Evolution and maintenance of mtDNA gene content across eukaryotes.

Across eukaryotes, most genes required for mitochondrial function have been transferred to, or otherwise acquired by, the nucleus. Encoding genes in the nucleus has many advantages. So why do mitochondria retain any genes at all? Why does the set of mtDNA genes vary so much across different species? And how do species maintain functionality in the mtDNA genes they do retain? In this review, we will discuss some possible answers to these questions, attempting a broad perspective across eukaryotes.

The association between alcohol consumption and pulmonary function: a scoping review.

Introduction: The health effects of alcohol are well established but the influence on pulmonary function remains debated. Studies indicate that small amounts of alcohol are beneficial and heavy consumption is harmful, suggesting a U-shaped association. Our objective is to determine whether there is an association between alcohol intake and changes in pulmonary function parameters, exploring the potential protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption and the harm caused by heavy drinking.

Aggregation of cysticerci in pigs: Implications for transmission and control.

Parasite aggregation within hosts is a fundamental feature of parasite distributions, whereby the majority of parasites are harboured by a minority of hosts. Parasite aggregation can influence their transmission and hence control. In this narrative review, possible sources of aggregation of cysticerci in pigs are discussed, along with implications for control of the parasite.

Trial Design of a Prospective Multicenter Diagnostic Accuracy Study of a Point-of-Care Test for the Detection of Taeniosis and Neurocysticercosis in Hospital-Based Settings in Tanzania.

diagnosis is challenging as trained personnel, good diagnostic tools, and infrastructure is lacking in resource-poor areas. This paper aims to describe the study trial design adopted to evaluate a newly developed rapid point-of-care test that simultaneously detects taeniosis and neurocysticercosis (TS POC) in three district hospitals in Tanzania. The two-stage design included three types of patients: patients with specific neurological signs and symptoms (group 1); patients with complaints compatible with intestinal worm infections (group 2); patients with other symptom(s) (group 3).

Freely chosen cadence during ergometer cycling is dependent on pedalling history.

Purpose: History dependence can refer to the fact that parts of the human physiology (e.g., one or a group of muscles, or the nervous system) as well as functional aspects of the human (e.

Trial Design for a Diagnostic Accuracy Study of a Point-of-Care Test for the Detection of Taeniosis and (Neuro)Cysticercosis in Community Settings of Highly Endemic, Resource-Poor Areas in Zambia: Challenges and Rationale.

Field-applicable, high-quality, and low-cost diagnostic tools are urgently needed for . The aim of this paper is to describe the design, challenges, and rationale for the design of a diagnostic accuracy study in low-resource community settings in Zambia. The trial was designed as a prospective study with a two-stage design to evaluate a new point-of-care test (TS POC) for the detection of taeniosis and (neuro)cysticercosis.

Performance of Ag-ELISA in the diagnosis of Taenia solium cysticercosis in naturally infected pigs in Tanzania.

Background: Taenia solium is a zoonotic parasite responsible for neurocysticercosis-a major cause of late-onset acquired epilepsy in humans. Lack of affordable, specific and sensitive diagnostic tools hampers control of the parasite. This study assessed the performance of an antigen detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA) in the diagnosis of viable T.

TSOL18 vaccine and oxfendazole for control of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs: A field trial in endemic areas of Tanzania.

A field trial was conducted in Tanzania to determine the effectiveness of TSOL18 vaccine used concurrently with oxfendazole (OFZ), and of OFZ alone, on T. solium cysticercosis determined by organ and half carcase dissection of slaughter age pigs. This study followed a quasi-experimental group design.

Endemicity of Taenia solium cysticercosis in pigs from Mbeya Rural and Mbozi districts, Tanzania.

Background: Taenia solium taeniasis/cysticercosis is a disease of substantial economic and public health importance particularly in low-income countries. The disease was reported to be endemic in Mbeya Rural and Mbozi districts, in the southern highlands of Tanzania, the major pig production area in the country. In 2008, using B158/B60 antigen detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag-ELISA), porcine cysticercosis prevalence of up to 32% was reported in the districts.

The effect of temperature and time on the viability of Taenia solium metacestodes in pork.

Objective: Taenia solium taeniosis is a growing health problem in large parts of the world including Sub-Saharan Africa. Humans are infected by eating undercooked pork with T. solium metacestodes, which cause taeniosis.

Smallholder pig farming education improved community knowledge and pig management in Angónia district, Mozambique.

Education on pig farming has been recognized as an important method of transferring knowledge and improving production among smallholder pig producers in rural settings, but the effectiveness of this in different rural settings remains unknown. A community-based intervention trial on smallholder pig farmers was conducted with the aim of evaluating the effectiveness of pig farming education. Baseline information was collected using interview-based questionnaires and observations regarding pig welfare and husbandry practices followed by participatory pig farming education and field demonstrations.

The prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in mice living in Danish indoor sow herds.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is found worldwide, and consumption of undercooked meat is considered a significant risk factor for human infections. In Denmark, little is known about the distribution of T. gondii, but a recent study revealed a seroprevalence of 34% in Danish indoor sows.

