Publications

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ecomorphology of the african felid ensemble: the role of the skull and postcranium in determining species segregation and assembling history.morphology of extant felids is regarded as highly conservative. most previous studies have focussed on skull morphology, so a vacuum exists about morphofunctional variation in postcranium and its role in structuring ensembles of felids in different continents. the african felid ensemble is particularly rich in ecologically specialized felids. we studied the ecomorphology of this ensemble using 31 cranial and 93 postcranial morphometric variables measured in 49 specimens of all 10 african species ...201323496381
comparison of the effects of artificial and natural barriers on large african carnivores: implications for interspecific relationships and connectivity.1. physical barriers contribute to habitat fragmentation, influence species distribution and ranging behaviour, and impact long-term population viability. barrier permeability varies among species and can potentially impact the competitive balance within animal communities by differentially affecting co-occurring species. the influence of barriers on the spatial distribution of species within whole communities has nonetheless received little attention. 2. during a 4-year period, we studied the i ...201323402594
determinants of persistence and tolerance of carnivores on namibian ranches: implications for conservation on southern african private lands.changing land use patterns in southern africa have potential to dramatically alter the prospects for carnivore conservation. understanding these influences is essential for conservation planning. we interviewed 250 ranchers in namibia to assess human tolerance towards and the distribution of large carnivores. cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus), leopards (panthera pardus) and brown hyaenas (hyaena brunnea) were widely distributed on namibian farmlands, spotted hyaenas (crocuta crocuta) had a narrower di ...201323326333
the composition of cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) milk.milk was obtained from two captive bred cheetahs. the nutrient content was 99.6 g protein; 64.8 g fat; and 40.21 g lactose per kg milk. small amounts of oligosaccharides, glucose, galactose and fucose were noted. the protein fraction respectively consisted of 34.2 g caseins per kg milk and of 65.3 g whey proteins per kg milk. very little variation in milk composition among the individual cheetahs was noted. electrophoresis and identification of protein bands showed a similar migrating sequence o ...201317064942
straight talk with...stephen o'brien. interviewed by elie dolgin.stephen o'brien joined the us national cancer institute as a post doc in 1971 and climbed the ranks to become head of the institute's laboratory of genomic diversity, a position he held for 25 years. but, after four decades at the government agency, o'brien was ready for something new. in december 2011, he stepped down and took up a three-year, $5 million 'megagrant' in russia through a program started a year earlier by the russian ministry of education and science to attract big-name researcher ...201323295996
autonomous reinforcement learning with experience replay.this paper considers the issues of efficiency and autonomy that are required to make reinforcement learning suitable for real-life control tasks. a real-time reinforcement learning algorithm is presented that repeatedly adjusts the control policy with the use of previously collected samples, and autonomously estimates the appropriate step-sizes for the learning updates. the algorithm is based on the actor-critic with experience replay whose step-sizes are determined on-line by an enhanced fixed ...201323237972
changes in end-tidal carbon dioxide and volumetric carbon dioxide as predictors of volume responsiveness in hemodynamically unstable patients.the purpose of this study was to determine whether changes in petco2 and exhaled co2 (vco2) can predict fluid responsiveness after a preload challenge.201323182383
what can zookeepers tell us about interacting with big cats in captivity?despite the potential dangers involved, interactions between zookeepers and captive big cats are increasing. research with other animals, particularly nonhuman primates, suggests that closer interactions can be beneficial not only for the animals and their keepers, but also for zoo visitors. this study sought to determine whether the same benefits may apply to keeper-big cat interactions. an online questionnaire was completed by 86 keepers worldwide, assessing which types of handling (hands-on, ...201322887705
cheetah: software for high-throughput reduction and analysis of serial femtosecond x-ray diffraction data.the emerging technique of serial x-ray diffraction, in which diffraction data are collected from samples flowing across a pulsed x-ray source at repetition rates of 100 hz or higher, has necessitated the development of new software in order to handle the large data volumes produced. sorting of data according to different criteria and rapid filtering of events to retain only diffraction patterns of interest results in significant reductions in data volume, thereby simplifying subsequent data anal ...201424904246
relationship of climatic conditions to fecal corticosterone levels of captive cheetahs reared in japan.to assess the stress level of cheetahs reared in japan and to identify the prime components of the climatic conditions that affect their thermal stress, fecal corticosterone was monitored for 8 months from may to the following january. a total of 203 fecal samples were gathered in the morning from seven adult cheetahs that were kept at a zoological garden in wakayama, japan. cheetahs were on exhibit singly or together with a harmonious conspecific during the day, but housed singly at night. alth ...201424841707
utilization of bioreactance technique as indicator for preload responsiveness during living donor liver donation.fluid restriction has been used to decrease central venous pressure as a strategy of fluid management during living donor liver donation (ldld). however, potential risks such as hemodynamic instability are also involved during the procedure. monitoring of preload or preload responsiveness is therefore crucial during ldld. the aim of this study was to explore the efficiency of an innovative bioreactance method that introduced the noninvasive cardiac output monitor (nicom, cheetah medical, vancouv ...201424767319
cheetahs and wild dogs show contrasting patterns of suppression by lions.top predators can dramatically suppress populations of smaller predators, with cascading effects throughout communities, and this pressure is often unquestioningly accepted as a constraint on mesopredator populations. in this study, we reassess whether african lions suppress populations of cheetahs and african wild dogs and examine possible mechanisms for coexistence between these species. using long-term records from serengeti national park, we tested 30 years of population data for evidence of ...201424724917
