Groups Of Animals Research Articles

Bacillus subtilis SF106 and Bacillus clausii SF174 spores reduce the inflammation and modulate the gut microbiota in a colitis model.

Chronic intestinal inflammation is associated with strong alterations of the microbial composition of the gut. Probiotic treatments and microbiota-targeting approaches have been considered to reduce the inflammation, improve both gut barrier function as well as overall gastrointestinal health. Here, a murine model of experimental colitis was used to assess the beneficial health effects of Bacillus subtilis SF106 and Bacillus clausii (recently renamed Shouchella clausii) SF174, two spore-forming strains previously characterised in vitro as potential probiotics. Experimental colitis was induced in BALB/c mice by the oral administration of dextran sodium sulphate (DSS) and groups of animals treated with spores of either strain. Spores of both strains reduced the DSS-induced inflammation with spores of B. clausii SF174 more effective than B. subtilis SF106. Spores of both strains remodelled the mouse gut microbiota favouring the presence of beneficial microbes such as members of the Bacteroidetes and Akkermansia genera.

Fruit extracts of various cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.) cultivars as antioxidant therapy for alleviating nitrative stress in erythrocytes of blood in experimental diabetes mellitus

Natural antioxidants (vitamins, bioflavonoids, anthocyanins, etc.) are used to prevent the development of oxidative-nitrative stress in diabetes mellitus (DM), which helps to restore or avert functional disorders in the cells and tissues of the body. The aim of the study is to investigate the effect of extracts of the fruit of different cultivars of the cornelian cherry, as well as their main iridoid glycoside – loganic acid, on the activity of NO-synthase and the content of stable metabolites of NO in blood erythrocytes of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Materials and methods. In the work, we used the extract of the fruits of the cornelian cherry “Podolski” cultivar (BDPA 10462), the ripe fruits of which have a red color, and the extract of the “Yantarnyi” (BDPA 14131) and “Flava” (BDPA 8795) cultivars, the ripe fruits of which have a yellow color. Loganic acid was extracted from yellow fruits of the “Yantarnyi” and “Flava” cultivars of Cornus mas L. All studied extracts were administered to rats orally for 14 days from the 10th day after the induction of DM. The dose of administration was 20 mg/kg body weight. Results. The extract of the red fruits is demonstrated the most pronounced effect in normalizing the biomarkers of nitrative stress (activity of NO-synthase and its isoforms, the content of nitrite and nitrate anions) in erythrocytes of rats with diabetes. The extract of the yellow fruits shows a positive effect on the suppression of nitrative stress, which has been indicated by a decrease in the activity of iNO-synthase to the values in the control group of animals. Loganic acid, on the contrary, inhibited the eNO-synthase. In addition, the extract of yellow fruits of cornelian cherry and loganic acid decreased the level of NO3– and increased the content of NO2– in erythrocytes of diabetic rats. Conclusions. Biomarkers of nitrative stress in erythrocytes of rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes indicated the antioxidant properties of fruit extracts of cornelian cherry, in particular the red fruits, which contain a large amount of anthocyanins.

Ultrastructure of the Bovine Testis in Cattle (Bos taurus): New View.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the ultrastructure of the testes of sexually immature calves and reproductive bulls of the Polish Holstein-Friesian Black-and-White breed. Utilizing TEM, this study identified three distinct stages of seminiferous tubule development in calves, characterized by varying shapes, distributions, and arrangements of individual cells. In immature animals, early developing spermatocytes, prespermatogonia, and pre-Sertoli cells were observed within the seminiferous tubules. In sexually mature bulls, all cells of the spermatogenic series were observed, situated on a thin, multilayered basal lamina, which forms characteristic undulations. An abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum was observed in the cytoplasm of spermatogonia in both groups of animals, forming characteristic membranous swirls. In adult bulls, spermatogonia maintain contact with each other through numerous cytoplasmic bridges and cell connections, forming small spaces with visible microvilli between them. The ultrastructural analysis facilitated the identification of morphological changes occurring during the maturation of pre-Sertoli cells, transitioning from a large euchromatic nucleus to a nucleus in which the formation of characteristic vesicles and tubules could be observed. It should also be emphasized that two types of Sertoli cells, namely dark and light electron-dense cells, can be found in cattle. These cells differ from each other, indicating that they may perform different functions. The widespread recognition of the presence of two types of Sertoli cells in cattle will undoubtedly contribute to a better understanding of the processes occurring within the testes and provide a basis for further research in this area.

