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The purpose of this prospective and anatomic study was to describe the ultrasonographic anatomy of the kidneys, urinary bladder, adrenal glands, spleen, liver, gall bladder, and gastrointestinal tract in healthy juvenile eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). As ultrasonographic descriptions are lacking in marsupial species, it was also conducted to develop a systematic approach for abdominal ultrasonographic evaluation in the kangaroo and to provide preliminary quantitative and qualitative references. Ten macropod cadavers (eight eastern grey kangaroos and two swamp wallabies (Wallabia bicolor)) were used for initial dissections and preliminary ultrasonographic examinations. Seven eastern grey kangaroos (four females and three males; mean mass 18 kg (±4.5)) were ultrasonographically examined under heavy sedation in lateral recumbency. The gaseous forestomach occupied a large proportion of the entire abdomen ultrasonographically; therefore, the majority of cranial landmarks were based on an intercostal approach comparable to a deep-chested dog. Compared to domestic species, ultrasonographic differences in anatomy include the forestomach, hindstomach, liver orientation, distinguishable adrenal glands, splenic branching, and epipubic bones, all of which were described. The study was limited by the small sample size (7) and weight range (14-25 kg). The systematic approach and description of the normal ultrasonographic anatomy of the abdominal organs in the eastern grey kangaroo should provide a foundation for the ultrasonographic diagnosis and interpretation of abdominal disease in this species.
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Macropodidae , Sistema Urinario , Femenino , Masculino , Animales , Perros , Macropodidae/anatomía & histología , Bazo/diagnóstico por imagen , Estudios Prospectivos , Abdomen/diagnóstico por imagen , Glándulas Suprarrenales/diagnóstico por imagen , Tracto GastrointestinalRESUMEN
Bidirectional selection for either high or low responsiveness to endurance running has created divergent rat phenotypes of high-response trainers (HRT) and low-response trainers (LRT). We conducted proteome profiling of HRT and LRT gastrocnemius of 10 female rats (body weight 279 ± 35 g; n = 5 LRT and n = 5 HRT) from generation 8 of selection. Differential analysis of soluble proteins from gastrocnemius was conducted by label-free quantitation. Genetic association studies were conducted in 384 Russian international-level athletes (age 23.8 ± 3.4 yr; 202 men and 182 women) stratified to endurance or power disciplines. Proteomic analysis encompassed 1,024 proteins, 76 of which exhibited statistically significant (P < 0.05, false discovery rate <1%) differences between HRT and LRT muscle. There was significant enrichment of enzymes involved in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis in LRT muscle but no enrichment of gene ontology phrases in HRT muscle. Striated muscle-specific serine/threonine-protein kinase-beta (SPEG-ß) exhibited the greatest difference in abundance and was 2.64-fold greater (P = 0.0014) in HRT muscle. Coimmunoprecipitation identified 24 potential binding partners of SPEG-ß in HRT muscle. The frequency of the G variant of the rs7564856 polymorphism that increases SPEG gene expression was significantly greater (32.9 vs. 23.8%; OR = 1.6, P = 0.009) in international-level endurance athletes (n = 258) compared with power athletes (n = 126) and was significantly associated (ß = 8.345, P = 0.0048) with a greater proportion of slow-twitch fibers in vastus lateralis of female endurance athletes. Coimmunoprecipitation of SPEG-ß in HRT muscle discovered putative interacting proteins that link with previously reported differences in transforming growth factor-ß signaling in exercised muscle.
