Serological diagnosis of canine leishmaniosis: comparison of three commercially available tests.

Quantitative serology is an important tool in canine leishmaniosis diagnostics from clinical and epidemiological points of view. Serologic diagnosis in laboratories is traditionally carried out by immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), but enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are being increasingly employed. Two commercially available ELISAs (LEISHMANIA-ELISA DOG® [LED] and INGEZIM LEISHMANIA® [IL]) for the detection of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs were compared with the classical IFAT technique.

[Multidisciplinary health care needs of psychologically distressed cancer patients in a Comprehensive Cancer Center].

Background And Objective: Considering the prolonged life-expectancies and the resulting demands that are placed on cancer patients and their relatives, the importance of specific counseling and support services including psycho-oncology, social services, nutritional, and exercise counseling has profoundly increased. The main focus of the current study was to evaluate the multidisciplinary health care needs of emotionally distressed cancer patients whoe were treated in a Comprehensive Cancer Center. METHODS AND STUDYGROUP: 831 out-patients were evaluated with regard to their psychological distress level and their multidisciplinary health care needs for specialist services of psycho-oncology, social services, nutritional, and exercise counseling using a tablet-PC assisted screening questionnaire.

Neutrophil extracellular traps as innate immune reaction against the emerging apicomplexan parasite Besnoitia besnoiti.

Besnoitia besnoiti infection in cattle is an important emerging protozoan disease in Europe causing economic losses and severe clinical signs, such as generalized dermatitis, orchitis, and vulvitis in affected animals. Neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation was recently demonstrated as an important effector mechanism of PMN acting against several invading pathogens. In the present study, interactions of bovine PMN with tachyzoites of B.

Gastrointestinal parasites of free-living Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) in the Northern Red Sea, Egypt.

The present study represents the first report on the gastrointestinal parasite fauna infecting the free-living and alive Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) inhabiting waters of the Red Sea at Hurghada, Egypt. A total of 94 individual faecal samples of the examined bottlenose dolphins were collected during several diving expeditions within their natural habitats. Using classical parasitological techniques, such as sodium acetate acetic acid formalin method, carbol fuchsin-stained faecal smears, coproantigen ELISA, PCR and macroscopical analyses, the study revealed infections with 21 different parasite species belonging to protozoans and metazoans with some of them bearing zoonotic and/or pathogenic potential.

Oxyuris equi: lack of efficacy in treatment with macrocyclic lactones.

Whilst anthelminthic resistance of small strongyles is well documented, anthelmintic failures against infections with Oxyuris equi have scarcely been published so far. We describe two cases of equine oxyurosis and the anthelminthic failure of macrocyclic lactones (moxidectin, ivermectin) resulting in persistent O. equi infections with continuous egg shedding.

Immunization with Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae-live attenuated oocysts protect goat kids from clinical coccidiosis.

Caprine coccidiosis, affecting mainly young goat kids around the weaning period, is worldwide the most important disease in the goat industry. Control of caprine coccidiosis is increasingly hampered by resistances developed against coccidiostatic drugs leading to an enhanced need for anticoccidial vaccines. In the current study we conducted an oral immunization trial with live attenuated sporulated Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae oocysts.

New developments in polymer-controlled, bioinspired calcium phosphate mineralization from aqueous solution.

The polymer-controlled and bioinspired precipitation of inorganic minerals from aqueous solution at near-ambient or physiological conditions avoiding high temperatures or organic solvents is a key research area in materials science. Polymer-controlled mineralization has been studied as a model for biomineralization and for the synthesis of (bioinspired and biocompatible) hybrid materials for a virtually unlimited number of applications. Calcium phosphate mineralization is of particular interest for bone and dental repair.

Isolation of an Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae field strain (Canary Islands) and analysis of its infection characteristics in goat kids.

The current study was conducted to isolate a field strain of Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae, characterize its infectivity and the response to challenge under experimental conditions. The isolated strain (GC) induced a prepatent period of 14-15 days p.i.

Eimeria bovis: an update on parasite-host cell interactions.

