Publications by authors named "Traversa D"

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a biodegradable natural polymer produced by different prokaryotes as a valuable carbon and energy storage compound. Its biosynthesis pathway requires the sole expression of the operon, although auxiliary genes play a role in controlling polymer accumulation, degradation, granule formation and stabilization. Due to its biodegradability, PHB is currently regarded as a promising alternative to synthetic plastics for industrial/biotechnological applications.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

and are major parasitic nematodes of dogs. Many environmental and phenological changes have recently modified their geographic patterns in many countries; thus, this study has updated the distribution of and in dog populations of selected regions of Central and Southern Italy. Also, collateral data on other endoparasites affecting the study population have been collected.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

N-myc downstream-regulated gene 1 (NDRG1) is a member of the NDRG family of intracellular proteins and plays a central role in a wide range of biological processes including stress response, differentiation, and metabolism. The overexpression of NDRG1 is an indicator of poor prognosis in various types of cancer. Here, we found that NDRG1 is an independent prognostic marker of poor outcome in breast cancer (BC).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

We describe transcriptional dynamics at the rice shoot apex by integrating time resolved single nuclei RNA-seq with bulk RNA-seq data. In rice, short days trigger floral transition and the transcriptional reprogramming of the shoot apex to become reproductive. We integrated time-resolved bulk RNA-seq with single nuclei RNA-seq analysis to gain a refined understanding of the transcriptional programs induced at the shoot apex during floral transition.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is a protozoal zoonosis with high sanitary risk for pregnant women and immunocompromised people. Felids, including domestic cats, are the only definitive hosts of T. gondii.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The tapeworm Dipylidium caninum is a common parasite in dogs, cats, and humans, with diagnosis typically relying on observing segments in feces or using microscopy, both of which may miss infections.
  • A study was conducted on 100 cats in Italy and Greece, comparing various sampling methods (feces, Scotch tape test, and rectal swab) to test for D. caninum using PCR, which is a more sensitive detection method.
  • Results indicated that while PCR could effectively identify D. caninum in certain samples, it also faced challenges like false negatives and variability in parasite distribution, highlighting its potential as a diagnostic tool under specific conditions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the effectiveness of a spot-on treatment called NexGard® Combo, containing eprinomectin, esafoxolaner, and praziquantel, for treating respiratory diseases in cats caused by metastrongyloids Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Troglostrongylus brevior.
  • Conducted with 36 infected cats divided into two groups, the treatment regimen involved administering the medication on specified study days while monitoring parasitological, clinical, and radiographic changes.
  • Results showed 100% efficacy in reducing larval shedding in cats with single infections and significant clinical improvement in all cats after two treatments, highlighting the treatment's effectiveness against the parasites.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is caused by the protozoal parasite Leishmania infantum, which is transmitted by sand flies in warm climates across the world. Because dogs are considered a primary domestic reservoir for the parasite that causes leishmaniosis in humans, it is important from a One Health perspective that CanL be properly managed. In endemic regions, CanL is a common differential diagnosis in sick dogs because the clinical signs and clinicopathological disorders of the disease are non-specific, variable, and may overlap those of other common conditions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Heartworm disease in dogs, caused by the parasite Dirofilaria immitis, is hard to treat but easy to prevent with medications called macrocyclic lactones (MLs).
  • A recent case in Rome described a dog that tested positive for heartworms after arriving from the USA, despite treatment with MLs, indicating the presence of a resistant strain.
  • Genetic analysis confirmed the dog's infection was caused by a ML-resistant strain, raising concerns about the risk of such strains spreading into Europe and underscoring the need for monitoring dogs from regions known for ML-resistance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • A recent increase in studies on feline hepatozoonosis has revealed limited knowledge about the specific species and genotypes affecting cats, with at least three known species: Hepatozoon felis, H. canis, and H. silvestris.
  • A study in Niterói, Brazil, collected blood samples from 28 cats and found H. felis DNA in 75% of the samples, along with four previously unreported genetic variations.
  • This is the first report of H. felis in Rio de Janeiro cats, indicating a complex of different genotypes within the species, highlighting the need for further research to understand their biology and potential health impacts on felines.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is one of the most important respiratory nematodes of felines. Infections may lead to respiratory clinical signs with varying severity or even death, emphasizing the need for preventive treatment of cats with outdoor access to circumvent patent infections.