Taenia solium taeniosis and cysticercosis literature in Tanzania provides research evidence justification for control: A systematic scoping review.

Background: Despite Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis (TSTC) having been put high on the global agenda of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), which over the last years has received a lot of attention, there has been no control programmes in place in sub-Saharan Africa, a highly endemic region. This could be attributed to lack of awareness of many stakeholders on the burden and impact of T. solium.

Effectiveness of an integrated intervention in the control of endo- and ectoparasites of pigs kept by smallholder farmers in Mbeya rural and Mbozi districts, Tanzania.

This study was conducted to evaluate effectiveness of an integrated management intervention in the control of endo- and ectoparasites of pigs kept by smallholder farmers in Mbeya Rural and Mbozi districts of southern highlands of Tanzania. A repeated cross-sectional group randomization design was employed, with 10 villages in the intervention group and six villages in the control group. The intervention consisted of improving pig confinement, feeds and feeding practices, and strategic anthelmintic treatment of pigs with oxfendazole, to primarily control Taenia solium (porcine) cysticercosis and nematodes; and with ivermectin to control ectoparasites and nematodes.

Seroprevalence of in domestic pigs, sheep, cattle, wild boars, and moose in the Nordic-Baltic region: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: is an important foodborne zoonotic parasite. Meat of infected animals is presumed to constitute a major source of human infection and may be a driver of geographical variation in the prevalence of anti- antibodies in humans, which is substantial in the Nordic-Baltic region in northern Europe. However, data on seroprevalence of in different animal species used for human consumption are scattered.

Stepwise approach for the control and eventual elimination of Taenia solium as a public health problem.

Background: Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis is a public health and agricultural problem, especially in low-income countries, and has been ranked the top foodborne parasitic hazard globally. In 2012, the World Health Organization published a roadmap that called for a validated strategy for T. solium control and elimination by 2015.

Impacts of using the electronic-health education program 'The Vicious Worm' for prevention of Taenia solium.

Background: Taenia solium is a zoonotic tapeworm widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. Specific health education is regarded as a central element in controlling T. solium.

A quantitative risk assessment for human Taenia solium exposure from home slaughtered pigs in European countries.

Background: Taenia solium, a zoonotic tapeworm, is responsible for about a third of all preventable epilepsy human cases in endemic regions. In Europe, adequate biosecurity of pig housing and meat inspection practices have decreased the incidence of T. solium taeniosis and cysticercosis.

Outcome of Bevacizumab Therapy in Patients with Recurrent Glioblastoma Treated with Angiotensin System Inhibitors.

Purpose: Antihypertensive therapy may improve bevacizumab efficacy in cancer patients. We examined efficacy and toxicity of angiotensin system inhibitors (ASI) and other antihypertensive drugs in bevacizumab treated recurrent glioblastoma patients.

Methods: We retrospectively combined a national prescription registry with a clinical database with recurrent glioblastoma patients (n = 243).

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in extensively farmed wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Denmark.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite of worldwide importance. In this study, we estimated T. gondii seroprevalence in extensively farmed wild boars in Denmark, where little is known about T.

Value of Electronic Educational Media in Combatting Parasitic Diseases.

Parasitic diseases have plagued mankind throughout history, and even today parasites continue to cause disease, disability and death in millions of people worldwide. Targeted electronic educational media for bringing awareness to local inhabitants of endemic communities, including public health practitioners, are vital tools in the battle against parasitic diseases.

Balancing knowledge and basic principles in veterinary parasitology - Competencies for future Danish veterinary graduates.

Veterinary parasitology has always been considered to be relevant and interesting by the Danish veterinary students. Students have to acquaint themselves with many new, small creatures with complicated and varied life cycles and with intricate Latin names that are difficult to pronounce, as only a few parasites have Danish names. In our veterinary curriculum, zoology has disappeared as a discipline, and parasitology has gradually moved from the third year to the beginning of the second year, which implies that, for example, pathology and pharmacology are "unknown fields".

Assessment of the societal cost of Taenia solium in Angónia district, Mozambique.

Background: The zoonotic parasite Taenia solium is endemic in Angónia district, Tete province, Mozambique, though the burden of the disease complex is unknown.

Methods: As part of two cross-sectional studies on human and porcine cysticercosis in the area, unique epidemiological and cost data were collected in Angónia district, Mozambique in 2007. These data provided the basis for the assessment of the societal cost of T.

Induced hypothermia in patients with septic shock and respiratory failure (CASS): a randomised, controlled, open-label trial.

Background: Animal models of serious infection suggest that 24 h of induced hypothermia improves circulatory and respiratory function and reduces mortality. We tested the hypothesis that a reduction of core temperature to 32-34°C attenuates organ dysfunction and reduces mortality in ventilator-dependent patients with septic shock.

Methods: In this randomised, controlled, open-label trial, we recruited patients from ten intensive care units (ICUs) in three countries in Europe and North America.