a prospective comparison of a noninvasive cardiac output monitor versus esophageal doppler monitor for goal-directed fluid therapy in colorectal surgery patients.goal-directed fluid therapy (gdft) is associated with improved outcomes after surgery. the esophageal doppler monitor (edm) is widely used, but has several limitations. the nicom, a completely noninvasive cardiac output monitor (cheetah medical), may be appropriate for guiding gdft. no prospective studies have compared the nicom and the edm. we hypothesized that the nicom is not significantly different from the edm for monitoring during gdft.201424681660
phylogenetic analysis of faecal microbiota from captive cheetahs reveals underrepresentation of bacteroidetes and bifidobacteriaceae.imbalanced feeding regimes may initiate gastrointestinal and metabolic diseases in endangered felids kept in captivity such as cheetahs. given the crucial role of the host's intestinal microbiota in feed fermentation and health maintenance, a better understanding of the cheetah's intestinal ecosystem is essential for improvement of current feeding strategies. we determined the phylogenetic diversity of the faecal microbiota of the only two cheetahs housed in an eaza associated zoo in flanders, b ...201424548488
understanding tourists' preference for mammal species in private protected areas: is there a case for extralimital species for ecotourism?private protected areas (ppas) often use wildlife-based ecotourism as their primary means of generating business. achieving tourist satisfaction has become a strong driving goal in the management of many ppas, often at the expense of biodiversity. many extralimitral species, those which historically did not occur in an area, are stocked in ppas with the intention of increasing ecotourism attractions. even though the ecological and economic costs of stocking these species are high, the social ben ...201424505426
haptic feedback enhances rhythmic motor control by reducing variability, not improving convergence rate.stability and performance during rhythmic motor behaviors such as locomotion are critical for survival across taxa: falling down would bode well for neither cheetah nor gazelle. little is known about how haptic feedback, particularly during discrete events such as the heel-strike event during walking, enhances rhythmic behavior. to determine the effect of haptic cues on rhythmic motor performance, we investigated a virtual paddle juggling behavior, analogous to bouncing a table tennis ball on a ...201424371296
oligotyping reveals differences between gut microbiomes of free-ranging sympatric namibian carnivores (acinonyx jubatus, canis mesomelas) on a bacterial species-like level.recent gut microbiome studies in model organisms emphasize the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on the variation of the bacterial composition and its impact on the overall health status of the host. species occurring in the same habitat might share a similar microbiome, especially if they overlap in ecological and behavioral traits. so far, the natural variation in microbiomes of free-ranging wildlife species has not been thoroughly investigated. the few existing studies exploring micr ...201425352837
serum protein capillary electrophoresis and measurement of acute phase proteins in a captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) population.renal and gastrointestinal pathologies are widespread in the captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) population but are often diagnosed at a late stage, because diagnostic tools are limited to the evaluation of clinical signs or general blood examination. presently, no data are available on serum proteins and acute-phase proteins in cheetahs during health or disease, although they might be important to improve health monitoring. this study aimed to quantify serum proteins by capillary electrophoresis ...201425314816
use of brachial plexus blockade and medetomidine-ketamine-isoflurane anaesthesia for repair of radio-ulna fracture in an adult cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).regional anaesthetic techniques have been used in combination with systemic analgesics during small animal surgery to provide multimodal analgesia. brachial plexus nerves block using local anaesthetics provides analgesia of the thoracic limb through desensitization of the nerves that provide sensory and motor innervation. this has been shown to reduce intra-operative anesthetic requirements and provide postoperative pain relief. decreasing the doses of general anaesthetics allows more stable car ...201425301165
the conflict between cheetahs and humans on namibian farmland elucidated by stable isotope diet analysis.large areas of namibia are covered by farmland, which is also used by game and predator species. because it can cause conflicts with farmers when predators, such as cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus), hunt livestock, we assessed whether livestock constitutes a significant part of the cheetah diet by analysing the stable isotope composition of blood and tissue samples of cheetahs and their potential prey species. according to isotopic similarities, we defined three isotopic categories of potential prey: ...201425162403
an objective approach to determining the weight ranges of prey preferred by and accessible to the five large african carnivores.broad-scale models describing predator prey preferences serve as useful departure points for understanding predator-prey interactions at finer scales. previous analyses used a subjective approach to identify prey weight preferences of the five large african carnivores, hence their accuracy is questionable. this study uses a segmented model of prey weight versus prey preference to objectively quantify the prey weight preferences of the five large african carnivores. based on simulations of known ...201424988433
leukoencephalomyelopathy of mature captive cheetahs and other large felids: a novel neurodegenerative disease that came and went?a novel leukoencephalomyelopathy was identified in 73 mature male and female large captive felids between 1994 and 2005. while the majority of identified cases occurred in cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus), the disease was also found in members of 2 other subfamilies of felidae: 1 generic tiger (panthera tigris) and 2 florida panthers (puma concolor coryi). the median age at time of death was 12 years, and all but 1 cheetah were housed in the united states. characteristic clinical history included pro ...201424129896
evaluating the status of african wild dogs lycaon pictus and cheetahs acinonyx jubatus through tourist-based photographic surveys in the kruger national park [corrected].the kruger national park is a stronghold for african wild dog lycaon pictus and cheetah acinonyx jubatus conservation in south africa. tourist photographic surveys have been used to evaluate the minimum number of wild dogs and cheetahs alive over the last two decades. photographic-based capture-recapture techniques for open populations were used on data collected during a survey done in 2008/9. models were run for the park as a whole and per region (northern, central, southern). a total of 412 ( ...201424465998
severe gastritis with double helicobacter spp. infection associated with barrett's esophagus in a cheetah. 201425365948
atypical melanosis coli resembling the appearance of cheetah skin. 201425314182