DETERMINATION OF ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF HIPPOPHAE RHAMNOIDES L. GROWING IN TURKEY AND INVESTIGATION OF ITS EFFECTS ON THE LIVER TOXICITY IN RATS

Objective: The goal of the present work was to investigate the antioxidant properties of the extracts of Hippophae rhamnoides L. and to determine their effects on liver toxicity in rats. Material and Method: Metal chelation, reducing power and DPPH radical scavenging methods were used in the antioxidant activity analysis of extracts. The total phenolic content was determined using the folin-ciocalteu reagent. Plant extracts were administered orally to the rats at doses of 500 µg/kg for 2 days. Each animal group was composed of six female Albino Wistar rats with an average weight of 250 g. Microscopic examination was carried out to observe any pathological changes in the rat livers. Result and Discussion: Water extract showed the highest radical scavenging activity (48.65%), reducing power (0.291 absorbance at 700 nm) and metal chelating (35.40%) at 1 mg/ml concentration. Histopathological studies showed that especially water extract reduced the severity of CCl4-induced intoxication. Hippophae rhamnoides L. extracts were found to have antioxidant activity, and also Hippophae rhamnoides L. water extract was shown to be particularly effective in preventing liver damage.

Diversity, morphology, and phylogeny of freshwater mussels of the genus Nodularia (Bivalvia: Unionidae) from China, with descriptions of four new species

AbstractFreshwater bivalves (Bivalvia, Unionida) are one of the most threatened groups of animals in the world. Defining species boundaries and understanding the phylogeny and genetic diversity of these species is key to guiding their conservation and management. However, the presence of significant phenotypic plasticity and convergence within this group complicates species delimitation. This includes the freshwater mussel genus Nodularia, endemic to East Asia, for which a comprehensive understanding of species diversity and phylogenetic relationships remains elusive due to inadequate sampling in previous studies, particularly in China, a widely recognized biodiversity hotspot for freshwater mussels. Here, we conduct comprehensive taxonomic and phylogenetic analyses of Nodularia species based on extensive sampling across 23 provinces in China and multiple data sources, including shell morphology, soft body anatomy, six‐gene (COI + ND1 + 16S + 18S + 28S + histone H3) and mitogenome datasets. The integrative systematics approach used here reveals 10 distinct species in this genus, four of which are new to science, i.e. Nodularia hanensis sp. nov., Nodularia huana sp. nov., Nodularia fusiformans sp. nov., Nodularia dualobtusus sp. nov. and two of which are new records for China, i.e. Nodularia dorri (Wattebled [Journal de Conchyliologie, 34, 1886, 54]) and Nodularia micheloti (Morlet [Journal de Conchyliologie, 34, 1886, 75]). We also propose that the nominal species Nodularia jourdyi (Morlet [Journal de Conchyliologie, 34, 1886, 75]) syn. nov. is a new synonym for Nodularia douglasiae (Griffith & Pidgeon, 1833) based on molecular data. BI, ML, and BEAST analyses based on the six‐gene dataset and mitochondrial phylogenomics consistently support the following phylogenetic relationships: (N. dorri + (N. hanensis sp. nov. + N. micheloti)) + (N. breviconcha + (N. huana sp. nov. + (N. fusiformans sp. nov. + ((N. nuxpersicae + N. nipponensis) + (N. dualobtusus sp. nov. + N. douglasiae))))). The molecular clock with fossil calibration indicates that Nodularia originated in the Late Cretaceous period (ca. 73.78 Mya). It then diverged into two independent clades during the Middle Paleogene (ca. 45.01 Mya), followed by a rapid burst of extant speciation during the Neogene (mean age 28.28 to 4.79 Mya). Nodularia breviconcha is the earliest differentiated taxon among the 10 Nodularia taxa, appearing during the Paleogene‐Neogene transition (28.28 Mya; 95% HPD = 14.35–48.44 Mya). Taken together, we provide a robust systematic framework for Nodularia species, addressing phylogenetic relationships, taxonomy, and evolutionary history of this group.

