Pelage Research Articles

Factors associated with allergic rhinitis and combined allergic rhinitis and asthma syndrome (CARAS) in adults undergoing immunotherapy in a tropical country: Is ISAAC-III questionnaire useful in adult populations?

Allergic diseases affect about 10-30% of the population in low- or middle-income tropical countries. Few studies describe the factors associated with allergic diseases in adult patients undergoing immunotherapy in Latin American countries. This study aimed to determine the factors associated with allergic rhinitis (AR) and AR in comorbidity with asthma (CARAS) in adults treated with immunotherapy in two allergy referral centers in Bogotá (Colombia). Observational, cross-sectional study conducted between January 2018 and January 2019. ISAAC-III and sociodemographic questionnaires were applied to determine the factors associated with AR and CARAS in adults treated with immunotherapy who attended the allergy consult at the Fundación Santa Fe de Bogotá and Unimeq-Orl. Among 416 adults aged 18-68 years, 71.4% (n = 297) were women. Regarding the sensitization results obtained by skin prick test, the most frequent allergens were house dust mites (64.18%): 49.03% were positive for both Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, while 28.61% were positive for Blomia tropicalis. Excluding house dust mites, the most frequent allergens were dog hair (31.01%), cat hair (15.1%), grasses (15.9%), and food (15.9%). The main factor associated with exclusive AR was regular acetaminophen use more than four times a year: Prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.77 (95% CI: 1.12-2.25). The main factor associated with CARAS was cesarean delivery PR: 1.44 (95% CI: 1.09-1.78). The main factor associated with AR was regular acetaminophen use, while that associated with CARAS was cesarean delivery. The ISAAC-III questionnaire can be a useful low-cost tool to assess the factors associated with allergic diseases in adults in tropical countries.

English

Toxocara canis is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal parasites of dogs and other canids worldwide. The closeness shared between humans and their companion animals (dogs) exposes humans to high risk of T. canis eggs, which leads to Visceral Larva Migrans (VLM) and Ocular Larval Migrans (OLM). This cross-sectional study was design to determine the prevalence and intensity of Toxocara canis eggs on the hair of dogs in Saki town, Oyo State.  Six hundred and twenty seven (627) hair samples were collected from three regions (neck, dorsum, and peri-anal regions) of 209 dogs between July 2019 and January 2020. Socio-demographic data, associated risk factors and knowledge about the T. canis were obtained from dog owners using a structured questionnaire. Hair samples from 84 dogs were infected with eggs of T. canis giving an overall prevalence of 40.2%. Generally, a significantly higher (p?0.05) prevalence of T. canis eggs was recorded among female dogs (47.4%) than male dogs (34.2%), also among the adult dogs (48.8%) than puppies (41.6%) and the juveniles (21.3%). Higher prevalence of infection was recorded among stray (67.4%) than kenneled (20.0%). A generally low knowledge of T. canis was observed among dog owners. A bivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between the age, sex and mode of life of the dogs examined. The study concluded that dogs in the study area harbour T. canis eggs on their body especially the stray dogs and puppies hence direct contact with infected dogs could be a potential risk factor for the transmission of T. canis eggs to humans Key words: Prevalence, Eggs, Toxocara canis, Nigeria, Dogs, Saki, Zoonoses, Intensity.

