Evaluation of Th1/Th2, regulatory cytokines and transcriptional factor FoxP3 in sheep immunized with a partially protective and non-protective vaccine and challenged with Fasciola hepatica.

Gene expression for Th1/Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IFN-É£), regulatory cytokines (TGF-ß and IL-10) and the transcriptional factor FoxP3 was analyzed in the liver and hepatic lymph nodes (HLN) from sheep immunized with partially protective and non-protective vaccine candidates and challenged with Fasciola hepatica. FoxP3 T cells were also evaluated by immunohistochemistry (IHQ). The most remarkable difference between the partially protected vaccinated (V1) group and the non-protected vaccinated (V2) group was a more severe expansion of FoxP3 T cells recorded by IHQ in both the liver and HLN of the V2 group as compared to the V1 group, whereas no differences were found between the V2 group and the infected control (IC) group. Similar results were recorded for FoxP3 gene expression although significant differences among V1 and V2 groups were only significant in the HLN, while FoxP3 gene expression was very similar in the V2 and IC groups both in the liver and HLN. No significant differences for the remaining cytokines were recorded between the V1 and V2 groups, but in the liver the V2 group shows significant increases of IFN-É£ and IL-10 as compared to the uninfected control (UC) group whereas the V1 group did not. The lower expansion of FoxP3 T cells and lower increase of IFN-É£ and IL-10 in the partially protected vaccinated group may be related with lower hepatic lesions and fluke burdens recorded in this group as compared to the other two infected groups. The most relevant change in regulatory cytokine gene expression was the significant increase of TGF-ß in the liver of IC, V1 and V2 groups as compared to the UC group, which could be related to hepatic lesions.

Revealing the Prevalence of Toxoplasma in Sierra Morena's Wild Boar: An ELISA-Based Study Using Meat Juice.

This research work focused on the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in wild boar from the Sierra Morena region. We conducted an ELISA analysis using meat juice samples. A total of 892 samples from six hunting seasons (2013-2019) were collected from the provinces that constitute the Sierra Morena Mountain range. These samples were analyzed using the Pigtype® ELISA kit, specifically developed for detecting T. gondii in meat juice. The overall prevalence of T. gondii in Sierra Morena was 23.2%. The highest prevalences were observed in Córdoba (31.6%) and Jaén (25.9%). These provinces exhibit the highest density of wild boar as well as the greatest presence of the Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Further in-depth studies are necessary, but it appears that the presence of wild felids and scavenger behavior may be associated with this observation.

Engineering 2D Material Exciton Line Shape with Graphene/h-BN Encapsulation.

Control over the optical properties of atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) layers, including those of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), is needed for future optoelectronic applications. Here, the near-field coupling between TMDs and graphene/graphite is used to engineer the exciton line shape and charge state. Fano-like asymmetric spectral features are produced in WS2, MoSe2, and WSe2 van der Waals heterostructures combined with graphene, graphite, or jointly with hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) as supporting or encapsulating layers. Furthermore, trion emission is suppressed in h-BN encapsulated WSe2/graphene with a neutral exciton red shift (44 meV) and binding energy reduction (30 meV). The response of these systems to electron beam and light probes is well-described in terms of 2D optical conductivities of the involved materials. Beyond fundamental insights into the interaction of TMD excitons with structured environments, this study opens an unexplored avenue toward shaping the spectral profile of narrow optical modes for application in nanophotonic devices.

Serosurveillance of Trichinella sp. in wild boar and Iberian domestic suids in Mediterranean ecosystems of southwestern Spain.

AIMS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Trichinella spp. exposure in wild boar and Iberian domestic pigs from Mediterranean ecosystems of southwestern Spain. METHODS AND RESULTS: Serum samples from 1360 wild boar and 439 Iberian domestic pigs were obtained during 2015-2020, from regions where Iberian pigs are raised under extensive conditions, hence sharing habitat with wild boar. Seropositivity was found in 7.4% (100/1360; 95% CI: 6.1-8.9) of the wild boar analysed. In this species, the individual seroprevalence ranged from 3.6% (8/223) (hunting season 2016-2017) to 11.4% (37/326) (2018-2019). A significant higher seropositivity was observed during the hunting season 2018-2019 (p < 0.009: OR = 3.07; 95% CI = 1.32-7.18) and one statistically significant cluster was detected within the studied area, in south central Andalusia [Relative Risk (RR) = 2.9; p = 0.037]. Females showed a significantly higher seroprevalence than males (8.7% vs. 5.8%) (p < 0.001: OR = 1.58; 95% CI = 1.08-2.32). No seropositivity to Trichinella spp. was detected in Iberian domestic pigs (0.0%; 95% CI: 0.0-0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Although wild boar play an important role as a reservoir of Trichinella sp. in the Mediterranean ecosystems of southwestern Spain, our results suggest that the wild boar production system does not seem to pose a risk of Trichinella exposure to domestic pigs, despite sharing habitats in these ecosystems.

Fasciolosis: pathogenesis, host-parasite interactions, and implication in vaccine development.

Fasciola hepatica is distributed worldwide, causing substantial economic losses in the animal husbandry industry. Human fasciolosis is an emerging zoonosis in Andean America, Asia, and Africa. The control of the disease, both in humans and animals, is based on using anthelmintic drugs, which has resulted in increased resistance to the most effective anthelmintics, such as triclabendazole, in many countries. This, together with the concerns about drug residues in food and the environment, has increased the interest in preventive measures such as a vaccine to help control the disease in endemic areas. Despite important efforts over the past two decades and the work carried out with numerous vaccine candidates, none of them has demonstrated consistent and reproducible protection in target species. This is at least in part due to the high immunomodulation capacity of the parasite, making ineffective the host response in susceptible species such as ruminants. It is widely accepted that a deeper knowledge of the host-parasite interactions is needed for a more rational design of vaccine candidates. In recent years, the use of emerging technologies has notably increased the amount of data about these interactions. In the present study, current knowledge of host-parasite interactions and their implication in Fasciola hepatica vaccine development is reviewed.

Biomechanical analysis of barefoot walking and three different sports footwear in children aged between 4 and 6 years old.

The technological transformation and advertising utilized in the footwear industry significantly impact purchasing decisions. The gait properties, barefoot and with shoes, change depending on the footwear structure. The aim of this work is the biomechanical analysis of walking barefoot and with different sports shoes in a controlled group of 12 children between 4 and 6 years old. Kinematic and spatiotemporal variables were analyzed using a BTS motion capture analysis system with the Helen Hayes protocol. Previously, a survey was carried out with 262 families with children between 4 and 6 years old to justify the choice of footwear for this study. No significant differences were found between any of the measured conditions. The kinematic results showed significant differences in the ankle (right sagittal plane p = 0.04, left p < 0.01; right frontal plane p < 0.01, left p < 0.01), knee (right and left sagittal plane p < 0.01) and hip (right sagittal plane p < 0.01, left p = 0.04; right frontal plane p = 0.03). Additionally, the post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between barefoot gait and different footwear. The footwear used for this study and each one's various characteristics are not preponderant in the spatiotemporal and kinematic parameters of the children's gait. Thus, the footwear purchase may be conditioned by its design or composition and other properties may not be relevant.

Seed Priming Based on Iodine and Selenium Influences the Nutraceutical Compounds in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Crop.

