Search

Background: Microsatellites are short repeat motifs consisting 1-6 base pair (bp) and have a high degree of length polymorphism and are useful to study the genetic diversity. In Chicken, no micro satellite markers were demarcated to different chromosomes, viz., 29, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39 in the genome. In the present study, we carried out chromosome-wise identification of SSRs that will be of great use in diversity and gene mapping studies in chicken. Methods: The perl script of MISA tool was used to screen the polymorphic microsatellites with different thresholds level. Result: We identified a total of 397877 SSRs from the latest chicken genome assembly (GRCg7b), of which mononucleotides, dinucleotides, trinucleotides, tetranucleotides, pentanucleotides and hexanucleotides composed of 307453 (77.27%), 40991 (10.30%), 23059 (5.79%), 16723 (4.20%), 8127 (2.04%) and 1524 (0.38%), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Due to the progressive decline in β-cell function, it is often necessary to utilize multiple agents with complementary mechanisms of action to address various facets and achieve glycemic control. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a fixed-dose combination (FDC) of metformin/sitagliptin/pioglitazone (MSP) therapy vs. metformin/sitagliptin (MS) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods In this phase 3, multicenter, double-blind study, patients with T2DM who exhibited inadequate glycemic control with HbA1c of 8.0–11.0% while taking ≥1500 mg/day metformin for at least 6 weeks were randomized to receive either FDC of MSP (1000/100/15 mg) or MS (1000/100 mg) per day for 24 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change in HbA1c, and secondary outcomes included changes in fasting plasma glucose (FPG), postprandial plasma glucose (PPG), and body weight from baseline to 24 weeks along with safety and tolerability. Results Among the 236 patients randomized, 207 (87.71%) successfully completed the study. All baseline characteristics were comparable between the FDC of MSP and MS groups. There was a subsequent significant reduction of HbA1c in FDC of MSP (− 1.64) vs. MS (− 1.32); between groups was [− 0.32% (95% CI, − 0.59, − 0.05)], P = 0.0208. Similar reductions were found in FPG [− 13.2 mg/dL (95% CI, − 22.86, − 3.71)], P = 0.0068, and PPG [− 20.83 mg/dL (95% CI, − 34.11, − 7.55)], P = 0.0023. There were no significant changes in body weight. A total of 27 adverse effects (AEs) and one severe AE were reported, none of which were related to the study drug. Conclusion The FDC of MSP demonstrated significant efficacy in managing glycemic indices and could serve as a valuable tool for physicians in the management of Indian patients with T2DM. Trial registration Clinical Trials Registry of India, CTRI/2021/10/037461.

Muscle wasting is a serious complication in heart failure patients. Oxidative stress and inflammation are implicated in the pathogenesis of muscle wasting. Oxidative stress leads to the formation of toxic lipid peroxidation products, such as 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), which covalently bind with proteins and DNA and activate atrophic pathways. Whether the formation of lipid peroxidation products and metabolic pathways that remove these toxic products are affected during heart failure-associated skeletal muscle wasting has never been studied. Male C57BL/6J mice were subjected to sham and transverse aortic constriction (TAC) surgeries for 4, 8 or 14 weeks. Different skeletal muscle beds were weighed, and the total cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscle was measured via immunohistochemistry. Muscle function and muscle stiffness were measured by a grip strength meter and atomic force microscope, respectively. Atrophic and inflammatory marker levels were measured via qRT‒PCR. The levels of acrolein and HNE-protein adducts, aldehyde-removing enzymes, the histidyl dipeptide-synthesizing enzyme carnosine synthase (CARNS), and amino acid transporters in the gastrocnemius muscle were measured via Western blotting and qRT‒PCR. Histidyl dipeptides and histidyl dipeptide aldehyde conjugates in the Gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were analyzed by LC/MS-MS. Body weight, gastrocnemius muscle and soleus muscle weights and the total cross-sectional area of the gastrocnemius muscle were decreased after 14 weeks of TAC. Heart weight, cardiac function, grip strength and muscle stiffness were decreased in the TAC-operated mice. Expression of the atrophic and inflammatory markers Atrogin1 and TNF-α, respectively, was increased ~ 1.5-2fold in the gastrocnemius muscle after 14 weeks of TAC (p < 0.05 and p = 0.004 vs sham). The formation of HNE and acrolein protein adducts was increased, and the expression of the aldehyde-removing enzyme aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) was decreased in the gastrocnemius muscle of TAC mice. Carnosine (sham: 5.76 ± 1.3 vs TAC: 4.72 ± 0.7 nmol/mg tissue, p = 0.04) and total histidyl dipeptide levels (carnosine and anserine; sham: 11.97 ± 1.5 vs TAC: 10.13 ± 1.4 nmol/mg tissue, p < 0.05) were decreased in the gastrocnemius muscle of TAC mice. Depletion of histidyl dipeptides diminished the aldehyde removal capacity of the atrophic gastrocnemius muscle. Furthermore, CARNS and TAUT protein expression were decreased in the atrophic gastrocnemius muscle. Our data reveals that reduced expression of ALDH2 and depletion of histidyl dipeptides in the gastrocnemius muscle during heart failure leads to the accumulation of toxic aldehydes and might contribute to muscle wasting., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Haemoparasitic infections are frequently observed in dogs from tropical regions, including India. The present investigation combined microscopic blood smear examination and PCR assays to assess the occurrence of canine tick-borne diseases (CTBD) from suspected dogs in and around Hisar, Haryana. Using the Giemsa-stained peripheral thin blood smear examination, 15 (12.5%) of the 120 dogs were infected with CTBD, with 5.8%, 3.3%, 2.5%, and 0.8% dogs testing positive for Hepatozoon canis, Ehrlichia canis, Babesia vogeli, and Babesia gibsoni, respectively. Using the PCR assay, CTBD was found to be 64.16% (77/120) in examined dogs. Of the 77 PCR-positive canines, 56 were infected with a single haemoparasite, while 21 were infected with two or more species. H. canis was the most abundant tick-borne pathogen, representing 35%, followed by E. canis 25.8%, B. vogeli 20%, and B. gibsoni 2.5%. The most common co-infection was with H. canis along with E. canis (7.5%). The PCR assay was proven to be more efficient for detecting haemoparasites in dogs compared to blood smear examinations. The study suggests that canine tick-borne diseases are common in Haryana and recommends using PCR-based molecular tests in addition to conventional microscopic examination to diagnose these infections for effective treatment and management of infected canines., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

