Toxoplasma gondii is responsible for the disease toxoplasmosis and has the broadest host range among apicomplexan parasites, as it infects virtually all warm-blooded vertebrates. Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic and emerging public health concern with considerable morbidity and mortality, especially in the developing world, affecting approximately one-third of the world’s human population. Clinical presentation varies among species, and the infection establishes lifelong chronicity in hosts. Most of the host species (including healthy humans) are asymptomatic on the one hand, it is fatal to marsupials, neotropical primates and some marine mammals on the other hand. In immunocompetent humans, infection is typically asymptomatic, whereas immunocompromised individuals may develop disseminated disease affecting virtually any organ system—most commonly reproductive, cerebral, and ocular systems. Toxoplasmosis spreads by ingestion of food or water contaminated with T. gondii oocysts, consumption of undercooked/raw meat containing tissue cysts, transplacental transmission from mother to fetus, or by receiving infected organ/blood from the infected individual. Toxoplasmosis is mainly diagnosed by serologic tests and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). It is treated with pyrimethamine combined with sulfadiazine or clindamycin, often supplemented with leucovorin, atovaquone, and dexamethasone. Despite having many potent anti-T. gondii antigenic candidates, there is no commercially available vaccine for humans due to many factors, including the complex life cycle of the parasite and its evasion strategies. To date, the only commercially available anti-T. gondii vaccine is for sheep, licensed for veterinary use to prevent ovine abortions. In this review, we have summarized the current understanding of toxoplasmosis.

The market for nanoparticles has grown significantly over the past few decades due to a number of unique qualities, including antibacterial capabilities. It is still unclear how nanoparticle toxicity works. In order to ascertain the toxicity of synthetic cobalt iron oxide (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles (CIONPs) in rabbits, this study was carried out. Sixteen rabbits in total were purchased from the neighborhood market and divided into two groups (A and B), each of which contained eight rabbits. The CIONPs were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. Crystallinity and phase identification were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The average size of the nanoparticles (13.2 nm) was calculated by Scherrer formula (Dhkl = 0.9 λ/β cos θ) and confirmed by TEM images. The saturation magnetization, 50.1 emug⁻¹, was measured by vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). CIONPs were investigated as contrast agents (CA) for magnetic resonance images (MRI). The relaxivity (r = 1/T) of the MRI was also investigated at a field strength of 0.35 T (Tesla), and the ratio r₂/r₁ for the CIONPs contrast agent was 6.63. The CIONPs were administrated intravenously into the rabbits through the ear vein. Blood was collected at days 5 and 10 post-exposure for hematological and serum biochemistry analyses. The intensities of the signal experienced by CA with CIONPs were 1427 for the liver and 1702 for the spleen. The treated group showed significantly lower hematological parameters, but significantly higher total white blood cell counts and neutrophils. The results of the serum biochemistry analyses showed significantly higher and lower quantities of different serum biochemical parameters in the treated rabbits at day 10 of the trial. At the microscopic level, different histological ailments were observed in the visceral organs of treated rabbits, including the liver, kidneys, spleen, heart, and brain. In conclusion, the results revealed that cobalt iron oxide (CoFe₂O₄) nanoparticles induced toxicity via alterations in multiple tissues of rabbits.

The purpose of the present research was to define ovarian follicular dynamics and plasma endocrine profiles in response to a single PGF_2α injection, administered indiscriminately during the breeding season of Barbari goats. Ovarian dynamics were observed at every 12 h interval by using B mode ultrasonography, blood samples for hormonal analysis such as estradiol 17β and progesterone were collected at every 12 h interval, and bucks with aprons were used to identify standing estrus at every 6 h interval. Relative to PGF_2α, the start of standing estrus and ovulation differ (p < 0.05) between early- (n = 7), intermediate- (n = 6), and late-responding (n = 6) goats. The highest plasma level of estradiol 17β was detected 12 h prior to ovulation. The average diameter of the ovulatory follicle and length of standing estrus were comparable (p > 0.05) between the goats. The corpus luteum degenerated more quickly (p < 0.05) in early- than intermediate- and late-responding goats. Dominant follicle diameter and estradiol 17β concentration also differ (p < 0.05) among groups. Although the plasma level of progesterone did not vary (p = 0.065), the variation in progesterone concentration with time differed (p < 0.05) amongst the goats. As a result, this research indirectly reveals that the beginning of standing estrus, end of estrus, and ovulation after PGF_2α might fluctuate in Barbari goats because of follicular and hormonal dynamics during the luteal phase.