Target and non-target analytical method for potential hazardous substances in livestock and pet hair using liquid- and gas chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Extraction using acetonitrile and water and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC and GC-QTOF/MS) techniques were used to screen for potential hazardous substances in livestock and pet hair. In addition, LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS techniques were used for verification of the analytical method and quantitative analysis of pesticides, veterinary drugs, mycotoxins and antioxidants in hair. Optimized sample preparation involves extracting 0.05 g of sample with 0.6 mL of ACN and 0.4 mL of distilled water. In addition, the two layers were separated by adding 0.1 g of NaCl. Then, both the ACN and water layers were analyzed by LC-TOF/MS, and the ACN layer was analyzed by GC-TOF/MS. Most of the matrix effects of livestock and pet hair were less than 50%, but some matrices and components showed high results, so matrix matching correction was applied for more precise quantification. Method validation was performed for 394 constituents (293 pesticides, 93 veterinary drugs, 6 mycotoxins and 2 preservatives) in dog, cat, cow and pig hair and chicken and duck feathers. All components showed good linearity (r2 ≥0.98) in the developed assay. The quantification limit of all compounds was set at 0.02 mg/kg, which is the lowest level that satisfies the recovery rate standard. The recovery experiment was repeated 8 times at 3 concentrations. Most of the components were extracted with the ACN layer, and the recovery rate was 63.35-119.98%. In order to confirm the efficiency of extracting harmful substances from actual samples, 30 hairs of livestock and pets were screened.

Sable in the traditional culture of the Buryats

The work is aimed at identifying the image of the sable in the traditional worldview and rituals of the Buryats. The chronological boundaries of the study are determined by the time of functioning and translation of the com-plex of traditional beliefs and rituals among the Buryats — the end of the 19th — middle of the 20th century. Geo-graphically, the study is focused on the Baikal region, which encompasses the ethnic Buryatia. Linguistic, folklore and ethnographic sources have been used for this research. Comparison-collation and structural-semiotic meth-ods have been used to explore the research topic. As a result of assessing the utilitarian value of the sable, it has been determined that the animal's fur was used in sewing winter outerwear and hats, and its meat was occasion-ally eaten, as well as applied in folk and veterinary medicine. The all-Mongolian origin of the term for sable, and its gender nominations, is proved. It is assumed that this predator could be revered as a totem by some of the ancestors of the Buryats of the pre-Baikal clans. It has been found that in the traditional Buryat culture, the image of sable was ambiguous. In the traditional views of the Buryats, sable was endowed with a heavenly nature. It acted as a female symbol. At the same time, a negative characteristic of this fur-bearing animal has been deter-mined: it was associated with the chthonic world. In the traditional family ritual of the Buryats, a sable fetish was associ-ated with the image of this fur-bearing animal, which performed a protective function for children and represented a female image. The sable skin was an attribute of the shaman: for some black shamans, it represented the emblem of the clan. Furthermore, in the shamanic ritual of the Buryats, a fetish, embodying the shaman's spirit-assistant, was as-sociated with this animal. In shamanic poetics, the soul of a deceased shaman turned into a sable; this predatory animal was endowed with the function of a shaman's transport in his mystical travels to other worlds.

A protein analysis-based method for authentication of human hair wigs

The global market for wigs and hair extensions is rapidly expanding and is projected to reach USD 13.3 billion by 2026. Real human hair products are more welcomed than synthetic alternatives due to their natural appearances and resilience to styling. However, products made of real human hair are more expensive than those made from animal hair substitute, such as yak fiber and horse mane. As a result, adulteration and false declarations occur often in the industrial chain. To address this issue, we developed a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS)-based protein analysis method for human hair identification. A species-specific peptide marker at 2593 m/z, belonging to the intermediate filament family, was identified for human hair, which distinguishes it from other animal hairs. This unique marker can also be easily detected even in bleached and dyed hair, and the method is capable of detecting 5% of human hair or 5% of adulteration of animal fiber in a mixture. Validation experiments confirmed the method's ability to detect specific qualitative and quantitative markers. The results suggest that the method can be readily used to inspect and to authenticate human hair products on the market. Our study provides a novel and reliable testing approach for species identification of human hair using MALDI-TOF MS technology.

