Article
Plant Sciences
Norberto Guilengue, Maria do Ceu Silva, Pedro Talhinhas, Joao Neves-Martins, Andreia Loureiro
Summary: This study used light and transmission electron microscopy to investigate the infection and colonization strategy of Colletotrichum lupini on Lupinus mutabilis tissues. The pathogen penetrated the petioles through melanized appressoria and then colonized the epidermal, cortex, and vascular cells, leading to necrotrophy. The infected cells showed plasma membrane integrity loss, cytoplasm disorganization, and organelle disintegration. The necrotrophic phase culminated in the development of acervuli.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
V. Santhana Lakshmi, S. Ranjani, S. Hemalatha
Summary: The presence of Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio alginolyticus, and Vibrio harveyi in aquatic organisms causes vibriosis, leading to high mortality. Antibiotic treatment is becoming less effective due to increasing antibiotic resistance, making alternative therapeutic agents necessary. This study focuses on using bioactive compounds from Cymbopogon citratus to promote growth, natural immune response, and disease resistance against pathogenic bacteria. In silico studies were conducted to evaluate the binding potential of these compounds against targeted proteins in Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio alginolyticus. Nanoparticles synthesized from Cymbopogon citratus showed non-toxicity and exhibited antibacterial activity against Vibrio species.
AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ricardo Bassini-Silva, Fernando de Castro Jacinavicius, Sebastian Munoz-Leal, Ralph Maturano, Julia Carvalho Takatsu, Graziela Virginia Tolesano-Pascoli, Renata D. Alquezar, Camile Lugarini, Ariane Ferreira, Luciano Moreira-Lima, Cal Welbourn, Ronald Ochoa, Erika Hingst-Zaher, Marcos Rogerio Andre, Marcelo Bahia Labruna, Darci Moraes Barros-Battesti
Summary: In this study, six species of chiggers collected from birds in Brazil were identified morphologically and genetically screened for bacterial pathogens. Two species, B. sinnamaryi and E. tinami, tested positive for Rickettsia felis-like and 'Ca. R. colombianensi'-like, respectively. This is the first report of 'Ca. R. colombianensi'-like and the second record of R. felis-like in chigger collected on birds from Brazil.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Chu Wang, Michael Steenhuyse-Vandevelde, Chung-Chi Lin, Johan Billen
Summary: This study focuses on a novel gland called the "basimandibular gland" in the genus Strumigenys, confirming its existence in 22 investigated species, with the most pronounced development observed in the queens of S. mutica. Additionally, other gland cells were found in the mandibles of these queens, suggesting a potential relationship between the development of these glands and their parasitic lifestyle.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Agata Egea-Corbacho, Ana Pilar Martin-Garcia, Ana A. Franco, Gemma Albendin, Juana M. Arellano, Rocio Rodriguez-Barroso, M. Dolores Coello, Dolores Coello, Jose F. Cabello, Iria Iglesias Prado, Erik-jan Malta
Summary: This study investigates the impact of microplastics (MP) on aquaculture systems, covering water intake, purification treatment, culture tanks, feed, and the organism. The study shows that purification systems can reduce the entry of MP from the environment, but new MP are observed in the sea bass tank, mainly due to added feed and materials used in aquaculture systems. Different types of MP are found in the sea bass samples. Consideration and reduction of other entry routes are necessary to prevent MP from reaching the human consumer in aquaculture facilities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Carolina Borella Marfil Anhe, Raquel Soares Maia Godoy, Rafael Nacif-Pimenta, Wagner Faria Barbosa, Marcus Vinicius Lacerda, Wuelton Marcelo Monteiro, Nagila Francinete Costa Secundino, Paulo Filemon Paolucci Pimenta
Summary: Rhodnius prolixus is the main vector of Chagas disease, secreting saliva to antagonize its host's systems while feeding. The salivary glands of this insect undergo characteristic changes during development, with different lobules showing differences in structure and content. External muscle layers control organ contraction and saliva release, while neural-related molecules regulate salivary gland function.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Hans Van Loo, Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini, Stefaan Ribbens, Jozef Hooyberghs, Marcella Mori, Daisy Vanrompay, Geert Opsomer, Bart Pardon
Summary: This study investigated the presence of Chlamydia spp. and Parachlamydia acanthamoebae in bovine placental tissue from abortion and non-abortion cases in Belgium. The study found that Chlamydia spp. were detected in 5.4% of the cases, with three cases positive for C. psittaci. P. acanthamoebae was detected in 36% of the cases, being more prevalent in abortion cases than in non-abortion cases. Histopathological analysis revealed that placentitis and/or vasculitis were observed in a percentage of the cases, especially in abortion cases. The findings suggest a potential role of these pathogens in bovine abortion.
