How Host Specific Are Herpesviruses? Lessons from Herpesviruses Infecting Wild and Endangered Mammals

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-68 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walid Azab ◽  
Anisha Dayaram ◽  
Alex D. Greenwood ◽  
Nikolaus Osterrieder
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Species Specificity ◽  
Therapeutic Options ◽  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Fatal Disease ◽  
Wild Mammals ◽  
Species Specific

Herpesviruses are ubiquitous and can cause disease in all classes of vertebrates but also in animals of lower taxa, including molluscs. It is generally accepted that herpesviruses are primarily species specific, although a species can be infected by different herpesviruses. Species specificity is thought to result from host-virus coevolutionary processes over the long term. Even with this general concept in mind, investigators have recognized interspecies transmission of several members of the Herpesviridae family, often with fatal outcomes in non-definitive hosts—that is, animals that have no or only a limited role in virus transmission. We here summarize herpesvirus infections in wild mammals that in many cases are endangered, in both natural and captive settings. Some infections result from herpesviruses that are endemic in the species that is primarily affected, and some result from herpesviruses that cause fatal disease after infection of non-definitive hosts. We discuss the challenges of such infections in several endangered species in the absence of efficient immunization or therapeutic options.

scholarly journals Rediscovery, taxonomy and conservation of the Anjouan Scops Owl Otus capnodes (Gurney 1889)

1993 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-74 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger J. Safford
Keyword(s):  
Endangered Species ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Distinct Species ◽  
Upland Forest ◽  
Forest Clearance ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Neighbouring Island ◽  
Comoro Islands

SummaryThe Anjouan Scops Owl Otus capnodes, not recorded with certainty since about 1886, was rediscovered in June 1992. It has usually been treated as a race of Madagascar Scops Owl Otus rutilus but, judging from plumage and especially voice, it is a distinct species. It is found only in the remaining patches of upland forest (above 800 m) on Anjouan (Ndzuani), Comoro Islands, where the population is estimated to be at least several tens of pairs, probably between 100 and 200 pairs. The species is highly endangered by accelerating forest clearance and capture for food by the huge and increasing human population. Long-term environmental programmes are essential but may be too late to save this and other endangered species on Anjouan. Species-specific actions are needed: for the owl, a translocation to the neighbouring island of Moheli should be investigated.La chouette Scops d'Anjouan Otus capnodes, qui n'avait pas été observée avec certitude depuis environ 1886, a été redécouverte en juin 1992. Elle était habituellement considérée comme appartenant à la race des chouettes Scops de Madagascar Otus rutilus, mais à en juger par son plumage et surtout par sa voix, c'est une espèce différente. Elle n'existe que dans les restants de forêts d'altitude (plus de 800 mètres) en Anjouan (Ndzuani), dans les lles Comores, où la population est estimée à au moins plusieurs dizaines de couples, probablement entre 100 et 200 paires. L'espèce est fortement menacée par l'accélération de la déforestation et la capture de ces oiseaux pour l'alimentation d'une population humaine très nombreuse et croissante. Des programmes de conservation de l'environnement à long terme sont essentiels, mais arriveront peut-être déjà trop tard pour sauver cette espèce et d'autres espèces menacées en Anjouan. Des actions spécifiquement centrées sur chaque espèce sont nécessaires: pour la chouette, la possibilité d'un transfert sur l'île voisine de Mohéli devrait être examinée.

scholarly journals Carbohydrate–carbohydrate interaction provides adhesion force and specificity for cellular recognition

2004 ◽  
Vol 165 (4) ◽  
pp. 529-537 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iwona Bucior ◽  
Simon Scheuring ◽  
Andreas Engel ◽  
Max M. Burger
Keyword(s):  
Adhesion Force ◽  
Species Specificity ◽  
Live Cells ◽  
Sponge Cell ◽  
Cell Recognition ◽  
Adhesion Forces ◽  
Cellular Recognition ◽  
Strong Adhesion ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Cell Cell

The adhesion force and specificity in the first experimental evidence for cell–cell recognition in the animal kingdom were assigned to marine sponge cell surface proteoglycans. However, the question whether the specificity resided in a protein or carbohydrate moiety could not yet be resolved. Here, the strength and species specificity of cell–cell recognition could be assigned to a direct carbohydrate–carbohydrate interaction. Atomic force microscopy measurements revealed equally strong adhesion forces between glycan molecules (190–310 piconewtons) as between proteins in antibody–antigen interactions (244 piconewtons). Quantitative measurements of adhesion forces between glycans from identical species versus glycans from different species confirmed the species specificity of the interaction. Glycan-coated beads aggregated according to their species of origin, i.e., the same way as live sponge cells did. Live cells also demonstrated species selective binding to glycans coated on surfaces. These findings confirm for the first time the existence of relatively strong and species-specific recognition between surface glycans, a process that may have significant implications in cellular recognition.

