FL prospectively enrolled in 8 Spanish hospitals. They were treated with a chemotherapy-rituximab regimen and followed up for a median of 3.43 years. We performed targeted deep sequencing in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and tumor genomic DNA from 31 diagnostic biopsy samples. RESULTS: Of the alterations detected in the diagnostic tissue samples, 73% (300/411) were also identified in basal cfDNA. The mean numbers of alterations per basal cfDNA sample in patients who suffered progression of disease within 24 months (POD24-pos) or did not achieve complete response (non-CR) were significantly higher than in POD24-neg or CR patients (unpaired samples t test, P = 0.0001 and 0.001, respectively). Pretreatment ctDNA levels, as haploid genome equivalents per milliliter of plasma, were higher in patients without CR (P = 0.02) and in POD24-pos patients compared with POD24-neg patients (P < 0.001). Dynamic analysis showed that ctDNA levels decreased dramatically after treatment, although the reduction was more significant in patients with CR and POD24-neg patients. CONCLUSIONS: Basal ctDNA levels are associated with the risk of early progression and response to treatment in FL. cfDNA monitoring and genotyping during treatment and follow-up predict response to treatment and early progression.
Subject(s)
Cell-Free Nucleic Acids , Circulating Tumor DNA , Lymphoma, Follicular , Humans , Lymphoma, Follicular/diagnosis , Lymphoma, Follicular/drug therapy , Lymphoma, Follicular/genetics , Circulating Tumor DNA/genetics , Pilot Projects , Prospective Studies , Disease ProgressionABSTRACT
Background: Velocity loss (VL) at 1 m·s−1 can help to determine neuromuscular fatigue after performing an exercise protocol. The aim of this study was to analyse muscle fatigue and metabolic stress during the 15 min that follow the execution of a bench press (BP) exercise protocol. Methods: Forty-four healthy male students of sports science performed two exercise sessions separated by one week of rest. In the first week, the participants carried out a test with progressive loads in the (BP) exercise until reaching the one-repetition maximum (1RM) in order to obtain the load−velocity relationship of each participant. In the second week, each participant conducted three BP exercise sets at an intensity of 70% of 1RM, determining this load through the mean propulsive velocity (MPV) obtained from the individual load−velocity relationship, with the participants performing the maximum number of repetitions (MNR) to muscle failure. Two minutes of rest were allocated between sets. MPV at 1 m·s−1 and blood lactate concentrations were recorded before executing the exercise and at minute 0, 5, 10 and 15 after performing the exercise protocol. Results: A two-factor repeated measures ANOVA was performed. MPV at 1 m·s−1 in minute 0 post-exercise was −33.3% (p < 0.05), whereas in minute 10 and 15 post-exercise, it was ≈−9% (p > 0.05). Regarding the blood lactate levels, significant differences were observed in all measurements before and after the exercise protocol (p < 0.001), obtaining ≈7 mmol·L−1 at minute 10 post-exercise and 4.3 mmol·L−1 after 15 min of recovery. Conclusions: MPV with medium or moderate loads shows a certain recovery from minute 10 of rest. However, the blood lactate levels are still high (>5 mmol·L−1). Therefore, although there seem to be certain conditions to reach a similar maximum MPV peak, the residual fatigue at the neuromuscular level and the non-recovery of metabolic homeostasis would hinder the reproduction of these protocols, both at the level of applied stimulus and from a methodological perspective, since a long recovery time would be required between sets and exercises.