scholarly journals Non-invasive diagnostic PCRs for rapid detection of golden jackal, red fox, and gray wolf/domestic dog and application to validate golden jackal presence in Styria, Austria

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Schenekar ◽  
Marlene Karrer ◽  
Immanuel Karner ◽  
Steven J. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Wildlife Management ◽  
Genetic Screening ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Gray Wolf ◽  
Golden Jackal ◽  
Inexpensive Method ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Screening Protocol

AbstractHuman-predator conflicts are frequently caused by livestock and/or game depredation. The golden jackal’s (Canis aureus) range expansion in Europe, as well as the recent re-expansion of several gray wolf (Canis lupus) populations, might increase risk of such conflicts. In Austria, golden jackal presence has been increasing since the 1990s including reports of wildlife and livestock kills, frequently occurring in the provinces Styria and Burgenland. We developed a rapid, two-step genetic screening protocol to (1) detect canid mtDNA from non-invasively collected samples like swabs from kills using diagnostic PCRs, and (2) assign this DNA to red fox (Vulpes vulpes), golden jackal, or gray wolf/dog. To monitor golden jackal presence in the region, a total of 167 signs of presence were collected over a period of 30 months throughout the Styrian province. Among these, 14 non-invasive genetic samples (13 swabs from kill sites and one scat) were screened with the developed protocol. Four of these samples revealed golden jackal mtDNA and six samples red fox mtDNA. The developed genetic screening protocol represents a quick and inexpensive method to assess canid presence, e.g., at kill sites, and therefore possesses high value for the conservation and wildlife management community.

Prognostic role of myocardial work in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction treated by sacubitril/valsartan

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
E Galli ◽  
Y Bouali ◽  
C Laurin ◽  
A Gallard ◽  
A Hubert ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heart Failure ◽  
Ejection Fraction ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Reduced Ejection Fraction ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Patients With Heart Failure ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Echocardiographic Examination ◽  
Constructive Work

Abstract Background The non-invasive assessment of myocardial work (MW) by pressure-strain loops analysis (PSL) is a relative new tool for the evaluation of myocardial performance. Sacubitril/Valsartan is a treatment for heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) which has a spectacular effect on the reduction of cardiovascular events (MACEs). Purposes of this study were to evaluate 1) the short and medium term effect of Sacubitril/Valsartan treatment on MW parameters; 2) the prognostic value of MW in this specific group of patients. Methods 79 patients with HFrEF (mean age: 66±12 years; LV ejection fraction: 28±9%) were prospectively included in the study and treated with Sacubitril/Valsartan. Echocardiographic examination was performed at baseline, and after 6- and 12-month of therapy with Sacubitril/Valsartan. Results Sacubitril/Valsartan significantly increased global myocardial constructive work (CW) (1023±449 vs 1424±484 mmHg%, p<0.0001) and myocardial work efficiency (WE) [87 (78–90) vs 90 (86–95), p<0.0001]. During FU (2.6±0.9 years), MACEs occurred in 13 (16%) patients. After correction for LV size, LVEF and WE, CW was the only predictor of MACEs (Table 1). A CW<910 mmHg (AUC=0.81, p<0.0001, Figure 1A) identified patients at particularly increase risk of MACEs [HR 11.09 (1.45–98.94), p=0.002, log-rank test p<0.0001] (Figure 1 B). Conclusions In patients with HFrEF who receive a comprehensive background beta-blocker and mineral-corticoid receptor antagonist therapy, Sacubitril/Valsartan induces a significant improvement of myocardial CW and WE. In this population, the estimation of CW before the initiation of Sacubitril/Valsartan therapy allows the prediction of MACEs. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

scholarly journals Sensors for the detection of ammonia as a potential biomarker for health screening

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter P. Ricci ◽  
Otto J. Gregory
Keyword(s):  
Vapor Phase ◽  
Detection System ◽  
Health Screening ◽  
The Body ◽  
Peptic Ulcers ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Sensing Platform ◽  
Potential Biomarker ◽  
Screening Protocol ◽  
H Pylori

AbstractThe presence of ammonia within the body has long been linked to complications stemming from the liver, kidneys, and stomach. These complications can be the result of serious conditions such as chronic kidney disease (CKD), peptic ulcers, and recently COVID-19. Limited liver and kidney function leads to increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) within the body resulting in elevated levels of ammonia in the mouth, nose, and skin. Similarly, peptic ulcers, commonly from H. pylori, result in ammonia production from urea within the stomach. The presence of these biomarkers enables a potential screening protocol to be considered for frequent, non-invasive monitoring of these conditions. Unfortunately, detection of ammonia in these mediums is rather challenging due to relatively small concentrations and an abundance of interferents. Currently, there are no options available for non-invasive screening of these conditions continuously and in real-time. Here we demonstrate the selective detection of ammonia using a vapor phase thermodynamic sensing platform capable of being employed as part of a health screening protocol. The results show that our detection system has the remarkable ability to selectively detect trace levels of ammonia in the vapor phase using a single catalyst. Additionally, detection was demonstrated in the presence of interferents such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and acetone common in human breath. These results show that our thermodynamic sensors are well suited to selectively detect ammonia at levels that could potentially be useful for health screening applications.

scholarly journals Genetic Structure and Gene Flow in Red Foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Scandinavia: Implications for the Potential Future Spread of Echinococcus multilocularis Tapeworm

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (24) ◽  
pp. 5289
Author(s):  
Mari Hagenlund ◽  
Arne Linløkken ◽  
Kjartan Østbye ◽  
Zea Walton ◽  
Morten Odden ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Population Ecology ◽  
Wildlife Management ◽  
Echinococcus Multilocularis ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Genetic Structuring ◽  
High Level

