Diverse Animal Research Articles

Sodium content in plant and insect food resources consumed by chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) in Gombe National Park, Tanzania.

Many nonhuman primate diets are dominated by plant foods, yet plant tissues are often poor sources of sodium-a necessary mineral for metabolism and health. Among primates, chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), which are ripe fruit specialists, consume diverse animal, and plant resources. Insects have been proposed as a source of dietary sodium for chimpanzees, yet published data on sodium values for specific foods are limited. We assayed plants and insects commonly eaten by chimpanzees to assess their relative value as sodium sources. We used atomic absorption spectroscopy to determine sodium content of key plant foods and insects consumed by chimpanzees of Gombe National Park, Tanzania. Dietary contributions of plant and insect foods were calculated using feeding observational data. On a dry matter basis, mean sodium value of plant foods (n = 83 samples; mean = 86 ppm, SD = 92 ppm) was significantly lower than insects (n = 12; mean = 1549 ppm, SD = 807 ppm) (Wilcoxon rank sum test: W = 975, p < 0.001). All plant values were below the suggested sodium requirement (2000 ppm) for captive primates. While values of assayed insects were variable, sodium content of two commonly consumed insect prey for Gombe chimpanzees (Macrotermes soldiers and Dorylus ants) were four to five times greater than the highest plant values and likely meet requirements. We conclude that plant foods available to Gombe chimpanzees are generally poor sources of sodium while insects are important, perhaps critical, sources of sodium for this population.

A systematic review on potential analogy of phytobiomass and soil carbon evaluation methods: Ethiopia insights

Abstract Forests play a crucial role in mitigating the impacts of climate change by sequestering carbon in their biomass and soil. However, Ethiopia faces the threat of soil carbon emissions due to deforestation and continuous cultivation. This study reviewed the analogies in phytobiomass and soil carbon evaluation methods in Ethiopia. Index-base and year-wise analysis methods were used for the compilation of the study. Developing nations, such as Ethiopia, duly enhance resilient measures to assess forest carbon stocks for effective climate change mitigation, particularly with reference to emissions from deforestation and degradation. Even though more than 90% of Ethiopia’s energy comes from forest biomass, deforestation significantly affects the carbon stored in aboveground biomass, which is the largest reservoir. Estimating forest biomass and carbon emissions entails uncertainties, with error ranges around ±50% for aboveground pools and ±90% for soil carbon pools. Various tier methodologies are employed by experts to estimate forest biomass and carbon stock emissions, with Tier 2 factors serving as default emissions but country-specific factors offering improved accuracy over Tier 1. Tier 3 methodologies require highly specific inventory data on carbon stocks in different pools and common measurements of key carbon stocks. Forest conservation enhances biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and essential ecosystem services, fostering soil health, regulating water cycles, and supporting diverse plant and animal species. In conclusion, directing efforts towards forest conservation not only helps maintain biodiversity and ecosystem services but also significantly contributes to mitigating climate change by enhancing carbon storage capacities and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Foot and mouth disease vaccine efficacy in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Several factors, such as diverse serotypes, vaccination methods, weak biosecurity, and animal movements, contribute to recurrent Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) outbreaks in Africa, establishing endemicity. These outbreaks cost over $2 billion annually, prompting a high-priority focus on FMDV vaccination. Despite extensive efforts, vaccine efficacy varies. This study aims to evaluate routine foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccines in Africa via systematic review and meta-analysis. A systematic review and meta-analysis were carried out following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Meta-analysis was conducted to assess the efficacy of FMDV vaccination using the meta for package of R. Vaccinated animals have roughly a 69.3% lower chance of FMDV infection compared to unvaccinated animals, as indicated by the pooled results from the random-effects model, which showed a risk ratio (RR) of 0.3073. There was a statistically significant heterogeneity (p < 0.05) across all of the included articles. Overall findings suggest that if properly planned and implemented, FMDV vaccination programs and strategies in Africa could help control the spread of the disease throughout the continent and beyond.