WPŁYW ZRÓZNICOWANEJ ZAWARTO ˙ SCI BIAŁKA I MOCZNIKA W MLEKU, JAKO BIOMERKERÓW ´ ENERGETYCZNO-BIAŁKOWEGO ZBILANSOWANIA DAWEK POKARMOWYCH, NA POZIOM WYBRANYCH CECH UZYTKOWO ˙ SCI MLECZNEJ KRÓW RASY POLSKIEJ ´ HOLSZTYNSKO-FRYZYJSKIEJ

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of varied levels of milk protein and urea content on selected milk production traits of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. The research included 34,397 data sets related to daily milk production of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows. These animals were kept in 15 cattle herds located in the Mazovian and Podlasie voivodeships. In the first stage of the research, the animals were differentiated based on the level of urea in their milk and the percentage of protein. According to the adopted assumptions, the energy and protein balance level of feed rations was determined based on the concentration of urea and protein in the milk. Due to the level of urea, three cow groups were distinguished: <150, 150–250, and >250 mg · L-1. Depending on the concentration of protein in the milk, the following three groups of animals were determined: <3.2%, 3.2–3.6%, and >3.6%. The assessment of the impact of varied energy and protein balance levels in feed rations on selected milk production traits of cows was conducted in subsequent lactation periods, production level and fat to protein (F/P) groups. Four lactation periods were distinguished, which covered successive months of lactation: 1–3, 4–6, 7–10, and 11–18, three production groups, determined based on the following levels of daily milk yield: <20, 20–30, and >30 kg and as well three groups of cows with different F/P ratio in milk were distinguished: <1.2, 1.2–1.6, >1.6. In the next stage of the study, a detailed assessment was conducted on the impact of varied levels of energy and protein balance in feed rations on the analyzed milk production traits. The analyzed population of cows was divided into 9 groups based on the level of urea content (mg · L-1) and protein concentration (%), with varying levels of coverage of the protein and energy requirements of cows. The interdependencies between milk performance traits of cows fed diets with balanced levels of energy and protein and their peers, for whom the nutritional diets were differentiated based on energy-protein balance, were determined using Pearson correlation coefficients and linear regression. When assessing the energy supply of cows, the study showed that too low energy levels in diets lead to a decrease in the chemical composition of milk, while too high levels lead to a decrease in milk yield compared to peers fed optimally balanced diets. Milk from cows with inadequate energy and protein nutrition contained less fat and protein by 0.54% and 0.59%, respectively, compared to milk from cows fed optimally. On the other hand, excessive energy supply was accompanied by an increase in fat (+0.66%) and protein (+0.57%) concentration with a decrease in daily milk yield (-4,1 kg). When evaluating the level of protein coverage for cows, the study showed that an excess of protein in feed led to an increase in urea levels in milk. The level of urea in milk from cows fed with excess protein in their feed (>250 mg · L-1 and <3.2%; >250 mg · L-1 and >3.6%; >250 mg · L-1 and 3.2–3.6%) contained more urea per liter compared to milk from cows fed a balanced diet, with increases of 127, 107, and 109 mg, respectively.

Assessment of genotoxic damage induced by exposure to binary mixtures of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and three heavy metals in male mice

Introduction Heavy metals (HM) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposition has been associated with health problems. Therefore, this research evaluated genotoxicity induced in male mice strain CD-1 exposed to benzo[a]anthracene (B[a]A) and benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) and their interaction with Fe, Pb, and Al. Methods Groups of animals were exposed intraperitoneally to HM, PAHs, and mixtures of both. Peripheral blood samples were taken from 0 to 96 h at 24 h intervals; genotoxicity was determined by micronucleus tests and comet assay. Additionally, toxicity and viability were evaluated. Results HM and PAHs individually were genotoxic. About toxicity, only Al altered polychromatic erythrocytes number and did not change leukocytes viability. Concerning mixtures, Fe + B[a]P, Fe + B[a]A, Pb + B[a]P increased genotoxicity. There were no changes with Pb + B[a]A. Finally, Al mixtures with both PAHs damage was decreased. Conclusions Exposure to HM and PAH caused genetic damage. Fe, Al, and B[a]A, established a genotoxic potential. Every metal can interact with PAHs in different ways. Also, the micronucleus test and the comet assay demonstrated their high capacity and reliability to determine the genotoxic potential of the compounds evaluated in this work.

