Defining Short-Term Accommodation for Animals

Abstract The terms short-term, temporary, and transitional are related but can have different contexts and meanings for animal husbandry. The definitions and use of these terms can be pivotal to animal housing and welfare. We conducted three separate literature searches using Google Scholar for relevant reports regarding short-term, temporary, or transitional animal husbandry, and analysed key publications that stipulate relevant periods of accommodation. English Government guidance regarding acceptable short-term, temporary, or transitional accommodation for animals varies widely from 24 h, all animals at all facilities should be accommodated in conditions that are consistent with long-term housing, husbandry, and best practices

Reptile expos: an analysis and recommendations for control.

Reptile expos are typically itinerant events at which live wild-caught and/or captive-bred turtles, tortoises, crocodiles, lizards, and snakes are displayed, sold, or exchanged for pet keeping purposes. We conducted a literature review and analysis of reports regarding animal welfare and public health issues of concern associated with the display and sale of reptiles at expos in Europe and North America. We also conducted a limited survey of several relevant government authorities to briefly appraise existing situations regarding governance and law internationally, and performed a further limited examination of online advertisements in order to estimate the number of events. In addition, we conducted an analysis comparing husbandry standards for reptile expos versus other animal display or sale situations using UK formal legal guidance, which adopts the Five Welfare Needs as a basis. Finally, we also conducted a SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) analysis of key features associated with reptile expos. We identified at least 10 animal welfare and 5 public health and safety problems as occurring and endemic to the typical operation of reptile expos. Comparisons between the ways in which animal welfare and public health issues are regarded or managed for reptile expos in relation to, for example, traditional zoos, mobile zoos, and pet sales are stark and concerning, with expos constituting the least protective and potentially most harmful situations out of all captive reptile-keeping scenarios. The lack of monitoring and control of reptile expos, combined with their frequent occurrence, strongly indicates the requirement to urgently control and prohibit these events. We recommend that where reptile expos are already essentially prohibited such bans should be immutable and not subject to any weakening provisions. Where reptile expos are permitted and/or subject to limiting conditions, or where reptile expos are not subject to limiting conditions, then our recommended 40 stipulations and overarching control principles should be applied as interim mitigating measures pending the introduction of prohibitions or ‘bans’. Governments should aim to ensure that enforcement of such measures is robust

Genomic introgression mapping of field-derived multiple-anthelmintic resistance in Teladorsagia circumcincta

Preventive chemotherapy has long been practiced against nematode parasites of livestock, leading to widespread drug resistance, and is increasingly being adopted for eradication of human parasitic nematodes even though it is similarly likely to lead to drug resistance. Given that the genetic architecture of resistance is poorly understood for any nematode, we have analyzed multidrug resistant Teladorsagia circumcincta, a major parasite of sheep, as a model for analysis of resistance selection. We introgressed a field-derived multiresistant genotype into a partially inbred susceptible genetic background (through repeated backcrossing and drug selection) and performed genome-wide scans in the backcross progeny and drug-selected F2 populations to identify the major genes responsible for the multidrug resistance. We identified variation linking candidate resistance genes to each drug class. Putative mechanisms included target site polymorphism, changes in likely regulatory regions and copy number variation in efflux transporters. This work elucidates the genetic architecture of multiple anthelmintic resistance in a parasitic nematode for the first time and establishes a framework for future studies of anthelmintic resistance in nematode parasites of humans

Mobile Zoos and Other Itinerant Animal Handling Events: Current Status and Recommendations for Future Policies

Mobile zoos are events in which non-domesticated (exotic) and domesticated species are transported to venues such as schools, hospitals, parties, and community centres, for the purposes of education, entertainment, or social and therapeutic assistance. We conducted literature searches and surveyed related government agencies regarding existing provisions within laws and policies, number of mobile zoos, and formal guidance issued concerning operation of such events in 74 countries or regions. We also examined governmental and non-governmental guidance standards for mobile zoos, as well as websites for mobile zoo operations, assessed promotional or educational materials for scientific accuracy, and recorded the diversity of species in use. We used the EMODE (Easy, Moderate, Difficult, or Extreme) algorithm, to evaluate identified species associated with mobile zoos for their suitability for keeping. We recorded 14 areas of concern regarding animal biology and public health and safety, and 8 areas of false and misleading content in promotional or educational materials. We identified at least 341 species used for mobile zoos. Mobile zoos are largely unregulated, unmonitored, and uncontrolled, and appear to be increasing. Issues regarding poor animal welfare, public health and safety, and education raise several serious concerns. Using the precautionary principle when empirical evidence was not available, we advise that exotic species should not be used for mobile zoos and similar itinerant events

Intraspecific Epitopic Variation in a Carbohydrate Antigen Exposed on the Surface of Trichostrongylus colubriformis Infective L3 Larvae

