Article
Immunology
Gokhlesh Kumar, Arun Sudhagar, Saloni Shivam, Frank Nilsen, Jerri L. Bartholomew, Mansour El-Matbouli
Summary: In this study, 136 immunogenic proteins induced by T. bryosalmonae during infection in brown trout were identified. These proteins play important roles in signal transduction, metabolism, and other processes, and can provide insights into the pathogenesis of T. bryosalmonae in susceptible hosts.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Arun Sudhagar, Mansour El-Matbouli, Gokhlesh Kumar
Summary: The study identified 153 significantly differently expressed alternatively spliced genes in the posterior kidney of brown trout during PKD, with alternative 5' splice site (5.23%) and exon skipping (70.59%) being the most abundant types. These genes were enriched for sodium-potassium transporter activity and ion homeostasis.
Article
Parasitology
Arni Kristmundsson, Fjoela Rut Svavarsdottir, Friopjofur Arnason, Porolfur Antonsson, Guoni Gudbergsson, Hildur Magnusdottir, Mark Andrew Freeman
Summary: The distribution and prevalence of the fish disease T. bryosalmonae have increased in Iceland since the 1990s, especially in shallow lakes. This suggests that wild salmonid populations in Iceland are increasingly susceptible to this disease as temperatures rise.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Justin T. H. Chan, Amparo Picard-Sanchez, Jovana Majstorovic, Alexander Rebl, Dirk Koczan, Filip Dycka, Astrid S. Holzer, Tomas Korytar
Summary: The presence of pathogen antibodies on red blood cells of infected rainbow trout indicates that red blood cells play a larger role in host immunity than previously appreciated.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Karoline Waldner, Martin Borkovec, Florian Borgwardt, Guenther Unfer, Mansour El-Matbouli
Summary: This study found that the survival probability, parasitic burden, and clinical signs of brown trout are influenced differently under different water temperature conditions, with brown trout exposed to lower temperatures showing higher survival probability and less severe disease symptoms.
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
M. Lauringson, M. Y. Ozerov, M-E Lopez, V Wennevik, E. Niemela, T. Y. Vorontsova, A. Vasemagi
Summary: Global climate change is affecting the abundance and spread of aquatic parasites and pathogens. A study in Northern Europe found the presence of the myxozoan Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae in several rivers. Temperature was identified as an important factor influencing parasite occurrence, which may lead to new disease outbreaks in northern regions.
DISEASES OF AQUATIC ORGANISMS
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Veronika Seidlova, Eva Syrova, Hana Minarova, Jan Zukal, Vojtech Balaz, Monika Nemcova, Ivana Papezikova, Jiri Pikula, Heike Schmidt-Posthaus, Jan Mares, Miroslava Palikova
Summary: The study compared the sensitivity of different diagnostic methods for detecting the causative agent of proliferative kidney disease in salmonid fish. PCR methods showed higher detection rates compared to IHC, with qPCR32 having the best match with IHC. While both PCR methods had similar sensitivity, their specificity differed significantly.
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marc Faber, Sophie Shaw, Sohye Yoon, Eduardo de Paiva Alves, Bei Wang, Zhitao Qi, Beth Okamura, Hanna Hartikainen, Christopher J. Secombes, Jason W. Holland
Summary: The myxozoan parasite Tetracapsuloidesbryosalmonae has a two-host life cycle alternating between freshwater bryozoans and salmonid fish, potentially causing Proliferative Kidney Disease in infected fish. By using a two-host parasite transcriptome sequencing approach, the study revealed host-specific transcriptional profiles and the potential importance of certain parasite proteins.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biology
Tad A. Dallas, Pedro Jordano
Summary: The study on host-helminth parasite interactions found that geographical area influences species richness and the number of species interactions, but the species-area slopes for host species and helminth parasites were different than theoretical predictions. Additionally, host-helminth network modularity decreased with increasing area, contrary to theoretical predictions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Keren Maor-Landaw, Itamar Avidor, Nadav Rostowsky, Barbara Salti, Margarita Smirnov, Maya Ofek-Lalzar, Liron Levin, Vera Brekhman, Tamar Lotan
Summary: Myxozoa is a unique group of parasites that can cause diseases in fish populations, and we identified a new species called Myxobolus bejeranoi that infects the gills of cultured tilapia. Through transcriptomics analysis, we found that key genes for cell division and modulation of host immune reaction were highly expressed during infection. Furthermore, we discovered that myxozoan calreticulin has a distinct phylogenetic clade and may play a role in parasite pathogenesis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Aurelie Rubin, Christyn Bailey, Nicole Strepparava, Thomas Wahli, Helmut Segner, Jean-Francois Rubin
Summary: The study found that water temperature is the main factor affecting the infection of PKD in wild brown trout, and there are significant differences in infection rates and intensity between different sites and seasons. Based on these findings, a sampling strategy based on water temperature can be developed to detect PKD infection and prevalence in wild brown trout populations.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Thomas L. Koch, Frank Hauser, Cornelis J. P. Grimmelikhuijzen