REPRODUCTION IN DOMESTIC ANIMALS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Marie Jumpertz, Jacques Sevestre, Lea Luciani, Linda Houhamdi, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Philippe Parola
Summary: Monitoring and analyzing ticks removed from patients in Marseille, France, revealed the presence of various tick species and bacterial pathogens. Identification of the ticks and detection of bacterial DNA in the ticks can aid in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of tickborne diseases. The most common bacterial pathogens found were Rickettsia raoultii, R. slovaca, Borrelia spp., and R. massiliae.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Carolina Barroso, Pedro Carvalho, Magda Nunes, Jose F. M. Goncalves, Pedro N. S. Rodrigues, Joao Neves
Summary: Current treatments in aquaculture mainly rely on antibiotics, but antimicrobial peptides are considered a promising alternative due to their antimicrobial and immunomodulatory activities. Hepcidin in European sea bass exists in two types, with specialized roles in iron regulation and antimicrobial activity. In experiments, administration of hepcidins derived from sea bass notably reduced fish mortalities and bacterial loads, demonstrating potential as a viable alternative to antibiotics.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Roger A. A. Astley, Md Huzzatul Mursalin, Phillip S. S. Coburn, Erin T. T. Livingston, James W. W. Nightengale, Eddy Bagaruka, Jonathan J. J. Hunt, Michelle C. C. Callegan
Summary: Ocular infections can lead to permanent visual impairment or blindness, causing a loss of quality of life. Bacteria are the main cause of these infections. This survey of bacterial isolates from the eye reveals a wide range of species, from common to rare and unique bacteria. Staphylococci are the most commonly isolated bacteria, while pseudomonads are the most common Gram-negative bacteria, except in the vitreous where Serratia is the most common. Empiric treatments are generally effective for most infections caused by these bacteria.
Article
Fisheries
Mingshuai Li, Shihui Wang, Zhigang Zhao, Liang Luo, Rui Zhang, Kun Guo, Lanlan Zhang, Yuhong Yang
Summary: This study investigated the effects of alkalinity stress on Chinese mitten crab through measuring the antioxidant system and immune system-related indices, as well as observing the tissue structure. It was found that alkalinity stress could lead to damage to the hepatopancreas structure, activation of antioxidant and immune systems, as well as oxidative stress and immune system damage.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Jose Maria Garcia-Beltran, Marta Arizcun, Elena Chaves-Pozo
Summary: Aquaculture production is increasing, but infectious diseases pose a threat. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) from photosynthetic marine organisms have potential as alternatives to antibiotics in aquaculture due to their defense mechanisms and additional activities. This study reviews the knowledge about AMPs from photosynthetic marine organisms and evaluates their suitability for aquaculture.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gaoyu Wang, Ruijia Fu, Liyuan Zhang, Liying Xue, Abdullah Y. Al-Mahdi, Xiaofei Xie, Aiping Qin, Chuanning Tang, Jiang Du, Yi Huang, Yueping Wang, Jian Su, Shengkai Huang, Ruoyan Peng, Zhe Lu, Jing An, Changjia Sun, Hua Yang, Changhua He, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Jasper Fuk-Woo Chan, Yongguo Du, Meifang Xiao, Long Sun, Feifei Yin
Summary: This study analyzed the blood samples of 117 surviving patients with scrub typhus who had not received appropriate antibiotic treatment and found that the bacterial DNA load of O. tsutsugamushi was associated with severity and genotype, but not with the number of dysfunctional organs, gender, age, presence of eschar, or the season of disease onset.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
I. T. Karapanagiotidis, M. N. Metsoviti, E. Z. Gkalogianni, P. Psofakis, A. Asimaki, N. Katsoulas, G. Papapolymerou, I. Zarkadas
Summary: The study found that replacing fishmeal protein with Chlorella vulgaris and fish oil with a blend of Schizochytrium sp. and Microchloropsis gaditana did not have adverse effects on the growth, feed utilization, muscle fatty acid composition, and liver histology of Sparus aurata. The replacements did lead to an increase in lipid retention and deposition mainly in the liver, but no other significant changes were observed. The study suggests that these replacements can be made without negatively impacting the growth performance, feed efficiency, proximate composition, and muscle EPA and DHA levels of the fish.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Kamila Martyniuk, Natalia Ziolkowska, Maria Hanuszewska-Dominiak, Natalia Szyrynska, Bogdan Lewczuk
Summary: The European beaver, the largest rodent in Eurasia, has a diet that varies with the season. This study focused on analyzing the morphological aspect of the beaver's esophagus, particularly the thickness of its epithelium in different seasons. The results showed that the esophageal mucosa is lined with a stratified squamous keratinized epithelium, which is similar to the structure of the skin epidermis. The keratinized layer is thicker in winter compared to spring and summer, and there is increased proliferation of epithelial cells in winter. The esophagus of the European beaver has adapted to seasonal changes in diet.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Debra Ramon, Danny Morick, Peter Croot, Ran Berzak, Aviad Scheinin, Dan Tchernov, Nadav Davidovich, Malka Britzi
Summary: The study investigated the levels of heavy metals in locally caught seafood in Israel, and found that the majority of the seafood tested comply with health guidelines for acceptable levels of heavy metals.
