Co-infecting viruses of species Bovine rhinitis B virus (Picornaviridae) and Bovine nidovirus 1 (Tobaniviridae) identified for the first time from a post-mortem respiratory sample of a sheep (Ovis aries) in Hungary.

In this study, a picornavirus and a nidovirus were identified from a single available nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) sample of a freshly deceased sheep, as the only vertebrate viruses found with viral metagenomics and next-generation sequencing methods. The sample was originated from a mixed feedlot farm in Hungary where sheep and cattle were held together but in separate stalls. Most of the sheep had respiratory signs (coughing and increased respiratory effort) at the time of sampling. Other NPS were not, but additional enteric samples were collected from sheep (n = 27) and cattle (n = 11) of the same farm at that time. The complete/nearly complete genomes of the identified viruses were determined using RT-PCR and Nanopore (MinION-Flonge) / Dye-terminator sequencing techniques. The results of detailed genomic and phylogenetic analyses indicate that the identified picornavirus most likely belongs to a type 4 genotype of species Bovine rhinitis B virus (BRBV-4, OR885914) of genus Aphthovirus, family Picornaviridae while the ovine nidovirus (OvNV, OR885915) - as a novel variant - could belong to the recently created Bovine nidovirus 1 (BoNV) species of genus Bostovirus, family Tobaniviridae. None of the identified viruses were detectable in the enteric samples using RT-PCR and generic screening primer pairs. Both viruses are well-known respiratory pathogens of cattle, but their presence was not demonstrated before in other animals, like sheep. Furthermore, neither BRBV-4 nor BoNVs were investigated in European cattle and/or sheep flocks, therefore it cannot be determined whether the presence of these viruses in sheep was a result of a single host species switch/spillover event or these viruses are circulating in not just cattle but sheep populations as well. Further studies required to investigate the spread of these viruses in Hungarian and European sheep and cattle populations and to identify their pathogenic potential in sheep.

Examination of the Virulence of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae Serovar 16 in Pigs.

Different virulence variants of A. pleuropneumoniae are involved in the etiology of porcine pleuropneumonia. The purpose of the present trial was examination of the virulence of the Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae A-85/14 strain, the type strain of serovar 16, in an animal challenge experiment. Thirty 12-week-old piglets seronegative for A. pleuropneumoniae were allocated into three trial groups each of 10 animals, and they were infected intranasally with 106, 107, or 108 colony forming units (cfu) of the strain, respectively. Clinical signs were recorded twice a day, and the animals were euthanized 6 days after the infection. Typical clinical signs and postmortem lesions of porcine pleuropneumonia were seen in the animals of each trial group; however, they were generally mild, and no significant differences could be seen between the three groups. Even 106 colony forming units of A. pleuropneumoniae A-85/14 strain could induce clinical signs and lesions. Based on these results, the type strain of serovar 16 of A. pleuropneumoniae must be regarded as a typical pathogenic strain of the species.

Unusual "Asian-origin" 2c to 2b point mutant canine parvovirus (Parvoviridae) and canine astrovirus (Astroviridae) co-infection detected in vaccinated dogs with an outbreak of severe haemorrhagic gastroenteritis with high mortality rate in Hungary.

In this study, the aetiological background of an outbreak of severe haemorrhagic gastroenteritis (HGE) in a colony of purebred Jack Russell Terriers vaccinated against CPV-2 in Hungary was investigated. Canine parvovirus 2 (CPV-2, Parvoviridae) and canine astrovirus (CaAstV, Astroviridae) co-infection was identified by viral metagenomics and next-generation sequencing (VM-NGS) methods from a rectal swab of an affected 7-week-old puppy. The complete coding sequence of CPV-2 strain FR1/CPV2-2021-HUN (ON733252) and the complete genome of CaAstV strain FR1/CaAstV-2021-HUN (ON733251) were determined by VM-NGS and PCR methods. Results of sequence and phylogenetic analyses showed that CPV-2 strain FR1/CPV2-2021-HUN was different from the applied vaccine strains and previously identified strains from Hungary but showed high sequence identity (> 99.8%) and close phylogenetic relationship to recently described "Asian-origin" CPV-2c strains from Italy. But, based on the single amino acid difference on position 426 of VP2 (Glu/Asp) between the study strain and the closest relatives, FR1/CPV2-2021-HUN belonged to the 2b antigenic type rather than 2c. The CaAstV strain FR1/CaAstV-2021-HUN showed close relationship with a CaAstV strain identified previously from a diarrhoeic dog in Hungary. Both viruses were continuously detectable by PCR in additional enteric samples, and the CPV-2 could also be detected in several (n = 32) tissue samples from 9 affected deceased puppies. Further comparative studies are necessary to confirm the role of the point mutation causing the change in the antigenic type of this "Asian-origin" CPV-2 and/or the role of CaAstV co-infection in the development and/or severity of (haemorrhagic) gastroenteritis among dogs vaccinated against CPV-2.

