A focus on the European hamster to illustrate how to monitor endangered species

Agriculture intensification, marked by the generalization of crop monoculture, by the increase in plot size and by the reduction of plant diversity, has led to huge decline in wildlife in European farmlands. In such habitat, research has long been biased towards birds and invertebrates, while very few studies have investigated the effect on small mammals. Considering the European hamster, Cricetus cricetus, we therefore review the different techniques that can be used to investigate the impact of environmental changes and conservation measures in small and endangered wild mammals. We suggest that only a multidisciplinary approach will allow exploration of these effects, combining experimental laboratory work on captive‐bred animals with the monitoring of wild individuals. In particular, individual energy balance has to be investigated and measured as accurately as possible, through either biochemical or bio‐logging techniques. It is, indeed, the most affected physiological trait in a changing environment, as it determines both the reproductive output and the survival of the individual. We also discuss the inconvenience of capture–release approaches for such an endangered species and emphasize the disturbance that experimental protocols could impose on the hamster.     

Use of a Pinless External Fixator for Unilateral Mandibular Fracture Repair in nine Equids

Objective: To report use of a pinless external fixator (PEF) for unilateral mandibular fractures in 9 equids. Study Design: Case series. Animals: Equids (n=9) with unilateral mandibular fractures. Methods: All fractures were stabilized with the AO/ASIF PEF using a minimum of 4 clamps, under general anesthesia. Fracture configuration, complications, outcome, and owner satisfaction were evaluated. Results: All fractures were stabilized; 2 equids were euthanatized; 1 because of an inability to stand after surgery and 1 because of owner decision after PEF dislodgement. Seven repairs healed with good outcome and owner satisfaction. Complications included dislodgement of the PEF (3), bone sequestration (3), and weight loss (1). Drainage associated with repair resolved after removal of sequestra and clamps. Conclusions: Stabilization of unilateral mandibular fractures with the PEF in horses was minimally invasive with minimal risk of tooth root interference; however, after care is time consuming. Clinical Relevance: PEF is an alternative technique for stabilizing unilateral mandibular fractures in equids.     

Adjuvant and immunostimulatory effects of a D-galactose-binding lectin from Synadenium carinatum latex (ScLL) in the mouse model of vaccination against neosporosis

Vaccination is an important control measure for neosporosis that is caused by a coccidian parasite, Neospora caninum, leading to abortion and reproductive disorders in cattle and serious economic impacts worldwide. A D-galactose-binding lectin from Synadenium carinatum latex (ScLL) was recently described by our group with potential immunostimulatory and adjuvant effects in the leishmaniasis model. In this study, we evaluated the adjuvant effect of ScLL in immunization of mice against neosporosis. First, we investigated in vitro cytokine production by dendritic cells stimulated with Neospora lysate antigen (NLA), ScLL or both. Each treatment induced TNF-α, IL-6, IL-10 and IL-12 production in a dose-dependent manner, with synergistic effect of NLA plus ScLL. Next, four groups of C57BL/6 mice were immunized with NLA + ScLL, NLA, ScLL or PBS. The kinetics of antibody response showed a predominance of IgG and IgG1 for NLA + ScLL group, whereas IgG2a response was similar between NLA + ScLL and NLA groups. Ex vivo cytokine production by mouse spleen cells showed the highest IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio in the presence of NLA stimulation for mice immunized with NLA + ScLL and the lowest for those immunized with ScLL alone. After parasite challenge, mice immunized with NLA + ScLL or ScLL alone presented higher survival rates (70-80%) and lower brain parasite burden as compared to PBS group, but with no significant changes in morbidity and inflammation scores. In conclusion, ScLL combined with NLA was able to change the cytokine profile induced by the antigen or lectin alone for a Th1-biased immune response, resulting in high protection of mice challenged with the parasite, but with low degree of inflammation. Both features may be important to prevent congenital neosporosis, since protection and low inflammatory response are necessary events to guide towards a successful pregnancy.     

Ethnic Conflict and Urban Redevelopment in Downtown Beirut

The concept of globalization has become almost ubiquitous in contemporaryaccounts of urban development and cultural transformations. In these accounts, questions of globalization, urbanization, and ethnicity increasingly intersect. But this burgeoning literature, while laudably integrating cultural concerns into political‐economic understandings of globalization, tends to rely on a dualistic sense of scale which treats localities as points of reaction to and resistance against global forces. Ethnicity and identity, situated in a rigid local scale, are reduced to either primordial communal sentiments or commodified symbols in the global economy. This paper advocates a conceptualization of ethnicity and locality not in opposition to the global, but in relation to social, political, and economic relationships that operate within and beyond particular spaces. These arguments are illustrated with the case of downtown Beirut. Beirut's reconstruction epitomizes the commodification of place identities. But the marketing of place identity is significant beyond the immediate investment goals of the city's investors. Indeed, this new identity and the new Beirut have been generated in a hotly‐contested terrain of sectarian allegiances and state legitimacy. The redevelopment of Beirut and the re‐creation of Lebanese identity are embedded not only in the imperatives of the contemporary global economy, but also in the troublesome legacies of a violent past and in the day‐to‐day lives of the Lebanese populace.     