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Proteínas Musculares/genética , Músculo Estriado/metabolismo , Condicionamiento Físico Animal , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinasas/genética , Animales , Femenino , Frecuencia de los Genes/genética , Glucólisis , Humanos , Masculino , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Especificidad de Órganos , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple/genética , Mapas de Interacción de Proteínas , Proteínas Quinasas/genética , Ratas , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Corticosteroids (CSs) are widely used clinically, for example in pediatric respiratory distress syndrome, and immunosuppression to prevent rejection of stem cell transplant populations in neural cell therapy. However, such treatment can be associated with adverse effects such as impaired neurogenesis and myelination, and increased risk of cerebral palsy. There is increasing evidence that CSs can adversely influence key biological properties of neural stem cells (NSCs) but the molecular mechanisms underpinning such effects are largely unknown. This is an important issue to address given the key roles NSCs play during brain development and as transplant cells for regenerative neurology. Here, we describe the use of label-free quantitative proteomics in conjunction with histological analyses to study CS effects on NSCs at the cellular and molecular levels, following treatment with methylprednisolone (MPRED). Immunocytochemical staining showed that both parent NSCs and newly generated daughter cells expressed the glucocorticoid receptor, with nuclear localisation of the receptor induced by MPRED treatment. MPRED markedly decreased NSC proliferation and neuronal differentiation while accelerating the maturation of oligodendrocytes, without concomitant effects on cell viability and apoptosis. Parallel proteomic analysis revealed that MPRED induced downregulation of growth associated protein 43 and matrix metallopeptidase 16 with upregulation of the cytochrome P450 family 51 subfamily A member 1. Our findings support the hypothesis that some neurological deficits associated with CS use may be mediated via effects on NSCs, and highlight putative target mechanisms underpinning such effects.
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Corticoesteroides/farmacología , Metilprednisolona/farmacología , Células-Madre Neurales/efectos de los fármacos , Neurogénesis/efectos de los fármacos , Proteómica/métodos , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Proliferación Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Proliferación Celular/fisiología , Supervivencia Celular/efectos de los fármacos , Supervivencia Celular/fisiología , Células Cultivadas , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Glucocorticoides/farmacología , Humanos , Ratones , Células-Madre Neurales/fisiología , Neurogénesis/fisiologíaRESUMEN
The diversity of biological samples and dynamic range of analytes being analyzed can prove to be an analytical challenge and is particularly prevalent to proteomic studies. Maximizing the peak capacity of the workflow employed can extend the dynamic range and increase identification rates. The focus of this chapter is to present means of achieving this for various analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry and ion mobility. A combination of these methods can be used as part of a data independent acquisition strategy, thereby limiting issues such as chimericy when analyzing regions of extreme analyte density.
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Cromatografía Liquida , Espectrometría de Masas , Proteoma , Proteómica/métodos , Flujo de TrabajoRESUMEN
Consumption of poultry products contaminated with Salmonella is one of the major causes of foodborne diseases worldwide and therefore detection and differentiation of Salmonella spp. in poultry is important. In this study, oligonucleotide primers were designed from hemD gene and a PCR followed by high-resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis was developed for rapid differentiation of Salmonella isolates. Amplicons of 228â bp were generated from 16 different Salmonella reference strains and from 65 clinical field isolates mainly from poultry farms. HRM curve analysis of the amplicons differentiated Salmonella isolates and analysis of the nucleotide sequence of the amplicons from selected isolates revealed that each melting curve profile was related to a unique DNA sequence. The relationship between reference strains and tested specimens was also evaluated using a mathematical model without visual interpretation of HRM curves. In addition, the potential of the PCR-HRM curve analysis was evaluated for genotyping of additional Salmonella isolates from different avian species. The findings indicate that PCR followed by HRM curve analysis provides a rapid and robust technique for genotyping of Salmonella isolates to determine the serovar/serotype.
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Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/microbiología , Salmonelosis Animal/microbiología , Salmonella/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Proteínas Bacterianas/genética , Técnicas de Tipificación Bacteriana/veterinaria , Cartilla de ADN/genética , Genotipo , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Aves de Corral , Salmonella/genética , Especificidad de la Especie , Temperatura de TransiciónRESUMEN
Divergent selection has created rat phenotypes of high- and low-capacity runners (HCR and LCR, respectively) that have differences in aerobic capacity and correlated traits such as adiposity. We analyzed visceral adipose tissue of HCR and LCR using label-free high-definition MS (elevated energy) profiling. The running capacity of HCR was ninefold greater than LCR. Proteome profiling encompassed 448 proteins and detected 30 significant (p <0.05; false discovery rate <10%, calculated using q-values) differences. Approximately half of the proteins analyzed were of mitochondrial origin, but there were no significant differences in the abundance of proteins involved in aerobic metabolism. Instead, adipose tissue of LCR rats exhibited greater abundances of proteins associated with adipogenesis (e.g. cathepsin D), ER stress (e.g. 78 kDa glucose response protein), and inflammation (e.g. Ig gamma-2B chain C region). Whereas the abundance antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase [Cu-Zn] was greater in HCR tissue. Putative adipokines were also detected, in particular protein S100-B, was 431% more abundant in LCR adipose tissue. These findings reveal low running capacity is associated with a pathological profile in visceral adipose tissue proteome despite no detectable differences in mitochondrial protein abundance.