Methods: Therefore, the preventive efficacy of a spot-on formulation of 280 mg/ml fluralaner and 14 mg/ml moxidectin (Bravecto Plus spot-on solution for cats, MSD) against A.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - Dirofilaria immitis is a parasitic worm that causes heartworm disease mainly in dogs, and there's rising concern about its resistance to standard preventative treatments known as macrocyclic lactones (MLs) in the USA.
  • - Recent studies show that some D. immitis strains in the USA have distinct genetic traits that help identify their resistance to MLs, including specific genetic markers (SNPs) useful for tracking the spread of this resistance.
  • - Research involving laboratory-maintained and European clinical samples indicates that while there is resistance in the USA, many genotypes in Europe still respond well to ML treatments, highlighting the need for effective monitoring and compliance with prevention strategies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

This clinical study assessed the efficacy of a topical combination of esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel (NexGard Combo) in treating cats naturally infected with the eyeworm Thelazia callipaeda (Nematoda, Thelaziidae). On Study Day (SD) 0, sixteen client-owned cats with eyeworm infection were allocated to an untreated control group (G1, 8 cats) or to a NexGard Combo treated group (G2, 8 cats) and subjected to ocular examination. Cats in G2 received the treatment as per label recommendations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Feline pulmonary capillariosis is a significant disorder due to its distribution and clinical impact. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of two administrations 28 days apart of a topical solution containing esafoxolaner, eprinomectin and praziquantel (NexGard Combo) in treating Eucoleus aerophilus (syn. Capillaria aerophila) infection in naturally infected cats.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Aelurostrongylus abstrusus is the most important respiratory nematode of domestic cats. Effective control options are crucial to protect health and welfare of cats and to reduce the spread of aelurostrongylosis in both enzootic and free regions. The present study evaluated the efficacy of a spot-on formulation containing 280 mg/ml fluralaner and 14 mg/ml moxidectin (Bravecto® Plus, MSD) in the prevention of aelurostrongylosis in cats under field conditions.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • - Canine Vector-Borne Diseases (CVBDs) are common in Europe, with many dogs showing no symptoms, making undiagnosed infections a risk for spreading diseases to other animals and potentially humans.
  • - A study tested 300 privately owned dogs in Italy and Greece for CVBD exposure using rapid diagnostic kits, revealing that 17% were positive for at least one disease, with significantly higher rates in Greece (31.3%) than in Italy (2.7%).
  • - The study highlights the effectiveness of in-clinic diagnostic kits in detecting CVBDs quickly and cost-effectively, even when dogs display no clinical signs, underscoring the importance of regular screenings in enzootic regions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Breast cancer risk is influenced by both genetic factors (such as BRCA1/2 mutations) and environmental aspects like diet and hormones.
  • A six-month Mediterranean diet was tested to see how it affects miRNA expression and metabolic markers in women with BRCA1/2 mutations.
  • Results showed that specific miRNAs increased after the diet, suggesting a link between a healthy lifestyle and changes in gene regulation that could help in breast cancer prevention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Equine and canine anaplasmosis and borreliosis are major tick-borne zoonotic diseases caused by and various species of (the most important being s.l.), respectively.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The burrowing mite causes sarcoptic mange in dogs and other mammals, including humans. Despite infests several animals, little is known about the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment of sarcoptic mange in cats. A few reports have shown that clinical signs of infestation in cats may vary from non-pruritic crusted lesions to itchy and mild lesions, while severe signs are very infrequent.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is treated as a homogeneous disease, although the expression of NEUROD1, ASCL1, POU2F3, and YAP1 identifies distinct molecular subtypes. The MYC oncogene, amplified in SCLC, was recently shown to act as a lineage-specific factor to associate subtypes with histological classes. Indeed, MYC-driven SCLCs show a distinct metabolic profile and drug sensitivity.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ticks and fleas are blood-sucking ectoparasites that cause irritation and anaemia to their hosts and act as vectors of pathogens (vector-borne pathogens, VBPs) of relevance for animal and human health. In the present study, tick and flea species in dogs and cats from Cyprus were recorded and VBPs were detected in the collected specimens. Ectoparasites were collected from 220 animals (161 dogs and 59 cats), and a questionnaire including demographic, clinical, and other information was filled out for each animal.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Inhibition of respiratory complex I (CI) is becoming a promising anti-cancer strategy, encouraging the design and the use of inhibitors, whose mechanism of action, efficacy and specificity remain elusive. As CI is a central player of cellular bioenergetics, a finely tuned dosing of targeting drugs is required to avoid side effects. We compared the specificity and mode of action of CI inhibitors metformin, BAY 87-2243 and EVP 4593 using cancer cell models devoid of CI.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

These revised guidelines have been developed to assist in the design, execution, and interpretation of studies to assess the efficacy of anthelmintic drugs against internal parasites in dogs and cats. The design and execution of studies are outlined and discussed. Considerations for specific targeted parasites are included.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

is a parasitic nematode and causes dirofilariosis, a potentially fatal pulmonary infection which primarily infects canids. Dirofilariosis infections are controlled via prophylactic macrocyclic lactone (ML) regimens. Recent evidence has confirmed the development of ML-resistant isolates in the USA, which are genetically distinct from wildtype populations.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF