Search Results (215)

Canine morbillivirus (CDV), the cause of canine distemper, is a pathogen affecting many hosts. While modified live virus (MLV) vaccines are crucial for controlling the disease in dogs, cases of vaccine-related infections have been found in both domestic and wild animals. Specifically, the America-1 and Rockborn-like vaccine genotypes are concerning due to their spread and ability to transmit between different species. This study conducted a review and analysis of molecular detections of these strains in various carnivores (domestic, captive, synanthropic, and wild species). This study used a conceptual model considering host ecology and the domestic–wild interface to evaluate plausible transmission connections over time using Linear Directional Mean (LDM) and Weighted Mean Centre (WMC) methods. Statistical analyses examined the relationship between how likely a strain is to spread and factors like host type and vaccination status. The findings showed that the America-1 genotype spread in a more organised way, with domestic dogs being the main source and recipient, bridging different environments. Synanthropic mesocarnivores also played this same role, with less intensity. America-1 was most concentrated in the North Atlantic and Western Europe. In contrast, the Rockborn-like strain showed a more unpredictable and restricted spread, residual circulation from past use rather than ongoing spread. Species involved in vaccine-related infections often share characteristics like generalist behaviour, social living, and a preference for areas where domestic animals and wildlife interact. We did not find a general link between a host vaccination status and the likelihood of the strain spreading. The study emphasised the ongoing risk of vaccine-derived strains moving from domestic and synanthropic animals to vulnerable wild species, supporting the need for improved vaccination approaches. Mapping these plausible transmission routes can serve as a basis for targeted surveillance, not only of vaccine-derived strains, but of any other circulating genotype. Full article

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer immense potential as a source for cell therapy in spinal cord injury (SCI) and other diseases. The development of hypoimmunogenic, universal cells that could be transplanted to any recipient without requiring a matching donor could significantly enhance their therapeutic potential and accelerate clinical translation. To create off-the-shelf hypoimmunogenic cells, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to delete B2M (HLA class I) and CIITA (master regulator of HLA class II). Double-knockout (DKO) iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) evaded T-cell-mediated immune rejection in vitro and after grafting into the injured spinal cord of athymic rats and humanized mice. However, loss of HLA class I heightened susceptibility to host natural killer (NK) cell attack, limiting graft survival. To counter this negative effect, we engineered DKO NPCs to overexpress macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an NK cell checkpoint ligand. MIF expression markedly reduced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and improved long-term engraftment and integration of NPCs in the animal models for spinal cord injury. These findings demonstrate that MIF overexpression, combined with concurrent B2M and CIITA deletion, generates hiPSC neural derivatives that escape both T- and NK-cell surveillance. This strategy provides a scalable route to universal donor cells for regenerative therapies in SCI and potentially other disorders. Full article

Background: Animated video is promising to educate and empower caregiving and provide additional social support for kidney transplant (KT) access; yet, it has not been tested. Our clinical-research group developed a caregiver-directed educational animated video to complement an existing intervention currently being adapted to stimulate social network engagement in KT access. This qualitative study assessed the videos’ learning and sharing applicability to KT caregivers, as well as recommendations for improvement of the video and the transplant centers’ program to meet caregivers’ needs. Methods: Caregivers of KT-seekers (n = 17) and KT-recipients (n = 9) at a single center were individually interviewed after viewing the video remotely on their own device. Interview transcripts were analyzed using content analysis with a deductive approach. Results: Five overarching themes emerged about the caregivers’ perceptions of the animated video: (1) clear and engaging, (2) a good overview of caregiving, (3) a way to refresh knowledge and show others how they can contribute to caregiving, (4) additional information needed, and (5) desired more transplant center communication and support. Conclusions: An animated video to promote caregiving in transplant access was well received as an entry point for education and is potentially applicable for sharing to mobilize additional social support. Full article