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Tejido Adiposo Blanco/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Adipogénesis/fisiología , Animales , Proteínas Mitocondriales/metabolismo , Condicionamiento Físico Animal , RatasRESUMEN
We report automated and time-efficient (2 h per sample) profiling of muscle using ultra-performance LC coupled directly with high-definition MS (HDMS(E)). Soluble proteins extracted from rat gastrocnemius (n = 10) were digested with trypsin and analyzed in duplicate using a 90 min RPLC gradient. Protein identification and label-free quantitation were performed from HDMS(E) spectra analyzed using Progenesis QI for Proteomics software. In total 1514 proteins were identified. Of these, 811 had at least three unique peptides and were subsequently used to assess the dynamic range and precision of LC-HDMS(E) label-free profiling. Proteins analyzed by LC-HDMS(E) encompass the entire complement of glycolytic, ß-oxidation, and tricarboxylic acid enzymes. In addition, numerous components of the electron transport chain and protein kinases involved in skeletal muscle regulation were detected. The dynamic range of protein abundances spanned four orders of magnitude. The correlation between technical replicates of the ten biological samples was R(2) = 0.9961 ± 0.0036 (95% CI = 0.9940 - 0.9992) and the technical CV averaged 7.3 ± 6.7% (95% CI = 6.87 - 7.79%). This represents the most sophisticated label-free profiling of skeletal muscle to date.
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Espectrometría de Masas/métodos , Proteínas Musculares/análisis , Músculo Esquelético/química , Proteómica/métodos , Animales , Cromatografía Liquida/economía , Cromatografía Liquida/métodos , Espectrometría de Masas/economía , Proteómica/economía , RatasRESUMEN
The diversity of biological samples and dynamic range of analytes being analyzed can prove to be an analytical challenge and is particularly prevalent to proteomic studies. Maximizing the peak capacity of the workflow employed can extend the dynamic range and increase identification rates. The focus of this chapter is to present means of achieving this for various analytical techniques such as liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, and ion mobility. A combination of these methods can be used as part of a data-independent acquisition strategy, thereby limiting issues such as chimericy when analyzing regions of extreme analyte density.
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Proteoma/análisis , Proteómica/métodosRESUMEN
The adequate transfer of passive immunity is a critical factor in neonatal development and survivability. Although well documented in the dairy and equine industries, the recognition of inadequate immunoglobulin transfer on-farm and its impact on the ability of alpaca cria to thrive is largely unknown. Colostrum samples were collected from female alpaca within 24 h of parturition by the owners and whole blood collected from cria by the investigators between 1 and 7 days of age. Direct IgG concentration of milk and serum was determined using radial immunodiffusion assay (RID) and was indirectly estimated using optical and digital Brix refractometry for total solids and clinical refractometry for total serum protein. There was a strong correlation between optical and digital Brix refractometry, and colostral IgG concentration determined by RID. There was a moderate correlation between serum IgG concentration determined by RID and total serum protein in crias. Optical and digital Brix refractometry for colostral IgG estimation and total serum protein for serum IgG estimation are reliable, accurate and easy-to-use tools that can be used on-farm by trained, competent technicians to assess a failure of passive transfer in alpacas. A pilot study at one property only was performed, due to COVID-19 travel restriction interference. Further research is required to determine the reference intervals for these tools to be practical.
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Proteínas Sanguíneas , Camélidos del Nuevo Mundo , Calostro , Inmunoglobulina G , Refractometría , Camélidos del Nuevo Mundo/sangre , Camélidos del Nuevo Mundo/inmunología , Animales , Inmunoglobulina G/sangre , Refractometría/veterinaria , Calostro/química , Calostro/inmunología , Femenino , Proteínas Sanguíneas/análisis , Inmunodifusión/veterinaria , Inmunodifusión/métodos , Proyectos PilotoRESUMEN
The proteome of the bacterium Methylocella silvestris has been characterized using reversed phase ultra high pressure liquid chromatography (UPLC) and two-dimensional reversed phase (high pH)-reversed phase (low pH) UPLC prior to mass spectrometric analysis. Variations in protein expression levels were identified with the aid of label-free quantification in a study of soluble protein extracts from the organism grown using methane, succinate, or propane as a substrate. The number of first dimensional fractionation steps has been varied for 2D analyses, and the impact on data throughput and quality has been demonstrated. Comparisons have been made regarding required experimental considerations including total loading of biological samples required, instrument time, and resulting data file sizes. The data obtained have been evaluated with respect to number of protein identifications, confidence of assignments, sequence coverage, relative levels of proteins, and dynamic range. Good qualitative and quantitative agreement was observed between the different approaches, and the potential benefits and limitations of the reversed phase-reversed phase UPLC technique in label-free analysis are discussed. A preliminary screen of the protein regulation data has also been performed, providing evidence for a possible propane assimilation route.
