Virological Investigation in Synanthropic Rodents in North Italy

Intro: Several rodents, including mice and the brown rat, are synanthropic animals usually found in rural and urban environments in contact with other animals and humans. Rodents are natural reservoirs of infectious agents and could harbour a plethora of zoonotic pathogens of public health importance. Taking advantage of a parallel study on presence and distribution of Hantaviruses, we aimed to investigate the occurrence in mice of other viruses with zoonotic or economic impact. Method(s): From May to July 2022, 41 mice (Mus domesticus) were captured and killed by using baited snap traps in 13 selected cattle, goat and poultry farms located in the Piedmont region. Gut and lung samples were homogenised and tested by PCR methods for pan-Coronavirus (CoV) and SARS-CoV-2, pan-Pestivirus, Mammalian orthoreoviruses, Canine Distemper virus (CDV), Flaviviruses, Influenza A (IAV) and D (IDV) viruses. Finding(s): All captured animals did not present at necropsy lesions related to infectious diseases. Virological investigations detected the presence of CoV in six mice. By sequencing Rodent CoVs was identified in two samples (four more pending). Mammalian orthoreovirus was detected in nine animals and typing and characterization are in progress. One mouse, captured in a bovine farm, tested slightly positive for IDV and confirmation of positivity is in progress by complete sequencing with NGS approach. All samples were negative for Flaviviruses, IAV, CDV, pan-Pestivirus and SARS-CoV-2. Conclusion(s): Rodents are well adapted to a wide range of habitats, including peri-urban and rural environments, where they benefit from human activities. These results, although preliminary, underline the importance of enhancing surveillance in rodents in anthropized areas to better assess the presence of zoonotic agents and the potential risk of transmission.Copyright © 2023

The next frontier: assessing the feasibility of eradicating mammalian pests from Auckland Island. (Special Issue: Restoration of New Zealand subantarctic islands.)

Auckland Island, the fifth largest island in New Zealand, is the only island in New Zealand's subantarctic region where introduced mammalian pests remain (pigs, Sus scrofa;mice, Mus musculus;cats, Felis catus). The island has unique biodiversity and is a key site for progressing New Zealand's goal to be free of several introduced predators by 2050. Recent island eradication successes have rekindled interest in eradicating pests from Auckland Island, and for the first time considering all three pests in one project. Over a 3-year period, we tested the feasibility of eradicating pigs, mice and cats by looking at what it would take to succeed, rather than what we could practically deliver with the tools we currently have. We proposed adaptations to current methods and used an evidence-based approach by undertaking large-scale field trials to test uncertainties and emerging technologies in-situ. We gathered data and evaluated proposed methods against five established principles of eradication while considering the logistics and infrastructure requirements of the project. Eradicating pigs, mice and cats from Auckland Island is worthwhile and feasible but dependent on further development of emerging technologies and capabilities for efficient delivery with an acceptable level of risk. Three eradication operations are required with specific sequencing and timing, supported by initial establishment of infrastructure. The project needs a large investment spread over 8 to 10 years to yield permanent and internationally important benefits with low ongoing cost to sustain. The feasibility study exposed the project's scale and was used to inform decision makers, who postponed the work in 2020 in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The study focusses future preparations on identified planning issues and dependencies to progress project readiness in anticipation of it being launched when economic conditions allow.

Cardiac Neurobiology of Arrhythmia in Human Cell Models: Novel Therapeutic Targets

Heightened sympathetic drive (dysautonomia) is a hallmark of several cardiovascular diseases including SARS-CoV-2. It is also a powerful prognostic predictor for arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, especially in patients with channelopathies (long QT syndrome-LQTS, and catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia-CPVT). However, little is known about the molecular targets underlying this dysautonomia. We have identified a novel pathway using a combination of single cell and bulk RNAseq, neurochemistry, FRET imaging and single cell electrophysiology. This pathway involves impairment of cyclic nucleotide coupled phosphodiesterases (PDE) linked to enhanced intracellular calcium transients and exocytosis from rat sympathetic neurons. In particular, the adaptor protein Nos1-ap, Pde2A, and Ace2 are associated with sympathetic hyperexcitability. These proteins are also conserved in human stellates from patients with LQTS and CPVT, although their role in neuronal-myocyte cellular function is unknown. We have developed a unique human iPSC sympathetic-cardiac co-culture model for target discovery in LQTS and CPVT. The lecture will highlight the use of gene manipulation of these proteins to determine their role in driving abnormal transmission and arrhythmia.

