Real-time PCR on skin biopsies for super-spreaders' detection in bovine besnoitiosis.

Background: Bovine besnoitiosis, an emerging disease in Europe that can be transmitted by vectors, is caused by the apicomplexan Besnoitia besnoiti. Bovine besnoitiosis is difficult to control due to the complexity of its diagnosis in the acute stage of the disease, poor treatment success and chronically asymptomatic cattle acting as parasite reservoirs. When serological prevalence is low, detection and specific culling of seropositive cattle is feasible; however, economic considerations preclude this approach when serological prevalence is high.

In vivo effects of serotonin and fluoxetine on cardio-ventilatory functions in the shore crab Carcinus maenas (L. 1758).

Serotonin (5-HT) takes a key position in regulating vital functions, such as cardio-ventilatory activity, locomotion and behaviour. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) modulate the serotonergic system and thus affect these functions. Rhythmic behaviours, such as cardio-ventilatory activity, are controlled by central pattern generators, which in turn are regulated by 5-HT.

Investigations of octylglyceryl dextran-graft-poly(lactic acid) nanoparticles for peptide delivery to the brain.

Aim: Develop modified dextran nanoparticles showing potential to assist with drug permeation across the blood-brain barrier for the delivery of neuropeptides.

Methods: Nanoparticles loaded by emulsification with model macromolecular actives were characterized in terms of stability, cytotoxicity and drug-release behavior. Peptide-loaded nanoformulations were tested in an in vivo trout model and in food-deprived mice.

Effects of peripherally administered urotensin II and arginine vasotocin on the QT interval of the electrocardiogram in trout.

The QT interval of the electrocardiogram (ECG) is a measure of the duration of the ventricular depolarization and repolarization. In fish as in human, the QT interval is positively correlated with the RR interval of the ECG, a measure of the cardiac cycle length. Urotensin II (UII) is a neuropeptide that has been highly conserved from fish to human, and UII and its receptor (UT) are expressed in cardiovascular tissues including the heart.