Review
Parasitology
Fernanda Nery Ciconello, Iana Suly Santos Katz, Elaine Raniero Fernandes, Fernanda Guedes, Sandriana Ramos Silva
Summary: Rabies is a deadly public health problem that can be prevented by vaccination. The current gold standard tests for detecting neutralizing antibodies are time-consuming, so alternative methods are needed.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Seo-Yeon Hong, Jong-Ku Gal, Bo-Yeon Lee, Wu-Ju Son, Jin-Woo Jung, Hyung-Sul La, Kyung-Hoon Shin, Jeong-Hoon Kim, Sun-Yong Ha
Summary: Stable isotope analysis was used to identify diet composition and regional differences in Adelie and Emperor penguins in the Ross Sea region. Adelie penguins showed regional differences in diet, while Emperor penguins did not. This reflects the impact of prey distribution on penguin diets.
Article
Biology
Nazia Tabassum, Ji-Hyun Lee, Soo-Rin Lee, Jong-U Kim, Hyun Park, Hyun-Woo Kim, Jeong-Hoon Kim
Summary: The diet of Adelie penguins in the Ross Sea mainly consists of two krill species and notothenioid fish, with their composition closely related to the geographic characteristics of the region. Studying the penguins' diet can provide valuable insights into the ecological conditions of their habitats.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Young Nam Kwon, Mark Woodhall, Jung-Joon Sung, Kwang-Kuk Kim, Young-Min Lim, Hyunjin Kim, Jee-Eun Kim, Seol-Hee Baek, Byung-Jo Kim, Jin-Sung Park, Hung Youl Seok, Dae-Seong Kim, Ohyun Kwon, Kee Hong Park, Eunhee Sohn, Jong Seok Bae, Byung-Nam Yoon, Nam-Hee Kim, Suk-Won Ahn, Kyomin Choi, Jeeyoung Oh, Hyung Jun Park, Kyong Jin Shin, Sanggon Lee, Jinseok Park, Seung Hyun Kim, Jung Im Seok, Dae Woong Bae, Jae Young An, In Soo Joo, Seok-Jin Choi, Tai-Seung Nam, Sunyoung Kim, Ki-Jong Park, Ki-Han Kwon, Patrick Waters, Yoon-Ho Hong
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ELISA for anti-MuSK antibody in AChR antibody-negative generalized MG patients and investigate the clinical contexts for the diagnosis of MuSK MG. The results showed that the positive results of ELISA were mostly consistent with CBA and RIPA. The most common differential diagnosis was motor neuron disease. These findings are of great importance for the diagnosis of MuSK MG in clinical practice.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Xue Li, Liqian Guo, Mengmeng Guo, Duo Qi, Xueping Zhou, Fan Li, Jianxiang Wu
Summary: In order to provide reliable and easy-to-use detection methods for Tomato Mottle Mosaic Virus (ToMMV), researchers immunized BALB/c mice with purified ToMMV and obtained six hybridoma cell lines that secrete anti-ToMMV monoclonal antibodies. Using these antibodies, they developed three serological assays that specifically detect ToMMV infection in plant samples. These newly developed serological methods showed high sensitivity and outperformed traditional RT-PCR in terms of detection limit.
PHYTOPATHOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yurie Kobashi, Yuzo Shimazu, Yoshitaka Nishikawa, Takeshi Kawamura, Tatsuhiko Kodama, Daiji Obara, Masaharu Tsubokura
Summary: This study aimed to compare the differences in results between two serology assays for COVID-19 detection among medical staff, and found significant discrepancies in antibody prevalence between the rapid test kit and CLIA quantitative antibody test results, indicating caution in interpreting results solely based on the rapid test kit. Further research is needed to evaluate antibody testing accuracy and understand each assay's characteristics for various communities.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Linhua Tian, Elzafir B. Elsheikh, Paul N. Patrone, Anthony J. Kearsley, Adolfas K. Gaigalas, Sarah Inwood, Sheng Lin-Gibson, Dominic Esposito, Lili Wang
Summary: The study presents a quantitative, multiplexed flow cytometry-based serological and neutralization assay for SARS-CoV-2 RBD antibodies, showing high specificity and good correlation with neutralizing antibody titers. This suite of assays improves measurement confidence and is foundational for clinical and epidemiologic studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Boniface Pongombo Lombe, Hiroko Miyamoto, Takeshi Saito, Reiko Yoshida, Rashid Manzoor, Masahiro Kajihara, Masayuki Shimojima, Shuetsu Fukushi, Shigeru Morikawa, Tomoki Yoshikawa, Takeshi Kurosu, Masayuki Saijo, Qing Tang, Justin Masumu, David Hawman, Heinz Feldmann, Ayato Takada
Summary: The study established a protocol to purify recombinant CCHFV nucleoprotein and demonstrated its effectiveness in detecting CCHFV-specific antibodies using ELISA, showing potential for seroepidemiological studies.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Steev Loyola, Alfredo Huaman, Dina Popuche, Elizabeth Castillo, Julia S. Ampuero, Maria Silva, Carolina Guevara, Douglas M. Watts
Summary: The study evaluated the performance of MAC-ELISA and PRNT for diagnosing ZIKV infection in dengue-endemic areas, with both assays showing high sensitivity and specificity. Restricting the analysis according to neutralizing antibodies against dengue or IgM antibodies, the performances of both serological assays were adequate.
Article
Virology
Katendi Changula, Edgar Simulundu, Boniface Pongombo Lombe, Eri Nakayama, Hiroko Miyamoto, Yuji Takahashi, Hirofumi Sawa, Chuma Simukonda, Bernard M. Hang'ombe, Ayato Takada
Summary: In wild baboons and vervet monkeys captured in Zambia, seropositive NHPs for both ebolaviruses and marburgviruses were found, suggesting nonlethal exposure to these filoviruses. The study underscores the importance of continuous monitoring of filovirus infection in wild animals to understand their ecology and assess potential risks of outbreaks in previously nonendemic countries.
Article
Virology
Michaela Mrkvova, Richard Hancinsky, Simona Gresikova, Sarlota Kanukova, Jan Barilla, Miroslav Glasa, Pavol Hauptvogel, Jan Kraic, Daniel Mihalik
Summary: Plant viruses, including tomato mosaic virus (ToMV), pose a significant threat to agricultural production, particularly in tomato crops. The management of ToMV is challenging due to its vector-less transmission and the limited effectiveness of resistant breeding. This study focuses on the development and characterization of a polyclonal antibody, AB-1, for the detection of ToMV. AB-1 showed higher sensitivity compared to commercially available analogs and successfully detected ToMV in infected plants and soil samples even after two years of cultivation.
Article
Virology
Marycelin M. Baba, Khalid M. Yahaya, Emmanuel M. Ezra, Musa Adamu, Bulama M. Kulloma, Mayomi Ikusemoran, John P. Momoh, Bamidele S. Oderinde
Summary: The study revealed that immunity against Yellow Fever in Nigeria is relatively high, but there is still a population at risk of epidemics due to lack of vaccination. It is crucial to target individuals aged 20 and above during mass vaccination campaigns to prevent recurring epidemics.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Fisheries
W. J. Sydeman, G. L. Hunt, E. K. Pikitch, J. K. Parrish, J. F. Piatt, P. D. Boersma, L. Kaufman, D. W. Anderson, S. A. Thompson, R. B. Sherley
Summary: This paper responds to Butterworth and Ross-Gillespie's comment on the impact of forage fish fisheries on the endangered African penguin and management options. The study demonstrates that their criticism of pseudo-replication is weak and emphasizes the negative effects of forage fisheries on penguin population health. Considering the depletion of sardines and the conservation crisis facing the African penguin, the paper advocates for continuing precautionary closures to facilitate population growth.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hanna Renk, Alex Dulovic, Alina Seidel, Matthias Becker, Dorit Fabricius, Maria Zernickel, Daniel Junker, Ruediger Gross, Janis Mueller, Alexander Hilger, Sebastian F. N. Bode, Linus Fritsch, Pauline Frieh, Anneke Haddad, Tessa Goerne, Jonathan Remppis, Tina Ganzemueller, Andrea Dietz, Daniela Huzly, Hartmut Hengel, Klaus Kaier, Susanne Weber, Eva-Maria Jacobsen, Philipp D. Kaiser, Bjoern Traenkle, Ulrich Rothbauer, Maximilian Stich, Burkhard Toenshoff, Georg F. Hoffmann, Barbara Mueller, Carolin Ludwig, Bernd Jahrsdoerfer, Hubert Schrezenmeier, Andreas Peter, Sebastian Hoerber, Thomas Iftner, Jan Muench, Thomas Stamminger, Hans-Juergen Gross, Martin Wolkewitz, Corinna Engel, Weimin Liu, Marta Rizzi, Beatrice H. Hahn, Philipp Henneke, Axel R. Franz, Klaus-Michael Debatin, Nicole Schneiderhan-Marra, Ales Janda, Roland Elling
