New developments reproductive technologies in deer

In vitro embryo production is the platform for advanced reproductive technologies, such as cloning. The in vitro embryo production system developed for farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus) evolved along similar lines to that pioneered by other domestic species researchers. However, applying existing in vitro embryo production methods from these other species resulted in limited success and has necessitated developing a species-specific methodology for red deer based on the their physiology. Analysis of oviduct fluid led to the development of a semi-defined fertilization and culture media system, Deer Synthetic Oviduct Fluid (DSOF), which resulted in successful culture of red deer embryos to the blastocyst stage. Transvaginal ultrasound-guided ovarian examination and ovum pickup has enabled the study of seasonality constraint and propagation from selected female genetics, respectively. During the 4-month breeding season (April-July), 15% of cleaved oocytes developed to blastocysts, whereas no blastocysts developed from oocytes collected after July. The process of developing an in vitro embryo production system for farmed red deer may serve as a beneficial model for the propagation of endangered cervine species.     

Implementation of advanced technologies in commercial monoclonal antibody production

Process advancements driven through innovations have been key factors that enabled successful commercialization of several human therapeutic antibodies in recent years. The production costs of these molecules are higher in comparison to traditional medicines. In order to lower the development and later manufacturing costs, recent advances in antibody production technologies target higher throughput processes with increased clinical and commercial economics. In this review, essential considerations and trends for commercial process development and optimization are described, followed by the challenges to obtain a high titer cell culture process and its subsequent impact on the purification process. One of these recent technical advances is the development and implementation of a disposable Q membrane adsorber as an alternative to a Q-packed-bed column in a flow-through mode. The scientific concept and principles underlining Q membrane technology and its application are also reviewed.     

Challenges and opportunities of advanced gliomodulation technologies for excitation-inhibition balance of brain networks

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New reproductive technologies,ethics and gender: the legislative process in Brazil

In this article, I will analyse the conduct of the Brazilian legislative process regarding new reproductive technologies, mainly the moral assumptions of three categories that are essential to the debate: the status of the child generated by these techniques; the number of embryos transferred in each cycle (as well as foetal reduction); and the issue of women's eligibility for such techniques. The analysis will be a sociological study of the Brazilian legislative debate, using feminist perspectives in ethics as the theoretical reference. The focus will be the bills in progress in the Brazilian National Congress, the public and official declarations of legislators involved in the issue and the regulation of the medical class, which has influenced the legislative process. Aside from the analysis of the legislative process, I include a section on the justification of these bills, since that is where the legislator exposes what he/she believes is the moral support for the bill.     

Insurance data for research in companion animals: benefits and limitations

The primary aim of this article is to review the use of animal health insurance data in the scientific literature, especially in regard to morbidity or mortality in companion animals and horses. Methods and results were compared among studies on similar health conditions from different nations and years. A further objective was to critically evaluate benefits and limitations of such databases, to suggest ways to maximize their utility and to discuss the future use of animal insurance data for research purposes. Examples of studies on morbidity, mortality and survival estimates in dogs and horses, as well as neoplasia in dogs, are discussed.     

Intracellular antibodies and cancer: New technologies offer therapeutic opportunities

Since the realisation that the antigen‐binding regions of antibodies, the variable (V) regions, can be uncoupled from the rest of the molecule to create fragments that recognise and abrogate particular protein functions in cells, the use of antibody fragments inside cells has become an important tool in bioscience. Diverse libraries of antibody fragments plus in vivo screening can be used to isolate single chain variable fragments comprising VH and VL segments or single V‐region domains. Some of these are interfering antibody fragments that compete with protein‐protein interactions, providing lead molecules for drug interactions that until now have been considered difficult or undruggable. It may be possible to deliver or express antibody fragments in target cells as macrodrugs per se. In future incarnations of intracellular antibodies, however, the structural information of the interaction interface of target and antibody fragment should facilitate development of binding site mimics as small drug‐like molecules. This is a new dawn for intracellular antibody fragments both as macrodrugs and as precursors of drugs to treat human diseases and should finally lead to the removal of the epithet of the ‘undruggable’ protein‐protein interactions.     

Cloud-hosted databases: technologies,challenges and opportunities

One of the main advantages of the cloud computing paradigm is that it simplifies the time-consuming processes of hardware provisioning, hardware purchasing and software deployment. Currently, we are witnessing a proliferation in the number of cloud-hosted applications with a tremendous increase in the scale of the data generated as well as being consumed by such applications. Cloud-hosted database systems powering these applications form a critical component in the software stack of these applications. To better understand the challenges in developing effective cloud-hosted database systems, this article discusses the existing technologies for hosting the database tier of software applications in cloud environments, illustrates their strengths and weaknesses, and presents some opportunities for future work.     