The use of trace elements in agriculture as a complement to crop fertilization programs is a practice that is gaining importance and relevance worldwide. Iodine and selenium perform essential functions in human health, related to the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, acting as antioxidants and antiproliferatives, and their limited intake through food consumption can cause malnutrition, reflected in the abnormal development and growth of humans. This research aimed to evaluate the nutraceutical quality of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) in response to seed priming based on KIO3 (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 mg L-1) and Na2SeO3 (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3 mg L-1), performed by interaction from a 52-factorial design and by independent factors in a 24-h imbibition time. The tomato crop was established under greenhouse conditions in 10-L polyethylene containers containing peat moss and perlite 1:1 (v/v). Regarding non-enzymatic antioxidant compounds, lycopene, ß-carotene and flavonoid contents in tomato fruits significantly increased with KIO3 and Na2SeO3 treatments; however, vitamin C content was negatively affected. KIO3 increased the phenol and chlorophyll-a contents of leaves. In relation to enzymatic activity, KIO3 positively influenced GSH content and PAL activity in tomato fruits. KIO3 also positively influenced GSH content in leaves while negatively affecting PAL and APX activities. Na2SeO3 favored GSH content and GPX activity in tomato fruits and leaves. Na2SeO3 negatively affected the antioxidant capacity of hydrophilic compounds by ABTS in fruits and leaves and favored hydrophilic compounds by DPPH in leaves. Seed imbibition based on KIO3 and Na2SeO3 is a method that is implemented in the tomato crop and presents interesting aspects that favor the nutraceutical quality of tomato fruits, which may contribute to increasing the intake of these minerals in humans through tomato consumption.

Fasciola hepatica primoinfections and reinfections in sheep drive distinct Th1/Th2/Treg immune responses in liver and hepatic lymph node at early and late stages.

The expression of proinflammatory (IL-1ß, IFN-γ, TNF-α) and regulatory (IL-10, TGF-ß, IL-4) cytokines, as well as the transcription factor FoxP3, was quantified in the liver and hepatic lymph node (HLN) of sheep primoinfected and reinfected with Fasciola hepatica at early (4, 8 and 16 days post-infection [dpi]) and late (100 dpi) stages. The liver exerted a Th2 immune response at very early stages after the primoinfection with F. hepatica that induced the downregulation of IFN-γ, followed by a Th1/Th2/Treg response although the late stages were characterised by the expression of Th1/Th2 immune mediators. Contrarily, in reinfected sheep a robust mixed Th1/Th2/Treg immune response was found at very early stages meanwhile at late stages we observed a Th2/Treg immune response overcoming the expression of Th1 immune mediators. However, the HLN displayed a completely different Th1/Th2/Treg expression profile compared to the liver. Primoinfections with F. hepatica in HLN induced a mixed Th1/Th2/Treg environment from early stages, establishing a Th2 immune response at a late stage. However, the reinfected sheep exerted a Th2 immune response at early stages led by the IL-4 expression in opposition to the Th1/Th2/Treg found in the liver, meanwhile at late stages the HLN of reinfected sheep exerted a mixed Th1/Th2/Treg immune response. This is the first work publishing the expression of immune mediators in the liver and HLN from reinfected sheep with F. hepatica. The study of the immune responses exerted by the natural host in the target organs directly implied in the development of F. hepatica are crucial to better understand the immunopathogenesis of the fasciolosis being a key factor to develop effective vaccines.

Seroprevalence and genetic characterization of Toxoplasma gondii in domestic pigs intended for human consumption in Cuba.

Domestic pigs are considered as one of the main intermediate hosts in the zoonotic transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in many countries. Serological and molecular studies are warranted to better understand the epidemiology and transmission patterns of this parasite worldwide. To date, seroepidemiological information on T. gondii in domestic pigs in Cuba is very scarce and there are no reports of T. gondii genotypes circulating in this country. Here, we aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of T. gondii and provide genetic characterization of the strains circulating in slaughtered pigs intended for human consumption in Central Cuba. Seroprevalence was determined in 450 serum samples from slaughtered pigs in Villa Clara province using ELISA. Anti-Toxoplasma gondii IgG antibodies were detected in 100 animals (22.2%, 95% CI: 18.5-26.2). Conventional PCR of the 529-bp marker of T. gondii was performed in hearts and diaphragm tissues of all ELISA-seropositive pigs. Toxoplasma gondii DNA was detected in four animals. Further genetic characterization of the positive DNA samples was performed by multilocus PCR-RFLP and PCR-sequencing typing tools. Molecular analysis revealed four different genetic profiles that were combinations of type I, II, III and u-1 alleles, suggesting the circulation of non-clonal genotypes of T. gondii in domestic pigs in Cuba. Our results indicate that T. gondii is widely distributed in slaughtered pigs in this country, which might have important implications for public health. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on genetic characterization of T. gondii in Cuba. Although preliminary, the results suggest a high genetic diversity of T. gondii in the study region. Further studies based on parasite isolation are needed to definitively identify the genotypes circulating and characterize the virulence of strains detected in pigs in Cuba, and to assess the risk of zoonotic transmission from pork products in this country.