Neighborhood ethnicity is related to mammal occupancy and activity across a desert metropolitan area

AbstractCities support abundant human and wildlife populations that are shaped indirectly and directly by human decisions, often resulting in unequal access to environmental services and accessible open spaces. Urban land cover drives biodiversity patterns across metropolitan areas, but at smaller scales that matter to local residents, neighborhood socio‐cultural factors can influence the presence and abundance of wildlife. Neighborhood income is associated with plant and animal diversity in some cities, but the influence of other social variables is less well understood, especially across desert ecosystems. We explored wildlife distribution across gradients of neighborhood ethnicity in addition to income and landscape characteristics within residential areas of metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Utilizing data from 38 wildlife cameras deployed in public parks and undeveloped open spaces within or near suburban neighborhoods, we estimated occupancy and activity patterns of common mammal species, including species native to the Sonoran Desert (coyote [Canis latrans] and desert cottontail rabbit [Sylvilagus audubonii]), and non‐native domestic cat (Felis catus). Neighborhood ethnicity (percentage of Latino residents) appeared to exhibit a negative relationship with occupancy for coyotes and cottontail rabbits. Additionally, daily activity patterns of coyotes occurred later in the evenings and mornings in neighborhoods with higher proportions of Latino residents, but activity was unaffected by differences in neighborhood income. This study is one of the first to show that social‐ecological mechanisms associated with patterns of neighborhood ethnicity as well as income may help to shape wildlife distribution in cities. These findings have implications for equitable management and provisioning of ecosystem services for urban residents and highlight the importance of considering a range of social covariates to better understand biodiversity outcomes in urban and urbanizing areas.

Identification of Bacteria Associated in the Small Intestine of White-Tailed Forest Rat (Maxomys hellwandii) in South Minahasa Regency, North Sulawesi

Sulawesi Island in the Wallaceae line area has diverse endemic animals, including the white-tailed forest rats. White-tailed forest rat (Maxomys hellwandii) is one of the endemic animals in North Sulawesi, so this study aimed to determine the type of bacterial genus in the small intestine of Maxomys hellwandii. This research used a laboratory-based qualitative descriptive method using a pour plate isolation method and bacterial identification based on morphological, and physiological characters with biochemical tests. The small intestines of Maxomys hellwandii taken from the South Minahasa forest area, North Sulawesi were used as samples of this research. The results of the study obtained 22 isolates of bacteria that were successfully isolated and have been identified based on morphological characteristics, and physiology with biochemical tests based on the book Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology suspected 14 isolates as genus Bacillus and 8 isolates as genus Lactobacillus.

Unveiling the power of proteomics in advancing tropical animal health and production.

Proteomics, the large-scale study of proteins in biological systems has emerged as a pivotal tool in the field of animal and veterinary sciences, mainly for investigating local and rustic breeds. Proteomics provides valuable insights into biological processes underlying animal growth, reproduction, health, and disease. In this review, we highlight the key proteomics technologies, methodologies, and their applications in domestic animals, particularly in the tropical context. We also discuss advances in proteomics research, including integration of multi-omics data, single-cell proteomics, and proteogenomics, all of which are promising for improving animal health, adaptation, welfare, and productivity. However, proteomics research in domestic animals faces challenges, such as sample preparation variation, data quality control, privacy and ethical considerations relating to animal welfare. We also provide recommendations for overcoming these challenges, emphasizing the importance of following best practices in sample preparation, data quality control, and ethical compliance. We therefore aim for this review to harness the full potential of proteomics in advancing our understanding of animal biology and ultimately improve animal health and productivity in local breeds of diverse animal species in a tropical context.

Energy-based corridor identification for mammals between protected areas in Iran.

