Felis Research Articles

Spread of rabies in the Kyiv Oblast during 2020-2022

In Ukraine, there is a prominent level of rabies circulation among domestic and wild carnivores. Consequently, the epizootic situation of rabies in Ukraine requires studying the spread of this infection using modern surveillance tools, which allow for territorial assessment and identification of risk zones during analysis. The purpose of this research was to describe the spatial characteristics of the rabies epizootic in the Kyiv Oblast during 2020-2022, focusing on both wild and domestic animals. Official reporting data were analysed to examine the total number of samples of pathological material (brain tissue) collected from various animal species with suspected rabies. Positive samples were georeferenced and visualized using software to form clusters of rabies cases based on years and types of animals, creating point layers and density mapping of cases. The analysis revealed that in the Kyiv Oblast, 1788 samples of pathological brain material from animals with suspected rabies were examined, of which 237 were positive. The largest number of samples belonged to wild animals (primarily foxes), acting as a reservoir of the infection. The proportion of wild animals accounted for 64.4% of the total examined, but the number of positive samples varied between 1.7% and 5.5%. Compared to domestic animals (cats and dogs), this figure reached up to 30.0% of the total number of samples examined. Other animal species accounted for 3.2% of positive cases among the total examined. Thus, the highest morbidity rate was observed in domestic animals, representing 72.1% of the total identified positive cases. The highest density of rabies cases in the Kyiv Oblast was observed in the southwest and centre. Persistent clusters of rabies cases were in the Bila Tserkva district and the western outskirts of Kyiv. In the western part of Kyiv, the cluster was formed by cases in wild animals, cats, and dogs. In the Bila Tserkva district, the cluster was formed by cases in wild animals, cats, dogs, and cattle. The highest density of rabies cases in wild animals was registered on the western outskirts of Kyiv

Mechanical Aspiration of a Heavy Thrombus in the Left Anterior Descending Artery using Penumbra Aspiration Catheter

Left anterior descending artery thrombosis is a medical emergency that requires prompt intervention to achieve the best possible clinical outcomes [1]. Early recanalization of obstructed vessels and thrombectomy with subsequent stenting effectively restore blood flow and improve procedural outcomes [2]. However, Manual Aspiration Thrombectomy (MAT) using a flexible aspiration catheter is also an alternative method that can be used to open blocked vessels [3]. Recent advancements in aspiration catheters have improved their trackability and size, making them comparable in efficacy to SBT [4]. As a result, Stent-Based Thrombectomy (SBT) and mechanical aspiration thrombectomy have become the primary treatment options for endovascular therapy in particular cases of coronary artery disease. The concurrent utilization of SBT and MAT as first-line and fallback interventions has been demonstrated to be effective in restoring vascular recanalization [5]. Besides SBT and MAT, a new aspiration catheter device has emerged. It is a relatively new technique for treating a thrombus in LAD that involves using a specialized catheter to remove the blood clot from the culprit artery [6]. This minimally invasive procedure is faster and more effective than traditional treatments such as thrombolytic therapy or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) [7]. Penumbra medical technology company (Penumbra Inc, Alameda, CA, USA) introduced the Aspiration System in 2014 [8]. This system is specifically designed to remove blood clots from veins and arteries in the "peripheral vasculature" as well as for the treatment of "pulmonary embolism" [9]. The CAT family of catheters, developed by Penumbra, is known for its robustness, trackability, and atraumatic design, making it well-suited for peripheral anatomy where a thrombus forms [10]. The system comes equipped with the "Penumbra ENGINE aspiration source," which can administer almost untainted and consistent vacuum to catheters. This proficiency enables the extraction of thrombus in vessels of assorted dimensions. Recently, a penumbra aspiration catheter was used in a case report to remove thrombosis in acute coronary syndrome. According to the findings presented in this case report, it can be deduced that the Penumbra CAT RX catheter represents a secure and remarkably efficient alternative for eliminating blood clots in urgent scenarios. Notably, this method mitigates the heightened vulnerability to stroke often associated with the conventional approach of manual aspiration thrombectomy [11]. Previously, penumbra reperfusion catheter and MAT have been used as a "first-line therapy," and SBT with a "Solitaire stent" as a rescue therapy since 2012. This approach showed promising results regarding vessel recanalization and clinical outcomes [12].