Elimination of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus infection using an inactivated vaccine in combination with a roll-over method in a Hungarian large-scale pig herd.

BACKGROUND: Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes severe economic losses worldwide and only four countries in Europe are free from PRRSV. Complete depopulation-repopulation is the safest and fastest, but also the most expensive method for eradicating PRRSV from a population. Another possible way to eliminate an endemic PRRSV infection is to replace the infected breeding stock by gilts reared isolated and protected from PRRSV on an infected farm. With this method it is possible to maintain continuous production on the farm. The authors report the first successful elimination of PRRSV in a Hungarian large-scale pig farm by using an inactivated vaccine and performing segregated rearing of the offspring. CASE PRESENTATION: The study was performed on a PRRSV infected farm (Farm A) with 1475 sows. The clinical signs of reproductive failure had been eliminated previously by using an inactivated vaccine (Progressis®, Ceva). At the beginning of the elimination programme, gilts intended for breeding were vaccinated at 60 and 90-100 days of age. After that, gilts selected for breeding were vaccinated at 6 months of age, on the 60-70th day of pregnancy and at weaning. Approximately 1200 piglets from vaccinated sows were transported at 7 weeks of age to a closed, empty farm (Farm B) after being tested negative for PRRSV by a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, and then were reared here until 14 weeks of age. At this age, all pigs were tested by PRRS ELISA. Seronegative gilts (n = 901) were subsequently transported from Farm B to a third, closed and empty farm (Farm C), and (having reached the breeding age) they were inseminated here after a second negative serological test (ELISA). At the same time, Farm A was depopulated, cleaned and disinfected. All pregnant gilts were transported from Farm C to Farm A after being re-tested negative for antibodies against PRRSV. Follow-up serology tests were performed after farrowing and results yielded only seronegative animals. Based on the subsequent negative test results, the herd was declared PRRSV free by the competent authority. CONCLUSIONS: The presented farm was the first during the National PRRS Eradication Programme of Hungary to eradicate PRRSV successfully by vaccinating the sows with an inactivated vaccine and performing segregated rearing of the offspring. Production was almost continuous during the whole process of population replacement.

Development and Large-Scale Testing of a Novel One-Step Triplex RT-qPCR Assay for Simultaneous Detection of "Neurotropic" Porcine Sapeloviruses, Teschoviruses (Picornaviridae) and Type 3 Porcine Astroviruses (Astroviridae) in Various Samples including Nasal Swabs.

Porcine sapeloviruses, teschoviruses of family Picornaviridae and type 3 porcine astroviruses of family Astroviridae are (re-)emerging enteric pathogens that could be associated with severe, disseminated infections in swine, affecting multiple organs including the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, small-scale pioneer studies indicate the presence of these viruses in porcine nasal samples to various extents. The laboratory diagnostics are predominantly based on the detection of the viral RNA from faecal and tissue samples using different nucleic-acid-based techniques such as RT-qPCR. In this study, a novel highly sensitive one-step triplex RT-qPCR assay was introduced which can detect all known types of neurotropic sapelo-, tescho- and type 3 astroviruses in multiple types of samples of swine. The assay was evaluated using in vitro synthesized RNA standards and a total of 142 archived RNA samples including known sapelo-, tescho- and type 3 astrovirus positive and negative CNS, enteric and nasal specimens. The results of a large-scale epidemiological investigation of these viruses on n = 473 nasal swab samples from n = 28 industrial-type swine farms in Hungary indicate that all three neurotropic viruses, especially type 3 astroviruses, are widespread and endemically present on most of the investigated farms.