Body mass plays a crucial role in determining the mass-specific energy expenditure during terrestrial locomotion across diverse animal taxa, affecting locomotion patterns. The energy landscape concept offers a framework to explore the relationship between landscape characteristics and energy expenditure, enhancing our understanding of animal movement. Although the energy landscape approach solely considers the topographic obstacles faced by animals, its suitability compared to previous methods for constructing resistance maps and delineating corridors has not been comprehensively examined. In this study, we utilized the enerscape R package to generate resistance maps in kilocalories (kcal) by incorporating digital elevation models (DEMs) and body size data (kg). We assigned body sizes ranging from 0.5 to 100 kg to encompass a wide range of small and large mammals in Iran, adjusting maximum dispersal distances accordingly from 50 to 200 km. By analyzing these scenarios, we produced four resistance maps for each body size. Next, we identified potential corridors between terrestrial protected areas in Iran using the Linkage Mapper toolkit and examined barriers and pinch-points along these paths. Our study revealed significant findings regarding the shared corridors between small and large mammals in Iran's landscape. Despite their differing body sizes and energy requirements, many corridors were found to be utilized by both small and large mammal species. For example, we identified 206 corridors for mammals weighing 500 g, which were also recognized as the least-cost paths for 100 kg mammals. Thus, embracing a comprehensive method in resistance map creation, one that incorporates species-specific traits and human infrastructure becomes imperative for accurately identifying least-cost paths and consequently pinpointing pinch points and barriers.

A study on the intertidal animal diversity of Xia-Sanheng Island by using morphological and DNA barcoding identification

Intertidal animals are an essential part of the ecosystem, and species diversity can reflect the state of the local ecological environment. However, traditional morphological identification is prone to corresponding classification errors or research limitations. With the development of molecular biology, many techniques and bioinformatics classification methods have been applied to identify species efficiently in recent years. This research aimed to examine the feasibility of DNA barcoding within the identification of intertidal animal species collected from the Xia-Sanheng Island. A total of 41 cox1 gene sequences were obtained by experimentalization or downloaded from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database. Then morphological classification, molecular identification, phylogenetic tree analysis, and Automatic Barcode Gap Discovery (ABGD) method were used to analyze the animal samples. We found that although the molecular classification of molluscs was not accurate enough, the collected specimens could be divided into 15 species, 12 families, and 4 phyla. Tetraclita japonica, Thais luteostoma, and Mytilus coruscus were the dominant species on the Xia-Sanheng Island. Additionally, there may be a new species, Platynereis sp., which needs further confirmation. We suggest that further identification of marine biodiversity should be carried out by combining morphological and molecular biological methods.

Application of Cognitive Load Theory in VR Development and Its Impact on Learning: A Perspective on Prior Knowledge, Learning Interest, Engagement, and Content Comprehension

This research examines the utilization of Virtual Reality (VR) and its implications for the learning process, specifically focusing on learning interest, prior knowledge, learning engagement, and content comprehension. The central objective is to establish a comprehensive model that unravels the intricate interplay between these factors within the context of VR-based learning. The study also aims to shed light on the impact of integrating Cognitive Load Theory into VR development and its effects on the learning experience. Adopting an observational design, this study elucidates the intricate relationships among learning interest, prior knowledge, learning engagement, and content comprehension in VR-based education. The VR technology employed in this research has previously undergone rigorous feasibility testing. The VR application was designed following cognitive load theory principles. Its immersive content offers users a lifelike immersion into the natural habitats of diverse animal species across various global regions. By leveraging VR technology, elementary school students engage in a more profound and authentic learning journey. A total of 85 participants, encompassing fourth and fifth-grade elementary school students, were involved in the study. These students were drawn from schools situated in rural areas in particular regions in Indonesia and had moderate to low economic backgrounds. The variables under examination include Prior Knowledge, Learning Interest, Engagement, and Content Comprehension as learning outcomes. Data analysis was conducted utilizing a blend of linear regression and path analysis techniques, with a confidence level of 95%. The Guttman scale questionnaire was used, and total scores were transformed into a ratio scale through a conversion process. The study reveals a positive correlation between learning interest and learning outcomes, highlighting that a strong interest in a subject contributes to improved learning results. Additionally, both learning interest and prior knowledge influence learning engagement. Students with higher learning interests and prior knowledge are more likely to actively engage in the learning process actively, underscoring internal factors' role in motivating participation. Learning engagement moderates the relationships between learning interest, prior knowledge, and learning outcomes. By enhancing the effect of learning interest and prior knowledge on learning outcomes, engagement enables more comprehensive and practical information processing.

