Tapping into non-English-language science for the conservation of global biodiversity.

The widely held assumption that any important scientific information would be available in English underlies the underuse of non-English-language science across disciplines. However, non-English-language science is expected to bring unique and valuable scientific information, especially in disciplines where the evidence is patchy, and for emergent issues where synthesising available evidence is an urgent challenge. Yet such contribution of non-English-language science to scientific communities and the application of science is rarely quantified. Here, we show that non-English-language studies provide crucial evidence for informing global biodiversity conservation. By screening 419,679 peer-reviewed papers in 16 languages, we identified 1,234 non-English-language studies providing evidence on the effectiveness of biodiversity conservation interventions, compared to 4,412 English-language studies identified with the same criteria. Relevant non-English-language studies are being published at an increasing rate in 6 out of the 12 languages where there were a sufficient number of relevant studies. Incorporating non-English-language studies can expand the geographical coverage (i.e., the number of 2° × 2° grid cells with relevant studies) of English-language evidence by 12% to 25%, especially in biodiverse regions, and taxonomic coverage (i.e., the number of species covered by the relevant studies) by 5% to 32%, although they do tend to be based on less robust study designs. Our results show that synthesising non-English-language studies is key to overcoming the widespread lack of local, context-dependent evidence and facilitating evidence-based conservation globally. We urge wider disciplines to rigorously reassess the untapped potential of non-English-language science in informing decisions to address other global challenges. Please see the Supporting information files for Alternative Language Abstracts.

Dynamics and chronology of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae strain 232 infection in experimentally inoculated swine.

Direct detection of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae through molecular tools is a growing trend for early diagnosis, highlighting the importance of knowing M. hyopneumoniae dynamics in the respiratory tract upon infection. This study focused on monitoring the infection level and its effects in different anatomic sites of the respiratory tract of experimentally infected swine in four time-points post-infection. To this end, 24 pigs were allocated to either non-inoculated group (n = 8) or inoculated group (n = 16). On day 0 post-infection (dpi), animals of the inoculated group were intratracheally inoculated with M. hyopneumoniae. Nasal swabs were collected weekly for qPCR detection of bacterial shedding. At 14, 28, 42, and 56 dpi, four animals from the inoculated group and two from the control group were necropsied. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and samples from three different anatomical tracheal sections (cranial - CT, medium - MT, lower - LT) were collected for qPCR and histopathology. Bacterial loads (qPCR) in tracheal samples were: 4.47 × 102 copies∕µL (CT), 1.5 × 104- copies∕ µL (MT) and 1.4 × 104 copies∕µL (LT samples). M. hyopneumoniae quantification in BALF showed the highest load at 28 dpi (2.0 × 106 copies∕ µL). Microscopic lesions in LT samples presented the highest scores at 56 dpi and were significantly correlated with the pathogen load on 14 dpi (0.93) and 28 dpi (0.75). The greatest bacterial load of M. hyopneumoniae in CT samples and BALF was registered at 28 dpi, and it remained high in BALF and LT throughout the 56 dpi. The pathogen was able to persist during the whole experimental period, however higher estimated quantification values were registered in the lower parts of the respiratory tract, especially at 56 dpi. These findings are important for improving diagnostics, treatment, and control measures of M. hyopneumoniae infection in swine herds.

Artificial insemination of gilts with bovine viral diarrhea virus-contaminated semen.

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a pestivirus that infects swine and other species and has genetic and antigenic similarity to classical swine fever virus. The objective of this study was to mimic the infection of swine by contaminated semen and evaluate the effects on their reproductive tracts and litters. Six gilts were artificially inseminated with semen containing BVDV-2 ncp (LVB 16557/15) and 2 were inseminated with BVDV-free semen. Blood samples from all gilts were collected for polymerase chain reaction and virus neutralization tests. No viremia or neutralizing antibodies were detected, and all the litters were born healthy.