Secondary osteonecrosis (ON) is a common complication in paediatric cancer survivors. Combining multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) with core decompression surgery halts disease progression and stimulates bone regeneration. However, the success of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) requires versatile “off-the-shelf” tissue engineering products (TEPs). This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of TEPs loaded with allogeneic MSCs from Wharton’s jelly (WJ-MSCs) in a large-animal model of bone regeneration to support a paediatric investigational plan for ON patients. WJ-MSC-laden fibrin-based hydrogels combined with a synthetic bone substitute (PRO-DENSE^TM) were tested in 16 juvenile sheep (8 males and 8 females) distributed in four experimental groups. Each animal received four cylindrical bone defects in the femoral and tibial epiphyses and was assessed at 6 and 12 weeks. Safety was confirmed, and bone regeneration was observed across all groups. A combination of WJ-MSCs with PRO-DENSE^TM led to improved histological scores, osteogenesis, and construct integration. Trabecular bone volume also increased more in cellular groups over time. However, effects were inconsistent across groups, reflecting the variability seen in clinical trials and highlighting the significant impact of factors such as immunogenetic compatibility, MSC batch potency, and interaction with the recipient’s microenvironment on the therapeutic effectiveness and successful clinical translation of allogeneic ATMPs. Full article

The Blastocystis sp. is a common enteric parasite found in humans and various animals. Blastocystis spp. infections may be asymptomatic or symptomatic, with gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms, such as diarrhea, nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, vomiting, or anorexia. The disease leading to symptoms is usually observed in participants with immune deficiency. We report the case of weight loss and diarrhea in a Blastocystis sp. infection in a 64-year-old renal transplant recipient. Full article

Introduction: Uterine transplantation is currently the only treatment that allows women with absolute uterine factor infertility (AUFI) to gestate and give birth. Objective: This systematic review aims to analyze the available evidence on uterine transplantation, focusing on the medical process, associated complications, ethical dilemmas, and the psychological and social impact on recipients. Methods: A systematic review of PubMed, Medline, MedNar, and Cinahl databases was conducted. The inclusion criteria included articles related to uterine transplantation published in English or Spanish between 2019 and 2024, excluding animal studies or other uterine procedures. Results: A total of 46 articles were analyzed. The review describes ethical considerations and recipients’ perceptions, two variables that have received limited attention in recent studies. Additionally, the transplant and gestation processes, along with associated complications, were detailed. Discussion: The limited availability of studies on ethical aspects and recipient perceptions presented challenges in the research. Moreover, the role of nurses and midwives, despite their importance in the process, is scarcely discussed in the literature. Conclusions: Although uterine transplantation remains an emerging treatment, its development suggests that the benefits may outweigh the risks, offering new hope for women with AUFI. Full article

The cryopreservation of testicular tissues meets the demands for the germplasm preservation of humans and animals. Previously, we reported on the cryopreservation of bovine testicular tissues. To further evaluate the viability of these tissues, subcutaneous xenotransplantation of the frozen–thawed calf testicular tissues was performed with castrated nude mice as the recipients. After 28 days (D28), the survival and development of the grafts were examined. The grafts from 1-day-old (D1) calf testes were recovered and angiogenesis around the grafts was observed. Histologically, the seminiferous cords in the grafts were well maintained and capillaries in the interstitium were observed. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis showed that the grafts expressed germline genes Gfrα-1, C-kit, and Sycp3 and somatic genes Sox9, Acta2, and Star. The expressions of C-kit, Sox9, Acta2, and Star were higher in 28D grafts than those in 1D and 30-day-old (30D) calf testicular controls. Together, we initially demonstrate that cryopreserved calf testicular tissues retain their viability and developmental capacity after xenotransplantation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Agricultural soils accumulate inorganic contaminants from the application of phosphate fertilisers. An airstrip located at Belmont Regional Park (BRP), near Wellington, New Zealand, has been found to have a gradient of cadmium contamination due to spillage of superphosphate fertiliser. Methods: Soil samples from the BRP airstrip with a gradient of cadmium contamination, were used as a novel source to explore bacterial communities’ resistance to heavy metals (HMs) and any co-selected antibiotic (Ab) resistance. Results: Differences between BRP soil samples with higher levels of HMs compared to those with lower HM concentrations showed significantly more bacterial isolates resistant to both HMs (40.6% versus 63.1% resistant to 0.01 mM CdCl₂, p < 0.05) and Abs (23.4% versus 37.8% resistant to 20 μg/mL tetracycline, p < 0.05) in soils with higher initial levels of HMs (1.14 versus 7.20 mg kg⁻¹ Cd). Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) and 16S rDNA next-generation sequencing profiling investigated changes in HM-induced bacterial communities. Significant differences were observed among the bacterial community structures in the selected BRP soil samples. Conjugative transfer of cadmium resistance from 23–38% of cadmium-resistant isolates to a characterised recipient bacterial strain in vitro suggested many of these genes were carried by mobile genetic elements. Transconjugants were also resistant to zinc, mercury, and Abs. Higher levels of HMs in soil correlated with increased resistance to HMs, Abs, and elevated levels of HMs thus disturbed the bacterial community structure in BRP soil significantly. Conclusions: These findings suggest that HM contamination of agricultural soil can select for Ab resistance in soil bacteria with potential risks to human and animal health. Full article