Assessing the extent and connectivity of animal burrows using smoke: a practical tool for levee inspections

This short communication presents a practical tool for assessing the subsurface connectivity of animal burrows, with emphasis on its potential for early detection and evaluation of animal-induced damages in levees that can compromise the structure during high water emergencies. Drawing inspiration from fundamental biology research and plumbing leak testing, the technique involves injection of coloured smoke into burrows using smoke bombs. A leaf blower then propels the smoke through the burrow network, enabling the identification of openings and providing insights into subsurface connections. Systematically tested in various environments and applied to investigate burrow networks of diverse animal species, including crabs, voles, and moles, the results underscore the efficacy of the smoke test as a rapid, non-destructive, and cost-effective approach for detecting interconnected burrow networks.

Metaproteomic analysis of King Ghezo tomb wall (Abomey, Benin) confirms 19th century voodoo sacrifices.

The palace of King Ghezo in Abomey, capital of the ancient kingdom of Dahomey (present-day Benin), houses two sacred huts which are specific funerary structures. It is claimed that the binder in their walls is made of human blood. In the study presented here, we conceived an original strategy to analyze the proteins present on minute amounts of the cladding sampled from the inner facade of the cenotaph wall and establish their origin. The extracted proteins were proteolyzed and the resulting peptides were characterized by high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry. Over 6397 distinct molecular entities were identified using cascading searches. Starting from without a priori searches of an extended generic database, the peptide repertoire was narrowed down to the most representative organisms-identified by means of taxon-specific peptides. A wide diversity of bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals were detected through the available protein material. This inventory was used to archaeologically reconstruct the voodoo rituals of consecration and maintenance of vitality. Several indicators attested to the presence of traces of human and poultry blood in the material taken. This study shows the essential advantages of paleoproteomics and metaproteomics for the study of ancient residues from archaeological excavations or historical monuments.

Once Is Not Enough: Seasonal Patterns in Abundance of Hydromedusae Are Not Consistent in the Coastal Waters of the Bay of Panama.

Hydromedusae and other gelatinous zooplankton are poorly understood but important consumers in the plankton. Blooms of large-bodied medusae which may have detrimental ecological impacts have captured significant attention, yet the seasonal patterns of local abundance and diversity, and the factors that control them, are not well documented for the much more diverse tiny hydromedusae. There is virtually no published information on their phenology or ecology in tropical coastal systems. It has previously been suggested that increased productivity stimulated by upwelling promotes production of tiny hydromedusa and blooms as their abundance can be much higher during upwelling than during non-upwelling periods in the tropics. However, this conclusion was based on a single year of sampling in the Bay of Panama. To determine if a single year of sampling is sufficient to understand seasonal patterns in abundance and occurrence of blooms, we repeated this study 20 years later. Sampling 153 times between April 2022 and April 2023, we found similar genus-level diversity and overall counts of animals compared to the previous study, with medusae of Bougainvillia, Campalecium, Obelia, and Turritopsis accounting for 79% of the animals collected. However, we found that relative abundance was much higher during the non-upwelling season compared to the upwelling season, the opposite result compared to the previous study. These results highlight how strong baseline understanding of phenologies and the ecological conclusions drawn from them must be based on multiple years of data, even in regions with very strong seasonal changes in environmental conditions. In the case of the upwelling regions of the Tropical Eastern Pacific, further research is necessary to understand the generalizability of these patterns, and to determine if contrasting results are due to inter-annual differences in oceanographic drivers or changing environmental baselines.