The carbohydrate larval antigen, CarLA, is present on the exposed surface of all strongylid nematode infective L3 larvae tested, and antibodies against CarLA can promote rapid immune rejection of incoming Trichostrongylus colubriformis larvae in sheep. A library of ovine recombinant single chain Fv (scFv) antibody fragments, displayed on phage, was prepared from B cell mRNA of field-immune sheep. Phage displaying scFvs that bind to the surface of living exsheathed T. colubriformis L3 larvae were identified, and the majority of worm-binding scFvs recognized CarLA. Characterization of greater than 500 worm surface binding phage resulted in the identification of nine different anti-CarLA scFvs that recognized three distinct T. colubriformis CarLA epitopes based on blocking and additive ELISA. All anti-CarLA scFvs were specific to the T. colubriformis species of nematode. Each of the three scFv epitope classes displayed identical Western blot recognition patterns and recognized the exposed surface of living T. colubriformis exsheathed L3 larvae. Surprisingly, each of the anti-CarLA scFvs was able to bind to only a subset of worms. Double-labelling indirect immunofluorescence revealed that the three classes of anti-CarLA scFvs recognize distinct, non-overlapping, T. colubriformis sub-populations. These results demonstrate that individual T. colubriformis L3 larvae display only one of at least three distinct antigenic forms of CarLA on their surface at any given time, and suggest that antigenic variation within CarLA is likely a mechanism of immune evasion in strongylid nematodes

Elephant tourism: An analysis and recommendations for public health, safety, and animal welfare

Background: Elephants are exploited for public entertainment tourism throughout Asia and Africa. Areas of concern include public health and safety and animal welfare. Materials and Methods: We examined over 500 scientific publications with respect to our primary objectives, as well as non-peer-reviewed materials relating to other relevant subject matters (e.g., tourism promotional websites and YouTube films) for background purposes, although these additional materials were not included in this review. Results: We identified at least 12 confirmed or potential zoonotic and other transmissible infections relevant to the elephant tourism sector, and at least 13 areas of animal welfare concern. Conclusion: Infection and injury risks between humans and captive elephants cannot be safely controlled where close contact experiences are involved, arguably creating an unredeemable and indefensible public health and safety situation. Elephant welfare within some sectors of the close contact interactive tourism industry continues to involve significant mistreatment and abuse. To alleviate key One Health concerns outlined in this study, we recommend several types of regulation, monitoring, and control regarding interactions at the human-captive elephant interface. These include legal bans on the promotion and performance of close contact experiences, combined with strong enforcement protocols; new policies toward discouraging elephant tourism; 24/7 surveillance of captive elephants; and the adoption of independent scientific positive list systems for tourism promoters or providers regarding public observation of free-ranging elephants within national parks and protected areas

Unmeasured anions in children after cardiac surgery

ObjectivesAcidosis caused by increased unmeasured anion levels occurs frequently after cardiac surgery, with uncertain significance. We examined the ability of unmeasured anions and lactate to predict major events after cardiac surgery, in addition to lactate/increased unmeasured anion levels during low cardiac output states.MethodsIn the initial 6 months, all patients admitted after cardiac surgery were enrolled. Arterial samples were taken at 0, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 36 hours postoperatively. The Stewart method was used to calculate excess acid and unmeasured anion levels. Major adverse events were defined as low cardiac output states requiring cardiac massage or mechanical support. In the second 6-month period, data were collected from a further 8 infants during cardiac arrest/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannulation.ResultsOne hundred thirteen patients were analyzed. Major adverse events occurred in 8 (7.1%) of 113 patients. On admission, metabolic acidosis occurred in 94 of 113 samples: lactate alone (n = 25); mixed lactate and unmeasured anions (n = 44); and unmeasured anions alone (n = 25). All of the patients who experienced major adverse events had unmeasured anion levels of greater than 3 mEq/L on admission. Initial unmeasured anion levels were significantly higher in those infants with major adverse events (10.6 mEq/L [standard deviation, 8.2 mEq/L] vs 4.8 mEq/L [standard deviation, 6.6 mEq/L], P = .024). Lactate levels did not differ between the 2 groups. In the 16 patients sampled during major adverse events, metabolic acidosis occurred in 15 of 16, with a mean excess acid level of 14.9 mEq/L (standard deviation, 8.3 mEq/L). Although unmeasured anions made a significant contribution, lactate was the predominant acid.ConclusionsAfter cardiac surgery, unmeasured anion levels were significantly higher in those children with major adverse events. The greatest risk of major adverse events was found in children with both increased lactate levels and increased unmeasured anion levels on admission

The ‘Abstainer Question’: relationships between alcohol use and suicidal ideation in Australian online help-seekers

