Search Results (83)

Baboons’ management requires chemical restraint. Three intramuscular sedative protocols in captive hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) undergoing health-check and male vasectomy were compared. Animals were assigned to TZD_G (n = 17; tiletamine/zolazepam 3 mg/kg + dexmedetomidine 20 μg/kg), KDM_G (n = 23; ketamine 6 mg/kg + dexmedetomidine 30 μg/kg + methadone 0.2 mg/kg), or MDM_G (n = 9; midazolam 2 mg/kg + dexmedetomidine 60 μg/kg + methadone 0.2 mg/kg). Propofol was titrated intravenously for anaesthetic induction and maintenance. Sedation time and quality and cardiopulmonary parameters were recorded. Atipamezole (TZD_G 0.2 mg/kg, KDM_G 0.3 mg/kg, MDM_G 0.6 mg/kg) and flumazenil (MDM_G 0.02 mg/kg) were administered intramuscularly post-procedure. Recovery time and quality were recorded. Data were reported as median (interquartile range) or regression coefficient (B). Sedation was deepest in TZD_G (20, 20–20; KDM_G 20, 19–20; MDM_G 19, 15–20; p = 0.017). MDM_G had a significantly higher heart rate (B = 10.27, p = 0.001), respiratory rate (B = 9.09, p < 0.001), and lower end-tidal carbon dioxide (B = −3.00, p = 0.03) than TZD_G, while KDM_G had a lower respiratory rate than TZD_G (B = −3.67, p = 0.02) and a higher temperature (B = 1.66 p = 0.001). TZD_G showed the longest recovery (minutes: 19, 11.5–30; KDM_G: 6, 4–12; MDM_G: 4, 2.5–5; p < 0.001), while MDM_G the best recovery (0, 0–0; TZD_G: 9, 6–12; KDM_G: 0, 0–6; p < 0.001). TZD produced deepest sedation but bad recovery; KDM offered optimal sedation and recovery, and cardiopulmonary stability; MDM provided lighter sedation and excellent recovery. Full article

Porcine lymphotropic herpesviruses -1, -2, and -3 (PLHV-1, PLHV-2, and PLHV-3) are gammaherpesviruses that are widespread in pigs. These viruses are closely related to the human pathogens Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), both of which are known to cause severe diseases in humans. To date, however, no definitive association has been established between PLHVs and any disease in pigs. With the growing interest in xenotransplantation as a means to address the shortage of human organs for transplantation, the safety of using pig-derived cells, tissues, and organs is under intense investigation. In preclinical trials involving pig-to-nonhuman primate xenotransplantation, another porcine herpesvirus—porcine cytomegalovirus, a porcine roseolovirus (PCMV/PRV)—was shown to be transmissible and significantly reduced the survival time of the xenotransplants. In the present study, we examined donor pigs and their respective baboon recipients, all of which were part of preclinical pig heart xenotransplantation studies, for the presence of PLHV. PLHV-1, PLHV-2, and PLHV-3 were detected in nearly all donor pigs; however, no evidence of PLHV transmission to the baboon recipients was observed. Full article

Maternal obesity programs the fetus for increased risk of chronic disease development in early life and adulthood. We hypothesized that maternal nutrient excess leads to fetal inflammation and impairs offspring skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis in non-human primates. At least 12 months before pregnancy, female baboons were fed a normal chow (CTR, 12% energy fat) or a maternal nutrient excess (MNE, 45% energy fat, and ad libitum fructose sodas) diet, with the latter to induce obesity. After 165 days of gestation (0.9 G), offspring baboons were delivered by cesarean section, and the soleus muscle was collected (CTR n = 16, MNE n = 5). At conception, MNE mothers presented increased body fat and weighed more than controls. The soleus muscle of MNE fetuses exhibited increased levels of stress signaling associated with inflammation (TLR4, TNFα, NF-kB p65, and p38), concomitant with reduced expression of key regulators of mitochondrial biogenesis, including PGC1α, both at the protein and transcript levels, as well as downregulation of PPARGC1B, PPARA, PPARB, CREB1, NOS3, SIRT1, SIRT3. Decreased transcript levels of NRF1 were observed alongside diminished mitochondrial DNA copy number, mitochondrial fusion elements (MFN1, MFN2), cytochrome C protein levels, and cytochrome C oxidase subunits I and II transcripts (cox1 and cox2). MNE coupled to MO-induced stress signaling in fetal baboon soleus muscle is associated with impaired mitochondrial biogenesis and lower mitochondrial content, resembling the changes observed in metabolic dysfunctions, such as diabetes. The observed fetal alterations may have important implications for postnatal development and metabolism, potentially increasing the risk of early-onset metabolic disorders and other non-communicable diseases. Full article

This study evaluates the health of a captive colony of Hamadryas baboons at Ravenna Zoo Safari (Italy), focusing on oxidative stress markers and biometric data. Forty-eight individuals were assessed during routine veterinary procedures: males underwent vasectomy, and females were checked for pregnancy. Biometric data collected included body weight, body length, and genital measurements in males, while females were evaluated for reproductive status. Oxidative stress was measured using two tests that assess both harmful pro-oxidant levels and the body’s antioxidant defenses. Results showed no significant differences in oxidative stress levels between sexes, although males and females differed in body weight. Pregnant and postpartum females exhibited higher oxidative stress, likely due to the metabolic and hormonal demands of reproduction. This supports the idea that reproductive activity increases the production of reactive oxygen species, requiring stronger antioxidant responses. In males, correlations between body weight and genital measurements suggest these could help estimate age in the absence of birth records. No link was found between oxidative stress and body weight, indicating limited age-related effects on these markers. Overall, the study highlights the importance of monitoring oxidative stress in captive primates to better understand the effects of reproduction and aging, and to improve welfare and management practices. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of zoonotic disease transmission dynamics between baboon and human populations using both deterministic and stochastic modeling approaches. The model is constructed with a symmetric compartmental structure for each species—susceptible, infected, and recovered—which reflects a biological and mathematical symmetry between the two interacting populations. Public health control strategies such as sterilization, restricted food access, and reduced human–baboon interaction are incorporated symmetrically, allowing for a balanced evaluation of their effectiveness across species. The basic reproduction number (${\mathcal{R}}_0$) is derived analytically and examined through sensitivity indices to identify critical epidemiological parameters. Numerical simulations, implemented via the Euler–Maruyama method, explore the influence of stochastic perturbations on disease trajectories. Statistical tools including Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), Mean Squared Error (MSE), and Power Spectral Density (PSD) analysis validate model predictions and assess variability across noise levels. The results provide probabilistic confidence intervals and highlight the robustness of the proposed control strategies. This symmetry-aware, dual-framework modeling approach offers novel insights into zoonotic disease management, particularly in ecologically dynamic regions with frequent human–wildlife interactions. Full article

The ability to navigate through both familiar and unfamiliar environments is of critical importance for foraging efficiency, safety, and energy budgeting in wild animals. For animals that remain in the same home range annually, such as grey-footed chacma baboons (Papio ursinus griseipes), movement efficiency is expected to reflect familiarity with the home range as well as the nature of the resources within it. For example, resources that are patchy, transient, or seasonal present a greater spatial cognitive challenge, and travel between them may be less efficient than for more widespread or permanent resources. Here, we analyse daily route efficiency in adult female grey-footed chacma baboons at Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. We use GPS data taken at 15 min intervals from collars deployed on two baboons in each of two study troops (four total) to identify areas of interest used during daily ranging periods (sleep site to sleep site). We then compare the length of the route taken between a given day’s patches to routes calculated by two alternate optimisation heuristics as follows: the nearest neighbour method, in which the subject repeatedly travels to the next most proximate patch and does not necessarily return to the same place, and the Concorde algorithm, which calculates the shortest possible route connecting the day’s patches. We show that baboons travel more efficient routes than those yielded by the nearest-neighbour heuristic but less efficient routes than the Concorde method, implying some degree of route planning. We discuss our novel method of area of interest identification using only remote GPS data, as well as the implications of our findings for primate movement and cognition. Full article

Porcine cytomegalovirus/porcine roseolovirus (PCMV/PRV), a porcine herpesvirus, has been shown to significantly reduce the survival time of porcine xenotransplants in non-human primates. The virus was detected in all the examined organs of baboons transplanted with PCMV/PRV-positive organs and it was also transmitted to the first human recipient of a pig heart, contributing to the patient’s death. PCMV/PRV induces consumptive coagulopathy and thrombocytopenia in xenotransplant recipients. Initial studies in baboons revealed that the virus triggered increased release of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) and interleukin 6 (IL-6), along with elevated levels of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) complexes. Since there is no evidence that PCMV/PRV infects primate cells, including human cells, the virus appears to directly interact with immune and endothelial cells, disrupting cytokine signaling and coagulation pathways. The highest viral load was detected in the explanted pig heart, suggesting active replication at this site. Additionally, cells expressing PCMV/PRV proteins were identified in all the examined baboon organs, where pig cells were also found. Since PCMV/PRV affects only xenotransplant recipients and not healthy humans, this condition should be classified as a xenozoonosis. Interestingly, antibodies against human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) cross-react with PCMV/PRV and may contribute to protection against infection in humans. Further research is needed to uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying this xenozoonotic disease. Full article

