Article
Parasitology
K. J. A. Tsague, E. M. Bakwo Fils, J. P. Atagana, N. Dongue, D. W. Mbeng, J. Schaer, T. Tchuinkam
Summary: This study detected Hepatocystis and Nycteria parasites for the first time in bats from Cameroon and characterized them molecularly. It reveals evidence that habitat types may play a role in the local transmission of Hepatocystis parasites, and adds important information on the distribution and host specificity of the neglected haemosporidian genus Nycteria.
Article
Ecology
Dolyce H. W. Low, Alan T. Hitch, Maggie M. Skiles, Sophie A. Borthwick, Erica S. Neves, Zong Xian Lim, Benjamin P. Y-H. Lee, Yvonne C. F. Su, Gavin J. D. Smith, Ian H. Mendenhall
Summary: Haemosporidians, including Hepatocystis, infect a variety of bat genera and species with limited knowledge of their transmission cycles and epidemiology. The study detected a 31% prevalence of Hepatocystis in shortnosed fruit bats in Singapore, suggesting potential host restriction. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a monophyletic group of Hepatocystis from C. brachyotis in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Noel Gabiliga Thiombiano, Magloire Boungou, Bertrand Adechegoun Meschac Chabi, Adama Oueda, Oskar Werb, Juliane Schaer
Summary: Bats in Burkina Faso were investigated for the prevalence and phylogenetic relationships of protozoan blood parasites. Hepatocystis parasites were found in two species of epauletted fruit bats, while a high diversity of trypanosome parasites was identified in five bat species. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the trypanosome parasites from Rhinolophus alcyone and Nycteris hispida were closely related to T. livingstonei, trypanosome infections in Scotophilus leucogaster were closely related to T. vespertilionis, and the trypanosomes from Pipistrellus nanulus and Epomophorus gambianus might be T. dionisii. This first investigation in Burkina Faso provides a snapshot of the diversity of protozoan blood parasites in bats in this country.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Vusani Mphethe, Sina Weier, Catrin Westphal, Birthe Linden, Lourens Swanepoel, Daniel Parker, Peter Taylor
Summary: In the Limpopo Province of South Africa, fruit bats primarily feed on wild fruit trees, with commercial fruit only contributing 2% to their diet, even during the litchi harvest season. This highlights the important ecosystem services provided by fruit bats in orchards and surrounding natural vegetation, and their ability to mitigate crop damage.
AFRICAN JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Anitha D. D. Jayaprakash, Adam J. J. Ronk, Abhishek N. N. Prasad, Michael F. F. Covington, Kathryn R. R. Stein, Toni M. M. Schwarz, Saboor Hekmaty, Karla A. A. Fenton, Thomas W. W. Geisbert, Christopher F. F. Basler, Alexander Bukreyev, Ravi Sachidanandam
Summary: Filoviruses cause severe diseases in humans and nonhuman primates but have subclinical effects in bats. By infecting Egyptian rousette bats with Marburg and Ebola viruses, researchers identified various immune responses and pathways involved in bat resistance to these viruses, providing insights for the development of new strategies to treat and mitigate the diseases caused by these viruses in humans.
Article
Plant Sciences
Dalia Aiello, Alberto Fiorenza, Giuseppa Rosaria Leonardi, Alessandro Vitale, Giancarlo Polizzi
Summary: The study identified Fusarium nirenbergiae as the causal agent of Fusarium wilt on passion fruit, potentially posing a significant threat to the expanding passion fruit production in Italy and Europe. This pathogen caused symptoms such as yellowing, wilting, and vascular discoloration in crown and stem tissues.
Article
Computer Science, Information Systems
Qiong Lu, Zhizhong Wang, Haibo Chen, Chuan Xie, Xiaolong Ma, Wei Xing, Lei Zhao, Zhijie Lin
Summary: With the deepening application of 3D models in various fields, the model display based on B / S architecture has become crucial. In response to limitations such as network bandwidth, a new model display method has been proposed to achieve a higher frame rate.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jonathan D. Dear, Krystle L. Reagan, Sean E. Hulsebosch, Chai-Fei Li, Matthew John Lodge Munro, Barbara A. Byrne, Verena K. Affolter, Nathan Wiederhold, Connie Canete-Gibas, Jane E. Sykes
Summary: This study describes the clinical features, radiographic findings, pathological characteristics, and outcomes of dogs with disseminated Rasamsonia species complex infections. The infection involves multiple systems such as the vertebral column, central nervous system, kidneys, spleen, lymph nodes, lungs, and heart. Molecular techniques are necessary for proper identification and treatment guidance.