Summary: This study compares the humoral immune response in children and adults following SARS-CoV-2 infection and finds that children are more likely to have asymptomatic infections and higher levels of specific antibodies that persist for a longer time. Symptomatic and asymptomatic infections induce similar humoral responses across all age groups.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lene H. Harritshoj, Mikkel Gybel-Brask, Shoaib Afzal, Pia R. Kamstrup, Charlotte S. Jorgensen, Marianne Kragh Thomsen, Linda Hilsted, Lennart Friis-Hansen, Pal B. Szecsi, Lise Pedersen, Lene Nielsen, Cecilie B. Hansen, Peter Garred, Trine-Line Korsholm, Susan Mikkelsen, Kirstine O. Nielsen, Bjarne K. Moller, Anne T. Hansen, Kasper K. Iversen, Pernille B. Nielsen, Rasmus B. Hasselbalch, Kamille Fogh, Jakob B. Norsk, Jonas Henrik Kristensen, Kristian Schonning, Nikolai S. Kirkby, Alex C. Y. Nielsen, Lone H. Landsy, Mette Loftager, Dorte K. Holm, Anna C. Nilsson, Susanne G. Saekmose, Birgitte Grum-Schwensen, Bitten Aagaard, Thoger G. Jensen, Dorte M. Nielsen, Henrik Ullum, Ram B. Dessau
Summary: This study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of 15 commercial and one in-house anti-SARS-CoV-2 assays in Danish laboratories. Most total antibody and IgG assays showed high sensitivity and specificity, with some overlap in confidence intervals. IgM results were more variable, with one assay demonstrating higher sensitivity and specificity.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan F. Masello, Petra Quillfeldt, Edson Sandoval-Castellanos, Rachael Alderman, Luciano Calderon, Yves Cherel, Theresa L. Cole, Richard J. Cuthbert, Manuel Marin, Melanie Massaro, Joan Navarro, Richard A. Phillips, Peter G. Ryan, Lara D. Shepherd, Cristian G. Suazo, Henri Weimerskirch, Yoshan Moodley
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Sophie Hautphenne, Melanie Massaro, Katharine Turner
THEORETICAL POPULATION BIOLOGY
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Nyil Khwaja, Melanie Massaro, Thomas E. Martin, James V. Briskie
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2019)
Article
Ecology
Melanie Massaro, David G. Ainley, Jarrod A. Santora, Petra Quillfeldt, Amelie Lescroel, Amy Whitehead, Arvind Varsani, Grant Ballard, Phil O'B Lyver
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2020)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Justine Thebault, Paco Bustamante, Melanie Massaro, Graeme Taylor, Petra Quillfeldt
Summary: The study found wide variations in mercury exposure within the seabird community, with the Magenta petrel being the most contaminated species. Mercury concentrations in blood and feathers were significantly and positively linked to feeding habitats and trophic position, indicating efficient mercury biomagnification processes along the food web.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
R. D. Segal, M. Massaro, N. Carlile, R. Whitsed
Summary: The study reveals that Lord Howe currawongs prefer to nest in forested areas at lower elevations near creeks on the island. Approximately 441 hectares of land on the island are suitable for currawong nesting, supporting a maximum of 84 breeding territories.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Review
Ecology
Helenna Mihailou, Melanie Massaro
Summary: Since the extinction of megafauna, grazing pressure on Australian savannas has been relatively low, but the introduction of several ungulate species in the 1800s, particularly in the northern region, has led to an increase in grazing pressure. The impact of feral ungulate populations on savanna habitats includes effects on soil, water quality, vegetation, fire regimes, and the spread of exotic plants, ultimately affecting native wildlife. The changes in vegetation communities and fire regimes due to sustained grazing by ungulates can have detrimental effects on biodiversity and habitat loss or degradation is a major driver for declines in native species.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rafael Freire, Melanie Massaro, Simon McDonald, Philip Trathan, Christine J. Nicol
