Effects of capture,shearing, and release on the ecology and behavior of wild vicuñas

The goals of sustainable use of wildlife include minimizing long term deleterious impacts of management. We evaluated the ethoecological and demographic responses of wild vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) to capture, shearing, and release in northern Argentina, as well as effects on behavior, by comparing captured and shorn versus non-captured animals for 2 yr after capture events. We observed subtle and short-term changes in the movement behavior of individuals, likely due to thermal and behavioral stress following capture. We did not observe changes in survival and birth rates, social organization, or distribution of animals following capture. Therefore, we concluded that the capture techniques used resulted in low impacts on the wild vicuña population. © 2011 The Wildlife Society.     

The Cytokine Response of U937-Derived Macrophages Infected through Antibody-Dependent Enhancement of Dengue Virus Disrupts Cell Apical-Junction Complexes and Increases Vascular Permeability

Severe dengue (SD) is a life-threatening complication of dengue that includes vascular permeability syndrome (VPS) and respiratory distress. Secondary infections are considered a risk factor for developing SD, presumably through a mechanism called antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE). Despite extensive studies, the molecular bases of how ADE contributes to SD and VPS are largely unknown. This work compares the cytokine responses of differentiated U937 human monocytic cells infected directly with dengue virus (DENV) or in the presence of enhancing concentrations of a humanized monoclonal antibody recognizing protein E (ADE-DENV infection). Using a cytometric bead assay, ADE-DENV-infected cells were found to produce significantly higher levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), as well as prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), than cells directly infected. The capacity of conditioned supernatants (conditioned medium [CM]) to disrupt tight junctions (TJs) in MDCK cell cultures was evaluated. Exposure of MDCK cell monolayers to CM collected from ADE-DENV-infected cells (ADE-CM) but not from cells infected directly led to a rapid loss of transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and to delocalization and degradation of apical-junction complex proteins. Depletion of either TNF-α, IL-6, or IL-12p70 from CM from ADE-DENV-infected cells fully reverted the disrupting effect on TJs. Remarkably, mice injected intraperitoneally with ADE-CM showed increased vascular permeability in sera and lungs, as indicated by an Evans blue quantification assay. These results indicate that the cytokine response of U937-derived macrophages to ADE-DENV infection shows an increased capacity to disturb TJs, while results obtained with the mouse model suggest that such a response may be related to the vascular plasma leakage characteristic of SD.     

Oseltamivir-resistant influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus in southern Brazil

The neuraminidase (NA) genes of A(H1N1)pdm09 influenza virus isolates from 306 infected patients were analysed. The circulation of oseltamivir-resistant viruses in Brazil has not been reported previously. Clinical samples were collected in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS) from 2009-2011 and two NA inhibitor-resistant mutants were identified, one in 2009 (H275Y) and the other in 2011 (S247N). This study revealed a low prevalence of resistant viruses (0.8%) with no spread of the resistant mutants throughout RS.     

Clinical and roentgenographic aspects of pseudogout: a study of 50 cases and a review.

Pseudogout, defined as recurrent acute arthritis due to intrasynovial deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals, is a relatively common arthritic disorder of the elderly. The clinical and roentgenographic aspects of 50 cases of pseudogout in hospitalized patients are reviewed in this paper. Oligoarticular and polyarticular episodes were observed in half of these patients. Antecedent problems included infection, trauma, surgery and vascular events. Consistent with previous reports, most patients had roentgenographic evidence of chondrocalcinosis. A third had asymptomatic capsular or periarticular calcific deposits or both, and a third had pyrophosphate arthropathy, a progressive, destructive, accelerated form of osteoarthritis. An attack of pseudogout may offer a clue to the presence of an unsuspected metabolic disease, such as primary hyperparathyroidism or idiopathic hemochromatosis.     