Mastitis in dairy production: Estimation of sensitivity, specificity and disease prevalence in the absence of a gold standard

Mastitis, a worldwide endemic disease of dairy cows, is an important cause of decreased efficiency in milk production. Early medical treatment can reduce the nonreversible losses in milk production caused by this infection. Various diagnostic tests for mastitis are available, including a test measuring the electrical conductivity of milk (MEC test), the industry standard of somatic cell counting (SCC test), a bacteriological test, and a recently developed test measuring mammary associated amyloid A (MAA test). None of these tests is considered a gold standard, however. The aim of the present study was to determine which of these tests provides the best results, and at what cost, to improve the efficiency of milk production. For this study, 25 cows were tested at all four quarters of the udder with each of the aforementioned mastitis diagnostic tests. Based on the data, the disease prevalence as well as the sensitivity and the specificity of the four tests were estimated with a Bayesian approach by extending the Hui and Walter model with two independent tests and two populations to a model with four partially dependent tests and one population. This model was further combined with a receiver operating characteristics analysis to estimate the overall test accuracy.     

Performance of Nellore heifers, forage mass, and structural and nutritional characteristics of Brachiaria brizantha grass in integrated production systems

Our objective was to evaluate production, nutritive value and carrying capacity of piatã grass (Brachiaria brizantha cv. BRS Piatã), and performance of Nellore heifers in agrosilvopastoral systems (ASPS) with three eucalyptus (Eucalyptus urograndis) tree densities, during winter, spring, summer, and fall. Three integrated systems were evaluated: ASPS-1 (357 trees ha^?1), ASPS-2 (227 trees ha^?1), and CON (5 trees ha^?1). In each system, two sward heights were evaluated: short and tall. A total of 80 11-month-old Nellore heifers were randomly allocated in a randomized split-plot block, 3?×?2 factorial. Greater dry matter availability was observed on CON pastures during the fall season. Greater percentage of leaf lamina was detected on ASPS-1 with short sward height and greater during summer, compared with other seasons. A greater forage production was observed between tree rows and for tall sward height. Spring was the season with less forage nutritive value. Average daily gain was greater during summer and fall. Gain per hectare and stocking rate were greater on CON system and on ASPS-2. Pastures with short sward height had greater gain per hectare and stocking rate. Agrosilvopastoral systems with intermediate tree density seem to be a good choice for producers willing to diversify their revenue sources without decreasing animal production.     

Development and evaluation of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serological detection of Schmallenberg virus antibodies in ruminants using whole virus antigen

Background

In late 2011, a new Orthobunyavirus of the Simbu serogroup named Schmallenberg virus (SBV) emerged in continental Europe. The virus is transmitted by hematophagous arthropods, with the Culicoides species as, so far known, main vectors. Infection with the virus can cause clinical signs in adult ruminants including diarrhea, fever and reduced milk production. Transplacental infection of the developing fetus can lead to malformations of varying severity. To assess seroprevalence of SBV in Sweden an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was established in connection with the surveys. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of the indirect ELISA, based on whole virus as the coating antigen and a monoclonal antibody for the detection of antibodies to SBV in ruminant sera. The evaluation includes comparison between the in-house ELISA, virus neutralization test and an indirect commercial ELISA.

Results

The optimal working dilutions of antigens and conjugate were estimated with checkerboard titrations. Comparative studies, including ROC analyses, were used for the selection of an optimal cut-off (S/P value = sample value as percentage of positive control value). With an estimated S/P value of 15% the whole virus ELISA showed a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 99.19% compared to virus neutralization test (VNT) and with a good consistency as shown in reproducibility and variability experiments. Furthermore, the comparison of our whole virus indirect ELISA to an indirect ELISA with a SBV nucleoprotein antigen, demonstrated a higher sensitivity of our test.

Conclusion

The indirect whole virus ELISA described in this paper is a readily available test for serological analysis of SBV antibodies. Since this in-house ELISA demonstrates a specificity and sensitivity comparable to virus neutralization test and also shows a higher sensitivity compared to commercially available indirect ELISA, it is a useful alternative for surveillance and screening purposes of SBV.