Apicomplexan parasites are obligate intracellular protozoans and are well recognized modulators of the host cell machinery on varying levels such as host cell metabolism, MHC expression, cell cycle, or apoptosis in order to guarantee their intracellular development and survival. One of the most thoroughly examined apicomplexan pathogens demonstrating a potent manipulative capacity with respect to various host cell functions is Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoon exhibiting rapid intracellular development with small meronts in any nucleated cell, almost irrespective of the cell type or host origin. In contrast, Eimeria bovis merogony I is host- and cell type-restricted and occurs exclusively in bovine endothelial host cells.

p57kip2 regulates glial fate decision in adult neural stem cells.

Our recent studies revealed p57kip2 as an intrinsic regulator of late gliogenesis and demonstrated that in oligodendroglial precursor cells p57kip2 inhibition leads to accelerated maturation. Adult neural stem cells have been described as a source of glial progenitors; however, the underlying mechanisms of cell fate specification are still poorly understood. Here, we have investigated whether p57kip2 can influence early events of glial determination and differentiation.

A novel type of silver nanoparticles and their advantages in toxicity testing in cell culture systems.

Silver nanoparticles (SNPs) are among the most commercialized nanoparticles worldwide. Often SNP are used because of their antibacterial properties. Besides that they possess unique optic and catalytic features, making them highly interesting for the creation of novel and advanced functional materials.

Carbon-based ionogels: tuning the properties of the ionic liquid via carbon-ionic liquid interaction.

The behavior of two ionic liquids (ILs), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide [Emim][DCA] and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium triflate [Emim][TfO], in (meso)porous carbonaceous hosts was investigated. Prior to IL incorporation into the host, the carbon matrix was thermally annealed between 180 and 900 °C to control carbon condensation and surface chemistry. The resulting materials have an increasing "graphitic" carbon character with increasing treatment temperature, reflected in a modified behavior of the ILs when impregnated into the carbon host.

CuO Nanoparticles from the strongly hydrated ionic liquid precursor (ILP) tetrabutylammonium hydroxide: evaluation of the ethanol sensing activity.

The sensing potential of CuO nanoparticles synthesized via precipitation from a water/ionic liquid precursor (ILP) mixture was investigated. The particles have a moderate surface area of 66 m(2)/g after synthesis, which decreases upon thermal treatment to below 5 m(2)/g. Transmission electron microscopy confirms crystal growth upon annealing, likely due to sintering effects.

Effects of silver nanoparticles on primary mixed neural cell cultures: uptake, oxidative stress and acute calcium responses.

In the body, nanoparticles can be systemically distributed and then may affect secondary target organs, such as the central nervous system (CNS). Putative adverse effects on the CNS are rarely investigated to date. Here, we used a mixed primary cell model consisting mainly of neurons and astrocytes and a minor proportion of oligodendrocytes to analyze the effects of well-characterized 20 and 40 nm silver nanoparticles (SNP).

Control strategies using diclazuril against coccidiosis in goat kids.

Coccidiosis is probably the main parasitic disease affecting goat kids around the weaning period, leading to high economic losses in goat production due to deaths and delayed growth rates of infected animals. A total of 101 kids of 2-4 weeks of age, naturally infected with Eimeria spp., were divided into five groups and studies were conducted to analyse the effects of metaphylactic administration of diclazuril (Vecoxan®) on parasitological and productive parameters.

Biomimetic synthesis of chiral erbium-doped silver/peptide/silica core-shell nanoparticles (ESPN).

Peptide-modified silver nanoparticles have been coated with an erbium-doped silica layer using a method inspired by silica biomineralization. Electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering confirm the presence of an Ag/peptide core and silica shell. The erbium is present as small Er(2)O(3) particles in and on the silica shell.

Intercalation synthesis of functional hybrid materials based on layered simple hydroxide hosts and ionic liquid guests--a pathway towards multifunctional ionogels without a silica matrix?

Functional hybrid materials on the basis of inorganic hosts and ionic liquids (ILs) as guests hold promise for a virtually unlimited number of applications. In particular, the interaction and the combination of properties of a defined inorganic matrix and a specific IL could lead to synergistic effects in property selection and tuning. Such hybrid materials, generally termed ionogels, are thus an emerging topic in hybrid materials research.