mammalian energetics. flexible energetics of cheetah hunting strategies provide resistance against kleptoparasitism.population viability is driven by individual survival, which in turn depends on individuals balancing energy budgets. as carnivores may function close to maximum sustained power outputs, decreased food availability or increased activity may render some populations energetically vulnerable. prey theft may compromise energetic budgets of mesopredators, such as cheetahs and wild dogs, which are susceptible to competition from larger carnivores. we show that daily energy expenditure (dee) of cheetah ...201425278609
financial costs of large carnivore translocations--accounting for conservation.human-carnivore conflict continues to present a major conservation challenge around the world. translocation of large carnivores is widely implemented but remains strongly debated, in part because of a lack of cost transparency. we report detailed translocation costs for three large carnivore species in namibia and across different translocation scenarios. we consider the effect of various parameters and factors on costs and translocation success. total translocation cost for 30 individuals in 2 ...201425126849
reproduction and advances in reproductive studies in carnivores.reproductive mechanisms are extraordinarily diverse among species, even within the same phylogenetic clade. due to this, it has been difficult to directly apply reproductive technologies developed in human and livestock to genetically manage ex situ wildlife, including carnivores. to date, more common, closely related species, e.g., domestic cats, dogs and ferrets have served as valuable models for developing reproductive technologies for managing rare, endangered carnivores. artificial insemina ...201425091912
evaluation of cheetah and leopard spermatozoa developmental capability after interspecific icsi with domestic cat oocytes.the icsi procedure is potentially of great value for felids, and it has not been extensively studied in these species. the objectives of this work were to determine the best conditions for icsi in the domestic cat (dc) to generate interspecific embryos by injecting cheetah (ch) and leopard (leo) spermatozoa. firstly, dc oocytes were matured with insulin-transferrin-selenium (its) or without it (mm) and cultured using atmospheric (21%) or low (5%) oxygen tension after icsi. the group its-5%o2 sho ...201424966115
adding rotation to translation: percepts and illusions.this study investigated how the perception of a translating object is affected by rotation. observers were asked to judge the motion and trajectory of objects that rotated around their centroid while linearly translating. the expected percept, consistent with the actual dynamics used to generate the movie sequences, is that of a translating and rotating object, akin to a tumbling rugby ball. observers, however, do not always report this and, under certain circumstances, perceive the object to tr ...201425507316
adding rotation to translation: percepts and illusions.this study investigated how the perception of a translating object is affected by rotation. observers were asked to judge the motion and trajectory of objects that rotated around their centroid while linearly translating. the expected percept, consistent with the actual dynamics used to generate the movie sequences, is that of a translating and rotating object, akin to a tumbling rugby ball. observers, however, do not always report this and, under certain circumstances, perceive the object to tr ...201425420332
transmission of systemic aa amyloidosis in animals.amyloidoses are a group of protein-misfolding disorders that are characterized by the deposition of amyloid fibrils in organs and/or tissues. in reactive amyloid a (aa) amyloidosis, serum aa (saa) protein forms deposits in mice, domestic and wild animals, and humans that experience chronic inflammation. aa amyloid fibrils are abnormal β-sheet-rich forms of the serum precursor saa, with conformational changes that promote fibril formation. extracellular deposition of amyloid fibrils causes diseas ...201424280941
prevalence and diversity of babesia, hepatozoon, ehrlichia, and bartonella in wild and domestic carnivores from zambia, africa.a molecular survey was conducted for several hemoparasites of domestic dogs and three species of wild carnivores from two sites in zambia. three babesia spp. were detected including babesia felis and babesia leo in lions (panthera leo) and a babesia sp. (similar to babesia lengau) in spotted hyenas (crocuta crocuta) and a single lion. all wild dogs (lycaon pictus) and domestic dogs were negative for babesia. high prevalences for hepatozoon were noted in all three wild carnivores (38-61%) and in ...201424363181
biosynthesis and cellular content of folate in bifidobacteria across host species with different diets.bifidobacteria, one of the most common bacteria of the intestinal tract, help establish balance in the gut microbiota and confer health benefits to the host. one beneficial property is folate biosynthesis, which is dependent on species and strains. it is unclear whether the diversity in folate biosynthesis is due to the adaptation of the bifidobacteria to the host diet or whether it is related to the phylogeny of the animal host. to date, folate production has been studied in the bifidobacteria ...201425312826
landscape suitability in botswana for the conservation of its six large african carnivores.wide-ranging large carnivores often range beyond the boundaries of protected areas into human-dominated areas. mapping out potentially suitable habitats on a country-wide scale and identifying areas with potentially high levels of threats to large carnivore survival is necessary to develop national conservation action plans. we used a novel approach to map and identify these areas in botswana for its large carnivore guild consisting of lion (panthera leo), leopard (panthera pardus), spotted hyae ...201424949735
molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens in captive wild felids, zimbabwe.the populations of wild felids in africa, of especially lions (panthera leo) and cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus), are declining and the species are classified as vulnerable to extinction by the international union for conservation of nature. as infections with tick-borne pathogens (tbp) can become more of a problem in wild felids, there are relatively few studies on tbp in wild felids in africa and on how these infections might influence population numbers.201425404084
babesia behnkei sp. nov., a novel babesia species infecting isolated populations of wagner's gerbil, dipodillus dasyurus, from the sinai mountains, egypt.although a number of new species of babesia/theileria have been described recently, there are still relatively few reports of species from africa. in this study based on the evaluation of morphology and phylogenetic relationships, we describe a novel species from wagner's gerbil, babesia behnkei n. sp.201425487227
analytical methods for chemical and sensory characterization of scent-markings in large wild mammals: a review.in conjoining the disciplines of "ethology" and "chemistry" the field of "ethochemistry" has been instituted. ethochemistry is an effective tool in conservation efforts of endangered species and the understanding of behavioral patterns across all species. chemical constituents of scent-markings have an important, yet poorly understood function in territoriality, reproduction, dominance, and impact on evolutionary biology, especially in large mammals. particular attention has recently been focuse ...201424603639