A Case of Infectious Laryngotracheitis in an Organic Broiler Chicken Farm in Greece.

Infectious laryngotracheitis is an economically significant viral disease of chickens, that mainly affects the upper respiratory tract, and is present worldwide. This case reports the first outbreak of infectious laryngotracheitis in a four-week-old organic broiler farm and surrounding flocks in Greece, with typical clinical symptoms and lesions, allegedly provoked by a wild strain of infectious laryngotracheitis virus. Our findings contradict the general perception indicating that the disease appears mainly in older birds and that vaccine strains are the primary cause of infectious laryngotracheitis outbreaks in most continents. A recombinant vectored vaccine was administered, supplementary to biosecurity measures, containing the viral spread. The responsible strain was potentially circulating in the area; therefore, an industry-wide holistic approach was applied, including the vaccination of neighboring broilers and breeders with the same vaccine, the rapid molecular diagnosis of the disease, and strict biosecurity protocols. The results of this holistic effort were effective because, following the application of vaccine and management protocols, manifestations of the disease in regional flocks dropped significantly, and there was no recurrence to date. These findings suggest that vaccination protocols should be modified, especially for organic broilers, to include vaccination against infectious laryngotracheitis.

Multiple Types of Novel Enteric Bopiviruses (Picornaviridae) with the Possibility of Interspecies Transmission Identified from Cloven-Hoofed Domestic Livestock (Ovine, Caprine and Bovine) in Hungary.

Most picornaviruses of the family Picornaviridae are relatively well known, but there are certain "neglected" genera like Bopivirus, containing a single uncharacterised sequence (bopivirus A1, KM589358) with very limited background information. In this study, three novel picornaviruses provisionally called ovipi-, gopi- and bopivirus/Hun (MW298057-MW298059) from enteric samples of asymptomatic ovine, caprine and bovine respectively, were determined using RT-PCR and dye-terminator sequencing techniques. These monophyletic viruses share the same type II-like IRES, NPGP-type 2A, similar genome layout (4-3-4) and cre-localisations. Culture attempts of the study viruses, using six different cell lines, yielded no evidence of viral growth in vitro. Genomic and phylogenetic analyses show that bopivirus/Hun of bovine belongs to the species Bopivirus A, while the closely related ovine-origin ovipi- and caprine-origin gopivirus could belong to a novel species "Bopivirus B" in the genus Bopivirus. Epidemiological investigation of N = 269 faecal samples of livestock (ovine, caprine, bovine, swine and rabbit) from different farms in Hungary showed that bopiviruses were most prevalent among <12-month-old ovine, caprine and bovine, but undetectable in swine and rabbit. VP1 capsid-based phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of multiple lineages/genotypes, including closely related ovine/caprine strains, suggesting the possibility of ovine-caprine interspecies transmission of certain bopiviruses.

Effects of Single and Repeated Oral Doses of Ochratoxin A on the Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Defense Systems in Mouse Kidneys.

Ochratoxin-A (OTA) is a carcinogenic and nephrotoxic mycotoxin, which may cause health problems in humans and animals, and it is a contaminant in foods and feeds. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effect of oral OTA exposure on the antioxidant defense and lipid peroxidation in the kidney. In vivo administration of OTA in CD1, male mice (1 or 10 mg/kg body weight in a single oral dose for 24 h and repeated daily oral dose for 72 h or repeated daily oral dose of 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight for 21 days) resulted in a significant elevation of OTA levels in blood plasma. Some histopathological alterations, transcriptional changes in the glutathione system, and oxidative stress response-related genes were also found. In the renal cortex, the activity of the glutathione-system-related enzymes and certain metabolites of the lipid peroxidation (conjugated dienes, trienes, and thiobarbituric reactive substances) also changed.

Metal element alteration in the lung by cisplatin and CV247 administration.