Identification of an ADAMTS2 frameshift variant in a cat family with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

We investigated 4 European domestic shorthair kittens with skin lesions consistent with the dermatosparaxis type of the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a connective tissue disorder. The kittens were sired by the same tomcat but were born by 3 different mothers. The kittens had easily torn skin resulting in nonhealing skin wounds. Both clinically and histologically, the skin showed thin epidermis in addition to inflammatory changes. Changes in collagen fibers were visible in electron micrographs. The complete genome of an affected kitten was sequenced. A one base pair duplication leading to a frameshift in the candidate gene ADAMTS2 was identified, p.(Ser235fs*3). All 4 affected cats carried the frameshift duplication in a homozygous state. Genotypes at this variant showed perfect cosegregation with the autosomal recessive Ehlers-Danlos syndrome phenotype in the available family. The mutant allele did not occur in 48 unrelated control cats. ADAMTS2 loss-of-function variants cause autosomal recessive forms of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in humans, mice, dogs, cattle, and sheep. The available evidence from our investigation together with the functional knowledge on ADAMTS2 in other species allows to classify the identified ADAMTS2 variant as pathogenic and most likely causative variant for the observed Ehlers-Danlos syndrome.

A unique single nucleotide polymorphism in Agouti Signalling Protein (ASIP) gene changes coat colour of Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) to dark black.

The Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) is an endangered subspecies restricted to isolated and fragmented populations in Sri Lanka. Among them, melanistic leopards have been recorded on a few occasions. Literature suggests the evolution of melanism several times in the Felidae family, with three species having distinct mutations. Nevertheless, the mutations or other variations in the remaining species, including Sri Lankan melanistic leopard, are unknown. We used reference-based assembled nuclear genomes of Sri Lankan wild type and melanistic leopards and de novo assembled mitogenomes of the same to investigate the genetic basis, adaptive significance, and evolutionary history of the Sri Lankan melanistic leopard. Interestingly, we identified a single nucleotide polymorphism in exon-4 Sri Lankan melanistic leopard, which may completely ablate Agouti Signalling Protein (ASIP) function. The wild type leopards in Sri Lanka did not carry this mutation, suggesting the cause for the occurrence of melanistic leopords in the population. Comparative analysis of existing genomic data in the literature suggests it as a P. p. kotiya specific mutation and a novel mutation in the ASIP-gene of the Felidae family, contributing to naturally occurring colour polymorphism. Our data suggested the coalescence time of Sri Lankan leopards at ~0.5 million years, sisters to the Panthera pardus lineage. The genetic diversity was low in Sri Lankan leopards. Further, the P. p. kotiya melanistic leopard is a different morphotype of the P. p. kotiya wildtype leopard resulting from the mutation in the ASIP-gene. The ability of black leopards to camouflage, along with the likelihood of recurrence and transfer to future generations, suggests that this rare mutation could be environment-adaptable.

Felisonyms: Motives for Nomination. Prepodavatel XXI vek

The article focuses on the study of felisonyms (cat proper names), which have a significant informational potential in relation to the linguistic picture of the world of the nominator, who in the process of choosing a name for his cat is guided by certain extra-linguistic motives, the main of which are object and subject oriented motives. It is shown that the main object oriented motives include such motives as the cat’s appearance, its character, behavior, the sound it makes, the time of the cat’s birth or arrival in the family, the place where the cat was found, its breed, its belonging to the cat family, and the attitude towards communication with the cat. The following were recorded as key subject oriented motifs: anthropomorphism, nominative tradition, memorialization, prioritisation, stereotyping, pretentiousness, creationism, anticipation, and computerization. Based on the fact that the list of the established motifs is not exhaustive due to the presence in the research material of single felisonyms determined by additional nomination motifs, it is concluded that felisonymy turns out to be an open onymic system with an unlimited set of nomination motifs.