Myostatin (MSTN) protein, lncRNAs, and circRNAs regulate skeletal muscle growth and development. This work aims to compare the expression patterns of circRNAs and lncRNAs in the gluteus maximus tissue of wild-type (WT) and MSTN gene knockout (KO) rabbits. Within the gluteus maximus tissue of three WT and four MSTN KO rabbits, we analyzed the expression profiles of circRNAs and lncRNAs. After identifying the differently expressed RNAs, the biological pathways implicated were ascertained by performing enrichment analysis using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO). We identified differences in the expression of 251 circRNAs (79 upregulated and 172 downregulated), 176 lncRNAs (53 upregulated and 123 downregulated), and 1178 mRNAs (408 upregulated and 770 downregulated) between WT and MSTN KO rabbits. Target genes were significantly enriched in pathways associated with protein synthesis and catabolism, such as oxidative phosphorylation, ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis, the FoxO signaling pathway, and the pentose phosphate pathway, as identified through GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. The constructed network indicates that a class of circRNAs and lncRNAs is engaged in MSTN-mediated regulation of skeletal muscle development. These findings provide valuable insights for innovative therapeutic, diagnostic, and preventive approaches to muscle disorders.

Fel d1 is the most important allergen secreted by cats, which can trigger asthma in sensitive individuals. Our objective was to knock-out the Fel d1 gene in the fetal fibroblasts of cats through CRISPR–Cas9 technology with two sgRNAs and to determine the impact of such mutations on the antigenicity of the Fel d1 protein. DNA samples from 38 domestic cats were collected and amplified by PCR to obtain the complete sequence of the Fel d1 gene. Throughout evolution, Fel d1 polypeptide chain 1(CH1) has proven to be much more conserved than Fel d1 polypeptide chain 2(CH2); therefore, we targeted CH2 and designed two single-guide RNAs (CH2-sgRNA-1 and CH2-sgRNA-2) for this region. Using these constructed sgRNAs, we performed gene knock-out in fetal fibroblasts, resulting in two mutations within the target gene. Following this, DNA was extracted and the target site product was cloned using TA cloning via PCR, and a single colony from this process was sequenced to analyze the physicochemical properties, antigenic sites, and three-dimensional structure of the mutated protein. The results revealed that there were 12 and 51 polymorphic loci (single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs) found in the CH1 and CH2 sequences, respectively, with most loci located in the GC-rich intron 2, while others were found in exon 2, intron 3, and exon 3. These SNPs guided sgRNA design by identifying conserved regions in the CH2 gene. The gene editing efficiency for the CH2 region, with this dual CRISPR system, was 40%, with 35% attributed to Type 1 mutation and 5% to Type 2 mutation. In conclusion, CH1 is significantly more conserved than CH2, and the antigenicity of the Fel d1 CH2 gene in domestic cats can be effectively reduced through CRISPR–Cas9 gene editing.

Passion fruit is grown in several countries in Latin America including Colombia. But the profit with this is very unstable and normally their production costs have not been optimized, additionally, their offer to the international market is mainly fresh product and only seven percent is processed fruit, creating economic constraints and again reducing their possibilities to profit. Development and improvement of fruit production represent an opportunity for supporting the economic growth in Colombia because of their favorable conditions regarding climate and fruit diversity. This could result in job creation and equity in the development in the different regions across the country. This review illustrates the constraints within the food business development of the Passion fruit which are discussed under the subheadings of pests and diseases, sub optimal genetical utilization of passion fruit, un-rational usage of pesticides and fertilizers, soil quality poor handling resulting in the harvest contamination of the harvest, Post-harvest disease, insufficient grading, packaging, storage and transportation and recommendations.