Acute Toxicity Test of Mulberry Leaf Extract (Morus rubra L) as a Basic Ingredient of Candida Albicans Antifungal on Rattus Norvecigus

Previous research on the effectiveness of mulberry leaves in the growth of candida albicans showed that C. albicans is inhibited in vitro. Mulberry leaf extract is used as a basic ingredient for treatment. In addition to being tested for effectiveness, testing is needed to ensure the level of acute toxicity in experimental animals in determining toxicity levels. The study aimed to test the acute toxicity of mulberry leaf extract on Rattus Norvecigus media in determining the level of toxicity before becoming the basic ingredient of VVC antifungal. The research method uses an experimental laboratory post-test-only control group design with a 9 Rattus Norvegicus media. The average dose is not lethal using LD50 values. Research analysis using ANOVA is One Way to determine the difference in the average weight change of experimental animals. The study's results did not show any deaths of experimental animals or toxic symptoms in administering mulberry leaf extract doses of 0 mg, 100mg, 1000 mg, 1600mg, 2900mg, 5000mg. LD50 value more than 8g/kg BW, included in the non-toxic category (5-15 g/kg BW). The ANOVA statistical test showed a P-value of 0.781 more than a P-value of 0.05, that is, there was no difference in the average change in body weight in the experimental animal group given different treatment doses in each group. The research concludes that mulberry leaf extract does not show a lethal dose of acute toxicity, so it is safe to use as a basic ingredient in treatment sourced from natural ingredients.

Sex and stress interactions in fear synchrony of mouse dyads.

Socially coordinated threat responses support the survival of animal groups. Given their distinct social roles, males and females must differ in such coordination. Here, we report such differences during the synchronization of auditory-conditioned freezing in mouse dyads. To study the interaction of emotional states with social cues underlying synchronization, we modulated emotional states with prior stress or modified the social cues by pairing unfamiliar or opposite-sex mice. In same-sex dyads, males exhibited more robust synchrony than females. Stress disrupted male synchrony in a prefrontal cortex-dependent manner but enhanced it in females. Unfamiliarity moderately reduced synchrony in males but not in females. In dyads with opposite-sex partners, fear synchrony was resilient to both stress and unfamiliarity. Decomposing the synchronization process in the same-sex dyads revealed sex-specific behavioral strategies correlated with synchrony magnitude: following partners' state transitions in males and retroacting synchrony-breaking actions in females. Those were altered by stress and unfamiliarity. The opposite-sex dyads exhibited no synchrony-correlated strategy. These findings reveal sex-specific adaptations of socio-emotional integration defining coordinated behavior and suggest that sex-recognition circuits confer resilience to stress and unfamiliarity in opposite-sex dyads.

Can a Sacrococcygeal Epidural of 0.25% Bupivacaine Prevent the Activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System during Feline Ovariectomy?