Wildlife mortality on roads crossing a protected area: The case of Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park in north-eastern Greece

Wildlife-vehicle collisions have been identified as an important ecological problem in most countries around the world, during the last decades. In the present work we examined the impacts on wildlife arising from two road categories crossing and adjoining the Dadia-Lefkimi-Soufli National Park (DLS NP), in north-eastern Greece. The study area is consisted of one of the most diverse fauna in Europe, with 202 bird species including 36 out of 38 European diurnal raptors, 60–65 mammal species, 29 reptiles and 13 amphibians. Vehicle collisions was the highest mortality factor in the study (83.9%) among five recorded categories, poison, electrocution, drowning, vehicle collisions and unidentified causes. 204 vehicle casualties were recorded out of 243 in total. Mammals (90.7%) were the vertebrates that mainly suffered from road mortality, including 11 species. The stone marten Martes foina contributed with the highest numbers, followed by the red fox Vulpes vulpes, the hedgehog Erinaceus roumanicus and the wild cat Felis silvestris. Although the contribution of birds on the road casualties was low, nine species were identified, including five diurnal and four nocturnal species, with raptors predominating. Most road casualties were observed in the national road network (71.6%), mainly during holidays (58.3%). Traffic volume, road category, season and blind bend were all dominant factors with different effects determining high wildlife-vehicle collision values. Mitigation measures that can reduce the harmful effects of roads on wildlife in the DLS NP are also discussed.

Thelaziosis caused by <i>Thelazia callipaeda</i> Railliet et Henry, 1910 (literature review)

The purpose of the researchis to analyze literature data on epizootology, morphology and biology ofThelazia callipaeda, and on clinical signs of thelaziosis.Thelaziosis caused byTh. callipaedais widespread and not limited to Southeast Asian countries. At the end of the last century, autochtonous infection cases of thelaziosis were noted in Italy, and later the disease was recorded in France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Romania, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Slovakia, Serbia, Turkey, Hungary, Moldova, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, etc. Cases of thelaziosis recorded in the United States of America and the Russian Federation were most likely allochthonous and imported from contaminated areas. In Russia, canine thelaziosis was recorded in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Tyumen. It was found that definitive hosts ofTh. callipaedawere not only cats, dogs or humans, but also many species of wild animals, namely, gray wolf, red fox, pine marten, hare, wild cat, Iberian wolf, European grey rabbit, beech marten, pine marten, golden jackal, European badger and brown bear. The prevalence of Thelazia infection among populations of wild animals reached 38.1%. The maximum number of helminths found in one animal was 96 specimens. In the life cycle ofTh. callipaeda, males of the fruit flyPhortica variegataandPh. okadai, which can keep Thelazia larvae in their bodies for up to 180 days are involved. Phylogenetic analysis of the cox1 gene showed thatTh. callipaedaisolated from diseased animals in different countries belonged to haplotype-1, which was common in Europe.

Molecular identification and Phylogenetic-Tree Analysis of Hard Ticks from wild and domestic cat Felidae in Iraq

A total of 13 samples of domestic cat Felis cattus (Linnaeus, 1758 ) and 9 samples of wild cat Felis chaus furax (de Winton, 1898) of the Felidae Family were trapped and examined to detect the hard ticks. The areas of the collection were: Baghdad, Al-Rashidiya, Tharthar, Nahrawan, AL-Mahmoudiya (middle of Iraq) and AL-Haretha (south of Iraq), Mosul (north of Iraq). The results of the current study revealed that four species belong to two genera of hard ticks: Haemaphysalis sp. (Koch, 1844), Rhipicephalus turanicus (Morel, 1969), Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Neumann, 1904) and Rhipicephalus appendiculatus (Santos, 1955). The rates and the density of infestation were discussed. The current study aimed to clarify the infestation difference between domestic and wild cats with hard ticks (3, 14.88) because domestic cats enjoy human attention, as they live close to him. The current study identified the Rhipicephalus appendiculatus for the first time in Iraq from domestic cat Felis cattus. Keywords: Felidae, Haemaphysalis, Ixodidae, Rhipicephalus, wild cat.