The burden of tuberculosis (TB) is disproportionate in tropical and subtropical regions, where parasitic coinfections are common. Given the significant geographical overlap between TB and intestinal parasitic infections, it is important to consider the implications of intestinal parasitic infections for the TB pandemic. Intestinal parasitic infections have been theorized to increase vulnerability to TB by altering the inflammatory milieu, inducing undernutrition that blunts the immune response, and affecting drug pharmacokinetics. In this perspective, we provide a background of the epidemiological and immunological evidence that links parasitic infections to increased risk of TB progression and worse treatment outcomes. We also identify gaps in our knowledge and call for increased research on TB-parasitic coinfections to ensure action on a potentially widespread TB comorbidity.

Melanoma is one of the most notorious tumors due to its appearance in unusual locations. The most frequent site is the skin; however, it can sporadically develop as a primary tumor in the esophagus. However, as symptoms appear later, if the primary site is in the gastrointestinal system, it is frequently detected at the metastatic stage. We hereby describe a case of primary malignant melanoma of the esophagus that presented due to dysphagia with solid food and on further workup, found to be at the metastatic stage., (© 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of The American College of Gastroenterology.)

Objectives: Various biases pertaining to stature account for a male sex predominance in growth hormone deficiency (GHD) cases diagnosed by endocrinology clinics. This manuscript will assess the sex distribution when biases are minimised., Methods: Retrospective chart review was conducted on patients diagnosed with GHD between 3 and 16 years of age. The sex distribution of cases was ascertained according to: (1) peak GH (pGH) by groups; based on growth hormone provocative testing, (2) pituitary gland imaging results, and (3) isolated GHD (IGHD) versus multiple pituitary hormone deficiencies (MPHD). The relative frequency of each sex was compared according to these subgroups with significance evaluated at α = .05 level., Results: Of the 5880 clinic referrals for short stature, there were 3709 boys (63%) and 2171 girls (37%). Of these, 20% of boys (n = 745) and 15.3% of girls (n = 332) underwent provocative testing for GHD. Of those tested, 39.2% of boys (n = 292) and 32.2% of girls (n = 107) were diagnosed with GHD, all p < .001. There was a male predominance in GHD cases based on pGH or GHD severity. Though not significant, girls were more likely than boys to have MPHD (p = .056), even across pGH groups (p = .06). Both boys and girls had a similar distribution of imaging abnormalities., Conclusion: Stratifying by sex, we found similar percentages of pituitary imaging abnormalities (including tumours) and the number of pituitary hormone deficiencies in boys and girls as the cause of GHD. For these classifications, we did not find the historically reported male sex predominance., (© 2024 The Authors. Clinical Endocrinology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Introduction: The space environment astronauts experience during space missions consists of multiple environmental challenges, including microgravity. In this study, we assessed the behavioral and cognitive performances of male Fisher rats 2 months after sham irradiation or total body irradiation with photons in the absence or presence of simulated microgravity. We analyzed the plasma collected 9 months after sham irradiation or total body irradiation for distinct alterations in metabolic pathways and to determine whether changes to metabolic measures were associated with specific behavioral and cognitive measures. Methods: A total of 344 male Fischer rats were irradiated with photons (6 MeV; 3, 8, or 10 Gy) in the absence or presence of simulated weightlessness achieved using hindlimb unloading (HU). To identify potential plasma biomarkers of photon radiation exposure or the HU condition for behavioral or cognitive performance, we performed regression analyses. Results: The behavioral effects of HU on activity levels in an open field, measures of anxiety in an elevated plus maze, and anhedonia in the M&M consumption test were more pronounced than those of photon irradiation. Phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism and biosynthesis showed very strong pathway changes, following photon irradiation and HU in animals irradiated with 3 Gy. Here, 29 out of 101 plasma metabolites were associated with 1 out of 13 behavioral measures. In the absence of HU, 22 metabolites were related to behavioral and cognitive measures. In HU animals that were sham-irradiated or irradiated with 8 Gy, one metabolite was related to behavioral and cognitive measures. In HU animals irradiated with 3 Gy, six metabolites were related to behavioral and cognitive measures. Discussion: These data suggest that it will be possible to develop stable plasma biomarkers of behavioral and cognitive performance, following environmental challenges like HU and radiation exposure., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. The author(s) declared that they were an editorial board member of Frontiers at the time of submission. This had no impact on the peer review process and the final decision., (Copyright © 2024 Raber, Holden, Kessler, Glaeser, McQuesten, Chaudhari, Stenzel, Lenarczyk, Leonard, Morré, Choi, Kronenberg, Borg, Kwok, Stevens, Olsen, Willey, Bobe, Minnier and Baker.)