Despite significant nephrotoxicity, cisplatin is still used in the therapy of various tumors. We were interested in how metal ion composition is altered by cisplatin and whether platinum accumulates in the non-tumorous lung. We also aimed to study metal ion changes after treatment with a veterinary medicament CV247 with antioxidant property (containing Cu and Mn gluconate, ascorbic acid, Na salicylate), and whether CV247 alters pulmonary platinum accumulation in the healthy lung. Male Wistar rats were randomly selected into 4 groups (n = 10/group): control group, cisplatin-treated group, CV247-treated group, cisplatin + CV247-treated group. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry were used for measuring Al, As, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Pt, S, Sb, Se, Sn, Sr, and Zn in the lung and the redox state was measured in the plasma. Cisplatin influenced the element homeostasis in the lung. Pt, Mn, Se accumulation and Ca, Mg excretion were observed after treatment with cisplatin. The antioxidant CV247 supplementation modified the Mn concentration; however, the concentration of Cu did not change despite the Cu content of the product, and CV247 did not affect other metal concentrations in the lung of the cisplatin-treated group. In conclusion, cisplatin has a systemic impact on the metal element metabolism, and this effect was demonstrated in the healthy lung, too. The results indicate the importance of supplementing some essential elements, such as Ca and Mg during cisplatin cancer therapy.

High prevalence, genetic diversity and a potentially novel genotype of Sapelovirus A (Picornaviridae) in enteric and respiratory samples in Hungarian swine farms.

All of the known porcine sapeloviruses (PSVs) currently belong to a single genotype in the genus Sapelovirus (family Picornaviridae). Here, the complete genome of a second, possibly recombinant, genotype of PSV strain SZ1M-F/PSV/HUN2013 (MN807752) from a faecal sample of a paraplegic pig in Hungary was characterized using viral metagenomics and RT-PCR. This sapelovirus strain showed only 64 % nucleotide identity in the VP1 region to its closest PSV-1 relative. Complete VP1 sequence-based epidemiological investigations of PSVs circulating in Hungary showed the presence of diverse strains found in high prevalence in enteric and respiratory samples collected from both asymptomatic and paraplegic pigs from 12 swine farms. Virus isolation attempts using PK-15 cell cultures were successful in 3/8 cases for the classic but not the novel PSV genotype. Sequence comparisons of faeces and isolate strains derived VP1 showed that cultured PSV strains not always represent the dominant PSVs found in vivo.

Detection and phylogenetic characterization of atypical porcine pestivirus strains in Hungary.

Atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV) is a recently identified RNA virus within the Flaviviridae family, causing congenital tremor (CT) in the piglets of infected sows. We have investigated 25 cases of CT from 2005, 2007, 2010 and 2016-2018, originating from six different farms. RT-PCR has been performed on these samples and all of the affected piglets were positive to APPV. Our phylogenetic analysis showed that Hungarian strains show a high degree of variability and are clustered into five distinct lineages. Four strains originating from one farm have shown exceptional similarity (99.9%) to an Austrian sequence, whereas another one from a different herd was grouped close to a Chinese strain (96.4% similarity). Our results suggest multiple events of introduction of the virus from various sources into Hungary. This is the first report of the presence and clinical relevance of APPV in the Hungarian pig population.

Outbreaks of Neuroinvasive Astrovirus Associated with Encephalomyelitis, Weakness, and Paralysis among Weaned Pigs, Hungary.

A large, highly prolific swine farm in Hungary had a 2-year history of neurologic disease among newly weaned (25- to 35-day-old) pigs, with clinical signs of posterior paraplegia and a high mortality rate. Affected pigs that were necropsied had encephalomyelitis and neural necrosis. Porcine astrovirus type 3 was identified by reverse transcription PCR and in situ hybridization in brain and spinal cord samples in 6 animals from this farm. Among tissues tested by quantitative RT-PCR, the highest viral loads were detected in brain stem and spinal cord. Similar porcine astrovirus type 3 was also detected in archived brain and spinal cord samples from another 2 geographically distant farms. Viral RNA was predominantly restricted to neurons, particularly in the brain stem, cerebellum (Purkinje cells), and cervical spinal cord. Astrovirus was generally undetectable in feces but present in respiratory samples, indicating a possible respiratory infection. Astrovirus could cause common, neuroinvasive epidemic disease.