JOURNAL OF FOOD SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Roberto Stella, Eleonora Mastrorilli, Tobia Pretto, Alessandra Tata, Roberto Piro, Giuseppe Arcangeli, Giancarlo Biancotto
Summary: This study utilized a metabolomics approach to identify markers of freezing/thawing in European sea bass fish fillets and developed a model to classify fish samples according to their fresh or frozen/thawed condition with 100% accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. EPA and DHA metabolites were found to be the most relevant predictors. The study suggests the potential development of a targeted method for providing robust species-independent tests in the seafood industry.
Article
Fisheries
Ginevra Brocca, Samuele Zamparo, Tobia Pretto, Alessandro Calore, Andrea Marsella, Romy Lucon Xiccato, Matteo Cornaggia, Luana Cortinovis, Luca Bano, Anna Toffan, Francesco Quaglio, Ranieri Verin
Summary: This study reported a mortality episode in juvenile Siberian and Russian sturgeons, as well as GUBA hybrid sturgeons, in a hatchery in Northern Italy. The mortality was associated with an imbalance of intestinal microbiota, overgrowth of Clostridium perfringens, and gas formation. Increasing the feed administration possibly restored the normal microbiota.
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Entomology
Di Liu, Andrea Basso, Massimiliano Babbucci, Tomaso Patarnello, Enrico Negrisolo
Summary: In this study, the evolution of the structure of the mitogenome in Papilionoidea was investigated, revealing new findings on the gene orders in different butterflies and describing two novel gene orders. The research analyzed large dataset and showed the complicated evolutionary scenario of 2S1GO in Lycaenidae, indicating multiple events of duplication and loss of trnS1.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andrea Basso, Francesco Scariolo, Enrico Negrisolo, Margherita Lucchin, Gianni Barcaccia
Summary: Chicory, known as radicchio in Italy, has different biotypes cultivated historically in the Veneto region. Through DNA fingerprinting, the study reveals the genetic relationships and diversity among these biotypes.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Isabel Martinez-Sanudo, Andrea Basso, Giacomo Ortis, Federico Marangoni, Gionata Stancher, Luca Mazzon
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic differentiation of the eastern alpine bush cricket populations and found a strong geographical structure and no gene flow among different populations. The divergence time estimation analysis suggested an ancient separation of the species occurred approximately 1-1.5 million years ago. Conservation efforts should consider each population as a management unit.
INSECT CONSERVATION AND DIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Nadav Davidovich, Andrei Makhon, Gal Zizelski Valenci, Zeev Dveyrin, Tal Yahav, Tobia Pretto, Dan Tchernov, Danny Morick
Summary: The emergence and genomic characterization of Mycobacterium pseudoshottsii in Israel have been reported, indicating its ability to infect different fish species. This finding is of great importance to fish farmers, researchers, and environmental organizations.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andrea Basso, Valentina Paolini, Daniela Ghia, Gianluca Fea, Marica Toson, Tobia Pretto
Summary: In endangered crayfish conservation projects, it is important to map the distribution of the crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci in native populations. This study explored non-invasive sampling techniques, such as environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis and cuticular swabbing, to detect A. astaci. The findings suggest that filtering 5 liters of water with filters of 2.7 μm porosity for eDNA analysis and using cuticular swabs are effective methods for sampling. Storage in absolute ethanol is recommended for preserving samples. Integrated sampling methods are suggested for monitoring A. astaci in conservation efforts.
Article
Fisheries
Danny Morick, Yuval Maron, Nadav Davidovich, Ziv Zemah-Shamir, Yaarit Nachum-Biala, Peleg Itay, Natascha Wosnick, Dan Tchernov, Shimon Harrus
Summary: This study collected samples of four wild marine fish species in Israel and found that some of the samples were infected with the pathogen Photobacterium damselae. The results suggest that fish living in polluted environments are more susceptible to pathogenic microorganisms. Further research is needed to assess the impact of pathogens on population management and conservation, including quantifying the effects of pollutants on pathogen emergence and establishing a standard pollution level index.