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Proteínas Bacterianas/análisis , Beijerinckiaceae/química , Beijerinckiaceae/metabolismo , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión/métodos , Cromatografía de Fase Inversa/métodos , Proteínas Bacterianas/química , Proteínas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Medios de Cultivo , Electroforesis en Gel Bidimensional/métodos , Metano/metabolismo , Fragmentos de Péptidos/análisis , Fragmentos de Péptidos/química , Fragmentos de Péptidos/metabolismo , Propano/metabolismo , Ácido Succínico/metabolismo , Espectrometría de Masas en TándemRESUMEN
Chytridiomycosis in amphibians, and mucormycosis in the platypus Ornithorhynchus anatinus and amphibians, are serious fungal diseases affecting these aquatic taxa. In Tasmania, Australia, the fungi that cause these diseases overlap in range along with Phytophthora cinnamomi (Pc), an invasive fungal plant pathogen. To identify disinfectants that may be useful to reduce anthropogenic spread of these fungi to uninfected wilderness areas, for example by bush walkers and forestry or fire-fighting operations, we tested 3 disinfectants and a fire-fighting foam against Mucor amphibiorum (Ma) and tested 1 disinfectant and the foam against Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Combining the present study with previous work we found Bd was more susceptible to all 4 chemicals than Ma. Phytoclean, a disinfectant used at 2 to 10% for 30 s to control Pc, killed cultures of Bd at 0.075% and Ma at 5%, when also applied for 30 s. The disinfectant F10sc was not effective against Ma at standard exposures, but previous work shows Bd is killed at 0.03% with a 1 min exposure. Path-X is effective against Bd at 0.001% with a 30 s exposure and killed Ma at 1% with a 5 min exposure. Forexpan S, a foam added to water at 0.1 to 1% to control forest fires, killed Bd but not Ma when used at 1% for 2 min. Therefore, Phytoclean and Path-X have broader efficacy, although Path-X has not been trialled against Pc. Interestingly a positive mating strain of Ma (from a platypus) was more resistant to disinfectants than a negative strain (from a frog). Current protocols against Pc that involve high concentrations (10%) of Phytoclean are likely to reduce spread of pathogenic wildlife fungi, which is important for protecting biodiversity.
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Animales Salvajes , Antifúngicos/farmacología , Quitridiomicetos/efectos de los fármacos , Desinfectantes/farmacología , Mucor/efectos de los fármacos , Animales , Pruebas de Sensibilidad MicrobianaRESUMEN
Spotty liver disease (SLD) is a bacterial disease of chicken, causing mortalities and reduction in egg production, hence, contributing to economic loss in the poultry industry. The causative agent of SLD has only recently been identified as a novel Campylobacter species, Campylobacter hepaticus. Specific primers were designed from the hsp60 gene of Campylobacter hepaticus and PCR followed by high-resolution melt curve analysis was optimised to detect and differentiate three species of Campylobacter (Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter hepaticus). The three Campylobacter species produced a distinct curve profile and was differentiated using HRM curve analysis. The potential of the PCR-HRM curve analysis was shown in the genotyping of 37 Campylobacter isolates from clinical specimens from poultry farms. PCR-HRM curve analysis of DNA extracts from bile samples or cultures from bile samples, were identified as Campylobacter hepaticus and confirmed by DNA sequencing. The DNA sequence analysis of selected samples from each of the three HRM distinctive curves patterns showed that each DNA sequence was associated with a unique melt profile. The potential of the PCR-HRM curve analysis in genotyping of Campylobacter species was also evaluated using faecal specimens from 100 wild birds. The results presented in this study indicate that PCR followed by HRM curve analysis provides a rapid and robust technique for genotyping of Campylobacter species using either bacterial cultures or clinical specimens.