This study presents a novel fractional-order mathematical model to investigate zoonotic disease transmission between humans and baboons, incorporating the Generalized Euler Method and highlighting key control strategies such as sterilization, restricted food access, and reduced human–baboon interaction. The model’s structure exhibits an inherent symmetry in the transmission dynamics between baboon and human populations, reflecting balanced interaction patterns. This symmetry is further analyzed through the stability of infection-free and endemic equilibrium points, guided by the basic reproduction number ${\mathcal{R}}_0$. Theoretical analyses confirmed the existence, uniqueness, and boundedness of solutions, while sensitivity analysis identified critical parameters influencing disease spread. Numerical simulations validated the effectiveness of intervention strategies, demonstrating the impact of symmetrical measures on minimizing zoonotic disease risks and promoting balanced population health outcomes. This work contributes to epidemiological modeling by illustrating how symmetry in control interventions can optimize zoonotic disease management. Full article

A hyperchaotic system was analyzed in this study, and its hyperchaotic behavior was confirmed through dynamic analysis. The system was utilized to develop a pseudo-random number generator (PRNG), whose statistical reliability was validated through NIST SP800-22 tests, demonstrating its suitability for cryptographic applications. Additionally, a 16 × 16 S-box was constructed based on the hyperchaotic system, ensuring high nonlinearity and strong cryptographic performance. A comparative analysis revealed that the proposed S-box structure outperforms existing designs in terms of security and efficiency. A new image encryption algorithm was designed using the PRNG and S-box, and its performance was evaluated on 512 × 512 grayscale images, including the commonly used baboon and pepper images. The decryption process successfully restored the original images, confirming the encryption scheme’s reliability. Security evaluations, including histogram analysis, entropy measurement, correlation analysis, and resistance to differential and noise attacks, were conducted. The findings showed that the suggested encryption algorithm outperforms current techniques in terms of security and efficiency. This study contributes to the advancement of robust PRNG generation, secure S-box design, and efficient image encryption algorithms using hyperchaotic systems, offering a promising approach for secure communication and data protection. Full article

Lymphocryptoviruses (LCVs) are ubiquitous gamma-herpesviruses that establish life-long infections in both humans and non-human primates (NHPs). In immunocompromised hosts, LCV infections are commonly associated with B cell disorders and malignancies such as lymphoma. In this study, we evaluated simian LCV-encoded small microRNAs (miRNAs) present in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from a Mauritian cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) with cyLCV-associated post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) as well as the viral miRNAs expressed in a baboon (Papio hamadryas) LCL that harbors CeHV12. Via sequence comparisons, we further predicted viral miRNAs encoded by LCVs that infect two additional NHP species: stump-tailed macaques (Macaca arctoides) and bonobos (Pan paniscus). Together, these species represent two arms of the primate phylogeny: Hominoids (Pan) and Old-World monkeys (Macaca, Papio). Through our analysis, we defined sequences for >95 viral miRNAs encoded by these four NHP LCVs. Our study provides the most comprehensive annotation of NHP LCV miRNAs to date, yielding a resource for developing sequence-specific reagents to detect these molecules. Importantly, we further demonstrate that cyLCV miRNAs can be detected in circulation in vivo and have biomarker potential for LCV-related PTLD. Full article

While TGF-β3 promoted defect healing in a primate baboon skull defect model and patients, it remains unclear whether TGF-β3 affects the formation of osteoclasts and bone resorption between osteogenesis and osteolysis. Analysis of the full transcriptome of hPDLSCs (human periodontal ligament stem cells) revealed that the expression of RANKL was significantly up-regulated after TGF-β3 treatment during osteogenesis, which suggests its involvement in clock-controlled autophagy in bone metabolism. TRAP staining and bone resorption lacunae were used to assess the osteoclasts formed from RANKL-induced differentiated BMMs. During osteoclast differentiation, the characteristics of autophagy regulated by TGF-β3 were observed in BMMs through MDC staining, transmission electron microscopy, and LC3 immunofluorescence. The expression of related genes and proteins were detected on the sixth day in mCherry-EGFP-LC3B lentivirus-transfected BMMs using RT-qPCR and WB. Finally, a trans-well co-culture system was used to evaluate the effects of osteogenic differentiated hPDLSCs treated with TGF-β3 on the osteoclastic differentiation of BMMs. The results showed 10 ng/mL of TGF-β3 significantly suppressed osteoclastic differentiation and bone resorption in BMMs (p < 0.05 vs. RANKL). In particular, TGF-β3 augments the expression of LC3-II to stimulate autophagy, consequently restraining osteoclastic resorption. These findings provide a molecular basis and are beneficial to illustrate the potential druggability of TGF-β3 in osteoporotic diseases. Full article