The ovariectomy (OVE) procedure can trigger somatosensory and visceral peritoneal nociception. Sacrococcygeal epidural (ScE) anesthesia may complement or replace systemic analgesia used for feline OVE, reducing opioid consumption and their related undesirable adverse effects and consequently reducing or completely blocking the sympathetic nervous system activation during this procedure. The present study aimed to evaluate the activation of the sympathetic nervous system resulting from adding an ScE injection of bupivacaine 0.25% (0.3 mL kg-1) in feline OVE and identify whether this translates to hemodynamic variables stability. A Parasympathetic Tone Activity (PTA) monitor was applied given that it performs analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) detecting changes in sympathetic and parasympathetic tone, making it a good tool for detecting activation of the sympathetic nervous system during the study. Two groups of animals were evaluated in five perioperative times, namely, the control group (CG) (n = 18) with systemic analgesia alone and the sacrococcygeal epidural group (ScEG) (n = 20) with 0.25% bupivacaine combined with systemic analgesia. Thirty-eight female cats were selected. All animals assigned to CG and ScEG were premedicated with dexmedetomidine (20 μg kg-1 IM) and methadone (0.2 mg kg-1 IM). General anesthesia was induced with propofol IV ad effectum and maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. Heart rate, non-invasive systolic and median blood pressure, respiratory rate, and instantaneous parasympathetic tone activity were recorded. Compared to systemic analgesia alone (CG), sacrococcygeal epidural (ScEG) reduced the rise of common hemodynamic variables but did not prevent sympathetic nervous system activation.

Updates on antifungal pharmacotherapy in elasmobranchs: pharmacokinetics of 4 mg/kg voriconazole after IM and IV administration in undulate skates (Raja undulata) maintained under human care.

Fungal diseases are frequently associated with elevated mortality rates in elasmobranchs. Currently, there is a notable absence of scientifically validated therapeutic medications that can ensure both effectiveness and safety when administered to this group of animals. The empirical prescription of azole antifungal agents, particularly voriconazole, has been posited as a potentially efficacious treatment approach for addressing most common mycoses in sharks and rays. However, there are still no published pharmacokinetic studies supporting its use in elasmobranchs and there is a lack of scientific base for its utilization in elasmobranchs. For this study, voriconazole was administered intravenously (IV) and intramuscularly (IM), at a single dose of 4 mg/kg to six adult undulate skates (Raja undulata). A washout period of 8 weeks was left between each route of administration. Blood samples were collected both before and at ten predetermined intervals after each dosing (0.25, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 h after drug administration). Plasma concentrations were quantified using a validated high-performance liquid chromatography method, and pharmacokinetic (PK) data was analyzed through non-compartmental methods. The mean extrapolated concentration at 0 h (C0) after IV administration was 27.19 ± 7.15 μg/mL and the mean peak plasma concentrations (Cmax) ± SEM after IM administration resulted 2.98 ± 0.28 μg/mL at a mean time to maximum concentration (T max) of 1.33 ± 0.17 h. Terminal half-lives were calculated and resulted 11.18 ± 1.32 h for IV injections and 9.59 ± 1.38 h for IM injections. The area under the curve extrapolated to infinity was determined as 58.14 ± 2.79 h·μg/ml following IV injections and 37.60 ± 6.67 h·μg/ml following IM injections. The IM-administered voriconazole exhibited a mean absolute bioavailability of 64.67 ± 11.47%. These discoveries provide backing for the possible application of voriconazole through the intramuscular route in undulate skates and support using lower dosage regimens compared to those required for oral administration, emphasizing the importance of conducting further pharmacokinetic studies with antifungals in elasmobranchs.

Density of lymphocytes in cortex and medulla substance of thymus particles of white rats in normal conditions and under influence of heavy metal salts during three months