Insémination artificielle de cochettes avec du sperme contaminé par le virus de la diarrhée virale bovine. Le virus de la diarrhée virale bovine (BVDV) est un pestivirus qui infecte les porcs et d'autres espèces et qui présente des similitudes génétiques et antigéniques avec le virus de la peste porcine classique. L'objectif de ce travail était de reproduire expérimentalement l'infection des femelles porcines par insémination avec du sperme contaminé, d'évaluer les effets sur l'appareil reproducteur de la truie et sur sa portée. Six cochettes primipares ont été inséminées artificiellement avec du sperme contenant du BVDV-2 ncp (LVB 16557/15) et deux femelles ont été inséminées avec du sperme sans BVDV. Des échantillons de sang de toutes les femelles ont été prélevés pour des tests de réaction d'amplification en chaîne par la polymérase et de neutralisation virale. Aucune virémie ni aucun anticorps neutralisant n'ont été détectés et toutes les portées sont nées saines.(Traduit par les auteurs).

Cytokine expression and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae burden in the development of lung lesions in experimentally inoculated pigs.

This study aimed to assess immunopathological factors and M. hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) load in macroscopic lesion formation at four timepoints after experimental infection of swine. To do this, 24 M. hyo-free pigs were divided into two groups: non-inoculated control (n = 8) and inoculated (n = 16). At day 0 post-infection (dpi), animals of infected group were intratracheally inoculated with 5 mL of lung inoculum containing 107 CCU (Color Changing Units) ∕mL of M. hyo strain 232, while control group was mock infected with 5 mL of sterilized Friis medium. At 14, 28, 42 and 56 dpi, four animals from the infected group and two from the control group were euthanized and necropsied. The extent of macroscopic lung lobe lesions was visually assessed, scored and lesion samples (qPCR, histopathology and gene expression) were collected. The macroscopic lesion score and estimated M. hyo load (in copies/µL) at the different timepoints were: 14 dpi: 18.5 %-1.55 × 103 copies∕µL; 28dpi: 15.8 %-8.4 × 103 copies∕µL; 42 dpi: 7.0 %-3.2 × 104 copies∕µL and 56 dpi: 6.3 %-1.11 × 105 copies∕µL; Significant and positive correlations between macroscopic lung lesion and the pathogen load were found (coefficient range: 0.77-0.99). The cytokine's IL-6 (0.73) and INF-γ (-0.69) gene expression were significantly (p < 0.05) correlated to macroscopic lung lesion score while IL-8, TNF- α, IL-1α and IL-1ß were associated to other pathological effects such as losses in average daily weight gain and microscopic lesion score. The results provide a better understanding about the pathogenicity of M. hyo strain 232 and the host-pathogen interactions, which may be helpful for the development of new treatments or control measures.

Evidence of bovine viral diarrhea virus transmission by back pond water in experimentally infected piglets / Evidência da transmissão do vírus da diarreia viral bovina através da lâmina d'água em leitões experimentalmente infectados

Swine can be infected by bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV). However, transmission routes among pigs are still unknown. The objective of the present study was to induce experimental infection of BVDV-1 in weaned piglets and to assess the potential transmission through pen back pond water, used to facilitate heat exchange of the pigs housed in barns. Two repetitions (BP1 and BP 2) were performed using 12 piglets proven to be free BVDV (n=6 per repetition) allocated into three groups: control, sentinels and infected with two piglets each. The piglets were placed in stainless steel isolators. The infected group received an inoculum containing BVDV-1, Singer strain. The piglets remained in the cabinets for 25 days, during which samples of nasal swab were collected daily and blood sampled weekly. At the end, the piglets were euthanized, necropsied and organ fragments were collected for histopathology, immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. In the first experiment (BP1) the infected animals shed the virus between days 6 and 21 post-infection. Regarding the sentinel group, shedding occurred in only one piglet, on the 20th day after infection, and seroconversion was observed on the 25th day post-infection. In BP2, infected piglets I3 and I4 shed the virus on days 4 and 21 post-infection, respectively. Only one sentinel piglet (S3) she the virus on day 13 post-infection. Therefore, it was concluded that pigs can become infected with BVDV-1 and shed potentially infectious viral particles consequently, being able to transmit the virus to other pigs through back pond water.(AU)

