Noncoding RNAs in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Current Knowledge and Translational Perspectives.

Several microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs contribute to pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) pathogenesis by impairing nitric oxide production, enhancing proliferation and migration and decreasing apoptosis of smooth muscle cells, and promoting endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition in pulmonary arteries. These noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) could serve as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets for PAH. Nonetheless, the knowledge about their role in PAH is still incomplete. Furthermore, ncRNAs may vary across species and often act differently in different tissues and organs, and technical issues currently limit the implementation of ncRNA-based technologies. Additional studies are warranted to finally bring ncRNA into the clinical arena.

Effect of Essential Oils on the Oxyntopeptic Cells and Somatostatin and Ghrelin Immunoreactive Cells in the European Sea Bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) Gastric Mucosa.

The current work was designed to assess the effect of feed supplemented with essential oils (EOs) on the histological features in sea bass's gastric mucosa. Fish were fed three diets: control diet (CTR), HERBAL MIX® made with natural EOs (N-EOs), or HERBAL MIX® made with artificial EOs obtained by synthesis (S-EOs) during a 117-day feeding trial. Thereafter, the oxyntopeptic cells (OPs) and the ghrelin (GHR) and somatostatin (SOM) enteroendocrine cells (EECs) in the gastric mucosa were evaluated. The Na+K+-ATPase antibody was used to label OPs, while, for the EECs, anti-SOM and anti-GHR antibody were used. The highest density of OP immunoreactive (IR) area was in the CTR group (0.66 mm2 ± 0.1). The OP-IR area was reduced in the N-EO diet group (0.22 mm2 ± 1; CTR vs. N-EOs, p < 0.005), while in the S-EO diet group (0.39 mm2 ± 1) a trend was observed. We observed an increase of the number of SOM-IR cells in the N-EO diet (15.6 ± 4.2) compared to that in the CTR (11.8 ± 3.7) (N-EOs vs. CTR; p < 0.05), but not in the S-EOs diet. These observations will provide a basis to advance current knowledge on the anatomy and digestive physiology of this species in relation to pro-heath feeds.

A rapid high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry assay for unambiguous detection of different milk species employed in cheese manufacturing.

The aim of the study was to investigate the possibility to differentiate the 4 most important species in Italian dairy industry (cow, buffalo, sheep, and goat), applying a bottom-up proteomic approach to assess the milk species involved in cheese production. Selective peptides were detected in milk to use as markers in cheese products. Trypsin-digested milk samples of cow, sheep, goat, and buffalo, analyzed by HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry provided species-specific peptides, some of them recognized by Mascot software (Matrix Science Ltd., Boston, MA) as derived from well-known species specific proteins. A multianalyte multiple reaction monitoring method, built with these specific peptides, was successfully applied to cheeses with different composition, showing high specificity in detection of species involved. Neither aging nor production method seemed to affect the response, demonstrating that chosen peptides well act as species markers for dairy products.

Extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in healthy companion animals living in nursing homes and in the community.

BACKGROUND: Animals could be reservoirs of extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBL) strains, but epidemiologic data on ESBL-producing bacteria in healthy pets are missing. We determined the prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in pets living in nursing homes and in households to investigate the potential role of companion animals as carriers of ESBL. METHODS: Three hundred seventy-six rectal swabs were taken from cats and dogs visiting or living in 68 randomly selected nursing homes or brought to 26 veterinary practices in Switzerland for routine mandatory vaccination. Isolates were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time of flight mass spectrometry. Confirmatory tests were performed on the isolated Enterobacteriaceae. Phenotypic ESBL isolates were investigated for genetic determinants of resistance. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of ESBL isolates, adjusted for clustering, was 2.5% (95% confidence interval: 1.3-4.6). Pets that received an antibiotic treatment in the 3 months prior to the study had a higher risk to be carriers of these microorganisms (Adjusted odds ratio, 7.8; 95% confidence interval: 2.2-26.9). CONCLUSION: ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae were present in healthy cats and dogs, particularly from those with a history of antibiotic treatment. These animals could become ESBL reservoirs. Investigations are needed to assess the possible transmission of these microorganisms between pets and humans.

Inter- and intra-specific characterization of tapeworms of the genus Diphyllobothrium (Cestoda: Diphyllobothriidea) from Switzerland, using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA targets.

Human diphyllobothriosis is caused by at least 14 species of cestodes belonging to the genus Diphyllobothrium. Molecular analysis by sequencing of nuclear and mitochondrial targets identifies some species at inter- and intra-specific level, and helps to reconstruct their phylogenetic relationships. Nevertheless, the suitability of further molecular targets deserves to be widened, and the comparison of samples of different geographical origin could allow their intra-specific characterization, which could also be useful for epidemiological purposes. In this study, we investigated inter- and intra-specific variability among tapeworms of the genus Diphyllobothrium, with focus on Diphyllobothrium latum, originated from Switzerland. Samples were analyzed by comparing the sequences of two nuclear and two mitochondrial DNA targets. We analyzed 27 samples belonging to 4 species (D. latum, Diphyllobothrium nihonkaiense, Diphyllobothrium dendriticum and Diphyllobothrium ditremum), 15 of which isolated from clinical cases (adults and eggs), 2 from wild canines, and 2 from fish of Swiss lakes (plerocercoid larvae); 8 samples of homologous species from other geographic origins were also sequenced and compared with the Swiss ones. Sequences of partial small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene and partial internal transcribed spacers 1 and 2 (ITS1-2) were not useful even in inter-specific identification, whereas sequences of complete cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) and cytochrome b (cob) genes allowed us to assess inter- and intra-specific variations among the samples. Cox1 and cob could differentiate 3 and 5 haplotypes within the species D. latum. The results are discussed in the light of the anamneses provided by part of the patients.