Martin Hostovský

Bio: Martin Hostovský is an academic researcher from University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno. The author has contributed to research in topics: Oxidative stress & Glutathione reductase. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 6 publications receiving 125 citations.

Haemogregarines of freshwater turtles from Southeast Asia with a description of Haemogregarina sacaliae sp. n. and a redescription of Haemogregarina pellegrini Laveran and Pettit, 1910

Abstract: The uniform morphology of the developmental stages of Haemogregarina species and the insufficient information supplied by the simplistic descriptions of previous authors complicates their differential diagnosis and proper species identification. In this study, we detected Haemogregarina spp. in 6 out of 22 (27·2%) examined turtles originating from Southeast Asia, Malayemys subtrijuga (n = 4), Sacalia quadriocellata (n = 1) and Platysternon megacephalum (n = 1), and compared them with the available literature data. Microscopic analysis of our isolates distinguished 2 morphological species, Haemogregarina pellegrini and one new species, being described in this paper as Haemogregarina sacaliae sp. n. Phylogenetic analyses based on 1210 bp long fragment of 18S rDNA sequences placed both haemogregarines firmly within the monophyletic Haemogregarina clade. Isolates of H. pellegrini from 2 distantly related turtle hosts, M. subtrijuga and P. megacephalum, were genetically identical. Despite the fact that numerous Haemogregarina species of turtles have been described, the incompleteness of the morphological data and relatively low host specificity provides the space for large synonymy within this taxon. Therefore, a complex approach combining microscopic analyses together with molecular-genetic methods should represent the basic standard for all taxonomic studies.

Herpesvirus associated dermal papillomatosis in Williams' mud turtle Pelusios williamsi with effects of autogenous vaccine therapy.

Abstract: An adult female of Williams' mud turtle, Pelusios williamsi long-term captive, that was allegedly caught wild in Kenya was found to have developed papilloma-like skin lesions. Excised tumors were examined histologically after routine processing with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) stained slides, examined for the presence of viral particles by electron microscopy employing negative staining, and examined for the presence of viral DNA by PCR. Microscopic features in pre-treatment biopsies were fully diagnostic and consistent with multifocal squamous cell papilloma. Viral-type inclusion bodies were not identified. Turtle was found to be infected by reptilian herpesvirus. Association with herpesvirus and vast multiplicity of tumors thwarted surgical solution. An autogenous vaccine was prepared using 5 g of excised fresh tissue, aseptically ground, treated with diluted formalin, centrifuged to obtain a supernatant, and subsequently exposed to UV light. Autogenous vaccine induced substantial areas of necrosis of the papillomatous lesions noted by the loss of cytological architecture, nuclear loss, and by edema. The outer edges of the healing biopsies appeared to be regenerating. Therefore, our vaccine application could be considered as effective. It is difficult to treat and eliminate herpesvirus infection because of its cryptic presence and sudden onset of disease. Successful application of autogenous vaccine could be a potentially promising strategy, which deserves further testing.

Use of IHF-QD Microscopic Analysis for the Detection of Food Allergenic Components: Peanuts and Wheat Protein.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to analytically evaluate quantum dots in immunohistofluorescence (IHF-QD) microscopic imaging as detectors of food allergens—peanut and wheat. The experiment was designed as two in silico experiments or simulations: (a) models of pastry samples were prepared with the addition of allergenic components (peanut and wheat protein components) and without the addition of allergenic components, and (b) positive and negative commercial samples underwent food allergen detection. The samples from both simulations were tested by the ELISA and IHF-QD microscopic methods. The primary antibodies (secondary antibodies to a rabbit Fc fragment with labeled CdSe/ZnS QD) were labelled at 525, 585, and 655 nm emissions. The use of quantum dots (QDs) has expanded to many science areas and they are also finding use in food allergen detection, as shown in the study. The study indicated that differences between the ELISA and IHF-QD microscopic methods were not observable among experimentally produced pastry samples with and without allergenic components, although differences were observed among commercial samples. The important value of the study is certainly the differences found in the application of different QD conjugates (525, 585, and 655). The highest contrast was found in the application of 585 QD conjugates that can serve for the possible quantification of present food allergens—peanuts and wheat. The study clearly emphasized that QD can be used for the qualitative detection of food allergens and can represent a reliable analytical method for food allergen detection in different food matrixes.

The effects of iron deficiency on the level of oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in suckling piglets

Abstract: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of iron deficiency on the oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in suckling piglets. Piglets in the experimental group were given no iron supplement till the age of 21 days. Piglets in the control group were injected i.m. with gleptoferronum at the age of 3 days. Blood samples were taken at 3, 21, 28, and 35 days of age and examined for haematological and biochemical indices. Iron deficiency in the experimental group resulted in the development of anaemia. Significantly lower ceruloplasmin activities in blood plasma were found in the anaemic piglets. The other biochemical indices of the oxidative status (thiobarbituric acid reacting substances, carbonyl proteins, super oxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) were comparable between the experimental and the control group. It can be concluded that apart from lower ceruloplasmin activities the oxidative status of piglets was not affected negatively by iron deficiency. Anaemia, haematology, ceruloplasmin, swine, carbonyl proteins Iron is an important mineral for swine. Its deficiency has caused serious problems in pig production. The iron requirements of suckling piglets cannot be covered by the foetal reserves only. This results in iron deficiency and the development of anaemia in the first days of life (Venn et al. 1947). Most of the total body iron is found in haemoglobin (HGB), which is responsible for oxygen transport. The cellular energy metabolism is dependent on oxygen, therefore, anaemia can have a major impact on the organism (Nagababu et al. 2008). Apart from direct effects on haemoglobin synthesis, iron deficiency can affect the function of many enzymes containing iron (Fe) such as cytochromes, catalase and peroxidase (Rockey and Cello 1993). The effects of iron deficiency on piglets have not yet been fully investigated. There are some reports that document the influence of iron deficiency on the immune function (Svoboda et al. 2004) and concentrations of thyroid hormones in suckling piglets (Faj t et al. 2016). Oxidative stress has the potential to impact the functions and survival of the organism (Yin et al. 2013). It is not yet clear whether iron deficiency can also influence the level of oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses of the organism. Studies conducted on human patients and rats offer contradictory and limited data on this issue. For instance, Kumerova et al. (1998) found an increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant defenses in human patients with iron deficiency anaemia. On the other hand, Acharya (1991) found that there was no evidence of an increased susceptibility of RBC (red blood cell count) to lipid peroxidation in iron deficiency. ACTA VET. BRNO 2017, 86: 365–371; https://doi.org/10.2754/avb201786040365 Address for correspondence: MVDr. Bc. Jonáš Vaňhara Ruminant and Swine Clinic Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno Palackého tř. 1946/1, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic Phone: +420 541 562 437 E-mail: vanharaj@vfu.cz http://actavet.vfu.cz/ To our knowledge there are no reports dealing with this issue in piglets. Therefore, the aim of our trial was to evaluate the effects of iron deficiency on the level of oxidative stress and antioxidant defenses in suckling piglets. Materials and Methods Experimental design A total of 20 piglets of Landrace × Czech Large White breed before weaning were used in the study. The piglets were weaned at the age of 28 days. They were kept under the standard conditions of farrowing units. Two different litters from two sows were used. They were fed with a standard “KPK diet” (with iron concentration of 160 mg/kg of feed) 14 days before parturition until weaning. The piglets were fed with a standard feed mixture “Weaning pellets gr” (with iron concentration of 101 mg/kg of feed) and “Starter gr” (with iron concentration of 101 mg/kg of feed). The diets were produced by De Heus a.s., Marefy, Czech Republic. We used the principle of split litters. All piglets were marked with a plastic ear tag. The piglets were weighed before each sampling. We used standard certificated and serviced laboratory scale to determine the weight of piglets. All animals used in this trial were kept in these groups until weaning and one week after. Group E was the experimental group with no iron supplementation after birth. Group C was the control group with iron supplementation after birth. The piglets in the control group (C) were given a single i.m. injection of iron at a dose of 200 mg/ml in the form of the gleptoferronum complex as 1 ml of Gleptosil inj. 100 ml (CEVA ANIMAL HEALTH Slovakia, s.r.o.) at the age of 3 days. The piglets in the experimental group (E) were given a single i.m. injection of iron at a dose of 200 mg/ml in the form of the gleptoferronum complex as 1 ml of Gleptosil inj. 100 ml (CEVA ANIMAL HEALTH Slovakia, s.r.o) at the age of 21 days. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno.

Toxicity, degradation and analysis of the herbicide atrazine

Abstract: Excessive use of pesticides and herbicides is a major environmental and health concern worldwide. Atrazine, a synthetic triazine herbicide commonly used to control grassy and broadleaf weeds in crops, is a major pollutant of soil and water ecosystems. Atrazine modifies the growth, enzymatic processes and photosynthesis in plants. Atrazine exerts mutagenicity, genotoxicity, defective cell division, erroneous lipid synthesis and hormonal imbalance in aquatic fauna and nontarget animals. It has threatened the sustainability of agricultural soils due to detrimental effects on resident soil microbial communities. The detection of atrazine in soil and reservoir sites is usually made by IR spectroscopy, ELISA, HPLC, UPLC, LC–MS and GC–MS techniques. HPLC/LC–MS and GC–MS techniques are considered the most effective tools, having detection limits up to ppb levels in different matrices. Biodegradation of atrazine by microbial species is increasingly being recognized as an eco-friendly, economically feasible and sustainable bioremediation strategy. This review presents the toxicity, analytical techniques, abiotic degradation and microbial metabolism of atrazine.

Evaluation of ibuprofen toxicity for zebrafish (Danio rerio) targeting on selected biomarkers of oxidative stress.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of subchronic exposure of zebrafish to ibuprofen, using selected oxidative stress parameters as a target. DESIGN Toxicity tests were performed on Danio rerio according to OECD No. 203 and No. 215. In the growth test, fish were exposed to subletal concentrations of ibuprofen (0.0001, 0.05, 1, 8, and 25 mg.L-1) for 28 days. For the assessment of free radical defense in fish, the catalytic activities of glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT), as well as the concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. RESULTS Ibuprofen did not affect the activity of glutathione reductase and catalase. A significant (p<0.01) increase in the activity of glutathione peroxidase was found, which was proved dose-dependent (10.58 nmol NADPH per min per mg protein in the control and 20.53, 26.36, 26.89, and 45.87 nmol NADPH per min per mg protein in the ibuprofen concentrations of 0.5, 1, 8, and 25 mg.L-1. An increased (p<0.05) activity of glutathione S-transferase in the highest concentration was found compared to control. Malondialdehyde levels were found significantly (p<0.01) decreased from control in the concentrations of 0.0001 and 8 mg.L-1, but no dose-dependence was found. CONCLUSION The results suggest that ibuprofen causes the increase in the activity of some antioxidative and biotransformation enzymes in zebrafish (GPx and GST). We also found a significant decrease in lipid peroxidation in the concentrations of 0.0001 and 8 mg.L-1 compared to control.