what makes a feline fatal in toxoplasma gondii's fatal feline attraction? infected rats choose wild cats.toxoplasma gondii is an indirectly transmitted protozoan parasite, of which members of the cat family (felidae) are the only definitive hosts and small mammals such as rats serve as intermediate hosts. the innate aversion of rodents to cat odor provides an obstacle for the parasite against successful predation by the feline definitive host. previous research has demonstrated that t. gondii appears to alter a rat's perception of the risk of being preyed upon by cats. although uninfected rats disp ...201424907200
solitary t-cell hepatic lymphoma with large granular lymphocyte morphology in a captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).a 13-yr-old male cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) presented for an acute history of lateral recumbency and anorexia. upon physical examination under general anesthesia, severe icterus was noted. a serum biochemical profile confirmed markedly elevated total bilirubin and alanine transaminase. based on ultrasound-guided liver aspirates and cytology, a presumptive diagnosis of large granular lymphocyte hepatic lymphoma was reached. abdominal and thoracic radiographs did not assist in reaching an antemort ...201526056904
multicentric t-cell lymphoma and cutaneous hemangiosarcoma in a captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).a 13-yr-old intact male cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) presented for evaluation after a 4-mo history of intermittent lethargy and increased expiratory effort. the clinical signs were initially noted after the diagnosis and death of its 13-yr-old male sibling with solitary hepatic t-cell lymphoma. physical examination findings included thin body condition, harsh lung sounds, peripheral lymphadenopathy, and a cutaneous mass on the right medial tarsus and scrotum. excisional biopsies diagnosed well-dif ...201526667562
gammaretrovirus-specific antibodies in free-ranging and captive namibian cheetahs.the cheetah population in namibia is the largest free-ranging population in the world and a key population for research regarding the health status of this species. we used serological methods and quantitative real-time pcr to test free-ranging and captive namibian cheetahs for the presence of feline leukemia virus (felv), a gammaretrovirus that can be highly aggressive in populations with low genetic diversity, such as cheetahs. we also assessed the presence of antibodies to other gammaretrovir ...201525809630
trapping elusive cats: using intensive camera trapping to estimate the density of a rare african felid.camera trapping studies have become increasingly popular to produce population estimates of individually recognisable mammals. yet, monitoring techniques for rare species which occur at extremely low densities are lacking. additionally, species which have unpredictable movements may make obtaining reliable population estimates challenging due to low detectability. our study explores the effectiveness of intensive camera trapping for estimating cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) numbers. using both a mor ...201526698574
a sylvatic lifecycle of echinococcus equinus in the etosha national park, namibia.various species of echinococcus have been described in the past from wild mammals of sub-saharan africa. however, it is only recently, that a few isolates have become available for molecular identification; therefore, the involvement of wildlife in the lifecycles of the various cryptic species within echinococcus granulosus sensu lato is still only partially known. a preliminary survey was undertaken in etosha national park, namibia, from august to october 2012. faecal samples were obtained from ...201525830103
treatment of chronic herpesviral dermatitis in a captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) in namibia.a 9-yr-old male cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) housed at the cheetah conservation fund in namibia developed cutaneous lesions consisting of alopecia, erythema, ulceration, and crusting on the left fore and hind limbs. histopathology of skin biopsies in conjunction with indirect fluorescent antibody and polymerase chain reaction testing confirmed a diagnosis of feline herpesvirus-1 dermatitis; microbial culture indicated secondary bacterial infection. therapy included targeted systemic antimicrobial ...201526352979
cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) running the gauntlet: an evaluation of translocations into free-range environments in namibia.following dramatic range and population declines, the cheetah is africa's most endangered large felid. in namibia, private land managers still trap cheetahs but increasingly consider moving animals instead of killing them. across africa, managers have translocated perceived conflict carnivores for decades, but rarely evaluated their actions. we analyse the outcomes of 15 cheetah translocations (for 23 adults and 10 dependent offspring) into free-range environments in namibia. we released cheetah ...201526528410
group management influences reproductive function of the male cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).although the free-ranging cheetah is generally socially solitary, as many as 60% of males live in same-sex (usually sibling) coalitions. under ex situ conditions, the cheetah experiences low reproductive success with only ~18% of males having ever produced young. most male cheetahs (85%) are managed in captivity in coalitions, but with no data on the influence of social grouping on reproductive parameters. we examined the influence of singleton versus coalition management on various male cheetah ...201526388294
ultrasonographic and laparoscopic evaluation of the reproductive tract in older captive female cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).the study uniquely described the clinical value of transabdominal ultrasonography for monitoring features characterizing the estrous cycle in female cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus). the reproductive tracts of 21 female, nulliparous, and relatively aged (median: 11 and interquartile range: 9.25-14 years) captive cheetahs resident on two sites in namibia were assessed by transabdominal ultrasound. subsequently, the ovarian findings on ultrasound were compared with direct visualization while performing ...201526381758
prevalence of valvular regurgitations in clinically healthy captive leopards and cheetahs: a prospective study from the wildlife cardiology (wlc) group (2008-2013).the purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate transthoracic echocardiograms from clinically healthy large felids for the presence of valvular regurgitations (vr). physiologic vr commonly occur in normal dogs and cats, but the percentage of large felids with vr has not been previously reported. during a 5-yr study period (2008-2013), 28 healthy animals were evaluated under general anesthesia: 16 cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus soemmeringuii) with a mean age of 1.5±0.8 yr (range 0.7-3.5 yr), 5 ...201526352956
