Thesis (M.Sc. (Microbiology))--Mahidol University, 1983.

Numerous trap designs have been used in efforts to capture wild pigs (Sus scrofa); however, drop-nets have never been examined as a potential tool for wild pig control. I implemented a 2-year study to compare the effectiveness and efficiency of an 18.3 x 18.3 m drop-net and a traditional corral trap for trapping wild pigs. In spring 2010, treatment units were randomly selected and multiple trap sites were identified on 4,047 ha in Love County, Oklahoma. Trap sites were baited with whole corn and monitored with infrared-triggered cameras during pre-construction and capture periods. Unique pigs using trap sites were identified 5 days prior to trap construction and used in mark-recapture calculations to determine trap effectiveness. Three hundred fifty-six pigs were captured in spring of 2010 and 2011. I documented maximum captures of 27 and 15 pigs with drop-nets and corral traps, respectively. I removed 86 and 49% of the unique pigs from treatment units during the course of the study using drop-nets and corral traps, respectively. Catch per unit effort was 1.9 and 2.3 h/pig for drop-nets and corral traps, respectively. Wild pigs did not appear to exhibit trap shyness around drop-nets, which often facilitated the capture of entire sounders in a single drop. Use of drop-nets also eliminated capture of non-target species. During my study, damage by wild pigs was reduced by 90% across the study area, verifying control reduces damage on native rangelands. Population monitoring for pseudorabies virus, brucellosis, and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome resulted in exposure rates of 24, 0.4, and 0.4%, respectively. Removal of wild pigs reduced rooting damage and probability of encountering pig borne diseases of importance to livestock and human health. My research confirms drop-nets can be an effective tool for removal of wild pigs.

More than 30% of the population suffers from obesity, which increases the risk of death and secondary health problems. Body fat [white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT)] are innervated and regulated by the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). WAT stores energy, while BAT generates heat for thermoregulation. Fat also has sensory innervations, but the roles of sensory nerves are still being elucidated. Hence, understanding the neuroanatomy of the SNS innervations of fat and the neural regulation of fat metabolism will be valuable for advancing obesity treatment. Using trans-synaptic tract tracers with unique fluorescent proteins, we defined and compared the SNS innervations of visceral fat [mesenteric WAT (MWAT)] and subcutaneous fat [inguinal WAT (IWAT)] and of IWAT and interscapular BAT (IBAT) in Siberian hamsters. MWAT and IWAT have moderately shared SNS innervations within the hindbrain, but separate SNS innervations in rostral regions. In contrast, IWAT and IBAT have relatively separate SNS circuitries throughout the brain yet some overlap in SNS nuclei known to regulate thermogenesis. We tested for the presence of functional coordination between IWAT and IBAT defined by overlap in IWAT SNS and IBAT SNS innervations. When IBAT function was impaired by SNS denervation, IWAT SNS drive, thermogenic activity, and beige adipocyte recruitment increased in cold exposed hamsters likely through coordination with IWAT SNS pathways. Conversely, we found that only SNS drive to IWAT increased during acute food deprivation suggesting that populations of SNS neurons singly innervating each fat depot may contribute to differential SNS drive to fat. Lastly, we demonstrated that IWAT sensory nerves mediate the functional coordination between IWAT and IBAT and the regulation of SNS drive to fat. The absence of IWAT sensory feedback via sensory denervation differentially decreased SNS drive to IBAT and IWAT itself, but not to MWAT, retroperitoneal WAT, and epididymal WAT in cold exposed hamsters. Collectively, the studies in this dissertation provide neuroanatomical evidence of separate and shared SNS brain sites likely receiving sensory signaling and regulating SNS drive to fat, and direct evidence of the roles of SNS and sensory nerves innervating fat to energetic homeostasis and thermoregulation.

Aujeszky s disease (AD) or pseudorabies is an important viral disease of swine and has significant economic impact on the pig industry worldwide. The infection produces direct and indirect economic losses, mainly due to restrictions to international trade of swine products. Since the beginning of the 20th century, AD had been notified in several Brazilian regions, yet Rio Grande do Sul state (RS) remained as a provisionally free area under the International Organization of Epizooties (OIE) guidelines. In 2003, two outbreaks were notified in swine herds located in northern RS, boundary with Santa Catarina, a state where the infections is endemic. Control/eradication measures consisted in tracing back all swine movements, quarantine and eradication of the affected herds by sanitary slaughter under official inspection. In outbreak # 1 (Pinheirinho do Vale, January/2003) six herds were affected, one of which presented animals with clinical signs. Starting from this outbreak, 146 herds and 42.399 pigs were traced back, six herds (7.822 animals) being depopulated the herd where the index outbreak plus five other herds with positive serology. The outbreak #2 (Aratiba, September/2003) resulted in a wider spread of the infection, involving another three counties and 77 herds (nine with clinical signs; 68 with positive serology). From the index case, 109.316 pigs in 630 herds were traced back; 28.443 animals from positive herds were slaughtered. Total numbers reached 151.715 traced back animals in 776 herds; 71 herds were found serologically positive. The adopted measures were efficient to eliminate the outbreaks and to stop the disease spread to neighboring areas, reestablishing the sanitary status previous to the outbreaks. / A doença de Aujeszky (DA), ou pseudoraiva, é uma enfermidade infecto-contagiosa de etiologia viral de grande importância para a suinocultura comercial em todo o mundo. A infecção causa perdas econômicas diretas e indiretas, pela restrição ao comércio internacional de produtos suínos. Embora a DA venha sendo notificada em várias regiões do Brasil desde o início do século XX, o Rio Grande do Sul (RS) permanecia provisoriamente livre com base em critérios da Organização Internacional de Epizootias (OIE). Em 2003 ocorreram dois focos da enfermidade em municípios do norte do RS, limítrofes com Santa Catarina, Estado que tem registrado vários focos nos últimos anos. Como estratégia de combate foram determinados o rastreamento da movimentação de suínos, a interdição da área e a erradicação dos focos através de abate sanitário em matadouros sob Inspeção Federal. No evento 1 (Pinheirinho do Vale, janeiro de 2003) cinco unidades produtoras de leitões (UPLs) foram afetadas, sendo que uma apresentou animais com sinais clínicos. A partir desse foco foram rastreados 42.399 suínos em 146 rebanhos, sendo eliminados seis rebanhos o foco índice e cinco outras com sorologia positiva num total de 7.822 animais. No evento 2 (Aratiba, setembro de 2003), a disseminação da infecção foi maior, atingindo outros três municípios e 77 granjas (nove com sinais clínicos, 68 com sorologia positiva). Foram rastreados 109.316 suínos em 630 rebanhos, com a erradicação de 28.443 animais das granjas que apresentaram sinais clínicos ou sorologia positiva. No total foram rastreados 151.715 animais em 776 rebanhos, sendo detectados 71 rebanhos com sorologia positiva. Essas medidas foram eficazes na erradicação dos focos e impediram a disseminação da enfermidade para outras regiões, permitindo ao RS readquirir o status sanitário anterior aos surtos.