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Infecciones por Campylobacter/diagnóstico , Campylobacter/genética , Campylobacter/aislamiento & purificación , Animales , Enfermedades de las Aves/etiología , Enfermedades de las Aves/microbiología , Campylobacter/patogenicidad , Infecciones por Campylobacter/microbiología , Pollos/genética , ADN/química , Cartilla de ADN/genética , Hígado/microbiología , Hepatopatías/veterinaria , Desnaturalización de Ácido Nucleico/genética , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/métodos , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa/veterinaria , Aves de Corral/genética , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/microbiología , Análisis de Secuencia de ADN/métodosRESUMEN
The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is one of the world's most evolutionarily distinct mammals, one of five extant species of egg-laying mammals, and the only living species within the family Ornithorhynchidae. Modern platypuses are endemic to eastern mainland Australia, Tasmania, and adjacent King Island, with a small introduced population on Kangaroo Island, South Australia, and are widely distributed in permanent river systems from tropical to alpine environments. Accumulating knowledge and technological advancements have provided insights into many aspects of its evolutionary history and biology but have also raised concern about significant knowledge gaps surrounding distribution, population sizes, and trends. The platypus' distribution coincides with many of Australia's major threatening processes, including highly regulated and disrupted rivers, intensive habitat destruction, and fragmentation, and they were extensively hunted for their fur until the early 20th century. Emerging evidence of local population declines and extinctions identifies that ecological thresholds have been crossed in some populations and, if threats are not addressed, the species will continue to decline. In 2016, the IUCN Red Listing for the platypus was elevated to "Near Threatened," but the platypus remains unlisted on threatened species schedules of any Australian state, apart from South Australia, or nationally. In this synthesis, we review the evolutionary history, genetics, biology, and ecology of this extraordinary mammal and highlight prevailing threats. We also outline future research directions and challenges that need to be met to help conserve the species.
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Campylobacter infection is a common cause of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans and remains a significant global public health issue. The capability of two multiplex PCR (mPCR)-high-resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis methods (i.e., mPCR1-HRM and mPCR2-HRM) to detect and differentiate 24 poultry isolates and three reference strains of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli was investigated. Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli were successfully differentiated in both assays, but the differentiation power of mPCR2-HRM targeting the cadF gene was found superior to that of mPCR1-HRM targeting the gpsA gene or a hypothetical protein gene. However, higher intraspecies variation within C. coli and C. jejuni isolates was detected in mPCR1-HRM when compared with mPCR2-HRM. Both assays were rapid and required minimum interpretation skills for discrimination between and within Campylobacter species when using HRM curve analysis software.
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Infecciones por Campylobacter/veterinaria , Campylobacter coli/aislamiento & purificación , Campylobacter jejuni/aislamiento & purificación , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex/veterinaria , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/clasificación , Animales , Infecciones por Campylobacter/clasificación , Infecciones por Campylobacter/microbiología , Pollos , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa Multiplex/métodos , Enfermedades de las Aves de Corral/microbiologíaRESUMEN
DJ-1, a Parkinson's disease-associated protein, is strongly up-regulated in reactive astrocytes in Parkinson's disease. This is proposed to represent a neuronal protective response, although the mechanism has not yet been identified. We have generated a transgenic zebrafish line with increased astroglial DJ-1 expression driven by regulatory elements from the zebrafish GFAP gene. Larvae from this transgenic line are protected from oxidative stress-induced injuries as caused by MPP+, a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor shown to induce dopaminergic cells death. In a global label-free proteomics analysis of wild type and transgenic larvae exposed to MPP+, 3418 proteins were identified, in which 366 proteins were differentially regulated. In particular, we identified enzymes belonging to primary metabolism to be among proteins affected by MPP+ in wild type animals, but not affected in the transgenic line. Moreover, by performing protein profiling on isolated astrocytes we showed that an increase in astrocytic DJ-1 expression up-regulated a large group of proteins associated with redox regulation, inflammation and mitochondrial respiration. The majority of these proteins have also been shown to be regulated by Nrf2. These findings provide a mechanistic insight into the protective role of astroglial up-regulation of DJ-1 and show that our transgenic zebrafish line with astrocytic DJ-1 over-expression can serve as a useful animal model to understand astrocyte-regulated neuroprotection associated with oxidative stress-related neurodegenerative disease.