comparison of high-definition oscillometric and direct arterial blood pressure measurement in anesthetized cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).blood pressure measurement reveals important insights into the health of conscious and anesthetized individuals. this is of particular interest in cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus), which in captivity are known to suffer from chronic diseases that may be associated with hypertension and which often require immobilization for transport or veterinary treatment. invasive testing methods are considered the gold standard but are not practical in many settings. consequently, it is important to evaluate the ...201526352954
motile sperm output by male cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) managed ex situ is influenced by public exposure and number of care-givers.the collective cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) population in zoological institutions has never been self-sustaining because of challenges in natural reproduction. a retrospective analysis of north american zoo-breeding records has revealed that >90% of litters produced since 2003 occurred in facilities 'off-display' from the public. we examined seminal, endocrine, and behavioral traits of 29 adult male cheetahs that were: 1) managed in public exhibit or off-display facilities; 2) maintained by differ ...201526332582
suspected lead poisoning in two captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus jubatus) in south africa, in 2008 and 2013.whilst lead poisoning in raptors, scavenging birds and waterfowl is well studied and common knowledge, there is surprisingly little literature detailing the risk to mammalian scavengers and captive carnivores fed hunted meat. this case report describes the death of two captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus jubatus) following acute onset of nervous symptoms. clinical signs included hyper-excitability, seizures, arched back, tail held abnormally high and hyper-salivation. necropsy findings included b ...201526304137
relative availability of natural prey versus livestock predicts landscape suitability for cheetahs acinonyx jubatus in botswana.prey availability and human-carnivore conflict are strong determinants that govern the spatial distribution and abundance of large carnivore species and determine the suitability of areas for their conservation. for wide-ranging large carnivores such as cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus), additional conservation areas beyond protected area boundaries are crucial to effectively conserve them both inside and outside protected areas. although cheetahs prefer preying on wild prey, they also cause conflict ...201526213646
comparison of two α2-adrenergic agonists on urine contamination of semen collected by electroejaculation in captive and semi-free-ranging cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).alpha2-adrenergic agonists are used to immobilize many veterinary species, but use has been infrequently linked to urine contamination of semen collected via electroejaculation. the objective of the study was to compare the α2-agonists medetomidine and dexmedetomidine on urine contamination of semen in anesthetized cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) during electroejaculation procedures. from 2009-2012, a retrospective medical record review revealed 21 anesthesia events in 12 adult male cheetahs. animal ...201526056908
induction of cytokine production in cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) peripheral blood mononuclear cells and validation of feline-specific cytokine assays for analysis of cheetah serum.peripheral blood mononuclear cells (pbmcs) were isolated from the whole blood of cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus ; n=3) and stimulated with lipopolysaccharides (lps) to induce the production of proinflammatory cytokines tnf-α, il-1β, and il-6 for establishment of cross-reactivity between these cheetah cytokines and feline-specific cytokine antibodies provided in commercially available feline duoset® elisa kits (r&d systems, inc., minneapolis, minnesota 55413, usa). this study found that feline-specif ...201526056884
single-incision laparoscopic sterilization of the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).to describe laparoscopic ovariectomy and salpingectomy in the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) using single-incision laparoscopic surgery (sils).201526032294
integrated community profiling indicates long-term temporal stability of the predominant faecal microbiota in captive cheetahs.understanding the symbiotic relationship between gut microbes and their animal host requires characterization of the core microbiota across populations and in time. especially in captive populations of endangered wildlife species such as the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus), this knowledge is a key element to enhance feeding strategies and reduce gastrointestinal disorders. in order to investigate the temporal stability of the intestinal microbiota in cheetahs under human care, we conducted a longitud ...201525905625
dietary factors associated with faecal consistency and other indicators of gastrointestinal health in the captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).gastrointestinal diseases pose significant risks to captive cheetah survival and welfare. multiple factors are thought to be associated with these diseases, but to date a comprehensive epidemiological survey of disease risk factors has not been conducted. a survey of diet and health parameters was completed for 184 captive cheetahs in 86 international facilities. comparisons were made among dietary factors with respect to disease status and observed faecal consistency, incidence of vomiting and ...201525830636
cheetah interspecific scnt followed by embryo aggregation improves in vitro development but not pluripotent gene expression.the aim of this study was to evaluate the capacity of domestic cat (dc, felis silvestris) oocytes to reprogram the nucleus of cheetah (ch, acinonyx jubatus) cells by interspecies scnt (iscnt), by using embryo aggregation. dc oocytes were in vitro matured and subjected to zona pellucida free (zp-free) scnt or iscnt, depending on whether the nucleus donor cell was of dc or ch respectively. zp-free reconstructed embryos were then cultured in microwells individually (dc1x and ch1x groups) or in coup ...201525820926
to kill, stay or flee: the effects of lions and landscape factors on habitat and kill site selection of cheetahs in south africa.understanding how animals utilize available space is important for their conservation, as it provides insight into the ecological needs of the species, including those related to habitat, prey and inter and intraspecific interactions. we used 28 months of radio telemetry data and information from 200 kill locations to assess habitat selection at the 3rd order (selection of habitats within home ranges) and 4th order (selection of kill sites within the habitats used) of a reintroduced population o ...201525693067
monitoring rarity: the critically endangered saharan cheetah as a flagship species for a threatened ecosystem.deserts are particularly vulnerable to human impacts and have already suffered a substantial loss of biodiversity. in harsh and variable desert environments, large herbivores typically occur at low densities, and their large carnivore predators occur at even lower densities. the continued survival of large carnivores is key to healthy functioning desert ecosystems, and the ability to gather reliable information on these rare low density species, including presence, abundance and density, is crit ...201525629400
