Review
Immunology
Mercedes Fernandez-Escobar, Gereon Schares, Pavlo Maksimov, Maike Joeres, Luis Miguel Ortega-Mora, Rafael Calero-Bernal
Summary: This study aims to summarize the distribution of genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in Europe and emphasizes the need for standardized, high-end typing tools and integrative strategies to fill the existing knowledge gaps.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Maria Alina Lupu, Rodica Lighezan, Ana Alexandra Paduraru, Angela Dragomir, Radu Pavel, Sebastian Grada, Alin Gabriel Mihu, Sorin Ursoniu, Tudor Rares Olariu
Summary: This study evaluated the seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection in blood donors from Western Romania. Results showed a high prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in blood donors, with age, education level, and pet ownership being significantly associated with T. gondii infection. This study provides valuable data for further epidemiological studies and implementation of prevention programs for toxoplasmosis.
Article
Immunology
Min Chen, Pei Yang, Zixuan Xin, Jiating Chen, Weihao Zou, Lijuan Zhou, Lili Yang, Jiao Peng, Hongjuan Peng
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a pathogen causing toxoplasmosis and has similarities with immunotherapy for cancers. The knockout of GRA5 gene in T. gondii resulted in an avirulent strain that stimulated immune responses. ME49 & UDelta;gra5 vaccination provided protection against T. gondii infection and breast cancer by boosting anti-tumor responses. The vaccine upregulated Th1 cytokines and tumor-infiltrating T cells, and increased the number of immune cells in the spleen.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Parasitology
Aleksandra Kornacka-Stackonis
Summary: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic disease caused by an intracellular protozoan parasite, which can infect almost all warm-blooded animals. In recent years, there has been an increase in omnivorous and carnivorous animals entering urban or suburban areas, making wild animals more common to urban residents. The infected animals can act as intermediate hosts and contribute to the transmission of the parasite to humans, domestic animals, and other wild animal species.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences
Karin van der Wiel, Thomas J. Batelaan, Niko Wanders
Summary: This study investigates multi-year drought events in the Rhine basin, focusing on their occurrence probability in the present and future warmer climates. The research identifies two types of multi-year drought events and shows their frequency and potential impacts. The findings indicate that summer precipitation decreases and atmospheric evaporative demand increases with future warming, leading to a doubling of event probability and longer durations. The study highlights the need for further investigation of multi-year drought hazard and vulnerability in the region to address projected trends and potential societal and ecological impacts.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva Bartova, Jirina Markova, Jana Sedlackova, Hana Band'ouchova, Karol Racka
Summary: In this study, wild bats were tested for the presence of selected parasites. The results showed that Toxoplasma gondii was detected in 1% of bats, while Neospora caninum was not found in any of the bats. Encephalitozoon spp. was detected in 25% of bats, including three different species. This is the first study to report a relatively high positivity of Encephalitozoon spp. in vespertilionid bats from Central Europe and worldwide.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Geography, Physical
J. Lorenzo-Lacruz, E. Moran-Tejeda, S. M. Vicente-Serrano, J. Hannaford, C. Garcia, D. Pena-Angulo, C. Murphy
Summary: This study identifies significant periodicities in streamflow dynamics across western Europe and identifies synchronous periodicities with the main atmospheric mechanisms over the North Atlantic sector. The study shows the occurrence of a 7-years streamflow cycle in a large proportion of catchments within the study domain since the mid 1980's.
GLOBAL AND PLANETARY CHANGE
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Rajshekhar Y. Gaji, Amanda K. Sharp, Anne M. Brown
Summary: Toxoplasma gondii is a life-threatening intracellular pathogen that depends on protein kinases for its life cycle. Research on Toxoplasma kinases aims to understand their functions and potentially develop therapeutics against this parasite.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Iti Saraav, Luisa Cervantes-Barragan, Philipp Olias, Yong Fu, Qiuling Wang, Leran Wang, Yi Wang, Matthias Mack, Megan T. Baldridge, Thaddeus Stappenbeck, Marco Colonna, L. David Sibley
Summary: Oral infection with Toxoplasma gondii exacerbates damage to the colon caused by chemical irritant and impairs wound healing by suppressing stem cell regeneration. Enhanced tissue damage is due to inflammatory monocytes releasing inflammatory mediators.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robin Noyelle, Yi Zhang, Pascal Yiou, Davide Faranda
Summary: By employing a flow analogues methodology, this study examines the maximal reachable temperatures in Western Europe, using the July 2019 record-breaking heatwave as a case study. The findings suggest that temperatures exceeding 50°C cannot be ruled out in most urban areas, even under current climate conditions. The analysis of changes in the upper bound of surface air temperatures between the past and present periods reveals that the significant increase in daily maximum temperatures is partially explained by the increase of the upper bound, with the main factor being strengthened diabatic surface fluxes rather than free troposphere warming.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robert Vautard, Julien Cattiaux, Tamara Happe, Jitendra Singh, Remy Bonnet, Christophe Cassou, Dim Coumou, Fabio D'Andrea, Davide Faranda, Erich Fischer, Aurelien Ribes, Sebastian Sippel, Pascal Yiou
Summary: In the past 70 years, extreme heat in Western Europe has been increasing at a faster rate than predicted by climate models. This discrepancy is largely due to changes in atmospheric circulation, which have resulted in more frequent southern airflows over Western Europe. The models analyzed in this study have underestimated the impact of external forcing on circulation or the low-frequency variability, or both.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Anamaria Ioana Pastiu, Viorica Mircean, Aurelien Mercier, Karine Passebosc-Faure, Nicolas Plault, Marie-Laure Darde, Radu Blaga, Isabelle Villena, Dana Liana Pusta, Anamaria Cozma-Petrut, Adriana Gyoerke
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii infection in sheep in Romania and successfully isolated the infective strains. The results showed a high prevalence of T. gondii infection in sheep and lambs, highlighting the significant risk of human infection through consuming raw or undercooked sheep/lamb meat.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Cristiana Luiza Radoi, Ovidiu Mircea Zlatian, Maria Balasoiu, Lucian Giubelan, Andreea Cristina Stoian, Livia Dragonu, Alexandru Neacsu, Dominic Gabriel Iliescu
Summary: This study examined the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgM and IgG antibodies in two groups of childbearing age women. The results showed a decrease in the overall positivity rate of anti-T. gondii IgM antibodies, indicating improved public health interventions. However, there were variations among different age groups and between rural and urban environments, with a significant decrease in urban areas.
