Crimean–Congo Haemorrhagic Fever: Case study analysis of a sporadic outbreak from Chakwal,Pakistan

Crimean–Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) is a deadly viral zoonotic disease, which is endemic in Pakistan. We report a case study analysis of three cases of CCHF which occurred in Chakwal, Pakistan in 2016. The disease was suspected in three patients exhibiting clinical symptoms suggestive of CCHF; two of the three patients died. The presence of CCHF was detected by seroconversion (IgG) from the surviving patient, while the antigen was detected in Hyalomma ticks originating from animals in the vicinity. This report indicates increase threat emergence of CCHF in Pakistan and highlights its zoonotic implications requiring immediate interventions under the “One‐Health” concept.     

Bio-guided isolation of the cytotoxic corytenchine and isocoreximine from roots of Annona cherimolia

The roots of Annona cherimolia have been shown to contain the known tetrahydroprotoberberine alkaloids corytenchine (1) and isocoreximine (2), investigated for their cytotoxic properties.     

Characterization of volatiles in extracts from oak chips obtained by accelerated solvent extraction (ASE)

Sixteen commercially available oak chips, differing in origin (French or American) and toasting level, were extracted by an accelerated solvent extraction method and characterized by their volatile composition. About 80 compounds were identified and quantified, a great part of them from the thermodegradation of lignin and cellulose. One furanone (solerone) and two C-13 norisoprenoids (3-oxo-alpha-ionol and a 3-oxoretro-alpha-ionol isomer) were also tentatively identified and reported for the first time in toasted wood. Quantitative data demonstrated the oak chips to be not so different from the composition of light- or medium-toasted wood barrels, which was reported by other authors. The same data suggest that toasting level had the strongest influence on the volatile composition of chip samples. Phenyl ketones, volatile phenols, and some furanic compounds were the most influenced. On the other hand, the influence of wood origin was found to be weaker.     

Essential role of BDNF in the mesolimbic dopamine pathway in social defeat stress

Mice experiencing repeated aggression develop a long-lasting aversion to social contact, which can be normalized by chronic, but not acute, administration of antidepressant. Using viral-mediated, mesolimbic dopamine pathway-specific knockdown of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), we showed that BDNF is required for the development of this experience-dependent social aversion. Gene profiling in the nucleus accumbens indicates that local knockdown of BDNF obliterates most of the effects of repeated aggression on gene expression within this circuit, with similar effects being produced by chronic treatment with antidepressant. These results establish an essential role for BDNF in mediating long-term neural and behavioral plasticity in response to aversive social experiences.     

Steroid hormone related male biased parasitism in chamois, Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra

Parasites are linked with their host in a trophic interaction with implications for both hosts and parasites. Interaction stretches from the host's immune response to the structuring of communities and the evolution of biodiversity. As in many species sex determines life history strategy, response to parasites may be sex-specific. Males of vertebrate species tend to exhibit higher rates of parasites than females. Sex-associated hormones may influence immunocompetence and are hypothesised to lead to this bias. In a field study, we tested the prediction of male biased parasitism (MBP) in free ranging chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra rupicapra), which are infested intensely by gastrointestinal and lung helminths. We further investigated sex differences in faecal androgen (testosterone and epiandrosterone), cortisol and oestrogen metabolites using enzyme immunoassays (EIA) to evaluate the impact of these hormones on sex dependent parasite susceptibility. Non-invasive methods were used and the study was conducted throughout a year to detect seasonal patterns. Hormone levels and parasite counts varied significantly throughout the year. Male chamois had a higher output of gastrointestinal eggs and lungworm larvae when compared to females. The hypothesis of MBP originating in sex related hormone levels was confirmed for the elevated output of lungworm larvae, but not for the gastrointestinal nematodes. The faecal output of lungworm larvae was significantly correlated with androgen and cortisol metabolite levels. Our study shows that sex differences in steroid levels play an important role to explain MBP, although they alone cannot fully explain the phenomenon.     

Systemic nematicidal activity of fluensulfone against the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita on pepper

BACKGROUND: Fluensulfone, a new nematicide of the fluoroalkenyl group, has proved to be very effective in controlling root‐knot nematodes, Meloidogyne spp., by soil application. The systemic activity of this compound against M. incognita on peppers via soil drenching and foliar spray was evaluated. RESULTS: Root application of fluensulfone via soil drenching showed slight and no nematode control activity when applied 4 and 10 days, respectively, after inoculation. A single foliar spray of peppers with a fluensulfone solution at 3.0 g L^?1 prior to inoculation reduced the galling index by 80% and the number of nematode eggs by 73–82% of controls. The reduction in these parameters by fluensulfone was much higher than that obtained with oxamyl or fenamiphos at the same concentration. This activity was also observed when the plants were sprayed 21 days before inoculation. A series of experiments suggested that foliar spray with fluensulfone prior to inoculation reduces nematode invasion. However, foliar spray after inoculation did not inhibit nematode development inside roots. CONCLUSION: Fluensulfone showed relatively high nematode control activity when sprayed on the foliage before inoculation. Fluensulfone may be used as a foliar application, in addition to soil application, for root‐knot nematode control. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Viral encephalopathy and retinopathy of Dicentrarchus labrax and Sparus aurata farmed in Tunisia

Viruses belonging to the Nodaviridae family cause disease worldwide among a large number of species of marine fish, and have been described in all continents. In the present study, a total of 69 farmed Tunisian sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax) and 24 sea bream (Sparus aurata) samples were tested monthly for the detection of betanodavirus. The virus was identified in both species using indirect immunofluorescence assays (IFAT) and RT-PCR. In addition sequence analysis of part of the coat protein gene indicated that both species were infected by highly related, but distinct, strains belonging to the RGNNV genotype. The sequence of the coat protein gene of several strains was identical but up to 9 different sequences were detected in a single farm. In addition, viral sequences obtained from fish that were held at lower temperature (<20°C) were distinct from the rest of the sequences.