an investigation into the prevalence of exploratory behavior in captive cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus).exploratory behavior in the wild is fundamentally linked to an animal's survival and natural life history. the ability to gather information about their environment, establish territories, assert dominance, communicate information regarding reproductive status and locate mates are closely associated with a range of exploratory behaviors. understanding how these behaviors are performed within the captive setting is crucial in order to create a captive environment in which these behaviors can be e ...201525557735
pathology in captive wild felids at german zoological gardens.this retrospective study provides an overview on spontaneous diseases occurring in 38 captive wild felids submitted for necropsy by german zoological gardens between 2004 and 2013. species included 18 tigers, 8 leopards, 7 lions, 3 cheetahs and 2 cougars with an age ranging from 0.5 to 22 years. renal lesions, predominantly tubular alterations (intra-tubular concrements, tubular degeneration, necrosis, intra-tubular cellular debris, proteinaceous casts, dilated tubuli) followed by interstitial ( ...201526086731
an experimental study of predatory and feeding behavior in the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus). 20154675967
inter- and intravein differences in cardiac output with cardiac resynchronization pacing using a multipolar lv pacing lead.quadripolar left ventricular pacing leads permit a variety of pacing configurations from different sites within a coronary vein. there may be advantages to selecting a specific pacing vector. this study examines whether the range of cardiac outputs obtained at cardiac resynchronization therapy (crt) implantation is greater between different poles within a vein, or greater between two different veins.201525414088
biologically inspired, sophisticated motions from helically assembled, conducting fibers.a hierarchically helical organization of carbon nanotubes into macroscopic fibers enables sophistication while controlling three-dimensional electromechanical actuations, e.g., an artificial swing and tail. the actuation generates a stress of more than 260 times that of a typical natural skeletal muscle and an accelerated velocity of more than 10 times that of a cheetah at low electric currents with high reversibility, good stability, and availability to various media.201525446835
mass enhances speed but diminishes turn capacity in terrestrial pursuit predators.the dynamics of predator-prey pursuit appears complex, making the development of a framework explaining predator and prey strategies problematic. we develop a model for terrestrial, cursorial predators to examine how animal mass modulates predator and prey trajectories and affects best strategies for both parties. we incorporated the maximum speed-mass relationship with an explanation of why larger animals should have greater turn radii; the forces needed to turn scale linearly with mass whereas ...201526252515
major upper abdominal surgery alters the calibration of bioreactance cardiac output readings, the nicom, when comparisons are made against suprasternal and esophageal doppler intraoperatively.minimally invasive continuous cardiac output measurements are recommended for use during anesthesia to guide fluid therapy, but such measurements must trend changes reliably. the nicom cheetah, a bioreactance monitor, is being recommended for intraoperative use. to validate its use, doppler methods, suprasternal uscom and esophageal cardioq, were used in tandem to provide reliable estimates of changing trends in cardiac output. preliminary comparisons showed that upper abdominal surgical interve ...201526218863
a galloping quadruped model using left-right asymmetry in touchdown angles.among quadrupedal gaits, the galloping gait has specific characteristics in terms of locomotor behavior. in particular, it shows a left-right asymmetry in gait parameters such as touchdown angle and the relative phase of limb movements. in addition, asymmetric gait parameters show a characteristic dependence on locomotion speed. there are two types of galloping gaits in quadruped animals: the transverse gallop, often observed in horses; and the rotary gallop, often observed in dogs and cheetahs. ...201526216144
on leopards, cheetahs, and the cutaneous stigmata of onchocerciasis. 201526153634
[how i explore ... the cheetah-look of the skin under selected light wavelengths].the melanotic facial pigmentation of each individual is frequently heterogeneous, even when this condition remains imperceptible under natural ambient light. however, with aging, this aspect may appear to everybody. the melanin heterochromia has various origins including ethnicity, the hormonal impact, the influence of various inflammatory, toxic and drug-induced disorders, as well as the impact of photoaging. the cheetah-look aspect is thus established and well identified under ultraviolet ligh ...201526056707
quadrupedal galloping control for a wide range of speed via vertical impulse scaling.this paper presents a bio-inspired quadruped controller that allows variable-speed galloping. the controller design is inspired by observations from biological runners. quadrupedal animals increase the vertical impulse that is generated by ground reaction forces at each stride as running speed increases and the duration of each stance phase reduces, whereas the swing phase stays relatively constant. inspired by this observation, the presented controller estimates the required vertical impulse at ...201525806404
comparison of the hemodynamic effects of nitroprusside and remifentanil for controlled hypotension during endoscopic sinus surgery.controlled hypotension (ch) is a well-established technique to decrease blood loss and improve surgical visibility. although nitroprusside and remifentanil have been safely and effectively used for this purpose, the hemodynamic changes that occur during ch are unclear. this study compared the effects of nitroprusside and remifentanil on hemodynamics using a noninvasive cardiac output monitor (cheetah nicom(®); cheetah medical inc., maidenhead, berkshire, uk) for endoscopic sinus surgery (ess).201524950745
the reliability and validity of passive leg raise and fluid bolus to assess fluid responsiveness in spontaneously breathing emergency department patients.we investigated the reproducibility of passive leg raise (plr) and fluid bolus (bolus) using the non-invasive cardiac output monitor (nicom; cheetah medical, tel aviv, israel) for assessment of fluid responsiveness (fr) in spontaneously breathing emergency department (ed) patients.201525262530
stroke volume variation and indexed stroke volume measured using bioreactance predict fluid responsiveness in postoperative children.postoperative fluid management can be challenging in children after haemorrhagic surgery. the goal of this study was to assess the ability of dynamic cardiovascular variables measured using bioreactance (nicom®, cheetah medical, tel aviv, israel) to predict fluid responsiveness in postoperative children.201525315146
