Phaidra - University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna
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Verifizierung und Konkretisierung bereits beschriebener diagnostischer Parameter bei Hunden mit Hypoadrenokortizismus (Morbus Addison)
No full textHypoadrenocorticism is a rare disease which, in the worst case, can lead to the death of a dog. Due to the unspecific clinical symptoms of this disease and its rare occurrence, diagnosis is difficult. The gold standard for the diagnosis of hypoadrenocorticism is the ACTH stimulation test, which, however, is not always available for various reasons. As a result, it may be necessary to extend the range of diagnostic options for primary hypoadrenocorticism beyond the ACTH-stimulation test. In this retrospective study, the sensitivity of diagnostic parameters was investigated on 54 dogs with hypoadrenocorticism in the period 2013 – 2023 and compared with previously published studies. The most common clinical signs were inappetence, weakness and vomiting. The blood parameters with the highest sensitivity in this study were increased urea, elevated C-reactive protein, elevated potassium, elevated creatinine, elevated relative eosinophil count, decreased urine specific gravity ( 2.456 * 109/l), Na/K-Q (Cut off 227 pg/ml) and basal cortisol (Cut off ≤ 55 nmol/l). The data indicate that these parameters are highly sensitive and can be useful parameters for diagnosing dogs with hypoadrenocorticism with a high probability. Finally, it can be concluded that the parameters Na/K-Q ( 2.456 * 109/L), increased urea, creatinine and CRP values, reduced specific urine weight ( 2,456 * 109/L), dem Na/K-Q (Cut off 227 pg/ml) und dem basalen Cortisol (Cut off ≤ 55 nmol/l) bestätigt werden. Die Daten deuten darauf hin, dass diese Parameter hochsensitiv sind und somit Hunde mit Hypoadrenokortizismus mit hoher Wahrscheinlichkeit erkannt werden. Schlussendlich lässt sich ableiten, dass die Parameter Na/K-Q ( 2,456 * 109/L), erhöhte Harnstoff-, Kreatinin-, und CRP- Werte, vermindertes spezifisches Harngewicht (< 1,030), eine mindestens einseitig verkleinerte Nebenniere und die klinischen Symptome Inappetenz, Schwäche und Vomitus, die Verdachtsdiagnose eines Hypoadrenokortizismus affirmieren
West Nil Virus in Stechmücken aus Niederösterreich in der Nähe von Pferdestallungen (2023)
No full textDiplomarbeit - Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien - 2024Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht das Vorkommen des West Nil Virus in Stechmücken in der Nähe von Pferdestallungen in Niederösterreich. Dabei wurden insgesamt 398 Stechmücken im Zeitraum von Juli bis Oktober 2023 in sieben verschiedenen Pferdestallungen gesammelt. Die weiblichen Stechmücken (Culicidae) wurden bis auf das Artniveau bestimmt, wobei Culex pipiens s.l. mit einem Anteil von 86,2 %, Culiseta annulata mit einem Anteil von 8,54 % und Anopheles claviger mit einem Anteil von 0,75 %, die drei vertretenen Arten waren. Die restlichen Mücken konnten entweder nicht bis auf das Artniveau identifiziert werden oder waren männlich. Die Mückenproben wurden gepoolt und mittels Pan-Flavivirus PCR auf Flaviviren untersucht. 26 % der Proben waren positiv auf Flaviviren. Die meisten positiven Pools enthielten Cu. annulata, während nur wenige Cx. pipiens s.l. und undefinierte Culicinae Flaviviren trugen. Die Flaviviren wurden mittels Sequenzierung identifiziert, wobei drei verschiedene Arten gefunden wurden: Culex Flavivirus, Flavivirus sp. und Flavivirus AV-2011/Spain. Diese gehören nicht wie das West Nil Virus zu den medizinisch relevanten Arboviren, sondern zu den insektenspezifischen Flaviviren. Das West Nil Virus wurde in keiner Mücke nachgewiesen. Diese Ergebnisse liefern einen Einblick in die Verbreitung des West Nil Virus in Stechmückenpopulationen in Pferdestallungen in Niederösterreich, sowie wichtige Erkenntnisse über das Vorkommen und die Verbreitung von insektenspezifischen Flaviviren. Weiters betonen sie die Wichtigkeit der weiteren Überwachung und Forschung dieser Viren, insbesondere von Interaktionen mit den insektenspezifischen Flaviviren und dem West Nil Virus.The present study investigates the presence of West Nil Virus in mosquitoes near horse stables in Lower Austria. A total of 398 mosquitoes were collected between July and October 2023 from seven different horse stables. Female mosquitoes (Culicidae) were identified to the species level, with Culex pipiens s.l. representing 86.2 %, Culiseta annulata representing 8.54 %, and Anopheles claviger representing 0.75 % of the sampled species. The remaining mosquitoes either could not be identified to the species level or were male. Mosquito samples were pooled and subjected to Pan-Flavivirus PCR to detect flaviviruses. 