The consumption of clean water is the most relevant today, but natural water is delivered to our homes through plastic, iron and galvanized pipes. Metal ions, which are part of the pipe material, can get into drinking water and affect the human body, in particular the thymus. That is why the aim of the work was to determine the density of large, medium and small lymphocytes in the cortex and medulla of the thymus lobules of outbred white male rats of reproductive age when consuming small doses of heavy metal salts with water for three months. The study was conducted on 40 outbred white male rats of reproductive age, which were divided into 4 groups: 1 group – control animals that consumed distilled water; 2 group of animals that consumed aqueous solutions – CuSO4·5H2O at a dose of 0.247 mg/dm3; 3 group – aqueous solution of ZnSO4·7H2O at a dose of 1.505 mg/dm3; group 4 – aqueous solution of FeSO4·7H2O at a dose of 0.5 mg/dm3. Histological, electron microscopic and morphometric research methods were used to study the density of large, medium and small lymphocytes in different zones of the thymus lobules. It was found that in the control group of rats, the density of large lymphocytes is the highest in the subcapsular zone, and the lowest in the medulla. The density of medium lymphocytes is the lowest in the subcapsular zone. The density of small lymphocytes is the lowest in the medulla, and the highest in the cortico-medullary zone. When using CuSO4·5H2O salts with drinking water for three months, there were no significant changes in the density of lymphocytes compared to the control group, except for a slight decrease in the density of large lymphocytes in the cortex of the thymus lobules. The density of lymphocytes in the third group of animals that consumed zinc salts (ZnSO4·7H2O) with drinking water changes significantly: the density of large lymphocytes in the subcapsular zone decreases by 2.3 times, in the cortico-medullary zone it increases by 4.7 times, and in the medulla it increases by 2.7 times; the density of medium lymphocytes decreases in the subcapsular zone by 2 times; the density of small lymphocytes decreases by 1.5 times in the subcapsular zone, in the cortex and cortico-medullary zone – decreases by 1.2 times, and in the medulla by 1.1 times. When using FeSO4·7H2O salts with drinking water for three months, no special changes in the density of lymphocytes were noted: a decrease in the density of large lymphocytes in the subcapsular zone by 1.5 times and by 1.3 times in the cortex was observed; the density of medium lymphocytes decreases by 1.2 times in the cortex, and the density of small lymphocytes decreases by 1.2 times in the subcapsular zone and cortex, and increases by 1.2 times in the medulla, compared to the control group of animals. Ultrastructural changes in the structure of lymphocytes and reticuloepithelial cells were not detected when heavy metal salts were consumed with water. Thus, the study showed that the most toxic for the body are zinc salts (ZnSO4·7H2O), the consumption of which with drinking water in small doses for three months led to significant changes in the density of lymphocytes, compared to the control group experimental animals.

N-Acetylcysteine Attenuates Cisplatin Toxicity in the Cerebrum and Lung of Young Rats with Artificially Induced Protein Deficiency.

Neurotoxicity is a major obstacle in the effectiveness of Cisplatin in cancer chemotherapy. In this process, oxidative stress and inflammation are considered to be the main mechanisms involved in brain and lung toxicity. The aim of the present work was to study the influence of the amount of protein on some oxidative parameters in the brain and lungs of rats treated with Cisplatin (CP) and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) as neuroprotectors. Four groups of Wistar rats, each containing six animals, were fed with a protein diet at 7% for 15 days. Thereafter, the groups were given either a unique dose of CP® 5 mg/kg or NAC® 5 mg/kg as follows: group 1 (control), NaCl 0.9% vehicle; group 2, CP; group 3, NAC; and group 4, NAC + CP. The animals were sacrificed immediately after the treatments. Blood samples were collected upon sacrifice and used to measure blood triglycerides and glucose. The brain and lungs of each animal were obtained and used to assay lipid peroxidation (TBARS), glutathione (GSH), serotonin metabolite (5-HIAA), catalase, and the activity of Ca+2, and Mg+2 ATPase using validated methods. TBARS, H2O2, and GSH were found to be significantly decreased in the cortex and cerebellum/medulla oblongata of the groups treated with CP and NAC. The total ATPase showed a significant increase in the lung and cerebellum/medulla oblongata, while 5-HIAA showed the same tendency in the cortex of the same group of animals. The increase in 5-HIAA and ATPase during NAC and CP administration resulted in brain protection. This effect could be even more powerful when membrane fluidity is increased, thus proving the efficacy of combined NAC and CP drug therapy, which appears to be a promising strategy for future chemotherapy in malnourished patients.

Vimentin in Kolmer cells of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Epiplexus (Kolmer) cells are macrophage-like cells of the choroid plexus that help maintain the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier. Here we studied the structural organization of Kolmer cells in Wistar, Wistar-Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats. A comparative study using Iba-1, CD68 and vimentin immunohistochemistry showed that the functional activity of epiplexus cells differs in three examined groups of animals. Wistar-Kyoto and SHR rats showed noticeable signs of Kolmer cells activation, which consisted in the disappearance of cell processes resulting in the formation of round-shaped cells. Another significant observation was the presence of vimentin in activated epiplexus cells. The result obtained indicates that vimentin expression by phagocytic cells could be linked with their activation.