Evaluation of Water and Sediment Quality in Lake Mogan, Türkiye

The wetlands, with their delicate ecosystems, play a crucial role in regulating water regimes and supporting diverse plant and animal communities, particularly those associated with water habitats. Mogan Lake, located within the Gölbaşı Special Environmental Protection Area, stands out as a unique habitat, hosting over 200 bird species. This study aimed to assess the current water quality of Mogan Lake by analysing various water quality variables. Three sampling sites, representing the northern, middle, and southern parts of the lake, were selected to examine both surface water and bottom sludge characteristics through the analysis of 29 pollutant variables. Water samples were collected from 30 cm beneath the water surface and 50 cm above the bottom of the lake. Sediment samples were collected from the sludge at the lake basin. Additionally, to understand their impact on the lake’s water quality, 26 pollutants were also measured in water samples taken from the five main streams that feed the lake. The results reveal a significant level of organic pollution in the lake, along with elevated nitrogen levels indicating hypertrophic conditions. Although organic pollutants were detected in the lake bottom sediment through analysis, they are considered non-hazardous in terms of heavy metals and other inorganic variables.

Unveiling South African insect diversity: DNA barcoding’s contribution to biodiversity data

Insects are one of the most species-rich groups on Earth. They comprise much of animal diversity and play vital roles in ecosystems, including pollination, pest control, and decomposition. However, only a fraction of this diversity has been formally described. South Africa is recognised as one of the most biologically diverse countries globally, with an estimated 44 000 insect species. Many crops rely on insect pollinators, including canola, apples, oranges, and sunflowers. A shortage of wild pollinators currently threatens crop yields, yet our knowledge of insect diversity within South Africa is sparse. There are few taxonomic specialists relative to South Africa’s biodiversity, and the methods used for insect identification can be time-consuming and expensive. DNA barcoding provides an important research tool to accelerate insect biodiversity research. In this review, we queried the public DNA barcoding BOLD (Barcode of Life Data System) database for records of “Insecta” within South Africa, and 416 211 published records assigned to 28 239 unique BINs (Barcode Index Numbers) were returned. We identified five taxonomic orders with more BINs than known species in southern Africa (Hymenoptera, Diptera, Thysanoptera, Plecoptera, and Strepsiptera). Most of the barcoded records were derived from Malaise trap sampling in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo, while the rest of South Africa remains poorly sampled. We suggest that there is a need for a comprehensive national sampling effort alongside increased investment in taxonomic expertise to generate critical baseline data on insect biodiversity before species are lost to extinction.

Adenosine A3 Receptor: From Molecular Signaling to Therapeutic Strategies for Heart Diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), particularly heart failure, are major contributors to early mortality globally. Heart failure poses a significant public health problem, with persistently poor long-term outcomes and an overall unsatisfactory prognosis for patients. Conventionally, treatments for heart failure have focused on lowering blood pressure; however, the development of more potent therapies targeting hemodynamic parameters presents challenges, including tolerability and safety risks, which could potentially restrict their clinical effectiveness. Adenosine has emerged as a key mediator in CVDs, acting as a retaliatory metabolite produced during cellular stress via ATP metabolism, and works as a signaling molecule regulating various physiological processes. Adenosine functions by interacting with different adenosine receptor (AR) subtypes expressed in cardiac cells, including A1AR, A2AAR, A2BAR, and A3AR. In addition to A1AR, A3AR has a multifaceted role in the cardiovascular system, since its activation contributes to reducing the damage to the heart in various pathological states, particularly ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and hypertension, although its role is not as well documented compared to other AR subtypes. Research on A3AR signaling has focused on identifying the intricate molecular mechanisms involved in CVDs through various pathways, including Gi or Gq protein-dependent signaling, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, MAPKs, and G protein-independent signaling. Several A3AR-specific agonists, such as piclidenoson and namodenoson, exert cardioprotective impacts during ischemia in the diverse animal models of heart disease. Thus, modulating A3ARs serves as a potential therapeutic approach, fueling considerable interest in developing compounds that target A3ARs as potential treatments for heart diseases.

