Prevalence and Pathologic Characterization of Mouse Kidney Parvovirus in Sentinel CD1 Mice.

Mouse kidney parvovirus (MKPV) infection can cause significant morbidity and mortality by inducing moderate to severe inclusion body nephropathy and kidney fibrosis in aged immunodeficient mice. However, MKPV infection in immunocompetent mice is associated with histopathologic findings ranging from absent to minimal or moderate lymphoplasmacytic interstitial nephritis without inclusion body in most cases. We surveyed the prevalence of MKPV via PCR from August 2019 through January 2021, using feces, kidneys, and livers collected and pooled from 2 sentinel mice [Crl:CD1(ICR)] (CD1) per surveillance cage (a total of 212 cages).

Juvenile polyposis syndrome in children: The impact of SMAD4 and BMPR1A mutations on clinical phenotype and polyp burden.

Objective: A constitutional disease-causing variant (DCV) in the SMAD4 or BMPR1A genes is present in 40%-60% of patients with juvenile polyposis syndrome (JPS). The aim of this study was to characterize the clinical course and polyp burden in children with DCV-positive JPS compared to DCV-negative JPS.

Methods: Demographic, clinical, genetic, and endoscopic data of children with JPS were compiled from eight international centers in the ESPHGAN/NASPGHAN polyposis working group.

The gut microbiome and sociability.

The human gut microbiome plays an important role in the maturation of the neural, immune, and endocrine systems. Research data from animal models shows that gut microbiota communicate with the host's brain in an elaborate network of signaling pathways, including the vagus nerve. Part of the microbiome's influence extends to the behavioral and social development of its host.

Brain trust.

This narrative describes a personal journey that led to the discovery of a profound connection between microbial symbionts and oxytocin. Pivotal oxytocin discoveries began to emerge in 2011 while this researcher's multidisciplinary team explored gut microbial priming of the immune system and perinatal health. Inspired by oxytocin's role in early life events of milk release, neural connections, and social bonding, the team hypothesized a symbiotic relationship between microbes and oxytocin.

Oxytocin and the microbiome.

The mammalian host microbiome affects many targets throughout the body, at least in part through an integrated gut-brain-immune axis and neuropeptide hormone oxytocin. It was discovered in animal models that microbial symbionts, such as , leverage perinatal niches to promote multigenerational good health and reproductive fitness. While roles for oxytocin were once limited to women, such as giving birth and nurturing offspring, oxytocin is now also proposed to have important roles linking microbial symbionts with overall host fitness and survival throughout the evolutionary journey.