ПРЕДВАРИТЕЛЬНЫЕ РЕЗУЛЬТАТЫ ТЕХНИКО-ТЕХНОЛОГИЧЕСКОГО АНАЛИЗА КЕРАМИКИ ЭПОХИНЕОЛИТА И БРОНЗЫ С ПАМЯТНИКОВ КРОХАЛЁВКА-5, 11 (СЕВЕР ВЕРХНЕГО ПРИОБЬЯ)

The article presents the first results of a study of a sample of ceramics from the burial ground and the settlement of Krokhalevka-5, 11 (north of the Upper Ob region). The studies were carried out within the framework of the historical and cultural approach according to the method of A.A. Bobrinsky. The main task was to determine the specifics of cultural traditions in the selection of raw materials, the preparation of molding masses, the features of the working edge of ornaments by their imprints and a comparative analysis of the data obtained. The study was conducted of 22 specimens, belonging to five cultural and chronological groups of the Neolithic — Bronze Age: Kiprinskaya, Krokhalevskaya, Odinovskaya and Krotovskaya, the fifth group combines ceramics with an unclear cultural attribution of the early — developed Bronze Age. Most of the fragments come from open or conditionally closed (pits, ditch) archaeological contexts, and most oft en from the soil layer. It has been established that for the manufacture of ceramics, ferruginous clays with different amounts of natural sand impurities were used. 8 recipes for the composition of molding masses have been recorded. Clay + grus + organic solution prevails. The local traditions include the addition of crushed stone, and the brought ones — fireclay. In the earliest ceramic groups of the site, an unusual tradition of adding animal hair was revealed, which has analogies on the sites of the northern foothills of the Altai and other territories in the Neolithic and Early Bronze Ages. The highest degree of similarity was noted for the Kiprinskaya and Krokhalevskaya vessels with ceramic complexes of the northern foothills of the Altai, the Upper Ob region and the north of the Kulunda steppe, both in terms of the composition of the molding masses and the tools for applying the ornament. The data obtained are of great importance for the characterization of the ceramic complexes of the Neolithic — Early Bronze Age in Siberia.

Development in therapeutic strategies for allergic conjunctivitis

Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is a conjunctival inflammation. It is brought on by bacteria, viruses, toxins, and allergies, including coronaviruses, the most frequent reason being allergic conjunctivitis (AC), which is brought on by exposure to pollutants like pollen, animal hair, or mold. The primary contributor to it is the linkage of immunoglobulin E caused by allergens and receptors on stimulated conjunctival mast cells. As a consequence, mast cells are degranulated, along with the release of histamine, cytokines, chemokines, and lipid mediators. The particular eye tissues impacted and the immune mechanism(s) (both local and systemic) that are involved all play a role in the clinical course, length, intensity, and co-morbidities. It frequently occurs in conjunction with allergic rhinitis, also known as allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and other allergy conditions. Atopic keratoconjunctivitis, giant papillary conjunctivitis, seasonal and perennial conjunctivitis, and vernal keratoconjunctivitis are the different types of allergic conjunctivitis. Ocular allergies are frequently misdiagnosed and undertreated, despite the emergence of innovative therapeutic strategies. This review focuses on several previously published studies to discuss the available therapeutic options for treating allergic conjunctivitis as well as the potential targets for the therapies. The association of conjunctivitis with COVID-19, along with recent patents and research, has also been explored.

What acceleration data from wildlife collars and animal body mass tell us about seed dispersal

BackgroundThe seeds of many plant species can be dispersed over long distances in animal fur (epizoochory). Quantifying epizoochory in the wild is, however, challenging, since it is difficult to measure the retention times of seeds in fur. These retention times depend on the acceleration that seeds experience and that can detach seeds from fur. Wildlife collars containing accelerometers may thus provide crucial information on epizoochorous seed dispersal. However, this is only the case if acceleration of the animal’s neck (where collars are attached) is informative of acceleration of the animal’s main body (where most seeds are transported).MethodsWe used accelerometers to simultaneously measure acceleration at the neck, breast and the upper hind leg of 40 individuals of eight mammal species spanning a large range of body masses (26–867 kg). We then quantified maximum acceleration as the 95%-quantile of the resultant acceleration (of all measured values in data intervals of 5 s).ResultsMaximum acceleration was comparable between the neck and breast but substantially higher at the hind leg. Maximum acceleration measured by neck collars and body mass jointly explained 81% of the variance in maximum acceleration of the breast and 62% of the variance in maximum acceleration of the leg.ConclusionsAcceleration measured by neck collars is informative of the acceleration experienced by seeds attached to other body parts (breast and leg). When combined with animal movement data and lab measurements of how fur acceleration affects seed release and retention times, widely used collar accelerometers can thus be used to assess distances of epizoochorous seed dispersal.

