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A study conducted at the Hospital General de Mexico Dr. Eduardo Liceaga aimed to evaluate the effect of the normal and mutated H-RAS gene on genomic instability and apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells. The researchers found no mutations in the H-RAS gene in the MOLT-4 cells, but observed an increase in the number of chromosomes per cell and the presence of apoptotic bodies when the normal and mutated H-RAS genes were introduced. The study suggests that both the normal and mutated H-RAS genes induce genomic instability and apoptosis in MOLT-4 cells. For more information, readers can refer to the article "Transfection of the H-RAS gene produces genomic instability in the MOLT-4 cell line" published in Revista Medica del Hospital General de Mexico. [Extracted from the article]

Given the importance of angiostrongyliasis as an emerging infectious disease of humans, companion animals, and wildlife, the current study focused on the transmission dynamics of first- and third-stage larvae of the parasitic nematode, Angiostrongylus cantonensis. The migration of infective larvae and their subsequent distribution within the Lymnaeidae snail, Bullastra lessoni, were investigated over time using microscopic examination of histological sections and fresh tissue. Snails were divided into four anatomical regions: (i) anterior and (ii) posterior cephalopedal masses, (iii) mantle skirt and (iv) visceral mass. The viability of free-swimming third-stage larvae, after their release from snail tissues, was evaluated in vitro by propidium iodide staining and infectivity by in vivo infection of Wistar rats. Snails were sequentially dissected over time to assess the number and anatomical distribution of larvae within each snail and hence infer their migration pathway. Herein, ongoing larval migratory activity was detected over 28 days post-infection. A comparison of infection rates and the larval distribution within the four designated snail regions demonstrated a significant relationship between anatomical region and density of infective larvae, with larvae mostly distributed in the anterior cephalopedal mass (43.6 ± 10.8%) and the mantle skirt (33.0 ± 8.8%). Propidium iodide staining showed that free-swimming third-stage larvae retained viability for between 4 and 8 weeks when stored under laboratory conditions. In contrast to viability, larval infectivity in rats remained for up to 2 weeks only. Knowledge gained from the current work could provide information on the development of new approaches to controlling the transmission of this parasite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A recent study conducted at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) has found that propolis from stingless bees in Mexico may have antimycotic activity against Malassezia pachydermatis, the causative agent of canine otitis. The study determined that the propolis extracts contained sesquiterpenes as the predominant compounds and exhibited a minimum inhibitory concentration of 7.11 mg/mL. Furthermore, the propolis caused structural damage to the yeast, indicating potential alternative treatments for canine external otitis. This research is the first to demonstrate such damage caused by Mexican stingless bee propolis. [Extracted from the article]

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is the leading cause of eosinophilic meningitis worldwide, with life-threatening complications if not managed correctly. Previous in vitro studies have utilized change in motility patterns of adult female worms to assess the efficacy of anthelmintics qualitatively. However, it is the third stage larvae (L3) that are infectious to humans. With differential staining using propidium iodide penetration as the indicator of death, we can distinguish between dead and live larvae. This assay has enabled us to quantify the in vitro efficacy of nine clinically established anthelmintics on A. cantonensis L3. All drugs were tested at a 1 mm concentration. Piperazine and niclosamide were ineffective in inducing larval death; however, albendazole sulfoxide, pyrantel pamoate, diethylcarbamazine, levamisole and praziquantel were effective as compared to unexposed controls (P < 0.05). Ivermectin and moxidectin did not induce significant levels of mortality, but they considerably reduced larval motility almost immediately. This study indicates the need for further in vivo studies to determine the optimal dose and time frame for post-infection treatment with anthelmintics that demonstrated efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preprint abstract from biorxiv.org discusses the process of biofilm formation in Pseudomonas species. The study found that the release of extracellular DNA (eDNA) by Pseudomonas bacteria is a major factor in biofilm switching, which is the transition from a planktonic to a sessile state. The researchers observed a subpopulation of cells bound to eDNA in the planktonic phase, and the size of this subpopulation correlated with the overall biofilm forming capability of the bacterial population. The study suggests that biofilm switching in Pseudomonas is determined collectively based on the quantity of eDNA released, and the appearance of propidium iodide (PI)-positive cells can serve as an early indicator for biofilm formation. The researchers also successfully used automated glucose pulsing to interfere with the proliferation of PI-positive cells and reduce biofilm formation. This research provides insights into the collective determinants of biofilm switching in Pseudomonas species and introduces a potential strategy for controlling biofilm formation. [Extracted from the article]

Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a pathogenic nematode and the cause of neuroangiostrongyliasis, an eosinophilic meningitis more commonly known as rat lungworm disease. Transmission is thought to be primarily due to ingestion of infective third stage larvae (L3) in gastropods, on produce, or in contaminated water. The gold standard to determine the effects of physical and chemical treatments on the infectivity of A. cantonensis L3 larvae is to infect rodents with treated L3 larvae and monitor for infection, but animal studies are laborious and expensive and also raise ethical concerns. This study demonstrates propidium iodide (PI) to be a reliable marker of parasite death and loss of infective potential without adversely affecting the development and future reproduction of live A. cantonensis larvae. PI staining allows evaluation of the efficacy of test substances in vitro , an improvement upon the use of lack of motility as an indicator of death. Some potential applications of this assay include determining the effectiveness of various anthelmintics, vegetable washes, electromagnetic radiation and other treatments intended to kill larvae in the prevention and treatment of neuroangiostrongyliasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lily (Lilium L.) species produce among the most important cut flowers worldw ide. China has ≈55 species of Lilium. Although many plants from this genus have been used in hybridization efforts, their cytology has remained unclear. The goal of the current study was to characterize the chromosomes of Lilium rosthornii Diels. Root tips were used to characterize Giemsa C-banding, propidium iodide (PI) banding, and 45S rDNA locations. The karyotype of L. rosthornii belongs to type 3B. C-banding revealed polymorphic banding patterns with the following formula: 2n = 24 = CI = 4C + 14C+ + 2I+ +21+ 2. Two of the four 45S rDNA hybridization sites were located at pericentromeric positions on the two short arms of the homologues of chromosome 1, and the other two were located on the long arms of one chromosome 6 homolog and one chromosome 11 homolog. Six of the eight PI bands were detected in the centromeres of the homologues of chromosomes 1, 5, and 8, and the other two PI bands were detected on the long arms of one chromosome 6 and one chromosome 11. Lilium rosthornii showed enriched banding in both Giemsa C-banding and PI painting. Interestingly, not all 45S rDNA was located in homologous chromosomal locations. These results may provide reference data for L. rosthornii for use in further Lilium breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Cotoneaster (Rosaceae, Maloideae) is highly diverse, containing =400 species. Like other maloids, there is a high frequency of naturally occurring polyploids within the genus, with most species being tetraploid or triploid. Apomixis is also prevalent and is associated with polyploidy. The objective of this study was to estimate genome sizes and infer ploidy levels for species that had not previously been investigated as well as compare estimates using two fluorochromes and determine base pair (bp) composition. Chromosome counts of seven species confirmed ploidy levels estimated from flow cytometric analysis of nuclei stained with 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI). Monoploid (lCx) genome sizes ranged from 0.71 to 0.96 pg. Differences in monoploid genome size were not related to current taxonomic treatment, indicating that while chromosome sizes may vary among species, there are no clear differences related to subgeneric groups. A comparison of DAPI and propidium iodide (PI) show ed a difference in DNA staining in Cotoneaster comparable to other rosaceous species. Base pair composition (AT%) in Cotoneaster ranged from 58.4% to 60.8%, which led to overestimation of genome size estimates in many cases-assuming the estimates of the DNA intercalator are accurate. Our findings will inform breeders with regard to the reproductive behavior of potential parents and may be used to confirm hybrids from interploid crosses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genus Caladium Vent, is a member of the family Araeeae; some of its species are cultivated as ornamentals. The present study was conducted to determine the genome size, somatic chromosome number, and their variation within 63 accessions representing 10 species of Caladium. Caladium genome sizes estimated using propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry ranged from 2.98 pg/2C in Caladium lindenii Engl, to 9.89 pg/2C in Caladium xhortulaniim Birdsey 'Chang Suek'. Two genome size groups (large and small) were evident among the 63 caladium accessions. The average genome size of 36 caladium accessions in the large genome size group was 9.29 pg/2C, roughly twice that of the 27 accessions in the small genome size group (4.50 pg/2C). Microscopic examination of squashed root tip cells revealed seven somatic chromosome numbers among 39 caladium accessions, including In = 