Urine/Plasma Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin Ratio Is a Sensitive and Specific Marker of Subclinical Acute Kidney Injury in Mice.

BACKGROUND: Detection of acute kidney injury (AKI) is still a challenge if conventional markers of kidney function are within reference range. We studied the sensitivity and specificity of NGAL as an AKI marker at different degrees of renal ischemia. METHODS: Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to 10-, 20- or 30-min unilateral renal ischemia, to control operation or no operation, and AKI was evaluated 1 day later by histology, immunohistochemistry, BUN, creatinine, NGAL (plasma and urine) and renal NGAL mRNA expression. RESULTS: A short (10-min) ischemia did not alter BUN or kidney histology, but elevated plasma and urinary NGAL level and renal NGAL mRNA expression although to a much smaller extent than longer ischemia. Surprisingly, control operation elevated plasma NGAL and renal NGAL mRNA expression to a similar extent as 10-min ischemia. Further, the ratio of urine to plasma NGAL was the best parameter to differentiate a 10-min ischemic injury from control operation, while it was similar in the non and control-operated groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that urinary NGAL excretion and especially ratio of urine to plasma NGAL are sensitive and specific markers of subclinical acute kidney injury in mice.

Some Operational Characteristics of Glycine Release in Rat Retina: The Role of Reverse Mode Operation of Glycine Transporter Type-1 (GlyT-1) in Ischemic Conditions.

Rat posterior eyecups containing the retina were prepared, loaded with [(3)H]glycine and superfused in order to determine its release originated from glycinergic amacrine cells and/or glial cells. Deprivation of oxygen and glucose from the Krebs-bicarbonate buffer used for superfusion evoked a marked increase of [(3)H]glycine release, an effect that was found to be external Ca(2+)-independent. Whereas oxygen and glucose deprivation increased [(3)H]glycine release, its uptake was reduced suggesting that energy deficiency shifts glycine transporter type-1 operation from normal to reverse mode. The increased release of [(3)H]glycine evoked by oxygen and glucose deprivation was suspended by addition of the non-competitive glycine transporter type-1 inhibitor NFPS and the competitive inhibitor ACPPB further suggesting the involvement of this transporter in the mediation of [(3)H]glycine release. Oxygen and glucose deprivation also evoked [(3)H]glutamate release from rat retina and the concomitantly occurring release of the NMDA receptor agonist glutamate and the coagonist glycine makes NMDA receptor pathological overstimulation possible in hypoxic conditions. [(3)H]Glutamate release was suspended by addition of the excitatory amino acid transporter inhibitor TBOA. Sarcosine, a substrate inhibitor of glycine transporter type-1, also increased [(3)H]glycine release probably by heteroexchange shifting transporter operation into reverse mode. This effect of sarcosine was also external Ca(2+)-independent and could be suspended by NFPS. Energy deficiency in retina induced by ouabain, an inhibitor of the Na(+)-K(+)-dependent ATPase, and by rotenone, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor added with the glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose, led to increase of retinal [(3)H]glycine efflux. These effects of ouabain and rotenone/2-deoxy-D-glucose could also be blocked by NFPS pointed to the preferential reverse mode operation of glycine transporter type-1 as a consequence of impaired cellular energy homeostasis. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that glycine transporter type-1, of which reverse mode operation assures [(3)H]glycine release, is expressed in amacrine cells in the inner nuclear and plexiform layers of the retina and also in Müller macroglia cells. We conclude that disruption of the balanced normal/reverse mode operation of glycine transporter type-1 is likely a significant factor contributing to neurotoxic processes of the retina. The possibility to inhibit glycine transporter type-1 mediated glycine efflux by drugs more potently than glycine uptake might offer some therapeutic potential for the treatment of various neurodegenerative disorders of the retina.

A new ochratoxin A biodegradation strategy using Cupriavidus basilensis Or16 strain.