Leucoderma in Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) in the Amazon Biome.

Leucoderma is a condition that affects the skin and hair of animals, causing depigmentation and acromotrichia. In buffaloes, this condition results in significant economic losses for the production chain due to its impact on the leather trade. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinicopathological aspects of leucoderma in buffaloes in the Amazon biome and describe the prophylactic treatment to control the disease. The study included 40 buffaloes, 16 males and 24 females, aged between 1 and 10 years, and were of the Murrah, Jafarabadi, Mediterranean, and Murrah × Mediterranean crossbreed breeds. The animals were raised without mineral supplementation. The clinical signs observed in the animals included acromotrichia and depigmentation, with varying degrees and distribution of skin lesions. Histological examination of the epidermis showed interrupted melanin production, mild dermal fibrosis, mild perivascular mononuclear inflammatory infiltrate, and pigmentary incontinence. None of the animals had the genotype for albinism. After 120 days of mineral supplementation based on the use of copper sulfate, the clinical signs of leucoderma regressed. There was no predisposition by breed, sex, or age for the occurrence of the disease. The regression of skin lesions after proper mineral supplementation suggests that copper deficiency may be considered an important factor for the occurrence of leucoderma in buffaloes in the Amazon biome.

High-strength, thermal-insulating, fire-safe bio-based organic lightweight aerogel based on 3D network construction of natural tubular fibers

Petrochemical-based foam materials are extensively used in insulation and energy storage fields. However, their non-degradability and high flammability have caused great pressure on energy, environment and human life and property safety. It is urgent to carry out research on biodegradable and fire safety alternative biomaterials. Herein, inspired by the natural hollow insulation animal hair, the 3D network structure of tubular aerogel was constructed by using the hollow kapok fibers (KF), the binder polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and the flame retardant crosslinker biguanide phosphonate (BGP). The multifunctional tubular aerogel integrating thermal insulation, high strength and fire safety was successfully prepared by freeze-forming and freeze-drying. Due to the intermolecular hydrogen bonding and the high viscosity of binder, KF maintained a high filling, full component and high value utilization. Compared to pure KF, the thermal conductivity of KF-PVA-BGP aerogel was reduced to 0.0531 W m−1K−1 and its compressive strength was improved to 1.64 MPa. Meanwhile, the incorporation of flame retardant cross-linker BGP promoted the degradation and charring of KF-PVA aerogel and released lots of inert gases during decomposition process, which effectively exerted the flame retardant effect in condensed and gas phases. Besides, compared with commercial PS insulation boards, KF-PVA-BGP composites are recyclable, sustainable and biodegradable in addition to their excellent thermal insulation and fire safety performance. This KF-PVA-BGP aerogel showed good application prospects for replacing traditional petrochemical-based materials in thermal insulation, energy storage and new energy fields.

Risk Factors and Spatiotemporal Distribution of Lumpy Skin Disease Occurrence in the Asian Continent during 2012–2022: An Ecological Niche Model

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is an emerging transboundary infectious disease of animals with high morbidity and low mortality rates. The infection occurs in cattle, buffalo, and some closely related wild animals, with cattle and buffalo showing higher susceptibility than other species. The primary mode of disease transmission is the mechanical dispersion of bloodsucking insects. The disease symptoms, including animal fur damage, weight loss, decline in milk production, infertility, and miscarriage, lead to huge economic losses in regions and countries with LSD outbreaks. The present study aimed to analyze the incidence data of LSD in the Asian continent from January 2012 to September 2022, identify spatiotemporal clusters and risk factors of the disease, and establish a maximum entropy ecological niche model to predict high-risk areas for disease outbreaks. The studied variables included bioclimatic factors, land type, and population density. Following the screening process, 12 variables were included in the maximum entropy model. Among them, the variable contribution rates of cattle density, land cover, isothermality, buffalo density, and maximum temperature of the warmest month were 53.8%, 10.9%, 9.2%, 8.9%, and 8%, respectively. Accounting for more than 90% of the total variable contribution rate, these five variables were considered to be the important influencing factors of LSD outbreaks. According to the results, nine spatiotemporal clusters approximately matched the high-risk areas predicted by the model. The Caucasus region of Russia; the Russian border areas of Kazakhstan, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, and Israel; and the western regions of Iran, India, and Southeast Asia were predicted to be high-risk areas. Thus, this study provides the spatiotemporal clusters, risk factors, and high-risk areas of LSD outbreaks in the Asian continent, which can help formulate more effective disease prevention and control policies.

Proteotypic peptides of hairs for the identification of common European domestic and wild animal species revealed by in-sample protein digestion and mass spectrometry analysis.

The aim of this work is to offer an alternative or complementary analytical tool to the time consuming and expensive methods commonly used for the recognition of animal species according to their hairs. The paper introduces a simple and fast way for species differentiation of animal hairs called in-sample digestion. A total of 10 European animal species, including cat, cow, common degu, dog, fallow deer, goat, horse, sika deer, rabbit, roe deer, and 17 different breeds of dogs were examined using specific tryptic cleavage directly in hair followed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization - time of flight mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography electrospray ionization quadrupole time of flight. Principal component analysis was used for the subsequent mass spectrometric data evaluation. This novel approach demonstrates the ability to distinguish among individual animal species, which is supported by finding characteristic m/z values obtained by the mass spectrometry for each animal species. The approach was successfully tested on two "blind" samples. On the other hand, the attempt to distinguish among hairs of different dog breeds has not been successful due to the very similar protein composition and their amino acid sequences. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Molecular detection and species identification of dermatophytes by SYBR-Green real-time PCR in house methodology using hair samples obtained from dogs and cats.

The classical dermatophytes diagnosis is based on mycological culture and microscopy observation both human and animal hair, skin and nail samples. The aim of this work was to develop the new in-house real-time PCR with pan-dematophyte reaction for detection and identification of the main dermatophytes directly from hair samples, providing a simple and rapid diagnosis of dermatophytosis in dogs and cats. An in house SYBR-Green real-time PCR was designed and used for detecting a DNA fragment encoding chitin synthase 1 (CHS1). A total of 287 samples were processed by culture, microscopic examination with KOH 10% and quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis. Melting curve analysis of CHS1 fragment revealed to be reproducible, showing a single distinct peak for each species of dermatophyte, namely Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Trichophyton verrucosum Microsporum canis and Nannizzia gypsea (formerly Microsporum gypseum). Then, out of the 287 clinically suspected cases of dermatophytosis, 50% were positive for dermatophytes by qPCR, 44% by mycological culture and 25% by microscopic examination. M. canis was identified in 117 samples tested by culture and 134 samples tested by qPCR, followed by N. gypsea in 5 samples (either tested by culture or qPCR) and T. mentagrophytes detected in 4 and 5 samples when tested by culture or qPCR, respectively. Overall, qPCR allowed the diagnosis of dermatophytosis in clinical samples. The results suggest this newly proposed in house real-time PCR assay can be used as alternative diagnosis and rapid identification of dermatophytes frequently associated to clinical hair samples of dogs and cats.

The Future Is Furby

The Future Is Furby

Combination of Transcriptomics and Proteomics Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes and Proteins in the Skin of EDAR Gene-Targeted and Wildtype Cashmere Goats.

