Standardization and Evaluation of the LAMP Technique for the Diagnosis of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis in Conjunctival Swab Samples Using DNA Extracted by a Silica Column and Boiling.

The diagnosis of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) presents a challenge due to a variety of non-specific clinical signs. The available tests have low sensitivity. This study aimed to standardize and evaluate the loop-mediated isothermal amplification technique with K26 target (K26-LAMP) for diagnosis of CVL in conjunctival swab (CS) DNA samples extracted through a silica column commercial kit (SW-kit) and boiling (SW-DB) and to compare sensitivity with conventional PCR (kDNA-cPCR) and quantitative real-time PCR (18S-qPCR).

Metformin impacts the differentiation of mouse bone marrow cells into macrophages affecting tumour immunity.

Background: Epidemiological studies suggest that metformin reduces the risk of developing several types of cancer, including gliomas, and improves the overall survival in cancer patients. Nevertheless, while the effect of metformin on cancer cells has been extensively studied, its impact on other components of the tumour microenvironment, such as macrophages, is less understood.

Results: Metformin-treated mouse bone marrow cells differentiate into spindle-shaped macrophages exhibiting increased phagocytic activity and tumour cell cytotoxicity coupled with modulated expression of co-stimulatory molecules displaying reduced sensitivity to inflammatory cues compared with untreated cells.

Plasma itraconazole concentrations during treatment of feline sporotrichosis.

Itraconazole (ITZ) is the most used drug to treat feline sporotrichosis; however, little is known about its pharmacokinetics in cats with this mycosis. The aim of this study was to determine plasma ITZ concentrations in cats with sporotrichosis treated with ITZ as monotherapy or in combination with potassium iodide (KI). Cats diagnosed with sporotrichosis received orally ITZ (100 mg/cat/day) or combination therapy with ITZ (100 mg/cat/day) and KI (2.

PARK7/DJ-1 deficiency impairs microglial activation in response to LPS-induced inflammation.

Background: Specific microglia responses are thought to contribute to the development and progression of neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the phenotypic acquisition of microglial cells and their role during the underlying neuroinflammatory processes remain largely elusive. Here, according to the multiple-hit hypothesis, which stipulates that PD etiology is determined by a combination of genetics and various environmental risk factors, we investigate microglial transcriptional programs and morphological adaptations under PARK7/DJ-1 deficiency, a genetic cause of PD, during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation.

Neutrophil Oxidative Burst Profile Is Related to a Satisfactory Response to Itraconazole and Clinical Cure in Feline Sporotrichosis.

Despite the central role of cats in the transmission and amplification of , studies regarding immune response in feline sporotrichosis are scarce. In cats with sporotrichosis, neutrophil-rich lesions are usually associated to good general condition and lower fungal burden. However, the role of neutrophils in anti- immunity has been little explored in cats.

Comparative Study of Colorimetric In Situ Hybridization and Quantitative Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Diagnosis of Infection by in Dogs in Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded Skin.

The zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan and dogs are reservoirs for this parasite. For the diagnosis of at the species level in dogs in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded skin (FFPES) samples, colorimetric in situ hybridization (CISH) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) are options, but their sensitivities are not well established. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the sensitivity of these two techniques in FFPES for the diagnosis of the infection in dogs using culture as the reference standard.

Combination therapy of itraconazole and an acylhydrazone derivative (D13) for the treatment of sporotrichosis in cats.

Unlabelled: Acylhydrazone (AH) derivatives represent a novel category of anti-fungal medications that exhibit potent activity against sp., both and in a murine model of sporotrichosis. In this study, we demonstrated the anti-fungal efficacy of the AH derivative D13 [4-bromo-'-(3,5-dibromo-2-hydroxybenzylidene)-benzohydrazide] against both planktonic cells and biofilms formed by .

A Randomized Clinical Trial Comparing Itraconazole and a Combination Therapy with Itraconazole and Potassium Iodide for the Treatment of Feline Sporotrichosis.

Feline sporotrichosis is an endemic disease with high occurrence in Brazil. Itraconazole (ITZ) remains the drug of choice for treating this disease in cats, despite the increasing reports of therapeutic failure. A controlled, randomized clinical trial was performed on 166 naive cats with sporotrichosis to assess the effectiveness and safety of the combination therapy with ITZ and potassium iodide (KI) compared with ITZ monotherapy.

Comparison of two protocols for the generation of iPSC-derived human astrocytes.

Background: Astrocytes have recently gained attention as key contributors to the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease. To investigate human astrocytes in vitro, numerous differentiation protocols have been developed. However, the properties of the resulting glia are inconsistent, which complicates the selection of an appropriate method for a given research question.

In vitro antifungal activity of curcumin mediated by photodynamic therapy on Sporothrix brasiliensis.

Background: Sporothrix brasiliensis is a pathogenic dimorphic fungus that affects humans and animals causing sporotrichosis. The treatment of this disease with conventional antifungals commonly results in therapeutic failures and resistance. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the in vitro effect of curcumin (CUR) mediated by photodynamic therapy (PDT) in its pure state and incorporated into pharmaceutical formulation in gel form, on the filamentous and yeast forms of S.

