Bartonella are vector-borne gram-negative facultative intracellular bacteria that can infect a wide spectrum of mammals, and are recognized as emerging human pathogens. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Bartonella infections in small mammals within the Qinghai Menyuan section of Qilian Mountain National Park, China. Small mammals were captured, and the liver, spleen and kidney were collected for Bartonella detection and identification using a combination of real-time PCR targeting the transfer-mRNA (ssrA) gene and followed by sequencing of the citrate synthase (gltA) gene. A total of 52 rodents were captured, and 36 rodents were positive for Bartonella, with a positivity rate of 69.23% (36/52). Bartonella was detected in Cricetulus longicaudatus, Microtus oeconomus, Mus musculus, and Ochotona cansus. The positivity rate was significantly different in the different habitats. Two Bartonella species were observed, including Bartonella grahamii and Bartonella heixiaziensis, and B. grahamii was the dominant epidemic strain in this area. Phylogenetic analysis showed that B. grahamii mainly clustered into two clusters, which were closely related to the Apodemus isolates from China and Japan and the local plateau pika isolates, respectively. In addition, genetic polymorphism analysis showed that B. grahamii had high genetic diversity, and its haplotype had certain regional differences and host specificity. Overall, high prevalence of Bartonella in small mammals in the Qinghai Menyuan section of Qilian Mountain National Park. B. grahamii is the dominant strain with high genetic diversity and potential pathogenicity to humans, and corresponding control measures should be considered.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11511999 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-76222-2 | DOI Listing |
FASEB J
January 2025
College of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with the two predominant endophenotypes-Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC)-represents a group of chronic gastrointestinal inflammatory conditions. Since most genetic associations with IBD are often limited to independent subtypes, we reported a genome-wide association study (GWAS) cross-trait analysis combined with CD and UC to enhance statistical power. Initially, we detected 256 association signals at 54 genomic susceptibility loci and further characterized the functionality of variants within these regions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells
January 2025
Department of Biochemistry, Donnelly Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E1, Canada.
In neurons, the acquisition of a polarized morphology is achieved upon the outgrowth of a single axon from one of several neurites. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), such as exosomes, from diverse sources are known to promote neurite outgrowth and thus may have therapeutic potential. However, the effect of fibroblast-derived exosomes on axon elongation in neurons of the central nervous system under growth-permissive conditions remains unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells
January 2025
Institute of Anatomy & Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Aulweg 123, 35392 Giessen, Germany.
Vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) relaxation by guanylyl cyclases (GCs) and cGMP is mediated by NO and its receptor soluble GC (sGC) or natriuretic peptides (NPs) ANP/BNP and CNP with the receptors GC-A and GC-B, respectively. It is commonly accepted that cultured SMCs differ from those in intact vessels. Nevertheless, cell culture often remains the first step for signaling investigations and drug testing.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells
January 2025
Nuclear Signaling Laboratory, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC 3800, Australia.
Signal-dependent transport into and out of the nucleus mediated by members of the importin (IMP) superfamily is crucial for eukaryotic function, with inhibitors targeting IMPα being of key interest as anti-infectious agents, including against the apicomplexan species and , causative agents of malaria and toxoplasmosis, respectively. We recently showed that the FDA-approved macrocyclic lactone ivermectin, as well as several other different small molecule inhibitors, can specifically bind to and inhibit and IMPα functions, as well as limit parasite growth. Here we focus on the FDA-approved antiparasitic moxidectin, a structural analogue of ivermectin, for its IMPα-targeting and anti-apicomplexan properties for the first time.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells
December 2024
School of Life Science, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by progressive and incurable airflow obstruction and chronic inflammation. Both TGF-β1 and CXCL8 have been well described as fundamental to COPD progression. DNA methylation and histone acetylation, which are well-understood epigenetic mechanisms regulating gene expression, are associated with COPD progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!