Background. Antibiotic-resistant (AR) bacteria pose an increasing threat to public health, but the dynamics of antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) spread in complex microbial communities are poorly understood. Conjugation is a predominant direct cell-to-cell mechanism for the horizontal gene transfer (HGT) of ARGs. We hypothesized that commensal Escherichia coli donor strains would mediate the conjugative transfer of ARGs to phylogenetically distinct bacteria without antibiotic selection pressure in gastrointestinal tracts of mice carrying a human-derived microbiota with undetectable levels of E. coli. Our objective was to identify a mouse model to study the factors regulating AR transfer by conjugation in the gut. Methods. Two donor E. coli strains were engineered to carry chromosomally encoded red fluorescent protein, and an ARG- and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-encoding broad host range RP4 conjugative plasmid. Mice were orally gavaged with two donor strains (1) E. coli MG1655 or (2) human-derived mouse-adapted E. coli LM715-1 and their colonization assessed by culture over time. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and 16S rDNA sequencing were performed to trace plasmid spread to the microbiota. Results. E. coli LM715-1 colonized mice for ten days, while E. coli MG1655 was not recovered after 72 h. Bacterial cells from fecal samples on days 1 and 3 post inoculation were sorted by FACS. Samples from mice given donor E. coli LM715-1 showed an increase in cells expressing green but not red fluorescence compared to pre-inoculation samples. 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of FACS GFP positive cells showed that bacterial families Lachnospiraceae, Clostridiaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Rhodanobacteraceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Oscillospiraceae, and Butyricicoccaceae were the primary recipients of the RP4 plasmid. Conclusions. Results show this ARG-bearing conjugative RP4 plasmid spread to diverse human gut bacterial taxa within a live animal where they persisted. These fluorescent marker strategies and human-derived microbiota transplanted mice provided a tractable model for investigating the dynamic spread of ARGs within gut microbiota and could be applied rigorously to varied microbiotas to understand conditions facilitating their spread. Full article

Platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) is a recent regenerative biomaterial applied in clinical wound healing. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of allogeneic PRF therapy as a regenerative methodology for treating skin wounds in two small dogs. A Miniature Pinscher and a mixed breed dog weighing 3.6 and 9.5 kg, aged 5 and 10 years, with extensive skin wounds implicating significant tissue loss and with abundant yellow exudate were allocated to this study. Each allogenic PRF treatment was derived from screened donors and consisted of grafting PRFs at the wound recipient area. Nevertheless, the blood group of the donor or recipient was not considered. The wound from case 1 received three PRF treatments during the initial two weeks of treatment, and case 2 received four PRF treatments, followed by single weekly ones. The utilization of PRFs was suspended as soon as relevant wound contraction and epithelization were observed. Both animals received systemic antibiotics prescribed at the emergency room by the first clinician. The wounds were cleaned using sterile saline only. Two weeks later, the lesions had reduced by more than 80%. All lesions exhibited aesthetic and uneventful healing. No rejection, necrosis, or infection signs were observed. PRF acted as a regenerative biomaterial, forming vascularized granulation tissue, followed by epithelization and wound resolution. Full article

Childhood and Adolescent Animal Harm (CAAH) is influenced by biological, psychological and socio-environmental risk factors. Interventions to prevent animal harm among children and young people are essential for fostering empathy and reducing future harm. This study explores the perspectives of RSPCA stakeholders, to co-produce a redeveloped version of ‘Breaking the Chain’, an intervention addressing youth animal harm. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 RSPCA employees across a range of departments and geographical locations in England, UK. Thematic analysis was used to identify key insights on target groups, intervention content, delivery methods, and evaluation strategies. Two primary target groups were identified: universal audiences (primary school-aged children) and high-risk youth. Participants advocated for retaining the core content of the existing intervention while modernising resources to address contemporary risk factors, such as online exposure to animal harm while ensuring accessibility for neurodiverse audiences. Face-to-face delivery was favoured, complemented by digital resources. Evaluation was viewed as critical, with a focus on both short-term outcomes and long-term impact. This study highlights the importance of stakeholder involvement in co-producing effective cruelty prevention interventions. Future steps will involve a coproduction study with children and young people to gather their perspectives on the intervention redesign. This will be followed by a pilot and evaluation of the redesigned intervention, incorporating feedback from both the implementers (e.g., teachers, youth offending teams, RSPCA employees) and the recipients (children and young people). Full article

Among living organisms, higher animals primarily use a combination of vocal and non-verbal cues for communication. In other species, however, chemical signaling holds a central role. The chemical and biological activity of the molecules produced by the organisms themselves and the existence of receptors/targeting sites that allow recognition of such molecules leads to various forms of responses by the producer and recipient organisms and is a fundamental principle of such communication. Chemical language can be used to coordinate processes within one species or between species. Chemical signals are thus information for other organisms, potentially inducing modification of their behavior. Additionally, this conversation is influenced by the external environment in which organisms are found. This review presents examples of chemical communication among microorganisms, between microorganisms and plants, and between microorganisms and animals. The mechanisms and physiological importance of this communication are described. Chemical interactions can be both cooperative and antagonistic. Microbial chemical signals usually ensure the formation of the most advantageous population phenotype or the disadvantage of a competitive species in the environment. Between microorganisms and plants, we find symbiotic (e.g., in the root system) and parasitic relationships. Similarly, mutually beneficial relationships are established between microorganisms and animals (e.g., gastrointestinal tract), but microorganisms also invade and disrupt the immune and nervous systems of animals. Full article

Sugar beet pulp is a byproduct of white sugar production, and it is quite significant in terms of volume. Every year, tens of millions of tons of beet pulp are produced around the world. However, only a fraction of it is currently used, mainly as animal feed. The composition of beet pulp includes plant polysaccharides, such as cellulose, arabinan, and pectin. Through the process of enzymatic hydrolysis, these polysaccharides are converted into technical C6/C5 sugars, which can be further used as a substrate for the microbial synthesis of various substances, including biofuels, organic acids, and other green chemistry molecules. The current study was designed with a primary objective that focused on the development of a strain that had the potential for enhanced productivity and the capacity to produce enzymes suitable for beet pulp hydrolysis. The pelA and abfA genes, which encode pectin lyase and arabinofuranosidase, respectively, in the fungus Penicillium canescens (VKPM F-178), were cloned and successfully expressed in the recipient strain Penicillium verruculosum B1-537 (VKPM F-3972D). New recombinant strains were created using the expression system of the mycelial fungus P. verruculosum B1-537, which is capable of simultaneously producing pectin lyase and arabinofuranosidase, as well as homologous cellulases. The screening of strains for increased enzymatic activity towards citrus pectin, sugar beet branched arabinan, and microcrystalline cellulose revealed that a B4 clone of P. verruculosum exhibited the greatest potential in sugar beet pulp cake hydrolysis. This clone was selected as the basis for the creation of a new enzyme preparation with enhanced pectin lyase, arabinase, and cellulase activities. The component composition of the enzyme preparation was determined, and the results indicated that the enzyme content comprised approximately 11% pectin lyase, 40% arabinofuranosidase, and 40% cellulases. The primary products of the enzymatic hydrolysis of the unpretreated beet pulp cake were arabinose and glucose. The degree of arabinan and cellulose conversion was observed to be up to 50% and 80%, respectively, after a period of 48 to 72 h of hydrolysis. The new B4 preparation was observed to be highly efficacious in the hydrolysis of beet cake at elevated concentrations of solids (up to 300 g/L) within the reaction mixture. The newly developed strain, as a producer of pectin lyase, arabinofuranosidase, and cellulase complexes, has the potential to be utilized for the bioconversion of sugar beet processing wastes and for the efficient generation of highly concentrated solutions of technical sugars for further implementation in processes of microbial synthesis. Full article