Insecticidal Activity of the Protein Encoded by the cryV Gene of Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki INA-02

A new host specificity was discovered with the insecticidal protein encoded by the cryV gene. The cryV gene was cloned from the Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki INA-02 strain, which was selected among a number of B. thuringiensis isolates because of its high activity against Spodoptera litura. Analyses by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) revealed that INA-02 contained the cryIA(a) and cryV genes. Since no Spodoptera activity was observed with B. thuringiensis sotto, which contained only cryIA(a), insecticidal activity of the protein encoded by the cryV gene was investigated with several insect species including S. litura. For bioassay, the cryV gene was highly expressed in an acrystalliferous B. thuringiensis strain, BT51. The CryV protein from BT51 was assayed against larvae of three lepidopteran species, Bombyx mori, S. litura, and Plutella xylostella. The protein was highly active against S. litura and P. xylostella, suggestive that the protein contributes to the unique activity of INA-02.     

Physiological and behavioral indices of short-term stress in wild vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna) in Jujuy Province,Argentina

The management of wild vicuñas can trigger a stress response that may compromise welfare. In Santa Catalina, Jujuy Province, Argentina, indices of short-term stress associated with capture, handling, and shearing were studied in 105 wild vicuñas (Vicugna vicugna). The study included 2 groups (n = 59 and n = 46) of wild vicuñas captured in 2 consecutive days. Independent variables analyzed included sex, restraint time, and groups. Cortisol, creatine kinase, glucose, white blood cells, temperature, heart rate, and respiratory frequency were higher than published values. Respiratory rate increased during handling and correlated with holding time and group size, while heart rate decreased. Packed cell volume was higher in females. Cortisol concentrations differed between restraint groups and sex and inversely correlated with agonistic behavior. The most common behavior was increased vigilance. Sternal recumbency increased over holding time. During handling procedures, frequency of sudden movements like kicking and attempts to stand increased as restraint time increased. Females vocalized more than males. In conclusion, the methods used triggered measurable changes suggestive of short-term stress that appeared to be physiologically tolerated by the vicuñas.     

Social group dynamics and composition of managed wild vicuñas (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vicugna vicugna vicugna</Emphasis>) in Jujuy,Argentina

The vicuña is a high Andean wild camelid that lives year-long in groups. We analyzed the social organization of 98 marked vicuñas after capture and live shearing, focusing on group composition, spatial patterns, territoriality and habitat use. The social units analyzed were families, bachelor groups and solo animals. Location fixes of 54 males and 36 females were registered over a 2-year period, and home range was estimated. All females belonged to family groups, and 8–12 month yearlings changed their home ranges prior to first reproduction at 2 years. Female yearlings dispersed to a new family group, while male yearlings dispersed to a bachelor group. Solitary males appeared during the interval between leaving bachelor or family groups, and vice versa. Our study showed that vicuña polygyny was based on female grazing area requirements. Females that stayed with the same males were defined as loyal, and had a mean 18.9 ha home range. Females that changed both to a different family and male; and grazed over the same home range size, were considered disloyal. Family groups selected the habitat that had a low stratum and the highest coverage of palatable plants, while bachelors used their habitat randomly.     

The neurotoxicological effects of mastoparan Polybia-MPII at the murine neuromuscular junction: an ultrastructural and immunocytochemical study

Polybia-MPII (INWLKLGKMVIDAL-NH₂), a mastoparan isolated from the crude venom of the swarming wasp Polybia paulista, was injected into the left hind limb of Swiss white mice. Between 3 h and 21 days later the mice were killed and the soleus muscles from both hind limbs were removed. Sections of the muscles were made for transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemistry. Transmission electron microscopy showed that both the volume fraction occupied by synaptic vesicles and synaptic vesicle density was greatly reduced after exposure to Polybia-MPII, although there was no significant structural damage to the plasma membrane of the terminal boutons and mitochondria were indistinguishable from those in normal, control boutons. Immunocytochemistry revealed that in control muscles 99% of motor end plates identified by the positive labelling of acetylcholine receptors by TRITC-α-bungarotoxin co-labelled with anti-synaptophysin antibody, but this figure fell by 30% in muscles exposed to the toxin. These changes were transient. They were maximal at 6 h and fully reversed by 3 days. At no time was axonal labelling with anti-neurofilament antibodies affected by exposure to Polybia-MPII. We conclude that mastoparan Polybia-MPII is a minor neurotoxin and suggest that its neurotoxic activity is unlikely to be of clinical significance.