Aggregation of Leopardus geoffroyi hybrid embryos with domestic cat tetraploid blastomeres

Heterospecific embryo transfer of an endangered species has been carried out using recipients from related domestic females. Aggregation of an embryo from an endangered species with a tetraploid embryo from the species to be transferred could improve the development of pregnancy to term. The main objective of the present study was to analyze embryo aggregation in domestic cat model using hybrid embryos. For this purpose, we compared in vitro development of synchronic (Sync) or asynchronic (Async) and asynchronic with a tetraploid (Async4n) aggregation of domestic cat IVF embryos. Furthermore, aggregated blastocyst quality was analyzed by evaluation of the total cell number, cell allocation by mitotrackers staining of embryonic cells, expression of Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, Cdx2 genes, number of OCT4+ nuclei, and presence of DNA fragmentation. Additionally, the developmental rates of Async4n aggregation of domestic cat with Leopardus geoffroyi hybrid (hLg) embryos were evaluated. Async aggregation increased blastocyst cell number and the number of OCT4+ nuclei as compared to non-aggregated diploid (2n) and tetraploid (4n) embryos. Moreover, blastocysts produced by Async4n aggregation showed reduced rates of fragmented DNA. No differences were found in the expression of the pluripotent genes, with exception of the Cdx2 expression, which was higher in 4n and aggregated embryos as compared to the control group. Interestingly, hybrids embryos derived by Async4n aggregation with domestic cat embryos had similar rates of blastocysts development as the control. Altogether, the findings support the use of two-cell-fused embryos to generate tetraploid blastomeres and demonstrate that Async4n aggregation generates good quality embryos.

Vaccine Development for Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), which is caused by SFTS virus (SFTSV), is a tick-borne emerging zoonosis with a high case-fatality rate. At present, there is no approved SFTS vaccine, although the development of a vaccine would be one of the best strategies for preventing SFTS. This article focused on studies aimed at establishing small animal models of SFTS that are indispensable for evaluating vaccine candidates, developing these vaccine candidates, and establishing more practical animal models for evaluation. Innate immune-deficient mouse models, a hamster model, an immunocompetent ferret model and a cat model have been developed for SFTS. Several vaccine candidates for SFTS have been developed, and their efficacy has been confirmed using these animal models. The candidates consist of live-attenuated virus-based, viral vector-based, or DNA-based vaccines. SFTS vaccines are expected to be used for humans and companion dogs and cats. Hence for practical use, the vaccine candidates should be evaluated for efficacy using not only nonhuman primates but also dogs and cats. There is no practical nonhuman primate model of SFTS; however, the cat model is available to evaluate the efficacy of these candidate SFTS vaccines on domesticated animals.

Intersections between hydrological research and hydrological practice – a Natural Catastrophe modeller perspective

<p>This presentation is going to address some of the main commonalities between hydrological research and hydrological practice, from the perspective of the Natural Catastrophe (Nat Cat) model developer. For example, hydrological research on the one hand, has a strong focus on the advancement of understanding hydrological processes. The hazard component of Nat Cat flood models, on the other hand, tends to be focused more on model suitability, accuracy and precision. However, it does rely heavily on a thorough understanding of the main hydro-meteorological drivers to describe catchment processes across the relevant spatial and temporal scales, and these are incorporated to achieve model realism and robustness, in particular when extrapolating outside the range of observed regimes. The latter is of importance when modelling extremes, which by definition are scarce.</p><p>The presentation will also go into detail on the feedbacks between hydrological research and hydrological practice. For example, how the latest generation of Natural Catastrophe models benefit from the advances in hydrological research, e.g. research on large scale hydroclimatic patterns like ENSO, or climate change research. Incorporating the latest research in hydrological hazard modeling into Catastrophe Models ultimately improves the risk assessment for a set of assets. Also, large-scale flood risk models using coupled model chains that are relatively new in the hydrological research literature, have been part of the standard methodology for the Nat Cat models for a couple of decades, and might be seen as an indicator for the societal demand to perform novel research in these fields.</p>