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Inflamación/genética , Factor 2 Relacionado con NF-E2/genética , Enfermedad de Parkinson/genética , Proteína Desglicasa DJ-1/genética , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/genética , Animales , Animales Modificados Genéticamente/genética , Astrocitos/metabolismo , Astrocitos/patología , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Neuronas Dopaminérgicas/metabolismo , Regulación Enzimológica de la Expresión Génica , Humanos , Inflamación/patología , Larva/genética , Mitocondrias/genética , Mitocondrias/patología , Factor 2 Relacionado con NF-E2/metabolismo , Fármacos Neuroprotectores/metabolismo , Oxidación-Reducción , Estrés Oxidativo , Enfermedad de Parkinson/metabolismo , Enfermedad de Parkinson/patología , Proteína Desglicasa DJ-1/metabolismo , Pez Cebra/genética , Proteínas de Pez Cebra/metabolismoRESUMEN
Seasonal changes in hematology and serum biochemistry results, described by separate reference intervals for different seasons, have been reported in many animals. We developed a novel method to investigate seasonal variation in values and a reference tool (the reference curve) based on sine wave functions that, for suitable variables, represents data more appropriately than a fixed reference interval. We applied these techniques to values observed in blood samples from 126 adult wild platypuses ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus ; 58 females and 68 males). Samples were collected under isoflurane anesthesia from animals captured in the Inglis Catchment in northwest Tasmania. In general, packed cell volume (PCV), red cell count (RCC), and hemoglobin (Hb) values appeared to be lower than those in two studies that previously reported platypus hematology reference intervals. This likely resulted from reduced stress-related splenic contraction or isoflurane-associated splenic sequestration of red blood cells in our study. Reference curves were described for five variables (PCV, RCC, Hb, albumin, and magnesium). We found evidence that this seasonal variation may result from metabolic changes associated with seasonal variations in environmental temperature. These observations suggest that it is important for researchers reporting platypus hematology and serum biochemistry to look for seasonal changes in their data to ensure it is appropriately interpreted.
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Recuento de Células Sanguíneas/veterinaria , Hematócrito , Ornitorrinco/fisiología , Animales , Femenino , Hemoglobinas , Masculino , Valores de Referencia , TasmaniaRESUMEN
Changes in the health of individuals within wildlife populations can be a cause or effect of population declines in wildlife species. Aspects of individual platypus ( Ornithorhynchus anatinus ) health have been reported. However, holistic studies investigating potential synergistic effects of both pathogens and environmental factors are needed to expand understanding of platypus individual health. We collected baseline data on the health of platypuses in two Tasmanian river catchments (including evidence of the potentially fatal fungal disease mucormycosis) and on individual, demographic, and geographic patterns associated with health data results. We examined 130 wild platypuses from the Inglis River Catchment and 24 platypuses from the Seabrook Creek Catchment in northwest Tasmania between 29 August 2011 and 31 August 2013. More than 90% of captured platypuses were infected with ticks, Theileria spp., and trypanosomes. Evidence of exposure to other infections, including Salmonella spp., Leptospira spp., and intestinal parasites, was low (<10%). Three platypuses had single fungal granulomas in the webbing of a forefoot, but no evidence of mucormycosis was found in any of the study animals. Possible subclinical hepatopathies or cholangiohepatopathies were found in six platypuses. Exposure to infectious agents did not cluster geographically, demographically, or in individuals, and there was minimal evidence of morbidity resulting from infection. This study has provided important baseline data for monitoring the effects of threatening processes, including mucormycosis, on the health of infected populations.