Summary: The study highlights that short-duration, high-intensity events have a more severe impact on penguin welfare, and that there is a good correlation between the physical domains and mental state in welfare evaluation. Experience in working or studying penguins does not influence welfare assessments, and there is low agreement between participants in their scores provided.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Helenna Mihailou, Dale G. Nimmo, Melanie Massaro
Summary: When exotic species are introduced to new environments, they often have a competitive advantage over native species. In northern Australia, feral populations of pigs, cattle, and water buffalo have established themselves and compete with native wildlife for access to water sources. A study was conducted to investigate the preferences and behavior of native macropods (kangaroos and wallabies) at waterholes, and the potential impact of water scarcity on herbivore visitation and dingo presence. The results showed that macropods did not preferentially visit fenced waterholes over unfenced ones, and their activity declined when competition with cattle was high. While all ungulates visited waterholes more during a drought, there was no corresponding increase in dingo presence. This study highlights the importance of understanding the behavioral interactions between invasive and native species and their impact on wildlife conservation in an unpredictable environment.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Juan F. Masello, Peter G. Ryan, Lara D. Shepherd, Petra Quillfeldt, Yves Cherel, Alan J. D. Tennyson, Rachael Alderman, Luciano Calderon, Theresa L. Cole, Richard J. Cuthbert, Ben J. Dilley, Melanie Massaro, Colin M. Miskelly, Joan Navarro, Richard A. Phillips, Henri Weimerskirch, Yoshan Moodley
Summary: Interspecific introgression and homoploid hybrid speciation have led to different populations of Pachyptila petrels evolving with varying bill sizes. The medium-billed prions may have originated from common ancestry or through independent convergent evolution. The newly discovered population of MacGillivray's prion on Gough Island represents a conservation priority due to the small relict population in the Indian Ocean.
MOLECULAR GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Johanna von Seth, Tom van der Valk, Edana Lord, Hanna Sigeman, Remi-Andre Olsen, Michael Knapp, Olga Kardailsky, Fiona Robertson, Marie Hale, Dave Houston, Euan Kennedy, Love Dalen, Karin Noren, Melanie Massaro, Bruce C. Robertson, Nicolas Dussex
Summary: This study examines the genomic consequences of an extreme bottleneck and subsequent translocation in the Chatham Island black robin. The results show a decline in heterozygosity and an increase in inbreeding in modern genomes compared to historical genomes. The translocation had only small effects on the frequency of deleterious alleles, with most detrimental variation being shared between populations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Petra Quillfeldt, Yuliana Bedolla-Guzman, Marcela M. Libertelli, Yves Cherel, Melanie Massaro, Paco Bustamante
Summary: Ocean pollution caused by global industrial production and consumer behavior affects wildlife in distant areas. This study compared mercury levels among different species of storm-petrels in various breeding and non-breeding areas, revealing variations based on species distribution and prey choice.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Richard D. Segal, Rachel Whitsed, Nicholas Carlile, Melanie Massaro
Summary: This study investigated the effects of a rodent eradication on Lord Howe Island on two native birds. The research found that many currawongs disappeared during the baiting period and nesting densities in one part of the island were significantly lower after the eradication. However, the eradication did not lead to an increase in breeding success for the white terns.
PACIFIC CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Richard D. Segal, Rachel Whitsed, Melanie Massaro
Summary: Island species are vulnerable to invasive mammals, but there are limited publications on the ecological benefits and consequences of eradication. This study reviewed the literature on rodent eradications in Australian and New Zealand islands and found that reporting of non-target mortality and ecological monitoring was lacking. Despite increased awareness, reporting on the benefits and consequences of rodent eradications has not improved over the years. The study emphasizes the need for incorporating ecological monitoring into future projects to document the effects of eradications.
PACIFIC CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Natalie J. Forsdick, Ilina Cubrinovska, Melanie Massaro, Marie L. Hale
Summary: Accurate measures of relatedness and inbreeding are crucial for the genetic health management of endangered species. Genetic markers are useful for detecting extra-pair parentage and verifying the accuracy of observed social family groups, which is important for conservation management decisions.
EMU-AUSTRAL ORNITHOLOGY
(2021)