This study investigates parasitic and bacterial pathogens present in Hamadryas baboons (Papio hamadryas) and humans in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Fecal samples were collected from Hamadryas baboons (n = 999) from three city peripheries and humans from city centers (n = 1998) and peripheries (n = 1998) of southwestern and eastern Saudi cities. Parasitic examinations and bacterial cultures were conducted on these samples. Key findings include the identification of various parasitic and bacterial pathogens, with notable prevalences of Staphylococcus aureus (71.37% in baboons, 71.51% in humans), Blastocystis hominis (42.24% in baboons, 17.85% in humans), Cryptosporidium spp. (40.14% in baboons, 12.6% in humans), hookworms (37.44% in baboons, 18.57% in humans), Strongyloides spp. (37.34% in baboons, 17.39% in humans), Enterobius vermicularis (36.34% in baboons, 11.18% in humans), and Campylobacter spp. (29.73% in baboons, 1.86% in humans). Additionally, the prevalences of these microorganisms in human populations coexisting with baboons in southwestern city peripheries were 75.47%, 25.22%, 23.62%, 26.33%, 22.22%, 15.11%, and 3.8%, respectively. To further characterize bacterial isolates, 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used, suggesting potential zoonotic and anthroponotic cycles. The results highlight significant pathogen prevalence among both baboons and human populations in proximity to baboon habitats, indicating a potential public health risk. However, shared environmental sources, such as contaminated water, were not thoroughly assessed and could play a role in pathogen transmission. The study’s focus on 18 different parasitic and bacterial pathogens allowed for the targeting of prevalent and indicative markers of zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission. In conclusion, these baseline data are crucial for the design of advanced studies to further investigate the zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission dynamics and the environmental factors influencing pathogen prevalence. Full article

Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a simple marker of stress and inflammation, but there is limited research regarding NLR in nonhuman primates (NHPs), with studies showing associations with longevity, certain medical conditions, and stressful circumstances. Here, we examined baboon NLR longitudinally, and as a function of health parameters. We also examined whether NLR was affected by sedation rate, as well as the order of sedation within a group, given that sedation events during clinical and research practices can induce stress in NHPs. While older adult and geriatric baboon NLR did not differ longitudinally, juvenile and young adult NLR tended to increase, primarily driven by increases in females. Additionally, baboons sedated later within a group showed significantly higher NLRs than those sedated earlier in the process. However, baboons with higher sedation rates per month showed lower NLRs. These data indicate that NLR may be dysregulated in different ways as a function of different types of stress, with sedation order (i.e., acute stress) causing pathological increases in NLR, and sedation rate over time (i.e., chronic stress) causing decreases. Importantly, we propose that NLR, a routinely obtained veterinary measure, has potential utility as a welfare indicator of stress resulting from clinical and research practices, as well as a measure that can inform behavioral management practices and interventions. Full article

There is a plethora of data demonstrating the deleterious consequences of nursery rearing in nonhuman primates (NHPs). However, baboon studies report varying consequences of nursery rearing, from no differences in reproduction and sociality to moderate differences in social cognition and abnormal behavior. We compared health and reproductive parameters in a large sample (N= 231) of mother-reared (MR) and nursery-reared (NR) captive olive baboons housed at the Keeling Center for Comparative Medicine and Research, Texas. MR baboons had higher neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratios and heart rates than NR baboons. Rearing was not a significant predictor of body condition score or body weight (p > 0.20), and MR and NR individuals did not differ in the level of wounding observed (p > 0.70). The proportion of successful births across NR and MR females was also not significantly different (p > 0.70), nor were rates of maternal neglect and infant death. These data suggest minimal differences in health and reproductive parameters across rearing statuses in baboons housed at this facility. In conjunction with previous research that also seems to show minimal differences as a function of rearing in baboons, but directly contrast with data in other NHP species, these data suggest that baboons may be more robust against deleterious effects of abnormal rearing conditions than other NHP species. Full article

The blockade of the CD40/CD40L immune checkpoint is considered essential for cardiac xenotransplantation. However, it is still unclear which single antibody directed against CD40 or CD40L (CD154), or which combination of antibodies, is better at preventing organ rejection. For example, the high doses of antibody administered in previous experiments might not be feasible for the treatment of humans, while thrombotic side effects were described for first-generation anti-CD40L antibodies. To address these issues, we conducted six orthotopic pig-to-baboon cardiac xenotransplantation experiments, combining a chimeric anti-CD40 antibody with an investigational long-acting PASylated anti-CD40L Fab fragment. The combination therapy effectively resulted in animal survival with a rate comparable to a previous study that utilized anti-CD40 monotherapy. Importantly, no incidence of thromboembolic events associated with the administration of the anti-CD40L PAS-Fab was observed. Two experiments failed early because of technical reasons, two were terminated deliberately after 90 days with the baboons in excellent condition and two were extended to 120 and 170 days, respectively. Unexpectedly, and despite the absence of any clinical signs, histopathology revealed fungal infections in all four recipients. This study provides, for the first time, insights into a combination therapy with anti-CD40/anti-CD40L antibodies to block this immune checkpoint. Full article