Os suínos podem ser infectados pelo vírus da diarreia viral bovina (BVDV). No entanto, as vias de transmissão entre os suínos são ainda desconhecidas. O objetivo do presente estudo foi induzir a infecção experimental de BVDV-1 em leitões desmamados e avaliar a potencial transmissão pela lâmina d'água, que ajuda na troca de calor dos suínos alojados em baias. Duas repetições do experimento (BP1 e BP2) foram realizadas com 12 animais comprovadamente livres de BVDV (n=6 por repetição) alocados em três grupos: controle, sentinelas e infectados, com dois animais cada. Os animais foram mantidos em isoladores de aço inoxidável. O grupo infectado recebeu um inóculo contendo BVDV-1, estirpe Singer. Os animais permaneceram nos isoladores durante 25 dias e, durante esse período, amostras de suabe nasal foram coletadas diariamente e sangue coletado semanalmente. No final, os animais foram eutanasiados, necropsiados e fragmentos de órgãos foram coletados para histopatologia, imuno-histoquímica e RT-PCR. No primeiro experimento (BP1), os animais infectados excretaram partículas virais entre os dias 6 e 21 pós-infecção. Quanto ao grupo sentinela, a excreção ocorreu apenas em um animal, no 20º dia pós-infecção, e a soroconversão foi observada no 25º dia pós-infecção. Na BP2, os animais infectados I3 e I4 excretaram partículas virais nos dias 4 e 21 pós-infecção, respectivamente. Apenas um animal sentinela (S3) apresentou excreção no dia 13 pós-infecção. Concluiu-se que os suínos podem se infectar com BVDV-1 e excretar partículas virais potencialmente infecciosas, sendo capazes de transmitir o vírus a outros suínos através da lâmina d'água.(AU)

Occurrence of anti-Brucella antibodies in intensive pig farming and in non-technified pig herds / Ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Brucella em suínos de granjas comercias e de criações de subsistência

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of antibodies anti-Brucella in 1,940 swine blood samples. Out of the 1,940 sera samples, 1,594 were from 30 intensive pig farming from seven different states, collected during the slaughtering of animals, and 346 samples from 56 non-technified (subsistence) pig herds from Jaboticabal region, São Paulo State, Brazil. All samples were tested by Buffered Plate Acidified Antigen (BPAA) and considered positive in case of agglutination. If positive, the samples were tested by Complement Fixation Reaction (CFR) as a confirmatory test. Out of the 1,594, two were positive for BPAA but negative for CFR, so the occurrence was 0%. Among the 346 samples, two were positive for BPAA but only one was positive in the confirmatory test, whith a titer of 1:8. Thus, the occurrence was 0.29%, an important result to demonstrate the improvement of the sanitary status of Brazilian non-technified pig herds, despite the low conditions of production.(AU)

O presente estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de se determinar a ocorrência de anticorpos anti-Brucella spp. em 1.940 amostras de sangue de suínos, das quais 1.594 amostras eram de 30 granjas comerciais, de sete diferentes Estados, coletadas durante o abate dos animais, e 346 amostras de 56 criações de subsistência da região de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Todas as amostras foram submetidas ao teste do Antígeno Acidificado Tamponado (AAT) e consideradas positivas caso ocorresse aglutinação. Quando positivas, as amostras eram submetidas ao teste de Reação de Fixação de Complemento (RFC) como teste confirmatório. Dentre as 1.594 amostras de suínos de granjas comerciais, duas se mostraram sensíveis ao AAT, porém, quando foram submetidas à RFC, ambas apresentaram reação negativa, levando a uma porcentagem de ocorrência de 0%. Já entre as 346 amostras de criações de subsistência, duas foram positivas ao AAT, sendo que apenas uma apresentou reação positiva no teste confirmatório, cujo título foi de 1:8. Desta forma, a ocorrência foi de 0,29%, resultado importante para demonstrar a melhoria do status sanitário dos rebanhos de subsistência brasileiros, apesar das condições precárias em que vivem.(AU)