Pengolahan Bahan Organik Menjadi Produk Makanan Kucing “MiMeow”

Stray cats are usually easily infected with disease because they don't have owners to take care of them, wild cats generally take food in the trash which is definitely not suitable for consumption because it's not only dirty but the food in the trash doesn't contain enough nutrients. This is what made the researchers come up with the idea to produce a healthy and nutritious food for wild cats and domestic cats named "MiMeow". The food produced by the researchers is in the form of wet food. The purpose of this researcher's idea is to do an innovative food business dan also invite people who have bought and used MiMeow products to participate in donating and caring for stray cats. The method used in carrying out cat food production activities is by distributing questionnaires. The results of this study will explain the plans and concepts of MiMeow.

Intestinal endoparasitism in wild cat (Felis silvestris) from Banat area (Romania).

The wild cat (Felis silvestris), spread in Romania from the Danube Delta to the mountain range is present in the Banat area, on the hunting ground that can be contaminated with different stage developmental forms of parasites, some of them having real zoonotic potential. The wild cat is an animal protected by the Romanian law of protection animals. Coprological samples from 88 wild cats from 16 hunting grounds, as well as the gastrointestinal tract collected from six wild cats cadavers and the molecular characterization of the cestodes identified in their intestines, allowed us to establish intestinal parasitic fauna. During coprological examination Isospora oocysts, tapeworm eggs, eggs of Toxocara cati, Ancylostoma spp. and Capillaria spp were found. At the same time, the form of genera Mesocestoides, Taenia, Toxocara/Toxascaris and Ancylostoma were identified at necropsy. Further polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification revealed the species of Taenia taenieformis, and Mesocestoides litteratus, the latter providing a zoonotic potential. This study, the first in the western part of the country (Banat area, Timis County), provides information about the parasitic fauna of wild cats and underlines the importance of the human contamination risk.

Investigation of the effect of water temperature on water consumption of cats

Cats can naturally obtain their water requirements on the water content of their food. The wild cats usually do not need to drink water, because their prey (e.g., birds, small rodents, insects) contains about 70-75% body water. The same situation is applied for domestic cats too, which eat canned wet food that contains high level of water. However, if the water level of the diet is less than 60%, cats need additional drinking water. A mature cat must consume 60ml/kg/day water to maintain its body functions without any problem. Otherwise cats will be easily dehydrated and chronic dehydration can lead some health problems such as bladder and renal diseases and circulatory problems. Any practical method that could increase cats water consumption, would have a reducing effect on the before mentioned diseases.
 Regarding the water consumption, the taste of water has been found as effective as the other physiological stimulants such as mouth dryness, plasma osmolality and blood volume. Temperature is considered to be very important for the taste perception of animals. The preference for the water temperature varies among the animal species. 
 So we hypothesized that, cooling the drinking water can encourage cats to drink more water and we aimed to investigate the effect of the water temperature on water consumption of cats. 
 This research has conducted with 8 domestic, mature and healthy pet cats (Felis domesticus) that live indoor. We measured the water consumption of cats for two weeks. During the first week, temperature of water has not been intervened, and the cats' normal water consumption were measured. On the 1st day, 500 ml water, measured with graduated cylinder, was provided in a standard water bowl. After 24 hours, the remained water has been measured and noted. After each measurement, cat owners refreshed the drinking water. In the 2nd week, we started to add four ice cubes to the water bowl, three times in a day. First week, cat’s average normal water consumption has found 142,26±8,09 ml/kg/day. (p

Heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) in carnivores kept in zoos in Texas, USA: risk perception, practices, and antigen detection