18, 20, 24, 26, 30, 34, and 38, and provided the first chromosome counts for four caladium species new to Caladium. The results support the species status of C. marmoratum Mathieu ex K. Koch, C. picturatum K. Koch & C.D. Bouché, and C. steudneriifolium Engl, that were merged into C. bicolor (Aitón) Vent, previously and also support the species status of C. clavatum Hett., Bogner & J. Boos, and C. praetermissum Bogner & Hett., two species recently established in or transferred to Caladium. The results suggest that C. bicolor and C. schomburgkii Schott, not C. picturatum or C. marmoratum, are the chief parents of the fancy-leaved caladium (C. xhortulaniim). Four caladium cytotype groups (CCG-1 to -4) were identified in scatterplot of chromosome number vs. genome size. The genome size of C. bicolor, C. schomburgkii, and C. xhortulaniim in the CCG-4 is approximately twice that of C. humboldtii (Raf.) Schott and C. picturatum in the CCG-2, and the chromosome number of C. clavatum and C. marmoratum in the CCG-3 is close to twice that of C. humboldtii and C.picturatum in the CCG-2, both suggesting possible genome duplication or tetraploidization events in Caladium. However, the chromosome number of the CCG-4 species does not correspond to an expected 2n = 36 or 40, and the genome size of the CCG-3 species does not correspond to an expected 8.98 pg/2C. Conflicts between genome size and chromosome number indicate that genome duplication events were likely followed by chromosome fusions/losses in the formation of CCG-4 species and DNA losses likely followed tetraploidization in the formation of the CCG-3 species. The high level of cytological diversity found within Caladium affects germplasm collection and preservation efforts as well as breeding programs in the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the electroporation phenomenon in a single cell exposed to ultra short (μs) and high voltage (kV) electric pulses. Design/methodology/approach – The problem is addressed by two complementary approaches. First, numerical simulations based on an asymptotic approximation derived from the Smoluchowski theory are used to calculate the pore generation, growth and size evolution at the membrane of a spherical cell model, immersed in a suspension medium and consisting of cytoplasm and membrane. The numerical calculations are solved using the finite difference method. Second, an in vitro experiment with LLC-MK2 cells is carried out in which electroporation was monitored with molecules of propidium iodide. This part also comprehended the design and manufacturing of a portable electric pulse generator capable of providing rectangular pulses with amplitude of 1,000 V and duration in the range of 1-μs to 100-μs. The pulse generator is composed of three modules: a high voltage DC source, a control module, and an energy storage and high voltage switching. Findings – The numerical simulations considered a 5-μm radius cell submitted to a 500 kV/m rectangular electric pulse for 1-μs. The results indicate the formation of around 3,500 pores at the cell membrane, most of them, around 950, located at the poles of the cell aligned to the applied electric pulse, with radii sizes varying from 0.5-nm to 13-nm. The in vitro experiment considered exposition of LLC-MK2 cells to pulses of 200 V, 500 V, and 700 V, and 1-μs. Images from fluorescence microscopy exhibit the LLC-MK2 cells with intense red, a strong evidence of the electroporation. Originality/value – The work presents a thorough study of the electroporation phenomenon combining two complementary approaches, a rigorous numerical simulation and a detailed in vitro experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have observed that when cercariae penetrate the skin of mice, there is influx into their tissues of Lucifer Yellow and certain labelled molecules of up to 20 kDa molecular weight. This observation was made using a variety of fluorescent membrane-impermeant compounds injected into the skin before the application of cercariae. This unexpected phenomenon was investigated further by transforming cercariae in vitro in the presence of the membrane-impermeant compounds and examining the distribution by microscopy. In schistosomula derived from this procedure, the nephridiopore and surface membrane were labelled while the pre- and post-acetabular glands were not labelled. The region associated with the oesophagus within the pharyngeal muscle clearly contained the fluorescent molecules, as did the region adjacent to the excretory tubules and the germinal mass. We used cercariae stained with carmine to aid identification of regions labelled with Lucifer Yellow. Although the mechanism of this influx is unclear, the observation is significant. From it, we can suggest an hypothesis that, during skin penetration, exposure of internal tissues of the parasite to external macromolecules represents a novel host-parasite interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) disease in cows which presents information on an ear notch test ELISA and intercalating agent Propidium iodide (PI) calves.

The article focuses on the two methods developed by scientists for testing the viability of Asian soybean rust (Phakopsora pachyrhizi) spore which includes the use of carboxyfluorescein diacetate along with propidium iodide and the use of two-color fluorescent viability probes.