Peripheral membrane proteins modulate stress tolerance by safeguarding cellulose synthases.

Controlled primary cell wall remodeling allows plant growth under stressful conditions, but how these changes are conveyed to adjust cellulose synthesis is not understood. Here, we identify the TETRATRICOPEPTIDE THIOREDOXIN-LIKE (TTL) proteins as new members of the cellulose synthase complex (CSC) and describe their unique and hitherto unknown dynamic association with the CSC under cellulose-deficient conditions. We find that TTLs are essential for maintaining cellulose synthesis under high-salinity conditions, establishing a stress-resilient cortical microtubule array, and stabilizing CSCs at the plasma membrane. To fulfill these functions, TTLs interact with CELLULOSE SYNTHASE 1 (CESA1) and engage with cortical microtubules to promote their polymerization. We propose that TTLs function as bridges connecting stress perception with dynamic regulation of cellulose biosynthesis at the plasma membrane.

Efficacy of a treatment program based on positive psychology for drug use in juvenile offenders. / Eficacia de un programa de tratamiento en el consumo de drogas en menores infractores desde la psicología positiva.

One of the factors that increase the likelihood of adolescents starting to exhibit and consolidate anti-social behavior is drug use, with a consistent pattern of consumption of different substance found in young offenders (Aebi, Bessler & Steinhausen, 2021). A cognitive-behavioral group treatment program inspired by the positive psychology approach was developed and applied to drug use in minors deprived of liberty (experimental group); the results were compared to those of a group of adolescents with the same type of drug use in the same center (active control group) at two points in time: during and after incarceration. The fall in the rate of problems associated with drug use after incarceration in the experimental group was statistically significant compared to the control group, and the effect size of the experimental condition was large (ῆ^2 = 0.55), much higher than the control group (ῆ^2 = 0.16). The treatment program has proven to be an effective tool for reducing problems associated with drug use and is especially effective in reducing alcohol and cannabis consumption.

Uno de los factores que aumentan en mayor medida la probabilidad de que los adolescentes inicien y consoliden comportamientos antisociales es el consumo de drogas, encontrándose un patrón consistente de consumo de diferentes sustancias en los menores infractores (Aebi, Bessler y Steinhausen, 2021). Para la redacción del presente trabajo se desarrolló y aplicó un programa de tratamiento, de corte cognitivo ­ conductual e inspirado en el enfoque de la psicología positiva, para el consumo de drogas en menores de edad privados de libertad (grupo experimental). Los resultados se compararon con los de un grupo de adolescentes con la misma tipología de consumo internos en el mismo Centro (grupo control activo) en dos momentos, durante y tras el internamiento. El grupo experimental redujo de manera estadísticamente significativa la tasa de problemas asociados al consumo de drogas en comparación con el grupo control tras el internamiento, siendo el tamaño del efecto de la condición experimental elevado (ῆ

Study of the migration of Fasciola hepatica juveniles across the intestinal barrier of the host by quantitative proteomics in an ex vivo model.