Ochratoxin-A (OTA) is a mycotoxin with possibly carcinogenic and nephrotoxic effects in humans and animals. OTA is often found as a contaminant in agricultural commodities. The aim of the present work was to evaluate OTA-degrading and detoxifying potential of Cupriavidus basilensis OR16 strain. In vivo administration of OTA in CD1 male mice (1 or 10 mg/kg body weight for 72 hours or 0.5 mg/kg body weight for 21 days) resulted in significant elevation of OTA levels in the blood, histopathological alterations- and transcriptional changes in OTA-dependent genes (annexinA2, clusterin, sulphotransferase and gadd45 and gadd153) in the renal cortex. These OTA-induced changes were not seen in animals that have been treated with culture supernatants in which OTA was incubated with Cupriavidus basilensis OR16 strain for 5 days. HPLC and ELISA methods identified ochratoxin α as the major metabolite of OTA in Cupriavidus basilensis OR16 cultures, which is not toxic in vivo. This study has demonstrated that Cupriavidus basilensis OR16 efficiently degrade OTA without producing toxic adventitious metabolites.

Tembusu-like flavivirus (Perak virus) as the cause of neurological disease outbreaks in young Pekin ducks.

A neurological disease of young Pekin ducks characterized by ataxia, lameness, and paralysis was observed at several duck farms in Malaysia in 2012. Gross pathological lesions were absent or inconsistent in most of the cases, but severe and consistent microscopic lesions were found in the brain and spinal cord, characterized by non-purulent panencephalomyelitis. Several virus isolates were obtained in embryonated duck eggs and in cell cultures (Vero and DF-1) inoculated with the brain homogenates of affected ducks. After exclusion of other viruses, the isolates were identified as a flavivirus by flavivirus-specific reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Inoculation of 2-week-old Pekin ducks with a flavivirus isolate by the subcutaneous or intramuscular route resulted in typical clinical signs and histological lesions in the brain and spinal cord. The inoculated virus was detected by RT-PCR from organ samples of ducks with clinical signs and histological lesions. With a few days delay, the disease was also observed among co-mingled contact control birds. Phylogenetic analysis of NS5 and E gene sequences proved that the isolates were representatives of a novel phylogenetic group within clade XI (Ntaya virus group) of the Flavivirus genus. This Malaysian Duck Tembusu Virus (DTMUV), named Perak virus, has moderate genomic RNA sequence similarity to a related DTMUV identified in China. In our experiment the Malaysian strain of DTMUV could be transmitted in the absence of mosquito vectors. These findings may have implications for the control and prevention of this emerging group of flaviviruses.

Cisplatin administration influences on toxic and non-essential element metabolism in rats.

Nowadays several papers deal with the effectiveness and side effects of metal complexes, especially cisplatin, in cancer therapy. The excretion of essential metal elements from the body is a serious problem in the treatment, but there are no data concerning the distribution and metabolism of toxic and nonessential elements. Therefore our aim was to study the concentration of some of these elements after treatment with cisplatin. Male Wistar rats (n=20, 175-190 g) were randomly divided into 2 groups (n=10/group). The control group received 1% (w/v) methyl cellulose at 10 mL/kg body weight, p.o. by gastric gavage twice daily for 14 days, while cisplatin was injected i.p. in a single dose of 6.5 mg/kg body weight. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was used for measuring Al, B, Ba, Cr, Li, Ni, Pb, Pt, Sb, Si, Sn, Sr and V content in plasma, liver and kidney. Liver total scavenger capacity, diene conjugate content and malondialdehyde concentration were also determined. Cisplatin elevated the free radical reactions in the liver, although redox balance did not change significantly. According to the study it seems that the metabolism of Al, Ba, Cr, Ni, Pb, Sr were changed by the effect of cisplatin, and the most notable alterations were found for Al and Pb. Therefore, besides the toxic effect of and free radical induction by Pt, the side effects of increased levels of other toxic and non-essential elements have to be taken into consideration.