Single high-dose intravenous injection of Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cell exerts protective effects in a rat model of metabolic syndrome

BackgroundMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is a significant epidemiological problem worldwide. It is a pre-morbid, chronic and low-grade inflammatory disorder that precedes many chronic diseases. Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) could be used to treat MetS because they express high regenerative capacity, strong immunomodulatory properties and allogeneic biocompatibility. This study aims to investigate WJ-MSCs as a therapy against MetS in a rat model.MethodsTwenty-four animals were fed with high-fat high-fructose (HFHF) diet ad libitum. After 16 weeks, the animals were randomised into treatment groups (n = 8/group) and received a single intravenous administration of vehicle, that is, 3 × 106 cells/kg or 10 × 106 cells/kg of WJ-MSCs. A healthy animal group (n = 6) fed with a normal diet received the same vehicle as the control (CTRL). All animals were periodically assessed (every 4 weeks) for physical measurements, serum biochemistry, glucose tolerance test, cardiovascular function test and whole-body composition. Post-euthanasia, organs were weighed and processed for histopathology. Serum was collected for C-reactive protein and inflammatory cytokine assay.ResultsThe results between HFHF-treated groups and healthy or HFHF-CTRL did not achieve statistical significance (α = 0.05). The effects of WJ-MSCs were masked by the manifestation of different disease subclusters and continuous supplementation of HFHF diet. Based on secondary analysis, WJ-MSCs had major implications in improving cardiopulmonary morbidities. The lungs, liver and heart show significantly better histopathology in the WJ-MSC-treated groups than in the untreated CTRL group. The cells produced a dose-dependent effect (high dose lasted until week 8) in preventing further metabolic decay in MetS animals.ConclusionsThe establishment of safety and therapeutic proof-of-concept encourages further studies by improving the current therapeutic model.

Perception of motion salience shapes the emergence of collective motions

Despite the profound implications of self-organization in animal groups for collective behaviors, understanding the fundamental principles and applying them to swarm robotics remains incomplete. Here we propose a heuristic measure of perception of motion salience (MS) to quantify relative motion changes of neighbors from first-person view. Leveraging three large bird-flocking datasets, we explore how this perception of MS relates to the structure of leader-follower (LF) relations, and further perform an individual-level correlation analysis between past perception of MS and future change rate of velocity consensus. We observe prevalence of the positive correlations in real flocks, which demonstrates that individuals will accelerate the convergence of velocity with neighbors who have higher MS. This empirical finding motivates us to introduce the concept of adaptive MS-based (AMS) interaction in swarm model. Finally, we implement AMS in a swarm of ~102 miniature robots. Swarm experiments show the significant advantage of AMS in enhancing self-organization of the swarm for smooth evacuations from confined environments.

New Haplotypes of Blastocystis sp. Identified in Faeces from Various Animal Groups in Algeria.

Blastocystis sp. is a single-celled, anaerobic, parasitic protozoan commonly found in the intestinal tract of animals and humans globally. Genetic analysis has revealed significant diversity within its species, leading to the identification of at least 40 subtypes (ST1-ST40). This study aimed to identify and differentiate Blastocystis in faeces samples from various animal hosts in Algeria. A total of 403 fecal samples, collected from both domestic and zoo animals, were subjected to PCR amplification and sequencing of Blastocystis-specific small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-RNA) gene. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis in animals was found to be 38.9%. Through comprehensive phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses, we identified four distinct subtypes (ST1 in both domestic and zoo animals, and ST3, ST4, and ST5 exclusively in zoo animals), encompassing nine different haplotypes, including five that appear original to Algeria. This study represents the first epidemiological molecular investigation of Blastocystis sp. in animals in Algeria.

Chromosome-level genome assemblies of 2 hemichordates provide new insights into deuterostome origin and chromosome evolution.