Summary: The analysis of neuropeptide genes in cnidarians reveals that X(1)PRX(2)amide, GRFamide, and GLWamide peptides originated in the common cnidarian ancestor, found in both Hydrozoa and certain members of the Endocnidozoa class, linking these parasites to Hydrozoa.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vera Brekhman, Maya Ofek-Lalzar, Stephen D. Atkinson, Gema Alama-Bermejo, Keren Maor-Landaw, Assaf Malik, Jerri L. Bartholomew, Tamar Lotan
Summary: Myxozoans are aquatic obligate endoparasites belonging to the phylum Cnidaria, with complex life cycles involving unique spores for waterborne transmission. Proteomic analysis of Ceratonova shasta, a pathogenic myxozoan, revealed insights into the processes of spore formation, particularly focusing on changes in the actin cytoskeleton. This provides molecular understanding of the myxozoan life cycle stages and sporogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kristen Homel, Julie D. Alexander
Summary: Anthropogenic activities in the Columbia River Basin have negatively affected the habitat and population of salmon species, with the presence of the parasite C. shasta potentially limiting the recovery of chum salmon.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Martin Reichard, Stephan Koblmuller, Radim Blazek, Holger Zimmermann, Cyprian Katongo, Anna Bryjova, Josef Bryja
Summary: Host-parasite dynamics involve coevolutionary arms races and may result in host specialization and diversification. Previous understanding of host specialization in brood parasites has been mostly focused on bird and insect lineages. This study examines the relationship between the cuckoo catfish and mouthbrooding cichlids in Lake Tanganyika and finds evidence for the existence of sympatric host-specific lineages in the cuckoo catfish. Genetic analysis shows no host-specific lineages, and parasitism is not associated with any individual characteristics of the host species, but it does come at a cost for the parasitized parents. These findings suggest that the cuckoo catfish is an intermediate generalist in terms of host specialization.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
D. Pungar, R. G. H. Bunce, J. Raet, T. Kaart, K. Sepp
Summary: This study aims to describe the ecological character of Estonian agricultural landscapes and their contribution to biodiversity resources. The results show that the spread of alien plant species significantly affects the composition of native plant species in Estonia, leading to major changes in local vegetation and causing billions of Euros worth of damage to the European economy annually.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Francesca Carnovale, Jin Xiao, Binlin Shi, Tanel Kaart, David Arney, Clive J. C. Phillips
Summary: Testing the effects of transporting sheep in cold conditions revealed that sheep in covered vehicles experienced less cold stress, while longer journeys led to increased stress levels. Feeding the sheep before transport helped mitigate the adverse effects of cold stress. Various factors such as vehicle covering, transport duration, and pre-transport feeding were found to significantly impact the welfare of transported sheep in cold climates.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Triin Rilanto, Dagni-Alice Viidu, Tanel Kaart, Toomas Orro, Arvo Viltrop, Ulf Emanuelson, Eamonn Ferguson, Kerli Motus
Summary: Farm managers' dissatisfaction, attitude and personality traits are associated with dairy cow culling rates and longevity. High culling rates and poor longevity are related to dissatisfaction with culling rates and longevity, prioritizing high milk yields, and production-oriented attitudes. Farm managers' personality has an effect on culling rates, and their attitudes explain a portion of the variability in culling rates and longevity.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Leona Lovrencic, Martina Temunovic, Riho Gross, Marin Grgurev, Ivana Maguire
Summary: The noble crayfish, an indigenous European freshwater species, is facing significant declines in population due to human activities, climate change, and invasive species. A study combining population genetics and species distribution modelling revealed the impact of climate change on the species and highlighted the need for effective conservation measures. The study found that Croatian populations of the noble crayfish harbor important genetic diversity but are predicted to experience substantial reductions in suitable habitats in the future. The results emphasize the importance of identifying and protecting areas with high conservation value, as well as considering assisted migration and repopulation approaches to preserve genetic diversity.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anri Timonen, Marju Sammul, Suvi Taponen, Tanel Kaart, Kerli Motus, Piret Kalmus
Summary: This study investigated the usage of antimicrobial drugs in cows with clinical mastitis in large dairy herds in Estonia. The findings revealed that different treatment methods and drugs could impact the outcome of the treatment, and further research is needed to understand the factors that influence veterinarians' choices.
Article
Entomology
Kalle Toomemaa, Tanel Kaart
Summary: The application of queen caging can prevent autumn brood rearing effectively. The position of caged queen and the fullness of comb sections do not affect brood production.