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by the immune-mediated loss of pancreatic β-cells. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) is a transcription factor which is crucial for cellular responses to low oxygen. Here, we investigate the role of β-cell HIF-1α in β-cell death and diabetes after exposure to multiple low-dose streptozotocin (MLDS). MDLS triggers auto-immunity in susceptible animal models, such as non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. These experiments used a novel mouse model with β-cell-specific deletion of HIF-1α on a NOD background (BIN mice). Mice were given 20 mg/kg MLDS for 5 consecutive days. Following MLDS, 100% of BIN mice developed frank diabetes versus 33% of floxed-control (FC) littermates and 17% of NOD controls (p < 0.001). BIN mice had obvious loss of β-cell mass (p < 0.0001) and increased necrotic areas within islets (p < 0.001). To confirm that diabetes was T1D, adoptive transfers of splenocytes from diabetic BIN and FC mice were performed on NOD-SCID (Severe Combined ImmunoDeficiency) recipients. All mice receiving BIN-splenocytes developed frank diabetes, confirming that MLDS induced true T1D. Interestingly, diabetes developed significantly faster in BIN-adoptive transfer mice compared to mice which developed diabetes after receiving an FC-adoptive transfer. These studies demonstrate the importance of β-cell HIF-1α in the preservation of β-cell mass and avoidance of auto-immunity. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increasing occurrence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Enterobacterales, most commonly Escherichia coli, has become a serious problem. The aim of this study was to determine the presence of ESBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria in dairy cattle, goat and sheep farms located in southern Türkiye. Methods: Samples (409 quarter milk samples and 110 fresh faecal samples from cattle, 75 bulk tank milk samples and 225 rectal swab samples from goats and sheep) were subjected to selective isolation on MacConkey agar with ceftazidime (2 µg/mL). Isolates were identified by MALDI-ToF MS. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolates was determined by the broth microdilution method. To obtain a deeper insight into the genetic diversity of isolates substantially contributing to an efficient spread of their ESBL-determinants (23-MO00001: an E. coli from mastitis and 23-MO00002 Citrobacter freundii), the transmission potential and the genetic background of the plasmid carrying the bla_CTX-M determinant was studied with whole genome analysis using Illumina sequencing. Results: Of the samples tested, 47 from the bovine faecal samples, 1 from the subclinical mastitis milk sample, 9 from the goat/sheep rectal swab samples and 5 from the goat/sheep bulk tank milk samples had ceftazidime-resistant Gram-negative strains with the ESBL phenotype. Of the 33 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates, 66.6% were resistant to tetracycline, 57.6% to sulfamethoxazole, 48.9% to nalidixic acid, 42.4% to ciprofloxacin and 33.3% to trimethoprim. Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) results showed that the majority of E. coli isolates (16/33) and all Enterobacter spp. isolates (n = 5) were not clonally related (80% similarity cut value). The sequenced strains were observed to efficiently transfer their ceftazidime resistance to the recipient strain E. coli J53 at 37 °C (transfer rates: 10¹–10² transconjugants per donor cell). S1-PFGE showed that the transconjugants J53(p23MO01-T1) and J53(p23MO02-T1) had acquired plasmids of about 82 kb and 55 kb plasmids, respectively. According to WGS results, the E. coli isolate was assigned to ST162, while the C. freundii isolate was assigned to ST95. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that dairy animals are reservoirs of ESBL-producing bacteria. Full article