Primary Postnatal Dorsal Root Ganglion Culture from Conventionally Slaughtered Calves

Neurological disorders in ruminants have an important impact on veterinary health, but very few host-specific in vitro models have been established to study diseases affecting the nervous system. Here we describe a primary neuronal dorsal root ganglia (DRG) culture derived from calves after being conventionally slaughtered for food consumption. The study focuses on the in vitro characterization of bovine DRG cell populations by immunofluorescence analysis. The effects of various growth factors on neuron viability, neurite outgrowth and arborisation were evaluated by morphological analysis. Bovine DRG neurons are able to survive for more than 4 weeks in culture. GF supplementation is not required for neuronal survival and neurite outgrowth. However, exogenously added growth factors promote neurite outgrowth. DRG cultures from regularly slaughtered calves represent a promising and sustainable host specific model for the investigation of pain and neurological diseases in bovines

Quest for a Global Code of Conduct for TNCs- A Grim Tale

Over the last few decades, a variety of global initiatives for governing both financial and non-financial performance of transnational corporations (TNCs) have been proposed. The objectives of these initiatives share a similar purpose: to minimise conflicts towards developing a sustainable trade environment. However, most of these initiatives have been partially successful. Some of these attempts failed to reach completion, some are obsolete, and one was abandoned. The initiatives that are currently in operation have never been accepted by all stakeholders. A poignant reason for their poor performance is their lack of capacity to include the dynamics of governance beyond government, regulation beyond law, and responsiveness beyond responsibility. This chapter explores the main global initiatives, focusing on the interplay between the core of these initiatives and TNCs’ social responsibility and accountability governance

Green and golden seaweed tides on the rise

Sudden beaching of huge seaweed masses smother the coastline and form rotting piles on the shore. The number of reports of these events in previously unaffected areas has increased worldwide in recent years. These 'seaweed tides' can harm tourism-based economies, smother aquaculture operations or disrupt traditional artisanal fisheries. Coastal eutrophication is the obvious, ultimate explanation for the increase in seaweed biomass, but the proximate processes that are responsible for individual beaching events are complex and require dedicated study to develop effective mitigation strategies. Harvesting the macroalgae, a valuable raw material, before they beach could well be developed into an effective solution