Managing private,commercial rangelands for agricultural production and wildlife diversity in Namibia and Zambia

The private game industry has grown across Africa since the mid-20th century. While considerable research has documented wildlife production on commercial land in many eastern and southern African countries, few studies have focused specifically on the integration of livestock and game production in Namibia and Zambia. This paper reports a survey of 43 commercial conservancy members in Namibia and 23 game farmers in Zambia conducted between September 2004 and June 2005. The survey was based on inductive sampling theory and queried farmers on how they have integrated wildlife production into their management practices. Farmers in each country reported considerable integration of wildlife conservation and agricultural production. Namibian farmers reported substantial problems with bush encroachment, whereas none of their Zambian counterparts raised similar complaints. This paper describes the state of rangeland management on commercial farms in Namibia and Zambia and identifies important areas where further research can contribute to the enhancement of this conservation-production system.     

Multi-drug resistant,biofilm-producing high-risk clonal lineage of Klebsiella in companion and household animals

Antimicrobial resistance is a global emergency which needs one health approach to address. The present study was conducted to detect the prevalence of beta-lactamase and biofilm-producing Klebsiella strains in rectal swabs (n = 624) collected from healthy dogs, cats, sheep and goats reared as companion or household animals in India. The dogs and cats were frequently exposed to third- or fourth-generation cephalosporins for therapy. The sheep and goats were occasionally exposed to antibiotics and had environmental exposure. Phenotypical ESBL (n = 93) and ACBL (n = 88)-producing Klebsiella were isolated significantly more (P < 0·05) from companion animals than household animals. Majority of the Klebsiella possessed bla_CTX-M-15. The sequences bla_CTX-M-15.2, bla_CTX-M-197 and bla_CTX-M-225 are reported first time from the companion animals. All ACBL-producing isolates possessed bla_AmpC. The present study detected 65·8% of Klebsiella strains as biofilm producers possessing the studied biofilm associated genes. The isolates showed phenotypical resistance against chloramphenicol, tetracycline, doxycycline, co-trimoxazole, ampicillin, cefotaxime/clavulanic acid. The present study showed that companion and household animals (dogs, cats, sheep, goats) may act as a carrier of ESBL/biofilm-producing, multi-drug resistant, high-risk clonal lineage of Klebsiella.     

Regulatory issues surrounding the use of companion animals in clinical investigations,trials, and studies

Laboratory animal veterinarians sometimes encounter animals with rare conditions and may subsequently become involved in the performance of related animal research outside the laboratory, in homes, in veterinary clinics, or in universities to which owners have donated their animals for study. Similarly, veterinarians may monitor animal companion vaccination studies, performed to optimize preventive health care or minimize physiological variability and research confounders associated with a preventive medicine program for dogs and cats utilized for research procedures. These nontraditional uses of dogs, cats, and other companion animals in research have spurred the establishment of regulations to ensure that the animals benefit from clinical veterinary products and techniques. Included and described are the 2002 Public Health Service Policy, the Animal Welfare Act (AWA), the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, and the regulations of the US Department of Agriculture in response to the AWA. The complexities of clinical research with companion animals outside standard biomedical research facilities are discussed.     

Transmission of Salmonella between wildlife and meat-production animals in Denmark

Aims: To investigate the transmission of Salmonella spp. between production animals (pigs and cattle) and wildlife on production animal farms in Denmark. Methods and Results: In the winter and summer of 2001 and 2002, 3622 samples were collected from Salmonella-infected and noninfected herds of pigs and cattle and surrounding wildlife. Salmonella was detected in wildlife on farms carrying Salmonella-positive production animals and only during the periods when Salmonella was detected in the production animals. The presence of Salmonella Typhimurium in wild birds significantly correlated to their migration pattern and food preference. Conclusions: Salmonella was transmitted from infected herds of production animals (cattle and pigs) to wildlife that lived amongst or in close proximity to them. Significance and Impact of the Study: Salmonella in animal food products is associated with the occurrence of Salmonella in primary animal production. Strategies to control the introduction and spread of infection should include wildlife management, as the nearby wildlife may act as reservoirs for Salmonella spp. and/or may be passive carriers of the bacteria.     

Reversing the trend of wildlife crime in Tanzania: challenges and opportunities

Wildlife crime is increasingly gaining prominence in global environmental debates. The crime, generating huge financial returns to few individuals, has far reaching implications on ecology, economy and global security. The seriousness of these implications provides sufficient rationale for reconsidering and intensifying efforts to combat this crime. However, these efforts are compromised by a number of challenges, though opportunities for success exist. This paper presents some of these challenges and opportunities available for reversing the trend of wildlife crime in Tanzania. The challenges presented include poverty, high profit associated with illicit trade on wildlife, poor governance and corruption, minimal budget and inadequate institutional support, political interference and low employee morale, minimal benefits to local communities, human population growth, climate change and HIV/AIDS pandemic. Opportunities identified include increased public awareness, growing global political concern and commitment, presence of relevant policies, programmes and strategies along with international agreements supportive to species protection. Before embarking on challenges and opportunities, the paper provides an overview of Tanzania’s wildlife resources, status and trend of this crime. In conclusion, the paper underscores the gravity of the problem and its implications and offers some recommendations for improving the situation.     