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode parasite that infects animals and humans causing fasciolosis, a worldwide-distributed disease responsible for important economic losses and health problems. This disease is of growing public health concern since parasite isolates resistant to the current treatment (triclabendazole) have increasingly been described. F. hepatica infects its vertebrate host after ingestion of the encysted parasite (metacercariae), which are found in the water or attached to plants. Upon ingestion, newly excysted juveniles of F. hepatica (FhNEJ) emerge in the intestinal lumen and cross the intestinal barrier, reach the peritoneum and migrate to the biliary ducts, where adult worms fully develop. Despite the efforts made to develop new therapeutic and preventive tools, to date, protection against F. hepatica obtained in different animal models is far from optimal. Early events of host-FhNEJ interactions are of paramount importance for the infection progress in fasciolosis, especially those occurring at the host-parasite interface. Nevertheless, studies of FhNEJ responses to the changing host environment encountered during migration across host tissues are still scarce. Here, we set-up an ex vivo model coupled with quantitative SWATH-MS proteomics to study early host-parasite interaction events in fasciolosis. After comparing tegument and somatic fractions from control parasites and FhNEJ that managed to cross a mouse intestinal section ex vivo, a set of parasite proteins whose expression was statistically different were found. These included upregulation of cathepsins L3 and L4, proteolytic inhibitor Fh serpin 2, and a number of molecules linked with nutrient uptake and metabolism, including histone H4, H2A and H2B, low density lipoprotein receptor, tetraspanin, fatty acid binding protein a and glutathione-S-transferase. Downregulated proteins in FhNEJ after gut passage were more numerous than the upregulated ones, and included the heath shock proteins HSP90 and alpha crystallin, amongst others. This study brings new insights into early host-parasite interactions in fasciolosis and sheds light on the proteomic changes in FhNEJ triggered upon excystment and intestinal wall crossing, which could serve to define new targets for the prevention and treatment of this widespread parasitic disease.

Intra- and interobserver reproducibility of second trimester ultrasound cervical length measurement in a general population.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reproducibility of ultrasound cervical length (CL) measurement at the second trimester. METHODS: A set of 565 cervical ultrasound images were collected at 19 + 0-24 + 6 weeks' gestation. Two senior maternal-fetal specialists measured CL in each image on three occasions 2 weeks apart. In the interval between the first and following two measures, the clinicians reviewed 20 images together to agree on the criteria for measurement. Measurements were analyzed for intra- and inter-observer disagreement. The robustness of patient classification when CL measure was used with different cutoff thresholds was analyzed. RESULTS: Average intra-observer deviation was 2.8 mm for clinician 1 and 3.7 mm for clinician 2. Inter-observer deviation among the two clinicians was 5.2 and 3.2 mm before and after reviewing measurement criteria together. When cutoffs were used to classify as "short" cervix, disagreement ranged from 22 to 70% depending on operator and threshold used. CONCLUSION: Ultrasound CL measurements by experts showed moderate intra- and inter-observer reproducibility. The use of specific cutoffs to classify patients as high or low risk resulted in wide disagreements. The results stress the importance of training and quality assessments on considering universal screening application of CL measurement.

Timing of Transcriptomic Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Responses of Sheep to Fasciola hepatica Infection Differs From Those of Cattle, Reflecting Different Disease Phenotypes.

Infection with the zoonotic trematode Fasciola hepatica, common in many regions with a temperate climate, leads to delayed growth and loss of productivity in cattle, while infection in sheep can have more severe effects, potentially leading to death. Previous transcriptomic analyses revealed upregulation of TGFB1, cell death and Toll-like receptor signalling, T-cell activation, and inhibition of nitric oxide production in macrophages in response to infection. However, the differences between ovine and bovine responses have not yet been explored. The objective of this study was to further investigate the transcriptomic response of ovine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) to F. hepatica infection, and to elucidate the differences between ovine and bovine PBMC responses. Sixteen male Merino sheep were randomly assigned to infected or control groups (n = 8 per group) and orally infected with 120 F. hepatica metacercariae. Transcriptomic data was generated from PBMC at 0, 2 and 16 weeks post-infection (wpi), and analysed for differentially expressed (DE) genes between infected and control animals at each time point (analysis 1), and for each group relative to time 0 (analysis 2). Analysis 2 was then compared to a similar study performed previously on bovine PBMC. A total of 453 DE genes were found at 2 wpi, and 2 DE genes at 16 wpi (FDR < 0.1, analysis 1). Significantly overrepresented biological pathways at 2 wpi included role of PKR in interferon induction and anti-viral response, death receptor signalling and RIG-I-like receptor signalling, which suggested that an activation of innate response to intracellular nucleic acids and inhibition of cellular apoptosis were taking place. Comparison of analysis 2 with the previous bovine transcriptomic study revealed that anti-inflammatory response pathways which were significantly overrepresented in the acute phase in cattle, including IL-10 signalling, Th2 pathway, and Th1 and Th2 activation were upregulated only in the chronic phase in sheep. We propose that the earlier activation of anti-inflammatory responses in cattle, as compared with sheep, may be related to the general absence of acute clinical signs in cattle. These findings offer scope for "smart vaccination" strategies for this important livestock parasite.