Activation of the miR-17 family and miR-21 during murine kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is the main cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients. We investigated renal microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles and the time course of changes in selected miRNA expressions after renal I/R to characterize the miRNA network activated during development and recovery from AKI. METHODS AND RESULTS: One day after lethal (30 minutes) and sublethal (20 minutes) renal ischemia, AKI was verified by renal histology (tubular necrosis, regeneration), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level, renal mRNA expression, and plasma concentration of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) in C57BL/6J mice. On the first day after 30-minute, lethal I/R miR-21, miR-17-5p, and miR-106a were elevated out of the 21 miRNAs successfully profiled on the Luminex multiplex assay. After 20-minute, sublethal I/R, renal miR-17-5p and miR-106a expressions were elevated on the first and second days of reperfusion, while miR-21 expression increased later and lasted longer. Renal miR-17-5p and miR-21 expressions correlated with each other. Renal function returned to normal on the fourth day after sublethal I/R. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that besides miR-21, miR-17-5p, and miR-106a are additionally activated during the maintenance and recovery phases of renal I/R injury. Furthermore, a correlation between renal miR-17-5p and miR-21 expressions warrants further investigation of how they may influence each other and the outcome of renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Inhibition of hypoxia-induced [(3)H]glycine release from chicken retina by the glycine transporter type-1 (GlyT-1) inhibitors NFPS and Org-24461.

Chicken posterior eyecup lined by the retina were prepared, loaded with [(3)H]glycine and superfused in order to determine its release in various experimental conditions. Electrical field stimulation of the retina evoked [(3)H]glycine release with a voltage- and frequency-dependent manner and this release may be originated from glycinergic amacrine cell processes of the inner plexiform layer of the retina. Glycine released from an abundance of different amacrine cells may modulate retinal circuitry by activation of inhibitory glycine receptors and by acting as a coagonist on N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors on AII amacrine cells and retinal ganglion cells. The latter effect of glycine may be modulated by glycine transporter type-1. Cells with glycine transporter type-1 immunopositive staining were visualized in the inner nuclear layer and dens immunolabeling was also detected throughout the inner plexiform layer of chicken retina. Glycine and the substrate-type glycine transporter type-1 inhibitor sarcosine increased [(3)H]glycine release from glycinergic amacrine cells and/or glial cells by extrusion of glycine from cytoplasmic pools by homo- and heteroexchange mechanisms. Deprivation of oxygen and glucose from the buffer used for superfusion evoked a marked increase in [(3)H]glycine efflux, an effect probably due to reverse mode operation of glycine transporter type-1. The non-transportable glycine transporter type-1 inhibitors NFPS and Org-24461, which did not alter [(3)H]glycine efflux from isolated chicken retina by themselves in normoxic condition, inhibited oxygen and glucose deprivation-induced [(3)H]glycine release. It is concluded that reduction of the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor coagonist glycine concentrations in hypoxic conditions by glycine transporter type-1 inhibitors may decrease N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-mediated neuronal toxicity and cell death in retinal tissue.

Decreased vasoconstrictor responses in remote cerebral arteries after focal brain ischemia and reperfusion in the rat, in vitro.

The effects of brain ischemia and reperfusion on smooth muscle function in remote cerebral and peripheral arteries are hardly known. Maximum vasoconstrictions (E(max)) caused by 120mmol/l KCl and 5-HT in endothelium-denuded ring preparations were measured in ischemic and control cerebral arteries of rats after a 1-h right middle cerebral artery occlusion followed by 0-min (I/NR) or 2-3-min (I/SR) reperfusion, and in peripheral arteries after I/SR. Surprisingly, vasoconstrictions to 5-HT and 120mmol/lK(+) were attenuated in remote brain vessels after I/SR, i.e. in the contralateral middle cerebral artery and the basilar artery, while I/NR depressed E(max) of 5-HT and high KCl only in the ischemic middle cerebral artery. Pretreatment with N-(2-mercaptopropionyl) glycine (MPG, 100mg/kg i.p.), a free radical scavenger, fully prevented the impairment of vasomotor function in the middle cerebral artery on both sides after I/SR. Moreover, vasomotor functions were normal in the coronary, renal and pulmonary arteries after I/SR. In conclusion, focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion impaired vasoconstrictor responses in remote brain arteries of rats by a mechanism involving free radicals. The lack of similar effects in peripheral vessels indicates poor defence of brain arteries against remote injury caused by reactive oxygen species-dependent mechanisms.