Characterization of tryptanthrin as an antibacterial reagent inhibiting Vibrio splendidus

Isolates of Vibrio splendidus are ubiquitously presented in various marine environments, and they can infect diverse marine culture animals, leading to high mortality and economic loss. Therefore, a control strategy of the infection caused by V. splendidus is urgently recommended. Tryptanthrin is a naturally extracted bioactive chemical with antimicrobial activity to other bacteria. In this study, the effects of tryptanthrin on the bacterial growth and virulence-related factors of one pathogenic strain V. splendidus AJ01 were determined. Tryptanthrin (10 μg/mL) could completely inhibit the growth of V. splendidus AJ01. The virulence-related factors of V. splendidus AJ01 were affected in the presence of tryptanthrin. Tryptanthrin resulted an increase in biofilm formation, but lead to reduction in the motility and hemolytic activity of V. splendidus cells. In the cells treated with tryptanthrin, two distinctly differentially expressed extracellular proteins, proteases and flagellum, were identified using SDS–PAGE combined with LC–MS. Real-time reverse transcriptase PCR confirmed that the genes involved in the flagellar formation and hemolysin decreased, whereas specific extracellular proteases and the genes involved in the biofilm formation were upregulated. Two previously annotated luxOVs genes were cloned, and their expression levels were analyzed at different cell densities. Molecular docking was performed to predict the interaction between LuxOVs and ATP/tryptanthrin. The two sigma-54-dependent transcriptional regulators showed similar ATP or tryptanthrin binding capacity but with different sites, and the direct competitive binding between ATP and tryptanthrin was present only in their binding to LuxO1. These results indicated that tryptanthrin can be used as a bactericide of V. splendidus by inhibiting the growth, bacterial flagella, and extracellular proteases, but increasing the biofilm. Sigma-54-dependent transcriptional regulator, especially the quorum sensing regulatory protein LuxO1, was determined to be the potential target of tryptanthrin.Key points• Tryptanthrin inhibited the growth of V. splendidus in a dose-dependent manner.• The effect of tryptanthrin on the virulence factors of V. splendidus was characterized.• LuxO was the potential target for tryptanthrin based on molecular docking.

Larval development of Holothuria tubulosa, a new tractable system for evo-devo

To explore animal diversity, new experimentally tractable organisms must be established. Echinoderms include five groups of marine animals that have been used as developmental models for over a century thanks to their low costs, high fecundity, optically clear larvae and genetic tractability. An additional advantage of echinoderms is that their larval forms display diverse morphologies. This rich diversity enables comparative studies to investigate the evolutionary relationships among cell types, tissues, and organs. However, reproducible protocols to obtain gametes, detailed information on embryogenesis, and genomic tools have been optimized only for selected species of sea urchins and sea stars. To address this gap, we established the abundant Mediterranean sea cucumber Holothuria tubulosa as a new experimental system. Here we describe a method to reliably obtain gametes and make embryonic cultures multiple times from the same animal and characterize unique larval tissues combining immunohistochemistry and high-resolution microscopy. This work represents a step forward in our understanding of holothurian development and establishes H. tubulosa as an emerging experimental system for evo-devo and other biological disciplines.