BackgroundDirofilaria immitis is the causative agent of heartworm disease in wild and domestic canids, felids, and mustelids. Recent studies demonstrate that additional families in the order Carnivora are also susceptible to infection. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to (1) better understand current practices surrounding heartworm prevention and diagnostics in zoological facilities located in the state of Texas, USA, and (2) assess archival serum samples of carnivores kept in these facilities for the presence D. immitis antigen and/or antibody.MethodsA questionnaire was completed by veterinarians or veterinary technicians representing 10 zoological facilities across Texas. This questionnaire was designed at the taxonomic family level, encompassing the 12 terrestrial carnivore families Ailuridae, Canidae, Eupleridae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Hyaenidae, Mephitidae, Mustelidae, Prionodontidae, Procyonidae, Ursidae, and Viverridae. The second objective was achieved with the use of archival serum samples made available by six zoo facilities.ResultsRisk perception varied across facilities for every family, including among species belonging to Canidae. All facilities used monthly heartworm prevention in canids and felids, with more variation existing in the other families. The use of diagnostic testing and type and route of administration of preventive varied by facility, with oral ivermectin the most commonly used preventive. A total of 217 archival serum samples, belonging to 211 individual animals encompassing 11 families and 39 species, were tested with a commercial heartworm antigen ELISA test, pre- and post-immune-complex dissociation. A subset of samples was also assessed for the presence of feline anti-heartworm antibodies using a commercial ELISA test. Two animals, both of which were Asian small-clawed otters from the same facility, had antigen detected (0.95%).ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that while the zoo veterinary community is aware of the risk and health impact of heartworm disease in canids and felids, there is still a great deal of uncertainty regarding the risks and ideal strategies for prevention in other carnivore families. The low proportion of antigen detection may serve as a baseline for future prevalence studies across the southern United States, where there is an emerging concern of macrocyclic lactone resistance in heartworm.Graphical

Epizootological Data on Feline Panleukopenia in the Russian Federation

Introduction. One of the diseases most frequently occurring in the representatives of the feline family (Felidae) is feline panleukopenia. Feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious disease of viral etiology with high (up to 90%) mortality. It affects representatives of the feline as well as the raccoon (Procyonidae) and the kunih (Mustelidae) families.Despite the preventive measures taken, the virus continues to circulate actively in the population of susceptible animals.The aim of the work is to analyse the epizootic situation and to review the domestic and foreign scientific publications.Materials and methods. The data obtained from the record books of a number of veterinary clinics of the cities of Ivanovo and Vladimir on the primary veterinary outpatient visits of sick animals within the period from 2020 to 2022 has become the subject of the research. Additionally, the brief description of feline panleukopenia and the epizootological data referring to the various cities of the Russian Federation available in the similar publications for the period from 2012 to 2022 is provided in the article. The data from the foreign sources on seasonal manifestation of the disease is also presented.Results. The analysis of the feline panleukopenia epizootic situation in the certain districts of the cities of Ivanovo and Vladimir has been carried out. The data on the panleukopenia permanently adverse situation in a number of the Russian Federation cities has been obtained, its share among other nosological units in cats reaches 3.6-27%. The data analysis results for the Russian cities located in the various federal districts, as well as for the cities of Ivanovo and Vladimir, has shown that the feline panleukopenia cases detection throughout the country is subject to seasonality, the peaks of cases detection fall on spring-autumn. It has also been confirmed that the main age group susceptible to panleukopenia includes kittens under the age of one year (3-6 months old). The need for more comprehensive understanding of the disease epizootic situation is pointed out as well as the need for phylogenetic studies of the new feline panleukopenia virus isolates which would enable carrying out the efficient preventive measures.Discussion and conclusions. Understanding the real epizootic situation in the Russian Federation regions and obtaining the new isolates of the feline panleukopenia virus for diagnostic, production and control purposes will make it possible to determine more efficient measures for combating this infection.