A Partially Protective Vaccine for Fasciola hepatica Induced Degeneration of Adult Flukes Associated to a Severe Granulomatous Reaction in Sheep.

Fasciolosis is an important economic disease of livestock. There is a global interest in the development of protective vaccines since current anthelmintic therapy is no longer sustainable. A better knowledge of the host-parasite interaction is needed for the design of effective vaccines. The present study evaluates the microscopical hepatic lesions in sheep immunized with a partially protective vaccine (VAC1), a non-protective vaccine (VAC2), and an infected control group (IC). The nature of granulomatous inflammation associated with degeneration of adult flukes found in the VAC1 group was characterized by immunohistochemistry. Hepatic lesions (fibrous perihepatitis, chronic tracts, bile duct hyperplasia, infiltration of eosinophils and lymphocytes and plasma cells) were significantly less severe in the VAC1 group than in the IC group. Dead adult flukes within bile ducts were observed only in the VAC1 group and were surrounded by a severe granulomatous inflammation composed by macrophages and multinucleate giant cells with a high expression of lysozyme, CD163 and S100 markers, and a low expression of CD68. Numerous CD3+ T lymphocytes and scarce infiltrate of FoxP3+ Treg and CD208+ dendritic cells were present. This is the first report describing degenerated flukes associated to a severe granulomatous inflammation in bile ducts in a F. hepatica vaccine trial.

Recognition Pattern of the Fasciola hepatica Excretome/Secretome during the Course of an Experimental Infection in Sheep by 2D Immunoproteomics.

Excretory/secretory products released by helminth parasites have been widely studied for their diagnostic utility, immunomodulatory properties, as well as for their use as vaccines. Due to their location at the host/parasite interface, the characterization of parasite secretions is important to unravel the molecular interactions governing the relationships between helminth parasites and their hosts. In this study, the excretory/secretory products from adult worms of the trematode Fasciola hepatica (FhES) were employed in a combination of two-dimensional electrophoresis, immunoblot and mass spectrometry, to analyze the immune response elicited in sheep during the course of an experimental infection. Ten different immunogenic proteins from FhES recognized by serum samples from infected sheep at 4, 8, and/or 12 weeks post-infection were identified. Among these, different isoforms of cathepsin L and B, peroxiredoxin, calmodulin, or glutathione S-transferase were recognized from the beginning to the end of the experimental infection, suggesting their potential role as immunomodulatory antigens. Furthermore, four FhES proteins (C2H2-type domain-containing protein, ferritin, superoxide dismutase, and globin-3) were identified for the first time as non-immunogenic proteins. These results may help to further understand host/parasite relationships in fasciolosis, and to identify potential diagnostic molecules and drug target candidates of F. hepatica.

Antigen-specific response of CD4+ T cells and hepatic lymph node cells to Fasciola hepatica-derived molecules at the early and late stage of the infection in sheep.