26 % of the samples tested positive for genetic material of flaviviruses. Most of the positive pools contained Cu. annulata, while only a few Cx. pipiens s.l. and Culicinae carried flaviviruses. The flaviviruses were specified through sequencing, revealing three different species: Culex Flavivirus, Flavivirus sp., and Flavivirus AV-2011/Spain. These belong to the insect-specific flaviviruses, not to the medical relevant arboviruses such as the West Nil Virus, which was not detected in any of the mosquitoes. These findings provide insight into the distribution of West Nil Virus in mosquito populations near horse stables in Lower Austria, as well as important information regarding the occurrence and spread of insect-specific flaviviruses. Furthermore, they underscore the importance of continued monitoring and research of these viruses, particularly regarding interactions with insect-specific flaviviruses and the West Nil Virus.Diplomarbeit - Veterinärmedizinische Universität Wien - 2024Die vorliegende Arbeit untersucht das Vorkommen des West Nil Virus in Stechmücken in der Nähe von Pferdestallungen in Niederösterreich. Dabei wurden insgesamt 398 Stechmücken im Zeitraum von Juli bis Oktober 2023 in sieben verschiedenen Pferdestallungen gesammelt. Die weiblichen Stechmücken (Culicidae) wurden bis auf das Artniveau bestimmt, wobei Culex pipiens s.l. mit einem Anteil von 86,2 %, Culiseta annulata mit einem Anteil von 8,54 % und Anopheles claviger mit einem Anteil von 0,75 %, die drei vertretenen Arten waren. Die restlichen Mücken konnten entweder nicht bis auf das Artniveau identifiziert werden oder waren männlich. Die Mückenproben wurden gepoolt und mittels Pan-Flavivirus PCR auf Flaviviren untersucht. 26 % der Proben waren positiv auf Flaviviren. Die meisten positiven Pools enthielten Cu. annulata, während nur wenige Cx. pipiens s.l. und undefinierte Culicinae Flaviviren trugen. Die Flaviviren wurden mittels Sequenzierung identifiziert, wobei drei verschiedene Arten gefunden wurden: Culex Flavivirus, Flavivirus sp. und Flavivirus AV-2011/Spain. Diese gehören nicht wie das West Nil Virus zu den medizinisch relevanten Arboviren, sondern zu den insektenspezifischen Flaviviren. Das West Nil Virus wurde in keiner Mücke nachgewiesen. Diese Ergebnisse liefern einen Einblick in die Verbreitung des West Nil Virus in Stechmückenpopulationen in Pferdestallungen in Niederösterreich, sowie wichtige Erkenntnisse über das Vorkommen und die Verbreitung von insektenspezifischen Flaviviren. Weiters betonen sie die Wichtigkeit der weiteren Überwachung und Forschung dieser Viren, insbesondere von Interaktionen mit den insektenspezifischen Flaviviren und dem West Nil Virus
Dynamic control of gene expression by ISGF3 and IRF1 during IFNβ and IFNγ signaling
No full textType I interferons (IFN-I, including IFNβ) and IFNγ produce overlapping, yet clearly distinct immunological activities. Recent data show that the distinctness of global transcriptional responses to the two IFN types is not apparent when comparing their immediate effects. By analyzing nascent transcripts induced by IFN-I or IFNγ over a period of 48 h, we now show that the distinctiveness of the transcriptomes emerges over time and is based on differential employment of the ISGF3 complex as well as of the second-tier transcription factor IRF1. The distinct transcriptional properties of ISGF3 and IRF1 correspond with a largely diverse nuclear protein interactome. Mechanistically, we describe the specific input of ISGF3 and IRF1 into enhancer activation and the regulation of chromatin accessibility at interferon-stimulated genes (ISG). We further report differences between the IFN types in altering RNA polymerase II pausing at ISG 5’ ends. Our data provide insight how transcriptional regulators create immunological identities of IFN-I and IFNγType I interferons (IFN-I, including IFNβ) and IFNγ produce overlapping, yet clearly distinct immunological activities. Recent data show that the distinctness of global transcriptional responses to the two IFN types is not apparent when comparing their immediate effects. By analyzing nascent transcripts induced by IFN-I or IFNγ over a period of 48 h, we now show that the distinctiveness of the transcriptomes emerges over time and is based on differential employment of the ISGF3 complex as well as of the second-tier transcription factor IRF1. The distinct transcriptional properties of ISGF3 and IRF1 correspond with a largely diverse nuclear protein interactome. Mechanistically, we describe the specific input of ISGF3 and IRF1 into enhancer activation and the regulation of chromatin accessibility at interferon-stimulated genes (ISG). We further report differences between the IFN types in altering RNA polymerase II pausing at ISG 5’ ends. Our data provide insight how transcriptional regulators create immunological identities of IFN-I and IFN
Filtering heart rates using data densities: The boxfilter R package