genomic legacy of the african cheetah, acinonyx jubatus.patterns of genetic and genomic variance are informative in inferring population history for human, model species and endangered populations.201526653294
noninvasive cardiac output measurement using bioreactance in postoperative pediatric patients.thoracic bioreactance is a noninvasive and continuous method of cardiac output (co) measurement that is being developed in adult patients. very little information is available on thoracic bioreactance use in children.201524814690
serum amyloid a protein concentration in blood is influenced by genetic differences in the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).systemic amyloid a (aa) amyloidosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among captive cheetahs. the self-aggregating aa protein responsible for this disease is a byproduct of serum amyloid a (saa) protein degradation. transcriptional induction of the saa1 gene is dependent on both c/ebpβ and nf-κb cis-acting elements within the promoter region. in cheetahs, 2 alleles exist for a single guanine nucleotide deletion in the putative nf-κb binding site. in this study, a novel genotyping assay ...201626585380
comparative serum fatty acid profiles of captive and free-ranging cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) in namibia.cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) are highly specialised large felids, currently listed as vulnerable on the iucn red data list. in captivity, they are known to suffer from a range of chronic non-infectious diseases. although low heterozygosity and the stress of captivity have been suggested as possible causal factors, recent studies have started to focus on the contribution of potential dietary factors in the pathogenesis of these diseases. fatty acids are an important component of the diet, not only ...201627992457
isolation of bartonella henselae, bartonella koehlerae subsp. koehlerae, bartonella koehlerae subsp. bothieri and a new subspecies of b. koehlerae from free-ranging lions (panthera leo) from south africa, cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) from namibia and captive cheetahs from california.bartonellae are blood- and vector-borne gram-negative bacteria, recognized as emerging pathogens. whole-blood samples were collected from 58 free-ranging lions (panthera leo) in south africa and 17 cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) from namibia. blood samples were also collected from 11 cheetahs (more than once for some of them) at the san diego wildlife safari park. bacteria were isolated from the blood of three (5%) lions, one (6%) namibian cheetah and eight (73%) cheetahs from california. the lion ...201627453220
ultrasonography of the liver, spleen, and urinary tract of the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus).diseases of the abdomen of the cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) include those affecting the liver, spleen, and urinary tract. the most common diseases of captive-bred cheetah are gastritis, gastric ulceration, glomerulosclerosis, and hepatic veno-occlusive disease, and are the most frequent causes of mortality in these animals. the purpose of this study was to describe the ultrasonographic anatomy of the normal liver, spleen, kidney, and urinary bladder of the anesthetized captive-bred cheetah. twenty ...201616863057
simplified large african carnivore density estimators from track indices.the range, population size and trend of large carnivores are important parameters to assess their status globally and to plan conservation strategies. one can use linear models to assess population size and trends of large carnivores from track-based surveys on suitable substrates. the conventional approach of a linear model with intercept may not intercept at zero, but may fit the data better than linear model through the origin. we assess whether a linear regression through the origin is more ...201628028454
iodine-rich imidazolium iodate and periodate salts: en route to single-based biocidal agents.two classes of iodine-rich salts that consist of iodine-rich cations and iodate (io3(-)) or periodate (io4(-)) anions were synthesized. the synthesis of analogous i3o8(-) salts was more difficult because of poor solubility and hydrolytic instability. all iodine-rich salts were fully characterized by infrared, (1)h nuclear magnetic resonance, and (13)c nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy as well as elemental analyses. the molecular structures of compounds 15 and 24 were elucidated by x-ray si ...201627989173
cheetah reunion - the challenge of finding your friends again.animals navigate their environment using a variety of senses and strategies. this multiplicity enables them to respond to different navigational requirements resulting from habitat, scale and purpose. one of the challenges social animals face is how to reunite after periods of separation. we explore a variety of possible mechanisms used to reunite the members of a cheetah coalition dispersed within a large area after prolonged separation. using gps data from three cheetahs reuniting after weeks ...201627926915
influence of pork and pork by-products on macronutrient and energy digestibility and palatability in large exotic felids.two experiments were conducted to evaluate digestibility and palatability of a new commercial pork-based raw diet for zoo-managed felids. currently 2 protein sources (beef or horse) comprise the majority of commercial raw meat diet formulations for exotic carnivores in zoological institutions. pork-based diets have traditionally not been widely utilized and thus nutrient digestibility of pork has not been adequately evaluated in exotic carnivores. the objectives of this study were 1) to determin ...201627898922
comparison of carnivore, omnivore, and herbivore mammalian genomes with a new leopard assembly.there are three main dietary groups in mammals: carnivores, omnivores, and herbivores. currently, there is limited comparative genomics insight into the evolution of dietary specializations in mammals. due to recent advances in sequencing technologies, we were able to perform in-depth whole genome analyses of representatives of these three dietary groups.201627802837
fertility suppression of some wildlife species in southern africa-a review.generally speaking, southern africa's wildlife populations in small-to-medium-sized protected game reserves (10,000-65,000 ha) reproduce at rapid rates which often lead overpopulation of certain species. most commonly these are large predators such as lions, african wild dogs and cheetahs, and elephants. overpopulation of large predators leads to depletion of prey species, breakouts into neighbouring communities and increased risks for disease transmission. an overabundance of elephants leads to ...201627670936
a randomized controlled trial of levosimendan to reduce mortality in high-risk cardiac surgery patients (cheetah): rationale and design.patients undergoing cardiac surgery are at risk of perioperative low cardiac output syndrome due to postoperative myocardial dysfunction. myocardial dysfunction in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is a potential indication for the use of levosimendan, a calcium sensitizer with 3 beneficial cardiovascular effects (inotropic, vasodilatory, and anti-inflammatory), which appears effective in improving clinically relevant outcomes.201627297851