Cashmere goats play a pivotal role in the animal hair industry and are economically valuable. Cashmere is produced through the periodic growth of secondary hair follicles. To improve their yield of cashmere, the regulatory mechanisms of cashmere follicle growth and development need to be analysed. Therefore, in this study, EDAR gene-targeted cashmere goats were used as an animal model to observe the phenotypic characteristics of abnormal hair growth and development at the top of the head. Transcriptomic and proteomic techniques were used to screen for differentially expressed genes and proteins. In total, 732 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 395 upregulated and 337 downregulated genes. In addition, 140 differentially expressed proteins were identified, including 69 upregulated and 71 downregulated proteins. These results provide a research target for elucidating the mechanism through which EDAR regulates hair follicle growth in cashmere goats. It also enriches the available data on the regulatory network involved in hair follicle growth.

ONTOGENETIC FEATURES OF THE ELEMENTAL COMPOSITION OF DOG HAIR

This work aims to study the elemental status of dog hair in ontogeny. The studies were conducted on animals 2–4 and 8–10 years of age. Under observation were 39 dogs of the following breeds: Rottweilers, Dalmatians, Black Terriers, Golden Retrievers, Labradors and Dobermans. The animals were born and kept in Novosibirsk, Tomsk, Yalta and Moscow. The dogs were kept in apartments with obligatory morning and evening exercise. Wool was sheared from the withers to determine the concentration of bioelements. The bioelemental composition of wool was determined on an Elan 9000 quadrupole mass spectrometer and an Optima 2000DV atomic emission spectrometer by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry. The research was carried out during the summer period. The diet of dogs consisted of dry industrial feed, balanced in terms of essential nutrients, vitamins, and macro- and microelements. In the research process, specific microelementoses were found in dogs of different ages. The obtained results showed that dogs of 2-4 years of age exceed 8-10-year-old animals in the concentration of aluminium in wool by 81.3% (P<0.01), chromium - by 67.1 (P<0.001), copper - by 27.4 (P<0.05), iron - by 81.7 (P<0.05), mercury - by 70.5 (P<0.05), iodine - by 68.3 (P< 0.05), potassium – by 57.5 (P<0.01), lithium – by 65.7 (P<0.05), lead – by 84.5 (P<0.05), vanadium – by 56.6 (P<0.05) and zinc by 27.9% (P<0.01). At the same time, in the group of 2-4-year-old animals, the iodine level exceeded the limit of reference values by 35.5%. On the other hand, in dogs of 8–10 years, chromium, iron, iodine, manganese, and silicon indicators have lagged behind the lower limit of the reference values by 45.0, respectively; 89.9, 86.0, 91.0 and 89.7%.

Seed attachment by epizoochory depends on animal fur, body height, and plant phenology

Various animal species potentially disperse varying amounts of seeds through epizoochory (seed dispersal on animals). However, few studies have compared the contributions of wild animals to epizoochory. Here, we compared the number of seeds of three plants—Achyranthes bidentata, Oplismenus undulatifolius, and Persicaria filiformis—attached to six mammal species: Meles anakuma, Mustela itatsi, Paguma larvata, Procyon lotor, Nyctereutes procyonoides, and Vulpes vulpes. We also investigated the effects of animal fur traits and height overlaps between animal body parts and seed-set positions. To evaluate the phenological effects, we conducted surveys in October and December. The number of seeds attached to the animal dummies differed among the mammal species and was significantly influenced by hair length and height overlap. Seed-set height changed overtime as the plants withered, which introduced seasonal variation in the disperser species. We conclude that epizoochorous seeds can be dispersed by various medium-sized mammals during their long period of availability. The number of seeds dispersed depends on the hair length, the height of the animal and, the seed-set position, and season.