Polymer brush controlled bioinspired calcium phosphate mineralization and bone cell growth.

Polymer brushes on thiol-modified gold surfaces were synthesized by using terminal thiol groups for the surface-initiated free radical polymerization of methacrylic acid and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, respectively. Atomic force microscopy shows that the resulting poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and poly(dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate) (PDMAEMA) brushes are homogeneous. Contact angle measurements show that the brushes are pH-responsive and can reversibly be protonated and deprotonated.

Diversified applications of chemically modified 1,2-polybutadiene.

Commercially available 1,2-PB was transformed into a well-defined reactive intermediate by quantitative bromination. The brominated polymer was used as a polyfunctional macroinitiator for the cationic ring-opening polymerization of 2-ethyl-2-oxazoline to yield a water-soluble brush polymer. Nucleophilic substitution of bromide by 1-methyl imidazole resulted in the formation of polyelectrolyte copolymers consisting of mixed units of imidazolium, bromo, and double bond.

Microwave synthesis and inherent stabilization of metal nanoparticles in 1-methyl-3-(3-carboxyethyl)-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate.

The synthesis of Co-NPs and Mn-NPs by microwave-induced decomposition of the metal carbonyls Co(2)(CO)(8) and Mn(2)(CO)(10), respectively, yields smaller and better separated particles in the functionalized IL 1-methyl-3-(3-carboxyethyl)-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate [EmimCO(2)H][BF(4)] (1.6 ± 0.3 nm and 4.

On the interaction of ascorbic acid and the tetrachlorocuprate ion [CuCl4]2- in CuCl nanoplatelet formation from an ionic liquid precursor (ILP).

The formation of CuCl nanoplatelets from the ionic liquid precursor (ILP) butylpyridinium tetrachlorocuprate [C(4)Py](2)[CuCl(4)] using ascorbic acid as a reducing agent was investigated. In particular, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to evaluate the interaction between ascorbic acid and the Cu(II) ion before reduction to Cu(I). EPR spectroscopy suggests that the [CuCl(4)](2-) ion in the neat IL is a distorted tetrahedron, consistent with DFT calculations.

Application of laser postionization secondary neutral mass spectrometry/time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry in nanotoxicology: visualization of nanosilver in human macrophages and cellular responses.

Silver nanoparticles (SNP) are the subject of worldwide commercialization because of their antimicrobial effects. Yet only little data on their mode of action exist. Further, only few techniques allow for visualization and quantification of unlabeled nanoparticles inside cells.

Biomimetic calcium phosphate mineralization with multifunctional elastin-like recombinamers.

Biomimetic hybrid materials based on a polymeric and an inorganic component such as calcium phosphate are potentially useful for bone repair. The current study reports on a new approach toward biomimetic hybrid materials using a set of recombinamers (recombinant protein materials obtained from a synthetic gene) as crystallization additive for calcium phosphate. The recombinamers contain elements from elastin, an elastic structural protein, and statherin, a salivary protein.

Silicification of peptide-coated silver nanoparticles--A Biomimetic soft chemistry approach toward chiral hybrid core-shell materials.

Silica and silver nanoparticles are relevant materials for new applications in optics, medicine, and analytical chemistry. We have previously reported the synthesis of pH responsive, peptide-templated, chiral silver nanoparticles. The current report shows that peptide-stabilized nanoparticles can easily be coated with a silica shell by exploiting the ability of the peptide coating to hydrolyze silica precursors such as TEOS or TMOS.

Thermomorphic behavior of the ionic liquids [C4mim][FeCl4] and [C12mim][FeCl4].

The iron-containing ionic liquids 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate(III) [C(4)mim][FeCl(4)] and 1-dodecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate(III) [C(12)mim][FeCl(4)] exhibit a thermally induced demixing with water (thermomorphism). The phase separation temperature varies with IL weight fraction in water and can be tuned between 100 °C and room temperature. The reversible lower critical solution temperature (LCST) is only observed at IL weight fractions below ca.