JOURNAL OF VETERINARY INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Kelsey J. Andrews, Rachelle Bester, Aruna Manrakhan, Hans J. Maree
Summary: This study successfully identified the five South African fruit fly species through sequence analysis of mitochondrial intergenic regions, with intergenic region I proving to be the most informative region for species differentiation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Barbara Abramczyk, Lukasz Pecio, Solomiia Kozachok, Mariusz Kowalczyk, Anna Marzec-Grzadziel, Ewa Krol, Anna Galazka, Wieslaw Oleszek
Summary: Fungi from the genus Diaporthe can be plant pathogens, endophytes, and saprophytes on various host plants worldwide. Identifying Diaporthe species is challenging due to their ability to colonize multiple host plants. Moreover, Diaporthe has been found to produce bioactive secondary metabolites, particularly the drimane sesquiterpenoid-phthalide hybrid class. The study analyzed 40 Diaporthe isolates and identified 153 compounds, including 43 fungal metabolites that could serve as chemotaxonomic markers. This research provides valuable insights for future studies on the isolation and bioactive potential of these metabolites for agricultural applications.
Article
Agronomy
Monika Bieniasz, Anna Konieczny, Jan Blaszczyk, Jacek Nawrocki, Michal Kope, Monika Mierzwa-Hersztek, Krzysztof Gondek, Tomasz Zaleski, Jaroslaw Knaga, Michal Pniak
Summary: Heat stress has a negative impact on pollination, fertilization, and fruit development in strawberries. However, the application of titanium organic complex improves pollination and fertilization processes, leading to better fruit development.
Article
Ecology
Milos Stupar, Zeljko Savkovic, Katarina Breka, Srdan Stamenkovic, Imre Krizmanic, Jelena Vukojevic, Milica Ljaljevic Grbic
Summary: Amphibian populations have been declining globally in the past few decades, and this decline has been attributed to various factors including habitat destruction, pollution, introduced species, environmental changes, and infectious diseases. This study focused on the diversity of fungal dwellers on the skin of green frogs and identified and classified different fungal structures and isolates. The results showed differences in mycobiota composition between sampling points, with the hybrid taxon and one specific locality exhibiting higher diversity. Some rare fungal species were documented as microbial inhabitants of amphibian skin for the first time.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dong-Xiu Xue, Hai-Yan Wang, Tao Zhang
Summary: This study reports the phylogeography and taxonomic revision of the pen shell Atrina pectinata species complex in the South China Sea using DNA sequence data. Four genetically valid species were identified within the complex, with stable populations that experienced sudden expansion during the late Pleistocene. These results offer new insights into the systematics and evolution of the species complex and have important conservation and management implications.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Miriam E. Arena, Ignacio S. Povilonis, Virginia Borroni, Diana Constenla, Silvia Radice
Summary: The study found that the size, weight, soluble solids, and total titratable acidity of Hexachlamys edulis fruit change during fruit development, while the accumulation patterns of chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenols, and antioxidant activity can be used to determine the optimal harvesting time.
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Florencia Evelyn Rodriguez, Gabriela Beatriz Olea, Maria Victoria Aguirre, Maria Antonella Argoitia, Juan Claver, Daniel Marcelo Lombardo
Summary: This study investigates the structure and composition of the gular glands in three bat species during their reproductive season. It reveals that the size and composition of the gland are influenced by the lipid content and identifies mechanoreceptors associated with the gland's duct surface. The study also proposes a new classification for the gland and discusses its implications in the reproductive behavior of the Molossidae family.
ANATOMICAL RECORD-ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE ANATOMY AND EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Francois Korbmacher, Benjamin Drepper, Theo Sanderson, Peer Martin, Thomas Stach, Alexander G. Maier, Kai Matuschewski, Joachim M. Matz
Summary: This study investigates the expression, subcellular localization, and function of folate transporter 2 (FT2) in the murine malaria parasite Plasmodium berghei. Disruption of FT2 results in abnormal parasite development in the insect vector and complete blockage of sporozoite transmission. The findings highlight the critical role of FT2 in parasite maturation in the arthropod vector.
CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
K. J. A. Tsague, E. M. Bakwo Fils, J. P. Atagana, N. Dongue, D. W. Mbeng, J. Schaer, T. Tchuinkam
Summary: This study detected Hepatocystis and Nycteria parasites for the first time in bats from Cameroon and characterized them molecularly. It reveals evidence that habitat types may play a role in the local transmission of Hepatocystis parasites, and adds important information on the distribution and host specificity of the neglected haemosporidian genus Nycteria.
Article
Immunology
Maximilian Kordes, Louise Ormond, Sebastian Rausch, Kai Matuschewski, Julius Clemence R. Hafalla
Summary: Recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) through Toll-like receptors (TLRs) plays a crucial role in first-line pathogen defense. TLRs are likely triggered by parasite-derived components during in vivo Plasmodium infection. Research on the potential effects of enhanced TLR-signalling on Plasmodium infection discovered that stimulation with a TLR9 agonist can induce killing of pre-erythrocytic stages in the liver.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Kai Matuschewski, Alexander G. Maier
Summary: The molecular arms race in Africa between humans and Plasmodium falciparum led to the selection of sickle-cell disease, which protects heterozygous carriers against severe malaria. However, parasites can counter-adapt and overcome disease resistance by identifying parasite genome signatures, known as P. falciparum sickle associated (Pfsa) variants.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
J. Kamani, Y. J. Atuman, D. A. Oche, A. Shekaro, O. Werb, I Ejotre, J. Schaer
Summary: This study investigated the distribution and phylogenetic relationships of blood parasites in different bat species in Northern Nigeria using molecular methods. The findings suggest that trypanosomes of African bats are phylogenetically diverse and there might be several undescribed trypanosome species.