The next frontier: assessing the feasibility of eradicating mammalian pests from Auckland Island

Auckland Island, the fifth largest island in New Zealand, is the only island in New Zealand's subantarctic region where introduced mammalian pests remain (pigs, Sus scrofa;mice, Mus musculus;cats, Felis catus). The island has unique biodiversity and is a key site for progressing New Zealand's goal to be free of several introduced predators by 2050. Recent island eradication successes have rekindled interest in eradicating pests from Auckland Island, and for the first time considering all three pests in one project. Over a 3-year period, we tested the feasibility of eradicating pigs, mice and cats by looking at what it would take to succeed, rather than what we could practically deliver with the tools we currently have. We proposed adaptations to current methods and used an evidence-based approach by undertaking large-scale field trials to test uncertainties and emerging technologies in-situ. We gathered data and evaluated proposed methods against five established principles of eradication while considering the logistics and infrastructure requirements of the project. Eradicating pigs, mice and cats from Auckland Island is worthwhile and feasible but dependent on further development of emerging technologies and capabilities for efficient delivery with an acceptable level of risk. Three eradication operations are required with specific sequencing and timing, supported by initial establishment of infrastructure. The project needs a large investment spread over 8 to 10 years to yield permanent and internationally important benefits with low ongoing cost to sustain. The feasibility study exposed the project's scale and was used to inform decision makers, who postponed the work in 2020 in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19. The study focusses future preparations on identified planning issues and dependencies to progress project readiness in anticipation of it being launched when economic conditions allow. © 2022 New Zealand Ecological Society.

Sea grapes Kombucha Tea Improves Liver-Superoxide dismutase (SOD) Serum in Mice Fed on Cholesterol- and Fat-enriched Diet: A Novel Probiotic Ready-to-drink Rich in Ascorbic Acid

Background/Objectives: Sea grapes (Caulerpa racemosa) are rich in macro-micronutrients, such as protein, minerals, folic acid, ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), vitamin A, vitamin B1, and fiber.(1) Kombucha tea is a synbiotic fermented beverage that has many health benefits which fermentation process increases antioxidant levels in food products.(2) This study aims to evaluate the benefits of sea grapes kombucha tea, which include the amounts of vitamin C and its effect on Liver-Superoxide dismutase (SOD) serum in mice fed on cholesterol- and fat-enriched diet (CFED). Methods: The Kombucha tea in this study used the formulation of the previous study.(3) Vitamin C amounts were tested using the Titration-Iodometry method. Furthermore, 40 albino male (Mus musculus) mice weighing between 20-30 g were divided into four groups of ten each;group A as normal control (standard dry pellet diet), group B were fed CFED only, and C and D were fed CFED which given 150 and 300 mg/kgBW sea grapes kombucha tea (p.o.) for 4 weeks. This protocol has been registered at https://preclinicaltrials.eu (International Register of Preclinical Trials Protocols) PCTE0000258 and approved by the Ethics Committee RSUP Prof. Dr. RD. Kandou 100/EC/ KEPK-KANDOU/VI/2021. Statistical analysis in this study used The One-Way Anova SPSS 26.0. Results: Ascorbic acid amounts in this study kombucha tea was 1.45 ± 3.82 mg.mL-1. There was a significant difference in SOD levels between groups (p < 0.0001). SOD levels in group A, B, C, and D respectively 16.90 ± 2.82 U/mL;8.79 ± 0.67 U/mL;63.75 ± 4.55 U/mL and 80.27 ± 4.13 U/mL. Dosage of 300 mg/kgBW has significantly increased SOD activity (p < 0.0001) compared to 150 mg/kgBW. Discussion / Conclusion: The sea grapes kombucha tea has the potential to be a ready-to-drink beverage to meet daily vitamin C needs and increase SOD-Liver (Intracellular antioxidant). This study showed in line with previous study that consumption of ascorbic acid significantly increased the SOD activity in type-2 diabetes patients.(4) SOD plays a very important role as a defense against oxidative stress in the body.(5) Sea grapes kombucha tea has the potential to be an anti-inflammatory functional food and as a good immunomodulatory agent, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.