BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of invasive alien species management in South Africa, and elsewhere, can be improved by ensuring there are strong links and feedbacks between science and management. The CAPE Invasive Alien Animals Working Group (CAPE IAAWG) was established in 2008 to enhance cooperation among stakeholders such as implementing agencies and researchers, and thereby improve the management of invasive animals in the Greater Cape Floristic Region. OBJECTIVES: In this article we highlight where and how the working group has advanced our understanding of research and the implementation of management objectives and consider the working group's successes and failures. METHODS: We analyse the attendance of meetings by different stakeholders and the frequency of discussion topics on meeting agendas throughout the sequence of meetings from 2008 to 2019. We document insights based on published accounts or the experiences of the authors from eight different management projects. RESULTS: Meetings are attended by stakeholders from NGOs, universities, and local, provincial and national government agencies as well as private individuals. Topics of discussion ranged from details of specific alien animal invasions (e.g. the House Crow in Cape Town), to considering the risks posed by broad groups (e.g. earthworms), to specific management techniques (e.g. guidelines for trapping invasive alien birds). Through the eight projects described here the CAPE IAAWG has: (i) contributed to capacity building through funding and advising on post-graduate research projects; (ii) provided ad hoc support to staff of agencies that implement invasive alien animal control; (iii) acted as a focal point for a community of practice that is supportive of decision making and policy development; and (iv) played a vital role in linking research, management and policy in a manner accessible to a broader range of stakeholders. The projects undertaken by the group reveal several lessons for managing invasive animals: (i) the importance of logistics and contract efficiency, (ii) the need for effective stakeholder engagement by the project team, (iii) the need to effectively address conflicts between role players, and (iv) the importance of including ethical and animal rights considerations in the decision making processes. CONCLUSION: The CAPE IAAWG has been a valuable forum to improve management effectiveness and support implementation decisions. Due to its small cost and time footprint, the working group has remained viable and retained a core of committed members, ensuring ongoing institutional buy-in. The working group will remain successful so long as the group is supported by its members and their organisations.

Relatar um caso de sobrecarga de ferro secundária à xerocitose, uma doença rara, em uma adolescente, diagnosticada por meio de ressonância magnética em T2*. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente sintomática com xerocitose, nível de ferritina de 350ng/mL e sobrecarga de ferro cardíaca significativa. Ela foi diagnosticada por ressonância magnética em T2* e recebeu terapia de quelação. Análise por ectacitometria confirmou o diagnóstico de xerocitose hereditária. Na sequência, a ressonância magnética em T2* demonstrou resolução completa da sobrecarga de ferro em vários órgãos e novo ecocardiograma revelou resolução completa das alterações cardíacas anteriores. A paciente permanece em terapia de quelação. Xerocitose é uma desordem genética autossômica dominante rara, caracterizada por estomatocitose desidratada. O paciente pode apresentar fadiga intensa e sobrecarga de ferro. Sugerimos o uso regular de ressonância magnética em T2* para o diagnóstico e controle da resposta à quelação de ferro em xerocitose e acreditamos que o exame pode ser útil também em outras anemias hemolíticas que necessitam de transfusões.

To report a case of iron overload secondary to xerocytosis, a rare disease in a teenager, diagnosed, by T2* magnetic resonance imaging. We report the case of a symptomatic patient with xerocytosis, a ferritin level of 350ng/mL and a significant cardiac iron overload. She was diagnosed by T2* magnetic resonance imaging and received chelation therapy Ektacytometric analysis confirmed the diagnosis of hereditary xerocytosis. Subsequent T2* magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated complete resolution of the iron overload in various organs, as a new echocardiography revealed a complete resolution of previous cardiac alterations. The patient remains in chelation therapy. Xerocytosis is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by dehydrated stomatocytosis. The patient may present with intense fatigue and iron overload. We suggest the regular use of T2* magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis and control of the response to iron chelation in xerocytosis, and we believe it can be used also in other hemolytic anemia requiring transfusions.

Objetivo: Avaliar o acúmulo de ferro em diferentes órgãos por meio da ressonância nuclear magnética T2* e correlacionar os resultados aos níveis de ferritina sérica, ferro plasmático lábil e outros órgãos envolvidos. Métodos: Foram avaliados retrospectivamente 115 pacientes talassêmicos (sendo 65 mulheres). A concentração hepática de ferro foi determinada em biópsia de 11 pacientes; os resultados foram comparados com os valores de T2* fígado. Resultados: a ferritina sérica média foi de 2.676,5 +/- 2.051,7 ng/mL. O ferro plasmático lábil foi anormal (> 0,6 Unidades/mL) em 48/83 pacientes (57%). A média dos valores de T2* no fígado foi 3,91 ± 3,95 ms, sugerindo siderose hepática em 92,1% pacientes. A média do T2* cardíaco foi de 24,96 ± 14,17 ms e 36% dos pacientes apresentavam siderose cardíaca (T2* < 20ms), dos quais 19% (22/115) já apresentavam sobrecarga cardíaca grave (T2* < 10 ms). A média de T2* no pâncreas foi de 11,12 ± 11,20 ms, perfazendo um total de 83,5% de pacientes com sobrecarga de ferro pancreático (T2* < 21 ms). Houve correlação significativa, curvilínea e inversa entre T2* fígado e a concentração de ferro hepática (r = −0,878; p <0,001) e correlação moderada entre T2* pâncreas e T2* miocárdio (r = 0,546; p <0,0001). Conclusão: Uma elevada taxa de acometimento hepático, pancreático e cardíaco por sobrecarga férrica foi demonstrada. Os níveis de ferritina não puderam prever sobrecarga de ferro hepático, cardíaco ou pancreáticos medidos por meio da ressonância nuclear magnética T2*. Não houve correlação entre a sobrecarga de ferro no fígado, pâncreas e miocárdio, nem entre a ferritina e os níveis plasmáticos de ferro sérico e os valores de T2* no fígado, coração e pâncreas.

ABSTRACT Objectives: To evaluate the use of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with β-thalassemia and to compare T2* magnetic resonance imaging results with serum ferritin levels and the redox active fraction of labile plasma iron. Methods: We have retrospectively evaluated 115 chronically transfused patients (65 women). We tested serum ferritin with chemiluminescence, fraction of labile plasma iron by cellular fluorescence and used T2* MRI to assess iron content in the heart, liver, and pancreas. Hepatic iron concentration was determined in liver biopsies of 11 patients and the results were compared with liver T2* magnetic resonance imaging. Results: The mean serum ferritin was 2,676.5 +/- 2,051.7 ng/mL. A fraction of labile plasma iron was abnormal (> 0,6 Units/mL) in 48/83 patients (57%). The mean liver T2* value was 3.91 ± 3.95 ms, suggesting liver siderosis in most patients (92.1%). The mean myocardial T2* value was 24.96 ± 14.17 ms and the incidence of cardiac siderosis (T2* < 20 ms) was 36%, of which 19% (22/115) were severe cases (T2* < 10 ms). The mean pancreas T2* value was 11.12 ± 11.20 ms, and 83.5% of patients had pancreatic iron deposition (T2* < 21 ms). There was significant curvilinear and inverse correlation between liver T2* magnetic resonance imaging and hepatic iron concentration (r= −0.878; p < 0.001) and moderate correlation between pancreas and myocardial T2* MRI (r = 0.546; p < 0.0001). Conclusion: A high rate of hepatic, pancreatic and cardiac impairment by iron overload was demonstrated. Ferritin levels could not predict liver, heart or pancreas iron overload as measured by T2* magnetic resonance imaging. There was no correlation between liver, pancreas, liver and myocardial iron overload, neither between ferritin and fraction of labile plasma iron with liver, heart and pancreas T2* values

OBJECTIVE: Extensive WHO collaborative studies were performed to evaluate the suitability of transgenic mice susceptible to poliovirus (TgPVR mice, strain 21, bred and provided by the Central Institute for Experimental Animals, Japan) as an alternative to monkeys in the neurovirulence test (NVT) of oral poliovirus vaccine (OPV). METHODS: Nine laboratories participated in the collaborative study on testing neurovirulence of 94 preparations of OPV and vaccine derivatives of all three serotypes in TgPVR21 mice. FINDINGS: Statistical analysis of the data demonstrated that the TgPVR21 mouse NVT was of comparable sensitivity and reproducibility to the conventional WHO NVT in simians. A statistical model for acceptance/rejection of OPV lots in the mouse test was developed, validated, and shown to be suitable for all three vaccine types. The assessment of the transgenic mouse NVT is based on clinical evaluation of paralysed mice. Unlike the monkey NVT, histological examination of central nervous system tissue of each mouse offered no advantage over careful and detailed clinical observation. CONCLUSIONS: Based on data from the collaborative studies the WHO Expert Committee for Biological Standardization approved the mouse NVT as an alternative to the monkey test for all three OPV types and defined a standard implementation process for laboratories that wish to use the test. This represents the first successful introduction of transgenic animals into control of biologicals.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la idoneidad del uso de ratones transgénicos sensibles al poliovirus (ratones TgPVR, cepa 21, criados y proporcionados por el Instituto Central para Animales de Laboratorio, Japón) como alternativa a los monos en la prueba de neurovirulencia (PNV) para la vacuna oral viva contra el poliovirus (OPV). MÉTODOS: Se utilizaron los datos de nueve laboratorios para evaluar la neurovirulencia de 94 preparados de OPV o derivados vacunales contra los tres serotipos en ratones TgPVR21 en un amplio estudio en colaboración de la OMS. RESULTADOS: El análisis estadístico de los datos demostró que la PNV aplicada a los ratones TgPVR21 era comparable, en cuanto a sensibilidad y reproducibilidad, a la prueba convencional de la OMS con monos. Se desarrolló y validó un modelo estadístico para aceptar o rechazar los lotes de OPV en la prueba con ratones, modelo que resultó adecuado para los tres tipos de vacuna. La evaluación de la PNV en ratones transgénicos se basa en la observación clínica de los ratones con parálisis. A diferencia de la PNV con monos, el examen histológico del sistema nervioso central de los ratones no reportó ninguna ventaja adicional en comparación con una observación clínica cuidadosa y detallada. CONCLUSIÓN: Teniendo en cuenta estos datos, el Comité de Expertos de la OMS en Patrones Biológicos aprobó la PNV en ratones como una alternativa válida a la prueba en monos para los tres tipos de OPV, y describió un procedimiento de aplicación normalizado para los laboratorios que deseen utilizarla. Es la primera vez que se logra utilizar con éxito animales transgénicos para controlar productos biológicos.

OBJECTIF: Déterminer si des souris transgéniques sensibles au poliovirus (souris TgPVR lignée 21, élevées et fournies par le Central Institute for Experimental Animals (Japon)) peuvent être utilisées en remplacement des singes dans l'épreuve de neurovirulence appliquée au vaccin antipoliomyélitique oral (VPO). MÉTHODES: Les données de 9 laboratoires ont été utilisées pour évaluer la neurovirulence de 94 préparations de VPO ou dérivés du vaccin contre les trois sérotypes de poliovirus testées sur la souris TgPVR21 lors d'une vaste étude collective menée par l'OMS. RÉSULTATS: L'analyse statistique des données a montré que l'épreuve de neurovirulence sur la souris TgPVR21 était de sensibilité et de reproductibilité comparables à celles de l'épreuve classique OMS sur le singe. Un modèle statistique d'acceptation ou de rejet des lots de VPO d'après les résultats de l'épreuve chez la souris a été développé et validé, et s'est révélé convenir pour les trois types de vaccin. L'évaluation de l'épreuve de neurovirulence chez la souris transgénique reposait sur l'examen clinique des souris paralysées. Contrairement à ce qui se passe dans l'épreuve de neurovirulence chez le singe, l'examen histologique du système nerveux central de chacune des souris ne présentait pas d'avantage sur un examen clinique approfondi. CONCLUSION: A partir de ces données, le Comité OMS d'experts de la standardisation biologique a approuvé l'épreuve de neurovirulence chez la souris en remplacement de l'épreuve sur le singe pour les trois types de vaccin VPO et a défini une procédure normalisée de mise en œuvre à l'intention des laboratoires qui souhaitent appliquer cette nouvelle épreuve. Il s'agit là de la première utilisation réussie d'animaux transgéniques dans le domaine du contrôle des produits biologiques.

O propósito deste ensaio - que busca revisar e complementar a historiografia sobre o tema - é oferecer uma perspectiva brasileira do comércio para além do Cabo da Boa Esperança, examinar a presença brasileira no Estado da Índia e, ainda, resgatar as dinâmicas iniciativas dos comerciantes brasileiros, bem como destacar o importante papel dos portos brasileiros. Salienta a importância de Moçambique como ponto de convergência e de articulação entre o Oriente e o Ocidente, não apenas em termos comerciais mas também do ponto de vista cultural, referindo-se à contribuição brasileira aos costumes e à dieta dos habitantes da África Oriental, da Índia, da China e do Japão.

This is an essay in compensatory and revisionist history whose purpose is to look at the Portuguese seaborne empire from a Brazilian and not a Portuguese metropolitan perspective, to examine the Brazilian presence and influence not in regions bordering the Atlantic but in the Estado da Índia, and to attribute to Brazilian merchants greater initiative and to Brazilian ports a more important role than is usually the case in the historiography by their engaging in commerce beyond the Cape of Good Hope. The role of Mozambique as a point of convergence and of articulation between East and West is emphasized not only in commercial terms but in the context of intercultural exchanges. Reference is made to the lasting legacy of Brazil to East África, Índia, China and Japan in terms of customs and diet.