Testing pigs of non-technified rearing farms for serum antibodies against Taenia solium in a region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil / Anticorpos séricos contra Taenia solium em suínos de criações não tecnificadas em uma região do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil

Taenia solium is a zoonotic tapeworm of great importance in developing countries, due to the occurrence of human taeniasis and cysticercosis. Pigs have an important role in the biological cycle of the parasite as intermediate hosts. The scientific literature has been describing risk factors associated with the occurrence of this disease that must be avoided in countries with poor sanitation, in order to reduce the exposure of swine to the parasite eggs. This research focused on testing pigs of non-technified rearing farms for serum antibodies against Taenia solium in the region of Jaboticabal municipality, in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The found prevalence was 6.82% (CI 95% 4.18 - 9.45) at animal level and 28.87% (CI 95% 16.74 - 40.40) at herd level. These figures are probably associated with low technification adoption during animal rearing in the studied area, which increased the exposure of the animals to risk factors associated with the occurrence of Taenia solium complex. The results found based on serological evidences of swine cysticercosis in the studied region serves as a warning to public sanitary authorities to improve public health and control T. solium.

A Taenia solium é uma importante zoonose com grande importância em países em desenvolvimento, devido a ocorrência de teníase e cisticercose em humanos. Os suínos possuem grande importância no ciclo biológico desse parasita como hospedeiros intermediários. A literatura científica descreve alguns fatores de risco associados com a ocorrência da enfermidade e que devem ser evitados em países com baixo saneamento básico a fim de reduzir a exposição dos suínos aos ovos do parasita. Assim, objetivou-se avaliar a presença de anticorpos séricos contra Taenia solium em suínos de criações não tecnificadas na região do Município de Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. A prevalência estabelecida foi de 6,82% (IC 95% 4,18 - 9,45) a nível animal e 28,87% (IC 16,74 - 40,40) nos rebanhos. Isso está provavelmente associado ao baixo nível de tecnificação adotado durante a criação dos animais na área avaliada, o qual aumenta a exposição dos animais aos fatores de risco associados ao complexo Taenia solium. Os resultados da ocorrência de cisticercose suína baseados em evidências sorológicas na região avaliada servem como um alerta as autoridades sanitárias para promover a saúde pública e controlar a Taenia solium.

Mycobacterium pinnipedii in a stranded South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) in Brazil.

We report tuberculosis in a stranded South American sea lion (Otaria byronia) in Brazil caused by Mycobacterium pinnipedii, a member of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.

Correlations between ovarian follicular blood flow and superovulatory responses in ewes.

The primary goal of this study was to employ ultrasonography to examine the ovaries of ewes undergoing superovulatory treatment for correlations between antral follicular blood flow and ovarian responses/embryo yields. Five Santa Inês ewes were subjected to a short- (Days 0-6, Group 1) and five to a long-term progesterone-based protocol (Days 0-12, Group 2) to synchronize estrus and ovulations after the superovulatory treatment. Porcine FSH (pFSH, 200mg) was administered in 8 decreasing doses over 4 days, starting on Days 4 and 10 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. After CIDR removal, all ewes were bred by a ram and embryos were recovered surgically 7 days later. Transrectal ovarian ultrasonography was performed the day before and on all 4 days of the superovulatory treatment. Both an arbitrary-scale [(0) non-detectable; (1) small; (2) moderate; (3) intense blood flow] and quantitative analysis of the blood flow area were used to assess the follicular blood flow in color Doppler images. There were no significant correlations between the arbitrary blood flow scores and superovulatory responses in the ewes of the present study. However, there was a positive correlation between the quantitative estimates of follicular blood flow on the final day of the superovulatory treatment, and the number (DA: r=0.68, P<0.05; DA/TA×100%: r=0.85, P<0.05) and percentage (DA: r=0.65, P<0.05; DA/TA×100%: r=0.91, P<0.001) of unfertilized eggs (DA: Doppler area, TA: total area of the largest ovarian cross section). This experiment presents a commercially practical tool for predicting superovulatory outcomes in ewes and evidence for the existence of follicular blood flow threshold that may impinge negatively on oocyte quality when surpassed during hormonal ovarian superstimulation.