Project description:The aim of the study was to identify genes which are differentially expressed in the blood of dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (AD) in comparison to healthy control dogs. Diagnosis of AD was based on compatible history and clinical signs determined using Willemse and Prélaud diagnostic criteria, completed by Favrot criteria as follows: pruritus sine material, indoor lifestyle and the exclusion of other causes of pruritus ongoing for at least one year. Clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was confirmed by serological allergy testing (IDEXX allergic panel test) and intradermal skin testing (Artuvetrin test set, Netherlands). In order to avoid the role of food antigens as a cause of the skin condition elimination diets was used for 6–8 weeks. No anti-inflammatory drugs were given for at least 3 weeks prior examination with serological test, intradermal test and blood collection. All dogs, which were classified to the investigated group had positive reactions in serological allergy testing and intradermal skin testing.
Project description:The aim of the study was to identify genes which are differentially expressed in the blood of dogs with canine atopic dermatitis (AD) before and after 6 months of allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) in comparison to healthy control dogs. Diagnosis of AD was based on compatible history and clinical signs determined using Willemse and Prélaud diagnostic criteria, completed by Favrot criteria as follows: pruritus sine material, indoor lifestyle and the exclusion of other causes of pruritus ongoing for at least one year. Clinical diagnosis of atopic dermatitis was confirmed by serological allergy testing (IDEXX allergic panel test) and intradermal skin testing (Artuvetrin test set, Netherlands). In order to avoid the role of food antigens as a cause of the skin condition elimination diet was used for 6–8 weeks. No anti-inflammatory drugs were given for at least 3 weeks prior examination with serological test, intradermal test and blood collection. All dogs, which were classified to the investigated group had positive reactions in serological allergy testing and intradermal skin testing. Subsequently, subcutaneous allergen-specific immunotherapy was applied. Allergen extracts were prepared on the basis of the results of intradermal tests by the Artuvetrin company and were administered subcutaneously in increasing concentrations during 6 months according to the manufacturer's recommendations. Aside from gene regulation, this experiment also examined the participation of individual lymphocyte subpopulations (like: B, T, Th, Tc, Treg) and the level of interleukins in the blood of AD dogs before and after therapy.
Project description:The gut microbiota composition is unique to every individual but is shaped by common factors including diet, lifestyle, medication use, early-life determinants, living environment or genetics. Most of these factors may be influenced by ethnicity. This study explored variations in fecal microbiota composition in 6048 individuals with different ethnic backgrounds living in the same geographical area (Amsterdam, the Netherlands).
Project description:Analysis of breast cancer survivors' gut microbiota after lifestyle intervention, during the COVID-19 lockdown, by 16S sequencing of fecal samples.
Project description:This study explores the impact of lifestyle and environment on gene expression through whole transcriptome profiling of peripheral blood samples in Fijian population (native Melanesians and Indians) living in the rural and urban areas.
Project description:Scratching damages upper layers of the skin, breaks this first line of immune defence, and leads to inflammation response, which often also modifies the microbiota of the skin. Although the healing of incision wounds is well-described, there are fewer studies on superficial wounds. We used a simulated model of skin scratching to study changes in the host transcriptome, skin microbiota, and their relationship. Additionally, we examined the effect of nanosized ZnO, TiO2, and Ag on both intact and damaged skin. At 24 h after exposure, the number of neutrophils was increased, 396 genes were differentially expressed, and microbiota compositions changed between scratched and intact control skin. At 7 d, the skin was still colonised by gut-associated microbes, including Lachnospiraceae, present in the cage environment, while the transcriptomic responses decreased. To sum up, the nanomaterial exposures reduced the relative abundance of cutaneous microbes on healthy skin, but the effect of scratching was more significant for the transcriptome than the nanomaterial exposure both at 24 h and 7 d. We conclude that superficial skin scratching induces inflammatory cell accumulation and changes in gene expression especially at 24 h, while the changes in the microbiota last at least 7 days.
Project description:SNP genotyping was used to determine if the free living Highland Wild dogs of Papua, Indonesia are the ansestors of captive New Guinea Singing Dogs.