First report of Leishmania (Mundinia) martiniquensis in South American territory and confirmation of Leishbunyavirus infecting this parasite in a mare.

Background: Epidemiological data related to leishmaniases or Leishmania infection in horses are scarce. However, studies carried out in different regions in the world showed equids parasitised by Leishmania braziliensis, L. infantum and L.

Novel insights into Parkin-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease.

Mutations in PRKN cause the second most common genetic form of Parkinson's disease (PD)-a debilitating movement disorder that is on the rise due to population aging in the industrial world. PRKN codes for an E3 ubiquitin ligase that has been well established as a key regulator of mitophagy. Together with PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), Parkin controls the lysosomal degradation of depolarized mitochondria.

Spatial Distribution of Canine Sporotrichosis in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1998-2018) and Its Correlation with Socioeconomic Conditions.

Canine sporotrichosis is a poorly described global disease and a spatial approach has not yet been used to assess the disease in dogs. Therefore, this study aimed to describe the occurrence of canine sporotrichosis in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 1998 to 2018 and its correlation with socioeconomic characteristics using exploratory spatial data analysis. A total of 295 cases of canine sporotrichosis were identified and 249 were georeferenced.

Global distribution of animal sporotrichosis: A systematic review of Sporothrix sp. identified using molecular tools.

Sporotrichosis is a subcutaneous mycosis caused by thermodimorphic fungi of the genus Sporothrix. The phenotypic and genotypic differences of the isolates within the genus Sporothrix have been associated with their geographic distribution, virulence capacity, or clinical manifestation of sporotrichosis. Therefore, it is crucial to identify the causative agent of sporotrichosis.

and Feline Sporotrichosis in the Metropolitan Region of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (1998-2018).

Feline sporotrichosis is enzootic in different regions of Brazil, especially in Rio de Janeiro. This study compared the genotype profiles of sp. isolated from cats in Rio de Janeiro between 1998 and 2018 and evaluated their association with clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

Advances and challenges in the management of feline sporotrichosis.

The domestic cat is the most susceptible host to Sporothrix infection, developing severe clinical forms. Few effective antifungal agents are available for treating feline sporotrichosis, and cases of treatment failure are common. Treatment success depends on cat health status, therapy-related factors, as well as social/economic issues, but it is mainly contingent upon the host-fungus interaction.

Anti-Sporothrix Antibody Detection in Domestic Cats as an Indicator of a Possible New Occurrence Area for Sporotrichosis in North Brazil.

Feline sporotrichosis has emerged as an important public health issue in some countries, especially Brazil. Currently, zoonotic transmission of Sporothrix brasiliensis by domestic cats is the major sporotrichosis spread form throughout this country. Sporotrichosis in Brazil is a good model for the One Health concept application, which connects the environment, human and animal health.

COVID-19 and zoonoses in Brazil: Environmental scan of one health preparedness and response.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the central role of the One Health (OH) approach, as a multisectoral and multidisciplinary perspective, to tackle health threats at the human-animal-environment interface. This study assessed Brazilian preparedness and response to COVID-19 and zoonoses with a focus on the OH approach and equity dimensions. We conducted an environmental scan using a protocol developed as part of a multi-country study.

Parkin Deficiency Impairs Mitochondrial DNA Dynamics and Propagates Inflammation.

Background: Mutations in the E3 ubiquitin ligase parkin cause autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease (PD). Together with PTEN-induced kinase 1 (PINK1), parkin regulates the clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria. New mitochondria are generated through an interplay of nuclear- and mitochondrial-encoded proteins, and recent studies suggest that parkin influences this process at both levels.

spp. Biofilms Impact in the Zoonotic Transmission Route: Feline Claws Associated Biofilms, Itraconazole Tolerance, and Potential Repurposing for Miltefosine.

Sporotrichosis is the most prevalent subcutaneous mycosis globally, and it is typically caused by direct inoculation of the soil saprophytic fungus spp. into the patients' skin. However, sporotrichosis has an important zoonotic transmission route between cats and humans in hot-spot endemic areas such as Brazil.

Nested PCR for the Diagnosis of Feline Sporotrichosis From Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded Samples Using Different DNA Extraction Protocols.

Sporotrichosis is a chronic, cosmopolitan granulomatous mycosis that affects humans and animals. The infection is caused by the dimorphic fungi sp. The aims of the present study were to evaluate, standardize and validate a nested PCR technique using two DNA purification kits for the extraction of DNA from formalin fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE) for sp.

Single-cell sequencing of human midbrain reveals glial activation and a Parkinson-specific neuronal state.

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease is characterized by a progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons, but the exact disease aetiology remains largely unknown. To date, Parkinson's disease research has mainly focused on nigral dopaminergic neurons, although recent studies suggest disease-related changes also in non-neuronal cells and in midbrain regions beyond the substantia nigra. While there is some evidence for glial involvement in Parkinson's disease, the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood.