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Integrating how biodiversity and infectious disease dynamics are linked at multiple levels and scales is highly challenging. Chagas disease is a vector-borne disease, with specificities of the triatomine vectors and Trypanosoma cruzi parasite life histories resulting in a complex multihost and multistrain life cycle. Here, we tested the hypothesis that T. cruzi transmission cycles are shaped by triatomine host communities and gut microbiota composition by comparing the integrated interactions of Triatoma sanguisuga in southern Louisiana with feeding hosts, T. cruzi parasite and bacterial microbiota in two habitats. Bugs were collected from resident's houses and animal shelters and analysed for genetic structure, blood feeding sources, T. cruzi parasites, and bacterial diversity by PCR amplification of specific DNA markers followed by next-generation sequencing, in an integrative metabarcoding approach. T. sanguisuga feeding host communities appeared opportunistic and defined by host abundance in each habitat, yielding distinct parasite transmission networks among hosts. The circulation of a large diversity of T. cruzi DTUs was also detected, with TcII and TcV detected for the first time in triatomines in the US. The bacterial microbiota was highly diverse and varied significantly according to the DTU infecting the bugs, indicating specific interactions among them in the gut. Expanding such studies to multiple habitats and additional triatomine species would be key to further refine our understanding of the complex life cycles of multihost, multistrain parasites such as T. cruzi, and may lead to improved disease control strategies.

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Raccoons are an important reservoir for Trypanosoma cruzi infection, having been reported to maintain a high and lengthy parasitemia. Although raccoon populations have historically been abundant in Louisiana, the prevalence rate of T. cruzi infection in raccoons in this state is unknown. Here, we tested raccoon tissues from two urban areas in Louisiana, namely Orleans Parish (OP) and East Baton Rouge Parish (EBRP), to investigate prevalence in these areas using direct detection through polymerase chain reaction. Overall, 33.6% of raccoons tested were positive. The prevalence in OP (42.9%) was significantly higher than the prevalence in EBRP (23.2%). There was no significant difference in prevalence between sexes or based on age, but there was a significant difference in infection prevalence based on season of trapping. These results suggest the importance of raccoons as a reservoir host, maintaining T. cruzi infection and potentially posing a risk to human health.

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Circadian activity rhythms in hamsters are entrained to the daily light:dark cycle by photic information arriving from the retina to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the site of the master circadian pacemaker in mammals. The effects of light on adjusting the timing of the circadian pacemaker is modified, both positively and negatively, by a variety of transmitter systems, but the effects of endocannabinoids have not been reported. Therefore, in this study we evaluated cannabinoids specific for the cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB(1)) for their ability to modulate light-induced phase advances in hamster circadian activity rhythms. All compounds were administered intraperitoneally. The CB(1) agonist CP55940 potently inhibited light-induced phase shifts with near 90% inhibition achieved with a dose of 0.125 mg/kg. The inhibitory effect of CP55940 was partially reversed by the CB(1) antagonist LY320135 and completely reversed with 1 mg/kg of the CB(1) antagonist AM 251. Neither LY320135 nor AM 251 had any effect on light-induced phase shifts when administered alone. Further evidence for CB(1) involvement in hamster circadian rhythms was provided by immunohistochemical detection of CB(1) receptors in four separate nuclei comprising the principal components of the hamster circadian system: the suprachiasmatic nucleus, intergeniculate leaflet of the thalamus, and dorsal and median raphe nuclei. Altogether these data indicate that the endocannabinoid system has the capability to modulate circadian rhythms in the hamster and cannabis use should be evaluated for adverse effects on circadian rhythms in humans.

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BACKGROUND: Both actively cooled-tip and large-tip catheters are currently available clinically to create large endomyocardial lesions during application of radiofrequency (RF) energy. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of convective cooling at physiologic flow rates on RF lesion size using both actively cooled and large-tip catheters. METHODS: Porcine hearts were sectioned into 72 pieces and placed in a temperature-controlled saline bath (37 degrees C) with varying directed flow rates (0, 1, 2, and 3 L/min). Cooled-tip RF ablation (4 mm tip) was performed for 1 minute on 36 tissue sections with power manually titrated to keep tip temperature below 40 degrees C. Large-tip catheter ablation (10 mm tip) was performed at 65 degrees C target temperature for 1 minute on 36 tissue sections. For each catheter, flow rates were randomized between applications. The tissue pieces were sectioned and measured to determine lesion depth, width, and volume. RESULTS: Lesion dimensions were independent of the flow rate for the cooled-tip catheter (mean volumes: 382.0 +/- 121.6, 419.9 +/- 133.4, 375.9 +/- 169.1, and 346.7 +/- 173.4 mm(3) for 0, 1, 2, and 3 L/min flow rate, respectively, P = 0.78). For the large-tip catheter, lesion size varied significantly with flow, such that higher flow rates produced larger lesions (mean volumes: 120.7 +/- 50.7, 256.5 +/- 97.9, 393.4 +/- 149.9, and 548.9 +/- 157.0 mm(3) for 0, 1, 2, and 3 L/min flow rate respectively, P < 0.001) CONCLUSION: During RF ablation, blood flow rate significantly affects lesion size for large-tip but not cooled-tip catheters. At low flow rates (0-1 L/min) cooled-tip catheters create larger lesions, while at high flow rates (3 L/min) large-tip catheters create larger lesions.

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