Adhesive anti-fibrotic interfaces on diverse organs

Implanted biomaterials and devices face compromised functionality and efficacy in the long term owing to foreign body reactions and subsequent formation of fibrous capsules at the implant–tissue interfaces1–4. Here we demonstrate that an adhesive implant–tissue interface can mitigate fibrous capsule formation in diverse animal models, including rats, mice, humanized mice and pigs, by reducing the level of infiltration of inflammatory cells into the adhesive implant–tissue interface compared to the non-adhesive implant–tissue interface. Histological analysis shows that the adhesive implant–tissue interface does not form observable fibrous capsules on diverse organs, including the abdominal wall, colon, stomach, lung and heart, over 12 weeks in vivo. In vitro protein adsorption, multiplex Luminex assays, quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence analysis and RNA sequencing are additionally carried out to validate the hypothesis. We further demonstrate long-term bidirectional electrical communication enabled by implantable electrodes with an adhesive interface over 12 weeks in a rat model in vivo. These findings may offer a promising strategy for long-term anti-fibrotic implant–tissue interfaces.

Developing a PmSLP3-based vaccine formulation that provides robust long-lasting protection against hemorrhagic septicemia-causing serogroup B and E strains of Pasteurella multocida in cattle.

Pasteurella multocida is a bacterial pathogen that causes a variety of infections across diverse animal species, with one of the most devastating associated diseases being hemorrhagic septicemia. Outbreaks of hemorrhagic septicemia in cattle and buffaloes are marked by rapid progression and high mortality. These infections have particularly harmful socio-economic impacts on small holder farmers in Africa and Asia who are heavily reliant on a small number of animals kept as a means of subsistence for milk and draft power purposes. A novel vaccine target, PmSLP-3, has been identified on the surface of hemorrhagic septicemia-associated strains of P. multocida and was previously shown to elicit robust protection in cattle against lethal challenge with a serogroup B strain. Here, we further investigate the protective efficacy of this surface lipoprotein, including evaluating the immunogenicity and protection upon formulation with a variety of adjuvants in both mice and cattle. PmSLP-3 formulated with Montanide ISA 61 elicited the highest level of serum and mucosal IgG, elicited long-lasting serum antibodies, and was fully protective against serogroup B challenge. Studies were then performed to identify the minimum number of doses required and the needed protein quantity to maintain protection. Duration studies were performed in cattle, demonstrating sustained serum IgG titres for 3 years after two doses of vaccine and full protection against lethal serogroup B challenge at 7 months after a single vaccine dose. Finally, a serogroup E challenge study was performed, demonstrating that PmSLP-3 vaccine can provide protection against challenge by the two serogroups responsible for hemorrhagic septicemia. Together, these data indicate that PmSLP-3 formulated with Montanide ISA 61 is an immunogenic and protective vaccine against hemorrhagic septicemia-causing P. multocida strains in cattle.

Novel locally nebulized indocyanine green for simultaneous identification of tumor margin and intersegmental plane.

Segmentectomy, recommended for early-stage lung cancer or compromised lung function, demands precise tumor detection and intersegmental plane identification. While indocyanine green (ICG) commonly aids in these aspects using near-infrared imaging, its separate administrations through different routes and times can lead to complications and patient anxiety. This study aims to develop a lung-specific delivery method by nebulizing low-dose ICG to targeted lung segments, allowing simultaneous detection of lung tumors and intersegmental planes across diverse animal models. To optimizing the dose of ICG for lung tumor and interlobar fissure detection, different doses of ICG (0.25, 0.1, and 0.05mg/kg) were nebulized to rabbit lung tumor models. The distribution of locally nebulized ICG in targeted segments was studied to evaluate the feasibility of detecting lung tumor and intersegmental planes in canine lung pseudotumor models. Near-infrared fluorescence imaging demonstrated clear visualization of lung tumor margin and interlobar fissure using local nebulization of 0.1mg/kg ICG for only 4min during surgery in the rabbit models. In the canine model, the local nebulization of 0.05mg/kg of ICG into the target segment enabled clear visualization of pseudotumor and intersegmental planes for 30min. This innovative approach achieves a reduction in ICG dose and prolonged the visualization time of the intersegmental plane and effectively eliminates the need for the hurried marking of tumors and intersegmental planes. The authors anticipate that lung-specific delivery of ICG will prove valuable for image-guided limited resection of lung tumors in clinical practice.