The Behavioral Diversity of Domestic Cats Living in Gampong Meurandeh and Gampong Teungoh

Family felidae, the order of carnivores, includes Felis Domestica. Domestic cats can be kept as pets, wild domestic cats typically cluster in close proximity to human settlements. Feral domestic cats typically make use of human food resources that have been left over. As a result, the purpose of this research is to determine the variety of domestic cat behaviors in the area of Gampong Meurandeh and Gampong Teungoh in the Langsa Lama District of Langsa City in Aceh. The method used to observe the average daily behavior of domestic cats is by using survey methods and scan sampling carried out at 15 minute intervals. There were three categories of the observed cat's daily behavior: affiliative behavior, self-preservation, and negative behavior. Based on the study's findings, differences in daily behavior based on Gampong differences and time differences were dominated by self-care behavior, then affiliative behavior and then negative behavior. The morning and afternoon feeding times of the cats and humans in the two villages were not significantly different.

PD23-06 FELINE AMBULATORY BLADDER PRESSURE AND VOLUME TRANSMITTED BY A CATHETER-FREE WIRELESS INTRAVESICAL MONITOR

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023PD23-06 FELINE AMBULATORY BLADDER PRESSURE AND VOLUME TRANSMITTED BY A CATHETER-FREE WIRELESS INTRAVESICAL MONITOR Steve Majerus, Brett Hanzlicek, Dario Cabal, Mohamed Elazab, Margot Damaser, and Dennis Bourbeau Steve MajerusSteve Majerus More articles by this author , Brett HanzlicekBrett Hanzlicek More articles by this author , Dario CabalDario Cabal More articles by this author , Mohamed ElazabMohamed Elazab More articles by this author , Margot DamaserMargot Damaser More articles by this author , and Dennis BourbeauDennis Bourbeau More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003296.06AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: As with clinical urodynamics, investigations into lower urinary tract physiology using animal models require catheter-based systems to measure bladder pressure while filling the bladder, often under anesthesia. However, anesthesia, and rapid catheter filling of the bladder can affect filling pressures, urinary leakage and voiding reflexes. To enable recordings representative of normal physiology, we developed a catheter-free, wireless, intravesical sensor which is implanted in the feline bladder lumen and wirelessly transmits bladder pressure and volume data. We validated sensor function by recording volume and pressure over 4-week implantations in felines. METHODS: The Urological Monitor of Conscious Activity (UroMOCA) measured 18×12×5.6mm and transmitted data to a radio placed worn by the animal. The UroMOCA battery was recharged wirelessly via a charging mat placed under the subject. Platinum electrodes measuring urine concentration and conductance estimated urine volume and were paired with an onboard pressure sensor. Under anesthesia, a UroMOCA was implanted into the bladder lumen via cystotomy in male felines. Baseline cystometry was performed. Anesthetized cystometry with UroMOCA recording and imaging were repeated 2 and 4 weeks post-implantation. Ambulatory recordings of up to two hours were performed multiple times during the four weeks prior to device explantation. Sham surgeries and sham devices were implanted in some animals to assess the impact of the UroMOCA on the bladder. Bladder tissue was saved for histology. RESULTS: Ten feline cats were enrolled: 3 were sham implants (no device), 1 received an inactive device, and 6 received a functional UroMOCA. Non-anesthetized recordings were performed for more than 73 hours over 33 ambulatory data collection sessions. After 2 weeks, all animals resumed normal voiding volume. Urinary retention requiring intermittent catheterization was seen in 1 feline; there was no evidence of obstruction. Wireless pressure data linearly correlated with anesthetized cystometry (R2=0.96). Volume measurement was variable but decreased during voiding and increased during filling. Histology showed normal bladder tissue. CONCLUSIONS: A small, wireless, catheter-free, intravesical sensor enabled conscious recordings of bladder function in felines during natural bladder filling over 4 weeks. The volume sensor enabled detection of bladder filling and emptying phases. Source of Funding: This work was funded by the NIH Stimulating Peripheral Activity to Relieve Conditions (SPARC) program, NIH grant number OT2OD023873 © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e672 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Steve Majerus More articles by this author Brett Hanzlicek More articles by this author Dario Cabal More articles by this author Mohamed Elazab More articles by this author Margot Damaser More articles by this author Dennis Bourbeau More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Molecular analysis of Fungi: Malasseziarestricta from Felidae