Article
Entomology
Hossam Abou-Shaara, Sara A. Alashaal, Eslam M. Hosni, Mohamed G. Nasser, Mohammad J. Ansari, Sulaiman Ali Alharbi
Summary: Large Hive Beetles (LHBs) are common pests of honeybee colonies, especially in Africa. This study highlighted the potential invasion of LHBs in North Africa and Europe in the future, emphasizing the need for early monitoring strategies. Predictive risk maps based on species distribution modeling techniques can help prevent the expansion of this pest outside its natural range.
Article
Biology
Angela Dragomir, Maria Alina Lupu, Rodica Lighezan, Ana Alexandra Paduraru, Tudor Rares Olariu
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in cardiovascular patients in Western Romania. The results showed that the overall seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies was 64.06% in cardiovascular patients and 52.88% in blood donors. Compared to the control group, a significantly higher prevalence of T. gondii antibodies was found among patients with hypertension and unstable angina. This study provides valuable information for further research on the impact of T. gondii exposure on cardiovascular patients.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
H. H. E. van Zanten, P. Bikker, H. Mollenhorst, B. G. Meerburg, I. J. M. de Boer
Editorial Material
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
H. H. E. van Zanten, B. G. Meerburg, P. Bikker, M. Herrero, I. J. M. de Boer
Article
Entomology
Monique F. Mul, Johan W. van Riel, Bastiaan G. Meerburg, Marcel Dicke, David R. George, Peter W. G. Groot Koerkamp
EXPERIMENTAL AND APPLIED ACAROLOGY
(2015)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Hannah H. E. van Zanten, Herman Mollenhorst, Dennis G. A. B. Oonincx, Paul Bikker, Bastiaan G. Meerburg, Imke J. M. de Boer
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2015)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Monique F. Mul, Johan P. M. Ploegaert, David R. George, Bastiaan G. Meerburg, Marcel Dicke, Peter W. G. Groot Koerkamp
BIOSYSTEMS ENGINEERING
(2016)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hannah H. E. van Zanten, Paul Bikker, Bastiaan G. Meerburg, Imke J. M. de Boer
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT
(2018)
Article
Agronomy
Inge M. Krijger, Steven R. Belmain, Grant R. Singleton, Peter W. G. Groot Koerkamp, Bastiaan G. Meerburg
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2017)
Article
Parasitology
Monique F. Mul, Johan W. van Riel, Lise Roy, Johan Zoons, Geert Andre, David R. George, Bastiaan G. Meerburg, Marcel Dicke, Simon van Mourik, Peter W. G. Groot Koerkamp
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2017)
Review
Entomology
Bruce Schoelitsz, Bastiaan G. Meerburg, Willem Takken
ENTOMOLOGIA EXPERIMENTALIS ET APPLICATA
(2019)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
I. M. Krijger, B. G. Meerburg, C. Harmanus, S. A. Burt
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Inge M. Krijger, Jan B. W. J. Cornelissen, Steven R. Belmain, Rokeya Begum Shafali, Bastiaan G. Meerburg
VECTOR-BORNE AND ZOONOTIC DISEASES
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Inge M. Krijger, Ahmed A. A. Ahmed, Marga G. A. Goris, Peter W. G. Groot Koerkamp, Bastiaan G. Meerburg
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2019)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Inge M. Krijger, Gerrit Gort, Steven R. Belmain, Peter W. G. Groot Koerkamp, Rokeya B. Shafali, Bastiaan G. Meerburg
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Inge M. Krijger, Ahmed A. A. Ahmed, Maria G. A. Goris, Jan B. W. J. Cornelissen, Peter W. G. Groot Koerkamp, Bastiaan G. Meerburg
VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SCIENCE
(2020)
Article
Zoology
Yang Kong, Li Xidong, Xu Gaowei, Liu Wei, Bastiaan G. Meerburg
PAKISTAN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2016)
