Interaction of Neisseria meningitidis (NM) with human brain microvascular endothelial cells (hBMECs) initiates of multiple cellular processes, which allow bacterial translocation across the blood-brain barrier (BBB). NM is equipped with several antigens, which interacts with the host cell receptors. Recently we have shown that adhesin MafA (UniProtKB-X5EG71), relatively less studied protein, is one of those surface exposed antigens that adhere to hBMECs. The present study was designed to comprehensively map the undergoing biological processes in hBMECs challenged with NM or MafA using RNA sequencing. 708 and 726 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in hBMECs exposed to NM and MafA, respectively. Gene ontology analysis of the DEGs revealed that several biological processes, which may alter the permeability of BBB, were activated. Comparative analysis of DEGs revealed that MafA, alike NM, might provoke TLR-dependent pathway and augment cytokine response. Moreover, both MafA and NM were able to induce genes involved in cell surface modifications, endocytosis, extracellular matrix remodulation and anoikis/apoptosis. In conclusion, this study for the first time describes effect of NM on the global gene expression in hBMECs using high-throughput RNA-seq. It also presents ability of MafA to induce gene expression, which might aid NM in breaching the BBB.

The objective of this study was to screen Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from the traditional Slovak raw sheep milk cheese for their inhibitory potential. Seventy-two strains were obtained from samples of raw sheep milk and raw sheep milk cheeses collected from April 2017 to September 2018, in 23 geographical areas of Eastern Slovakia, by inoculation of de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar plates (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK). Using both the genus-and species-specific PCR methods, 43 strains were identified as Lactobacillus spp., and 10 strains were confirmed as Lb. plantarum. First, the whole bacterial cultures of Lb. plantarum strains were tested by disc diffusion assay. All showed very good antibacterial activities against 6 selected foodborne pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. Then, cell-free neutralized supernatants and partially purified bacteriocins were prepared from the 4 Lb. plantarum strains that exhibited the best antibacterial potential, and they were tested the same way as the whole bacterial cultures. Seven of the 10 Lb. plantarum strains harbored the plnEF gene, 3 strains harbored the plnD gene, and 2 strains possessed both the plnA and plnC genes that encode the production of the respective plantaricins. The presence of both plnR and plnL genes was only detected in a single Lb. plantarum isolate. Based on the results of this study, 4 strains of Lb. plantarum appeared to be suitable candidates for further testing in the dairy manufacturing sector, particularly in the production of raw sheep milk products.

The potential genotoxic effect of thiacloprid formulation on bovine peripheral lymphocytes was evaluated using the comet assay and the cytogenetic endpoints: chromosome aberrations (CAs), sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) and micronuclei (MNi). Whole blood cultures were treated with the insecticide at concentrations of 30, 60, 120, 240 and 480 μg mL(-1) for 24, 48 h and/or 2 h of incubation. A statistically significant increase in the frequency of DNA damage, as well as in unstable chromosome aberrations (% breaks) were found after exposure to the insecticide at concentrations ranging from 120 to 480 μg mL(-1) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, P < 0.001). For the detection of stable structural chromosome aberrations (e.g., translocations) and numerical aberrations by the FISH method, three whole chromosome painting probes for bovine chromosomes 1, 5 and 7 (BTA1, BTA5 and BTA7) were used in our experiments. We observed numerical aberrations, but without any statistical significance. Regarding the sister chromatid exchanges, no significant elevation in the SCE frequencies was found after 24-h exposure to the insecticide. A dose-related response in the SCE induction was obtained in bovine cultures after the prolonged time of exposure (48 h) to thiacloprid formulation at concentrations ranging from 120 to 480 μg mL(-1) in each donor (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), which was associated with a reduction of the PI (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The insecticide failed to produce MNi; however, a significant reduction of CBPI was observed. Using real-time PCR, a decrease in the expression of bovine glutathione S-transferase M3 (GSTM3) was detected at the lowest dose. The higher concentrations of thiacloprid formulation caused an increase in the mRNA expression.

The aim of this study was to evaluate immunomodulatory effects of orally administered β-1,3/1,6-glucan on leukocyte functions and vaccination responses in dogs. Thirty puppies were divided into two groups (G and C) of 15 individuals each and vaccinated against rabies and canine parvovirus-2. Dogs from the group G were orally administered 4 mg/kg soluble glucans once daily for 98 days. The phagocytic and metabolic activity of leukocytes and proliferation activity of lymphocytes were evaluated on days 0, 14, 28, 42 and 56. The antibody response to canine parvovirus type 2 and rabies virus were measured weekly. Comparing both groups, we noticed a significant increase in phagocytic activity of leukocytes (p < .001). Protective levels of antibodies against rabies virus, as well as against CPV-2 were reached earlier in the glucan treated group G. Our results suggest positive effects of glucan on some nonspecific immunity parameters, as well as on evaluated vaccination response.

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