No full textOver the past decades, there has been a growing interest in long-term heart rate records, especially from free-living animals. Largely, this increase is because most of the metabolic activity of tissues is based on oxygen delivery by the heart. Therefore, heart rate has served as a proxy for energy expenditure in animals. However, heart rates or other physiological variables recorded in humans and animals using loggers often contain noise. False measurements are sometimes eliminated by hand or by filters that reject variables based on the shape or frequency of the signal. Occasionally, outliers are rejected because they occur a long distance from genuine data. We introduce an R package, boxfilter, which enables users to eliminate noise based on counting the number of close neighbours inside a gliding window. Depending on the cut-off value chosen, a focal point with a low proportion of neighbours will be rejected as noise. All three parameters, namely window width and height, as well as the cut-off value, can be computed automatically. The choice of the clip-off value beyond which data points are discarded is crucial. The package boxfilter cannot, of course, solve problems caused by completely erroneous measurements. Like the human eye, this filter prefers points that are part of a pattern, such as a dense band, and rejects isolated values. The boxfilter may also be applied to other measures than heart rate that do not change instantaneously, such as body temperature, blood pressure or sleep parameters
One health: the impact of environment, detergents and hygiene on barrier, microbiome and allergy
No full textA variety of body surfaces, such as skin and mucosal membranes—from the nasopharyngeal area to the lungs, uterus, vaginal area, and digestive tract—contain complex microbial ecosystems that are tailored to the specifics of the respective niche [1].
The so-called dysbiosis—a disadvantageous change in the composition of the microbiome—is associated with the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases [2]. Gastrointestinal as well as cardiovascular, metabolic, neurodegenerative, psychological, oncological, and also allergic diseases have been linked to microbial dysbiosis. Susceptibility to allergies can be due to genetic predisposition; in addition, extrinsic factors from today’s lifestyle increasingly contribute to microbiome changes, but also to the disruption of the skin and mucosal barrier and thus to the development of allergies [3].
Gisela, a fictional farmer, guides us through this review. She is representative of adults and children of all genders in industrialized countries. During her daily routine, the skin and mucosal microbiome is influenced by a variety of exogenous factors. These include everyday personal hygiene products, detergents for laundry and dishes, food, medication, animal contact, and exposure to various outdoor environments. Gisela’s daily routine will illustrate how the human microbiome and the skin barrier are modified in positive or negative ways, and how this could influence the development of allergies. Furthermore, potential measures for the prevention and management of dysbiosis will be discussed in terms of examples of alternative products and behaviors
Comparative Cognition Needs Big Team Science: How Large-Scale Collaborations Will Unlock the Future of the Field
No full textComparative cognition research has been largely constrained to isolated facilities, small teams, and a limited number of species. This has led to challenges such as conflicting conceptual definitions and Specifically, we identify and describe four key BTS advantages - increasing sample size and diversity, enhancing task design, advancing theories, and improving welfare and conservation efforts. We conclude that BTS represents a transformative shift capable of advancing research in the field
Non-animal models: Complexity for interactions…Connecting science
No full textThe International Fifth Virtual Summer School Lake Como School of Advanced Studies “Non-Animal Models: Complexity for Interactions… Connecting Science” (https://namo.lakecomoschool.org/), held on May 15-16, 2024 and chaired by Francesca Caloni, Università degli Studi di Milano, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, was focused on innovative in vitro methodologies like 3D cultures, spheroids, organoids, and integrated microfluidic perfusion systems (MPS) and their interplay with other advanced technologies, also involving ethical considerations. The Summer School was attended by young scientists from all over the world with different scientific backgrounds
Polymorphism-Aware Models in RevBayes: Species Trees, Disentangling Balancing Selection, and GC-Biased Gene Conversion