JOURNAL OF APICULTURAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Andres Sats, Sergei Yurchenko, Tanel Kaart, Vilma Tatar, Liis Lutter
Summary: This study measured the size distribution of bovine colostrum fat globules (CFG) and analyzed its relationships with postpartum milkings, parity, and fatty acids profile. The results showed that CFG size almost doubled during the postpartum milkings, while lactation had little effect on CFG size. The fatty acids profile analysis also revealed significant differences between the fourth postpartum milking and the previous milking. Based on these findings, the first three postpartum milkings can be considered as colostrum, while the fourth milking represents transition milk.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mikhail Ozerov, Kristina Noreikiene, Siim Kahar, Magnus Huss, Ari Huusko, Toomas Koiv, Margot Sepp, Maria-Eugenia Lopez, Anna Gardmark, Riho Gross, Anti Vasemagi
Summary: Extreme environments are inhospitable to most species, but some organisms have evolved to survive in such conditions. A study found that adaptation to acidic humic lakes involves hundreds of genomic regions. Signals of adaptation were detected in genes and gene families involved in organism development and ion transportation. The importance of adaptive evolution via regulatory elements was highlighted.
Article
Fisheries
Alfonso Diaz-Suarez, Kristina Noreikiene, Veljo Kisand, Oksana Burimski, Roland Svirgsden, Mehis Rohtla, Mikhail Ozerov, Riho Gross, Markus Vetemaa, Anti Vasemagi
Summary: The Northern pike population on the Island of Saaremaa, Estonia, shows temporal stability in genetic structure between geographically close locations, with reduced diversity in the north-western populations. There is a clear differentiation between the north-western and Gulf of Riga spawning grounds. These findings suggest that limited dispersal and natal homing behavior in Baltic pike promote the existence of temporally stable genetic divergence at small geographical scales, which is important for local adaptations. Therefore, conservation and management efforts should focus on preserving existing genetic differences and avoiding actions that increase genetic homogenization.
FISHERIES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Dagni-Alice Viidu, Eamonn Ferguson, Tanel Kaart, Kerli Motus
Summary: This study examined the attitudes, satisfaction, and personality of calf care workers (CCWs) in large Estonian dairy herds and analyzed their associations with calf mortality. The results showed that the attitudes and satisfaction of CCWs have explanatory power in calf mortality, highlighting the importance of providing assistance to herds with high calf mortality.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Elisabeth Dorbek-Kolin, Aleksi Husso, Mikael Niku, Marina Loch, Tiina Pessa-Morikawa, Tarmo Niine, Tanel Kaart, Antti Iivanainen, Toomas Orro
Summary: In this study, the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and innate immunity response, acute cryptosporidiosis, and weight gain in female dairy calves were investigated. The results showed that the composition of the intestinal microbiota was associated with cryptosporidiosis and acute inflammation markers, and certain components of the microbiota may have a long-lasting negative effect on animal growth through the stimulation of the systemic innate immune response.
RESEARCH IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kristi Liiver, Sophie Imbeault, Marianna Skolnaja, Tanel Kaart, Margus Kanarik, Karita Laugus, Jade De Wettinck, Aleksander Pulver, Ruth Shimmo, Jaanus Harro
Summary: Sex differences in exploratory behavior were observed in male and female rats. Female rats displayed higher exploratory activity and a normal distribution, while males exhibited a bimodal distribution. There were no major effects of litter or estrous cycle. Differences in monoamine metabolism between male and female rats were found, including lower dopamine levels in the frontal cortex and higher levels of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) in the raphe area in males. Females had higher levels of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the dorsal striatum, but lower levels in the locus coeruleus area. There were also differences in noradrenaline (NA) and normetanephrine (NMN) levels between the sexes. Female rats displayed not only higher levels of exploration, but also a distinct population distribution of this behavior, which may be related to differences in monoaminergic systems.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Aleksei Potapov, Lauri Mehtatalo, Andres Kiviste, Sandra Metslaid, Tanel Kaart, John A. Stanturf, Maris Hordo
Summary: Wood production in peatland forests is closely linked to hydrological management practices that aim to improve soil moisture and stand growth. However, the outcomes of ditching activities can vary greatly, necessitating the need for new data and modeling approaches to better understand forest growth dynamics on a tree-level and long-term scale.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Magnus Lauringson, Siim Kahar, Taigor Veevo, Maidu Silm, Duncan Philpott, Roland Svirgsden, Mehis Rohtla, Priit Pakk, Riho Gross, Tanel Kaart, Anti Vasemagi
Summary: Proliferative kidney disease caused by Tetracapsuloides bryosalmonae has been extensively studied in juvenile salmonids, but little is known about parasite prevalence and distribution in adult fish. This study examined adult sea trout and juvenile trout along the Estonian Baltic Sea coastline and found that the parasite was present in 38.6% of adult sea trout, with higher prevalence in the eastern and northern regions. Similar infection patterns were observed in juvenile trout. The study also revealed that the parasite can persist in brackish water for several years and that freshwater migration may contribute to reinfection in adult sea trout.
JOURNAL OF FISH DISEASES
(2023)