data processing pipeline for serial femtosecond crystallography at sacla.a data processing pipeline for serial femtosecond crystallography at sacla was developed, based on cheetah [barty et al. (2014). j. appl. cryst.47, 1118-1131] and crystfel [white et al. (2016). j. appl. cryst.49, 680-689]. the original programs were adapted for data acquisition through the sacla api, thread and inter-node parallelization, and efficient image handling. the pipeline consists of two stages: the first, online stage can analyse all images in real time, with a latency of less than a f ...201627275146
mono- and diiodo-1,2,3-triazoles and their mono nitro derivatives.4-iodo-1h-1,2,3-triazole (2) and 4,5-diiodo-1h-1,2,3-triazole (3) were synthesized using an efficient and viable synthetic route. the n-alkylation of 3 resulted in the formation of two tautomers. the n-alkyl-diiodo-triazoles were nitrated with 100% nitric acid to form monoiodo-mononitro-triazoles. the structures of 2-methyl-4,5-diiodo-1,2,3-triazole (5), 1-ethyl-4,5-diiodo-1,2,3-triazole (6), 1-methyl-4-nitro-5-iodo-1,2,3-triazole (8) and 1-ethyl-4-nitro-5-iodo-1,2,3-triazole (10) were confirmed ...201627226283
bionic control of cheetah bounding with a segmented spine.a cheetah model is built to mimic real cheetah and its mechanical and dimensional parameters are derived from the real cheetah. in particular, two joints in spine and four joints in a leg are used to realize the motion of segmented spine and segmented legs which are the key properties of the cheetah bounding. for actuating and stabilizing the bounding gait of cheetah, we present a bioinspired controller based on the state-machine. the controller mainly mimics the function of the cerebellum to pl ...201627065749
maternal demographics and hemodynamics for the prediction of fetal growth restriction at booking, in pregnancies at high risk for placental insufficiency.fetal growth restriction (fgr) is associated with poor perinatal outcomes. screening and prevention tools for fgr, such as uterine artery doppler imaging and aspirin, underperform in high-risk groups, compared with general antenatal populations. there is a paucity of sensitive screening tests for the early prediction of fgr in high-risk pregnancies.201626599800
recognition during recall failure: semantic feature matching as a mechanism for recognition of semantic cues when recall fails.research suggests that a feature-matching process underlies cue familiarity-detection when cued recall with graphemic cues fails. when a test cue (e.g., potchbork) overlaps in graphemic features with multiple unrecalled studied items (e.g., patchwork, pitchfork, pocketbook, pullcork), higher cue familiarity ratings are given during recall failure of all of the targets than when the cue overlaps in graphemic features with only one studied target and that target fails to be recalled (e.g., patchwo ...201626282623
net effects of ecotourism on threatened species survival.many threatened species rely on ecotourism for conservation funding, but simultaneously suffer direct ecological impacts from ecotourism. for a range of iucn-redlisted terrestrial and marine bird and mammal species worldwide, we use population viability analyses to calculate the net effects of ecotourism on expected time to extinction, in the presence of other anthropogenic threats such as poaching, primary industries and habitat loss. species for which these calculations are currently possible, ...201626886876
a comparative overview of the sperm centriolar complex in mammals and birds: variations on a theme.this paper presents an overview of the structure, function and anomalies of the sperm centriolar complex (cc) on a comparative basis between mammals and birds. the information is based on selected references from the literature supplemented by original observations on spermiogenesis and sperm structure in disparate mammalian (cheetah and cane rat) and avian (ostrich, rhea and emu) species. whereas the basic structure of the cc (a diplosome surrounded by pericentriolar material) is similar in ave ...201626907939
diversity of ticks (acari: ixodidae) infesting cheetahs (acinoyx jubatus) at three breeding centres in south africa and activity patterns of questing ticks.ticks were collected from 191 cheetahs at three breeding centres in north west and limpopo provinces, south africa. haemaphysalis elliptica, a common tick of large felids, was the most abundant species collected, while amblyomma hebraeum and rhipicephalus simus occurred in lower numbers. in addition to these three species, drag-sampling of the vegetation revealed the presence of amblyomma marmoreum, rhipicephalus (b.) decoloratus and rhipicephalus zambeziensis. the presence of free-ranging antel ...201627020735
big cat coalitions: a comparative analysis of regional brain volumes in felidae.broad-based species comparisons across mammalian orders suggest a number of factors that might influence the evolution of large brains. however, the relationship between these factors and total and regional brain size remains unclear. this study investigated the relationship between relative brain size and regional brain volumes and sociality in 13 felid species in hopes of revealing relationships that are not detected in more inclusive comparative studies. in addition, a more detailed analysis ...201627812324
reference intervals for selected serum biochemistry analytes in cheetahs (<i>acinonyx jubatus</i>).published haematologic and serum biochemistry reference intervals are very scarce for captive cheetahs and even more for free-ranging cheetahs. the current study was performed to establish reference intervals for selected serum biochemistry analytes in cheetahs. baseline serum biochemistry analytes were analysed from 66 healthy namibian cheetahs. samples were collected from 30 captive cheetahs at the africat foundation and 36 free-ranging cheetahs from central namibia. the effects of captivity-s ...201627796106
nephropathies in the european captive cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) population.according to previous studies in captive cheetah ( acinonyx jubatus ) populations, one of the most threatening diseases besides amyloidosis, myelopathy, veno occlusive disease, and gastritis, is renal failure. contrary to captive cheetahs in north america and south africa, morphological data concerning renal lesions in the cheetah european endangered species program (eep) are lacking. this study details the histological characterization as well as immunohistochemical and morphometrical analysis ...201627691976
circumventing the natural, frequent oestrogen waves of the female cheetah (acinonyx jubatus) using oral progestin (altrenogest).cheetah are induced ovulators, experiencing short, variable oestrogen waves year-round. exogenous gonadotrophin administration induces ovulation, but success is variable and often improves if ovaries are quiescent. after affirming the presence of short-term oestrogenic waves, we examined the effect of the timing of administration of exogenous equine and human chorionic gonadotrophins (ecg-hcg) within the oestrogen concentration pattern on subsequent follicle development and oocyte and corpus lut ...201627483379
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