No full textThe role of balancing selection is a long-standing evolutionary puzzle. Balancing selection is a crucial evolutionary process that maintains genetic variation (polymorphism) over extended periods of time; however, detecting it poses a significant challenge. Building upon the Polymorphism-aware phylogenetic Models (PoMos) framework rooted in the Moran model, we introduce a PoMoBalance model. This novel approach is designed to disentangle the interplay of mutation, genetic drift, and directional selection (GC-biased gene conversion), along with the previously unexplored balancing selection pressures on ultra-long timescales comparable with species divergence times by analyzing multi-individual genomic and phylogenetic divergence data. Implemented in the open-source RevBayes Bayesian framework, PoMoBalance offers a versatile tool for inferring phylogenetic trees as well as quantifying various selective pressures. The novel aspect of our approach in studying balancing selection lies in polymorphism-aware phylogenetic models’ ability to account for ancestral polymorphisms and incorporate parameters that measure frequency-dependent selection, allowing us to determine the strength of the effect and exact frequencies under selection. We implemented validation tests and assessed the model on the data simulated with SLiM and a custom Moran model simulator. Real sequence analysis of Drosophila populations reveals insights into the evolutionary dynamics of regions subject to frequency-dependent balancing selection, particularly in the context of sex-limited color dimorphism in Drosophila erecta
Access to human-mobility data is essential for building a sustainable future
No full textMobile devices, and other tracking technologies, generate detailed data on the movements and behavior of billions of people worldwide. At present, these data are predominantly used to pursue corporate interests. We argue that improving access to human-mobility data is essential for addressing urgent conservation and sustainability goals. Close collaboration between industry and the research community has the potential to generate substantive environmental and societal benefits
Antibiotic Resistance in the urban environment: The brown rat as sentinal
No full textLe rôle des rats bruns urbains en tant que porteurs de bactéries résistantes aux antimicrobiens a été peu étudié. Notre étude visait à évaluer la prévalence de la résistance aux antimicrobiens chez les rats urbains sur deux sites densément peuplés de Vienne en Autriche. De 2016 à 2017, nous avons échantillonné l\u27intestin et le nasopharynx de 62 rats bruns. La culture et la caractérisation des isolats ont été réalisées à l\u27aide d\u27une combinaison de techniques microbiologiques et génétiques. Nous avons mis en évidence, chez 9/62 rats, huit souches d\u27Escherichia coli multirésistantes ainsi que deux souches d\u27Enterobacter xiangfangensis ST114 (complexe Enterobacter cloacae) productrices de New Delhi métallo-β-lactamase, présentant une résistance étendue aux antibiotiques. De plus, 44 staphylocoques résistants à la méticilline, appartenant à sept espèces, ont été identifiés chez 37 rats. Notre étude démontre le rôle potentiel des rats urbains comme réservoir de bactéries multirésistantes et l\u27importance des mesures de contrôle des rongeurs en ville.Le rôle des rats bruns urbains en tant que porteurs de bactéries résistantes aux antimicrobiens a été peu étudié. Notre étude visait à évaluer la prévalence de la résistance aux antimicrobiens chez les rats urbains sur deux sites densément peuplés de Vienne en Autriche. De 2016 à 2017, nous avons échantillonné l\u27intestin et le nasopharynx de 62 rats bruns. La culture et la caractérisation des isolats ont été réalisées à l\u27aide d\u27une combinaison de techniques microbiologiques et génétiques. Nous avons mis en évidence, chez 9/62 rats, huit souches d\u27Escherichia coli multirésistantes ainsi que deux souches d\u27Enterobacter xiangfangensis ST114 (complexe Enterobacter cloacae) productrices de New Delhi métallo-β-lactamase, présentant une résistance étendue aux antibiotiques. De plus, 44 staphylocoques résistants à la méticilline, appartenant à sept espèces, ont été identifiés chez 37 rats. Notre étude démontre le rôle potentiel des rats urbains comme réservoir de bactéries multirésistantes et l\u27importance des mesures de contrôle des rongeurs en ville.Despite their ubiquitous presence, the role of urban brown rats as carriers of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has received limited attention. Our study aimed to estimate the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance among urban rats at two densely populated locations in Vienna, Austria. During 2016-2017, we captured and sampled the intestine and nasopharynx of 62 brown rats. Culture and subsequent characterisation of the isolates and their antimicrobial profiles were conducted using a combination of microbiological and genetic techniques. Overall, in 9/62 rats, we evidenced the presence of eight multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli strains and two extensively drug-resistant New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-producing Enterobacter xiangfangensis ST114 (Enterobacter cloacae complex) strains. Furthermore, 44 methicillin-resistant staphylococci were identified in 37 rats, representing seven distinct staphylococcal species. Our study underscores the potential of urban brown rats as reservoir of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the importance of effective rodent control measures to ensure public health in urban settings