Bladder underactivity induced by prolonged pudendal afferent activity in cats

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of pudendal nerve stimulation (PNS) on reflex bladder activity and develop an animal model of underactive bladder (UAB). In six anesthetized cats, a bladder catheter was inserted via the urethra to infuse saline and measure pressure. A cuff electrode was implanted on the pudendal nerve. After determination of the threshold intensity (T) for PNS to induce an anal twitch, PNS (5 Hz, 0.2 ms, 2 T or 4 T) was applied during cystometrograms (CMGs). PNS (4-6 T) of 30-min duration was then applied repeatedly until bladder underactivity was produced. Following stimulation, control CMGs were performed over 1.5-2 h to determine the duration of bladder underactivity. When applied during CMGs, PNS (2 T and 4 T) significantly ( P < 0.05) increased bladder capacity while PNS at 4 T also significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced bladder contraction amplitude, duration, and area under contraction curve. Repeated application of 30-min PNS for a cumulative period of 3-8 h produced bladder underactivity exhibiting a significantly ( P < 0.05) increased bladder capacity (173 ± 14% of control) and a significantly ( P < 0.05) reduced contraction amplitude (50 ± 7% of control). The bladder underactivity lasted more than 1.5-2 h after termination of the prolonged PNS. These results provide basic science evidence supporting the proposal that abnormal afferent activity from external urethral/anal sphincter could produce central inhibition that underlies nonobstructive urinary retention (NOUR) in Fowler’s syndrome. This cat model of UAB may be useful to investigate the mechanism by which sacral neuromodulation reverses NOUR in Fowler’s syndrome.

The higher degree by research student as 'master': Utilising a design thinking approach to improve learner experience in higher degree research supervision

This article presents a work-based learning and research approach to professional postgraduate education specifically in the case of Higher Degree by Research (HDR) programs. It highlights a prototype of the Cohort-based Advisory Team (CAT) model as a useful strategy. The authors propose that a design thinking approach that empathises with the student experience as the “Master” of the design reveals insights that may inform future formal higher education in the professions. An overview of the design thinking process associated with the Professional Studies programs as developed at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ) is provided. Case accounts of HDR students in the law and engineering disciplines provide exploratory evidence of the student experience. The article concludes that there is a case to be made to professional associations that this form of professional development (work-based learning and research) should be recognised in terms of the contributions it makes to the knowledge, skills and abilities of graduates.

Xenacoelomorpha flatworms are basal Deuterostome

Background: Whether position Xenacoelomorpha as an early branch of Bilateria (Protostomes + Deuterostomes) has been intensely debated during last several decades. Considering Darwin’s “tree of life”, with the “Phylogenetic Species Concept”, we choose mitochondrial genome as the subject to predict phylogenetic position of Xenacoelomorpha, by genes genealogy. Results: Herein, we sequence Heterochaerus australis’s mitochondrial genome and infer intrinsic relationships of Metazoan with Xenacoelomorpha. The optimal tree under the popular maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian phylogenetic reconstructions are consensus with each other being strongly supported. The relationship between Chordates, Ambulacrarians and Xenoturbella/Acoelomorph is resolved. To avoid previous query about alignment process, the datasets are alignmented and trimmed automatically. Reducing taxon or cutting outgroups can not affect the relationship between Xenacoelomorpha and other Metazoan. Meanwhile, analysis using CAT model and Dayhoff groups also supporting the prediction made by mtZOA, relaxing the restriction of alignment criteria ( MAFFT, strategy G–ins–1, BLOSUM 62, 45, 30 ) introducing potential misleading signals can not challenge the tree topology indicating our auto-alignmented mitochondrial dataset is not artificially restricted one. Conclusions: Finally, a repeatable prediction of the genes genealogy with reliable statistical support places Xenacoelomorpha as a basal Deuterostome.

The impact of transition type on chromatic adaptation under dual lighting conditions

Over the years, many CATs (chromatic adaptation transform), typically based on the von Kries coefficient rule, have been developed to predict the corresponding colors under different illuminants. However, these CATs were derived for uniform stimuli surrounded by a uniform adapting field. To investigate the adaptation state under spatially complex illumination, an achromatic matching experiment was conducted under dual lighting conditions with three color pairs and two transition types. It has been found that the transition type has an impact on both the equivalent chromaticity and degree of adaptation. These results can help build a comprehensive von Kries based CAT model, with considering the spatial complexity of illumination.