Background: When compared to social drinkers, high levels of suicidal ideation have been observed in both heavy alcohol consumers and abstainers. Heavy alcohol use or abstention may indicate different risk pathways to the development of suicidal ideation (SI). Methods: Visitors to a mental health website (N = 1,561) completed a survey, and latent profile analysis (LPA) was used to explore differences in risk factor patterns. Risk factors explored included psychological distress, help-seeking intent, financial wellbeing, thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. Results: Most participants (75.1%) reported SI in the past four weeks. A three-class LPA model emerged as the optimal fit: (1) low SI/lower alcohol; (2) high SI/lower alcohol; (3) high SI/high alcohol. Members of the high SI/lower alcohol profile displayed significantly higher psychological distress, thwarted belongingness, and perceived burdensomeness; lower financial wellbeing and help-seeking intentions than both other profiles. Members of the high SI/high alcohol profile were more likely to be male and already receiving help for their psychological distress. Members of the high SI/lower alcohol profile were more likely to be younger and report lower help-seeking intent. Limitations: Our study design was cross-sectional, utilising a largely young, female, English-speaking, help-seeking sample that had chosen to visit a mental health website. Conclusions: While the links between heavy alcohol use and suicide risk are well documented, these findings suggest that practitioners should also be alert for abstention patterns, as they may be indicators of underlying psychosocial concerns that a client could be reluctant to disclose

Great SCO2T! Rapid tool for carbon sequestration science, engineering, and economics

CO2 capture and storage (CCS) technology is likely to be widely deployed in coming decades in response to major climate and economics drivers: CCS is part of every clean energy pathway that limits global warming to 2C or less and receives significant CO2 tax credits in the United States. These drivers are likely to stimulate capture, transport, and storage of hundreds of millions or billions of tonnes of CO2 annually. A key part of the CCS puzzle will be identifying and characterizing suitable storage sites for vast amounts of CO2. We introduce a new software tool called SCO2T (Sequestration of CO2 Tool, pronounced "Scott") to rapidly characterizing saline storage reservoirs. The tool is designed to rapidly screen hundreds of thousands of reservoirs, perform sensitivity and uncertainty analyses, and link sequestration engineering (injection rates, reservoir capacities, plume dimensions) to sequestration economics (costs constructed from around 70 separate economic inputs). We describe the novel science developments supporting SCO2T including a new approach to estimating CO2 injection rates and CO2 plume dimensions as well as key advances linking sequestration engineering with economics. Next, we perform a sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of geology combinations (including formation depth, thickness, permeability, porosity, and temperature) to understand the impact on carbon sequestration. Through the sensitivity analysis we show that increasing depth and permeability both can lead to increased CO2 injection rates, increased storage potential, and reduced costs, while increasing porosity reduces costs without impacting the injection rate (CO2 is injected at a constant pressure in all cases) by increasing the reservoir capacity.Comment: CO2 capture and storage; carbon sequestration; reduced-order modeling; climate change; economic

Genetic epidemiology of lymphatic filariasis in American Samoa after mass drug administration

Over 892 million people in 48 countries are at risk of infection by nematodes that cause lymphatic filariasis. As part of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, mass drug administration is distributed to communities until surveillance indicates infection rates are below target prevalence thresholds. In some countries, including American Samoa, lymphatic filariasis transmission persists despite years of mass drug administration and/or has resurged after cessation. Nothing is known about the population genetics of Wuchereria bancrofti worms in Polynesia, or whether local transmission is persisting and/or increasing due to inadequate mass drug administration coverage, expansion from residual hotspots, reintroduction from elsewhere, or a combination. We extracted DNA from microfilariae on blood slides collected during prevalence surveys in 2014 and 2016, comprising 31 pools of five microfilariae from 22 persons living in eight villages. We sequenced 1104 bp across three mitochondrial markers (ND4, COI, CYTB). We quantified parasite genetic differentiation using variant calls and estimated haplotypes using principal components analysis, F-statistics, and haplotype networks. Of the variants called, all but eight were shared across the main island of Tutuila, and three of those were from a previously described hotspot village, Fagali’i. Genotypic data did not support population genetic structure among regions or villages in 2016, although differences were observed between worms collected in Fagali’i in 2014 and those from 2016. Because estimated haplotype frequency varied between villages, these statistics suggested genetic differentiation, but were not consistent among villages. Finally, haplotype networks demonstrated American Samoan sequence clusters were related to previously published sequences from Papua New Guinea. These are, to our knowledge, the first reports of W. bancrofti genetic variation in Polynesia. The resurgent parasites circulating on the main island of American Samoa represent a single population. This study is the first step towards investigating how parasite population structure might inform strategies to manage resurgence and elimination of lymphatic filariasis