Sex and wildlife: the role of reproductive science in conservation

This essay explains the role of reproductive science, including what are termed reproductive technologies (i.e. artificial insemination, in vitro fertilization, embryo transfer, cloning), in conservation biology. Reproductive techniques (high- and low-tech) find their greatest application in understanding species uniqueness, adaptations and physiological mechanisms, not in the large-scale assisted breeding and the production of offspring. Models of how to use these tools to study reproductive fitness are emerging to help insure gene diversity and even propagate endangered species, but only after fundamental databases have been developed. Examples are provided of how non-invasive hormone metabolite monitoring, artificial insemination and genome resource banking are being used ex situ and in situ to understand wildlife biology. We predict that as the fundamental, multi-species database grows, so will the applied benefits for: (1) developing genome banks for insuring extant genetic diversity; (2) assessing the relationship of physiology, behaviour and environmental perturbations; (3) managing small populations; and (4) dealing with dilemmas ranging from contraception to skewed sex ratios to animal welfare. Most progress will be made in using these tools in systematic studies to solve the mystery of how thousands of unstudied species reproduce. Carried out appropriately, financial costs will be consistent with any approach for generating sound scientific knowledge.     

Application of sperm sorting and associated reproductive technology for wildlife management and conservation

Efforts toward the conservation and captive breeding of wildlife can be enhanced by sperm sorting and associated reproductive technologies such as sperm cryopreservation and artificial insemination (AI). Sex ratio management is of particular significance to species which naturally exist in female-dominated social groups. A bias of the sex ratio towards females of these species will greatly assist in maintaining socially cohesive groups and minimizing male-male aggression. Another application of this technology potentially exists for endangered species, as the preferential production of females can enable propagation of those species at a faster rate. The particular assisted reproductive technology (ART) used in conjunction with sperm sorting for the production of offspring is largely determined by the quality and quantity of spermatozoa following sorting and preservation processes. Regardless of the ART selected, breeding decisions involving sex-sorted spermatozoa should be made in conjunction with appropriate genetic management. Zoological-based research on reproductive physiology and assisted reproduction, including sperm sorting, is being conducted on numerous terrestrial and marine mammals. The wildlife species for which the technology has undergone the most advance is the bottlenose dolphin. AI using sex-sorted fresh or frozen-thawed spermatozoa has become a valuable tool for the genetic and reproductive management of captive bottlenose dolphins with six pre-sexed calves, all of the predetermined sex born to date.     

Parasitism of prehistoric humans and companion animals from Antelope Cave, Mojave County, northwest Arizona

Previously, we reported a tick recovered from Antelope Cave in extreme northwest Arizona. Further analyses of coprolites from Antelope Cave revealed additional parasitological data from coprolites of both human and canid origin. A second tick was found. This site is the only archaeological locality where ticks have been recovered. We also discovered an acanthocephalan in association with Enterobius vermicularis eggs in the same coprolite. This association shows that the coprolite was deposited by a human. This discovery expands our knowledge of the range of prehistoric acanthocephalan infection. In addition, findings from canid coprolites of Trichuris vulpis are reported. This is the first published discovery of T. vulpis from a North American archaeological context. The close association of dogs with humans at Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) sites raises the potential that zoonotic parasites were transferred to the human population. The archaeological occupation is associated with the Ancestral Pueblo culture 1,100 yr ago.     

Characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus pneumoniae</Emphasis> isolates from Austrian companion animals and horses

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic relatedness and the antimicrobial resistance profiles of a collection of Austrian Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from companion animals and horses. A total of 12 non-repetitive isolates presumptively identified as S. pneumoniae were obtained during routinely diagnostic activities between March 2009 and January 2017.

Results

Isolates were confirmed as S. pneumoniae by bile solubility and optochin susceptibility testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry and sequence analysis of a part recA and the 16S rRNA genes. Isolates were further characterized by pneumolysin polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and genotyped by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed and resistance genes were detected by specific PCR assays. All isolates were serotyped. Four sequence types (ST) (ST36, ST3546, ST6934 and ST6937) and four serotypes (3, 19A, 19F and 23F) were detected. Two isolates from twelve displayed a multidrug-resistance pheno- and genotype.

Conclusions

This study represents the first comprehensive investigation on characteristics of S. pneumoniae isolates recovered from Austrian companion animals and horses. The obtained results indicate that common human sero- (23F) and sequence type (ST36) implicated in causing invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) may circulate in dogs. Isolates obtained from other examined animals seem to be host-adapted.