A total of 9 samples of wild cat Felischausfurax (de Winton, 1898) and 13 (11 positives) samples of domestic cat Feliscattus (Linnaeus, 1758) belong to Family Felidae. All cats were trapped and used hair and skin scrapings by forceps and surgical blades. The areas of the collection were: Mosul province (north of Iraq); Baghdad, Al-Rashidiya, Tharthar, Nahrawan, AL-Mahmoudiya (middle of Iraq) and AL-Haretha (south of Iraq). The current study revealed that the sensitive and specific PCR assay allowing rapid and reliable identification of Malasseziarestricta by the fragment size amplified was 500bp in the ITS1 gene in one sample of wild cats. The current study recorded a new strain of Malasseziarestrictathat called AF2013 strain "small subunit ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence; internal transcribed spacer 1", complete sequence; and 5.8S ribosomal RNA gene, partial sequence. Which was inserted in GenBank: MW376484.1 from wild cat Felischausfurax for the first time in Iraq. Sequencing revealed close matching of the phylogenetic tree to an isolate from Korea (CP030254). The compression was performed using NCBI – the based nucleotides website. Keywords: Dermatitis, Cutaneous microflora, fungi, Genotype, Malasseziarestricta.

Determination of the appropriate concentration of sodium alginate used for in vitro culture of cat preantral follicles in a serum-free medium containing FSH, EGF and IGF-I.

Culture of domestic cat preantral follicles can be a suitable technology to assist oocyte conservation strategies in the family Felidae. This research was aimed to comparatively analyse cat preantral follicular development of follicles directly seeded on growth surface or encapsulated in 0.5 or 1% of sodium alginate in a serum-free medium containing FSH, EGF and IGF-I. Preantral follicles were isolated from cat ovarian cortical tissue after ovariectomy. Alginate was dissolved at 0.5 or 1% in PBS. Follicles, 4 per well, with 0% (G-0%), 0.5% (G-0.5%) or 1% (G-1%) of sodium alginate were cultured in M199 with FSH (100 ng/mL), EGF (100 ng/mL) and IGF-I (100 ng/mL) for 7 days at 37°C, 5% CO2 and 99% humidity. Culture medium was replaced every 48h and samples were stored at -20°C until ELISA of steroid hormones. Morphometric evaluation of follicles was performed every 24h. G-0% follicles showed granulosa cell migration away from the oocyte and disrupted morphology, whereby they reached apparently larger diameters (203.70 ± 5.82 μm; p < .05) than G-0.5% and G-1% follicles (157.89 ± 8.47 μm and 95.23 ± 1.67 μm, respectively) which maintained three-dimensional organization, being larger in G-0.5% than in G-1% (p < .05). G-0.5% follicles attained the multi-layer preantral follicle stage on day 7 of culture, whereas G-1% follicles underwent progressive atresia. On day 6, steroid concentrations were higher (p < .05) in G-0% than in G-1%: 60 ± 19 vs 0.88 ± 0.32 pg/mL oestradiol; 2.6 ± 0.84 vs 0.04 ± 0.02 ng/mL progesterone; 1.3 ± 0.22 vs 0.61 ± 0.04 ng/mL testosterone and 1.6 ± 0.54 vs 0.22 ± 0.07 ng/mL androstenedione respectively. Steroid concentrations in G-0.5% were comprised between those of G-0% and G-1% (p > .05). In conclusion, two-layer cat preantral follicles encapsulated in 0.5% alginate cultured in medium containing FSH, EGF and IGF-I can develop up to the multi-layer preantral stage in 7 days of culture, whereas follicles directly seeded on growth surface or encapsulated in 1% alginate lost their three-dimensional organization, and experienced regression with compromised steroidogenesis, respectively.