Deuterostomes are a monophyletic group of animals that includes Hemichordata, Echinodermata (together called Ambulacraria), and Chordata. The diversity of deuterostome body plans has made it challenging to reconstruct their ancestral condition and to decipher the genetic changes that drove the diversification of deuterostome lineages. Here, we generate chromosome-level genome assemblies of 2 hemichordate species, Ptychodera flava and Schizocardium californicum, and use comparative genomic approaches to infer the chromosomal architecture of the deuterostome common ancestor and delineate lineage-specific chromosomal modifications. We show that hemichordate chromosomes (1N = 23) exhibit remarkable chromosome-scale macrosynteny when compared to other deuterostomes and can be derived from 24 deuterostome ancestral linkage groups (ALGs). These deuterostome ALGs in turn match previously inferred bilaterian ALGs, consistent with a relatively short transition from the last common bilaterian ancestor to the origin of deuterostomes. Based on this deuterostome ALG complement, we deduced chromosomal rearrangement events that occurred in different lineages. For example, a fusion-with-mixing event produced an Ambulacraria-specific ALG that subsequently split into 2 chromosomes in extant hemichordates, while this homologous ALG further fused with another chromosome in sea urchins. Orthologous genes distributed in these rearranged chromosomes are enriched for functions in various developmental processes. We found that the deeply conserved Hox clusters are located in highly rearranged chromosomes and that maintenance of the clusters are likely due to lower densities of transposable elements within the clusters. We also provide evidence that the deuterostome-specific pharyngeal gene cluster was established via the combination of 3 pre-assembled microsyntenic blocks. We suggest that since chromosomal rearrangement events and formation of new gene clusters may change the regulatory controls of developmental genes, these events may have contributed to the evolution of diverse body plans among deuterostomes.

Antarctica is less isolated with increasing depth - evidence from pycnogonids

No other group of animals typifies the uniqueness of Antarctic life more than Pycnogonida (sea spiders), with 20% of all known species found in the Southern Ocean, and 64% of these endemic to the Antarctic. Despite nearly 200 years of research into pycnogonids and other benthic phyla in Antarctica, the parameters which drive the distribution and diversity of benthic fauna are still poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and connectivity of pycnogonid communities on either side of the Antarctic Polar Front, with an emphasis on the role of water depth, using an occurrence dataset containing 254 pycnogonid species from 2187 sampling locations. At depths shallower than 1000 m, communities to the north and south of the Antarctic Polar Front were distinct, while below this depth this geographic structure disintegrated. The Polar Front, or the expanse of deep ocean it bisects, seemingly acts as a semipermeable barrier to species exchange between well-sampled shallow communities. The less sampled and less understood deep sea appears to be better connected, with high levels of shared species following the northward flow of Antarctic Bottom Water. The exceptionally high diversity and endemism of Antarctic pycnogonids may reflect an apparent competitive advantage in cold waters which leaves them vulnerable to ongoing ocean warming, with increased competition and predation pressures.

Determination of the 1L-5-6L MGF110 Genes Influence on the Biological Properties of the African Swine Fever Virus (Asfarviridae; Asfivirus) “Volgograd/14c” in vivo

Abstract African swine fever continues to pose a global agricultural problem due to the absence of vaccine prevention and the high cost of anti-epizootic measures. This study examines the functional role of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) 1L-5-6L multigene family 110 genes in vivo. Four clinically healthy Large White pigs were used in this study. Two groups of animals were inoculated with either the parental strain or the deletion variant, respectively. For subsequent challenge infection, the homologous virulent strain “Stavropol 01/08” was used. Blood samples were collected at specific time intervals. The ASFV infectious activity was determined by titration in porcine blood-derived macrophages. Virus-specific antibodies to the ASFV p30 protein were detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed a significant difference in Ct values between samples from the two groups of animals. The determination of ASFV infectious activity in blood samples demonstrated the presence of the virus in animals immunized with the parental strain. The virus was not detected in samples from animals immunized with the deletion strain. The ELISA method demonstrated the presence of p30 protein antibodies in serum samples from 10 to 14 days after immunization with the parental strain, while no antibodies were detected in serum samples from animals immunized with the deletion strain. The properties of the ASFV recombinant strain “Volgograd/D(1L-5-6L) MGF110” were studied in an in vivo experiment. It was found that the deletion strain does not reproduce in animals, unlike the parental strain.