Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
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Brucellosis surveillance in Bavarian wild boar: Evaluation of a novel rLPS/sLPS-based ELISA compared to OIE-listed serological tests
Get PDFIntroduction
Brucellosis is a globally significant zoonotic disease, caused by Brucella spp., with wildlife reservoirs such as wild boars posing a potential threat to brucellosis-free livestock populations and public health. Despite eradication of brucellosis in domestic animals in Germany, the disease persists in wildlife. Reliable and specific diagnostic tools are essential for effective surveillance.
Material and methods
In this study, 149 serum samples from wild boars hunted during the 2023/2024 season in Bavaria (Germany) were analyzed using four serological tests: 1.the rose bengal test (RBT), 2. a conventional sLPS-based ELISA (BMS),3. a novel biwell ELISA (BSI) using both sLPS and rLPS antigens and 4. the complement fixation test (CFT) as gold standard. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of all assays were calculated in comparison to the CFT.
Results
Of the 149 samples analyzed, 9 tested positive by CFT, resulting in a seroprevalence of 6.0 % [3.1 %, 11.2 %]in the sampled wild boar population. The BMS-ELISA demonstrated the highest sensitivity (100 %) but moderate specificity (85.0 %), whereas the BSI ELISA showed improved specificity (94.3 %) and accuracy (92.6 %) through combined detection of antibodies against sLPS and rLPS, albeit with lower sensitivity (66.7 %). The RBT performed least favorably with a sensitivity of 55.6 % and specificity of 92.7 %.
Discussion
The findings confirm that brucellosis remains endemic among wild boars in Bavaria. While the BSI ELISA shows promise due to its high specificity, its lower sensitivity limits its utility as a stand-alone diagnostic. Cross-reactions in sLPS-based assays highlight the importance of combining antigens for improved test reliability. The varying seroprevalence compared to previous studies underscores the dynamic nature of infection in wildlife populations.
Conclusion
A dual-step diagnostic approach – utilizing a sensitive ELISA for screening followed by CFT for confirmation – remains the most effective strategy for wildlife surveillance. The BSI ELISA may serve as a viable alternative in clinical or resource-limited settings. Continued monitoring is crucial to mitigate the zoonotic risk posed by wildlife reservoirs
The Grothendieck computability model
No full textTranslating notions and results from category theory to the theory of computability models of Longley and Normann, we introduce the Grothendieck computability model. We define the first-projection-simulation and prove its basic properties. With the Grothendieck computability model, the category of computability models is shown to be a type-category, in the sense of Pitts, a result that bridges the categorical interpretation of dependent types with the theory of computability models. We also show that the category of computability models is a category with 2-family arrows and a corresponding structure of Sigma-objects. Finally, we introduce the notion of a fibration and opfibration-simulation, and we prove that the first-projection-simulation is a split opfibration-simulation
Radio(chemo)therapy in anal cancer: evaluation of sex-specific disparities across AJCC stages
No full text
Advancing Cardiovascular Medicine: Innovative Therapeutic Pathways with Single-Cell Technologies
No full textPurpose of Review
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) encompass a wide range of conditions affecting the heart and vasculature and remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. The pathogenesis of CVDs is related to complex molecular, cellular, and systemic interactions, involving dysregulated signaling pathways, inflammatory responses, genetic predispositions, and intercellular communication. Despite significant advancements, the precise mechanisms underlying CVDs remain only partially understood. This review aims to explain how single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomics facilitate our understanding of CVD pathogenesis. It focuses on their integration with genomic and epigenomic approaches, cellular heterogeneity, intercellular communication, regulatory networks, and genetic associations.
Recent Findings
Recent applications of single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomics in cardiovascular research have already revealed significant alterations in cellular composition and gene expression profiles associated with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM), and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Furthermore, spatial transcriptomic technologies have provided critical insights into human cardiac development, the conduction system, and region-specific molecular changes in myocardial infarction, advancing our understanding of cardiac structure and function. Integrating single-cell transcriptomics with epigenomics further enhances our understanding of cell type- and state-specific regulatory landscapes, which can be validated through single-cell perturbation technologies. Additionally, combining genomic studies with single-cell technologies helps to recover causal relationships between genetic variants, gene expression patterns, and cellular phenotypes.
Summary
Single-cell and single-nucleus transcriptomics technologies have enhanced our understanding of CVD mechanisms, uncovering cardiac cellular diversity and elucidating key regulatory processes in disease states. With larger datasets, more robust multi-omics integration, and advanced computational frameworks, transcriptome studies at single cell level will significantly enhance the ability to explore disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets. Integrating individualized transcriptomes into the medical routine will furthermore facilitate more precise and effective interventions in cardiovascular medicine
Quantum theory, gravity and second order geometry
No full textWe argue that a consistent coupling of a quantum theory to gravity requires an extension of ordinary ‘first order’ Riemannian geometry to second order Riemannian geometry, which incorporates both a line element and an area element. This extension results in a misalignment between the dimension of the manifold and the dimension of the tangent spaces. In particular, we find that for a 4-dimensional spacetime, tangent spaces become 18-dimensional. We then discuss the construction of physical theories within this framework, which involves the introduction of terms that are quadratic in derivatives in the action. On a flat spacetime, the quadratic sector is perpendicular to the first order sector and only affects the normalization of the path integral, whereas in a curved spacetime the quadratic sector couples to the first order sector. Moreover, we suggest that, despite the introduction of higher order derivatives, the Ostragradski instability may be avoided, due to an order mixing of the two sectors. Finally, we comment on extensions to higher order geometry and on relations with non-commutative and generalized geometry
Künstliche Intelligenz in diakonischen Unternehmen
No full textAn KI scheiden sich die Geister. Manchen gilt sie als Anbruch des goldenen Zeitalters, anderen als Apokalypse.
Besonders im Sozial- und Gesundheitswesen stehen übertriebene Erwartungen neben unmäßigen Ängsten. Darum müssen wir gerade im Bereich christlicher Sozialfürsorge unser Wissen über KI steigern und ethische Einschätzungen entwickeln.
Band 3 der Reihe Diakonie reflektiert versucht, hier Orientierungen zu geben mit Überlegungen aus der Forschung über KI sowie aus der philosophischen und theologischen Ethik
