The recently emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the causative agent of the devastating COVID-19 lung disease pandemic. Here, we tested the inhibitory activities of the antiviral interferons of type I (IFN-alpha) and type III (IFN-lambda) against SARS-CoV-2 and compared them with those against SARS-CoV-1, which emerged in 2003. Using two mammalian epithelial cell lines (human Calu-3 and simian Vero E6), we found that both IFNs dose-dependently inhibit SARS-CoV-2. In contrast, SARS-CoV-1 was restricted only by IFN-alpha in these cell lines. SARS-CoV-2 generally exhibited a broader IFN sensitivity than SARS-CoV-1. Moreover, ruxolitinib, an inhibitor of IFN-triggered Janus kinase (JAK)/signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling, boosted SARS-CoV-2 replication in the IFN-competent Calu-3 cells. We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 is sensitive to exogenously added IFNs. This finding suggests that type I and especially the less adverse effect–prone type III IFN are good candidates for the management of COVID-19.

The predominant testicular gap junctional protein connexin43 (cx43) is located between neighboring Sertoli cells (SCs) and between SCs and germ cells. It is assumed to be involved in testicular development, cell differentiation, initiation, and maintenance of spermatogenesis with alterations of its expression being correlated with various testicular disorders. Because total disruption of the cx43 gene leads to perinatal death, we generated a conditional cx43 knockout (KO) mouse using the Cre/loxP recombination system, which lacks the cx43 gene solely in SCs (SCCx43KO), to evaluate the SC-specific functions of cx43 on spermatogenesis in vivo. Adult SCCx43KO(-/-) mice showed normal testis descent and development of the urogenital tract, but testis size and weight were drastically lower compared with heterozygous and wild-type littermates. Histological analysis and quantitation of mRNA expression of germ cell-specific marker genes revealed a significant reduction in the number of spermatogonia but increased SC numbers/tubule with only a few tubules left showing normal spermatogenesis. Thus, SC-specific deletion of cx43 mostly resulted in an arrest of spermatogenesis at the level of spermatogonia or SC-only syndrome and in intratubular SC clusters. Our data demonstrate for the first time that cx43 expression in SCs is an absolute requirement for normal testicular development and spermatogenesis.

Within the scope of a joint project to study soil-to-plant carryover of polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs), five cultivated plants (spring wheat, oats, potatoes, maize, and perennial ryegrass) were sown or planted in Mitscherlich pots. Six variants per species were used, each with a different concentration level of PFOA and PFOS (from 0.25 to 50 mg/kg as aqueous solution) to detect possible concentration dependence in the transfer of these two PFCs from soil to plant. PFOA and PFOS were detected by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry after appropriate sample preparation (partial drying, mincing, homogenizing, extraction). Since PFOA and PFOS presently represent the most widely studied PFCs, they are classified as "leading compounds." The results show that concentrations of PFOA/PFOS in the plants vary greatly, depending on the concentrations applied to the soil. PFOA values were higher than PFOS values in all plants except potatoes, in which these differences could be quite substantial. From the results presented here it can be seen that uptake and storage are much more intensive in the vegetative portion of the plant than relocation in the storage organs. This is particularly evident from the the comparison of concentrations found in the grain and ear and those in the straw or rest of the plant in spring wheat, oats, and maize. Transfer from "soil to crops" provides a possible explanation for the presence of PFCs in foodstuffs and in human body fluids such as blood, plasma, serum, or breast milk. The aim of the present study was to determine whether a statistically significant, concentration-dependent carryover of PFOA and PFOS in crop plants can take place, which would provide a potential entrance point for these substances into the food chain.

Abstract. The automated laser-based hematology analyzer Sysmex XT-2000iV™ provides a 5-part differential count and specific cytograms that are of great interest for large veterinary laboratories. The aim of the study was to validate the Sysmex XT-2000iV compared to the laser-based hematology analyzer ADVIA® 2120 and manual differential in dogs, cats, and horses as well as the impact of anticoagulant (heparin, ethylenediamine tetra-acetic acid [EDTA], and citrate) and storage at 22°C and 4°C. Consecutive fresh K 3 -EDTA blood samples from 216 cats, 314 dogs, and 174 horses were included. The impact of anticoagulant and sample storage was assessed in specimens obtained from an additional 9 cats, 10 dogs, and 10 horses. Agreement between both analyzers was excellent to good except for monocytes and canine reticulocytes. Spearman rank correlation coefficients (r s ) between Sysmex XT-2000iV and manual differential were good to fair and ranged from 0.91 (cat lymphocytes) to 0.44 (cat monocytes). Hematocrit value (Hct), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), MCH concentration (MCHC; all: P < 0.001), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV; P < 0.01) were higher in canine citrated blood compared to heparin and EDTA. In cats, lymphocytes and monocytes were lower in heparinized blood compared to EDTA (P < 0.05), whereas in horses no significant effect was seen. Regarding storage time and temperature, white and red blood cell counts, hemoglobin, and MCH were stable. Hct, MCV, and MCHC were influenced by erythrocyte swelling. Differential count remained stable for 24 hr (22°C) and nearly 72 hr (4°C) except for monocytes. The overall performance of the Sysmex XT2000iV was excellent and compared favorably with that of the ADVIA 2120. A special strength was the excellent detection of feline eosinophils.

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Histone-to-protamine exchange in haploid spermatids is preceded by hyperacetylation of core histones resulting in decreased DNA-histone interaction. During normal spermatogenesis, immunohistochemistry with a polyclonal antihyperacetylated histone H4 antibody displayed a strong signal in nuclei of elongating spermatids and, in addition, spermatogonia. Quantitative analysis revealed 98.2 +/- 1.1% of immunopositive spermatids. The percentage of positive spermatids was significantly reduced in infertile men exhibiting at least qualitatively normal spermatogenesis (scores 10-8, 93.1 +/- 6.6%) and impaired spermatogenesis (scores 7-1, 74.9 +/- 23.4%). In seminiferous tubules showing spermatogenic arrest at the level of round spermatids, only 59.5 +/- 16.5% of spermatids were immunopositive for hyperacetylated histone H4. These data demonstrate that the decrease of histone acetylation in spermatids associated with impaired spermatogenesis corresponds with the well known reduction of protamine expression in these cells and confirms the essential role of histone hyperacetylation for correct histone-to-protamine exchange. In seminiferous tubules exhibiting round spermatid maturation arrest, there was an additional signal in nuclei of spermatocytes, suggesting that premature hyperacetylation of histone H4 may result in precocious histone-to-protamine exchange followed by infertility. This is in accordance with data from transgenic mice, where it has been demonstrated that premature expression of protamine-1 results in precocious chromatin condensation followed by sterility.

Reference intervals obtained on the ADVIA 120 provide valuable baseline information for assessing new hematologic parameters and for interlaboratory comparisons. Differences compared with previously published reference values can be attributed largely to differences in methodology.

This should be taken into account when deciding on the surgical management (radical or regional mastectomy) in dogs with single mammary tumors.