“My Outfit, My Identity”: An Ethnographic Study of the Akan of Ghana and the Basotho of Lesotho

Culture is a way of life. It is anything that identifies a group of people; it makes them unique or different from others. The most striking symbol of culture is an outfit or attire. What people wear or how they dress (their outfit) projects their cultural identity. The Akan of Ghana and Basotho of Lesotho are typical examples of ethnic groups in Africa whose cultural heritage and identities are epitomised in their outfits. These ethnic groups are proud of their culture and unapologetic in putting on traditional attire or dresses that culturally identify them wherever they may be found. Akan women wear kaba (a top dress) with a slit that is stylishly designed by professional dressmakers using colourful kente (gorgeous) or other textiles and fabrics with matching duku (headgear) and bead ornaments around the neck and the wrist. The men wear colourful kente and joromi (tie-dye) shirts, smocks (fugu), or dashiki made from embroidered natural cotton materials. The Basotho are known for wearing expensive and beautiful Seshoeshoe (named after King Moshoeshoe, the founder of the Basotho nation) and likobo (a blanket made from animal fur) outfits with matching hats (molia-nyeoe). This ethnographic study investigates the raison d’etre for the unapologetic display of cultural outfits among the two African ethnic groups. The study, which employed the qualitative research methods of interviews and observation for data collection, found that the two groups are fond of their uniqueness because of their belief that without culture one is lost. The study concludes that Africa’s rebirth is an encouragement for Africans to project and preserve their heritage and identities.

Canada Goose Spreads Its Wings: Global Expansion Amid Turbulent Skies

This teaching case considers the recent growth and future expansion prospects for Canadian winter wear company Canada Goose. During the two decades since Dani Reiss took over as chief executive, Canada Goose has grown into a leading global luxury brand. In 2021, the company generated $700 million in revenue, notwithstanding a global pandemic that waylaid many of its competitors. Reiss anticipates strong demand for Canada Goose apparel as consumer confidence returns to pre-pandemic levels. But challenges remain, ranging from accusations of false advertising and discriminatory return policies in China to criticism from animal rights activists in the U.S. and Europe for using animal fur and feathers in its jackets. There is also the prospect of future travel restrictions and store closures in major markets as governments grapple with new variants of the pandemic. The case concludes with Reiss considering how to position Canada Goose for continued success in an increasingly crowded global winter wear market and how to allocate the company ’s resources for the next phase of international expansion

A Risk Factor Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Animals in COVID-19-Affected Households.

A higher prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animals that have close contact with SARS-CoV-2-positive humans ("COVID-19 households") has been demonstrated in several countries. This prospective study aimed to determine the SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in animals from Swiss COVID-19 households and to assess the potential risk factors for infection. The study included 226 companion animals (172 cats, 76.1%; 49 dogs, 21.7%; and 5 other animals, 2.2%) from 122 COVID-19 households with 336 human household members (including 230 SARS-CoV-2-positive people). The animals were tested for viral RNA using an RT-qPCR and/or serologically for antibodies and neutralizing activity. Additionally, surface samples from animal fur and beds underwent an RT-qPCR. A questionnaire about hygiene, animal hygiene, and contact intensity was completed by the household members. A total of 49 of the 226 animals (21.7%) from 31 of the 122 households (25.4%) tested positive/questionably positive for SARS-CoV-2, including 37 of the 172 cats (21.5%) and 12 of the 49 dogs (24.5%). The surface samples tested positive significantly more often in households with SARS-CoV-2-positive animals than in households with SARS-CoV-2-negative animals (p = 0.011). Significantly more animals tested positive in the multivariable analysis for households with minors. For cats, a shorter length of outdoor access and a higher frequency of removing droppings from litterboxes were factors that were significantly associated with higher infection rates. The study emphasizes that the behavior of owners and the living conditions of animals can influence the likelihood of a SARS-CoV-2 infection in companion animals. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the infection transmission and dynamics in animals, as well as to identify the possible risk factors for animals in infected households.