Investigation of &lt;i&gt;Toxoplasma gondii&lt;/i&gt; Seroprevalence in People Keeping Cats and Not Keeping Cats at Their Home in Sivas

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is an obligate intracellular protozoan and its definitive host is the Felidae family. Toxoplasmosis can be transmitted to humans in many ways. The purpose of the study was to investigate the anti-Toxoplasma IgM and anti-Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity with the ELISA method in people who have cats at home and do not have cats at home, and to reveal the possible relationship between toxoplasmosis and people who keep/contact cats for a long time for any reason at home. Between March 2021 and June 2021, blood samples were taken from 91 people who had a cat in their home for at least a year and 91 people who had never had a cat or had no contact with a cat, in Sivas province. Anti-Toxoplasma IgM and anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibodies were investigated in serum samples by the ELISA method. Age, gender, and other socio-demographic criteria were not considered. Because of the study, all samples were found to be negative for anti-Toxoplasma IgM. Anti-Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity was detected in 20 (22.0%) of those who had cats at home and 40 (44.0%) of those without cats at home. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in terms of anti-Toxoplasma IgM seropositivity. However, anti-Toxoplasma IgG seropositivity was found to be statistically significant (p=0.002) (p<0.01). Because of the study, anti-Toxoplasma IgG positivity was found to be higher in those who did not feed/contact cats at home and it was statistically significant. It brings to mind that the reason for the high rate of seropositivity in those without cats at home, may not be only the oocysts excreted from cats, but also the transmission by other non-cat transmission routes may still be important.

Interdisciplinary research on the lynx that inhabited the Japanese archipelago

The excavation of archaeological remains improves understanding of past societies and their influence on the societies of today. It can also teach us about the changing climate and its impact on the migration of mammals. Professor Takao Sato, Department of Archaeology and Ethnology, Faculty of Letters, Keio University, Japan, has extensive experience in performing excavations and interdisciplinary research that combines archaeology, physical anthropology, palaeontology and geology on the Shitsukari-Abe Cave in Aomori, Japan. A key focus is on the large wild cats that once lived in the Japanese archipelago, with a focus on the extinction of the lynx. Sato believes that one of the factors that led to the local extinction of the lynx was human activity. He and his team set out to excavate Shitsukari-Abe Cave in an effort to discover the first Palaeolithic human bones associated with stone tools and animal bones in the four major islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu). In a world first, the researchers have obtained the numerical age of the Japanese lynx and are also shedding light on the previously unknown phylogenetic information and diet. The team is employing an interdisciplinary approach that involves specialists in different fields of zooarchaeology, archaeology, palaeontology and phylogeography to comprehensively discuss the phylogeny and ecology of the lynx that inhabited the Japanese archipelago and their relationship with humans.

Genome-wide analysis of Catalase gene family reveal insights into abiotic stress response mechanism in Brassica juncea and B. rapa.

Environmental stresses affect the yield and productivity of Brassica crops. Catalases are important antioxidant enzymes involved in reducing excess hydrogen peroxide produced by environmental stresses. In the present study, nine and seven CAT family members in two oilseed Brassica species (B. juncea and B. rapa) were identified with complete characterization based on gene and protein structure. Phylogenetic classification categorized CAT proteins into three classes and differentiated the monocot and dicot-specific CAT proteins. Further, the gene and protein characterizations revealed a high degree of conservation across the CAT family members. Differences were observed in the CAT-HEME binding affinity in CAT1, CAT2, and CAT3 isozymes, which could suggest their differential enzyme activities in different conditions. Furthermore, protein-protein interaction with other antioxidant proteins suggested their coordinated role in ROS scavenging mechanisms. Notably, the differential gene expression of BjuCATs and BraCATs and CAT enzyme activities suggested their crucial roles in major abiotic stresses faced by Brassica species. Promoter analysis in BjuCATs and BraCATs suggested the presence of abiotic-stress responsive cis-regulatory elements. Gene regulatory network analysis suggested miRNA and TF mediated stress response in BjuCATs and BraCATs. CAT family screening and characterization in Brassica sp. has established a basic ground for further functional validation in abiotic and heavy-metal stresses which can help in developing stress tolerant crops.