Knowledge about the dispersal and gene flow patterns in wild animals are important for our understanding of population ecology and the connectedness of populations. It is also important for management relating to disease control and the transmission of new and emerging diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate the genetic structuring among comparative samples of red foxes in a small part of Scandinavia and to estimate the gene flow and potential directionality in the movements of foxes using an optimized set of microsatellite markers. We compared genetic samples of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from two areas in Sweden and two areas in Norway, including red fox samples from areas where the occurrence of the cyclophyllic tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis has been documented, and areas without known occurrence of the parasite. Our results show a high level of gene flow over considerable distances and substantiates migration from areas affected with E. multilocularis into Norway where the parasite is not yet detected. The results allow us to better understand the gene flow and directionality in the movement patterns of red foxes, which is important for wildlife management authorities regarding the spread of E. multilocularis.

scholarly journals Living a dog’s life: a putative gray wolf in a feral dog group

Mammalia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-120
Author(s):  
Elitsa Popova ◽  
Diana Zlatanova
Keyword(s):  
Related Species ◽  
Ecological Impact ◽  
Complex Interaction ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Hybrid Origin ◽  
Mountainous Area ◽  
Gray Wolf ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Feral Dogs ◽  
In The Wild

AbstractThe gray wolf and the domestic dog are closely related species that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. In settings where unrestrained dogs are present in the wild, hybridization can happen naturally. However, the behavior of the resulting hybrids and their ecological impact is largely understudied. In September–November 2018, a putative gray wolf was repeatedly camera-trapped in a group of 10 presumably feral dogs in a remote mountainous area (the Osogovo Mountain) along the border between Bulgaria and North Macedonia. The most feasible explanation for this individual’s atypical behavior is that it is of hybrid origin (assumption based on phenotype). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented observation of such a kind. A discussion of its recruitment and position in the group is presented, setting the basis for further investigation of the complex interaction between wolves, dogs and hybrids in the wild.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a novel non-invasive preimplantation genetic screening approach

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. e0197262 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valeriy Kuznyetsov ◽  
Svetlana Madjunkova ◽  
Ran Antes ◽  
Rina Abramov ◽  
Gelareh Motamedi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Screening ◽  
Preimplantation Genetic Screening ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Screening Approach

Ancient canids of the Aleutian Islands (new archaeological discoveries from the Islands of Four Mountains)

2019 ◽  
Vol 91 (03) ◽  
pp. 1028-1044
Author(s):  
Dmitry D. Vasyukov ◽  
Olga A. Krylovich ◽  
Dixie L. West ◽  
Virginia Hatfield ◽  
Arkady B. Savinetsky
Keyword(s):  
Red Fox ◽  
Archaeological Site ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
History Of ◽  
Human Use ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Cultural Roles ◽  
Rich History ◽  
Reserve Food

AbstractWe discuss the cultural roles of dog and red fox recovered from Carlisle Island, Islands of Four Mountains, Alaska, within the context of Aleutian ethnographic and zooarchaeological records. Three dog bones were recovered from the Ulyagan archaeological site, Unit 5, in levels that date to AD 1450–1645. Three red fox bones come from the Ulyagan site, Unit 4, in levels that date 460 BC–AD 95. Our analyses show that both red fox and domestic dog date earlier than the contact with Russians and that these canids do not extend west of the Islands of Four Mountains archipelago. Given the rich history of human intervention on the Aleutians ecosystems over the last 250 years, we argue that indigenous red fox inhabited the Islands of the Four Mountains region prior to western contact; however, foxes did not have a pronounced cultural role for prehistoric Aleuts. Domestic dogs accompanied humans in the Aleutians after AD 950, suggesting that these canids might be linked with the Neo-Aleut culture. In the light of Arctic and oceanic cases of human use of dogs considered in the paper, we suggest that dogs might have served as reserve food sources during long trips for people migrating west.

scholarly journals Survey on viral pathogens in wild red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Germany with emphasis on parvoviruses and analysis of a DNA sequence from a red fox parvovirus

1998 ◽  
Vol 121 (2) ◽  
pp. 433-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. TRUYEN ◽  
T. MÜLLER ◽  
R. HEIDRICH ◽  
K. TACKMANN ◽  
L. E. CARMICHAEL
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequence ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Vulpes Vulpes ◽  
Red Fox ◽  
Canine Parvovirus ◽  
Domestic Dog ◽  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Red Foxes ◽  
Feline Panleukopenia Virus ◽  
Free Ranging

The seroprevalence of canine parvovirus (CPV), canine distemper virus (CDV), canine adenovirus (CAV) and canine herpesvirus (CHV) infections in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) was determined in fox sera collected between 1991 and 1995. A total of 500 sera were selected and the seroprevalences were estimated to be 13% (65 of 500 sera) for CPV, 4·4% (17 of 383 sera) for CDV, 3·5% (17 of 485 sera) for CAV, and 0·4% (2 of 485 sera) for CHV, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two (rural and suburban) areas under study.Parvovirus DNA sequences were amplified from tissues of free-ranging foxes and compared to those of prototype viruses from dogs and cats. We report here a parvovirus sequence indicative of a true intermediate between the feline panleukopenia virus-like viruses and the canine parvovirus-like viruses. The red fox parvoviral sequence, therefore, appears to represent a link between those viral groups. The DNA sequence together with a significant seroprevalence of parvovirus infections in foxes supports the hypothesis that the sudden emergence of canine parvovirus in the domestic dog population may have involved the interspecies transmission between wild and domestic carnivores.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document