The immunomodulatory capacity of F. hepatica antigens is probably one of the main reasons for the development of a driven non-protective Th2 immune response. In this study, we analysed the cellular response of hepatic lymph node cells and CD4+ T cells in terms of proliferative response, efficiency of antigen presentation and cytokine production, to F. hepatica-derived molecules, at early and late stages of the infection. Thirty-one sheep were allocated into five groups and were slaughtered at 16 dpi and 23 wpi. In order to analyse antigen-specific response, the following F. hepatica recombinant molecules were used: rFhCL1, rFhCL2, rFhCL3, rFhCB1, rFhCB2, rFhCB3, rFhStf-1, rFhStf-2, rFhStf-3 and rFhKT1. A cell proliferation assay using hepatic lymph node cells and an antigen presentation cell assay using CD4+ T cells were performed. At 16 dpi, all molecules but rFhStf-2 and rFhKT1 elicited a significant cell proliferative response on hepatic lymph node cells of infected animals. At both early and late stage of the infection, antigen presentation of rFhCB3 and rFhCL2 resulted in higher stimulation index of CD4+ T cells which was IL-2 mediated, although no statistically significant when compared to uninfected animals. Significant cytokine production (IL-4, IL-10 and IFN-γ) was conditioned by the antigen-specific cell stimulation. No CD4+ T cell exhaustion was detected in infected sheep at the chronic stage of the infection. This study addressed antigen-specific response to F. hepatica-derived molecules that are involved in key aspects of the parasite survival within the host.

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in domestic pigs raised from Cuba.

A cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii and associated risk factors in pigs in the largest pork-producing region in Cuba. Serum samples from 420 pigs, including 210 sows and 210 post-weaning pigs, were tested for antibodies against T. gondii using a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were detected in 56 animals (13.3%, 95% CI: 10.1-16.6). A generalized estimating equations model revealed that the risk factors associated with higher seropositivity in pigs were altitude (higher in farm's location < 250 m above sea level (masl) versus ≥ 250 masl) and age (higher in sows compared to post-weaning pigs). The results indicated that this protozoan parasite is widely distributed on pig farms in the study area, which is a public health concern since the consumption of raw or undercooked pork meat products containing tissue cysts is considered one of the main routes of T. gondii transmission worldwide. Control measures should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to T. gondii in pigs in Cuba.

Transcriptomic Analysis of Ovine Hepatic Lymph Node Following Fasciola hepatica Infection - Inhibition of NK Cell and IgE-Mediated Signaling.

Fasciola hepatica is a trematode parasite responsible for major economic losses in livestock production, and is also a food-borne zoonotic agent in developing rural regions. For years, the immunoregulatory mechanisms employed by the parasite have hampered efforts to develop a successful vaccine candidate. Given that a comprehensive understanding of the immune response to infection is needed, we investigated the gene expression changes in ovine hepatic lymph nodes after experimental infection with F. hepatica. Lymph nodes from uninfected and infected animals were processed for RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) at 16 weeks post-infection. Comparison of groups revealed 5,132 differentially-expressed genes (DEGs). An inhibition of pro-inflammatory pathways, which has previously been described during fasciolosis, was evident in our data. However, other signals previously identified in ruminant peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) or liver tissue, such as activation of TGF-ß or apoptosis-related pathways were not detected. We found inhibition of some key immunological pathways, including natural killer (NK) cell activity and IgE-mediated signaling. These may point to additional some as yet unrecognized mechanisms employed by the parasite to evade the host immune response. Understanding these, and leveraging information from this and other omics studies, will be important for the development of future vaccine prototypes against this parasite.

Visual Perception and the Emergence of Minimal Representation.

There is a long-lasting quest of demarcating a minimally representational behavior. Based on neurophysiologically-informed behavioral studies, we argue in detail that one of the simplest cases of organismic behavior based on low-resolution spatial vision-the visually-guided obstacle avoidance in the cubozoan medusa Tripedalia cystophora-implies already a minimal form of representation. We further argue that the characteristics and properties of this form of constancy-employing structural representation distinguish it substantially from putative representational states associated with mere sensory indicators, and we reply to some possible objections from the liberal representationalists camp by defending and qualitatively demarcating the minimal nature of our case. Finally, we briefly discuss the implications of our thesis within a naturalistic framework.