Article
Biology
Anne Gunther, Matthias Hose, Hanna Abberger, Fabian Schumacher, Ylva Veith, Burkhard Kleuser, Kai Matuschewski, Karl Sebastian Lang, Erich Gulbins, Jan Buer, Astrid M. Westendorf, Wiebke Hansen
Summary: This study demonstrates the involvement of acid ceramidase and ceramide in controlling P. yoelii infection, with a mechanism involving regulation of red blood cell development.
Editorial Material
Parasitology
Franziska Hildebrandt, Johan Ankarklev, Kai Matuschewski
Summary: The researchers conducted a high-resolution transcriptomic analysis of Plasmodium berghei liver-stage maturation and identified molecular signatures of heterogeneity during the pre-erythrocytic development of malarial parasites.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Joshua Kamani, Mike Shand, Audu Shekaro, Bukar Laminu, Olubade Toyin, Moses Samuel Abasiama, Juliane Schaer, Shimon Harrus
Summary: The presence, prevalence, and risk factors of hemotropic Mycoplasma infection in cattle in Nigeria were investigated using PCR and sequencing. The DNA of hemoplasmas was detected in 8.5% of the samples, with Mycoplasma wenyonii and 'Candidatus Mycoplasma haemobos' being the most common species. Co-infection with both species was also observed. The risk of infection was associated with the sex of the cattle and packed cell volume, but not with other factors such as age, breed, body condition, sample source, or agro-ecological zones.
ACTA PARASITOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Branka Bajic, Oskar Werb, Ivana Budinski, Jelena Blagojevic, Juliane Schaer, Jaap van Schaik
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of Polychromophilus parasites in European bats and their nycteribiid vectors. A total of 215 bat flies collected from two bat species in Serbia were screened for Polychromophilus infections and analyzed by gene sequencing. The results showed a high diversity of P. melanipherus parasites in Miniopterus hosts and suggested regular encounter with this parasite in secondary hosts.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Ylva Veith, Anna Luiza Wende, Kai Matuschewski, Juliane Schaer, Katja Mueller, Brigitte Bannert
Summary: Blood parasite Schellackia sp. was found in sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) from Berlin, Germany, with a prevalence of 14.5% and primarily subpatent infections. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a close relationship with Schellackia sp. parasites from different lizard species in Spain. Monitoring Schellackia parasite infections in free-ranging lizards contributes to understanding the distribution, diversity, and phylogenetic relationships of this neglected parasite taxon.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Kunjan Harit, Rituparna Bhattacharjee, Kai Matuschewski, Jennifer Becker, Ulrich Kalinke, Dirk Schlueter, Gopala Nishanth
Summary: This study reveals that the deubiquitinating enzyme OTUD7b prevents TNF-induced apoptosis of dendritic cells (DCs) during infection, resulting in efficient immune response. OTUD7b stabilizes the E3 ligase TNF-receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2) by counteracting its K48-ubiquitination, facilitating the activation of NF-κB and MAP kinases, IL-12 production, and expression of anti-apoptotic cFLIP and Bcl-xL. Mice with DC-specific OTUD7b-deficiency showed DC apoptosis and failure to induce CD8(+) T cell-mediated brain pathology in a murine malaria infection model. These findings highlight the importance of OTUD7b as a central molecular switch for DC survival and provide insights for manipulating DC responses.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2023)
Review
Biology
Natalie Weber, Martina Nagy, Wanda Markotter, Juliane Schaer, Sebastien J. Puechmaille, Jack Sutton, Liliana M. Davalos, Marie-Claire Dusabe, Imran Ejotre, M. Brock Fenton, Mirjam Knoernschild, Adria Lopez-Baucells, Rodrigo A. Medellin, Markus Metz, Samira Mubareka, Olivier Nsengimana, M. Teague O'Mara, Paul A. Racey, Merlin Tuttle, Innocent Twizeyimana, Amanda Vicente-Santos, Marco Tschapka, Christian C. Voigt, Martin Wikelski, Dina K. N. Dechmann, DeeAnn M. Reeder
Summary: This study reviewed the research on African bats and their role as hosts for viruses causing human diseases. The impact of scientific research communication on public perception was discussed, and recommendations were made to improve study metadata.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Imran Ejotre, DeeAnn M. Reeder, Kai Matuschewski, Robert Kityo, Juliane Schaer
Summary: This study examines the existing knowledge and perception of bats among different tribes in Northern Uganda. It finds that negative perceptions, limited knowledge, and media influence contribute to actions against bats. Habitat loss and changing landscapes have also negatively impacted human-bat relations. Additionally, the study highlights the effectiveness of sensitization campaigns in protecting bats in the short term.