scholarly journals Tracking interspecies transmission and long-term evolution of an ancient retrovirus using the genomes of modern mammals

eLife ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
William E Diehl ◽  
Nirali Patel ◽  
Kate Halm ◽  
Welkin E Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Record ◽  
Viral Infections ◽  
Endogenous Retroviruses ◽  
Interspecies Transmission ◽  
Viral Spread ◽  
Protein Functions ◽  
History Of ◽  
Mammalian Genomes ◽  
Retroviral Infections

Mammalian genomes typically contain hundreds of thousands of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs), derived from ancient retroviral infections. Using this molecular 'fossil' record, we reconstructed the natural history of a specific retrovirus lineage (ERV-Fc) that disseminated widely between ~33 and ~15 million years ago, corresponding to the Oligocene and early Miocene epochs. Intercontinental viral spread, numerous instances of interspecies transmission and emergence in hosts representing at least 11 mammalian orders, and a significant role for recombination in diversification of this viral lineage were also revealed. By reconstructing the canonical retroviral genes, we identified patterns of adaptation consistent with selection to maintain essential viral protein functions. Our results demonstrate the unique potential of the ERV fossil record for studying the processes of viral spread and emergence as they play out across macro-evolutionary timescales, such that looking back in time may prove insightful for predicting the long-term consequences of newly emerging viral infections.

scholarly journals Effects of reindeer grazing and recovery after cessation of grazing on the ground-dwelling spider assemblage in Finnish Lapland

PeerJ ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. e7330
Author(s):  
Teemu Saikkonen ◽  
Varpu Vahtera ◽  
Seppo Koponen ◽  
Otso Suominen
Keyword(s):  
Species Richness ◽  
Rangifer Tarandus ◽  
Forest Ecosystems ◽  
Grazing Pressure ◽  
Ground Vegetation ◽  
Total Abundance ◽  
Finnish Lapland ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
The Impact

The effect of reindeer Rangifer tarandus L. grazing on the ground-dwelling spider assemblage in Northern Finland was studied. Changes in species richness, abundance and evenness of spider assemblages were analyzed in relation to changes in vegetation and environmental factors in long term grazed and ungrazed sites as well as sites that had recently switched from grazed to ungrazed and vice versa. Grazing was found to have a significant impact on height and biomass of lichens and other ground vegetation. However, it seemed not to have an impact on the total abundance of spiders. This is likely caused by opposing family and species level responses of spiders to the grazing regime. Lycosid numbers were highest in grazed and linyphiid numbers in ungrazed areas. Lycosidae species richness was highest in ungrazed areas whereas Linyphiidae richness showed no response to grazing. Four Linyphiidae, one Thomisidae and one Lycosidae species showed strong preference for specific treatments. Sites that had recovered from grazing for nine years and the sites that were grazed for the last nine years but were previously ungrazed resembled the long term grazed sites. The results emphasize the importance of reindeer as a modifier of boreal forest ecosystems but the impact of reindeer grazing on spiders seems to be family and species specific. The sites with reversed grazing treatment demonstrate that recovery from strong grazing pressure at these high latitudes is a slow process whereas reindeer can rapidly change the conditions in previously ungrazed sites similar to long term heavily grazed conditions.

scholarly journals General Concept of Neo-institutional Measurements of Business Processes

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 28-80
Author(s):  
Arkadiusz J. Derkacz
Keyword(s):  
Process Management ◽  
Institutional Economics ◽  
Business Processes ◽  
Thought Experiment ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Daily Basis ◽  
General Concept ◽  
New Institutional Economics ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency