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Mucormicosis/veterinaria , Ornitorrinco/microbiología , Animales , Animales Salvajes , Ríos , TasmaniaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Keratins are intermediate filament (IF) proteins, which form part of the epithelial cytoskeleton and which have been implicated pathology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). METHODS: In this study biopsies were obtained from IBD patients grouped by disease duration and subtype into eight categories based on cancer risk and inflammatory status: quiescent recent onset (<5 years) UC (ROUC); UC with primary sclerosing cholangitis; quiescent long-standing pancolitis (20-40 years) (LSPC); active colitis and non-inflamed proximal colonic mucosa; pancolitis with dysplasia-both dysplastic lesions (DT) and distal rectal mucosa (DR); control group without pathology. Alterations in IF protein composition across the groups were determined by quantitative proteomics. Key protein changes were validated by western immunoblotting and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULT: Acute inflammation resulted in reduced K8, K18, K19 and VIM (all p<0.05) compared to controls and non inflamed mucosa; reduced levels of if- associated proteins were also seen in DT and DR. Increased levels of keratins in LSPC was noted relative to controls or ROUC (K8, K18, K19 and VIM, p<0.05). Multiple K8 forms were noted on immunoblotting, with K8 phosphorylation reduced in progressive disease along with an increase in VIM:K8 ratio. K8 levels and phosphorylation are reduced in acute inflammation but appear restored or elevated in subjects with clinical and endoscopic remission (LSPC) but not apparent in subjects with elevated risk of cancer. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that keratin regulation in remission may influence subsequent cancer risk.
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PURPOSE: Pancreatic cancer is commonly detected at advanced stages when the tumor is no longer amenable to surgical resection. Therefore, finding biomarkers for early stage disease is urgent. Here, we show that high-definition mass spectrometry (HDMS(E)) can be used to identify serum protein alterations associated with early stage pancreatic cancer. METHODS: We analyzed serum samples from patients with resectable pancreatic cancer, benign pancreatic disease, and healthy controls. The SYNAPT G2-Si platform was used in a data-independent manner coupled with ion mobility. The dilution of the samples with yeast alcohol dehydrogenase tryptic digest of known concentration allowed the estimated amounts of each identified protein to be calculated (Silva et al. in Anal Chem 77:2187-2200, 2005; Silva et al. in Mol Cell Proteomics 5:144-156, 2006). A global protein expression comparison of the three study groups was made using label-free quantification and bioinformatic analyses. RESULTS: Two-way unsupervised hierarchical clustering revealed 134 proteins that successfully classified pancreatic cancer patients from the controls, and identified 40 proteins that showed a significant up-regulation in the pancreatic cancer group. This discrimination reliability was further confirmed by principal component analysis. The differentially expressed candidates were aligned with protein network analyses and linked to biological pathways related to pancreatic tumorigenesis. Pancreatic disease link associations could be made for BAZ2A, CDK13, DAPK1, DST, EXOSC3, INHBE, KAT2B, KIF20B, SMC1B, and SPAG5, by pathway network linkages to p53, the most frequently altered tumor suppressor in pancreatic cancer. CONCLUSION: These pancreatic cancer study candidates may provide new avenues of research for a noninvasive blood-based diagnosis for pancreatic tumor stratification.
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Bancos de Muestras Biológicas , Biomarcadores de Tumor/metabolismo , Proteínas Sanguíneas/metabolismo , Páncreas/metabolismo , Neoplasias Pancreáticas/metabolismo , Proteómica/métodos , Anciano , Estudios de Casos y Controles , Biología Computacional , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Pronóstico , Espectrometría de Masa por Láser de Matriz Asistida de Ionización DesorciónRESUMEN
Campylobacter spp. are important causes of bacterial gastroenteritis in humans in developed countries. Among Campylobacter spp. Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) and C. coli are the most common causes of human infection. In this study, a multiplex PCR (mPCR) and high resolution melt (HRM) curve analysis were optimized for simultaneous detection and differentiation of C. jejuni and C. coli isolates. A segment of the hippuricase gene (hipO) of C. jejuni and putative aspartokinase (asp) gene of C. coli were amplified from 26 Campylobacter isolates and amplicons were subjected to HRM curve analysis. The mPCR-HRM was able to differentiate between C. jejuni and C. coli species. All DNA amplicons generated by mPCR were sequenced. Analysis of the nucleotide sequences from each isolate revealed that the HRM curves were correlated with the nucleotide sequences of the amplicons. Minor variation in melting point temperatures of C. coli or C. jejuni isolates was also observed and enabled some intraspecies differentiation between C. coli and/or C. jejuni isolates. The potential of PCR-HRM curve analysis for the detection and speciation of Campylobacter in additional human clinical specimens and chicken swab samples was also confirmed. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were found to be 100% and 92%, respectively. The results indicated that mPCR followed by HRM curve analysis provides a rapid (8 hours) technique for differentiation between C. jejuni and C. coli isolates.