Abstract Objective: General concept of neo-institutional measurements of business processes is an approach developed by the author, which fits in with the practical search for appropriate methods and tools that would optimize effectiveness and efficiency of business process management. The objective of the following discussion is to prove the thesis that effectiveness of business processes that take place within a company depends on the quality of support of such processes that is included in the set of supporting factors, as well as on neo-institutional determinants of business processes. Methodology: In the article, the author used primarily long-term observations of the functioning of enterprises, critical literature analysis and thought experiment. Findings: The concept was based on long-term of author’s experience in business management and it was essentially grounded in the model of the new institutional economics. On the basis of critical analysis of the literature and with the use of empirical research results from different industries and countries, it defines four hypotheses, which make ground for the concept in question. These are: hypothesis of rational change of condition, hypothesis of expected determinants of business processes, hypothesis of rational determinants of business processes and intensity of impact hypothesis. Value Added: The concept presents a new holistic and behavioral method for business processes analysis. Recommendations: The general concept of neo-institutional measurements of business processes may become a new economic approach concerning the issues of effectiveness and efficiency of business processes, but also it may become the ground for creation of a new catalogue of recommendations for managers, who, on a daily basis, make difficult managerial decisions.

Social spiders and hybrid webs at Studio Tomás Saraceno

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 161-169 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sasha Engelmann
Keyword(s):  
Specific Production ◽  
Social Spiders ◽  
Visual Material ◽  
Social Encounter ◽  
Species Specific

A spider’s web is the species-specific production of spacetime; it is an aesthetic as well as an evolutionary, metabolic and climatic achievement. As part of a long-term engagement with spiders and their webs, the artist Tomás Saraceno has collaborated with populations of spiders and other creatures to produce hybrid webs. The processual and patterned production of hybrid webs at Studio Tomás Saraceno inspires thought on the axes of more-than-human sympoeisis, on collaboration between and across multitudes of creatures, and on a spectrum of social and semi-social encounter between different species. Through interviews, storytelling, visual material and critical description, this paper develops a notion of hybrid webs as philosophical-aesthetic propositions for multispecies sociality.

Treatment of cystoid macular oedema secondary to pentosan polysulfate maculopathy using anti-VEGF and intravitreal steroid injections

2021 ◽  
pp. 112067212110663
Author(s):  
Samantha Roshani De Silva ◽  
Isuru De Silva ◽  
Bishwanath Pal
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Outcomes ◽  
Macular Oedema ◽  
Therapeutic Options ◽  
Cystoid Macular Oedema ◽  
Pentosan Polysulfate ◽  
Steroid Injections ◽  
Anti Vegf ◽  
Drug Cessation

Background Pentosan polysulfate-related maculopathy is a recently described clinical entity, related to dose and long term use of this medication, and may progress despite drug cessation. Cystoid macular oedema (CMO) has been reported in some cases, but there are few reports of treatment outcomes in the literature. Aims We present the case of a 55 year old female, with CMO secondary to pentosan polysulfate maculopathy, that was responsive to treatment with both intravitreal anti-VEGF and steroid injections, stabilising vision over a four year follow up period. Conclusions This is the first report, to our knowledge, of CMO related to pentosan polysulfate maculopathy responding to intravitreal steroid injections, broadening the therapeutic options for preserving vision in these patients.

scholarly journals Perceptions of Similarity Can Mislead Provenancing Strategies—An Example from Five Co-Distributed Acacia Species

Diversity ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 306
Author(s):  
Maurizio Rossetto ◽  
Peter D. Wilson ◽  
Jason Bragg ◽  
Joel Cohen ◽  
Monica Fahey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Genetic Data ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Specific Data ◽  
Acacia Species ◽  
Simple Observation ◽  
Source Plant ◽  
Species Specific

Ecological restoration requires balancing levels of genetic diversity to achieve present-day establishment as well as long-term sustainability. Assumptions based on distributional, taxonomic or functional generalizations are often made when deciding how to source plant material for restoration. We investigate this assumption and ask whether species-specific data is required to optimize provenancing strategies. We use population genetic and environmental data from five congeneric and largely co-distributed species of Acacia to specifically ask how different species-specific genetic provenancing strategies are based on empirical data and how well a simple, standardized collection strategy would work when applied to the same species. We find substantial variability in terms of patterns of genetic diversity and differentiation across the landscape among these five co-distributed Acacia species. This variation translates into substantial differences in genetic provenancing recommendations among species (ranging from 100% to less than 1% of observed genetic variation across species) that could not have been accurately predicted a priori based on simple observation or overall distributional patterns. Furthermore, when a common provenancing strategy was applied to each species, the recommended collection areas and the evolutionary representativeness of such artificially standardized areas were substantially different (smaller) from those identified based on environmental and genetic data. We recommend the implementation of the increasingly accessible array of evolutionary-based methodologies and information to optimize restoration efforts.

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